By COLlive reporter
Dr. David Levi, a family naturopathic doctor in Crown Heights, recommends to his patients to use fresh organic foods but he also understands the financial challenges of a typical Jewish family.
“A century ago, nutritious organic fresh foods use to be much more affordable than buying processed foods,” he says about the dilemma most families face when trying to give their family healthier food choices.
“Study after study has consistently revealed that just changing what you put in your mouth can have a much more profound effect on your health than taking medication and/or supplements,” he says.
“Today you can buy a bag of pasta for a couple of dollars and can feed a family while fruits and vegetables would cost 5-10 times as much,” says the father of five.
To illustrate that Dr. Levi gives a video tour of the Park Slope Food Coop in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn and one of the oldest and largest active food co-ops in the United States.
“Many may associate The Coop with the proposed boycott against Israeli products,” he notes about the March 2012 incident when a group of anti-Israel people proposed a vote to ban products from Israel from the Coop by having the Coop join the BDS Movement (Boycott Divestment and Sanctions of Israel).
Because the Coop is a democracy any member can propose a vote on anything. During the March 28th referendum more than 1,000 Coop members voted against
the proposed boycott of Israeli-made products.
Dr. Levi clearly remembers the political temperature of the Coop during that time.
“There seemed to be a big effort by this small, but loud group of anti-Israel Coop members to make this happen. But the greater Coop community, including the owner of the Coop, were not interested in such radical politics.”
To be able to shop at the Coop you have to be a member. This requires attendance at an orientation and then signing up for a 2 hour and 45 minute monthly shift in one of their departments. It can anything from sitting in an office picking up the phone to cleaning the bathrooms, to valeting bicycles of the shoppers.
But Dr. Levi says its worth it.
“I once brought my friend, who works at a Whole Foods Market to visit the Coop and she pointed out that many of the products were cheaper than what she pays with her employee discount at Whole Foods. The Coop is by far the most affordable and best selection of organic and local grown produce in Brooklyn.”
To singles and to those who can afford it, its a big mitzva to give a livelihood to another yid, at least those who can afford it_should
As for the rest of large families who are struggeling and cant afford the local prices, may hashem bless you with such harchava that yiu should be able to do all your shopping in kan tzivah without breaking the bank!
Thanks for clarifying that. Very good point sourced from the Rebbe.
I’m gonna try this Coop thing. I do believe if you eat healthier you’ll feel better and you’ll be able to serve Hashem better.
To 58
Re “WHO is a good jew”
1. ReRead post 56 (carefully) you’ll see it’s Torah/Halacha which decides what is or is not ok.
2. As to what makes somwone a “good” jew, Our Rebbe taught us a simple guideline, “am i today doing (a little) more (of an effort) in my service of Hashem than i have yesterday? Yestermonth? Yesteryear, regardless how I compare towards others, Hashem wants us to grow and keep making our own best effort in the direction of increasing Torah and Mitzvis
huh?
so if i dont follow ur interpretation of right and wrong im not a good jew?
http://www.wholeshare.com/groups/1952/memberships/new
It is sad! I agree! I don’t thing it’s “frum” to be be negative, To be truly frum, is the opposite of being negative, bitter, hostile, bullying, To be truly frum, ain’t that easy at all, even for those raised inside a “frum” home. Unfortunately there are some who were raised in a “frum” home, yet certain fundamental parts of Torah-true living is very difficult for them! For some its Ahavad Yisroel, for others it’s Tznius or Loshon hara, each person ha their own personal struggles and challenges! It’s not for us to judge another’s inner battle even if they… Read more »
Frum. Yidden being sooo neg 🙁
Conventional Medicine fails to prevent, it’s reactive rather than preventive
Ushmartem Meod al nafshosechim!
i can speak for myself, and those i know personally,
I also know other local vendors who themselves shop in malls and on eBay, amazon etc items that are sold on Kingston ave!
fine than lets just fill all your food with chemicals…
I mean seriously Organic is MUCH Healthier
There are many alternatives in our own community stores. Support the community that supports you. Support the people who live here and give back here. If you want a thriving neighborhood, shop local, what you put in is what you get out.
