Kleins Sell Fleishigs Magazine; Sisters Take Over as Editors

Shlomo and Shifra Klein, who founded and ran Fleishigs Magazine, have sold the kosher food publication and are pursuing other business interests. The Kleins launched Fleishigs in 2018, building it into the only monthly Jewish publication dedicated exclusively to food, despite competition from food sections in weekly publications like Mishpacha and Ami magazines. They also created Kosherpalooza, an annual food festival in New Jersey that was later discontinued.

In an announcement made earlier this year, the Kleins stated: "Earlier this year, we passed Fleishigs Magazine to a new team, with new people running the magazine." They emphasized their continued interest in the kosher food sector, saying "We will be involved in the kosher food world, which we are passionate about."

The Kleins, based in the Five Towns in New York, reflected on their tenure as "one of the best experiences of our life" And expressed gratitude to industry partners and readers. They described themselves as "starting a new chapter."

Their next venture, SSK & Co., will focus on connecting mainstream brands with kosher consumers through custom campaigns, distribution assistance and influencer representation.

Prominent figures in the kosher food industry welcomed the news. Chanie Apfelbaum wrote that their approach "has truly revolutionized the industry," While Elan Kornblum of Great Kosher Restaurants called the announcement "major."

Editorial leadership of Fleishigs has passed to sisters Vicky Cohen and Ruth Fox. Both are experienced in food and recipe development, having grown up in Barcelona in a Sephardic Jewish family. Cohen is a recipe developer and food photographer who co-founded a food blog and co-authored a cookbook focusing on Mediterranean and global cuisines. Fox is a recipe developer, cookbook author, trained nutritionist and dietitian who specializes in recipes for people with dietary restrictions and works as a medical interpreter in the Philadelphia area.

Fox wrote that "Over the coming months, you may notice a few subtle changes" But assured readers the magazine's core mission of "celebrating Jewish food, the joy of making it, and the people who bring it to life" Would remain unchanged.

Shifra Klein has also indicated interest in pursuing projects beyond food, recently posting about a planned parenting series.