Gentlemen - we have two upcoming events that I hope you will consider attending! :)
First, the Zen meditation workshop still has openings, and sounds like an amazing series - it runs May 14 from 6:30 - 8 PM and May 21 from 7:30 - 9 PM. Cost is $20 for Brotherhood members - a steal and this is a wonderful opportunity to learn a new approach to reducing stress and discovering how to relax. Deadline for RSVPs is tomorrow, May 8 - RSVP to Marci Gerston at <email removed> - do NOT reply back to this email, we have turned off the brotherhood email address temporarily to deal with some serious spam issues.
Second - Brotherhood needs you for our upcoming Diaspora Dinner on May 31 at 6 PM - RSVPs have been very low so far (surprisingly) and I want to encourage you to please try and attend - the food is magnificent (I am disclosing the menu to help nudge some of you to attend) and all the profits from this help support Brotherhood. Please do try and attend if you can - details are below. RSVP to Dave Graubart at <email removed> - again, please do not reply back to this email as it will bounce.
I hope to see you all there - details below. :)
cheers, J (off to London on Friday) H
Well, once again the seasons have turned - there is more than a hint of Summer in the air, the cherry blossoms have come and gone and the next Diaspora Dinner is ready to accept your reservations! :)
I am pleased to announce that the theme of Diaspora Dinner XV is the Ottoman Empire! Your tastebuds will be regaled with a host of different flavours, originating in Turkey and spreading like that ancient empire to Greece, Lebanon, Bulgaria, Romania and others! As is consistent with the Diaspora Dinner theme, all will be made to obsessive levels of authenticity and will (we hope) surpass your always high expectations of us.
In addition, to keep with our theme, there will be no 'Appetizer' or 'Main Dish' course - instead, a series of Mezzes, or small plates will delight you, course after course after course - 5 in total, including a truly exceptional dessert course!
The menu - subject to change is:
Course 1: Trio of Dips with Turkish-style Pita – Greek Skordalia, Lebanese Hummus bi Tahini and Syrian Muhamara; Romanian Mitteti (grilled beef ‘sausages’)
Course 2: Greek Avgolemono Egg-Lemon Soup with Pureed Vegetables and Dill
Course 3: Badridzhani Mtsvanilit (Georgian Herbed Eggplant Salad), Turkish Circassian Chicken Salad, Moroccan Tuna Salad with Chermoula
Course 4: Turkish Manti (tortellini) with Bulgarian Tarator Sauce, Georgian Lamb Basturma with Green Tkemali Sauce
Course 5: Greek Galaktoboureko square, garnished with Turkish Delight and Seasonal Fruits
We use the profits from this program to the benefit of Temple Emanu-El. We sincerely hope you will join us on Saturday, May 31 from 6 - 9 PM for our traditional feast and multimedia presentation on the fascinating Jewish history of this diverse and expansive empire. This is one of the richest areas in Jewish history, and includes tales of great heroism and new beginnings, as well as at least one tragic ending for Jewish life in the region.
Cost per seat is $49 for non-Brotherhood members and $40 for Brotherhood members - and will include unique beverages and wine. For an additional $18 per person, our resident Sommelier will exquisitely match the finest regional wines to each course. For those of you who have attended a Diaspora Dinner, you know there is no greater bargain for the quality of food, wine and presentation (not to mention the learning experience). There will of course be our raffle at the end of the Dinner as well - hundreds of $ in prizes will be raffled off, including at least one electronics item guaranteed to be of great excitement to all. :)
Get your checks in early - these Dinners consistently sell out and we expect nothing different from this one - we will cap the guest list at 80 and we count reservations only upon reception of your check. Please make checks out to Temple Emanu-El Brotherhood and mail c/o Brotherhood to: Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Avenue, San Jose, CA 95126. Again, your seat is not guaranteed until we receive your check, so please get them to us ASAP - a number of people have already pre-paid for this dinner, and there are thus fewer than usual available seats.
The Mercury News calls the Diaspora Dinner one of the hottest tickets in Silicon Valley - and they are right. General publicity on this will go out next week, so you are getting a headstart on everyone else - be sure you take advantage of it! :)
I look forward to seeing you at this next installment of our Dinner series - with best regards, Jonathan
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