Moments before Passover 2007, the only kosher butcher in Cincinnati, Irv’s Kosher Market and Deli, shut their doors.  A wave of panic set across much of Jewish Cincinnati.  During the community Yom Ha’Atzmaut celebration, David’s Voice polled young adults in Cincinnati to find out how they felt about the closing of Irv’s and how it affected them. 

(Click here for a list of kosher food options in Cincinnati)

“I am not happy about it, but it was a business decision.  For the most part, I buy my meat at Avari or Trader Joe’s.” – Jacob Lesch

“I used to work at Irv’s.  It was upsetting that people didn't support it enough and it closed.” – Aaron Binik Thomas

“I’m a vegetarian, so I think it is good to help people explore non-meat options.” – Geoff Wise

“I had never been there so it didn’t affect me, but I know other people will miss it.” – Amy Coppel

“People who own kosher establishments often blame the Jewish community when they close, but I blame mismanagement.  Cincinnati needs a kosher butcher and deli that fits its size and character.” – Rabbi Pinchas Landis

“I think it sucks that the only place to get kosher meat in Cincinnati is closed.  It doesn’t affect me because I don’t keep kosher.  Many more Jews in their 20’s and 30’s are starting to observe kashrut in some sense, so I don’t think it is a good sign for the future of young Jewish Cincinnati.” – Scott Segal

“Irv’s is closed?  That sucks.  Where will I get kosher meat from?” – Kenny Lambert

“Since I live on the West Side, I didn’t know it was closed, but it is sad.  We are used to not having kosher meet in the West.” – Jennifer Frenkel

“I get my meat from Columbus.  I think Cincinnati needs a kosher deli.  There are enough kosher Jews here.” – Kenneth Ecker

“I was not affected at all since I live far away, but I did enjoy it.  I think I had it a couple of times.” – Yafit Naor

“I had a lot of disappointed relatives, but it didn’t affect me.  At Seder, they were all talking about it.” – Joshua Katz

“It doesn’t affect me personally because I don’t keep kosher.  As a whole, I think it is important to have a kosher market and I am sad.” – Renee Levy

“Well, I don’t keep kosher, but at the same time it would have been cool if it stayed open.  I went once, and I thought it was a cool place.” – Jay Shifman

“I think it is really sad and it doesn’t look good on our Jewish community in Cincinnati, but it didn’t personally affect me.” – Lisa Delson

“It is a shame.  There are no delis in Cincinnati.  Every city with a good amount of Jewish people has delis.” – Justin Cohen

“I think it is disappointing that we couldn’t support the kosher deli, but I didn’t eat there often so I am not affected.” – Brad Coppel

“I think it is a shame when small businesses can no longer stay open because of big businesses.  From what I’ve heard Irv is a really caring man.” – Emily Hubscher

“Everything has changed since I was a kid with kosher food.  It is upsetting to me because the closest thing we have to a kosher market is Izzy’s, and it isn’t even kosher.  Bilker’s was my favorite.  I am really upset that they closed.” – Ryan Rosensweig

“It is sad, but it doesn’t affect me really.” – Adam Delson

 Join the conversation about kosher food in Cincy!