The first ever Jewish Food Festival is scheduled to take place on Sunday, Aug. 18 and Monday, Aug. 19 from noon to 7 p.m. at Virmond Park, 10606 N. Lake Shore Dr. in Mequon.
The event, which is free and open to the public, is being organized by the Peltz Center for Jewish Life, and will include traditional Jewish foods, live music and entertainment for adults and children alike.
The childrens Fun Zone will include a petting zoo from 2 to 6 p.m., face painting, and an inflatable zone complete with a slide (admission is $3). There will also be adult activities including challah braiding and pickle making, along with live music from 4 to 6 p.m. from Val Sigal and Band Klezmer. On Sunday from noon to 4 p.m., folks can also catch artist Brett White’s mural painting.
Traditional Jewish food items will be available throughout the festival and will include Israeli specialties will include falafel with pita or a falafel plate ($7.50/$12) or schwarma with pita or a schwarma plate ($12/$14). Sides will include items like sweet noodle kugel ($4), potato knish ($3) and Hungarian style stuffed cabbage ($5.50).
Dinner specials will also be available from 4 to 7 p.m. and include rotisserie chicken with coleslaw and fries for $13 on Sunday, Aug. 18 and glazed beef ribs with coleslaw and fries for $15 on Monday, Aug. 19
Additional items will include sandwiches including schnitze ($10)l, pastrami ($12), corned beef ($12), pulled beef ($11), a Shtetl burger ($7) or classic kosher beef hot dogs ($5).
"This festival is a great way for the community to come together and strengthen Jewish awareness while enjoying delicious authentic Jewish food," notes Rabbi Moshe Luchins, Community Engagement and Festival Coordinator. "The community is excited about the festival and we are expecting a tremendous turnout."
All proceeds from the event will fund the community outreach programs of the Peltz Center for Jewish Life. For more information on the Festival, visit chabadmequon.org.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
