For some Jews, keeping kosher is an integral part of their spiritual connection. For me, it just seemed plain weird. I always thought that it would take nothing short of a miracle to convince me it was a viable option. But life sure does have its surprises...
A few years ago, my wife and I moved from Johannesburg to Los Angeles to further our careers in film and television. At the same time, we decided to learn more about our Jewish roots. We found the ideas and philosophy amazingly powerful.
But liking the concepts is a lot different than living them -- that usually involves some kind of change in one's life -- and who likes to change?
The advice we got from everyone was to start out slowly. Pick a mitzvah you're comfortable with and then grow gradually.
I decided I'd work on "do not murder" for a year or two, and then take it from there.
Great idea. I decided I'd work on "do not murder" for a year or two, and then take it from there.
But my wife, Genevieve, had other ideas. She was already talking about koshering the kitchen.
"Are you nuts!?" I shrieked. "What will we eat? We'll starve to death!" I tried to appeal to her sense of reason.
But Genevieve is a woman of action. She pulled me into the kitchen and proceeded to pluck cans and bottles off the shelf. To my chagrin, every single item of food in our possession already had a hecksher, a kosher symbol. Even my favorite ice cream. We had been practically keeping kosher for months, and I didn't even know it!
I had to concede defeat. Next thing I knew, we had a rabbi in our kitchen blow-torching our oven -- kosherizing it, as we called it.
Truth is keeping a kosher kitchen wasn't even that hard. In fact, I kind of liked it. The real challenge came next: What will I eat at work?
Since I'm always on the move -- on location or in a studio -- eating is the least of my concerns. The idea of food becoming a priority in my life was, let's just say, less than appetizing.
Fortunately, I had time. After all, we were "in transition." So whenever I had a say in it, I'd opt to eat at one of the many kosher restaurants around town. But if there weren't any nearby, or if it was really impossible -- I'd eat in a non-kosher restaurant, being careful about what I ate.
If God wants me to go fully kosher, He's going to have to let me know Himself.
I was happy to hover "in transition" mode forever -- the best of both worlds. Genevieve, however, was leaning towards making more of a commitment. "If God wants me to go 'fully kosher,'" I said half joking, half serious, "He's going to have to let me know Himself."
A short time later, two new kosher restaurants opened up right around the corner. I felt an unnerving, cosmic wink.
But that was nothing compared to what came later.
Around the time I was having my strongest existential kosher crisis, a former client called and invited me back to my native South Africa to produce his launch. "You see?" I goaded Genevieve, "How would we keep kosher in Johannesburg? It's just as well we're not ‘fully kosher,' or we'd be in trouble."
I set up the production office in my client's building, and didn't give the kosher issue another thought -- which was fortunate, since his office served fully catered meals that were naturally not kosher.
A few days later I heard the sad news that they were changing catering companies. And guess who replaced them? A kosher catering company!
Turns out my client's brother-in-law just happened to own a kosher business that was branching out into catering at that time. This was his first account. So I ate fully catered kosher meals every day."Maybe Somebody's trying to tell you something?" Genevieve teased.
I couldn't be sure. But the weirdness didn't stop there. Suddenly, all of Johannesburg seemed to be going kosher! Three new kosher restaurants had just opened up around the city -- and, to my astonishment -- even the studio I edited at had a kosher canteen. I couldn't believe it! An American film crew, with Jewish producers, ‘just happened' to be in post-production at the time, and they insisted on kosher food.
What was the world coming to?
Even our parents were supportive -- they koshered their kitchens for us. But I still managed to convince myself keeping kosher wasn't a viable option. It was going to take a lot more than a few little coincidences to turn around a hardened cynic like myself.
I wanted to get back to LA., back to the way things were -- where I could bury my head comfortably in the sand.
But there were other plans in store for me...
My younger brother, Allan, came to spend some time with us. He had some business to attend to in San Francisco, so we planned to drive up the coast together.
Throughout my "Jewish Journey," Allan has always been my reality check -- constantly quizzing me, pushing me, making sure my feet were planted firmly on the ground. Despite his own deep love for Judaism, he made it his personal mission to make sure we didn't go "too far."
My brother thought I was nuts.