With regard to [being treated by] a naturopath — it depends upon your knowledge of whether he has been successful in the past. (Igros Kodesh, Vol. XXIV, p. 387) A little bit of research reveals that where conventional medicine likes to treat the symptoms rather than correcting the underlying “life style” cause elevated blood pressure etc they prescribe statin drugs and beta blockers, for diabetes, drugs drugs drugs, Today many open-minded mainstream Doctors have adopted the nutritional/naturopathic approach for the above conditions (and others) which for many has completely eleminated the need for drugs alltogether. the key is, as with… Read more »
8. How do ND’s compare to MD’s or homeopaths?
ND’s and MD’s both receive their medical training at accredited 4-year medical universities (Google: Naturopathic Medical Education Comparative Curricula) . Currently, there are 5 accredited Naturopathic medical schools in North America that grant doctorate medical degrees in Naturopathic Medicine. (Visit the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians for more information.)
“if you are buying anything in large quantity for your family and you can clearly get it for much cheaper, then no need to shop at the more costly vendor even if he’s a local neighbor of yours”
i think yankel spritzer once wanted to open a kollel store in ch to bring back all the large families who were running to BP for bulk dicounts
Raskin’s on kingston (RASKINS WAS FIRST)
Lerman’s on albany
Liberow home delivery
Best home delivery
Mr Greens on albany
Kleins on empire
Empire Kosher
The Market on east ny
(forgive me if i left out one or two, i don’t live in crown h)
so why then soo many locals in costco & bp????
Unless u find a bargain on eBay, Black Friday, Diapers.com, Kollel store, The Mall, Costco…..
In theory if all CHers never looked elsewhere for bulk family shopping or cheaper appliance and electronics, CH stores prices would actually drop to Kollel store rates!
It’s a catch 22
Those who know him, love him, those who love him, LOVE HIM ALLOT!!
If you don’t yet know/love him! Call him up and ask to be invited for a Shabbis meal!! You won’t regret it!!
I have tremendous respect and awe for this champion of a chosid!
Dr Levi is the coolest most chasidish guy I’ve ever met! Period. To all the bitter trolls out there who are against shopping in BoroPark, Kollel store, Black Friday sales, etc I commend you for your passion but there are many large families in CH who cannot afford to shop in non bulk, non discount stores, I know local venders who themselves shop in malls and on eBay, amazon etc items that are sold on Kingston ave! Please do not rush to judge half of Crown heights who will can’t afford to buy all their bulk, electronics, etc at local… Read more »
people – go research a little more about toxic pesticides and GMO before you start posting nonsense about organic vs non-organic… and ps. pasteurizing honey kills all of its benefits.. and youre not supposed to feed any honey pasteurized or not.. to an infant under 1 year.
also, are you going to tell everyone to stop shopping at cosco – and instead shop locally…??? buying in bulk is cheaper.. when buying in bulk organic – its only common sense …
Thank you for sharing this video.. you are an inspiration and have a beautiful family..
The main point of the article was that the Coop has extremely low prices for good quality produce. Any Rav will tell you that if you are buying anything in large quantity for your family and you can clearly get it for much cheaper it is perfectly fine and encouraged to purchase it from the cheaper seller. If you are buying 5 apples a week, of course buy local. But if you have 6 kids and want to give them fruits and vegetables on a daily basis then you would go broke doing that in Crown Heights. The Coop, as… Read more »
I happen to know Dr. David Levi personally. Not only is he the epitome of a mensch, but he happens to be an incredibly caring and good doctor. I don’t think his intention at all was to steer business away from CH. He is addressing a way in which people who desire a more natural lifestyle and have large families and not much money to spend, can actually afford it. Yes CH has organic and healthy options, but the prices are very high. It’s really sad for me to see someone who only always gives to people get spoken about… Read more »
To #6 Did you read this guys Bio on his web-site??? He graduated Cum Laude from Hunter College Pre-Med and did 4 years in a naturopathic medical school that is accredited by then United States Board of Education. http://www.drdavidlevi.com/uploads/3/7/7/5/3775434/naturopathic_medical_school_comparative_curricula_jpeg.jpg You got mad Chutzpah to publicly say he is not a doctor when he had to sit in a room with a cadaver for year, stick his fingers in who knows what, and probably be over $100,000 in debt from student loans. That is what I call low. I give this fellow Lubav tons of respect for going through what he… Read more »
MR. GREENS carries organics, there are many places in Crown Heights you can bring your business to, and you can try to grow your own even if you have just a fire escape type window. Just ask around how to do it
organic is available here in Crown Heights.We need to support our own first and foremost.
