The Jewish community in Philadelphia has rallied around an Israeli restaurant owner whose falafel store was viciously targeted by an antisemitic protest on Sunday night.
The mob, led by the Philly Palestine Coalition, marched on Goldie’s in Center City, screaming and chanting: ‘Goldie, Goldie you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide.’
Much-loved 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 rank antisemitism,’ while Governor Shapiro said it was ‘hate and bigotry reminiscent of a dark time.’
Sunday’s mob threats came at the same time as students at the nearby University of Pennsylvania – called for an ‘intifada’ – a violent uprising against Israel.
Much-loved 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 has posed with Adam Sandler on more than one occasion after the much-loved actor visited his restaurants
Senator John Fetterman called the attack ‘pathetic and rank antisemitism,’ while Governor Shapiro said it was ‘hate and bigotry is reminiscent of a dark time’
Solomonov was born near Tel Aviv, but moved to the US when he was a child. His love for cooking started when he worked in a bakery at the age of 18 in Israel.
His younger brother David was killed by a Lebanese sniper in Metula, on the Israel-Lebanon border, when he was 21 years old in 2003.
The Israeli soldier was shot dead on Yom Kippur – the most holy day in the Jewish calendar. Solomonov was cooking Italian food in Philly when he heard the news.
A group marched at Goldie’s, chanting: ‘Goldie, Goldie you can’t hide, we charge you with genocide’
Solomonov, a dad-of-two, dedicated himself to Israeli cuisine and opened his first restaurant, Zahav, in Philadelphia in 2008.
The 45-year-old has opened 20 other establishments across the country since.
Zahav was awarded the James Beard Foundation ‘Outstanding Restaurant’ in 2019.
When the war broke out, the Israeli chef launched a fundraiser to raise money for those injured in the war in Israel, with proceeds going to Friends of United Hatzalah – which is an emergency medical service that runs across Israel.
Pennsylvania’s Senator John Fetterman called the attack on Solomonov’s business ‘pathetic and rank antisemitism.’
Fetterman said: ‘They could be protesting Hamas. They could be protesting Hamas’ systematic rape of Israeli women and girls or demanding the remaining hostages be immediately released.
‘Instead, they targeted a Jewish restaurant. It’s pathetic and rank antisemitism.’
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 by a sniper in Metula, on the Israel-Lebanon border, when he was 21 years old in 2003. The Israeli soldier was shot dead on Yom Kippur – the most holy day in the Jewish calendar. Solomonov was cooking Italian food in Philly when he heard the news
On Yom Kippur in 2003, David was ambushed by a squad of snipers stationed on the Lebanese side of the border. The terrorists spotted him and opened fire on him
Mondaire Jones, the former U.S. representative for New York’s 17th congressional district and commissioner for the US Commission on Civil Rights, said that his friend Solomonov ‘has spent his life’ making the world better.
Jones called out the ‘vile antisemitism’ seen outside 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’s targeted because he’s Jewish and Israeli by people claiming moral superiority. This is vile antisemitism.’
Bari Weiss, a Jewish journalist who pioneered The Free Press, said that she is a personal friend of Mike’s – and urged others to help his businesses following the antisemitism seen outside his establishment last night.
Weiss said: ‘When our daughter was born, our wonderful friend (and fellow Pittsburgher) Mike Solomonov shipped us the best lamb dinner I’ve ever had.
‘Today antisemites targeted one of Mike’s restaurants.’
Ted Allen, the Host of Food Network’s ‘Chopped,’ urged: ‘Philadelphia needs to step up for Mike Solomonov—a James Beard-Award winning chef who employs scores of people at this lovely restaurant and many more citywide (and in Brooklyn), and with whom I am proud to have made television.
‘This is, simply, stupid.’
Hen Mazzig, author of ‘The Wrong Kind of Jew,’ who has spoken out on the topic of antisemitism in recent weeks, said: ‘Chef Mike Solomonov is the nicest guy I know and has done so much to promote peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
‘And always sees the humanity in everyone. Protestors in Philadelphia came to his restaurant to protest, just because he’s Jewish.’
Solomonov (left) also welcomed United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken (right) into his donut shop, Federal Donuts, to help craft his own sweet treats before the politician swore in new citizens in Philadelphia
Solomonov was born near Tel Aviv, but moved to the US when he was a child. His love for cooking started when he worked in a bakery at the age of 18 in Israel
Michael Solomonov has rubbed shoulders with some of the most prominent politicians and celebrities in the US – many of whom have come out in support of the chef following the protests outside his falafel shop.
He has posed with Adam Sandler on more than one occasion after the much-loved actor visited his restaurants.
Solomonov also welcomed United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken into his donut shop, Federal Donuts, to help craft 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 Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro’s residence on behalf of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition.
He cooked up three Thanksgiving dishes for the Governor’s family to celebrate the holiday.
Gov Shapiro wrote about the ordeal last night: ‘Tonight in Philly, we saw a blatant act of antisemitism – not a peaceful protest.
‘A restaurant was targeted and mobbed because its owner is Jewish and Israeli. This hate and bigotry is reminiscent of a dark time in history.’