From the moment he got to LA, he was on the offensive, probing and questioning my motivations. I did my best to explain the serendipitous providence I had been experiencing, the practical and spiritual benefits of keeping kosher, and I guess, well -- he thought I was nuts.
He challenged me for hours on end -- and all the way to San Francisco. I just couldn't seem to find the answers that would satisfy him.
By the time we got there, my head was spinning. I wasn't sure if I'd convinced him I was on the right track -- or if he'd convinced me I was, perhaps, a little overboard.
I knew the kosher thing in San Francisco was going to be tough, so I planned ahead. I armed myself with a list of the local kosher restaurants printed off the Internet.
We checked into our room, and promptly set out to explore the city. Since my brother is a take-charge kind of guy, I let him lead the way -- up this street, down the next. I followed as he hopped onto a passing streetcar, and off at some random point.
Finally we ended up in China Town. Perusing the stores and restaurants, I realized I was really hungry, and I was sure Al was too. I reached for my handy kosher restaurant guide but it wasn't there! I inadvertently left it in the room, miles away.
It would take at least twenty minutes to call around and find the closest kosher joint -- and a whole schlep halfway across town to get there. Surrounded by a thousand restaurants, it all seemed so absurd and I knew Al wasn't going to be impressed.
Things were about to get ugly.
"Is this really all worth it?" I wondered to myself. "Does God really care what I stick in my mouth? Maybe it's time for me to be a little realistic and forget the whole thing."
Just then, Al turned to me and asked, "So where are we going to eat?" I could tell he really meant "when."
I panicked. My eyes darted around, frantically searching for an Internet café. It was hopeless. I didn't want to get into another confrontation with my brother.
I was about to give in, when another voice inside me yelled, "You WIMP! You gonna give up that easily!?! Stand up for what you believe, man!"
That was it. I just had to do the right thing.
I was about to tell him to brace himself for a 45-minute delay, when out of the corner of my eye I noticed something strangely out of place -- Hebrew writing. I looked again closely and spelled out the words, "G-l-i-t K-u-sh-a...No, Gl-ett...? Glatt Kosher!"
Right there, smack in the middle of China Town -- a kosher restaurant!
I couldn't believe it.
And neither could Al.
There were no more questions left to ask. My most ardent challenger had unwittingly led me through the streets of San Francisco -- only to find the answers we both were looking for.
From then on, keeping kosher was no longer an issue for me.
Maybe what happened to me isn't exactly typical. But I believe that in everyone's experiences, the essence is still the same: When you set out to do the right thing, the Universe conspires to make it just a little bit easier.
(43) Rachel Leah Fry, March 6, 2020 10:20 PM
Great article. I am on a similar journey, struggling with being the only practicing Jew in my immediate family, and living in an area with no kosher restaurants or support except for the Chabad emissaries, who are wonderful. I have been terrified to try to completely transition to keeping kosher. I’ve been inching towards it. Your story makes me feel I can get there. Thank you!
(42) imelda, January 16, 2018 9:50 PM
Keeping kosher restaurants in San Diego seems impossible
Since my pilgrimage to Israel with Aish this past April, I took on some mitzvoth. I koshered my kitchen, bought a set of meat dishes, buy kosher meat. But any kosher restaurant that opens here soon goes out of business. There is one very informal place at the Jewish Community Center that has lasted for years, but other than that I'll have to settle for vegan. San Diegans respect vegan. I am trying to keep Shabbat. my schul is too far to walk to But I almost always have a family dinner on Friday, with candles, challah and wine. My other mitzvah is refraining from lashon hora. I love the authors humorous acceptance of taking this process slowly and imperfectly, with forgiveness.
(41) Anonymous, January 5, 2012 6:33 AM
Sabra looked too dirty to eat in.
Sorry, but we sought out Sabra too, and my husband wouldn't go in because it looked too dirty. And he's the one who is dead-set on keeping kosher. I guess we missed out!
(40) Stamm Kosher, February 28, 2010 11:32 PM
Geography
A piece of apple cake in NYC - obviously tougher in Johannesburg -maybe tougher still in the rust belt mid-west but from mitzvahs comes the joy of resolve that Hashem rewards.
