More Jewcy, Rabbis rock, Michael Savage curbs our meaty liberty
Another day of crazy love and press for Save the Deli. God bless you all.
First off, check out my latest exclusive Jewcy.com blog post “Where Deli is Community”
Once upon a time, the delicatessen was the third pole of Jewish American communal life. The other two were the synagogue, where people prayed twice daily, and the bathouse, shvitz, or mikveh, where the men and women gossiped, bathed, and bonded. Considering that the synagogue was separated by sex, as, naturally, was the bathhouse, the delicatessen was the one spot where community socialized as one. It was open to everyone from the pious to the sinners, the machers and pishers, criminals and politicians.
In communities like Boston’s Dorchester and Mattapan neighborhoods, delis like the G&G Delicatessen were de-facto community halls. It’s where people went to plead to those in power, where the humble and the exalted could meet equally over a bowl of soup. The Irish had their pubs and the Italians their cafes. We had our delis.
Somewhere in the past decades of post-war evolution and assimilation, the deli lost its place as a locus of the community where it was based. First, communities moved, and quickly. Some happened because of the housing opportunities in the suburbs. Others because of white flight, and the deterioration of American inner-cities. READ THE REST OF THE ARTICLE AT JEWCY.COM
Next, the good folks at the Jew and the Carrot, the blog of Hazon, are giving away a copy of Save the Deli. All you have to do is go and comment on Jeffrey Yoskowitz’s article to enter the draw. Keep your eyes on Yosko. He’s one of the best up and coming food writers out there.
And now the best piece of news I received today, from my friend Amanda Blitz, via Facebook (check out the piece she did on Delis in the economy):
“DAVE, rabbi’s entire sermon today (Beth Tikvah) was about your book!!!! I was so excited. He tried to compare it to the parsha and the Garden of Eden. He discussed self-destruction and how your book points out that the demise of the Jewish del…i world is in part due to outsourcing and not making everything new themselves. He talked about how the delis that have survived are the ones that continue to make their own matzah ball soup and hand cut meat…. i.e. the ones that didn’t neglect the true and quintessential part of being a deli: being homegrown. He compared that to how we should not neglect our spiritual self or else we too will self-destruct. It was a stretch, but I was just so happy to hear him talk about you and your book. Mazel tov!”
I’m not sure if this was Rabbi Allen or Rabbi Grover, but thank you so much. This is really an honor. Save the Deli was always more than just where to find a great sandwich. It is a story about a slice of the Jewish community, and if we don’t take ownership over the fate of our own culture, it will vanish. It’s up to us.
Which is why I find it rather sad and pathetic to hear that I was attacked on-air last night by conservative radio host Michael Savage (who I initially confused with sex columnist Dan Savage). In addition to fighting against Gay rights, health insurance reforms, and the vast liberal conspiracy, the Jewish born Mr. Savage (nee Michael Alan Weiner in da Bronx) had time to rail against my quest to save the deli. You see, Mr. Savage is a bit of a health nut, and apparently his great quest to preserve the flame of American liberty doesn’t extend to the liberty of what Americans eat and enjoy. If someone decides to help pay for a doctor visit that’s basically Stalinism, but god forbid people should enjoy a kishke and matzo ball. He’s pretty much Susan Power on this issue.
What can I say, it’s a compliment to be bashed by a shmendrick like Mr. Savage. A bi gezunte Weiner! Here’s to burning the bridge of your roots.
October 17th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Well said about Savage. He’s despicable and a shanda fur die goy.
October 19th, 2009 at 12:09 pm
You must be doing something right if you’re attacked by the Weiner!