The Yiddish Book Center's

Wexler Oral History Project

A growing collection of in-depth interviews with people of all ages and backgrounds, whose stories about the legacy and changing nature of Yiddish language and culture offer a rich and complex chronicle of Jewish identity.

"Jewish Soul Food" The Food and the Feeling of The 2nd Avenue Deli in New York City

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Jack Lebewohl, owner of 2nd Ave Deli in New York City, introduces his well-known deli, and describes how effecting the deli is to its clientele.

Photo of Second Avenue Deli food from Gveret Tered, Librarygroover on Flickr - https://www.flickr.com/photos/7200755@N07/5720730080

CC by 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

This is an excerpt from an oral history with Jack Lebewohl.

This excerpt is in English.

This interview is part of the Yiddish and the Arts: musicians, actors, and artists series.

Other video highlights from this oral history

The Molly Picon Room

52 sec

How My Father Being Blessed By The Rebbe When He was Drafted

2 min 14 sec

Early Years of the Deli: Jack Lebewohl Describes the Original 2nd Ave Deli

1 min 12 sec

The Jewish Broadway: Description of New York's 2nd Ave

1 min 37 sec

Jack Lebewohl Remembers His Brother and Founder of the 2nd Avenue Deli, Abe Lebewohl

4 min 10 sec

“More than Just a Restaurant”: Regular and Famous Customers of the 2nd Ave. Deli

2 min 32 sec

What Do I Like To Eat?: Jack Lebewohl on His Deli Favorites

59 sec

More information about this oral history excerpt

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