FESTIVITIES Celebrate with a kosher food truck picnic in Colonie

Rabbi Mordechai Rubin and his wife, Chana, are the young and energetic directors of the Chai Jewish Center in Colonie. They always find a unique way to celebrate holidays, religious and secular.

They will be hosting a July 7 celebration in Colonie’s Cook Park at the Tom Gentile Pavilion (near the playground for older children) off Shambrook Parkway. The gathering starts at 5 p.m. and runs through 7:30 p.m. They are providing a kosher food truck so visitors can make their own picnics effortlessly on the spot.

The Rubins promise there will be Mediterranean and Israeli food as well as hot dogs, french fries and the Middle Eastern dish everyone loves, falafel.

There will be vegan options like salad and vegetable soup and popular staples like matzo ball soup and shawarma in a pita.

So far, the menu prices range from $3 to $13.

There is no admission charge. The Rubins’ events are renowned for their inclusiveness and all are welcome at this event, regardless of faith.

Before the pandemic, they threw a shopping mall Hanukkah party that was so fun and welcoming, security guards, police officers, skateboarders and passing shoppers joined in.

The Rubins say that the kosher food truck is a newly launched Oneonta enterprise that they thought sounded festive. For the July party, they just ask that those who would like to attend send an online RSVP so they will be sure to have enough food for everyone.

“The American ideals of freedom of religion and freedom of speech were revolutionary when they were first introduced into a world where tyranny and oppression were the norm,” the Rubins wrote in their invitation.

“Let’s remember their sacrifices and take advantage of this freedom! Let’s be proud of who we are, let’s walk down the streets as proud Jews and practice one more mitzvah. Hey, it’s the American way!”