• Home
  • Too Good
  • Environmental
  • Social
  • Policy
  • Art
  • Home
  • Too Good
  • Environmental
  • Social
  • Policy
  • Art

NectarNews

Only the Good Stuff.

Home › Too Good › Sixth Generation Descendant Upholds Yonah Schimmel’s Historical Cultural Influence in NYC

Sixth Generation Descendant Upholds Yonah Schimmel’s Historical Cultural Influence in NYC

Nicole Johnson August 8, 2018    

47
SHARES
Facebook
Twitter

Sixth Generation Descendant Upholds Yonah Schimmel’s Historical Cultural Influence in NYC

by Cynthia Herrerias

If you’re looking for a meal filled with originality and history, there is one particular eatery unlike any other in New York city. Down on the Lower East Side on the corner of East Houston and Ludlow is a small knishery that has stayed true to its history for over a hundred years. Upon walking into the doors of Yonah Schimmel’s Knishery, one is instantly transported to a different era. Very few restaurants have managed to remain authentic or keep tradition after so many years, but Yonah Schimmel’s is the exception.

The small Knishery in lower Manhattan is currently operated by Ellen Anistratov, a 6th generation descendant of the original owner, Yonah. Nectar News sat down to talk about the origin of Yonah Schimmel’s and the cultural influence the knishery has brought to New York City.

NN: Can you give us some history on when the business was founded and how your family came to acquire it?

EA: Yonah Schimmel came to the United States with his wife in 1890. He was a scribe and wanted to teach people spirituality, but there was no money in it due to a large number of immigrants moving here. Yonah’s wife started to make Knishes, to help during those times. That’s what she knew best. The Yonah Schimmel Knish was the first knish that came to the United States, and it was invented by his family.  My family is a 6th generation descendant from Yonah Schimmel and the business has stayed in the family tree.

Upon walking into the doors of Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery, articles and photographs give visitors some history of the bakery.

NN: For those who are not familiar with what a Knish is, could you describe what it consists of and how it’s made?

EA: A knish is a Jewish word for dumpling. I always say you can make whatever you want, you can call it whatever you want, but an original knish is Yonah Schimmel’s and it is round and baked. There are different varieties, but a basic knish has a base that consists of potato or something mixed with potato. Say however if we have a spinach knish or a mushroom knish, the knish would be potato with spinach or mushrooms, onions, salt, and pepper wrapped in very thin dough. A knish is also always round and baked.

       

NN: Are all traditional Knishes made with different ingredients or was adding a variety of flavors Yonah Schimmel’s twist and a way to accommodate to different customer taste?

EA: A knish is a Jewish food that traditionally starts with just potato and kasha. We began adding spinach to knishes and then came other flavors. There truly is something for everyone since we also have sweet knishes like cherry, blueberries, and apple cheese. We even have daily specials like a pizza knish, jalapeno with cheddar or mozzarella, pepper and onion, and roasted garlic and onion. Overall we have over 20 different kinds of knishes all of which we invented.

Pictured, an original Yonah Schimmel’s Knish.

NN: Could you give some background on how the Knish is a culinary symbol of Jewish culture and what makes Yonah Schimmel’s Knishery different from other knish bakeries

EA: Every culture has a different dumpling and their own version of it and knish is a Jewish word for dumpling. There are very few knish bakeries around, and Yonah Schimmel’s is the original. I always say, if you haven’t had Yonah Schimmel’s knish, then you’ve never really had a knish. There’s a saying that Yonah Schimmel is the granddaddy of all other knishes. All of our knishes are handmade, round, and baked its gourmet food. We make all of our knishes right downstairs and this is how we are completely different. Our knishes are handmade without machines and come from downstairs straight up to here.

Yonah Schimmel’s is no ordinary place, the knishery receives praises from visitors and influencers from all over the world.

 

NN: You’re one of the oldest Knish bakeries in the United States, after so many years, how do you keep the tradition of the original Knish the same?

EA: Everything you see here is an original. From the countertops to the tables and ceiling, they’ve been maintained throughout the years. Nothing like this exists today. We make knishes that are good and healthy, always baked and never fried.

NN: In a New York street that’s ever-changing, how does Yonah Schimmel’s keep a piece of New York the same?

EA: You don’t have to be Jewish to eat a knish, anyone can enjoy a knish. I have a slogan that says one taste, one world, one knish. Since Yonah Schimmel was a scribe, he was connected to the Bible. His mission was to spread biblical knowledge, and I think he put that same energy towards the knishes. That same energy continues here.

Alex Wolfson, (Ellen Anistratov’s father) pictured with Woody Allen just steps outside Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery.

NN: What can we expect to see in the future for Yonah Schimmel’s Knishery?

EA: My dream for years has been to start Yonah Schimmel’s Knishery franchises and to have different locations. We want to bring original knishes all over the world, with knishes always made in-house, round, and baked.

NN: What Knish would you recommend for someone trying one for the first time?

EA: People ask me a lot “what should I take?”, It really depends on someone’s taste and what they like. Some people like mushrooms, some people like spinach so it will vary on personal taste. Regardless, you will not go wrong with any knish that you buy. Any knish that you choose, you will say it’s the best one. I also think it depends on the mood you’re in, sometimes you want savory, sometimes you want spicy and sometimes you want sweet. I recommend that you taste all of our different flavors and combinations!

 

NN: Yonah Schimmel Knishery has become a New York landmark, from the bakery’s dining room being featured in movies to celebrities and politicians frequently spotted onsite with a Knish on hand. How does it feel to be part of New York’s culture?

