A long line of supporters flocked to the Good Pierogi vendor stand at the West Tisbury Farmers Market last Wednesday morning soon after the market’s opening bell rang. Many were eager to get their hands on the Eastern European–style dumplings that have put the Vineyard in the national spotlight over the previous week, but even more eager to show their support for the vendor who has been threatened with a lawsuit from famed and prominent Island attorney Alan Dershowitz — who has defended the likes of President Donald Trump, O.J. Simpson, and Jeffrey Epstein, the American financier charged with sex trafficking minors.
Dershowitz the previous Wednesday threatened to sue the vendor and the Farmers Market after the operator refused to sell him pierogi. After the incident, Dershowitz announced on social media that he would return to the market to demand that he be served.
And today, after much anticipation, he arrived, and with a crowd watching, he was again not able to buy pierogi.
In the days leading up to the latest confrontation, Dershowitz had claimed that he was refused service because of his identification as a Zionist, calling the interaction discriminatory against his Jewish religion. He even circulated fliers at the market on Saturday, claiming the vendors were anti-Semitic.
But the Good Pierogi owners, while so far not speaking with the press, posted a statement on social media Tuesday night that their decision stemmed not from Dershowitz’s support of Israel, but because of whom Dershowitz has defended in court.
The post also highlighted that Krem Miskevich, the chef who co-runs the pierogi business with their spouse, is Jewish, loves “Shabbat and baking challah,” and has family members in Israel.
“When he came to our booth, I experienced a surge of emotion,” the post reads, of the initial reaction with Dershowitz. “In this case, what was in the forefront of my mind was in fact that this was the high-profile attorney who represented several sexual predators and abusers, including Jeffrey Epstein.
“I personally know too many sexual abuse survivors,” the post continues. “Mr. Dershowitz consciously decided to befriend and defend men who have been accused of abusing and harming women.”
“We don’t back down to bullies — no matter their size,” the Good Pierogi post reads in part.
Tension reignited on Wednesday once Dershowitz came face-to-face with Miskevich at the front of the line. As supporters of the pierogi vendors, onlookers, and media members encircled the stand to witness the confrontation with their camera phones recording. Dershowitz asked Miskevich to sell him any of their products “in the interest of keeping the Island together” and to show “anti-Zionism” wasn’t dictating their decisions.
But Miskevich responded that they didn’t appreciate the accusations Dershowitz had been making online, asking, “Do you have proof I am an anti-Semite?” Dershowitz responded that Miskevich had participated in a protest in front of the Jewish Cultural Festival last year.
Talia Weingarten, one of the protest organizers last year, pushed back against Dershowitz, saying that the protest was not anti-Semitic but was a peaceful stand against oppression and genocide.
Miskevich also underscored that Dershowitz continued to misgender them. Miskevich goes by “they/them,” and Dershowitz has repeatedly used alternate pronouns to identify them.
There were exclamations of support for Good Pierogi and a brief chant of “Time to go!” during the confrontation. Eventually, Farmers Market manager Ethan Buchanan-Valenti intervened and asked Dershowitz to leave. Raucous applause followed after Dershowitz left with Buchanan-Valenti.
Outside of the interaction, there was an outpouring of support for the vendors, including one supporter who was dressed as an Epstein victim and held a sign with Epstein’s face on it.
Kirsten Stevenson, an Edgartown resident in line for pierogis on Wednesday, highlighted that it was important to support local vendors, especially in this situation.
“I think, in particular, the comments that they made on social media [were] really profound and important,” Stevenson said. “I was disappointed with what happened last week, and I want to be here and support them.”
Alan Catrina, who has visited the Vineyard for 25 years, said he feels many people on the Island don’t want to associate with Dershowitz because of the clients he’s represented in court in the past. He added that Dershowitz is a wealthy constitutional lawyer and his words against the vendors “can cost them a lot of money in court.”
