Jews are known throughout the world for knowing their food and their food culture has impacted others all over the world.
Whether it’s matzah transforming into Communion wafers or bagels becoming the preferred breakfast delivery option for millions, Jewish food culture is an international sensation and inspiration.
At the forefront of this movement is Naomi Levy, who handles the food and beverage programs at Lehrhaus (www.lehr.haus), a non-profit eatery and house of study that has set up its first location just outside of Harvard Square in Somerville, MA.
“It wasn’t something I had sought out,” Levy says when asked how she came to the world of Jewish food and culture, “but when it happened, it just made a lot of sense. I’ve always loved the storytelling aspect of what we do in the hospitality industry and now I get to tell stories that are so much more personally connected to my own upbringing. I get to share a bit more of myself in this really great way!”
Inspired by Franz Rosenzweig’s Freies Jüdisches Lehrhaus (“Free Jewish House of Learning”) and opened in 2023, Lehrhaus brings local and international scholars and speakers in an ever-evolving and always engaging series of events that can be enjoyed by Jews of every stripe and even by those who just like to learn with friends while enjoying delicious food.
“Lehrhaus is the brainchild of Rabbi Charlie Schwartz and Joshua Foer,” Levy explains, suggesting that the dynamic duo wanted to offer a “new type” of community space.
“I helped them land on the concept for the tavern,” she recalls, “and about a year later we had a space and were working our way towards getting our doors open.”
As she has been in the food service world since she was 17 and as she is also the creator of the Maccabee Bar experience (which has bene running in New York and Boston for the past few years), Levy was a natural choice to helm the hearth at this communal gathering space.
Having previously worked at such legendary Boston bars and eateries as Hungry Mother and Eastern Standard (which was named Best American Restaurant Bar under her tutelage), Levy’s pedigree was impressive and her talents are undeniable- even to herself.
“I think I’m one of those rare people who is both very creative but also highly organized,” Levy observes as humbly as she can, citing such creative concoctions as the Day of Rest (made with challah-based Bourbon, roasting herbs, and kosher red wine), the Israeli-inspired Spritz Petel (with Arancia, lime and raspberry), and the spirit-free Tree of Knowledge (which features fig, pomegranate, pineapple, and lemon flavors). “I love to come up with not only creative flavors for cocktails but also creative ideas for service and how we can continuously strive to be better.”
As much as she loves her bar program, Levy is also enamored with her food selections as well.
“I love the smoked fish pate,” she raves. “It is like taking the best of a deli breakfast and turning [it] into a chip and dip prefect for dinner.”
Another one of the creative ideas that helped establish Levy on the Jewish cultural map was the Maccabee Bar, which opened in New York in 2018.
Inspired by the “Holiday” (read “Christmas”) pop-up movement, Levy opened the Bar in order to offer her fellow menorah lighters a safe and supportive place to gather and celebrate their own holiday their own way.
“I think no matter how old you get,” she muses, “when you grow up Jewish in America, there’s always this little kid part of you that remembers feeling left out when your friends got to go and meet Santa. So I thought to myself, I wonder what would happen if we did a holiday pop up bar that was 100% dedicated to Hanukkah. And it turns out, I was far from the only one wishing there were something I could connect to that time of year!”
As she continues to seek new hosts for her Hanukah happening, Levy is also looking for a second home for Lehrhaus.
“We are currently working on our second location in Washington DC,” she kvells, “and are hoping to bring Lehrhaus to more cities over the next years.”
No matter where she goes or who she serves, Levy is always happy to bring smiles to other people’s faces/
“I really love making people happy and that is at the core of what we do in the hospitality industry,” she maintains. “That is what keeps me going strong all these years later.”
