I know I'm supposed to set a good example and talk about our Cabbage roll main meal first but....oh the pastries at the Yiddish Food Festival! Every May, these traditional delights, are the hit of the festival. They sell out quickly and we have learned to come early to get the best selection that the Mount Sinai Synagogue bakers have to offer. Let's pause from the pastries for a minute to talk about Synagogues in Wyoming. There is 1 in Cheyenne, 1 in Casper, 1 in Laramie and 2 in Jackson. Not many! The Yiddish Food festival provides a great way for Cheyenne's Jewish community to share their beliefs, traditions and once again, the pastries, with a population that might not otherwise have an opportunity to understand and appreciate. Mount Sinai has been part of the Cheyenne community for over 100 years. It has the only Kosher kitchen in Wyoming but the most unique feature of the building is an underground stream that runs through the property. This "living water" allows the Synagogue to provide a highly valued ritual bath area. The festival begins with Shofar blowing by Doctor Jason Bloomberg, who also gives tours of the Synagogue. His knowledge and dedication are evident as he leads tour participants through not only the building, but also aspects of the faith, Jewish life and pastries, I mean food! OK, I admit there is more to the festival than food. It also includes music by Bisl Klezmer playing traditional Jewish music with Mt. Sinai member, Howard Rodack as the soloist and emcee, ( his grandparents were in Yiddish theatre and performed in all the famous venues in the "Borscht Circuit"). The Israeli Folk Dance Team perform traditional dances like Yayin (Wine) and Ovrim Yamim, (The Days Go By). The phrase on the food price list sums the whole thing up, "Eat something- You shouldn't leave hungry!" No one's belly or soul should be left wanting after this festival. Shalom!
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