Shoresh Food Conference
Presented by Shoresh Jewish Environmental Programs, Miles Nadal JCC and U of T Centre for Jewish Studies.
Kosher? Organic? Local? Oy vey!
Join local rabbis, farmers, foodies, activists, students and teachers for a full-day conference as we broadly and deeply explore the intersections between Jewish tradition and contemporary food issues. The rich and varied sessions are designed both for people who are already knowledgeable about the intersection of food and Jewish life as well those with no prior knowledge of the subject.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
11:00am-5:00pm
Miles Nadal JCC (750 Spadina at Bloor)
Includes a delicious, vegetarian, culturally-inspired lunch catered by Aviva Allen R.H.N, author of The Kosher Organic Cookbook.
Evening lecture featuring Aaron Gross, Founder of Farm Forward
7:00pm East Common Room, Hart House, University of Toronto
Sessions and Presenters:
Darlene Litman, Backyard Chicken Advocate
Join Darlene Litman, backyard chicken advocate, for a session that explores the complex relationship between mensch and chicken in Toronto.
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Religion, Food Ethics and Advocacy: A Multifaith Conversation
Moderator: Rabbi Ed Elkin (Rabbi, First Narayever Congregation), Krista Fry (Director, EcoSpiritual MultiFaith Group), Samira Kanji (President, Noor Cultural Centre), Joshna Maharaj (chef, food activist and writer), Stephen Scharper (Associate Professor, Centre for the Environment at U of T)
Join representatives from some of Toronto’s major faith communities for an in-depth look into how these communities are shaping the local food movement in one of North America’s most diverse cities.
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Annie Gilbert and Naomi Tessler, co-creators and co-facilitators of the Toronto Downtown Women's Rosh Hodesh Circle; a monthly gathering that creates a sacred space for women to build community, share stories, be creative and honour the New Moon.
In this workshop we will explore Jewish blessings around food, participate in creative chanting rituals and practice sharing gratitude for our food, our community and the world we wish to nourish.
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Aaron Gross, CEO and Founder of Farm Forward and Jonathan Abrahams, Director of Operations & Executive Chef at the Healthy Butcher
Join us to explore some of the issues surrounding the industrial production and consumption of kosher meat, as well as addressing the challenges of eating kosher, local AND organic in our city.
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Kosher Curds: What makes Cheese Kosher?
Ruth Klahsen, Owner and Lead-Cheesemaker of Monforte Dairy and Rabbi Aaron Levy, Founder and Director of Makom: Creative Downtown Judaism
A vegan rabbi and a local cheesemaker walk into a Jewish food conference. Come to this session to find out the punchline.
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Bagels, Blueberry Buns and Baby Beef: What Makes Toronto's Jewish Food Culture Unique?
David Sax, Freelance Journalist and Yitz Penciner , Founder of Yitz's Deli
Join David Sax, author of Save the Deli, and Yitz Penciner, founder of Yitz's Deli, for a quizzical look at the delicacies that define Toronto Jewish Foodies.
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Tikkun Olam: Reconstructing a Broken Food System.
Panel moderated by: Charles Levkoe, University of Toronto
Panelists: Daniel Hoffmann, Founder and Farmer at The Cutting Veg, Michael Friedman, Manager, Agency Relations, North York Harvest Food Bank, Avrum Rosensweig, Founding Director of Ve’ahavta: The Canadian Jewish Humanitarian and Relief Committee
How do we fix a broken food system? Learn about what local organizations and individuals are doing to address issues of food justice and food democracy in our community.
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Creating Sustainable Jewish Institutions
Vivian Stadlin, Co-Director of Eden Village Camp and Andrea Most, Associate Professor of English and Jewish Studies, University of Toronto, and Chair of First Narayever Sustainable Food Initiative
What role does policy play in the new Jewish Food Movement? What would it look like to institute a sustainable food policy in your Jewish organization? Join Vivian Stadlin and Andrea Most to hear how they have actualized Jewish food ethics within their institutions.
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MYOM: How to Make Your Own Matzah
Mitch Davis and Rachael Cayley, Facilitators of the Annual Dufferin Grove Matzah Bake
Learn how to make your own matzah (in 18 minutes or less)! This session will address the basics of matzah-making and where to source local, organic, heritage grains. As well, participants will explore our ritual attachments to traditional packaged, commercially produced foods - its time to think outside the (matzah) box!
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People of the Book, People of the Land: Jews and Agriculture
Derek Penslar, Professor of Modern Jewish History, University of Toronto and Risa Alyson Cooper, Director of Shoresh Jewish Environmental Programs
Explore our rich Jewish agricultural history and discover why a new generation of Jews are going back to the land.
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Kashrut: New Ways of Looking at Old Laws
Baruch Sienna, Jewish Environmental Educator
Kashrut is an ancient (and sometimes puzzling) set of rules outlining what and how we eat. Examining classical and contemporary sources, this participatory session will explore how the principles of kashrut support and/or challenge sustainable and ethical eating.
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