Rabbi Marcelo Kormis, spiritual leader of Congregation Beth El, and his wife, Fernanda Auga, at the Sukkot Interfaith Luncheon.
Photo credit: Seth Block.

Since Sukkot is a harvest holiday, the folks at Congregation Beth El in Fairfield figured it would be an appropriate time to raise funds to benefit those in need of additional food resouces.  And so, the synagogue’s annual Sukkot Interfaith Luncheon was born. On Sept. 24, about 150 people – including local clergy and town and state officials – attended Beth El’s 39th annual luncheon, which raised several thousands of dollars for Operation Hope. Fairfield Warde High School students who attend the Barlow Restaurant School helped set up and serve food.

At the luncheon, event chair Ann Treidel, who has been in attendance at all 39 luncheons, noted how it has grown significantly over the years, with only 30 people attending the inaugural event.