Tel Aviv…El AL Israel Airlines prides itself as being the only airline to exclusively serve kosher food on board. But in a Hebrew-language guide to New York in December, the eateries suggested by the airline were all non-kosher. In fact, there were no kosher options in the guide which included a map of Manhattan. The five recommended restaurants featured such New York landmarks as Peter Luger. A spokesperson for El Al indicated that the airline was looking into the matter. KosherToday has learned that the airline had outsourced the guide.

With the exception of a concert by rapper Matisyahu, there were also no Chanukah events listed, albeit that there were recommendations on celebrating Christmas and New Year’s Eve (translated in Hebrew as Erev Rosh Hashanah – commonly associated with the Jewish New Year).Several of the upscale kosher restaurants reached by KosherToday were disappointed that El Al did not see fit to include them. Also sure to be disappointed are the many Israeli and Mediterranean restaurants in the Big Apple. Said one restaurateur: “What was El Al thinking?” But El Al says that it will investigate the issue and make changes.