(39) Martin Goldstein, January 29, 2010 3:12 PM
We choose how we interpret
It is always fun to interpret things in the way that pleases us or makes an interesting story. When we look at things in a different way or in hindsight we often can see different patterns that show us how we could have interpreted things vastly different. A rather common, nicely written but ultimate not a meaningful one.
(38) Chana, January 29, 2010 4:21 AM
Great Story!
I loved the humorous aspect of your story. Hashem's messages are out there if we're willing to open our eyes and look.
(37) Michael, January 27, 2010 8:24 PM
great to see the Hand of G-d
Please come work where I work - I'd love a kosher place or two to open up near work!
(36) SusanE, January 26, 2010 6:38 PM
It's True
Thank you for a great story. It's true. If you make the right decisions, opportunities and instances open up to you. Those happenings are way too often and specific, to be a coincidence. It sort of makes you blink and say 'what the dickens is going on" the first couple times. When something like the Kosher restaurants in the story show up, then it becomes very comforting, cause you know where it's coming from. I am a total believer in your Universe conspiracy. Thanks again.
(35) Anonymous, January 26, 2010 3:32 PM
"stuck in the middle with you"
"I was happy to hover "in transition" mode forever -- the best of both worlds" I've been there for many years. Vegetarian anywhere kosher home.Only meat at kosher restaurants. Grew up eating treif so figured this is step up and OK as can go eat with and at friends and family. would need to make many changes in life that seem too daunting and not enough clarity re importance of elevating standard to overcome yaitzer hara. all the usual excuses. shalom bayis,honoring parents and inlaws,more important what comes out of mouth then goes into it, many kosher folks not truly "religious" all not valid excuses as Torah is clear re importance of kosher and even if it seems to me standards heavily influenced by politics/egos/and greed we are commanded to seek guidence from the sages so i can pray to God that it matters to me more than it does.if it does I believe God will help me succeed this area.
(34) Dothan Josh, January 26, 2010 6:21 AM
Am motivated
I have always been thinking about Kosher too whether its that important or not. Well here is some food for thought for me. Now am going to go a step ahead and start 'koshering'. Thanks Aish for the article, so timely..
(33) Rachelli, January 26, 2010 3:31 AM
Current Info
Some old comments talk about other kosher options in San Francisco, but (as a resident of the Bay Area) I am quite sure that the only place that is still glatt kosher is Sabra Grill. Please check with local residents to check the current status of eateries before going to eat there!
(32) Diana Ben-Arie, January 25, 2010 7:26 PM
We recently ate at Sabra
The food, at Sabra, is amazing. We were recently in San Francisco and found out they have a whole shabbos menu to take out.
(31) Ester Devorah bat Sarah, January 25, 2010 4:42 PM
Help Michigan keep kosher!
Why don't you set up some kind of filming that keeps you here in the Detroit area for a while? We really really need more kosher choices! We have so few kosher restaurants given the size of the community. Since these seem to follow you around, all we need is your presence to get a few more here! It would make my efforts to keep my husband kosher so much easier! Congratulations to you for your victories in this direction.
(30) Louis, January 25, 2010 12:10 PM
I got the message as well...
I decided to bite the bullet and go fully kosher outside the home a few years ago. The one thing I was going to miss most of all was Fajitas at Chili's (right next to my office even). The first week I went totally kosher, I had a meeting to attend and stopped at a kosher restaurant on the way. The special for the day... Fajitas. I knew Hashem was telling me I made the right choice, and I'd be okay. Later I even learned how to make them for myself and my family.
(29) Anonymous, January 25, 2010 8:36 AM
So timely, from Cape Town !!
Ha... as of yesterday I have no non -kosher items of food in my fridge and cupboards, freezer is stocked with ready made kosher meals and the kitchen is still to be kashred. a little back to front but I am doing what I can, when I can. Arrived at work this am thinking oops whats for lunch ... well I suppose I could cheat and have a non kosher item at work, or I could have apples and prepare better tomorrow... yes... great idea... resolution strengthened by reading your article. Many thanks so timely, cosmic wink !
(28) cb, January 25, 2010 4:52 AM
haha...
Two words: kosher Mentos!
