Kosher choices in Orlando

Dear editor,

It is clear that the author, Chris DeSouza, of the Heritage’s article on Brown’s Deli in the Aug. 23 edition did not do her homework.  Just checking the local Jewish Federation of Greater Orlando’s website, http://www.jfgo.org, and clicking on the sub-link “Kosher Food” in the “Passport to Jewish Orlando” link would have shown that there are at least two other kosher restaurants in the metropolitan Orlando area, which have been in the area for at least a few years. Other restaurants, but a distance away such as in Ormond Beach are also listed.  Cohen’s deli, run by Amira’s son Justin Cohen, and still on the Federation list, was open until just recently.  In addition, there is a kosher food truck on International Drive, which, due to the recent food truck regulations, is opening as a restaurant sometime in the next few weeks, about two blocks from their current location.  As someone who follows the Kashrut laws, I would be the first to agree that there is not as large a selection of kosher restaurants in the area as I would like.  However, to imply that there was a void in the metropolitan Orlando area since Amira’s closed is not the case.  Possibly the problem is that to some, there is no Jewish life south of downtown Orlando, and that the only thing that exists south of downtown are the attractions.

Edward E. A. Bromberg

Orlando

Editor’s note: Although there certainly are fine kosher restaurants in south Orlando, in the north Orlando area, which includes Maitland, Winter Park, Altamonte Springs, Fern Park, Casselberry, Longwood, Lake Mary, Winter Springs and Sanford, there has been no kosher deli since Amira’s closed.