Congregation Agudat Achim will be holding its 31st Annual Carrot Festival on Sunday, Sept. 13, on the grounds of the synagogue from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. The event, which will be held rain or shine, is open to the entire community. For many, including L.J. Goldstock, owner of the Niskayuna-based L.T.’s Grill and a sponsor of the festival, it is something that he has looks forward to each year.
I think it’s a festival that’s not just for the synagogue itself but for the community, said Goldstock. `I think it brings the community together.`
Goldstock’s family has been living in the Schenectady and Niskayuna area for more than 100 years, and while his restaurant won’t be providing food for the event, which is all kosher, he will be using his skills as a master chef to help make sure everything runs smoothly and deliciously.
`With my background in the food business for over 30 years, they talk to me about, ‘Hey how can we make it better?’` said Goldstock.
He purchased a new grill for the temple so that they can have a larger, more powerful grilling area and he is also helping them out with fountain drinks and other equipment for cooking and entertaining. He also helped them out with a financial contribution.
`It’s a great organization. They’ve just asked me to help make it better,` said Goldstock.
`When something has been running for 30 years, you don’t want to walk in there and say, ‘This is the way it’s going to be.’ I’d have a bunch of the ladies in there hitting me with a frying pan.`
Goldstock reiterated that the event is for the entire community.
`We welcome his interference. He’s been a big help. He’s been a really good advisor to us,` said Hillary Fink, who co-chairs the festival with Andy Gavens.
The event will be a showcase of foods and desserts from all over the world ` including carrot cake, local produce, music and entertainment, vendors and crafters, a miniature health fair, and plenty of activities to keep kids entertained.
`It is our synagogue’s biggest fundraiser of the year, and we do hope to raise a significant amount of money,` said Fink.
In the food tent, attendees will find traditional Jewish foods such as tzimmes, Israeli salad, hummus, falafel and brisket sandwiches. Hamburgers, hot dogs and portabella mushrooms will be cooked on the grill, and chicken dinners will be available. The farmers market will feature produce from The Carrot Barn at Schoharie Valley Farms.
Vendors and crafters will sell items such as jewelry, kitchen gadgets, pottery, cosmetics, floral designs, clothing and more. The health fair, staffed by Agudat Achim’s Faith Community Nursing volunteers with support from Ellis Hospital, will provide free blood-pressure screenings and health-related information.
A special afternoon concert at 2 will feature the local band Joe’s Boys, playing `good time rock ‘n’ pop` from the ’60s through today. Other entertainment will include a Klezmer band featuring youth from the congregation, Israeli dancers, Art Isenberg on the keyboard, the synagogue’s choir Hava Nashira, and the band Swing Shift.
For kids, activities will include crafts provided by Niskayuna Price Chopper’s Half-Pints, a rock climbing wall, pony rides from noon to 2 p.m., the Schenectady Museum, face painting by the 4-H group Wavy Dolphins from noon to 3 p.m., Price Chopper’s inflatable play structure, mini art classes provided by KidzArt, demonstrations by Drama Kids International and Reptile Adventure.
`We are very excited to welcome the community to our congregation’s 31st Carrot Festival,` said synagogue president Jeff Handelman in a statement. `The festival is a labor of love, involving a great number of dedicated volunteers and a year of planning. We are so appreciative of our sponsors for helping us bring this event to the Niskayuna community.`
Congregation Agudat Achim is located at 2117 Union St. in Niskayuna. For more information, contact the office at 393-9211.
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