In the Netherlands, the newly vaccinated are greeted with an Eastern European Jewish staple — herring
By David Ian Klein June 21, 2021
To entice its population into taking the COVID-19 vaccine, the Netherlands is offering a local favorite at vaccination sites around the country – soused herring, the Guardian reported.
Of course the Dutch, who consume some 75 million batches of the forage fish each year aren’t the only fans of fresh or pickled herring. Another style of herring, brined ‘schmaltz herring’ — which is caught at an age when the fat or in Yiddish, shmaltz, is maximal — is a staple of Ashkenazi Jewish cuisine as well, and can commonly be found at synagogue kiddushes (usually next to the crackers and scotch).
Herring is also a staple of stores like New York’s Russ & Daughters or the fish counter at Zabars.
While pickled fish may gather crowds in Amsterdam as well as Brooklyn, it’s far from the enticing incentive we’ve seen governments offer to encourage citizens to get the shot.
In Washington State, where marijauna has been legalized, vaccine sites are distributing pre-rolled joints, while in Indonesia, the jab comes with the promise of a free live chicken.
In both Moscow and Hong Kong, mayors are offering high ticket raffle prizes — from cars to a luxury apartment for those who get their shots in June and July.
A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen
I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.
We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.
If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.
— Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO
