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Thousands Attend Kosherpalooza Food Festival in a Show of ‘Jewish Unity and Pride’
An attendee at Kosherpalooza 2024 hugging an IDF soldier as part of the “Hug a Chayil” interactive part of the kosher food and beverage festival on May 30, 2024. Photo: Provided
More than 4,000 people gathered to show support for the kosher food and beverage industry in New Jersey on Thursday at the second annual Kosherpalooza, which held a deeper significance this year amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Attendees who bought tickets for the all-day, interactive food festival at the Meadowlands Expo Center had their pick of food and beverages from 150 vendors who were exhibiting at the show. Ticket holders had the opportunity to taste — and sometimes buy — a plethora of kosher options from pancakes to cured meats to root beer.
There were also 14 live food demonstrations — including one by Israeli singer Gad Elbaz, who showed how to make his Moroccan fish — eight panel discussions, a “paint and sip” corner, interactive games like a hot sauce challenge and a blind taste test, and a meet and greet and book signing with cookbook authors.
Guests attending Kosherpalooza 2024. Photo: Shmily Treger
A common sentiment expressed by exhibitors and attendees was the feeling of “unity” in the room, while outside a war continued raging in Israel and Gaza and antisemitism reached record-high levels in both the US and around the world.
Support for Israel and the Jewish community was evident throughout Kosherpalooza. Borough Park native Mishael Niyazov attended the event wearing a sweatshirt that featured the message “Free Our Hostages” on the front and back, referring to those abducted during the Hamas terror group’s Oct. 7 invasion of southern Israel. Yoni Cohen from YJC Trade, which imports products from Israel, returned home three days ago from fighting as an IDF reservist in Gaza and then traveled to the United States for 48 hours to host a booth at Kosherpalooza, featuring Max Brenner chocolates and an assortment of halva and techina from Halva Kingdom. He traveled back to Israel on Thursday night.
“I think after Oct. 7, we are really facing now the reality that we only have each other for support and to rely on,” Ben Gingi, an Israeli baker and Instagram influencer, told The Algemeiner. “[Kosherpalooza] to the Jewish community is like a big hug at the moment and giving a lot of stability. It’s beautiful.”
“With everything that’s going on, whenever there’s an opportunity for Jewish people to come together and celebrate something that makes us distinctly Jewish, like our adherence to kosher, it’s a reason to celebrate achdus [togetherness] and Jewish pride,” added Adam Goodfriend, the creator of AGoodFriend.co, a cook-at-home meal kit that is like a kosher version of HelloFresh.
Mishael Niyazov, an attendee at Kosherpalooza 2024, wearing a sweatshirt that draws attention to the Israeli civilians being held hostage by Hamas since Oct. 7, 2023. Photo: Shmily Treger
In the middle of the Meadowlands Expo Center, Kosherpalooza organizers had set up an area where attendees could “Hug a Chayal,” which is the Hebrew word for soldier. Four active lone soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), who recently returned from fighting in the Israel-Hamas war, attended Kosherpalooza to embrace visitors and also talk about their experiences with whoever asked. The pop-up was organized by Kosherpalooza in collaboration with Nevut, a nonprofit organization founded in 2017 that helps IDF lone soldiers and veterans with their mental health and wellbeing throughout their military service and also when they return to civilian life.
“What it’s going to give the soldiers [being at Kosherpalooza] more than anything is knowing that people care,” said Ari Abramowitz, executive director and co-founder of Nevut, which means “to navigate” in Hebrew. Abramowitz grew up in Monsey, New York, and was called up as a reservist in the IDF after the Oct. 7 attacks. He has already served twice in Gaza since the start of the war. Nevut helped thousands of soldiers travel to Israel to fight for Israel after Oct. 7, and Abramowitz spoke with The Algemeiner about his recent service in the IDF, lone soldiers returning home with post-traumatic stress disorder, and how being at Kosherpalooza helps the soldiers tremendously.
“Where there’s no unity it really breaks apart a nation and this [Kosherpalooza] is bringing us together, seeing so many different walks of life coming together in a room and knowing at the same time that soldiers are on the front lines defending for us — so we can be free and live life,” he said. “Every one of the soldiers that lost their lives [in the war], it was in order so all of us can be free today and be together. It tears me up inside to speak about it, but they would be very sad to see us broken. But to see all of us together living life, and to be able to live what they defended, is the biggest thing.”
