Michael Solomonov is the executive chef and co-owner of Philadelphia’s pioneering Israeli restaurant, Zahav. Named by Food & Wine as one of the 40 Most Important Restaurants of the Past 40 Years, he is the 2017 James Beard Award’s Outstanding Chef and the 2011 James Beard Award winner for Best Chef (Mid-Atlantic). He is also a 2016 James Beard Award winner for Best International Cookbook and Book of the Year winner for his and business partner/co-author Steven Cook’s first cookbook, Zahav: A World of Israeli Cooking.

In addition to his duties at Zahav, Chef Solomonov co-owns Philadelphia's Federal Donuts, Dizengoff, Abe Fisher, Goldie, and the philanthropic The Rooster, which donates 100 percent of its profits to Broad Street Ministry Hospitality Collaborative that provides meals and essential services to individuals experiencing homelessness and hunger in Philadelphia. Also, in 2017, Solomonov and the Israel Ministry of Tourism created a partnership to champion Israel’s extraordinarily diverse and vibrant culinary landscape.

Moderator, Meny Vaknin
Chef Meny Vaknin is the owner and executive chef of MishMish Café, Marcel Bakery & Kitchen, and the soon-to-open Luisa in Montclair. He was a champion on the Food Network’s “Chopped.” Meny immigrated to the U.S. from Israel 12 years ago and worked in some of New York’s most acclaimed restaurants. He helped open renowned chef Daniel Boulud’s Boulud Sud, before opening MishMish Café in December 2014 where he marries the French techniques he’s mastered with the flavors, ingredients, and memories of his Jewish-Moroccan roots.

Rachel & Rob Fink and Michele & Jeff Strumeier, Event Chairs
Ira Steinberg, UJA Campaign Chair
Jody Hurwitz Caplan, Women's Philanthropy President

For more information contact Kimberly Farrell at kfarrell@jfedgmw.org or (908) 288-2414.

Directions to Sheraton Parsippany

Please note: Your contribution to the Annual Campaign is tax deductible; the value of the ticket for this event is not.