On December 7th, SUNY Albany’s Emet for Israel group, Great Danes for Israel, hosted “A Taste of Israel” brunch at Terra International Cuisine, a kosher restaurant in Downtown Albany. Many of these students had never tried authentic Israeli foods, so the event gave them the opportunity to take part in a unique cultural and culinary experience.
At the event, SUNY Albany students tasted all sorts of Israeli cuisines, including shakshuka, hummus, falafel, Israeli salad, and a variety of other foods. The students had the opportunity to learn many different facts about how Israeli food is prepared, eaten, and distributed throughout the country.
This event was not only unique, but also delicious. Food can help give insights into diverse cultures. Because Israeli food comes from so many cultures, the flavors are not what one would find at your typical American restaurant. Additionally, food has a way of attracting people meaning that no one is going to say no to delicious and free meal.
The students who planned the event were pleased to see the outcome, and how excited their peers were to get a real taste of Israel. Creating events that are based around the notion of food is an effective way to get more students involved. Somehow food always has the power to bring people of many backgrounds together and ultimately, to engage in dialogue. That’s exactly what we accomplished through our brunch event, and we look forward to planning more in the future. Maybe next time we’ll snack on Bamba and Bissli!