My Kosher Tailgate Ritual

There’s not much that can make me schlep on the 405 South on Sunday afternoons amidst the traffic pileup from the weekly invasion of local beaches. Except, of course, to go see my beloved Rams.

First, there’s the adrenalin rush of being inside the most spectacular stadium in the country, SOFI Stadium.  Second, I get to hang out with my son, whether he likes it or not. And last, but certainly not least, I get to experience a taste of Pico-Robertson right there on the parking lot, surrounded by representatives of virtually every other ethnic neighborhood of the southland.

I’m talking, of course, about the great American tradition of tailgate parties, where rabid football fans come hours earlier to indulge in that other great American tradition– the outdoor barbeque.

What is extra special about SOFI tailgate parties, however, is that even if you’re strictly kosher, there is one grill for you, thanks to my fellow Rams diehard fan Jeff Fishman.

“It’s been an evolution for us over the past five years…we started with cheap domestic beer and kosher hot dogs,” says Fishman, a modern Orthodox Jew who lives in Pico-Robertson. “We now offer an assortment of craft beer, spiked sparkling waters, rugelach from Schwartz’s, fresh marinated steak and burgers from Beverly Hills Kosher and gourmet sausages from Jeff’s.”

Fishman, a lifelong Angelino, grew up going to Rams games with his father in the 1970’s. “We had tailgate envy,” he says, especially during the 25 years after the Rams left Los Angeles. Five years ago, after his beloved Rams moved back from St Louis, he gathered his friends and colleagues, purchased season tickets and the tailgate tradition began. Now it has become a Sunday ritual, just like many other Jewish rituals. Fishman calls it our “large outdoor Kiddush, where we celebrate being together, kibbitzing and meeting fellow fans from all walks of life.”

There’s nothing like sports and food to bring people together, especially when the food is kosher delicious, and especially when the home team is winning.

Regular attendees include family members, friends from Shalhevet High School, as well as colleagues and co-workers. “I start midweek organizing every detail,” he says. “And, they all participate in making it special with all sorts of other goodies and surprises.”

The whole scene is quite festive and spectacular. Imagine a multi-ethnic kaleidoscope of thousands of fans dressed in Rams regalia in a huge parking area with music blaring in multiple languages. Big screen televisions are rigged in the trunks of cars and, right next to the screens, the culinary heroes of the day: the barbeques, with the aroma of various grilled meats permeating through the air. 

Fishman fondly recalls an Orthodox tailgate experience like no other. “On a Sunday game in October during Sukkot, my son Jonathan and I packed our palm fronds in the car,” he says. “When we arrived in our spot, Jonathan politely asked the man next to us if we could extend our fronds over his roof as well.  He graciously agreed on one condition– he wanted to sit in our Sukkah and enjoy a kosher hot dog.  It is these experiences with fellow fans from other cultures that makes it all so special.”

In fact, Fishman and his group often mingle over to other tailgates to play beer pong and corn hole, even “throwing the football around the parking lot with newfound friends.”

It may be hard to imagine Jeff, founder of JSF Financial, taking time out of a hectic work week to stand over a mini-gas grill slinging burgers and hot dogs.  His longtime friend, Julie Monkarsh Gadinsky, says “Jeff is in his happy place behind that grill and it is a treat to see.  He hosts with such generosity and graciousness.”

“The greatest part,” Jeff says, “is that we are amongst a vast array of people who are all friendly, happy to be there and looking to have a great day with America’s favorite pastime of tailgating at a football game.”

There’s nothing like sports and food to bring people together, especially when the food is kosher delicious, and especially when the home team is winning. Go Rams.

Sandra Heller is the owner of Compassionate Senior Solutions, an advocacy and senior living placement company. Her website is compassionateseniorsolutions.com