Philadelphia Food Crawl Draws 51 Jewish Groups as Anti-Israel Riders Plan Protest
Organizers invite residents to six Jewish-owned businesses near Rittenhouse Square on Nov. 8, the eve of the Kristallnacht anniversary, to counter a planned boycott bicycle ride.
By Pedro Tanaka ·
A coalition of 51 national Jewish organizations has called on Philadelphians to visit local Jewish-owned businesses this week. The American Zionist Movement issued this request to demonstrate that discrimination and intimidation have no place in the city. The group urges residents of every faith and background to bring their families, friends, and colleagues to the eateries.
Yehuda Sichel, owner of the restaurant Huda in Center City, reported receiving substantial support from the community. His establishment is located near Rittenhouse Square, the site designated for a boycott bicycle ride by anti-Israel groups. The ride is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 8, which marks the eve of the Kristallnacht anniversary.
Sichel described the timing as deeply personal, noting that he is the grandson of Holocaust survivors. He stated that his pride in being Jewish and supportive of Israel should not make his business a target. He said the outpouring of support has been incredible and that the business intends to show up strong with pride and solidarity.
Marti Lieberman, who owns Mac Mart, confirmed that the kiosk will open for the event despite typically being closed on Sundays. She said the decision demonstrates that the business will not be scared into closing. Lieberman reported receiving numerous emails, calls, and direct messages, as well as Venmo contributions and holiday tray orders.
The community food crawl includes stops at Huda, K’Far Café, Mac Mart, Dizengoff, Goldie, and Schlesinger’s. An advertisement for the event states that instead of a boycott, residents are invited to show up for local Jewish-owned businesses. Goldie is a kosher falafel restaurant among the listed stops.
The Anti-Defamation League urged Philadelphians to dine at Jewish-owned eateries this week. The organization stated that the timing of the boycott is not a coincidence but a deliberate message of hate and intimidation. It described the protest as an attempt to intimidate a community that has faced generations of violence, exclusion, and antisemitism.
Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday condemned the boycott, calling its timing on the eve of the Kristallnacht anniversary unsettling. He stated that targeting businesses because their owners are Jewish relies on some of the oldest antisemitic tropes and tactics in history. Sunday said the protest singles out residents based on their Jewish identity rather than their political policies.
Shawn Ritchie, a spokesman for the Philadelphia Police Department, said officers are in contact with several members of the community regarding the food crawl. The department is aware of the planned boycott ride. Ritchie stated that while specific operational details are not being discussed, the priority is to ensure the safety of everyone involved and the general public.
