Chabad Offers CIA’s Chefs A Sampling of Rosh Hashana

DUTCHESS COUNTY, NY — Tomorrow’s chefs and leading foodies tempt their refined taste buds with Jewish food when Chabad of Dutchess County comes to visit the Cunlinary Institute of America.

In the run up to Rosh Hashana, Rabbi Hanoch Hecht is preparing to offer the (Culinary Institute of America) CIA’s Jewish Culture Club a sampling of the holiday’s symbolic foods.

For these gourmands, apples and honey, Rosh Hashannah’s classic pairing, do not suffice. Pomegranates, a sweet carrot stew known as tzimmes, leeks, and fish heads are among those Rabbi Hecht will choose from as his medium to talk about the meaning of the Jewish approach to the new year.

“These students are thinking about food 24/7,” said Rabbi Hecht. “Food is the way to connect them back to their heritage.”

Last year, Alex Cutler, 23, president of the CIA’s Jewish Culture Club asked Rabbi Hecht to spice up the club’s activities. Since then, Rabbi Hecht has peppered up the year with programs before major Jewish holidays.

Food is the main entrée at the events, but Cutler doesn’t think people show up simply to sample the Hecht family’s recipes. At the Culture Club’s Purim meeting, Tzivie Hecht’s homemade hamanashen pastries were Cutler’s madeleines.

“Last time I did something like that I was in elementary school. To be tasting hamantashen again with a rabbi, was a very warm feeling,” he said.

Thirty students, many still wearing their sturdy chef shoes, munched matzah at the Jewish Culture Club’s last event. Rabbi Hecht brought samples of handmade matzah for the students to sample.

Chef Bruce Mattel, associate professor in the culinary arts, munched on a piece and called them “the ultimate cracker.” Aside from the matzah’s snap and brick oven char, Chef Mattel appreciated their authenticity.

Article Continued (Lubavitch.com)