EA:  There’s a saying that it’s a requirement to eat a knish if you want to become a New York politician. It feels great, it feels like we are representing a culture.

Articles and signatures fill the walls of Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery shaping the years of history in the famous bakery.

 

 

 

Celebrities, politicians, influencers, and locals alike frequently visit the bakery to get a taste of their famous knishes. Any visit to NYC is incomplete if you don’t have a Yonah Schimmel’s knish, so stop by at their location in 137 E Houston Street to experience an original Jewish comfort classic, the knish. While there, don’t forget to take a look at the decorations on the walls for a history lesson!

 

 

 

Visit Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery on the lower east side or online at http://www.knishery.com/

137 E. Houston Street
New York, NY 10002
(212) 477-2858

Too Good

 Previous Post

Gray Panthers – A Movement Based On A Struggle Against Ageism

― August 2, 2018

Next Post 

Young Advisor Emily Hart-Lopez and Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project

― August 17, 2018

Related Articles

Harry Haun: Movie Quote Master and Veteran Entertainment Journalist
Tony Adler: Wisdom from a Lifelong Career in Film & Television
Sharna Striar, Ph.D: The Professional Journey of a Sex Therapist
FLORIDA BASED FLOBEL ADVISORS CELEBRATE BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
Serena Dykman Filmmaker
LaFate Gallery
M.O.V.E. Tour
George StreetFest On Main
Souther Utah Autism Support Group
Our Sustainable Planet
Karl Berger Improvisers Orchestra
Wanderlust
Insa Janssen: Painting Bodies of Emotion
Livingston Steele: Building Community and Telling Stories Thru Filmmaking
Hiromitsu Kato: The Autumn Light
Aidan O’Donnell: Director of Couch Knife and Tulane Graduate
Impact Producing: Gwendolyn Alston & MocaMedia
Steven Beer: Restoring the Magic of Storytelling Through Reading Rainbow Live
Jade Zaroff: Empowering the Next Generation of Impact Artists
The Peterson Annual Croquet Tournament
Mindy Dutka: Tales of Support
Sue Bilich: Never Stop Learning
Manhattan Plaza: The Artist Safety Net in The Big Apple.
STILL NY ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: TYLER BROWN DANCE CENTER
Still NY Artist Spotlight: Emma Pittman (Winner of “The Search for Roxie Hart”)
Sabrina Tillman Bean: Breaking Rules and Putting Your Art Out There.
Zoe Huff: Graduating and Working Out During COVID
Eliza Edge: Reimagining Sustainable Fashion For Kids
Artist Interview: Joel Shackleford @dontlookoutside

1 Comment

  1. python
    ― September 25, 2021 - 2:51 pm  Reply

    Everything is very open with a clear explanation of the challenges.
    It wwas truly informative. Your website is very useful.
    Manyy thanks for sharing!

    my web blog; python

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Our Mission

NectarNews is dedicated to publishing articles, stories, and poems grounded in goodwill and positive action to create a like-minded community of readers and writers.

Newsletter

Subscribe to Our Bi-weekly Email Digest

Previous Publications

  • November 2022 (1)
  • October 2022 (1)
  • August 2022 (1)
  • July 2022 (1)
  • May 2022 (1)
  • March 2022 (1)
  • November 2021 (1)
  • September 2021 (1)
  • August 2021 (1)
  • July 2021 (1)
  • February 2021 (2)
  • December 2020 (1)
  • November 2020 (1)
  • September 2020 (2)
  • August 2020 (4)
  • July 2020 (2)
  • June 2020 (2)
  • May 2020 (1)
  • April 2020 (2)
  • March 2020 (1)
  • February 2020 (1)
  • January 2020 (3)
  • November 2019 (2)
  • October 2019 (1)
  • September 2019 (2)
  • August 2019 (2)
  • May 2019 (2)
  • March 2019 (3)
  • February 2019 (2)
  • January 2019 (1)
  • December 2018 (2)
  • November 2018 (2)
  • October 2018 (2)
  • September 2018 (1)
  • August 2018 (4)
  • July 2018 (2)
  • June 2018 (1)
  • May 2018 (1)
  • March 2018 (1)
  • November 2017 (1)
  • October 2017 (1)
  • August 2017 (2)
  • July 2017 (1)
  • June 2017 (2)
  • March 2017 (1)
  • January 2017 (1)
  • December 2016 (1)
  • November 2016 (2)
  • October 2016 (1)
  • September 2016 (1)
  • August 2016 (3)
  • July 2016 (3)
  • June 2016 (2)
  • May 2016 (3)
  • April 2016 (3)
  • March 2016 (4)
  • February 2016 (3)
  • January 2016 (2)
  • December 2015 (11)
  • November 2015 (10)
  • October 2015 (16)
  • September 2015 (15)
  • August 2015 (5)
  • July 2015 (14)
  • June 2015 (22)
  • May 2015 (16)
  • April 2015 (15)
  • March 2015 (18)
  • February 2015 (20)
  • January 2015 (16)
  • December 2014 (2)
  • October 2014 (3)
  • September 2014 (21)
  • August 2014 (1)
  • September 2010 (1)
  • February 2010 (1)
  • October 2009 (1)
  • September 2009 (1)

Publications

  • Art
  • Environmental
  • Featured
  • Policy
  • Social
  • Too Good

Legal

  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy

Members

  • Login
  • Submit Publication
  • About
  • Contact Us
Copyright 2016 © NectarNews