Brooklyn resident Stephanie Neta Benshimol attended Kosherpalooza on behalf of the Hostage and Missing Families Forum wearing a dress that featured a large Star of David and the names of Israelis — civilians, hostages, and soldiers — who were all impacted by the Oct. 7 attacks. Benshimol, who is Israeli and American, also carried a large Israeli flag and flyers with pictures of the hostages who have been held captive by Hamas terrorists since Oct. 7.
She told The Algemeiner that Kosherpalooza is a display of “Jewish unity” that is crucial now more than ever as Israel continues its war against Hamas terrorists. “We all have to be united together, no matter what. Israel is am echad, lev ehad [one nation, one heart],” she added. “That’s the only way we are going to win. No matter what your view is in politics, we need to be in this together. Keep talking about the hostages. Spread awareness. Don’t forget the second Holocaust that happened to the nation of Israel.”
Stephanie Neta Benshimol attending Kosherpalooza 2024 wearing a dress that features the names of the Israeli victims and hostages from Oct. 7. Photo: Shmily Treger
Gitty Halberstam, the creator and owner of the coffee liquor Misceo (which means “to brew” in Latin), agreed “100 percent” that it’s important to show solidarity right now for fellow Jews, whether its for businesses, entrepreneurship, or the Jewish community as a whole.
“We have companies here from all different walks of Jewish life, and the Jewish food and wine beverage industry is so diverse and so large and still everyone is here to help each other and be here together,” she told The Algemeiner.
Miss United States Addison Grace Hadley also attended Kosherpalooza and afterwards shared on Instagram that she left the event “smiling with a VERY full belly.” The Nashville native was a nanny to three Jewish children while studying in graduate school and after falling in love with the Jewish culture, decided to convert to Judaism.
“I met so many new friends, tried so many delicious new foods, and had some deeply meaningful conversations with inclusive, genuine people about faith, about food, about culture, about my conversion journey — even got to chat Hebrew name choices with a delightful group of new gal pals!” added the Nashville native. “The highlight of today (though there are SO many choices!) was receiving an invitation to celebrate Shabbat with some of our new friends — the #kosherpalooza family is warm, welcoming, and inviting, and I love them all.”
The post Thousands Attend Kosherpalooza Food Festival in a Show of ‘Jewish Unity and Pride’ first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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Israelis Lior Raz, Rotem Sela Star in New Netflix Reality Series About Road Trip Across Central Asia
Lior Raz and Rotem Sela in a first look image from “Off Road.” Photo: Netflix
Israeli actors and real-life friends Lior Raz and Rotem Sela will go on a six-part road trip across Central Asia as part of a new unscripted reality series that will premiere on Netflix next month.
“Off Road” is produced by Candle Media’s Faraway Road Productions and Keshet International, Netflix announced on Thursday. In the series, Raz (“Fauda,” “Gladiator 2”) and Sela (“The Baker & The Beauty,” “A Body That Works”) will take an off-road trip through Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan, “while challenging their relationship and their personal beliefs,” according to a synopsis of the new show.
“As Rotem and Lior take to the wheel, a therapist urges them to explore specific themes that arise, including friendship, control, fame, family, fears, conflict, and resolution. A banter-filled adventure is born as they shed their public persona, embrace vulnerability, and trust one another to endure the unexpected twists and turns of their ‘off road’ journey, immersing themselves in unfamiliar cultures and meeting fascinating people along the way.”
“Off Road” was created and executive produced by Raz, Sela and Avi Issacharoff. Raz and Issacharoff co-created the hit Israeli television series “Fauda” and founded Faraway Road Productions, which has produced “Fauda” and “Hit and Run.” The company was acquired by Candle Media in 2022.
“An off-road journey has always been a dream of ours — and we couldn’t have imagined one more challenging, emotional, and unexpectedly full of laughter,” Raz and Sela said in a released statement. “It tested us in every way but also reminded us of the strength of our bond. The greatest lesson we took from this adventure is just how powerful friendship truly is.”
Keshet International CEO Keren Shahar said “Off Road” will give audiences around the world the chance to see the “real” sides of Raz and Sela.
The showrunner of “Off Road” is Gal Raz, who is also executive producing alongside Ido Baron (The Amazing Race, Ninja Israel) of Baron Productions, Avi Nir (Keshet Media Group), Adi Ezroni (Faraway Road), and Keshet International’s Keren Shahar, Kelly Wright. and Saar Dor.
