Gilbert Teitel, 87, runs Teitel Brothers Wholesale Grocery, a 110-year-old establishment in the Bronx, founded by his father and uncle, who were Orthodox Jewish immigrants. Every week, they balanced their Jewish traditions with the demands of running a grocery that served Italian neighbors, including dealing with pork products. The store's business practices, competitive pricing, and cultural symbols like the Star of David mosaic reflect their struggle and resilience as immigrants. They prioritized both their faith and community ties, operating through the sabbath to survive in a competitive market.
Every week, the Teitel family balanced their Jewish faith and community ties with their grocery store's operations, serving Italian neighbors and maintaining cultural traditions intertwined with survival.
Gilbert Teitel recalled the challenging work ethic of his family, who operated the grocery store through the sabbath and into the weekends to support their livelihoods.
The Teitels, Orthodox Jews from Poland, uniquely catered to their Italian clientele while incorporating their cultural identity through their business practices and community relationships.
Teitel highlighted a poignant connection to family heritage, illustrating how the store became a symbol of resilience and remembrance amidst historical tribulations faced by their relatives.
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