Kugel is a Manhattan-based Jewish org targeting “Jews in the gray zone”. What’s the “gray zone”? Those of us who don’t fit into one box when it comes to observancy, or ethnicity. Kugel unites hip, intellectual Millennials and Gen Xers with a strong Jewish soul.
Like our co-founders, many Kugelers, grew up in the Orthodox world and have now carved their own unique approach to being Jewish. Respecting tradition is very important to us. All of our food is kosher and is prepared by Upper East Side Chef Jonathan Hartig. Kugel’s religious advisor Rabbi Avi Heller leads MJE East, a modern Orthodox institution.
Kugel always keeps this data point in mind: One in seven American Jews are Jews of color. It’s a growing population that will make up 20 percent of American Jewery within the next few years. The classic thought of being white equating to being an American Jew is a trope Kugel aims to retire. Kugel is proud to have produced countless couples — of all backgrounds — who’ve met at our events since we launched in November 2018. We are also battling assimilation as nearly two-thirds of U.S. Jews define “being Jewish” with a culture, and not a religion. Kugel loves to bring people closer to Judaism through Shabbat.
