Balabrunch: Food & Literature at the Synagogue

The Synagogue of Florence hosts a series of author talks and brunches called the Balabrunch ending in mid-June. Balabrunch is a continuation of the synagogue’s summer festival, Balagan Cafe, and strives to create an empathetic relationship with the public through the exchange of ideas.

The Synagogue of Florence will host a Pulitzer Award winner Michael Chabon and his wife and novelist Ayelet Waldman on Sunday, April 9 starting at 11:15 am.  Chabon’s prize winning novel, published in 2001, is The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay.  He will talk in English about his career as well as contemporary America under the Trump administration. Waldman, a New York Times bestselling author, will discuss her books, many of which are mystery novels.

The pair will also speak on cinema and the importance of comics that inspire Jewish immigrants to work towards achieving success in American culture.

Brunch follows the event, catered by Ruth’s kosher restaurant. The menu includes the Israeli dish Chakchouka with eggs, hummus, marinated salmon with lox, baked phyllo turnovers stuffed with eggplant, tabbouleh, honey chicken and a side of Moroccan cherry tomatoes, haminados eggs, baba ‘Ghanoush, tart cherries and challah bread with poppy seeds.  The meal costs €10 and is served in the garden. A guided tour of the Synagogue is also available for €5 euro at 2 pm after the brunch.  (danna friedman)