Agudas Israel Synagogue in Hendersonville is cooking up its first Mountain Jewish Festival.
Agudas Israel Synagogue in Hendersonville seems to be stepping into a new era. This Sunday, they host their inaugural Mountain Jewish Festival, an event that celebrates behind-the-scenes aspects of Jewish culture. You’ll not only be able to taste challah bread – you’ll see how it’s made.
Matzoh-ball soup, mandelbread cookies, and potato latkes are also on the menu. The festival will feature booths dedicated to Jewish holidays (Passover, Hanukkah, Purim, and the upcoming Rosh Hashanah), and offer up an open Torah.
“Being a minority, just letting people know who we are and a little bit about our traditions is really great,” says Rabbi Rachael Jackson, the congregation’s young new leader, who moved to Hendersonville from Denver.
A former analytical chemist who was called to a new life’s purpose, Rabbi Jackson spoke to Bold Life’s Jen Nathan Orris about the relevance of spiritual education, which is the main thrust of the Mountain Jewish Festival (as well as really yummy food).
“I’m Jewish and American,” she says. “The Jewish tradition certainly influences how we behave and what we do in the 21st century, and at the same time, there’s a lot that we can learn from thousands of years of scriptures and writings.”
The Mountain Jewish Festival happens August 16, 11am-3pm, at Agudas Israel Synagogue (505 Glasgow Lane, Hendersonville). www.agudasisraelsynagogue.org, 828-693-9838.