(27) Sheeba josef, January 13, 2008 7:31 AM
This article gives me strengh to be a Kosher in India. I hope oneday they are kosher places to eat in India. Waiting for you God. I kept my promise
(26) Saul Meltzer, February 1, 2006 12:00 AM
It's too bad that some of your articles aren't read by non Jews especially the one by Marshall Roth. I printed copies and sent them to my non Jewish friends. We also have three non Jewish friends who only eat Kosher as we do, since we had them over for dinner and also went to Kosher resturants with them.
In one of your articles explain to people that Kosher and Kosher style are not the same....If a restaurant says they only serve Kosher meat but are open on the Shabbat..??? Most Kosher?? delicatessens are that way but, as far as we're concerned, they are not Kosher and we do not eat there.
(25) Yael, February 1, 2006 12:00 AM
we went there!
my family and i ate at that restaurant when we took a trip to san francisco!!!
(24) Deborah Scop, January 31, 2006 12:00 AM
*Smile*
I remember when I was first trying to become more frum, the one thing that I had trouble with was losing my Pep-O-mints, which I just had to have after I ate anything. (all food was making me nauseous). Eventually I replaced Pep-O-Mints with Certs in those cute little white flat packs, just barely bigger than a Metro Card. I was having a hard time giving them up, despite my desire to keep strictly kosher, when one morning I made a deal with G-d/Hashem. I told him that if he made these mints in Kosher form, then I would buy the Kosher version. That night I wandered into Kosher Plaza Supermarket on Coney Island Avenue in Brooklyn and meandered down my first aisle, checking out the merchandise, when I stopped and did a doubletake. There on one of the shelves was a little BLUE flatpack just like the Certs only with Kosher mints inside!!!! I had to smile. Hashem does listen! I bought myself a whole case so I would never be stuck again.
(23) Tali, January 31, 2006 12:00 AM
I was at Sabra too!
A month ago I was touring the States and was going to be staying a week in San Fran. I was wondering around Chinatown one day and I too was looking for a place to eat. Thats when I saw Sabra - a great Israeli restaurant in a place you would never expect - it was wonderful!
(22) pam ziv, January 31, 2006 12:00 AM
love it!!!!
My husband and I ate there while in San Fran 2 summers ago and he even joined in a minyan there. We were also struggling to keep kosher in China Town and were thrilled when we found it!
(21) Alex Oumanski, January 30, 2006 12:00 AM
Preatty amazing story.
I used to live in San Jose, which is 50 minutes drive from San Francisco, and Sabra is preatty much the only really kosher restarant in San Francisco, and for me and my wife it was the only place where we could go out to eat. Preatty amazing story.
(20) Michal, January 29, 2006 12:00 AM
While reading I had to smile all the time
I loved that article. I found my own thoughts in there, and it was written in a way that made me smile and enjoy while reading it.
Living kosher is really not that difficult, as one thinks in the beginning. But mostly I liked the humour in the writing.
(19) Anonymous, January 29, 2006 12:00 AM
We should all be so lucky!
The author is super fortunate!!! I live in a small city in Canada and our only kosher restaurant is a small kiosk at the small Jewish Community Centre. I wish we had more kosher restaurants!
(18) Anonymous, January 29, 2006 12:00 AM
Kasher or bust!
This story has come at a very interesting point in my life. I have been toying with the idea of kashering my home, wavering back and forth in my own struggle. Still, I hear a voice that says: "just do it." Now, I am sorting through my stuff and saying, this has to go, it can't be kashered. I'm even looking at my plates, saying, now this can be flesach and this can be milchah. I need to add and/or replace this and that. And, what's even more interesting is that the local Chabad will come in and do the whole thing for me one I have all in place. In the next year, hopefully I'll have enough gelt to be able to replace the pots and pans and everything I need to move in this direction. I want to be able to properly entertain in my home with those who do keep kosher, including my religious family members.
Thanks for another "message/hint from above."
(17) Crystal Chava G., September 7, 2002 12:00 AM
Love to you for this heart pounding article!
I love stories like this, it helps me to continue on with my true beliefs and goals, and also it gives me something to refer to when in a "kosher food" conversation. I think I can stay on my ground and be the stronger in reasoning with a story like this. Thank you!!!
