Lost at the Movies in Yonkers

The opportunity to get a good bowl of Matzoh Ball soup in Westchester is diminishing. Pastrami and corn beef mavins like the Mt. Kisco Deli  have disappeared.  Thank heaven there’s still two Epstein’s Delis and a Rye Ridge Deli in the county where the menu includes such Yiddish favorites as brisket with stuffed derma and a Kasha knish on the side. You just wouldn’t make those at home. At Epstein’s (which I first encountered in my home turf in Cedarhurst), one can count on free pickles and coleslaw and a not-free can of Dr. Brown’s soda. If you’ve never experienced a Jewish deli, you can do so tonight at the YoFi Fest, a film festival in Yonkers, now in its third year and showing the documentary “Deli Man” as its opening screening tonight, Thursday, Oct. 22 at the Yonkers Riverfront Library. Seems David Steck, the entrepreneur behind the festival, has thought of everything especially making sure ticket holders have a full belly before watching “Deli Man.”

As a ticket holder, you are invited to judge a “Best Pastrami” contest between Liebman’s Kosher Delicatessen, Harry & Ida’s Meat and Supply Co. and Ben’s Kosher Restaurant Delicatessen Bar & Caterers, none of which I have sampled, but they are now on my “to visit” list. Over four days, YoFi Fest will be showing some 100 films selected from hundreds submitted. On the menu, not the deli menu but the festival menu, is a romp with Bill Murray on Friday, “Adult Beginners” filmed right here in Westchester on Saturday and the award-winning documentary “Homme Less”  presented by The Picture House on Sunday.  What makes this festival possible says Dave Steck is the partnerships the festival has developed with a host of contributors all listed on the website www.yofifest.com. In addition to filling the belly, there are belly laughs which we can’t get from watching the news these days. So, get some popcorn, head to Yonkers and get lost at the movies.