ONEG SHABBOS – A CUT ABOVE

• Prev
• 1 of 7
• Next

The Bukharian culture is set apart not only by its language, colorful clothing, but also by its delicious food. Whether it is the tasty bakhsh prepared by our mothers for Shabbat, the plof we eat at weddings or the shashlick we will consume during numerous barbeques throughout the summer, we identify with our Bukharian culture in part by the foods we eat. During all of our community and familial gatherings, food is what brings us together. That is why we insist on having only the best ingredients in all of our dishes. We not only look to get choice produce but also the best meat for our dishes. As Jews, the quality of our meat is not only determined by the particular cut but more importantly by the standard of kashrut with regards to the meat. With this in mind, Rabbi David Plshtaiev recently opened Oneg Shabbos–a gourmet butcher shop. I had an opportunity to sit down with Rabbi Plshtaiev and discuss his background and inspiration for opening
Oneg Shabbos.

IM: Good afternoon Rabbi Plshtaiev. I would like to thank you for taking time out of your day to sit down with me and discuss your new store, Oneg Shabbos, which the Bukharian community is buzzing about. Perhaps you should tell our readers about your background and some of your endeavors as a Rabbi.

RDP: I was born in Samarkand and at the age of sixteen my family immigrated to Israel. After I proudly served two years in the Israel Defense Forces, I started to attend Yeshiva Midrash Sefaradi which is headed by Rabbi Shlomo Katzin shlit”a. At Yeshiva Midrash Sefaradi I learned the intricacies of shechita, nikur, and brit mila. After four years of learning at Yeshiva Midrash Sefaradi, I was asked to travel to Bukhara to tend to the community’s religious obligations. During my time in Bukhara, I taught the community about Judaism and was a shochet. After two years in Bukhara, I returned to Israel and studied at Kolel Shaarei Tzion for three years. At this point, I was asked to lead the Jewish community in Uzbekistan which I gladly accepted. During my time as a Rabbi in Uzbekistan, we had the privilege of building two shuls. Upon my return to Israel, I was asked to organize the Bukharian community in Phoenix, Arizona. From 2004-2007, the Bukharian community in Phoenix and I worked on sending Bukharian children to Yeshivot and had great success in teaching community members about the importance of observing Shabbat and kashrut. Upon arriving in New York in 2007, I began working with Rabbi Yigal Haimoff with matters regarding kashrut, in particular Beit Yosef meat.

IM: Are you currently a Rabbi of a shul?

RDP: Since 2008, I have served as the Rabbi of Torah Haim Ohel Sara – Congregation of Navoiy located in Flushing. Additionally, I have served as a mashgiach for various stores and supermarkets.

IM: Why do you believe it was important to open Oneg Shabbos?

RDP: I believe it is very important for the Bukharian community to know about the laws of the Shulchan Aruch written by Rabbi Yosef Karo zt”l which obligate us to eat Beit Yosef meat. This being the case, I felt that our community needs a butcher that provides meat which meets the highest level of kashrut as stated in the Shulchan Aruch. To provide this service, we obtained hashgachot from the Vaad Hakashrus of Flatbush and added the certificate of the Chief Bukharian Rabbi, Rav Yitzchak Yisraeli, to verify that we abide to Sefardic standards. We are here for those in the community that do not understand the importance of eating Beit Yosef meat which adheres to the highest level of kashrut.

Additionally, Oneg Shabbos sells the highest standard of Beit Yosef meat which is something we are very proud of and want the Bukharian community to enjoy. It is important to understand that the food we eat has a direct connection with our overall health and our neshamot. We want to feed our families with only the best this way they will grow to be healthy and have pure neshamot. That is why we are providing only the highest standard of meat which is Beit Yosef.

IM: Is there anyone in particular that you would like to personally thank?

RDP: I would like to greatly thank Rabbi Yitzhak Israeli, Chief Rabbi of the Bukharian Jews of USA and Canada, Rabbi Tzvi Goldberg of the Vaad Hakashrus of Flatbush, and the entire Bukharian community for its support and well wishes.

IM: I would like to thank you once again for taking the time to meet with me and on behalf of the entire Bukharian community and the Bukharian Jewish Link we wish Oneg Shabbos continued success.

Every so often there are community members like Rabbi Plshtaiev who endeavor to make our community more religiously observant. Their efforts are greatly appreciated and should not be made in vain. This being the case, it is my humble opinion that the Bukharian community should support such local business owners. So the next time you are thinking of having your family barbeque or merely trying to prepare a Shabbat meal, head over to Oneg Shabbos, conveniently located at 164-08 69th Avenue, Fresh Meadows, where you are sure to get only the highest quality Beit Yosef meat.

By: Ilya Mordukhaev, Esq.