On Saturday December 13, 2014, Pacifica Institute SFV organized its Annual Ashure Dinner to celebrate Unity within the community.
The dinner was attended by 130 guests from different cultural faith and backgrounds. The program started with a welcoming speech by Al A., Outreach Coordinator for SFV followed by the dinner consisting of cultural dishes of Turkey prepared by Pacifica institute volunteers.
After dinner the speaker Dr. Ozgur Koca from Claremont University took stage and gave talk on unity titled “Melting Pot to Noah’s Pudding”. He used Ashure as a great example of the richness of society through integration where instead of blending in, where every culture keeps its own heritage while enriching the pot itself.
Throughout the dinner guests conversed with each other while enjoying delicious meals. Of course this event would not be complete without the Ashure (Noah Pudding) which was meticulously prepared by local volunteers. Ashure was a sure hit amongst the attendees.
From the feedback received from the attendees of the night, It would be correct to say that the Turkish tradition of Ashure is well on its way to becoming an American tradition.