Jewish Federation of the Berkshires: Eating Identity

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Thursday, March 12, at 10:45 a.m., Jewish Federation of the Berkshires welcomes Ari Ariel, Ph.D., Director of International Studies at the University of Iowa, whose research focuses on Jewish communities in the Arab world and Mizrahi communities in Israel, with a special interest in how migration reshapes foodways and cultural practices.
 
During the 20th century most of the age-old Yemeni Jewish community immigrated to Palestine/Israel. This talk will use foods to examine how Yemeni Jews struggled to resist assimilation, while also working to integrate into Israeli society.
 
This Federation program will be presented via Zoom – register at the calendar of events page at jewishberkshires.org.
 
 
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Recent E. Coli Detection in Pontoosuc Lake Confined to Lanesborough

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— Only Lanesborough's portion of Pontoosuc Lake had a bacterial exceedance last week. 

During the Lake Management Commission's second meeting on Thursday, members received an update on the situation. 

On July 22, the Lanesborough Board of Health closed the Sunrise Street and Narragansett Avenue beaches due to high E. Coli levels.  They have since cleared. 

"We didn't have any bacterial exceedance in Pittsfield, so there's no concern at all last week for any E. coli concerns in Pittsfield,” Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath reported. 

Regular monitoring for bacterial exceedances at swimming beaches across the Commonwealth is required.  Pittsfield's Board of Health tests Pontoosuc and Onota Lake weekly on Wednesdays throughout the summer. 

Lanesborough also conducts weekly testing through its Board of Health, and an exceedance was reported to the state at Sunrise Beach, at the very north end of Pontoosuc Lake. 

McGrath noted that he did not see Narragansett Beach on the state's dashboard. 

"The City of Pittsfield was made aware of the bacterial exceedance and we, of course, were concerned,” he said. 

"Our weekly testing happened the next day on Wednesday. Our results were returned Thursday morning. We did not have a bacterial exceedance at Pontoosuc Lake Park, where we test off of the wall on the north side of the channel, and also proximate to the boat ramp, at this point in time.” 

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories