Congregation Beth Shalom

I finally made it to the Jewish food festival. Great advertising this year and I was in town. The food was delicious and I found some great gifts for Chanukah. I got my Aunt a set of 6 dark blue, purple and outlined in gold Star of David napkins. Very unique and reasonably priced. All of the items were reasonably priced and so many unique gift items. Lots of amazing handmade jewelry. Knitted scarfs and hats, dog jackets, wind chimes, felted items, ceramics. There were also 2 Fair Trade booths. I bought the PaperLl Picado at the one my co-​worker was manning. It was great to see him there.
The live music was also really good. The Rabbi and her wife did a duet.
Seating was scarce, but we were able to find a place every time we came with food.
The food was delicious. We started out with the falafel. They had the funniest sign over it– Vegetarian. I wanted to ask where they sold the meat version and what it was like, but I resisted. After touring all of the food. I realized they were catering to those who weren’t Jewish. The coconut macaroons were labeled gluten free.
I loved the falafel. You paid when you got it and then took it to the condiment table that was chuck full of hummus, mustard, lettuce/​cabbage, hot sauces, and Jerusalem salad. Jerusalem salad was included in all meals and you can have as much as you want along with the hummus ect. That was a huge perk. We then had the Corn beef sandwich. It was $ 10 and more than enough for 2. It was hot so I passed on the matzo ball soup. I heard it was great. The Macaroons were fresh, moist and delicious. They also had free tea and coffee in the back.
They had lots of baked goods and frozen items. The baked goods came from a bakery, either Grand in Oakland or the Pita House. Very nice a unique selection. They had chocolate chip challah. I’ve a big fan of regular and never heard of the dessert variety.
According to one person this event was a fundraiser to the community. The family who manned the ice cream booth was putting their earning to a family members college fund. Another booth said 10% of proceeds go to the Temple. What a nice unique fundraiser.
Logistic: It was all street parking, which worked out fine. We immediately found a space. They had several parking attendants making sure people weren’t parking in the shopping center’s main parking. I think that’s a great idea as you want a relationship with those businesses around you. With this many people I was surprised there wasn’t a line a mile long to use the bathroom. There were 2 stalls and 2 in line when I went. The weather was perfect and a true blessing as most things were out doors.
I can’t wait to go back next year.

Ever since moving here from the East coast, I’ve consistently found myself asking «Where my Jews at?!?» Seriously, the Jewish population out here just ain’t like it is back in NYC (insert rant about lack of good pizza options in CA here).
Anyway, I stopped by Congregation Beth Shalom for their annual Jewish Food Faire (highly recommended – they have everything from babka and lox to homemade latkes and matzoh ball soup. Oh yeah, and Dr. Brown’s soda!!)
As a fair-​weather Jew myself, I walked in here with very little intention of becoming a regular community member. But then, every single interaction I had with the congregation members was so positive for me. It made me WANT to become involved in the Jewish community again, knowing that such a fantastic place for the Jewish-​inclined exists right here in Sacramento!
This is the type of place I love to see, and in earnest, it’s what a place of worship SHOULD be but too often is NOT nowadays. What can I say, you won’t hear me kvetching about Congregation Beth Shalom. I’m smitten!