Catrina also said he hoped the two sides could sit down to work out their differences. “I think that you’ll find more in common than not if they did that,” he said.
Dershowitz told The Times at the market he “predicted” the high amount of support Good Pierogi received. He said “much of Martha’s Vineyard is anti-Israel,” and dismissed the reasoning in Good Pierogi’s social media post as a “post-facto excuse.”
He also didn’t give credit to Miskevich’s own Jewish background. “Some of the worst anti-Semites in the world have Jewish background and Jewish heritage,” Dershowitz said.
Local lawyers have previously told The Times that Dershowitz’s legal argument to bring charges against Good Pierogi is questionable. They highlighted that unlike race or religion, political beliefs are not given that same type of protection for consumers. Zionism isn’t a protected status since it’s considered a political movement, but Dershowitz called this “too simpleminded,” saying Zionism is an important part of his Judaism.
As a part of a resolution with the vendor and the Farmers Market, Dershowitz said he wanted the market to write into its bylaws that vendors would have to sell to everybody.
“If the Farmers Market doesn’t change its rules, and I think they will, then the issue will be determined by the courts,” he said.
The Farmers Market issued a statement to The Times on Tuesday, prior to the latest confrontation, saying that they would likely change its bylaws to protect vendors and customers. The statement reads that both sides — meaning Good Pierogi and Dershowitz — had acted inappropriately, and that “both parties have been asked to refrain from further action at the market, and we hope and expect each to abide by our request for the good of the entire community.
“While it should not be necessary, the market has reviewed its bylaws and guidelines, and feels that we can indeed make the appropriate revisions to assure that we will not allow future disruptive behavior,” the statement reads. “The West Tisbury Farmers Market is not and should not become a place for political discourse, hurtful accusations, or harassment.”
Vendors had mixed responses about the possibility of a bylaw change that might take away their ability to deny service to individuals with conflicting views. Some stand operators were against a change.
Lynne Daniels, who runs the stand for Old Town Gardens in Edgartown, said a decision shouldn’t be implemented until all vendors have had a chance to voice their opinions and a vote has been taken. “I think it takes away one of our rights,” she said.
But other vendors said that politics had no place at the Farmers Market, and that further guidelines could help avoid similar incidents in the future. Some vendors said no change was needed, and the pierogi incident was an isolated occurrence.
Either way, the controversy was good for business. There was noticeably more foot traffic than on a typical Wednesday. Some of Good Pierogi’s products were completely sold out well before the farmers market closed at noon. But Miskevich didn’t want this conflict to be the cause of better sales.
“I wish we had so much interest because we use 90 percent Martha’s Vineyard ingredients, and not because I said something to someone,” Miskevich said to their line of customers.
This is “both sides-ism.” There is one side in the right and one in the wrong. It’s that simple.
Don’t back down, Good Pierogi and Farmers Market. Start a GoFundMe to blow this guy out of court.
My disappointment is that Dershowitz used to be an amazing guy who contributed a great deal to the law, to defendants’ rights, and to the MV community. I just don’t know what happened to him…
One of the great quotes from law is “Equity will not stoop to pick up pins!” That is, “Don’t bother the courts with small stuff!” Unfortunately, Dershowitz either forgot that or cannot abide by that maxim!
I’d charge him with Felony Pettiness (First Degree)! What a horridly small, shrunken man he has become!
This has nothing to do with Israel. It’s about not wanting to sell to a person who defends pedophiles, sexual abusers etc. Bravo to Good Pierogis !
Dear Alan
Pls calm down We all know your reputation some agree some disagree. Take your poroigi rejection like a man …
Selling & Purchasing good food by anyone should NOT involve political position statements.
Enjoy the food.
Not every act one experiences by anyone is anti- semitic unless u have a mental condition like PTSD.
Both ridiculous— Good Perogi seller denying sale to anyone & purchaser Dershowitz that sees anti-Semitism in this situation & perhaps even everywhere.
