Rooted in many cultures, Jewish food tells a global story of heritage and home.
To bring Jewish food life, Israeli chef Haim Dimri treated Greater Philadelphians to a weeklong cooking series exploring Jewish culinary heritage.
"Chef Haim was here two years ago and his sessions were so fun and well-received that we were asked to bring him back to Philadelphia,” said Jewish Federation’s Program Officer Beth Razin. “Cooking and food is such a tangible way for people to learn not only about our Jewish Federation's connection to our Partnership Region, but also about the diversity of the people of Israel."
During 11 hands-on workshops, held across Greater Philadelphia from Nov. 10 to Nov. 16, participants learned the traditions behind beloved Jewish recipes, explored some of the flavors that bring them to life, and discovered how to make cherished Jewish staples, such as burekas, challah and special desserts.
Following the cooking lessons, participants enjoyed their creations together during sit-down meals.
Dimri is a native of Netivot, which is one the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia partnership regions in Israel’s south. A Tadmor Cookery School graduate, Dimri honed his craft in top kitchens across Israel, France, Canada and the United States before opening his boutique bakery, Patisserie Nichochot Haim, in Netivot.
“Everywhere we go, I see how good food brings people together, creating conversations, smiles and genuine connections,” said Dimri. “This is the second time that I’ve been in Philadelphia, and again, I feel that it's not just a tour, we are facilitating something deeper. There's no other way to put it, food brings people together!”
View photos from a few of the cooking workshops below!
On Nov. 10, Dimri taught Jewish cuisine at a private home in Center City with NextGen’s Levin Society.
On Nov. 11, members of the Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy group enjoyed a hands-on cooking demonstration at a private home in Radnor, PA.
Guests at Beth Hillel Beth El learned how to make special Jewish Tunisian dishes: bonatage, frena, tirshi and more on Tuesday, Nov. 11, from Dimri’s cooking demonstration.
On Nov. 16, Dimri led a workshop with members of the Jewish Federation’s Women’s Philanthropy group on baking with filo dough, making burekas and baklava from scratch at a private home in Merion Station.
Dimri visited Greater Philadelphia to share the tradition and creativity that makes Jewish cuisine so unique. Courtesy: Chef Haim Dimri
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The Jewish Federation's Partnership2Gether (P2G) represents a quarter-of-a century bond with the Israeli communities of Netivot and Sdot Negev, located in southern Israel near the Gaza border.
Since 1901, the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia has served as the hub of the region’s Jewish communities, providing an infrastructure of support for Jewish people and organizations in need. Through grants, emergency funding, restricted gifts, endowments with our Jewish Community Foundation, and our partnership with the Foundation for Jewish Day Schools, we invest millions each fiscal year to care for those in need, support Israel and global Jewry, and secure a vibrant Jewish future. You can support this work by making a gift here.