“Off Road” will premiere globally on Netflix on July 10, with Keshet International launching the format at MIPCOM 2025, held in October.
The post Israelis Lior Raz, Rotem Sela Star in New Netflix Reality Series About Road Trip Across Central Asia first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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James Gunn Confirms Third ‘Wonder Woman’ Movie Is in Development, Gal Gadot to Be Recast
Gal Gadot poses at the premiere of “Wonder Woman,” in Los Angeles, California, May 25, 2017. Photo: Reuters / Mario Anzuoni.
Director and DC Studios Co-CEO James Gunn confirmed this week that a new “Wonder Woman” film is in development, and it seems that Israeli actress Gal Gadot will not return to take on the lead role.
A third “Wonder Woman” movie is “slow moving, but it’s moving,” the “Guardians of the Galaxy” director told Entertainment Weekly. “We’re working on ‘Wonder Woman.’ ‘Wonder Woman’ [is] being written right now,” he said.
Gunn also confirmed that he has yet to cast the role of Wonder Woman for the new film, which suggests that Gadot will not portray the beloved comic book character in the latest installment of the franchise.
During an interview with HBO Max’s “Talking Pictures Podcast” in May 2024, director Patty Jenkins said her time working on “Wonder Woman 3” is “over for the time being, easily forever,” suggesting that she will likely not return to director that latest film about the superhero.
Gadot starred as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince in previous DC films, including Zack Snyder’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” two standalone Wonder Woman movies (“Wonder Woman” and “Wonder Woman 1984”) directed by Jenkins and a “Justice League” movie. Gadot also made cameos as the Amazonian princess in “Shazam! Fury of the Gods” and “The Flash.” The Wonder Woman franchise was once the highest-earning movie in the DC Comics Extended Universe (DCEU). However, original plans for Gadot’s third film as the iconic comic character were scrapped in December 2022 when Warner Bros. overhauled DC Comics and hired Gunn and producer Peter Safran as co-CEOs of DC Studios.
In August 2023, Gadot said she heard from Gunn and Safran about developing a third “Wonder Woman” movie together. “I love portraying Wonder Woman,” she told ComicBook.com at the time when asked about the third movie. “It’s so close to and dear to my heart. From what I heard from James and from Peter is that we’re gonna develop a ‘Wonder Woman 3’ together.”
“I’m stunned that they said no to a billion-dollar franchise and decided to pivot elsewhere,” Pine told Business Insider in May 2024. “I don’t know what the reasoning was behind that; it’s above my pay grade, but Wonder Woman is an incredible character. Patty [Jenkins] is such a thoughtful director.”
“I never walked away. I was open to considering anything asked of me,” Jenkins said in 2022 of canceled plans for a third “Wonder Woman” film, denying rumors that she stalled efforts to make it happen or stepped away from the project. “It was my understanding there was nothing I could do to move anything forward at this time,” she added. “DC is obviously buried in changes they are having to make, so I understand these decisions are difficult right now.”
Actress Connie Nielsen, who also starred in the Wonder Woman films, said she was shocked about plans to axe a third film starring Gadot as the comic book superhero. “I think it’s crazy. I mean, frankly, I don’t understand it,” she said last year. “[Wonder Woman] has an enormous and passionate, passionate fan base. These are spectacular films, and there’s just no reason I can understand whatsoever for not investing in that … It’s a pity. I really hope that they change their minds and that they realize this is crazy.”
Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Gunn this week reiterated previous comments made by Warner Bros. Discovery head David Zaslav about Superman, Batman, Supergirl, and Wonder Woman being essential characters in the superhero universe.
“I wouldn’t say only those four characters, but I would say that those four characters are incredibly important to us,” Gunn explained. “Right now, I feel great about where two of those characters are, and then we’re dealing with the other two.”
“Superman,” starring David Corenswet, will be released in theaters on July 11 and “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” starring Milly Alcock, will hit theaters in June 2026.
News of “Wonder Woman 3” moving forward without Gadot comes shortly after the Israeli actress had her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame vandalized and anti-Israel protesters disrupt her film set in central London. Gadot most recently starred as the Evil Queen in Disney’s live-action remake of the animated 1937 classic “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.” The Disney film was the topic of controversy since August 2024 when its lead actress, Rachel Zeigler, declared her support for a “Free Palestine” three days after the film’s trailer was released.
