TASTE OF TEMPLE CO-CHAIRS, from left, Tiffany and David Goldwyn and Ali and Judah Garfinkle

Taste of Temple will have something for every taste

Beth Israel plans palate pleaser

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article created on: 2011-09-15T00:00:00

To quote the irrepressible Auntie Mame, “Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!”

On Sunday, Oct. 30, it is guaranteed that no one will starve at Congregation Beth Israel, when the cork will literally be popped at Taste of Temple, an event designed to celebrate Portland’s exciting local food scene and build community togetherness.

Spearheaded by CBI Development Director Jen Feldman, Taste of the Temple has wide appeal across the community. Foodies, oenophiles and a wide array of others mingle while sampling the unique offerings from Portland’s top caterers, restaurateurs and food purveyors.

In order to attract the younger Jewish crowd, who may not know what Beth Israel has to offer, Feldman tapped two couples to co-chair the event: Ali and Judah Garfinkle and David and Tiffany Goldwyn.

Longtime friends and colleagues through their respective dental practices, the couples share many of the same goals for the TOT event, which is envisioned as a friend raiser as well as a fundraiser for CBI.

“We loved the idea of creating an event that spoke to a wide range of generations,” said Ali. “TOT is an example of the great events available at CBI for everyone, including younger couples and families. There will be free babysitting too!”

David Goldwyn said, “We jumped at the opportunity to be more involved at CBI. We are excited to show other younger families what CBI has to offer in both religious and social programs.”

In addition to the four co-chairs, the event committee comprises many congregants with a long history of supporting Beth Israel, a reflection of the congregation’s strong multi-generational ties to the community.

Judah Garfinkle, a Portland native with long ties to CBI, said he volunteered so he could play an “active role in creating the type of community I want to live in.”

The son of CBI board member Deborah Caldwell and well-known orthodontist Richard Garfinkle, Judah’s grandparents and great-grandparents were also CBI members, creating a four-generation legacy.

Judah met wife Alison at Camp Swig in California. Ali also grew up at a Temple Beth Israel in Pomona, Calif. The Garfinkles moved to Portland in 2007 to raise their family in Judah’s home town.

David and Tiffany Goldwyn joined Beth Israel in 2003, the same year Rabbi Rose officiated at their wedding there. The couple’s two young children attend the CBI preschool program and while the close-knit preschool atmosphere reinforced the family’s sense of community, Tiffany was looking for more.

“I had been wanting to get more involved but didn’t know how,” she explained. “When Jen Feldman asked us to help with Taste of Temple, I thought that this would be a great way that I could ‘pay it forward, meet new people and get more families interested in CBI.”

As interest in Taste of Temple is growing, so is the list of vendors slated to share their goods with guests. In addition to Beth Israel’s exclusive panel of caterers, which features (among others) Devil’s Food Catering, Food in Bloom and Century Catering, other Portland culinary stars have stepped up to showcase their unique talents.

Among the presenting businesses are Seasons and Regions, Cupcake Jones, Mothers, Bluehour, Simpatica, Lovejoy Bakers, Gilda’s, Uptown Billiards, Alexis Restaurant, Kenny and Zuke’s, Lovin Spoonful Pies, Bread and Ink, Shiraz, Nancy’s Kitchen, Pastaworks, Kettleman Bagel Company, A Cena, Café Nell, Pata Negra, Crave and Kin.

Beverages will be provided in part by Raptor Ridge Winery, Soter Vineyards and Widmer Brothers Brewing Co.

The event will feature a silent auction with offerings ranging from scotch and cigar tastings to gift certificates for more fabulous restaurants, from challah baking with Cantor Judith Schiff to in-home gatherings to view private art and specialty collections.

Taste of Temple will be held on Sunday, Oct. 30 beginning at 5 p.m. in Goodman Hall in the Schnitzer Family Center at 1972 NW Flanders St.

Tickets are $54 per person before Oct. 10 and $72 per person thereafter.

Childcare will be provided at no charge.

To purchase tickets contact Lydia in the Temple office: 503-222-1069.

Yearlong event sponsorships are available! To join the growing list of sponsors contact Jen Feldman: jen@bethisrael-pdx.org.