Some questions as we ponder the nature of the relationship between foods that signify Jewishness while having nothing to do with kashrut or Judaism:
Now that we have turned our attention away from food as a religious concern and toward food as a signifier of culture and eternity, one might ask, what is "created" about Jewish food in America? ("Created" here is opposed to "original," that is, what are the differences between foods of the first (immigrant) generation and foods of the second and third generations?)
"Safe treif." Discuss.
Maybe this is a West Coast-based bias, but I don't read Chinese food quite as Jewish as it once was. Is there a -different- ethnic food that serves as the "new" Chinese?
How much does the public imaginary have to do with the coding of some food as "Jewish" while others are not?
Why is the bagel Jewish? Or, is the more germane question: how is the bagel Jewish?
It is ON!
Welch's for Pesah? " Welch's Teams With Manischewitz in Battle Over Kosher Grape Juice " (NPR, 10/10/17)
3 comments:
I think the new "Chinese" is actually Japanese. Sushi is trendy, although pricey (or perhaps trendy because it is pricey), and all the Jews I know from East to West seem to have an obsession with it. I think the sudden appearance of multiple Sushi joints in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are evidence of this trend and every time I want to go out for a meal with my Jewish friends, the clear choice is always sushi. Perhaps, like Chinese, sushi is so appealing because it rarely mixes milk and meat. As long as you avoid the crustaceans and bottom feeders, most forms of sushi can be made kosher and parve, which makes me wonder if the Jewish obsession with Asian food is still somehow linked to Kashrut.
And, if we determine that the bagel (or at least certain bagels – like sesame, pumpernickel, cinnamon raison, onion) is Jewish, does that automatically mean that the food belongs in Israel? I was so surprised to find the ever-present bagel and the assortment of appropriate schmears show up in Israel. When I first visited Israel in the 90s, you could not find a bagel anywhere. I remember missing them desperately. When I returned a few years later, the bagel was all of sudden on every breakfast buffet (granted it was not the best bagel but that’s a different conversation) I had the pleasure of attending. Was it there because my Israeli hosts thought I would miss it or had it become a part of world Jewish cuisine? And is Israel the final stop on a tour of an authentically Jewish food? Does that mean the Jewish food has really made it?
And, while we’re at it, a few more thoughts about bagels: Is a bialy actually a bagel or is it something completely different? Are there some bagels, or bagel combinations, that are not Jewish – for example: the chocolate chip bagels? I personally think chocolate chips belong in cookies.
wow. Both the Nos and Brasinator bring up interesting points/thoughts on which I would like to comment.
1) While I think Chinese as Jewish is a deteriorating concept, it still has weight. Not necessarily all the time, but during Christmas. Now, it may be a function of the fact that they're the only two things open (outside of Giant cities like LA) but so many Jews hit the movies and Chinese food for Christmas. One of my catholic dormmates didn't believe me when I told him that's what we all did. I took him to every Jew I knew in that building and asked "what do you do for christmas?" The catholic friend was stupified when every single person simply said "Chinese food and a movie."
Now to Sydney's comment. I think Sushi has taken over for everyone, regardless of religion. Something about it being tasty and some assumption that it's automatically healthier has increased the number of sushi restaurants not only in Israel, but rural America as well. Even Dahlonega, GA has a sushi restaurant.
Japanese as the new chinese is an interesting concept, however, I think it's beyond Judaism. I think it's just the "in" ethnic food.
2) I'm fascinated by the question: "Is Israel the final stop on a tour of an authentically Jewish food?" Perhaps, but to that I ask, what do we do about this little guy?
Lastly, I've had amazing Kosher chinese and worst food ever. Best for me is Sheyan. Love to eat all the kosher "non-kosher" things like egg rolls and wontons. If I can find the worst (in Manhattan) I will let you know so you don't make the same mistake as the Mandel Fellowship.
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