Divine Food facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Divine Food: 100 Years in the Kosher Delicatessen Trade |
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| Directed by | Bill Chayes |
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| Distributed by | Deli Project Production |
| Release date(s) | October 22, 1998 (KQED-TV) |
| Running time | 47 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
Divine Food: 100 Years in the Kosher Delicatessen Trade is an American documentary film from 1998. It was directed by Bill Chayes. The film tells the amazing story of Isaac Oscherwitz, an immigrant butcher. He built a huge kosher food company. This company helped provide special food for Jewish people all over the United States.
The movie shows how kosher meat is prepared. It also shares the lives of the Oscherwitz family. You'll see personal interviews, family stories, and old home videos.
Contents
The Oscherwitz Family Story
Isaac Oscherwitz was born in Germany. He was a butcher who moved to America in the 1880s. He left his home because of difficult times and poverty. When he arrived in Cincinnati, he started his own sausage factory. This factory created jobs and made delicious food. It served the many Jewish families living in the city.
The Oscherwitz family also had a shop. Here, they sold their meats and other classic Jewish foods. Years later, Isaac's five sons expanded the business. They moved it to Chicago, which was a big center for meat packing. Today, the Oscherwitz family is known for brands like Best Kosher, Shofar, and Sinai.
A Family Business
The family's caring attitude extended beyond their own relatives. They treated everyone involved in the business like family. This included factory workers and customers. One woman in the film said, "I don’t think my husband ever felt like his customers were his customers. They were his friends."
Another man shared his experience. He started working for the Oscherwitzes after losing everything in the Holocaust. He spoke highly of his employers. He explained how warm and welcoming his coworkers were. He said, "It was such a family feeling."
Challenges of Success
The idea of a family-owned product made the Oscherwitz brand popular. But this big success also put the family-run nature of the business at risk. Before they became so big, business meetings were very loud. The Oscherwitz brothers would yell to win arguments. But even with all the shouting, everyone would leave on good terms.
A large business couldn't run this way. The documentary shows the family's struggles. They tried to keep their growing business family-run. The film also shows what happened when a part of the Sara Lee Corporation bought them out.
Film Release and Impact
Divine Food was first released in 1998. It has been shown on 18 PBS television stations across the United States. The film also appeared at film festivals from 1998 to 2013.
It is also used as an educational film in many Jewish schools. It helps explain how kosher food is made in America. The film also serves as an inspiring story. It shows how an immigrant family can grow and succeed in a new country.
The film was released on VHS in 1999 by Ergo Media. It came out on DVD in 2008. This DVD was released by Chayes Productions through Harris Publications.
