Reflecting, however, over the history of these pieces it seems to me that the focal point has always been something to do with food. Whether it is more important to Jews than to non-Jews can be debated and discussed. I would vote that it is. We've already hypothesized about the impact the Holocaust has had on creating this situation and the various manifestations of it. So let's get it out of the way up front.
Food is very important and rightfully so.
Jewish life cycle events are to great extent about food. The Talmud tells us that without consuming meat or fish there is really no joy at what is supposed to be a celebration. Okay, I had great falafel on Malchai Yisrael Street but it was the only one I had in more than a week. Gone are the falafel stands that used to dot the streets of Jerusalem. They are now replaced by new fangled pizza a shwarma stores that also serve falafel.