Nagila Pizza, located on Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles, holds a place of prominence among kosher pizza establishments across the United States. For me, it’s more than just a renowned restaurant; it’s a cherished part of my upbringing linked to my father’s legacy. Fond memories of my childhood birthday parties, with pizza slices gripped in my hands and one already in my mouth, illustrate the joy this place has brought to my life.
My father was born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel. His parents, my grandparents, fled from Poland during the Holocaust to Russia and then came to Israel once it became a state. Before immigrating to America, my father ventured to South Africa and spent some time there. My uncle was the first to immigrate to America and settled in New Jersey, where he worked at a restaurant. My father joined him there, and they both moved to Los Angeles. They opened Nagila Pizza together in the eighties.
My father met my mom in the early days of his career. My mother was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She moved out to California with her roommate from the Israeli army. My mother got a job here as an assistant administrator and frequented Nagila to eat a slice of pizza during her lunch break. The rest is history.
As the business rose in popularity, my other uncle decided to move out here with his wife and three children. Growing up in a large family, of mostly Israeli immigrants, they introduced me to the boisterous and warm Israeli culture.
The Nagila menu not only consists of pizza and pasta but also includes Mexican and Israeli dishes. The fusion of Italian, Mexican, and Israeli food encompasses popular American dishes and pays homage to their Israeli backgrounds. Their falafel is simply the best falafel I’ve had in America. (I may be biased!).
Per family tradition, I started working at Nagila Pizza the summer before I entered college. Working behind the scenes at Nagila was an eye-opening experience. While working in customer service, I discovered a significant truth: Nagila Pizza isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a melting pot of Jewish backgrounds. I encountered many types of Jews: French, Mexican, Australian, South African, Israeli, and Persian working that summer.
Jewish people live all over the world. We may have different skin colors, nationalities, and cultural practices, but we all share our common beliefs in Jewish values and a profound history. Nagila isn’t just a place to enjoy pizza, it’s a celebration of our collective journey. It is a reminder that even in the face of present challenges to our community, tradition and unification will prevail.
Nagila Pizza is located 9411 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles
Image via RawPixel
