Each Shabbat luncheon pairs educational programming with dishes native to the featured culture, all of which are prepared by congregants in the synagogue kitchen.
B’nai Israel Synagogue invites both members and the wider community to step beyond their own Jewish traditions and explore the breadth and diversity of Jewish life around the world.
Every few months, the West Bloomfield synagogue hosts its ongoing lunch and learn series, Jews Around the World, which highlights the traditions of well-known and lesser-known Jewish communities. Each Shabbat luncheon pairs educational programming with dishes native to the featured culture, all of which are prepared by congregants in the synagogue kitchen.
Since launching in 2024, Jews Around the World has explored Jewish communities from the Caribbean, Scotland and Mexico, including Converso Jews, or Jews who were forcibly converted to Catholicism during the Spanish Inquisition.
The series has quickly become a meaningful way for participants of all ages to deepen their understanding of global Jewish identity through food, history and shared experience.
“We’ve all broadened our knowledge about what Jews around the world eat, and there are so many areas to explore,” says B’nai Israel Synagogue president Cindy Victor.
Rooted in Learning and Connection
Preparing food in-house for the lunch and learn series is a key part of what makes the program feel authentic.
Although the synagogue doesn’t shy away from the occasional catering when needed, congregants work together to research, prepare and serve dishes that reflect the culinary traditions of each featured community.
“It makes us feel like we’re truly connecting with Jews and helping keep their communities alive,” Victor says, “especially for communities that are smaller or no longer have a strong presence.”
The idea for Jews Around the World was spearheaded by board member Michelle Bernard, who envisioned transforming the traditional Shabbat luncheon into a more immersive cultural experience.
Her goal was to combine learning, conversation and cuisine in a way that would resonate with participants long after the meal ended.
Exploring Jewish Life Through Food and Tradition
Each program requires extensive research, from the historical and cultural presentation to the menu itself. Organizers study traditional recipes, cooking techniques and dietary customs to ensure the food served aligns with both cultural authenticity and Jewish dietary laws.
The January program explored the Chinese Jewish community, featuring a spread that included sesame chicken, egg foo young, vegetable lo mein and Mongolian tofu fried rice.
“We cook a very authentic meal,” Victor says. The meal was also accompanied by an educational presentation that traced the history of Jewish communities in China.
For a program focused on the Jews of Greece, B’nai Israel Synagogue went well beyond simply serving spinach pie. “We found a pasta dish that Greek Jewish grandmothers traditionally make on Friday so it stays warm and can be served for Shabbat lunch,” Victor says.
Attendees are also encouraged to participate in the experience, whether by wearing kilts for the program on Scottish Jews or embracing other cultural traditions tied to each community.
“Sometimes we think Jews everywhere are just like us, and they’re not,” Victor says. “They do different things. They eat different things. Some people are subjected to terrible antisemitism.”
Through the series, participants are exposed not only to unique cultural traditions but also to challenges faced by Jewish communities worldwide.
“We learn a lot of things we wouldn’t have otherwise,” Victor explains. “It challenges what we think of as Jewish life. We’re not the same as Jews in every other country.”
B’nai Israel Synagogue has long prided itself on offering interactive learning opportunities on a wide range of topics. Looking ahead, organizers hope to explore Jewish communities from Bulgaria and India in future programs.
“We pray and do things that are familiar to us,” Victor says of Shabbat programming at the West Bloomfield synagogue, “but sometimes it’s nice to learn more. It just adds to our knowledge.”
The next Jews Around the World event will take place Feb. 7 and will spotlight the French Jewish community. The series is free to attend, and both members and non-members are welcome. Registration is encouraged by emailing info@bnaiisraelwb.org.