Sasha Heller’s Rosh Hashanah Message for 2026

It’s All About the Deli
There are many ways in which Jews can pass along our traditions, either to loved ones or strangers, including music, literature, and prayer, but my favorite is through our foods.
I was recently at a deli in Dunwoody waiting on my father to purchase a half-dozen bagels (four plain, two salt). As I waited, I observed the nearly full dining room and realized that we were the only two Jewish customers.
Sitting at a pair of tables was an Indian or Pakistani family. Seated at another set of tables was a group of East Asians. And finally, a family of Latinos were banked in a booth.
Dozens of people enjoying their bagels, pastrami, and corned beef – but no Jews.
In this edition, we wrote about the Babka King, Chris Campbell, who is not Jewish, but who fell in love with the Jewish delicacy and discovered a deep connection to Judaism and Israel through our foods.
It’s in these curated recipes, shared across generations and baked with love and nostalgia.
The latkes, the hamantaschen, the blintzes … tradition never tasted so good!
I wish you all a healthy and happy new year.
L’shana Tova!

Sasha Heller is the Editor-in-Chief of Atlanta Jewish Times.