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(New York, N.Y.)—Diversity is delicious. That’s the theme of this year’s Workmen’s Circle Taste of Jewish Culture Street Festival, which features dozens of food purveyors putting their individual ethnic spins on traditional Jewish foods, on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18 from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM onSixth Avenue between 48th and 49th Streets. The festival will also feature modern takes on traditional Jewish foods; dance; music; and family-friendly activities, including arts-and-crafts.
The Workmen’s Circle is a social justice organization forwarding progressive Jewish identity through Jewish cultural engagement, Yiddish language learning, multi-generational education, and transformational activism. Launched by the Workmen’s Circle in 2014, the festival is part of the non-profit’s year-round Taste of Jewish Culture event series, which includes hands-on workshops, walking tours, tastings, film screenings, and book discussions. Festivals have drawn upwards of 15,000 attendees each year.
“Our participating restaurants—representing a myriad of different cultures—will be putting a Jewish spin on their traditional dishes. It’s a unique opportunity to send the message that we are all stronger for the many contributions of our immigrant population and also to taste something innovative!”
For this year’s festival, the Workmen’s Circle is partnering with Emma’s Torch, a non-profit social enterprise that trains and empowers refugees in the culinary arts. The organization’s refugees will make a special blend of granola, which will be served up via a pushcart by students from the Midtown Workmen’s Circle School.
The day’s other participants are: Mysttik Masaala; Ample Hills; What’s the Dillaz?; Marani Glatt Kosher Georgian Restaurant; Harlem Seafood Soul; Mile End; Bread’s Bakery; Brooklyn Brine; Cuzin’s Duzin; Danny Macaroon; Bulldog Burgery; Kossar’s; Mission Ceviche; Miss Holly’s Catering; Sigsig City; Court Street Grocers; Sweetleaf; Sweet Chili NYC; Sushi Fussion; La Newyorkina; Destination Dumplings; Souvlaki Lady; Krafted by Karli; Scharf & Zoyer; the Crepe Truck; MatzahBrei; Coney Shack; Sigmund’s Pretzels; and Zaro’s Bakery.
Among the global mashups of the day:
- Mysttik Masaala’s Indian style potato latkes with a mint and tamarind dipping sauce
- Harlem Seafood Soul’s Beer-battered Reuben Fish Tacos
- Destination Dumplings’ pastrami and sauerkraut dumplings
- La Newyorkina’s babka ice cream sandwiches
- Krafted by Karli’s mazto ball soup dumplings
- Sweet Chili NYC’s potato pancakes with house-made Thai chili applesauce
The Workmen’s Circle also will be spritzing up egg creams for sale—and if you are a dad, drop by to get a free egg cream or a frozen pickle pop.
Other culinary delights to be had that day include: Chicago-style hotdogs, bialys, meatballs, Georgian katchapuri, babka and babka ice cream sandwiches, kosher dill pickles, matzo brie sandwiches, pastrami sliders, Kaldareta kabobs, and sufganiyot powdered mini donuts.
Food will not be the only thing on the menu: the festival will feature performances by Frank London’s Klezmer Brass All Stars and the Klezmer-rock band, Golem. Plus there will be engaging activities for kids – including one in which they can design their own soda jerk hats – and cooking demonstrations in Yiddish!
About the Workmen’s Circle
The Workmen’s Circle has been cultivating a proudly progressive, diverse, and inclusive community rooted in Jewish culture, tradition and social justice activism for more than a century. Since our founding, the needs and priorities of our community have evolved and today’s Workmen’s Circle is responding in new and exciting ways. We seed and support a network of eight vibrant Jewish supplementary schools; create opportunities to connect to Jewish culture, including a global Yiddish language program; celebrate our rich heritage; host a summer camp, Camp Kinder Ring; and take action for social and economic justice. Together, as we always have, we are working to build a shenere un besere velt far ale—a better and more beautiful world for all. Learn more:www.circle.org
