Most Jews have their own personal favorite deli. Though they will visit hundreds, if not thousands, of delis throughout their lifetime, there’s always one they favor most. If asked, sometimes even when no one asks, they will recount their experiences of perfectly golden potato pancakes and tell you all about Evelyn, the waitress who always made sure their coffee cup was full. They’ll tell you what to order at what time of the day and remind you if you ever stop by there, tell the staff Cadillac Lou said hello and he still hasn’t had a better bowl of cole slaw.

Delis are a home away from home for Jewish people and as of recent they are a great way to meet Jewish people (check your local deli around 11:00am on any Sunday and you’ll see it packed full of Kosher customers chomping away at their favorite meal). Many deli’s are actually owned by Jews…but not because of the opportunity to be a successful business, but simply so they can eat free deli food everyday. Running a booming business is great…but running a booming business that also gets you free lox on your bagel every morning is what Jewish life is all about.

As long as delis are open they will be apart of Jewish culture.

All Jews celebrate Christmas. I know that might sound a little hard to believe, but it’s true. No they don’t put up fancy trees, hang wreaths and stockings, or go to midnight mass, but they do celebrate, and they do it at one of their favorite places, Chinese restaurants.

Jewish people love Chinese food. Show me a Jew that doesn’t love beef and broccoli or kung pao chicken and I’ll tell you to check his birth certificate, because he my friend, is not a Hebrew. Chinese foods is as Jewish as dreidels and sleep away camp. It’s just as important as college degrees and Bar Mitzvahs. If 75% percent of the body is made up of water, for Jews at least, the other 25% is made up of lo mein, egg rolls, and duck sauce. There’s something about the way those little China men cook that wonton soup that makes our Hebrew hearts smile. If we can’t get to the restaurant, then we’ll order take out. As long as we can get our weekly fix of fortune cookies everything is going to be just fine.

Chinese food is surely the chosen food of the chosen people.

Jews love coupons. Not necessarily the coupon itself, but the savings that comes alone with it. Anyone who grew up in a Jewish household can tell you coupons were a big part of life. In many homes there was actually ‘coupon day’, where mom would sit around the table with the kids spending hours cutting out coupons. Now there might be some doubters that not all Jews did this, BUT even rich Jews realize the importance of .50 cents off 96 oz bottle of laundry detergent or $1 off a three pack of socks.

From a young age Jews realize the importance of a coupon. After a couple crappy gift filled holidays Jewish kids quickly learned if you really want something from mom or dad the best way to ensure you getting it was to have a coupon to go along with that request. Santa might get you whatever you want just by sitting on his lap and asking, but for Jewish kids there isn’t a Chanuka list that doesn’t have coupons stapled to the back. Eight days, eight coupons.

A lot of Jews keep coupons in their wallet and purses like cash. You never know when you might spot a 64 pack of root beer or a family size box of raisins. Whatever they’re for, usually something you don’t, nor would ever consider buying, they save you money and that my friend makes all the difference.

It’s said Jews first fell in love with bagels after they got out of the desert (lie). After 40 years of matzah they were desperate for another dough based bread and the bagel soon found itself in the kitchens of Jewish homes around the world. Whether it’s plain, a toasted poppy seed, or a everything with smear and lox, it’s a wonderful addition to any Jew’s day.