(posted on behalf of Rabbi Ruth Abusch-Magder PhD)

My husband recently returned from a trip to Warsaw. After nearly 9 months living in Israel it was quite a culture shock. There were many meaningful moments but also some funny ones. He took this photo with an ad for the Warsaw-Jerusalem restaurant. According to the ad this is the world’s only Israeli-Jewish-Polish eatery and I don’t doubt it. This unlikely mixing of cuisines has resulted in serving gefilte fish and shwarma side by side with a slice of klezmer on the side. The English script makes it clear that the potential customers are tourists not locals. While I’m guessing they are hoping for Jewish traffic the main drawing is of the Muslim not the Jewish view of Jerusalem. Apparently this restaurant is Kosher and Food is also available. As odd as all this seems, perhaps the most unbelievable piece of the ad is the chef in the white cloak serving falafel. Anyone who has ever had falafel at an authentic Israeli dive knows it is impossible to fill a pita with hot sauce, onions, salad, hummus, techina, garlic paste, pickles and falafel without getting at least a bit down your front!