Philadelphia's Jewish community has rallied around an Israeli restaurant owner whose falafel shop was the target of an anti-Semitic protest on Sunday evening.
The crowd, led by the Philly Palestine Coalition, marched to Goldie's in Center City, shouting and chanting, “Goldie, Goldie, you can't hide, we're accusing you of genocide.”
Beloved local figure Mike Solomonov – an Israeli-born, Pittsburgh-raised chef – owns the establishment. He has won the James Beard Award in the past – and since the ordeal, prominent politicians and friends have come out to support him.
Senator John Fetterman called the attack “pathetic and outright anti-Semitism,” while Governor Shapiro said it was “hate and bigotry reminiscent of a dark time.”
Sunday's crowd threats came at the same time as students at the nearby University of Pennsylvania – who called for an “intifada” – a violent uprising against Israel.
Beloved local figure Mike Solomonov – an Israeli-born, Pittsburgh-raised chef – owns the establishment. He has won the James Beard Award in the past – and since the ordeal, prominent politicians and friends have rallied to support him
He posed with Adam Sandler more than once after the beloved actor visited his restaurants
Senator John Fetterman called the attack “pathetic and outright anti-Semitism,” while Governor Shapiro said “hatred and bigotry are reminiscent of a dark time.”
Solomonov was born near Tel Aviv, but moved to the US as a child. His love for cooking started when he worked in a bakery in Israel at the age of 18.
His younger brother David was killed in 2003 at the age of 21 by a Lebanese sniper in Metula, on the Israel-Lebanon border.
The Israeli soldier was shot dead on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Solomonov was cooking Italian food in Philadelphia when he heard the news.
A group marched to Goldie's and chanted, “Goldie, Goldie, you can't hide, we accuse you of genocide.”
Solomonov, a father of two, devoted himself to Israeli cuisine and opened his first restaurant, Zahav, in Philadelphia in 2008.
The 45-year-old has since opened 20 other locations across the country.
Zahav was awarded the James Beard Foundation 'Outstanding Restaurant' in 2019.
When war broke out, the Israeli chef launched a fundraising campaign to raise money for those injured during the war in Israel. Proceeds went to Friends of United Hatzalah, an emergency medical service that runs throughout Israel.
Senator John Fetterman of Pennsylvania called the attack on Solomonov's cases “pathetic and outright anti-Semitism.”
Fetterman said, “They could protest Hamas. They could protest Hamas's systematic rape of Israeli women and girls, or demand the immediate release of the remaining hostages.
“Instead, they focused on a Jewish restaurant. It's pathetic and outright anti-Semitism.'
Solomonov posed with Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce, who ate at his restaurant Zahav – which 'brings the flavors of Israel's cultural crossroads to Philadelphia and beyond'
On March 12, he posted a photo shaking hands with President Joe Biden
Mike's younger brother David (right) was killed in 2003 at the age of 21 by a sniper in Metula, on the Israel-Lebanon border. The Israeli soldier was shot dead on Yom Kippur, the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Solomonov was cooking Italian food in Philadelphia when he heard the news
On Yom Kippur in 2003, David was ambushed by a group of snipers stationed on the Lebanese side of the border. The terrorists saw him and opened fire on him
Mondaire Jones, the former U.S. representative for New York's 17th Congressional District and commissioner for the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, said his friend Solomonov “spent his life” trying to make the world a better place.
Jones called out the “despicable anti-Semitism” on display at Goldie on Sunday night.
He said on X: “Mike Solomonov, the owner of this restaurant, is a friend. He has spent his life trying to make the world a better place.
“Yet he is targeted by people who claim moral superiority because he is Jewish and Israeli. This is despicable anti-Semitism.”
Bari Weiss, a Jewish journalist who pioneered The Free Press, said she is a personal friend of Mike's – and urged others to help his businesses after the anti-Semitism seen outside his establishment last night.
Weiss said, “When our daughter was born, our wonderful friend (and fellow Pittsburgher) Mike Solomonov sent us the best lamb dinner I've ever had.
“Today anti-Semites attacked one of Mike's restaurants.”
Ted Allen, host of Food Network's Chopped, urged, “Philadelphia needs to stand up for Mike Solomonov — a James Beard Award-winning chef who employs dozens of people at this fine restaurant and many more around the city (and in Brooklyn), and with whom I am proud to have made television.
“This is just plain stupid.”
Hen Mazzig, author of “The Wrong Kind of Jew,” who has spoken out on the subject of anti-Semitism in recent weeks, said: “Chef Mike Solomonov is the nicest man I know and has done so much to promote peace between Israelis and to promote Palestinians. .
'And always sees the humanity in everyone. Protesters in Philadelphia came to his restaurant to protest just because he is Jewish.”
Solomonov (left) also welcomed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right) to his donut shop, Federal Donuts, to help make his own sweet treats before the politician swore in new citizens in Philadelphia.
Solomonov was born near Tel Aviv, but moved to the US as a child. His love for cooking started when he worked in a bakery in Israel at the age of 18
Michael Solomonov has worked with some of the most prominent politicians and celebrities in the US, many of whom supported the chef following the protests outside his falafel shop.
He posed with Adam Sandler more than once after the beloved actor visited his restaurants.
Solomonov also welcomed US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to his donut shop, Federal Donuts, to help make his own sweet treats before the politician swore in new citizens in Philadelphia.
On March 12, he posted a photo shaking hands with President Joe Biden.
And Solomonov also posed with Philadelphia Eagles star Jason Kelce, who ate at his restaurant Zahav — which “brings the flavors of Israel's cultural crossroads to Philadelphia and beyond.”
Over Thanksgiving, Solomonov was invited to the residence of Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro on behalf of the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.
He cooked three Thanksgiving dishes for the governor's family to celebrate the holiday.
Gov. Shapiro wrote last night about the ordeal: “Tonight in Philly we saw a blatant act of anti-Semitism – not a peaceful protest.
“A restaurant was attacked and harassed because the owner is Jewish and Israeli. This hatred and intolerance is reminiscent of a dark time in history.”