Next Screening: Palm Beach March 2022

In January 1975, the Kosher Kitchen opened with no owner and with no drive for profit. In fact, to show opposition to capitalism, it labeled itself anti-profit and took seriously the slogan "Food for People, Not for Profit". There was no manager and it was run by a collective of equals, all of whom made the same small stipend and who met after every dinner for a criticism/self criticism session. And yes, it was kosher under the supervision of the Orthodox Rabbinate with a full time mashgiach (supervisor).

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The Kosher Kitchen was more than a restaurant. The collective ran a Meals on Wheels program, a drop in center for senior citizens, free Saturday night entertainment, biweekly speakers on controversial subjects, monthly ethnic nights, fund raisers for the United Farmworker's boycott of non-Union lettuce and grapes, and more. 

 

The restaurant soon became an alternative community center, especially for non-affiliated young people, and began to run into opposition from the establishment. Oh yes, there was also tasty, traditional, and varied home cooked food with seconds on the house if you ate everything on your plate, a free meal if you helped wash dishes, a community table where strangers were encouraged to talk to each other, and positive reviews from the Washington Post and other local newspapers.

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The film "We Made Matzah Balls for the Revolution" tells the story of what motivated these young people, almost all college graduates or students, to work long hours for $100 a week with a community not always open or appreciative of the collective. The film also reflects on how the experience shaped the lives of the members even after the restaurant closed and also how some of the adult children carry on the idealistic torch of their parents. 

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We expect the film to be released at film festivals within the next 6 months. We would like people to be informed and hopefully attend a nearby showing so please send us your e-mail address.  We do not need any additional funds so don't worry we won't be asking you for any money but through this website, we will give you updates about the film and some of the back stories surrounding it. Looking forward to being connected.