Deli Day: Temple Israel brings food lovers and friends together for a spring tradition

BY ALLISON KENNEDY - akennedy@ledger-enquirer.com --

The sacred and the profane meet again Thursday.

The annual Deli Day at Temple Israel blends corned beef and rich desserts on the grounds of the 153-year-old congregation. Sweet tea and potato chips sit yards away from ancient religious books and Torah scrolls. Methodists and Presbyterians and Episcopalians eat side by side with their Jewish friends and neighbors amid blooming flowers and towering pines.

"It's people from hairdressers to people at Aflac to the person from the gym. It's a cross-section of the community. People ask us every year, 'When are you going to have it?' " said Gail Greenblatt, a member of Temple Israel and one of the main organizers. She's lost track how many years it's been held.

"We don't count anymore. It's more than 30," she said.

It's always in the spring, when the weather usually cooperates and people congregate outdoors at tables or on blankets. Deli Day is usually a sell-out.

The meal consists of a hefty corned beef sandwich, side items including chips and a pickle, and a drink. The homemade desserts, which are equally popular and compete for space on set-up tables, cost extra.

Food, perhaps, is the great equalizer. Deli Day draws folks not only from the Jewish community but from surrounding churches -- in part because Deli Day benefits the Wynnton Neighborhood Network. Founded in 1983, the WNN is supported by six congregations including Temple Israel and Shearith Israel. The social services ministry is housed at St. Thomas Episcopal Church on Hilton Avenue, not far from both Jewish congregations. The network gives away food and also assists with utilities, notably when a resident's power or water has been turned off. The network pays a certain percentage to get utilities back on.

The rabbi of Shearith Israel said he enjoys seeing many of his friends at Deli Day, and also appreciates its benefit to people in need.

"It brings out folks who work hard on this and enjoy each other; and the people in need are the real winners," said Rabbi Max Roth of Shearith Israel Synagogue. "It's a wonderful thing the Temple does."

Doug McLeod of Columbus has not missed many years of the 30-odd Deli Days. A member of Trinity Episcopal Church, McLeod remembers the gathering starting on the watch of Rabbi Alfred Goodman who, he said, "touched everybody of all races and denominations.

"It's such a wonderful melting pot," McLeod said of Deli Day. "You always get to renew friendships of people you might not see but once or twice a year."

Helen Long, a member of St. Thomas, has made a habit of attending Deli Day the past few years. She usually attends with staff from Chattahoochee Valley Episcopal Ministries, another social services ministry.

"We support Wynnton Neighborhood Network and that's the main reason," Long said. "Plus it's good eating."

The Rev. Buddy Cooper's church, St. Paul United Methodist, also participates in the network. "It's the biggest corned beef sandwich in the world, and the best homemade desserts around," said Cooper. "It's a good cause."

Alan Rothschild Jr., attended Deli Day at first because his father Alan Rothschild Sr., was a member of the Temple and bought him a ticket. But it's a tradition that's stayed with him. Alan Rothschild Sr., died in 2004. The son grew up at Trinity Episcopal Church, where he and his wife and children are members. He thinks Deli Day has picked up momentum in the past decade.

"One word for it is 'desserts,' " he said. "I think the food is incredible. Most people think it's a bargain.

"It's also the time of year when Columbus is at its prettiest," he added, with blooming azaleas a backdrop for a springtime reunion.

Beginning early next week, Temple members will begin readying their home for guests; awaiting food deliveries including 600 pounds of corned beef; and filling 2,400 sandwich bags with condiments and wrapped pickles. The co-chairs of the event this year are Fran Morton and Joani Friedmann.

"It's always a blast," Greenblatt said.

IF YOU GO

What: Deli Day

When: 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday

Where: Temple Israel, 1617 Wildwood Ave. Dine in or carry out available. Deliveries for orders of 15 or more to the same address. Whole desserts such as cakes may also be pre-ordered.

Cost: $9 per ticket

Extras: Homemade desserts cost $3.50 apiece.

Tickets: To pre-order tickets, call 706-323-1617 or stop by Temple Israel