Friday, June 17–Sunday, June 19, Kempsville Conservative Synagogue
When Kempsville Conservative Synagogue/Kehillat Bet Hamidrash began planning A Taste of Challah Days Around the World, no one imagined where it would lead the congregation. Planning a Shabbat celebration that would look at Jews in different cultures could go in many directions, but it led to two special women who both experienced lives of religious and political strife.
Galina Lifshitz was born in Gomel, Belarus. She will share her story of her journey from Belarus, to Israel, and then to Virginia Beach. Lifshitz has many warm childhood memories that she will balance with her stories of anti-Semitism. She has shared many of her mother’s recipes, which will be prepared and served at Shabbat dinner. Ever heard of falshe fish? Attend the evening for a taste.
Maly Gadai Jackson has also lived in three countries—Ethiopia, Israel, and the United States. Her childhood experiences are very different from Lifshitz’s. As a seven- year-old, she walked for three weeks from Ethiopia to Sudan and then flew to Israel on an Israeli Air Force commissioned airplane. Jackson will share her Ethiopian Jewish life at Shabbat morning services, and will also discuss her amazing journey at breakfast on Sunday morning. Shabbat lunch will include her recipes from her Ethiopian Shabbat traditions. Jackson and her family recently relocated to Harrisburg. The community is delighted to welcome her (and her family) back to Virginia Beach for this not-to-be-missed experience.
A Taste of Challah Days Around the World is made possible through funding of the United Jewish Federation, Tidewater Jewish Foundation and Simon Family Foundation. For the complete schedule, reservations, and cost, e-mail kbhsynagogue@gmail.com.