Welcome to Oy Vey and Olé!

Celebrating Jewish and Mexican Roots

Hello, friends. We are so glad you’ve found your way here. Whether you stumbled in by accident, were sent a link by someone who knows us, or arrived by way of a late-night search for something delicious and comforting, you are warmly welcome.

This is Oy Vey and Olé, a place where our passions come together in all their messy, beautiful, sometimes contradictory glory. It’s a place where Jewish and Mexican traditions sit side by side on the same table, where old recipes and new experiments get equal billing, and where we try our best to honor the humanity and dignity of everyone we meet—one story, one meal, one small act of care at a time.

If you’re wondering who we are and why we started this blog, here’s the simplest answer: we believe life is too short not to celebrate the things that make it truly worth living—good food, creativity, community, and the pursuit of a more just and compassionate world.

But the longer answer is a bit more complicated, because it comes from the roads that led us here—roads that have been winding, unpredictable, and richer for it.

Between Us

Between us, we share a love of everything from matzo ball soup so perfect it tastes like a grandmother’s embrace, to street tacos so fresh and spicy they make you close your eyes and breathe a little deeper. We care just as much about art, music, and the stories that get passed down generation after generation—the poetry of everyday life that makes us feel connected to something bigger.

We have very different upbringings and experiences that shape how we see the world. She believes in tikkun olam, the Jewish principle that it is not enough to notice the brokenness of the world—we are called to do our part, however small, to repair it.

He believes in following the actual words and example of Jesus Christ, striving to live a life of compassion, humility, and service, without all the trappings of institutional religion that too often divide rather than unite.

What unites us is the conviction that people are not numbers or statistics—they are human beings with dreams, struggles, families, and stories worth hearing. This is the foundation of Oy Vey and Olé.

Why We Started This

We started this project because we believe food isn’t just sustenance. Food is memory. Food is culture. Food is love in a tangible, tasteable form. Food is a bridge that can connect strangers across divides of language, belief, and background. A simple meal shared in sincerity can sometimes say what words cannot.

We believe the same is true for art and creativity. Whether it’s music, poetry, a mural painted on the side of a building, or a photograph of a family dinner, these acts of expression remind us that each of us carries something beautiful within us that is worth sharing.

Our purpose here is to celebrate all of that—the deliciousness, the artistry, the culture, and the humanity—and to invite you to do the same.

Our Why

Every project worth doing has a “why,” and this is ours:

• We want to tell stories that remind people they matter.
• We want to share recipes that bring comfort and joy.
• We want to explore the intersection of culture and cuisine and understand the ways food reflects who we are and where we come from.

But we also want to use this space to wrestle with harder questions—questions about justice, equity, and how we can live out our values in a world that often feels indifferent or divided.

In some ways, this blog is a record of our own journey to figure those things out. It’s about honoring our families and our histories while also growing beyond them. It’s about finding common ground without losing what makes each tradition unique. It’s about learning, unlearning, and relearning—over and over again.

Who We Are

If you’re new here (and chances are, you are), you might be wondering who’s behind these words. So let us introduce ourselves properly.

She is a big-hearted, reformed Jewish American who believes in tikkun olam with every fiber of her being. She shows her love through stories, gifts, and meals cooked with intention. She’s bubbly and a little sarcastic, passionate about making things better wherever she can, and always ready to lend a hand or an ear.

He is Mexican American, with a quiet, thoughtful presence. He’s more serious on the surface but equally witty when you get to know him. He believes in following the words and spirit of Jesus Christ—living humbly and loving others without pretense. He has an eye for detail and a heart that genuinely wants to help people feel seen and valued.

Together, we are a partnership built on mutual respect, humor, and the conviction that there is more that unites us than divides us.

What You Can Expect

• Recipes. Family favorites and bold new experiments. Expect Mexican and Jewish comfort foods—mole, salsa verde, brisket, challah, matzo ball soup—and a few playful mashups.
• Restaurant Reviews. Honest takes on our favorite local spots. Especially the hole-in-the-wall treasures.
• Stories. About life, love, loss, faith, and everything in between.
• Reflections. We won’t shy away from the hard stuff. This space is for truth, even when it’s messy.
• Art and Creativity. From murals to music, from personal projects to spotlighting others—art feeds us, too.

What We Believe

• Food is a uniting force. Every culture has its version of carb + meat + sauce. And it’s always delicious.
• People are not numbers. Every person is worthy of dignity, compassion, and respect.
• Justice matters. Joy and culture don’t exist in a vacuum. We believe in fighting for equity and truth.
• Community matters. We are stronger together—when we serve, uplift, and share space.
• Humility matters. We don’t have all the answers. But we’re here to listen, learn, and grow.

Why This Name?

If you’re curious about our name—Oy Vey and Olé—it’s a little wink to the blending of cultures that makes our relationship (and this blog) what it is.

“Oy vey” is Yiddish. It’s an expression of exasperation, affection, humor, and sometimes resignation—something you say when you’ve run out of words but still have plenty of feeling.

“Olé” is Spanish—an exclamation of encouragement, celebration, and delight. Put them together, and you get something that feels a little bit like us: part joy, part humor, part determination to keep going no matter what.

Oy Vey and Olé is a reminder that life is messy and worth celebrating anyway.

An Invitation

We hope this blog feels like an open table. A place where you can pull up a chair, set down whatever you’ve been carrying, and rest a while.

Maybe you’ll find a recipe that becomes a new favorite in your household. Maybe you’ll read a story that makes you feel less alone. Maybe you’ll feel inspired to share something of your own.

Whatever brings you here, we are grateful for your presence.

So come hungry. Come curious. Come exactly as you are.

We’re here to break bread, swap stories, and—just maybe—help make the world a little softer around the edges.

With love and hope,
Oy Vey and Olé