Lilah at the Weitzman in the Museum’s Landmark Building on Independence Mall Marks the Decorated Restaurant Group’s Exclusive Event Venue in Center City 

PHOTOS (credit provided in photo name)

PHILADELPHIA, PA. (May 15, 2024) – Lilah Events—the events company from Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook’s hospitality group, CookNSolo—is now the in-house events and catering partner of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History (The Weitzman). 

Since its founding in 1976, The Weitzman — located at the corner of 5th and Market streets just six blocks from CookNSolo’s flagship restaurant, Zahav — has served as a vibrant beacon of cultural life in Philadelphia. The landmark building designed by renowned architect James Polshek, boasts 20,000 square feet of multi-purpose event space across five floors. The flagship space is a 7,000 square foot ballroom with seating for 450 (reception for up to 650), floor-to-ceiling wrap-around windows, and the adjoining Toll Terrace. The indoor-outdoor space overlooks Independence Mall—the most historic square mile in the country—and offers a one-of-a-kind, panoramic view of the Philadelphia skyline.

Lilah Events specializes in crafting celebrations for milestone moments, from weddings and mitzvahs, to corporate events and meetings. As events and catering partner of the Weitzman, Lilah will offer customizable menus that showcase CookNSolo’s hit dishes, from fresh pita and hummus, to skewers of kebabs hot off the charcoal grill, and coffee-braised brisket with cardamom and apple. Lilah at The Weitzman is overseen by longtime CookNSolo veterans Director of Events Neira Jackson and Culinary Director Caitlin McMillan. 

“CookNSolo and The Weitzman are a perfect fit,” said Dr. Misha Galperin, President and CEO of The Weitzman. “Mike and Steve’s company represents the best in cooking, hospitality, and business leadership today. Their restaurants have changed the landscape of Jewish food in America and are truly a part of the Jewish American story that our Museum celebrates everyday. I can’t think of a better time than during Jewish American Heritage Month to bring this partnership to fruition.”

“It is such a privilege for us to partner with the Weitzman Museum of American Jewish History, an incredibly beautiful place to host a special event in Philadelphia,” said Mike Solomonov and Steve Cook of CookNSolo. “Since opening Lilah in Fishtown in the Spring of 2022, our dedicated Lilah Events team of hospitality pros have created personalized catering programs and events of every kind, and we couldn’t imagine a better second home for Lilah’s operation than at The Weitzman.”

Clients seeking to host kosher functions at the Museum will be able to enjoy CookNSolo menus in collaboration with high-quality kosher caterers, providing a seamless experience for planning elevated events in accordance with Jewish dietary laws.

Contact events@theweitzman.org to schedule a tour, and learn more at https://theweitzman.org/event-rentals/.

ABOUT THE WEITZMAN NATIONAL MUSEUM OF AMERICAN JEWISH HISTORY
Established in 1976, and situated on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience. The Weitzman presents educational programs and experiences that preserve, explore, and celebrate the history of Jews in America. It proudly stewards one of the largest collections of Jewish Americana in the nation. Standing as a joyful bulwark against antisemitism, bigotry, and hate, The Weitzman serves to connect Jews more closely to their heritage and to inspire in people of all backgrounds a greater appreciation for the diversity of the American Jewish experience and the freedoms to which Americans aspire. The Weitzman proudly leads Jewish American Heritage Month nationally. www.theweitzman.org www.jewishamericanheritage.org. 

ABOUT COOKNSOLO

CookNSolo Restaurants is the trailblazing hospitality group co-owned by Philadelphia’s beloved restaurateurs, Chef Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook, who are champions of Israel’s extraordinarily diverse and vibrant culinary landscape. Together, Mike and Steve have been awarded three James Beard Foundation Awards, including “Outstanding Restaurant” in 2019 for Zahav. Along with Zahav, the duo’s six distinct concepts are Federal Donuts & Chicken, Dizengoff, Goldie, K’Far, Laser Wolf, and Lilah – a wedding & event venue bringing together 16 years of culinary and hospitality wizardry. CookNSolo also hosts grill house sensation Laser Wolf, Israeli bakery & café K’Far, and Jaffa Cocktail & Raw Bar, inside The Hoxton hotel in Brooklyn. In addition to the restaurants, Solomonov and Cook have co-authored three acclaimed cookbooks — Zahav, Israeli Soul, and Federal Donuts. Outside of the restaurants, you can often find Mike and Steve at Pho 75, working out the kinks in their Israeli village. 

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