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Shalom Y’all

I’m asked all the time about ideas for food.  Locations, concepts and cuisines.  Once upon a time I was asked about the idea of opening on MLK Junior Blvd downtown Savannah.  “What do you think of a Vegan Food Truck?” was the latest inquiry. My answer, most of the time anyway, is the same. Good food is good food. If what you are making is good enough, the masses will find you. It doesn’t matter where you are. Especially in this era of social media. Conversely, if your food isn’t good, then no amount of Instagrams or Snapchats will help you. I realized that, really, a long time ago in New Orleans. The Big Easy is the kind of place where you can find fantastic food tucked in any nook or cranny. If it is popular enough, people will line up. Neighborhood? Doesn’t matter. Questionable part of town? It doesn’t matter. Good food is good food. My local argument to support my own scientific experiment is Shalom Y’all Jewish Food Festival, quite possibly the biggest cultural food event in Savannah every single year.

The festival is in its 28th year, according to Carol Towbin Greenberg, a young lady I spoke with who, along with literally thousands more people,  has volunteered to help the event since day one. “It was a community event.” she says. “We just wanted to do something cultural to coincide with the former ‘Night in Old Savannah’ event that was held every year. “In 1998, we had 5,000 or so people in Monterey Square.” she says. “It was dangerous. Kids were running in the streets, safety was a concern.” Clearly, they’d outgrown the square.

The foods being prepared were popular enough that they began catering, better put, making picnic baskets for the annual Picnic in the Park event with the Savannah Symphony. One hiccup? If the Symphony goes on strike (like they did) then they had nothing to prepare for. “We then asked ourselves, are we a festival or are we a caterer?” Greenberg tells me.

By most accounts the year 2000 was a huge turning point. Once they had their hand slapped for billing themselves as “Hard Lox Cafe,” the decision was made to make the event bigger and all their own. They moved to Forsyth Park. That year they prepared enough food for 3,000 people and 5,000 showed up. A year later, they prepared enough food for 5,000-7,000 people and they had 8,000 people visit. This year, it wouldn’t surprise anyone if they get 10,000 visitors. Especially if the weather cooperates.  Why? What is the big deal? That’s a loaded question, but quite simple to answer.

“We get people from all over America that come to Shalom Y’all.” Greenberg says. “Add to that we have several generations that have lived here their entire lives.” The festival is certainly a celebration of culture in our city. Much the same way Fiesta Latina exists on River Street every Fall or the Greek Festival does just up the street typically a couple of weeks before Shalom Y’all. On the menu this year, and most every other year are favorites like deli sandwiches (including Pastrami and Corned Beef), homemade blintzes, challah, kosher hot dogs  and a whole lot more. “We’ve had people come and visit us, enjoy it some much that they offer to volunteer and prepare foods with us the next year.” It really is a community event.

The event has grown from just a few dishes and a little over 100 volunteers to a city-wide cultural celebration that will take up about half of Forsyth Park. From the fountain, all the way to Gaston Street. 250 volunteers working this time out.  There will be music, fun for the children and of course, the food. Where would they be without it?

The food is well done, right Kerry Friedman Rosen? I’ve attended the festival on a few occasions only to find it all gone. Those in the know absolutely know, the event runs from 11am until 3pm. When the food is gone, it is gone. Translation? Get there early. You are very likely to wait in line either way. As someone once said, good food is good food.

See you on TV,

Jesse

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