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October 5, 2001/Tishri 18, 5762, Vol. 54, No. 4
Russian, kosher delights found in Phoenix deli
BETH OLSON
Staff Writer
As the Bucharian community in the Valley grows, so does the need for ethnic foods familiar to the Sephardic Jews of Uzbekistan.
Yakov (Yasha) and Tatiana Gadaev recently brought their Yasha from Russia Delicatessen from the streets of Brooklyn, N.Y., to the corner of 27th and Glendale avenues in Phoenix.
The small grocery/deli carries a variety of products from Russia, Israel and New York, including fish, cheese, cold cuts, baked goods, vegetables and grocery products. Currently the store has a large kosher section comprised of breads, cheeses and dairy products, meat products and dry goods. Yakov says he plans to expand the store's kosher offerings, including an array of kosher for Passover items this spring.
Perhaps what stands out most at Yasha's is the deli section. Along with a variety of kosher fish offerings - including white fish, salmon and herring -- are several freshly made salads and fresh knishes, dumplings, and samsa (lamb inside puff pastry).
Yasha from Russia opened in Phoenix in February. Yakov and Tatiana moved to the Valley from Brooklyn in April 2000, after being coaxed to come out West by two of his six children who were living in the Valley. Now all but one of his children live here.
The Gadaevs immigrated to New York from Uzbekistan in 1979, bringing four small children with them. At the time, Yakov says, the family was beginning to feel discrimination against Jews in the Soviet Union and they decided to immigrate to Israel. Upon arrival in Vienna, Yakov changed his mind and took the family to New York.
After working in a meat packing plant and as a taxi driver for many years, Yakov decided to open his own deli - the first of two he would own in Brooklyn.
Yakov says his business here is starting to grow - helped by publicity from an article in the Arizona Republic, as well as a featured segment on Channel 3's "Good Morning Arizona."
"A lot of people come from Sun City. They see I have borscht, lox, cream cheese, so they feel happy, like they're home in New York," he explains.
Since arriving in the Valley, the Gadaevs have become involved in the local Bucharian community. Yakov says the local population has grown so quickly that they have already outgrown the Phoenix facility they purchased earlier this year. He's hoping the entire Jewish community in the Valley will come together to help the Bucharians build a new facility.
"They want to build a place with maybe a couple of classes for the kids (so they can) come to learn Hebrew," he says.
Yasha from Russia is located at 7011 N. 27th Ave., Phoenix. Call 602-347-6055.
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