A Land of Milk and Mufletta: what Israeli food says about Israeli culture

Joel Harber • Jerusalem

Israeli chefs have recently conquered the culinary world, but what about all those foods they left behind at home? What do these dishes say about Israel itself? From falafel to petitim, meurav Yerushalmi to mufleta, Joel will reveal the culture behind the distinctive foods that make Israel so deliciously… Israeli.

Joel Haber researches, writes about and lectures on the topic of Jewish food history, with a focus on understanding Jewish culture and history via its foods. His writing appears on his blog (www.tasteofjew.com) along with articles in such publications as The Nosher, Tradition and The Jewish Journal. He has spoken widely to hundreds of attendees, in both online and in-person venues in multiple countries.  Joel is currently writing a book that examines Shabbat stews from around the world, using them as a way of tracing the routes of Jewish migrations throughout history.  Additionally, Joel has worked as a licensed tour guide in Israel for nearly a decade. His most popular single tour is a culinary tasting and history tour in Jerusalem’s famous outdoor market, Shuk Machane Yehuda. Joel was born and raised in New Jersey, lived for many years in both New York City and Los Angeles, and immigrated to Israel in March 2009. He is proud to live in the special city of Jerusalem.