We all know that many of us spend a good deal of time eating together during this period of the Jewish year. It seems so utterly natural that we rarely ask ourselves why—but today’s podcast guest, Nissimi Naim Naor, offers profound insights into the role of food in our lives, our communities, and our healing.
If you haven’t listened to the conversation above with Rabbi, chef, educator, and Casualties Notification Officer in the IDF reserves Nissimi Naim Naor, I suggest you begin with the video below. It’s heartbreaking in many ways, but it serves as a powerful reminder of how food enables us to broach subjects we might otherwise find impossible to discuss.
In the video, Gili, the woman on the right, prepares the cookies and meatballs that her daughter, Yaeli, loved. Yaeli was killed by Hamas terrorists on October 7 at her IDF base at Nahal Oz, when, despite repeated calls to their commanders, no one came to rescue her or her comrades.
After you’ve watched the following video, continue with today’s podcast conversation with Nissimi Naim Naor, a man who embodies so many different elements of Israeli life that speaking to him feels almost like one is speaking to “Israel.”
Nissimi graciously shared these recipes with us so that we might share them with you.
Nissimi has asked us to share with our listening audience that he will be in the United States, speaking and teaching, several times this year.
He will be on the East Coast and in Washington, D.C. between Oct 29 – Nov 11; then he is scheduled to be on the East and West Coasts twice more between February and May 2027. Those interested in contacting him about meeting with groups to lecture or to teach are invited to write him at nissimmi@gmail.com.
Nissimmi is a chef, ordained rabbi, educator and speaker, who blends his love of food and people with his commitment to building connections through culture, Jewish identity, and tradition. He is the creator and TV host of A Pot of Longing, as well as Shalom Hartman Institute’s People of the Cook: Your Kitchen as a Beit Midrash.
Rooted in the flavorful traditions of his grandmother Miriam’s kitchen and honed in some of Israel’s most celebrated restaurants, Nissimmi’s culinary journey is steeped in Jewish heritage, stories, and memories. As a creator, educator, and enthusiastic eater, he explores a central role food plays in shaping Jewish identity, weaving together rich historic knowledge, Jewish texts, and, of course, carbs.
Beyond the kitchen, Nissimmi holds degrees in philosophy, economics, political science, and law. He received his rabbinical ordination from the Hartman Institute and serves as a Casualties Notification Officer in the IDF reserves, having dedicated over 200 days to this role since October 7th.
Nissimmi lives in Jerusalem with his wife, Shlomit, and their three daughters. He also leads the Siah Yitzhak congregation in the Katamon neighborhood.
To find out more about Nissimmi’s recipes and workshops we invite you to visit his website here.
The link at the top of this posting will take free subscribers to an excerpted portion of today’s conversation.
For paid subscribers, the link at the top will take you to the full conversation; below, paid subscribers will also find a transcript for those who prefer to read, as always.
During this holiday season, we will be on a slightly reduced publication schedule through the upcoming holiday season. Weekly podcasts for paid subscribers will continue to appear on schedule, but our other regular content will be pared back as we turn our attention to welcoming the New Year—which we pray will bring much better tidings to Israel, our region, and the world at large.