I don’t see anyone from Park Slope coming to Raskin’s for their fine Organic selection, or to Mr. Greens for their beautiful displays, so how about we support our local vendors? If there is something missing from your local produce market, ask them to carry it for you and I’m sure they will do whatever they can to bring in into stock.
It annoys me to no end when people misrepresent themselves. You have no right to call yourself a doctor when you do not go through the proper education, training, and get licensed. Further more, who gives him the right to misrepresent information.
It takes years to become licensed and a medical professional. Years to actually know what you are doing before treating patients. he is not a professional and should actually not be “practicing” his non-sense
I have been saying for years we should have a CH co-op. There would probably be enough business to sustain it.
Lerman’s, Raskins and Mr.Green sell an unbelievable good and fresh selection of fruits and vegetables in Crown Heights. Besides serving our community all these years each of the owners of these establishments are generous Baalie Tzedako and full participants in all aspects of of our way of life. On balance I would rather purchase from them and enjoy all the trickle down benefits these neighbors of our contribute to our way of life. Organic notwithstanding.
Oh and if you eat only organic you don’t have to vaccinate. (Sarc)
With regard to [being treated by] a naturopath — it depends upon your knowledge of whether he has been successful in the past.
(Igros Kodesh, Vol. XXIV, p. 387)
I have read it, as well as many others of more depth and comprehensiveness.
You’re obviously ill-informed of the meaning of the word “Nutrition” and “Nutritional Value”
It appears that you are waiving the “Science” flag yet don’t posses some basic high school level knowledge.
It is very clear and one would make a fool of himself to argue against the fact that toxicity for example (or any health-detrimental ingredient in food) is NOT a factor of nutritional value.
If you have infants in the house best not to buy unpasurized honey. Botuinum Toxin in the honey or any honey feed to an can cause a floopy baby syndrome or death to an infant or child 1 year or under and more dangerous if unpasturized. Save your money and shop at a store owned by Anash.
David Levi as a naturopathic doctor never went to medical school, he went to naturopathic school. New York State like the vast majority of the united states does not recognize naturopathic medicine and a naturopathic doctor is not licensed. So to number 27 the reason a health professional wouldn’t base his treatments on science is because this is a health professional who is unlicensed. Keep in mind your life insurance agent is regulated more than naturopathic doctors.
the store can go the way of Helen Thomas yimach shemo
I encourage you to read the study. The study concludes there is no nutritional difference between organic and non organic foods. If you’re talking about taste then organic can taste better and usually does. It’s also important to emphasize that although something might be labeled organic that definition is very broad. Like any industry that involves money, there are politics involved – an organic product that is certified as organic is not necessarily truly 100% organic. You are paying the premium for taste – which is fine. But it is irresponsible for any health professional to suggest something that isn’t… Read more »
I have had the good fortune to get to know him and his beautiful amazing family! They are the opitome loving kindness, simcha shel mitzvah!
Seeing this family and families like theirs it what gives me hope in these last dark moments of Galus!!
Chaim
That would be a really nice development!
Raskins is a good start and deserves credit
Maybe one day they’ll be similar or even better than the co-op
Halebai Amen!
There is no “mitzvah” to shop in CH. It is just smart to shop elsewhere for better quality and prices. And to #1, no raskins doesnt nearly have as good of a selection.
And you’re still going????
What are you waiting for to get their point????
