What’s that sound? Look to the head of the table, and you’ll find Jason Sizemore, owner and operator of Butterhead Kitchen in Easton, cooking up a step-by-step interactive batch of nacho supreme vegan goodness, garnished with student presentations of worldwide spring traditions.
After the blender quiets down, you’ll want to add in the next ingredient: Jewish culture from Tyler Katz Engagement and Programming Associate for Lehigh's Office of Jewish Student Life and Hillel. From ancient times to the present day, the Jewish people have experienced countless stirring historical events, persecutions, migrations and splits, and yet they have maintained their identity as well as a continuity of their cultural, spiritual and creative life. The hardships and difficulties have been emphasized over the years, and these have been enshrined in customs, days of remembrance, historical compositions, prayers and both sacred and secular songs.
Now, Bohyeon Kim, PhD student in ChBE, adds a sprinkle of South Korean Lunar New Year. His hometown is Yongin City in South Korea where he lived for more than 20 years before moving to the U.S. 3 years ago. To ring in the new year, one will want to dress in a Hanbok or Sulbeam, participate in the ancestor ceremony known as Charye, and have a traditional Tteokguk meal together. Don’t forget to bow to the seniors, they’ll give out cash for being praised!
The next measure is scooped up by Aojie Li, PhD student in ChBE, with the Chinese New Year, which marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Each year is associated with one of the 12 Chinese zodiac animals. 2024 is the year of the dragon. There is a 15-day spring festival, incorporating symbols and rituals believed to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. As one joins in the dragon dance, She Huo performance, or sharing of the red envelope, it all culminates in the Lantern Festival on the 15th day.
Back to the mixing bowl, where Jason blends it all together for a sweet ending, Mexican not-fried ice cream. There’s a recipe card to take home, as you indulge in the final course. Bon appétit!
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