A somber Strong Buzz today.
This weekend, dine to support Israel, dinner in Kingston, and more.
My friends,
This has been a difficult week for so many of us, and it’s hitting me hard too. I grew up in New York City, a liberal cultural Jew, thinking little of being Jewish and my religion other than some very long high holidays services and the wonderful meals with my extended Persian family. I didn’t grow up around anti-semitism. Or if I did, it certainly didn’t register. But it’s registered this week quite clearly.
I am a die hard liberal New Yorker who has felt disillusioned by the Israeli government and its treatment of the Palestinian people, and more recently with the corruption and power hungry right wing government led by Bibi Netanyahu. Many Israelis feel the same; as has been evidenced by the widespread protests against Bibi raging throughout the year.
And yet, when mothers and babies, fathers and sons, children and the elderly, are paraded through the streets, murdered, raped, beheaded and captured to be tortured and used as a pawn in an endless war, there are no words. When 1,300 Israelis, mostly civilians are murdered, there is nothing but horror and relived generational trauma.
We can all have empathy for the innocent lives taken on both sides, yes, the people of Gaza are suffering and dying because of Hamas too. But there is not a comparison; this is not a contest, let’s rate everyone’s suffering and whoever suffered more wins? No. There is nothing to compare to the insurgent terrorist attack onto Israel during Shabbat and Simchat Torah, and the war crimes committed by Hamas. It feels a lot like genocide, the likes of which we have not seen since Hitler. I am gutted by these attacks and the unfolding clarity on the depth of the war crimes, torture, murder and callous indifference to human life that took place over last weekend.
On a more personal level, I have family and friends in Israel; my son goes to a Jewish day school that was forced to close because of credible threats from Hamas today (NYPD and Global Security firms advised them to close) and my older son who attends school in the theater district is also home because of the protests and planned violence announced by Hamas. It can become too much when you put the crisis of our own democracy, the climate change-fueled hurricanes, floods, fires and earthquakes, and the war in Ukraine.
I am not here to pick a fight, as is happening so much on social media with folks being virulent towards one another. That doesn’t seem to be the right path, I am just here today to acknowledge how I feel; how dark and embroiled things are inside my heart, and how hard it is to write these up beat Strong Buzz posts, while there is a battle for the existence of the Jewish people happening across the world.
That said, we must continue to live and be together and connect and enjoy life; while we have the chance to, we have to live it. So take your favorite people, hug them, love them, and do something wonderful this weekend. Sending love and peace to you and yours.
xx Andrea
Humanitarian Aid for Israel Dinners Across the City
Several restaurants around the city are donating proceeds from all meals this weekend to support the human rights and aid organizations working to help Israel’s victims and families of the Hamas terrorist attacks, as well as to support the IDF and to bring humanitarian aid to the areas. Make your plans to eat at Misi, Lilia, Crown Shy, Overstory, Saga and more.
Dinner in the Hudson Valley
Restaurant Kinsley, the beloved eatery located within Hotel Kinsley is a stunning spot to weekend in the heart of Kingston (that’s Brooklyn north for those who don’t know). The interiors are that perfect combination of effortless Bohemian and cool Danish modern, curated and designed by Studio McKinley, the Robert McKinley-run design studio that’s also behind Sant Ambroeus, Montauk’s McKinley Bungalow, and the Surf Lodge.
What’s even more exciting about this hotel is its restaurant owned by Taavo Sommer, known in New York City for Freeman’s and the buzzy Lower-East side dive bar, Ray’s, is that James Beard Award-winning Chef Zak Pelaccio, will make his much-anticipated return to Restaurant Kinsley starting on today, Friday, October 13th, to launch their new seasonal menu.
I’ve known and loved Zak since his days at the Chicken Bone Cafe in Williamsburg when Williamsburg was not used as a noun, and was just a reasonably priced place to live in Brooklyn. Zak’s a fantastic talent, and you’ll love the new menu at Restaurant Kinsley, where he is leaning into locally sourced, seasonal ingredients to make dinner dazzling: Potato Chips with ranch dip, and Burrata with Cantabrian anchovies, preserved tomato water, chili oil, and grilled bread to start. Entrees sound like this: Hake a la Plancha in a spiced seafood nage with clams, squid, charred scallions; Mole Negro with Etcetera Farms Hudson Valley rice, celery, raisins, and pepitas; Roasted Organic Chicken with creamy polenta, cremini, shiitake & oyster mushroom cream sauce; and one gorgeous Charred Slow Cooked Brisket with winter salsa verde, black pepper, and potato fundido. Yum.
Make your reservations here. Tell Zak that The Strong Buzz sent you!
Drink Spanish Wine with Joe Campanale at Bar Vinazo!
There’s a great wine tasting on Sunday October 15th at 3pm @barvinazo in their beautiful backyard. Naturally, they will be talking and tasting through the New Spain — producers that are charting their own course, utilizing natural, organic and biodynamic practices and rediscovering native grapes to produce truly expressive and elegant Spanish wines. Tickets are $65 and include five tasting-portion pours of natural, organic and biodynamic wines, paired with a selection of snacks including cheese, olives, gildas and quicos. Reserve here.
Bowl of ‘Zole at Industry City
This annual pozole festival has returned to Brooklyn, with a bash planned for October 19. Tickets are up online. Industry City 52A venue, at 33 - 35th Street, Sunset Park
Beautifully said, Andrea. I have refrained from speaking out about this on social media because of whatever repercussions might result (which is ridiculous in itself), but your message was so well articulated. Thanks. And glad you were still able to get your weekend roundup in too (even if I’m out of town).