From 2006 through 2015, I researched and wrote about traditional foodways in the Galilee. I started by observing and learning from Bedouin neighbors who were foraging for edible wild plants. Reading the Hebrew Bible and other sources, I was able to recognize the timeless balance of seasons, topography and local foods in the Galilee landscape. In parallel, I explored Palestinian villages and towns in the Galilee, seeking farmers and cooks who are still approaching local foods in ways that have changed little since Biblical times. Out of this experience came numerous articles (see Publications), a blog, Galilee Seasonality, and a culinary memoir, Breaking Bread in Galilee – A Culinary Journey into the Promised Land. I also created and led Culinary Tours of the Galilee, from 2009-2013.
Lectures
Not everyone is able to witness firsthand traditional foodways in the stunning Galilee countryside, just as they are on the verge of disappearing. My lecture and photographs provide a fascinating tour into the agricultural landscape of the Galilee and the people who practice traditional foodways originating in pre-history and described in the Bible.
These lectures are suitable for synagogue or church groups, foodies, and anyone interested in connecting to the sustaining powers of this extraordinary land.
A Time to Plant – A Time to Reap – The Biblical Agricultural Cycle in the Contemporary Galilee Landscape. In this one-hour presentation, I bring together ancient texts and vivid photographs to provide context and insight into the way life was lived and sustained in biblical times. The early and late rains, bitter herbs, parched grain, and fruit honey are some of the topics that will be covered. The presentation is followed by a tasting of Galilee specialties.
Beyond Milk and Honey – Contemporary Encounters with the Foods of the Bible – The bounty of the Promised Land is legendary – but what is the real story behind well-known staples like olive oil and honey, or the more enigmatic parched grain and mandrakes we find in the Biblical narratives? In this one-hour presentation, I bring together Biblical texts and vivid photographs to provide context and insight into the bitter herbs, fruit honey, fig cakes, and other foods that have sustained the local populations of the Galilee from biblical times until today. The presentation is followed by a tasting of Galilee specialties.