1 PM PT / 4 PM ET
Watch our Vegan Hanukkah Cookoff, a virtual celebration that brought together Jewish vegans from around the world to explore the intersection of Hanukkah, veganism, and sustainability. Featuring engaging speakers and a festive cookoff, the event highlighted the connection between Hanukkah, veganism, and sustainability. Hear about the vegan journeys from our speakers, and watch the vegan latke cookoff, featuring recipes from our talented presenters. Dishes ranged from classic potato latkes to creative variations like potato-leek and beet-based latkes.
At the end you’ll get to enjoy an exclusive vegan Hanukkah song produced by Jewish Vegan Life!
Stay tuned for more events that celebrate Jewish vegan living!
Speaker & Presenters
Rabbi Akiva Gersh
Born and raised in the U.S. on a meat-heavy diet and with little connection to Judaism, Rabbi Akiva’s journey took a transformative turn in college. Studying Environmental Studies and learning about the global impact of daily choices, he became vegetarian, then vegan at 19.
Exploring Jewish teachings, Rabbi Akiva was amazed to find profound connections between Judaism, environmental ethics, and animal welfare—sparking a deeper dive into his heritage. This path led him to yeshiva in Tzfat, Israel, where he fell in love with the Jewish way of life.
Now, with over 20 years in Jewish education, Rabbi Akiva shares the powerful intersection of Judaism and veganism through classes, workshops, and his social media accounts, @VeganRabbi.
Born in England but raised across five countries spanning Europe, Africa, and Asia, Lou traveled extensively and savored traditional dishes in over 35 countries—from spaetzle in Liechtenstein to empanadas on Easter Island.
His mission? To veganize everything—from traditional favorites to nostalgic comfort foods you’d never expect to find in vegan form.
Follow Lou on Instagram: @UncleLousKitchen.
Raised in New York on traditional Jewish food, Natalya’s journey to plant-based living began at a young age when she discovered the transformative power of healthy eating. Inspired by a juicing infomercial, she became passionate about wellness and the natural world, leading her to work on farms, become a certified aromatherapist, and explore the many ways plants enrich our lives.
Over the years, Natalya deepened her knowledge through an intensive health-focused cooking course and gained hands-on experience as a sous chef at both vegan and farm-to-table vegetarian restaurants. Now a personal chef and recipe developer, Natalya brings her creativity and expertise to crafting plant-based meals that inspire and nourish.
Through her platform, @Littleleaf_kitchen, she shares her love of nature, her culinary creations, and her journey of living in harmony with the world around us.
Born and raised in Santa Monica, California, Bradley Cohen, known by many as “Baruch” or @groovy_jew on Instagram, has been a passionate advocate for veganism and community building for over eight years. His journey as a “Culinary Activist” began with a simple yet powerful mission: to showcase the delicious, satisfying possibilities of plant-based food and inspire others to embrace veganism without preaching, but by sharing extraordinary meals and experiences.
Bradley’s background as an event producer since 2011 has shaped his ability to create unique, memorable gatherings that merge food, fun, and purpose. From hosting dog-friendly festivals at animal rescue ranches to silent disco dance parties at waterfalls worldwide—complete with freshly made vegan sushi and cold-pressed juices—Bradley redefines how veganism is experienced and celebrated.
Following the events of October 7, Bradley sought to foster connection and healing through Shabbat dinners. This led to the creation of Shabbat House Venice, a welcoming space near the beach where people from all walks of life can experience the beauty of a traditional Shabbat infused with an inclusive, nonjudgmental atmosphere. Since its inception, Bradley has hosted over 20 large dinners, attracting a diverse demographic where, on average, only 25% of attendees are vegan—a testament to his success in making plant-based food appealing to everyone.
Your Host: Raquela Karamson
Born and raised in New York and Jerusalem, Raquela’s journey to veganism began in childhood, when she became a vegetarian out of compassion for animals. Her transition to veganism a decade ago deepened her commitment to advocating for a kinder, more sustainable world.
Inspired by Jewish teachings and values, Raquela founded Jewish Vegan Life in 2020 to empower Jews from all backgrounds to embrace a plant-based lifestyle. She uses her extensive background in media and communications—including with the U.S. Departments of State and Defense and the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office—to amplify the message of compassion and sustainability through education, events, and social media.
Certified in lifestyle medicine by Harvard University Medical School, Raquela shares her passion for the intersection of Judaism and veganism by helping others live their best Jewish vegan lives. She splits her time between Washington, D.C., Orlando, and Jerusalem.
