More than just pastrami sandwiches, egg creams, smoked sable, and matzo ball soup, Jewish deli is an expression of heritage and a story about immigration. As David Sax wrote for Saveur, “There were once millions of Ashkenazi Jewish kitchens in eastern Europe. The foods of the shtetls were regional, taking on local flavors, and when European Jews came to America, that variety characterized the delicatessens they opened. You got pastrami at Romanian delicatessens, frankfurters at German ones, and blintzes from the Russians. The delis were all Jewish, but their regional roots were proudly on display.” As Jewish delis became more widespread in the United States, the flavors assimilated and formed a new quintessentially American cuisine by combining Central and Eastern European dishes with ingredients available in the United States. Now that there are notable delis in cities from Portland, Maine to Denver, Colorado, how has the Jewish delicatessen’s menu evolved away from that of Eastern Europe’s, and how do these restaurants still create community and connection to the Jewish diaspora?
Join TV personality and creator and host of Somebody Feed Phil, Phil Rosenthal for an online conversation over zoom with Lara Rabinovitch, food writer and co-creator of the Skirball Cultural Center exhibition, “I’ll Have What She’s Having, The Jewish Deli.” They’ll be discussing the immigrant history of the North American Jewish deli, how Jewish deli culture has impacted American food culture, and of course, you’ll find out which Jewish delis across America are Phil’s favorites.
PHIL ROSENTHAL
Phil Rosenthal is the creator and host of “Somebody Feed Phil,” an unscripted documentary series on Netflix, which combines his love of food and travel with his unique brand of humor.
Rosenthal’s early writing credits include the series “Down the Shore” and “Coach." In 1995, Rosenthal created the hit CBS comedy, “Everybody Loves Raymond,” which premiered in 1996. He was the Showrunner/Executive Producer for all nine years of the show's very successful run, which ended in 2005.
During its original run, “Everybody Loves Raymond” was nominated for over 70 Emmy awards, and won 15 awards, including two for Best Comedy Series in 2003 and 2005. Rosenthal won the 2002 Writers Guild Award for Excellence in Television Writing for his “Everybody Loves Raymond” script, “Italy.
Rosenthal’s first travel food series, “I’ll Have What Phil’s Having,” premiered on PBS in fall 2015 and received two Taste Awards as well as the winner of the 2016 James Beard Award for Best Television Program, on Location.
Rosenthal lives in Los Angeles, with his wife, actress Monica Horan (who played Amy on “Everybody Loves Raymond”), and their two children.
LARA RABINOVITCH
Lara Rabinovitch, PhD (NYU, 2012) is a writer and specialist in food culture and immigrant history. She is co-curator of the upcoming exhibition at the Skirball Cultural Center, “I’ll Have What She’s Having: The Jewish Deli.” Her work has appeared in the Los Angeles Times, Saveur, The Globe & Mail, and other media outlets as well as apps such as Google Maps. She co-edited the book Choosing Yiddish: New Frontiers of Language & Culture and was Consulting Producer on “City of Gold,” the 2016 documentary about the Pulitzer prize-winning food writer Jonathan Gold.
GASTRO OBSCURA
Gastro Obscura's mission is to inspire wonder and curiosity about the world through food and drink. Its articles and videos explore what food and drink reveal about the places where they’re made and the people who make them. And In partnership with chefs, historians, and other experts, Gastro Obscura helps travelers and curious people experience culinary wonders firsthand.