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Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Says Hamas Killed, Abducted Aid Workers
Palestinians collect aid supplies from the US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, in Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip, June 9, 2025. Photo: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled
Several aid workers from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation were killed Wednesday night when Hamas gunmen attacked a bus transporting local staffers, according to the US- and Israeli-backed organization.
The group, which operates food distribution in Gaza outside of Hamas control, said the vehicle was targeted as it carried more than 20 workers to a distribution site near the city of Khan Younis at approximately 10:00 pm local time.
In a statement Thursday, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) updated its initial casualty toll to five dead, with additional staff injured and concerns that some may have been taken hostage. “We are still gathering facts, but what we know is devastating,” the organization said. A spokesperson added that the investigation was ongoing and provided no further details on the identities of those killed.
The bus attack followed days of threats from Hamas directed at the foundation and its workers.
“This attack did not happen in a vacuum. For days, Hamas has openly threatened our team, our aid workers, and the civilians who receive aid from us. These threats were met with silence,” the GHF said.
Despite the assault, the foundation continued its operations Thursday, opening three distribution centers and delivering more than 45,000 boxes of food aid.
Pro-Israel commentator and influencer Hen Mazzig condemned the lack of response from the international community – including the UN and humanitarian activists – to Wednesday’s attack, highlighting what some have described as a double standard. In recent weeks, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has faced global criticism, including from the UN and human rights groups, after soldiers opened fire near GHF distribution points, killing or wounding Palestinians who approached through unauthorized routes.
“Hamas executed aid workers in Gaza – Palestinians whose only mission was to feed their own people,” Mazzig told The Algemeiner.
“The silence around this from so-called human rights champions is deafening. If you care about Palestinian lives, you need to care when Hamas ends them too,” he said.
BREAKING: After days of threatening GHF workers, Hamas has followed through with violence.
At around 10 pm last night, Hamas attacked a bus carrying over two dozen members of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) — including local Palestinians working alongside U.S. personnel.… pic.twitter.com/8BZqMwo2zr
— Hen Mazzig (@HenMazzig) June 12, 2025
Hamas has not publicly commented on the incident. However, Hamas-linked social media channels claimed responsibility for what they described as an attack against members of the Abu Shabab clan, whom they accused of collaborating with Israel. A Facebook page run by the Abu Shabab family denied the claim, stating its members were not targeted by Hamas.
The GHF was created because Hamas routinely steals humanitarian aid, leaving civilians facing severe shortages. Documents released by the IDF this week showed that Hamas operatives violently took control of approximately 25 percent of incoming aid shipments, which they then resold to civilians at inflated prices.
“Hamas records show their aid hoarding is a plan, not a glitch,” Mazzig said on X. “Their whole business model relies on extortion. Exploiting Gazans during wartime is how they stay afloat. That’s why we need a new aid distribution plan. That’s where the GHF comes in: the only model that’s been able to keep aid out of the hands of Hamas.”
The GHF operates independently from UN-backed mechanisms, which Hamas has sought to reinstate, arguing that these frameworks are more neutral. Israeli and American officials have rejected those calls, saying Hamas previously exploited UN-run systems to siphon aid for its war effort. The UN has denied those allegations while expressing concerns that the GHF’s approach forces civilians to risk their safety by traveling long distances across active conflict zones to reach food distribution points.
Since the GHF launched operations on May 26, there have been reports of Palestinians being shot near distribution sites. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry and the Red Cross have documented shooting incidents involving civilians attempting to reach food aid, while the IDF has acknowledged targeting what it believed to be armed Hamas operatives using civilians as cover.
On Wednesday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said it continued to receive reports from Gaza “of people being killed and injured while trying to access food,” without specifying locations. “OCHA reiterates in the strongest terms possible that no one should be forced to risk their lives to receive aid, as people across Gaza are at risk of famine,” the agency said.
John Acree, the GHF’s interim executive director, said the organization weighed shutting down operations after the attack but opted to continue. “We carefully considered closing our sites today given the heightened security risks and safety concerns, but we decided that the best response to Hamas’s cowardly murderers was to keep delivering food for the people of Gaza who are counting on us. We will not be deterred from our mission towards providing food security for the Palestinian people in Gaza.”
The post Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Says Hamas Killed, Abducted Aid Workers first appeared on Algemeiner.com.
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