Brockton's Lebanese Festival celebrates decade of faith, food

BROCKTON — Not long after after you step into the white tent outside St. Theresa Maronite Church, you’re greeted with a traditional Lebanese saying.

It’s “Ahla ou sahla,” (roughly translated to “heartfelt welcome”) and it’s usually followed by a warm hug or firm slap on the back.

But during the annual Lebanese Festival on Brockton’s north side, a popular event now 10 years strong, the Arabic greeting also serves a warning — you’re about to get as much Lebanese food as you can handle.

There’s the can’t-miss manouch (like a pita) cooked with cheese on a traditional sajj oven by Toni Zeidan and Maurice Daaboul.

There’s the kebab plates, of course, made deftly by Ghazi Saab with your choice of beef, chicken or Lebanese kafta (don’t forget the garlic spread).

And make sure to grab a bracing cup of Arabic coffee, a kibbie ball or two, a couple scoops of authentic Lebanese hummus, and polish it all off with a couple squares of baklava.

OK, now you can sit and eat for a few moments — before we drag you to the dance floor.

The 10th annual Lebanese Festival drew thousands to the church on North Main Street this weekend, serving up food, live music and dancing in celebration of greater Brockton’s Lebanese community.

The Lebanese have a rich history in Brockton, and while some families have spread to surrounding towns over the years, many trace their roots right back to St. Theresa Maronite Church.

Brockton’s Michelle Nessralla, one of the co-organizers of the annual festival, said the church holds a special one in her heart — her grandfather, Paul Khoury, helped break ground on the building 70 years ago.

“And that’s just my story,” said Nessralla, the principal at Brockton’s Plouffe Academy. “Hundreds of families all have their stories here — celebrations and weddings and funerals. It really is a faith-based community.”

Zipping about the tables and through the tents were many of the younger parishioners at St. Theresa, all wearing T-shirts and scarves featuring the Lebanese flag.

Nessralla called it the most successful festival weekend yet — the weather cooperated, they filled the tents to capacity on Saturday, and the church drew Lebanese visitors from near and far (including one from California and several more from Lebanon).

“We welcome everyone,” said pastor Joseph Daiff, who has served the church for two years. “We know how to dance, we know how to smile — we always find a way to make things happier."