By Mark D. Blitzer, , Seattle
I applaud the opening of a Jewish delicatessen in Olympia (“Olympia deli tickles mind, soul and stomach,” Feb. 10). Obviously, an expanded Jewish presence in a place like Olympia is a good thing — and what better than a deli showcasing good-tasting Jewish food? However, if establishing the deli is in response to the boycott of Israeli products at the Olympia co-op, it seems to me to be somewhat missing the point. I don’t purport to understand the mindset of the boycotters, but to the best of my knowledge, they are not calling for a boycott of Jewish food or Jewish businesses — at least not yet! I think it would behoove the owners to stock the very products removed from the co-op and go one better and carry still others. (Perhaps they are, but there is no mention of that in the article.) That way, those who do enjoy high quality Israeli foodstuffs — and there are many nowadays — will once again be able to obtain them in Olympia. I’m sure the “Israeli” cucumber salad as depicted on page one is delicious, but really doesn’t have much to do with helping Israel in its fight against boycotts.