Vol. 48, No. 4 Nisan- Iyar 5786 April 2026

By Jessica Goldfarb

Food has always held a special place in Jewish life. It is memory, hospitality, resilience, and joy. Those themes were at the center of this year’ s Lion of Judah and Pomegranate Society Luncheon, where women from across the Charlotte Jewish community gathered for an afternoon blending philanthropy, storytelling, and the simple power of sharing a table.

Hosted by Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte’ s Women’ s Philanthropy, the annual luncheon brings together members of the Lions of Judah and Pomegranate Societies – women whose leadership and generosity help sustain and strengthen Jewish life throughout greater Charlotte and around the world.

This year’ s program explored how Jewish joy can be cultivated through everyday rituals, especially through food and hospitality. Charlotte’ s own Alyssa Wilen, known locally as Chef Alyssa, shared reflections on the role cooking plays in her life and in Jewish tradition.

For Alyssa, the kitchen is where family gathers, stories are shared, and traditions are passed from one generation to the next. Cooking, she explained, is one way Jewish joy shows up in daily life, bringing people together and grounding families in moments that might otherwise pass too quickly.

That theme continued with keynote speaker Adeena Sussman, celebrated cookbook author of bestsellers“ Sababa: Fresh,

Lion & Pomegranate Society leadership welcoming our guest speakers

Sunny,” and“ Shabbat: Recipes and Rituals from My Table to Yours.” Sussman spoke about the role food plays in building connection and resilience, especially during uncertain times. Her message resonated deeply with the audience.“ Jewish joy isn’ t something we just want to do,” she said.“ It’ s something that we have to do.”

Sussman traced her understanding of cooking and hospitality back to her childhood in California, where strong matriarchs shaped her family’ s approach to gathering. In earlier decades, informal guides listed Jewish homes where travelers could find a meal or a place for Shabbat. Under“ Sussman,” there was simply an address. Guests ranged from Nobel Prize

Adeena Sussman

winners to individuals in need of a warm meal. When someone asked what they could bring to dinner, her mother always had the same answer:“ Good conversation.”

Sussman encouraged women to release the pressure many feel to create the perfect gathering. Hospitality, she explained, is not about performance.“ If the host is exhausted, you’ re not doing it right,” she said, reminding the audience that meaningful moments often come from simplicity.

The conversations reflected something deeper than recipes or cooking techniques. They spoke to the role of gathering itself. Around kitchen tables and community events alike, Jewish joy is cultivated through shared experiences, meaningful conversations, and the simple act of

showing up for one another.

Their support enables Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte to expand educational opportunities, deepen connections with Israel, strengthen community security, and provide vital support to dozens of partner organizations serving Jewish Charlotte.

The luncheon offered a reminder that while philanthropy fuels that work, community is what makes it meaningful.