Unkosher Comedy Series Puts Treyf Front and Center
A new series recreates a restaurant that serves decidedly unkosher food in a very Jewish neighborhood. Image by Courtesy of Traif (an Unkosher Series)
Some would argue that there’s nothing funny about treyf.
And the trio behind [“Traif (An Unkosher Series),”](An Unkosher Series ““Traif (An Unkosher Series),””) a new online comedy based on Brooklyn’s very real Traif restaurant, would argue that they’re wrong.
When Chef Jason Marcus opened the eatery — a bagel’s throw from Satmar enclaves in Wiliamsburg — he got pummeled by Orthodox media for serving mostly pork and shellfish dishes such as salt-and-pepper shrimp and lobster with spicy sausage.
Since Traif’s creators live in Los Angeles, the show’s set in a Fairfax restaurant led by a chef named, ahem, Jason Marco.
“I hope kosher-eating people look at this and say this is a funny concept,” producer Lew Levy, who’s Marcus’s uncle, told the Jewish Journal. “The restaurant is now very well-accepted in Brooklyn. Jason has spoken with rabbis in the community and they peacefully coexist.”
According to the series’ website, each episode will highlight a dish or ingredient from the real Traif restaurant, and the recipes will be posted online.
More Dish of the Day
Michael Kaminer is a contributing editor at the Forward. Contact him at [email protected]
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
