Category — Groovy Thoughts From Others

Still Life, Pastrami with Kosher Dill/Charles Haynes

Oy vay! Who knew there were no Jewish delis in Israel?!

Ruben, dubbed Israel’s first authentic Jewish deli by the local press, recently began serving up heaps of pastrami on rye — with harissa!! — to the befuddled masses. Why befuddled? As with so many culinary traditions, giant matzo balls and sky-high sandwiches were New World creations. And it took them six decades to make it to Israel.

Check out this fascinating story in The Forward.

Okay, this piece definitely rambles like he wrote it in the airport, but NYT’s Roger Cohen delivers evocative thoughts on the “difference-bridging kitchen.”

“Visceral enemies betray themselves in the similarity of their foods. We know from the Bible how blood brothers slay each other.” A bit of hope for the New Year.