By Joseph Orovic
One of the more memorable moments in the movie “A Christmas Story” remains the Chinese restaurant scene. Left turkey-less, the Parkers head to a Chinese restaurant and politically incorrect caroling ensues.
But the movie touches upon a tradition practiced by many Jews across our borough. People who don’t celebrate Christmas have few options when it comes to dining out, but Asian eateries are still open.
In the spirit of non-observance and practicality, the two groups collide every year between Hanukkah and New Year’s, enjoying kosher food.
“It’s just a day off for the Jews to enjoy,” Michael Mo said. He owns Cho-Sen, a Kosher Chinese restaurant with three locations in New York, one in the heart of Forest Hills. “Christmas, New Years, these are days they don’t observe.”
Instead, people like Susan Steinberg are organizing events around the borough that play up the Jewish-Chinese link on the holidays.
“It’s a joke that the Jewish people come out for Chinese food on the holidays,” she said.
Steinberg has put in a strictly Chinese menu for the Bellerose Jewish Center’s annual New Years Eve gathering.
“We used to have four-course turkey dinners,” she said. “But these are people with a fixed income. The Chinese food is healthy, good and cheap.”
Still, if people want turkey, Mo is happy to offer it. Nearly 30 years in the Kosher food industry has taught him to offer a diverse menu.
“Oh yeah, we still have turkey,” he said. “But Orthodox Jews especially go for the really meaty dishes like beef, chicken and veal.
“Because it’s kosher, our menu isn’t as huge as a regular Chinese restaurant.”
And the Bellerose attendees?
“They’re OK with it,” Steinberg said. “Some want the four-course turkey meal back, but we can’t do that.”