Recipes and Research: A New Summer Jewish Heritage Custom

Ynet -- the internet version of Israel's popular newspaper Yediot Ahranot -- reported a few days ago that Michelle Obama will include recipes of Israeli women living in Nazareth Ilit in her national health campaign "Let's Move!"

The recipes represent different denominations and ethnic groups residing in this northern Israeli city.
Nazareth Ilit aside, Israel is a mirror image of the Jewish people's melting pot -- one that has cooked up many delicious dishes over the centuries. Have a good look at your family tree (or start one now). You may be surprised to find out that your roots do not lie in one country, continent or condiment.

What did your ancestors cook up along the way? Tracing possible dishes and ingredients can transform idle summer hours into a cooking custom with many memorable master chef moments reflecting Jewish diversity. Take it a step further, and explore Jewish history in every country along your ancestors' path.



                                                                 
For example, Great Britain may have been one of their stops. There they learned to have a yen for  shepherd's pie. While it bakes, have a look at the history of British Jewish life. 

On to France, where ooh la la, there is so much to choose from. Did your grandmother's blintzes evolve from French crepes? BTW: do you know that Rashi -- the famous Biblical commentator -- was French and a vintner? Find out more about French Jewish history.

Next stop -- Istanbul. Perhaps that should be your first stop, for so much Jewish history is rooted to the Ottoman Empire. Let Jamie Geller show you how to make an easy Turkish salad. While you savor the taste find out if there is a connection between Christopher Columbus and the Jews of Turkey.


Hopefully I've whetted your appetite on how to create a new summer custom. For the teachers among you -- who knows, maybe you'll be able to transport this custom into your classroom?!

As they say in Hebrew -- בתאבון







Photo credit
Shepherd's pie photo credit
Crepe photo credit
Turkish salad photo credit

Jewish Holiday Customs Around the World for the Classroom

Shalom:
As many of you know, I am in Providence, accompanying my husband on his Sabbatical at Brown University. I am using this year to travel the country, giving presentations on my books at JCCs, Jewish Day Schools and Hebrew Schools. What has struck me is the year-round interest in my book Passover Around the World. This Sydney Taylor Honorable Mention (2008) has 8 original stories revolving around Passover customs in America, Israel, Gibraltar, Turkey, Ethiopia, India, Iran and Morocco. It also has a “Potpourri” section that includes an additional six customs from around the globe. From the moment this book hit the bookstore shelves, the enthusiasm has been tremendous. So much so, that my publisher Kar-Ben/Lerner commissioned me to do a second book – Hanukkah Around the World – which is scheduled to appear Fall 2009. As my book writing credo is “Added Value”, I have decided to extend it even further by creating a blog dedicated to Jewish Holidays Around the World. Approximately a month before each holiday, I will describe and explain one unusual custom from a foreign land. Interested? In order to automatically receive my blog, all you have to do is contact me: tami@tlwkidsbooks.com
Do you have colleagues that might be interested as well? Send them either my email address or the address of this blog: http://www.tlwkidsbooks.blogspot.com/
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Exclusive offer for TAMI LEHMAN-WILZIG KIDS BOOKS readers! Kar-Ben Publishing is offering 10% off your next order at www.karben.com! Use coupon code TAMI when checking out. Offer expires August 10, 2009. One use per customer. Offer not valid with any other discounts.