761: Beejhy Barhany Cooked for Everyone. Not Everyone Let Her.
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Chef BJ Barhani shares her powerful journey from Ethiopia to Israel and ultimately Harlem, where she opened Sion Cafe—a cultural hub celebrating Ethiopian Jewish cuisine and heritage. Despite building a vibrant community through food, events, and Shabbat dinners, she faced escalating anti-Semitism and harassment, culminating in the cafe's closure in 2025. In response, she transformed her mission, launching immersive cultural events like the Taim Shabbat and publishing Gersha, the first major American cookbook from an Ethiopian Jewish perspective. The book, a love letter to her community and family, blends tradition with innovation, featuring accessible recipes like injera fish tacos and Queen of Sheba chocolate cake. Barhani remains committed to using food as a tool for unity, healing, and education, while advocating for Jewish diversity and resilience.
Use food as a bridge to build community and combat prejudice.
Cultural authenticity can evolve while honoring roots—like Ethiopian Jewish cuisine in Harlem.
Anti-Semitism and racism can manifest in subtle, persistent ways, even in supportive spaces.
Resilience is built through storytelling, tradition, and creative reinvention.
Accessibility in cooking (like egg-free Caesar dressing) makes heritage food more inclusive.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
The Return of Three Things: A Taste of the World
Matt Rodbard and Eliza Dume kick off the episode with their signature 'Three Things' segment, highlighting a romantic wine novel by Eliza Dumais, a new Richmond, VA restaurant called Lafayette Tavern, and a delicious, egg-free Caesar dressing recipe. They also spotlight Primavera Avocados, a favorite from their friend Peter Romero.
BJ Barhani’s Journey: From Ethiopia to Harlem
“We never thought they were white Jews, vice versa. White Jews never met brown or black Jews.”
Sion Cafe: A Cultural Hub in Harlem
“I felt at home and to see self-sufficiency in terms of businesses, restaurants. And I felt, you know what? I think this is where I want to be.”
The Rise of Anti-Semitism and the Closure of Sion Cafe
“I said, oh, I mean, you know, I have to deal with this. And it kept going and going until... we basically have to pivot and find a different way.”
Gersha: A Cookbook of Identity and Resilience
“Gersha is a love letter to Ethiopian Jews for their resilience, resourcefulness. That's Kursha.”
“I said, oh, I mean, you know, I have to deal with this. And it kept going and going until... we basically have to pivot and find a different way.”
“We never thought they were white Jews, vice versa. White Jews never met brown or black Jews.”
“Gersha is a love letter to Ethiopian Jews for their resilience, resourcefulness. That's Kursha.”
Host
Guest
Sion Cafe
other
BJ Barhani
person
Israel
place
Ethiopia
place
Gersha
book
Matt Rodbard
person
Harlem
place
Eliza Dume
person
Beta Israel
other
Jimmy's Chicken Shack
other
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