Jonathan Hartig is the executive chef/owner of J2Food, a full-service, Kosher catering company serving the New York Metro area and Philadelphia. Jonathan is also a cooking instructor, MHWOW host, Jewish history and storyteller, and host of the semi-monthly “Pop Up Foodie Shabbat” dinner series for NYC young professionals. Jonathan was raised in a Conservative Jewish NYC household, attended modern Orthodox day school, and enjoyed summers at UJA or USY affiliated camps and programs. He attended the Columbia University/Jewish Theological Seminary joint program and then received his MA in Sociology and Education from Columbia University Teacher’s College. Since moving back from Philadelphia in late 2016, Jon has dedicated himself to J2Food and working with the local Jewish community. Jonathan and J2Food frequently collaborate with many local NYC organizations including Moishe House, JCC, Hazon, JDC Entwine, Tribe12 in Philly, and Edlavitch DCJCC in Washington, DC. His “Entwine and Dine” and “Edible Education” programs focus on Jewish food history and culture and feature relevant text study, interactive discussions, and communal cooking. Recent sessions have featured the Jewish community of Morocco, a “Who Owns Falafel?” workshop, and a multi-part Shabbat cooking series for Moishe House UWS. Jonathan not only is creative with menus and recipes, but he aims to infuse unique and fun Jewish texts and learning into his events. He has hosted a dinner on the concept of Jewish Food Ownership, Jewish Food and Memory, The History of the Matzah Ball, and Establishing Jewish Identity through Food. Other topics that have been discussed have included Kashrut, holidays and rituals, the Shabbat table, and of course food prep, catering, and hosting.