Alan went back in time and learned that Klem attended a peaceful protest at the Chabad to take a public stand against Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians in Gaza (a protected 1st amendment right), used that to accuse them of antisemitism to deflect from why he was actually denied service – his association and defense of Jeffrey Epstein and a list of other men who were accused of violence against women. Alan just refuses to grasp the fact that no one gives a crap if he’s a Zionist. Many people find him loathsome because he built his brand coming to the rescue of high-profile, rich men accused of brutal violence against women (and insurrection, but that’s another story).
Carla, the “peaceful protest” where Krem participated, was outside a non-political celebration of Jewish culture- our food, music, arts, crafts, etc. Would you also dismiss a political protest outside a home where Jewish people congregated to celebrate, say, Chanukah, as perfectly reasonable? Jewish people and Jewish culture should be able to thrive on the island and everywhere without being subjected to the pro Palestinian movement’s incorrect labeling of everything Jewish as being a fair target for political protest. Just because people are Jewish? This is why synagogues get bomb threats and need armed guards these days. Anti-Zionism is not virtuous, but it doesn’t matter if you agree with that or not. What matters is that you condone a group protesting an event simply because it’s Jewish. That’s antisemitic. Alan Dershowitz is correct in pointing out that Krem participated in something that is antisemitic.
What did a sweet Jewish celebration on MV have to do with Gaza? Nothing. Further, Krem’s “anti-Zionism” feelings, which clearly were strong enough to transfer into antisemitic protest activities, at least partially impacted Krem’s failure to respect ALL their customers requests, even Zionist customers. That’s the reality of the antisemitism facing Jews today, and it should not be dismissed. Alan Dershowitz is not wrong.
Ms Cooper, lets suppose Bill Clinton were in need of a good attorney for some hypothetical violence against a woman. Would you object if Clinton hired Dershowitz to defend him or would you disqualify the Dersh because of his past clients? Would you care to estimate how many clients Dershowitz defended in his 50 years or more of practice and would you be surprised if the number of high profile brutal people was actually a very small number sliver viz all clients he defended?
“Alan just refuses to grasp the fact that no one gives a crap if he’s a Zionist.”
Wrong.
Many do.
And that is really the only reason—a legal reason, his political views—to deny him service.
Every citizen has the right to legal representation.
That includes Citizen Trump, whether you like it, or him, or not.
Dersh is grandstanding here prior to his trip to Israel show his pals there that he is on the job here.
He can look for something to eat in Gaza.
The Farmers market should ban “Bad Pierogi” from attending the open market,
He was a brilliant law professor at Harvard back in the day who succumbed to attention seeking and greed. Harvard would never hire him now.
Greed? Are you aware of all the decades of pro bono cases this man has under his belt? Do you think lawyers should always work for free? Did you think that the bulk of this man’s cases were high profile individuals? If so, you’d be wrong. Do you know it is an antisemitic trope to falsely label a most decidedly NOT greedy but generous, Jewish man as “greedy”? How did you come up with that untrue slur?
The old saying is true it takes two sides to argue and the pierogi stand-started it and should’ve known what was going to happen. Why can’t we all just get along and do the right thing. Sell the pierogies, take his money and be done. This Island has way too many people who think they are holier than now and their opinion is the right one.
Yeah, just bow down. Nope. You’re not listening. He defended rapists, pedophiles and murders of women.
His stock and trade is defending the indefensible.
perhaps Dershowitz wanted to send the Pierogis to GAZA.
Good for you, Good Pierogi! The people who survived Epstein’s violence are being given voice.
I think it’s very sad that Mr. Dershowitz is so desperate for attention that he picks a fight with a vendor. Kinda a let down to end his career with
I think it’s very sad that anyone fails to note that the vendor picked the fight with him.
