By Charlene Riegger
Director of Marketing

Women’s Philanthropy gathered for their annual Dollar-a-Day event with Yaniv Cohen, the self-described “Spice Detective,” on May 15.

Cohen owns Jaffa, an Israeli restaurant in Miami, and wrote the book “My Spiced Kitchen,” which was made available to those in attendance. The event was open to women who pledge $365 or more to the Jewish Federation’s 2025 Annual Campaign for Jewish Needs. 

Chaired by Marilyn Claire, Gia Jones, Amy Sams, and Ellen Sosis, the event began with the wafting aromas of the various spices laid out at the main table. Women were encouraged to visit Cohen there as he suggested different spices to put on the popcorn on offer. Tantalizing desserts were also available so the women could enjoy sweet and savory together.

During his presentation to the whole group, Cohen remarked that Israeli cuisine dates back to the Tanach from the laws of kashrut to the lentil stew that Jacob made for Esau and more. Then, after 2,000 years of Diaspora, many other flavors from around the world have been added to make it even more amazing.

Cohen talked about the two biggest influences on his love of spices. He is the oldest of five boys from parents who made aliyah from Iraq and Tunisia. When they came to Israel, they brought only spices, herbs, and their joy of life. He grew up with Jews from around the world, which helped him appreciate other foods from placed like Hungary, Ethiopia, Russia, and Morocco. He helped his mother shop for spices at the market and helped her cook delicious Shabbat dinners.

The second influence came one day when he was a child. He was playing with other kids in the courtyard while the mothers hung their wash on the clotheslines. Cohen was running and fell with his arms outstretched onto a piece of glass. He was bleeding and scared. One of the moms rushed over and rubbed turmeric on his wound to stop the bleeding and told him it had antibacterial properties. His cut healed nicely and from then on he was mesmerized by the power of spices. 

After Cohen’s presentation, the women measured out the spices on the table to make their own shawarma spice mix in glass jars. Cohen told the ladies to store spices and herbs they use frequently in the refrigerator and the others in the freezer. Spices kept in drawers or cabinets lose their aroma and flavor quickly.

The event ended with Cohen signing his book for participants. You can learn more about Cohen and his spice recipes on YouTube at youtube.com/@thespicedetective446.

For more information about Women’s Philanthropy and its events, contact Lee Kestecher Solomon at 610-821-5500 or email lee@jflv.org.