{ arts & culture

A Blend Of
Cultures

Events help Chaldeans
and Jews embrace their
passion for the arts.

Mary Romaya Barbara Gtchnian

Contributing Writers

On a beautiful Michigan summer

evening in August, a large crowd of

hungry Jewish and Chaldean diners

gathered at Vineyards Cafe and Deli in

Farmington Hills to enjoy typical ethnic

dishes of the two cuisines, prepared

by 15 of our talented home cooks and

professional chefs.

Top: Diane D'Agostini of Bloomfield
Township, Joe Shallal of Franklin, Ron
Asmar of West Bloomfield (and owner of
Vineyards Cafe and Deli) along with Saad
Hajjar of West Bloomfield share a laugh.

Left: Michael George of West Bloomfield
spoons out pakota (barley) into small
serving cups.

Above: Mandelbrodt, Jewish almond bread,
is among the choices.

10 CHALDEAN NEWS I JEWISH NEWS October 2011

•

From pakota, kabobs and stuffed grape leaves to
borscht, brisket and mandelbrodt — and lots of other
culinary delights — 150 happy guests sampled the
similarities and differences of the traditions, tastes,
aromas, spices and recipes brought to this country by
our Chaldean and Jewish forebears.
This much-enjoyed gourmet food fest was the most
recent of many public events presented by the Arts
& Culture Committee of the Building Community
Initiative. All of the committee's efforts are tailored to
planning and promoting events of interest to both the
Jewish and Chaldean communities.

Getting Started

In November 2010, the committee launched its activi-
ties with a grand architectural tour of the Shenandoah
Country Club and the Jewish Community Center
(JCC), less than a mile from each other in West
Bloomfield. More than 100 Chaldeans and Jews were