I hope the farmers market doesn’t change a thing. Vendor’s should be allowed to serve who they wish. Making a reactive bylaw change because of one jerk is bad for everyone. That’s how you end up with no one being happy.
It seems to me that if good pirogies was anti-Semitic to the point that they are being accused , they would have previously denied service to others. Makes much more sense that they were upset about Dershowitz’s clients especially given the recent events in the news…
Imagine being so hateful you won’t sell someone a pierogi. Not very democratic.
Imagine being so hateful you won’t sell someone a wedding cake…
Not very democratic.
Mr Hess have your read the Colorado wedding case? If you have you would know the baker was willing to sell a cake to anyone and everyone. But when the gay couple provoked with a demand for a decoration of same sex couple on the cake, the baker demurred. It is useful to be informed before throwing a false assertion.
Mr. engleman.
I have read the Colorado wedding case.
I know that the wedding cake maker refused to to decorate the wedding cake with two male figures.
I am informed, I have made no false assertion.
Capitalism is democratic?
If the Farmer’s Market changes bylaw to demand that all be served, it will be a slap in the face of all vendors.
Dershowitz is a bully. His buddy, Trump’s Supreme Court ruled that a baker didnt have to sell a wedding cake to a gay couple. These folkss don’t have to sell to Jeffrey Epstein’s former lawyer.
Dershowitz ego is too big to go away. Like Trump is a self absorbed guy who has stepped on all his own moral high ground from his past.
He has only himself to blame for people disliking him.
If he feels he no longer aligns with the Island, he can alaways get a one way ticket to leave.
I resent his accusation that the Vineyard is antisemitic based on a protest against Israel. What we are is anti Netanyahu and his desire to rid Gaza of every single Palestinian.
I agree! Starving children and genocide is a laudable trait? I don’t think so. It is as you say NOT antisemitic. It is decidedly anti Netanyahu.
Perhaps Vineyarders in favor of denying Alan Dershowitz (or anyone) goods and services based on his clientele would prefer a system of “justice” based upon mob rule? Or perhaps the State should decide who is innocent and who guilty? How then, if any of them finds themselves accused? What an embarrassing and shameful kerfuffle.
Right.
If the market changes the bylaws, the vendors should move to the Edgartown Farmers Market or start their own in Chilmark to compete. Maybe it’s time the MVFM dissolves and the island gets a new option.
The majority of criminal defense lawyers defend mostly guilty defendants, because most people accused of a crime are in fact guilty and found so more than 87 percent of the time. Defense attorneys must vigorously defend every person accused of a crime. They do so not only to protect them but to make sure innocent people do not have to face trial and the misery of a judicial process. If defense attorneys like Dershowitz did not defend the guilty, more innocents would be prosecuted and prosecutorial mischief would ensue. Dershowitz knew OJ was guilty and he knew Epstein was guilty. He is not defending them because they are innocent. So Pierogi vendor doesn’t understand the law. Every one is entitled to a defense regardless of what we personally think. As for Pierogi vendor being Jewish it matters little as part of absolution. Dershowitz knows of what he speaks when he claims that many anti -semites are indeed Jews. Whatever one thinks of Dershowitz, attacking him because he defends heinous criminals shows a weak knowledge of the judicial process of adjudication.
One of the cornerstones of our democracy is that everyone is entitled to a defense
I bet if bill Clinton showed up at average perogis the owner would fall all over himself to get a picture
As he should….
Freedom!
If we don’t pay attention to it, we will lose it.
Dershowitz has the right to cry like a baby.
The vendors are have the right to refuse to sell to anyone for any reason or no reason
People have the right to mis-gender!
People have the right to have their feelings hurt when mis-gendered.
This is a perfect example of America exercising its’ constitutional rights! Well done!
This idea that vendors have the right to refuse service to anyone is an ugly relic of the racist south.
Would you be interested in reading about people who have been refused service? Look up Jackie Robinson or Nat King Cole.
We do not have the right to refuse services to anyone.
