Jewish Federation’s Food for Thought Festival Benefits Oregon Food Bank

Marc Blattner, CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Portland helped Festival co-chairs (and first cousins) Cheryl Tonkin and Ed Tonkin fill barrels donations for the Oregon Food Bank.

Portland, April 18th, 2013. Six tons of food are headed to the Oregon Food Bank (9,525 meals) thanks to the generosity of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland. Marc Blattner, CEO of Jewish Federation of Greater Portland helped Festival co-chairs (and first cousins) Cheryl Tonkin and Ed Tonkin fill barrels with donations for the Oregon Food Bank. (Photo credit, LeeAnn Gauthier)

The Food for Thought Festival opened on Thursday night at the Portland Art Museum with a seriously funny conversation with legendary comedian David Steinberg and Daily Show alum David Javerbaum with The Oregonian’s David Sarasohn asking the “tough” questions.

The group organized a four days community celebration with writers, artists and performers sharing their wisdom and their work at venues across Portland. The benefit, originally conceived by Cheryl Tonkin as the winner of our “Next Great Jewish Idea”contest took over 18 months to plan with scores of volunteers. The festival included 30 dif ferent events and programs throughout the Greater Portland area with over 2,500 participants.

Lisa Schroeder, latke-lover, chef and owner of Mother’s Bistro & Bar enjoy a friendly moment with hamantaschen-fan and debate competitor, Ken Gordon, owner of Kenny & Zukes’s. The Great Latke-Hamantaschen Debate at The Cleaners at the Ace Hotel ended in hilarity . . . and a draw.

The mission of the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland is to assure the building and strengthening of the Jewish community locally, nationally, overseas, and in Israel, in accordance with Jewish values.During the 2009 campaign, Federation raised over $3.8 million, which will benefit both Jewish and non-Jewish service recipients in Portland and abroad. Federation dollars enrich and uplift lives through the humanitarian programs of its local and overseas beneficiary agencies.

Description

The Jewish Federation for Greater Portland funds and supports a community-wide network of organizations that care for people in need here at home, in Israel and around the world. The work of Federation nurtures and sustains the Jewish community today and for future generations.

Elisa Klein

I’ve been a professional journalist and writer since 1987, (and long-time reporter for KOIN-TV.) As a nationally published reporter, with a Master’s Degree in Journalism, I love to report positive news and information. Journalism has also connected me with another non-profit where I served as a leader; the Northwest’s biggest writer’s organization: The Willamette Writers.