“You look too skinny. Eat, eat!�? Bring your appetite and your curiosity Sunday, May 4 to Congregation Beth Shalom’s annual Jewish food and cultural festival, Café Shalom. From 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., visitors can sample Middle Eastern pastries and traditional Jewish foods as they soak in the atmosphere of Modesto’s only synagogue.

Mixing a teaspoon of the modern world with a dash of the Old World, brunch is the highlight of Café Shalom. There is something for everyone among the bagels, cream cheese, lox, blintzes, noodle kugel, fruit salad, and sweets. The proceeds from this family-friendly event, which features a synagogue tour, silent auction, raffle, art, children’s activities, and folk and modern Israeli music, benefit synagogue youth programs. Advanced tickets, which can be obtained at 1705 Sherwood Ave. weekdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., are $10 for adults and $8 for children. At the door, adult tickets are $12. If you have never been before, be sure not to miss it this year!

Congregation Beth Shalom is a contemporary Conservative congregation that has served Jewish families throughout the Central Valley for more than 80 years.