How would you like it if you were refused service because of how tall you were, the color of your hair or skin, religion, jobs you’ve held, etc? Let’s not all be ridiculous here.
I thought we were better than this.
Let’s have a return to civility.
Be kind.
https://readcultured.com/why-some-restaurants-continue-to-deny-service-to-black-people-a284dc19b1a3
This is why people have called lawyers scumbags. Ignore the reality of the situation and distract with something horrible and untrue. Anything to win, even when winning is morally wrong. Repulsive.
I recommend they settle this with a good old fashioned cast iron skillet toss at the fair.
It would hardly be August without Mr. Dershowitz pushing himself to the fore, in front of the cameras, and stirring a still pot. He is enjoying this moment in his dimming spotlight immensely. Having been denied pierogies the first time, he vowed to come back for round two, with media. His influence diminishing, this is merely “look at me”.
He’s a jerk, and everyone knows it. Has known it for a great long while. It’s not about his religious stance, his politics; none of that. Threatening to sue the Chilmark Library? You’ve got to be an ass of a grandstander just to get attention for that manure. Vacation elsewhere, I say.
Professor Dershowitz is right – this is about Religion. Ask the vendor their opinion about 10/7/23 and aftermath / current affairs. It would be fascinating to watch some of the rats scramble below deck.
What Religion tradition does Dershowitz follow?
Friday and and Saturday night cocktail parties?
Schmoozing with clients.
Part of the partisan “poison” that is seeping into our society is calling those they don’t agree with by derogatory labels, including calling them anti semites. Let me say that anti-semitism is a real thing, it is a plague on our society, but Dramawitz and others throw that very derogatory accusation around like rice at a wedding. Allan’s comment that “much of Martha’s Vineyard is anti-semitic or anti-Israel” is just wrong. Much of Martha’s Vineyard is anti- war crimes and against blockades that result in starvation and the collapse of a society. Allan’s strategy to casually accuse people of being anti-semitic in order to get some pierogi degrades the power of the words.. Alan— accept the fact that your actions and decisions have consequences, and move on to the next vendor and hope they do not have the high moral character and courage to refuse you that THEY do.
Exactly!
Dershowitz just proved that he is a last word freak and has to hold court wherever he goes. Boring. Not gonna win this one. Islanders stand united.
Discrimination comes in many different forms and for the most part, none of them should be acceptable. Yet many people will pick and choose which forms of discrimination are OK and which forms are not OK. As long as the discrimination doesn’t affect them or their system of belief then it’s not a problem.
Allowing some forms of discrimination is a very slippery slope one that is almost always occupied by hypocrites.
The chef, in this case, is absolutely wrong and should be held accountable just as surely as someone who discriminate against another person for the color of their skin. Most of our liberal friends don’t see it that way.
Thank you Lee, you get my two thumbs up.
Injecting politics into everything is dividing us at a time when what we need is to come together. Pierogis, really? What a waste of time! What a waste of each other!
Dershowitz is just creating drama to create content for his sad little YouTube Podcast show. A few years ago it was the Chilmark librarian, today it’s the pierogi vendor. It’s truly nothing deeper or more meaningful than that.
Here’s a solution…if the farmers market bylaws change & Good Pierogies is forced to sell them to Alan, charge him ten times more! If he protests, tell him others are getting the “friends & family” price & he is neither. Be sure he pays first. Also be sure you alter your signage.
People should realize that there is a difference in supporting the State of Israel and supporting the current government of the State of Israel
Headline: Famous Lawyer Boosts Pirogi Sales!
Bottom line. Its childish to refuse service to someone. You neglect or are ignorant of how many liberal, ultra liberal causes Dershowitz represented, many times pro bono.
Everyone was there for a good time and to enjoy the food . The vendor was wrong . To judge someone over past court cases is ridiculous. The vendor blew it . Why bring personal feelings into a good time . What a shame.