Fresh from the garden: A holiday feast

Jewish joy is blooming at Temple Israel, and so are the vegetables in the Gan Chesed: Garden of Kindness. Officially installed in October of last year through the generosity of the Magness Family Children's Play Area Fund and the hard work of the garden committee led by Temple Israel member Lauren Brown, the community garden has been growing beautiful winter produce.

Some of that produce has even been served at TI Supper Club Shabbat dinners. February's Supper Club included baba ganoush made from Gan Chesed eggplants. The next TI Supper Club on Friday, June 7, is sure to include more vegetables and herbs from the garden. Kitchen scraps are thrown into the garden compost bin to make sure nothing goes to waste and the cycle of growth continues.

Volunteers as well as religious school students in MAGAL, the Meitin Alliance for Growth and Learning, have helped plant and harvest everything from tomatoes, carrots, beans, peppers, and radishes to pollinator flowers and parsley for Passover. The greater Orlando community will have the opportunity to try that parsley at Temple Israel's Second Night Seder on Tuesday, April 23, at 6 p.m. in the Roth Family Social Hall. Rabbi Joshua Neely will once again lead the Seder while guests enjoy their choice of chicken, brisket, or eggplant moussaka, along with matzo ball soup, tzimmes, roasted vegetables, dessert, and wine. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit templeisraelevents.com.

Learn more about sharing holidays and harvests with Temple Israel by visiting tiflorida.org or calling 407-647-3055.