This weekend I traveled to Toronto for the fantastically titled “Schmaltz and Seltzer“. Sponsored by the Prosserman JCC & the Schwartz/Reisman Centre, the event was held not in an event space at one of the JCCs but, instead, in an open public space at Indigo, Canada’s version of Barnes and Nobles – a standing-room only paid ticketed event but surrounded by casual shoppers curious about what all the fuss was about.

Reading an egg cream-related letter from Mel Brooks from 1975

The event was advertised as such:

Join Anthony Rose (author of The Last Schmaltz Cookbook) and Barry Joseph (author of Seltzertopia) to celebrate an evening of Jewish culinary history, tradition, and excellence. Rose will bring the Schmaltz, Joseph will bring the Seltzer, while the JCC brings you that Yiddishkeit we know you’ve been craving!

In addition, the event was moderated by Rafi Yablonsky, campaign director for JNF Toronto. All in all, it was such a delightful event. Everyone in the audience seemed to know someone else there, whether at the event or shopping in the surrounding mall. Many were there with their adult children, and there were at least two 3-generation groups I counted. Just a wonderful haimish group. I felt right at home, and so welcomed. You can watch the ENTIRE event below (filmed on my iPhone on a tripod controlled by my iWatch):

Anthony opened by talking about the food his restaurants had prepared for the event (I can still taste the garlic from the Labne, and might for the rest of my life) and how he came to write a book called Schmaltz. Then Rafi interviewed the two of us about our separate books. Then I invited egg cream virgins to the stage and, before the crowd, taught them to make their own egg creams, which were shared with the panelists. Fun was had by all! And of course, the book signing… in a book store! The whole day was great, from beginning to end.

I started the day with David Matlow and his wife Leanne, who took me around Toronto, saw the sites like the CN tower, and highlighted Jewish Toronto both past and present. I was happy to find a relaxing place to sit and read a little… We could not have asked for a more engaged audience It was a super chill scene and we just had fun together. Channeling my best Mel Brooks. Time to make some egg cream! I brought the ubets chocolate syrup all the way from NYC. Have you ever seen someone have more fun mixing an egg cream? This is a brother and sister there with mom and grandma Bringing the egg cream to Toronto – mark this date in history! How generous is the Toronto Jewish community? So far I’ve been gifted custom Theodor Herzl socks, thick local made hat and socks for the Canadian cold, and limited edition Sodastream bottles (in photo from Sodastream Canada general manager Rena) celebrating Israel’s 70th birthday with images of leaders like Herzl! Singing a copy of my book for Alana Saxe, who magically pulled this all together and was a fantastic host!

There are MANY more photos, most beautifully taken by David Matlow, which can be viewed here.