On November 8 in Philadelphia, a desperate group of antisemites tried to intimidate and boycott six Jewish restaurants, claiming that their corned beef or bourekas were causing genocide in Gaza. The six establishments, Dizengoff, Goldie, Huda, KFar Cafe, Mac Mart, and Schlesinger’s Deli have been staples of the Philadelphia dining scene for many years, some for decades.
My husband and I hopped in our car Sunday morning and drove 2 1/2 hours from Washington, DC to Philadelphia to show our support. Overhead signs on I-95 cautioned drivers that an event downtown might be causing delays and street closures. These signs were not referring to the Eagles game against the Giants later that day.
The ragtag group of masked protesters tried to mobilize online and called for participants to “Ride around with us as we show these zio business owners that we see them for the disgusting humans for who [sic] they are…” As if this wasn’t ridiculous enough, the organizers decided that the perfect time to host a bike ride/demonstration of these businesses would be on the eve of the anniversary of Kristallnacht, the “night of broken glass” in 1938 in Germany, when Jewish institutions, homes, synagogues, and businesses were vandalized and burned. It was after Kristallnacht that massive Jewish deportations to labor and concentration camps began.
We weren’t familiar with any of the six establishments listed in the boycott, so we chose one that had a delicious online menu, Kfar Cafe. We parked two blocks away, and everything was peaceful and calm. When we approached the area where the restaurant was located, however, we were greeted by a loud, wonderful, raucous, and clearly pro-Israel and pro-Jewish crowd of hundreds of people lined up around the block, waiting to gain entrance. Israeli flags, Israeli slogans, hats, T-shirts, posters, all in support of Israel proliferated. Everyone was there to support the basic right of American Jews to own businesses, eat where they want, buy what they want, and simply to be Jewish Americans who support their Philadelphia community.
The area was well-secured by teams of Philadelphia police, and there was a constant stream of coffee and Kfar’s famous pastries offered as thanks to the officers on duty. The lone antisemitic protester across the street looked forlorn and isolated, and no one paid him any attention other than to shout him down as a coward. He eventually gave up and left.
The line moved slowly, and we continued to chat with our neighbors, many of whom had come from up and down the east coast, various suburbs of Philadelphia, and from the city center. Supportive diners brought their small babies in strollers, others brought their young kids and teenagers. The mood was festive and the atmosphere very positive, which made the long wait enjoyable and joyful. One woman played Israeli music and Boy George’s new hit song, “We Will Dance Again” on her phone.
There was honking and hooting as more and more cars displaying American and Israeli flags drove by our line. It was clear that they were making the rounds of the six establishments to show their support. Unfortunately, other hooting and hollering eventually came when a pack of about 50 disorganized, mask-wearing, Palestinian flag-waving cyclists trickled by to the jeers and disapproval of those in line. There was a little more active confrontation farther afield, but even that proved to be uneventful with three antisemitic protesters arrested.
After two hours in line we finally made it in. The restaurant was still hopping. It was worth the wait. The meal was delicious, the service was excellent, and the line still extended around the block when we left.
Sometimes you have to laugh, and Jews worldwide are known for their humor. One of the best sights of the day was a Scottish kilt-wearing bagpiper also sporting a white cowboy hat and an Israeli flag draped across his back, playing God Bless America and Hatikva to roars of approval from the crowd
What does all of this teach us? Jews are not afraid to stand up, and they will be joined by their supporters from near and far. The phrase often attributed to Thomas Jefferson, “eternal vigilance is the price of liberty,” must be the mantra for the Jewish community. What starts with the Jews never ends with the Jews, and wise leaders should heed this warning. Jews in Philadelphia with friends and supporters in the thousands showed up to stop an American Kristallnacht. But Jewish communities will be tried over and over again in the coming weeks, months, and years. Showing up, speaking loudly, pushing back against those seeking to cancel our voices and our businesses must continue.
We held the City of Brotherly Love to account. The love between Jews and their community was heartfelt and encouraging. But the fight is not over, not by a long shot. “Never Again” meant something this weekend in Philadelphia, it must remain a vital warning.
