Oldest Kosher Bagel Shop in New York Recued by Muslims

(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Coney Island Bialys and Bagels — founded in 1920 by Morris Rosenzweig, a Jewish immigrant of Bialystok, Poland is the oldest bagel shop in New York City.It was about to go out of business until two unlikely proprietors saved it.

 Two local Muslims, who work in the city as cab drivers, are taking over the business, which is located in New York city's borough of Brooklyn, and they are dedicated to keeping it kosher.

 Zafaryab Ali and Peerzada Shah said the first bagels and bialys they ever tasted when they immigrated here from Pakistan more than 16 years ago were made at the shop.

 "I felt I had to save this store," said Ali, 54.

 When the Jewish proprietor announced in September that he was going out of business, the news was important enough to hit the New York papers. Now that Ali and Shah have rescued it, the city is getting involved in a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

 Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz visited the store yesterday to wish the new proprietors mazel tov and salaam aleikum!”

 Markowitz vowed to return for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

 Jewish culinary historian Eve Jochnowitz, said "It's a relief" that the shop is staying open, explaining that neighborhood businesses such as this bialys store are part of two communities: the local community who shops there regularly and the larger one who makes such a store a destination. They foster informal conversations about Jewish food.

 Zafaryab Ali has experience with the business, since he worked for Rozenzweig's grandson, Steve Ross, for 11 years when he first arrived in the United States, making bagels and bialys by hand, committing to memory the recipes Rosenzweig brought over from the old country.

 Ross' loyal customers said they were relieved to hear their beloved bialy and bagel shop was still cooking.

 “I almost cried when I found out they were closing,” said customer Ellen Steiner, 57, of Midwood. “This is the best bialy place in Brooklyn.”

 "I'm happy I can take care of this store, turn a profit and make customers happy," Ali said.

 Ali and Shah said geopolitics that divide Muslims and Jews have no bearing on making 95-cent bagels and their flatter, oniony cousins, the bialys.

 "It doesn’t matter," Ali said of the cross-cultural differences. "I make the food for everyone."

 "I don't even think about it," added Shah, 47. "I just look at this as a business opportunity."

 Ross said he couldn’t think of two better guys to pass on the Coney Island Ave. family business to.

 "I'd like to see them flourish because they’re making a product that my grandfather brought to this country," Ross said.

 Shah and Ali met and became roommates after immigrating to New York. Back in Pakistan, Shah made his livelihood repairing baking equipment, and he enrolled in culinary school when he first came here.

 They were both driving cabs when Ali went to fuel up at his favorite gas station and the attendant told him that the bagel shop was about to close. He called Ross right away and worked out a deal for him and Shah to take it over.

 The partners said they are committed to keep using all the kosher-certified equipment but have spiffed up the place, replacing floors and walls.

 "I hope they build the business up and do more business than I did," said Ross, who has been advising the pair.

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