(16) Anonymous, July 20, 2002 12:00 AM
I just read about a mans' difficulties on trying to keep kosher. I am trying to get back to my roots(so to speak)and it's taking me a while to do this. Story's like the one I just read are good for me to read in helping to strengthen my decision and gain my goal.
(15) roni riback, July 19, 2002 12:00 AM
go boykie!
Wayne you keep it up my boy I am on the way and need all the inspirartion I can get Luv ya Roni
(14) Beverly Adams, July 13, 2002 12:00 AM
Just what I needed for my grandson to read! He will be convinced now.
This came at perfect time to prove it does matter what we put in our mouth and also the first step along the way back.
(13) Michael, July 11, 2002 12:00 AM
Keep it coming!
...and here I thought I was crazy for keeping kosher all these years - in spite of Jewish and non-Jewish peers who kept trying to talk me out of it!
(12) betti miner, July 11, 2002 12:00 AM
kosher restaurants
I happen to live in San Francisco and Sabra IS a great place to eat. There are several kosher places in Chinatown. One is the King David and they are glatt kosher. Another good place is the JCC Kosher Nutrition Project (KNP) located on 444 Walnut St. I happen to work there and the food is really good and I am under 60 years old. For lunch it is only $1.25 and $3.75 if you are under 60 and you are served your meal by us. If anyone wants to eat cheaply, come to "Monte" (Montifiore) for lunch! Thanks
(11) Anonymous, July 10, 2002 12:00 AM
WOW!!
WOW!!! WHAT AN AWESOME STORY!! THANK YOU! PLEASE WRITE MORE!!!!
(10) ariela yevick, July 10, 2002 12:00 AM
that was so inspiring
what a great article! I remember learning once in school that baalei teshuvah have extra special hashgacha pratis, divine providence, and G-D gives them extra special protection becuase of all that they have sacrificed for yiddishkeite. G-D says to HIS people: open up for me a hole the size of a needle and I will open for you an opening the size of a doorway. This story really shows how if a person makes an initial commitment, even if it is not so strong, G-D will help him enormously along the way. May we all be zocheh, merit, such a great expression of Divine protection.
(9) Pat Thorpe, July 9, 2002 12:00 AM
Keeping kosher in Milwaukee
I feel so much better reading your article. I have been keeping kosher completely for almost a year, and you really need to be creative with this mitzvah, since we have only two kosher restaurants here in town. Many people think I'm crazy to do it this way. Your article has made my day. Thanks.
(8) Anonymous, July 9, 2002 12:00 AM
That is SOOO cool.
(7) Anonymous, July 8, 2002 12:00 AM
Beautiful!
Kopping scored a winner, getting me to laugh and cry at the same time. This story belongs in a book!
(6) yaacov deyo, July 8, 2002 12:00 AM
God loves you
Reading this amazing and well written story made me think how much God loves this guy Wayne, his brother Allan, and Genevieve.
(5) Anonymous, July 8, 2002 12:00 AM
Food for thought
What an amazing story! We Jews are so blessed these days to have such a variety of kosher food items and eateries and caterers available. I personally do not think that many fully grasp the abundnant opportunities available to any Jew (observant or not). I believe that having kosher at just about every point across the globe is a great opportunity that G-d is giving us to obsereve one of the most primary commandments in the Torah. Keeping kosher is probably easier today than ever before. Let's all take advantage....as this story beautifully demonstrates!
(4) Boris Jovanovich, July 8, 2002 12:00 AM
great story
You see,South Africa or U.S.A or China
or Planet Earth are one .The good things are there just to be given in its own time.You asked for it,so you got it .
G-d bless you so you can learn more.After all, we learn all our life.
(3) Joel Miller, July 8, 2002 12:00 AM
Kosher quest
This is an excellent story well told.
(2) Anonymous, July 7, 2002 12:00 AM
Open Eyes
I'm really not suprised at your experience because you just kept your eyes OPEN so you therefore naturally noticed all the "cosmic winks" (your phrase). It's not only in keeping kosher but in every aspect in life as well. I only wish and pray to Hashem that He should help me open my eyes so I can see the divine message in my daily life which is glaring at me.
(1) Anonymous, July 7, 2002 12:00 AM
Terrific Story!!
What a great story of how close G'd is to us - no matter where we are geographically or spiritually - thank you Waynne for sharing this!