At first my reaction was, oh I am not shopping at that store with its anti israel attitude………then it settled in, it is astore full of many co-owners…….I’m glad the vote was shot down, because it still left a bad taste in my mouth……btw, the coop hits record sales close to 100 million !!!!!! So for those of you who want to stay away, they really don’t need your business…….I think this good doctor is on to something good here, he should offer paid monthly classes on how to eat healthy……we have too many fatties in our community and we… Read more »
This is a typical scenario that I find quite often where people just read things and don’t know how to put it into perspective, for these people their exposure to the internet must be daunting and detrimental as there is so much info out there. Anyways, when analyzing a food’d health value we can generally divide it into two aspects: 1 The positive things i’ts providing and 2 The negative it is providing. It’s safe to say that all foods have both but the ratios and proportions can be to the extreme opposites. Concerning the reasons people prefer organic vs… Read more »
Nice way to compare apple to oranges. Japanese have higher life expectancy because of their life style. They eat less meat, eat less junk food, smoke less, drink less, exercise more. The difference organic and non-organic has no impact on obesity. By choosing organic you are not getting any more nutrients or having less toxins, you are just paying more for the same thing.
Clean ur house before u detox ur body with morning shakes
That is great you are doing what you do and making videos about it..so many Jewish holidays promote unhealthy eating, and it’s good you are out there walking the walk and becoming an inspiration and a light house for others that just don’t know. I have many friends who are members of the coop.one of whom is running The Woodstock Fruit Festival coming this August. Her name is Yuliya. She is a fruitarian. Anyway, glad to see you are thriving on your lifestyle. regards, victoria arnstein
Dear Dr I don’t who you are but please don’t take our comments to heart you need to understand that there are Halochos that you did not take into consideration. First, one must support tge local community second, you are offering product that don’t necessarily have a proper Hashgacha
If given a choice between food that was treated with chemicals and pesticides , and food that is organic without additives , the choice is clear . Remember you are what you eat. Why do you think people form Okinawa Japan live on average in upper 90’s and in America the life expectancy is so short? . Chose life eat organic.
you can promote more israeli products if we have more pro israel members, its a co op, every one can vote, its not like shopping in an anti semites store.
It was a collective resounding approval pro Israel
True living examples of authentic Chasidim!!!
Y&M ; )
uh, psst, #3 and #4:
“There seemed to be a big effort by this small, but loud group of anti-Israel Coop members to make this happen. But the greater Coop community, including the owner of the Coop, were not interested in such radical politics.”
(Reading an article before commenting is always recommended to avoid displaying lack of reading comprehension to the internet.)
Many CH members were very disturbed by the horrible episode surrounding the Israeli boycott vote.
BH
BSD
AND SMOKERS ARE STILL ALLOWED TO POLUTE THE MAIN ENTRY TO 770?
SMOKERS SHOULD BE ONLY ABLE TO STAND BY THE RAMP ENTRANCE ON THE SIDE IF AT ALL
Study in Annals of Internal Medicine published in September last year showed no difference in nutritional benefit between organic and non organic. The most important thing is to eat the right food, even organic food can be non-healthy.
Link to the study:
http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1355685
Even if you believe that fruits and vegetables that are g_d forbid not organic are unhealthy for you and your family there is still the issue of having to travel to Park slope instead of going around the corner, and there is always the mitzvah of shopping the in the shchunah. So Dr. i thank you for your advice but no thanks. And by the way, of the 1658 that voted, 653 wanted the boycot to go ahead, I for one dont want to shop in a business where such a large percentage of its members want an israel food… Read more »
The anti-semites were out-voted. Coop still carries all the Israeli products they did before and maybe even more by now. 🙂
You obviously didn’t read the article. That issue was addressed. Here is the excerpt:
Dr. Levi clearly remembers the political temperature of the Coop during that time.
“There seemed to be a big effort by this small, but loud group of anti-Israel Coop members to make this happen. But the greater Coop community, including the owner of the Coop, were not interested in such radical politics.”
Can’t you guys read? He clearly says that it was a small group and that it was turned down! Maybe boycott the USA because there are a few skinheads living here
Isn’t this the store that almost boycotted Israel?
self-hating anti-semites who voted to boycott israeli products dont deserve our money.
Although the Coop is amazing, I have found that many people in our community are not able/willing to commit to the monthly work slot, especially if married, then you’re obligated to do 2 work slots. The alternative to this is a project that Chana Esther Pfeffer has started in our community called Wholeshare. Even if you are a Coop member you will probably also be interested in this:
Revive The Tribe Wholeshare Crown Heights Group
http://www.wholeshare.com/groups/1952/memberships/new
RASKINS carries organics