Nosh Your Way Through Traditional Favorites At Second Annual NoshFest

Staff Report

Congregation Beth Shalom is reaching out to the Brandon Community to participate in its second annual NoshFest Brandon, which will take place on Sunday, March 30 from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Congregation Beth Shalom is located at 706 Bryan Rd. in Brandon.

NoshFest Brandon began in 2012 as a fun, outdoor cultural event to educate the community on Jewish cuisine, culture, history, holidays and traditions, while at the same time fighting hunger in the community by requesting food donations in lieu of admission fees. For those who may be looking to join a synagogue, it also serves as an introduction to the warm, welcome and active community at Congregation Beth Shalom.

With over 600 attendees, the first event collected over 1,500 pounds of food, which was distributed to struggling families in Brandon and Tampa through two local food pantries. NoshFest 2014 will add ECHO of Brandon as a beneficiary of the event, which will help reach an even greater number of those in need.

This year, the event expands to include even more food, crafts, music and entertainment. Traditional favorites such as kugel, latkes, corned beef and pastrami sandwiches, rugelach and chicken soup will be available to sample.

The ‘noshes’, which are provided in each of the holiday booths, are designed to represent foods associated with each of the major Jewish holidays provided by the congregation. Many other traditional foods, such as knishes and matzo ball soup, will be provided and sold by a combination of vendors and congregants.

“Food is so central to Jewish holidays and observances and NoshFest is a fun and meaningful way to share our traditions with others,” commented Rabbi Betsy Torop.

Visitors will enjoy an eclectic mix of Hebrew, Yiddish, Israeli, Rumanian, old, new, traditional, and not-so- traditional music provided by Doogie Entertainment throughout the day during the festival. The festivities will include a Shofar blowing demonstration, a mock Jewish wedding to educate and showcase traditional Jewish wedding rituals and practices and a game of Jewpardy, a twist on Jeopardy designed to test participants expertise in all things Jewish.

Admission is free with the donation of a non-perishable food item that will go to local food banks, including ECHO of Brandon, Tampa Jewish Family Services and the Congregation Beth Shalom Food Pantry. For more information, call 681-6547 or e-mail noshfestbran don@gmail.com.