February 3, 2026
Some love stories are marked by anniversaries, milestones, and photographs. Erin and Patrick can trace theirs by something a little more unexpected: the Columbus Souper Bowl Cook-Off at Congregation Beth Tikvah.
Their first Souper Bowl was 11 years ago, on their third date in 2015. “We thought it was such a fun and unique event,” Erin shared. What they didn’t know then was that the Souper Bowl would quietly become a yearly marker of their life together. Their engagement year. Their newlywed year. The year their child was born. And now, as a family of five, the Souper Bowl is still there—waiting, warm, and familiar.
“Over the years we seemed to mark our life milestones at the Souper Bowl,” Erin said. “Now we come for the community spirit, the memories, and of course, the great food.”
When asked how the Souper Bowl has changed over the years, their answer was simple and powerful: it hasn’t. “It’s a classic community event, one that sparks nostalgia even if it’s your first time attending.” In a world that feels constantly in motion, that consistency matters.
That’s the magic of the Souper Bowl. Walk into the building and you’re greeted by warmth, not just from simmering soups, but from people. Folks of all ages gather around tables, while “official-looking people in aprons bustle around making magic happen,” Erin joked. It’s joyful, welcoming, and unmistakably Beth Tikvah. (Pro tip from a seasoned attendee: arrive early because parking and seats fill up fast!)
The annual Souper Bowl isn’t just about trying delicious soups; it’s about what you are supporting by attending. All proceeds benefit the Beth Tikvah Jewish Camp Fund, which has raised over $143,000 and sent more than 265 children to Jewish summer camp over the past 17 years.
“Camp is such a powerfully formative experience for any young person,” Erin reflected. “Connecting more kids with positive camp experiences can only bring more goodness to the world.”
And then there are the moments that turn into stories retold year after year. Erin and Patrick still laugh thinking about their first Souper Bowl, when a “wonderfully goofy giant ladle trophy” was presented to the winning soup. And they haven’t forgotten the Hungarian goulash from years ago either. “I still dream about it,” Erin said. “It got my vote, hands down.”
On Saturday, February 7, 2026 starting at 5:00 PM, the 18th Annual Columbus Souper Bowl Cook-Off returns, and Erin and Patrick’s story is just one of many woven into this beloved tradition. Whether it’s your first Souper Bowl or your 18th, whether you come for the soup, the cause, or the sense of belonging, you’ll be part of something bigger: a community that shows up, year after year, to nourish both body and soul.
Tickets are now on sale. Come hungry. Come early. And who knows, this might just become part of your story too.
Written by Hannah Karr, Director of Marketing & Community Engagement at Congregation Beth Tikvah