Montgomery’s Jewish food festival a major community draw

Over the years thousands have enjoyed the Temple Beth Or Jewish Food Festival in Montgomery. This year, the festival will be Feb. 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Special items for the festival, most of which have been handmade by Temple members, include pastries such as rugelach, strudel and mandel bread; hot plates of brisket or pastrami; matzo ball soup; potato latkes; and quajado (spinach pie). “Imported” from New York are New York cheesecakes, direct from the famous Carnegie Deli and sold by the slice or cake.

There is also a Treasure Market and the congregation’s gift shop, and this year they will include children’s activities, including face painting. Rabbi Elliot Stevens leads tours and gives short presentations on Judaism.

“Our festival has become an important fixture on Montgomery’s calendar,” Stevens said. “Many thousands from throughout our River Region and beyond have enjoyed good Jewish food and culture, and learned something of our Jewish heritage.

“For me, I’ve appreciated the opportunity to reach out and create cross-cultural bridges throughout our community. Being able to learn from each other and meet over good food benefits us all. I look forward to continuing this tradition for years to come.”

Hebrew Union Congregation in Greenville will have its Deli Lunch on Feb. 28, and many other congregations in the region will have corned beef sandwich sales in mid-March.

Beth Shalom in Baton Rouge is holding its corned beef sandwich sale March 17 to 19, with pickup on March 17 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and business delivery for orders of five or more on March 18 and 19 from 10 a.m. to noon. A lunch including sandwich, chips, pickle and homemade brownie is $9. Tuna or egg salad is also available.

Alexandria’s Gemiluth Chassodim held its Jewish Food Festival on Jan. 20.