The passion of hummus: Learn about it in a film presented by the Israeli Culture Series

BY LARRY KATZ

I never heard of hummus when I was growing up in Virginia. If asked, I would have thought you were talking about humus, the decaying plant and leaf litter part of dirt.

Now, sales of hummus in grocery stores are approaching a billion dollars a year, and nearly a third of Americans eat the chickpea-based spread.

According to news articles, hummus is so popular that it can now be found as a condiment in high-end Korean-American noodle houses, and it’s the official dip of the NFL. So now is the time for “Hummus! The Movie.”

This is not a joke it’s the  April 1 program in the monthly Israel Culture Series.

In “Hummus! The Movie,” we meet three main characters – a hard-working Muslim woman, an ever-smiling Jew and a young Christian Arab on a restless quest for meaning. Despite their historical and cultural differences, they have one thing in common – a passionate love of hummus!

The documentary also spotlights “The World’s Largest Serving of Hummus” – the fiercely fought Guinness World Record title at the center of the “Hummus war” between Lebanon and Israel. The movie also explores what a Benedictine monk and a hip-hop musician think about the geopolitical power of chickpeas.

You will also discover that Israel takes hummus to new heights with eateries called hummusias, which serve only hummus and its various possible accompaniments: onions, fava beans, hard-boiled eggs, and so on. In these places, hummus is treated as an entrée, not as a dip, as seems to be common in America.

You’ll also discover how a simple food can unite the entire Middle East – how mashed chickpeas and sesame-seed paste can break down barriers and borders.

This film will make you hungry, so freshly made hummus will be served at the film screening.

The film begins at  7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1, at the Alliance’s Dwares Jewish Community Center, 401 Elmgrove Ave., Providence. “Hummus! The Movie,” is presented by the Israel Desk of the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.  

RSVP or for more information, contact Or Cohen, community shlichah (Israel emissary), at ocohen@jewishallianceri.org or 401-421-4111, ext. 121.

LARRY KATZ (lkatz@jewishallianceri.org) is the director of Jewish life and learning at the Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island.