Remembering an IDF soldier through a treasured recipe on Yom Hazikaron

By Rotem Bar
Community Shlicha
 
This Yom Hazikaron, Israel’s official Memorial Day for fallen soldiers and victims of terror, the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley will host a “Taste of Memories” event at the Jewish Community Center of the Lehigh Valley. The Taste of Memories initiative is a unique way to commemorate the fallen through your stomach with their favorite recipe and through your heart with their memories. 
 
Taste of Memories was started by Eden Kohali, who served as Israeli shlicha to Minnesota in 2016. The program has grown all over the world. Participants get to engage with bereaved families not only with photos, videos and stories of IDF casualties and other victims, but also with their most beloved foods.
 
“Every person, anywhere in the world, knows the sense of loss and longing, and each person has a recipe that reminds him of someone dear,” said Kohali. “I chose to use the most simple connection to create an emotional connection and identification—food.”
 
This year, the Federation will carry on the project by sponsoring a cooking session of a favorite food and share the story behind it of the fallen IDF soldier who loved that recipe and never returned home to enjoy it. Food serves many times as a universal language. Let’s taste and not forget together! 
 
Want to partipcate in Taste of Memories on Monday, May 6, at 7 p.m. at the JCC ? Contact Rotem Bar at rotem@jflv.org by May 1. Space is limited.