Customer Reviews

Crafting Jewish: Fun holiday crafts and party ideas for the whole family

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Where should I start? The photographs are awesome and the directions easy to follow, complete with a well laid out list of items needed for each project. And as someone who like making classy items that I am proud to own or give, I have to say this book is a keeper!

The Rosh Hashanah apple stamp card on pages 20-21 and the decoupaged apple dish on pages 28-29 are ones I loved. As are the Yom Kippur sweet scent sachets on page 48. I grow and dry lavander so this project is and was a keeper.

The hanging flower balls on pages 68-69 are ones I make all year round actually, and they make wonderful gifts. The Chanukah glowing glass menorah on page 90-91 are what I will make this year. As well as the tray on pages 100-101.The sedar plate on pages 168-169 for Pesach/Passover is something I have made and plan on making for a friend.

As for recipes I cannot rave loud enough about the Almond snowballs on page 126-127 or the mini cheesecakes on page 208, and alas the macaroons on page 188 which everyone I know LOVES. These are also a great beginner cookie for kids to learn to make.

The mezuzah project on page 246-247 are so much fun and I have used the idea to create my own style.

Trust me, this is a book that will be used as a reference book for years. By family and friends of all ages.

273 pages full color book, a welcome addition to your cooking as well as crafting libraries. Every Jewish Holiday is covered with sumptuous recipes and ideas to be welcomed by every age, young and senior in the family. The full color photos make you want to dig right in cooking and crafting. Each recipe carries a complete list of what you will need and step-by-step instructions of how to make the featured item. It even tells where to buy some of the odd crafting items! You'll enjoy crafting and eating for years to come with this super volume.

I am always interested in different traditions and ideas when it comes to crafting and cooking, and this beautiful book, Crafting Jewish, is one of the finest I have seen in a long time. Inside the cover of this work you will find holiday crafts and party ideas, with the Jewish theme, to make that will delight everyone involved.
The book starts out giving you a complete guide of products and tools that you will need. There are even pictures to insure that you have use of the correct material.
I was very impressed.

We than travel on to the different Jewish Holidays, or times of year such as, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur or, Shabbat. Under each one the holiday is explained and different crafts are presented to be made that would be used during this time. For each craft you are given a check list of what you will need and complete simply instructions on how to do it. To top it off you are also given recipes of foods that are cooked and eaten during this holiday with pictures that will make your mouth water and urge you to cook away. You will also find an explanation of why these foods are prepared and eaten, and what their meaning has. I loved that part. It brought such personality to the book that you felt part of the festivities. Great job. At the end of the book there is a section titled, "For Every Day," that gives you eight fun crafts that can be made anytime. And you are given templates and a listing of resources that are sure to help.

I have to say, this is much, much more than a crafting book. It is an explanation of Jewish heritage, tradition, the very essence of whom they are. This work brings to life their past, merging with their present shown through their crafts and food. It is filled with their beliefs and the deep commitment they have for God and family. Yet, it draws all with interest and respect, and beacons you to try a craft and sample the delicious food your eyes are feasting upon. What a wonderful book. I don't care what faith you are, or if you are none at all, this book is truly one that will strike a cord in every reader. It is one of the most beautiful books I have seen in a long time, and the spirit of the Jewish history seeps from its pages and graces the very soul of the reader. Very highly recommended. An outstanding read.

The work is a treatise on how to prepare traditional
foods. For instance, meat and dairy are cooked
separately using different utensils. The blood of
meat is removed in accordance with Jewish law.
The work cites parve which is neither meat nor dairy.

Rosh Hashanah is noted for reflection. The period is a
time for hope and eternal optimism. The author explains
how to prepare the Midot and Mitzvot journals during the
10 Days of Atonement. There are extensive templates at
the end of the book.

A number of popular foods have been listed together with
the applicable recipes. i.e.
o preparation of carrot cake
o Challah recipe for Shabbat
o Butternut squash for Shabbat
o Pomegranate punch

A section of the work describes popular arts and crafts. i.e.
o Apple-stamped cards
o Shanah tova card collage(s)combined with clip art

The book is perfect for planning formal Kosher foods and
hosting holiday events. The presentation could have a sequel
describing the preparation of global Jewish dishes. i.e.

Ashkenazi foods: sweet potato and carrot tzimmes, matzo meal,
beet root soup, bagels w/salmon and cream cheese,
strudels, kugels and cheesecakes, cholent from France
and fish/chips by Portuguese Marrano Jews of the 16th century

Sephardic preparations: boneless veal and mushroom stew,
rice and beans (checked with care) for Passover,
Sephardic charoses-Morocan style (walnuts, raisins,
dates, dried apricots, black figs, cherry preserves,
ginger root, shredded mint, fresh ground pepper and
Passover wine ).

Oriental Jewish preparations: veggi-sushi, Asian carrot
soup, chicken-chop suey, stir fry spices in beef,
Moo-Shoo pancakes chicken, Korean marinated ribs,
sweet and sour Chinese leeks, Peking Salmon

Ethiopian Jewish Dishes: buna (black coffee),
injera ( spongy bread)with waat sauce, meat, veggies,
beans, tele-home brewed beer, taj-sweet sour drink
with honey (All eaten with hands rather than utensils )

Wow! What a teriffic book! The photos are incredible, enticing, tempting enough to get the all-thumbs dabbling with glue and paint pens. The step by step instructions are clear and easy to follow. My tween went nuts when she got her hands on the book and didn't stop nagging for a trip to Michael's. The tool index and product guide make getting the materials a cinch; the author even includes her favorite brands and recommends her preferred supplies. Mrs. Koenig transmits her passion for crafting throughout the pages via dozens of creative projects, variations to her projects, tasteful recipes and spectacular party themes. The recipes included tend to be creative, Mrs. Koenig evidently views cooking as an art. How many of you make your own kreplach from scratch?! If the author's intent was to generate a joy and enthusiasm in celebrating Jewish holidays, she has masterfully succeeded!

In a nutshell: This is an absolutely beautiful book from cover to cover, the recipes, crafts and pictures are stunning! While all the items within the book are geared toward a Kosher kitchen and Jewish holidays, most of the craft projects can be changed a little (if needed) to fit into any theme or holiday! This wonderful book has some scrumptious recipes, kids crafts and elegant crafts for adults within each holiday section. With easy-to-follow instructions and beautiful full-color pictures, this book would be a great addition to your bookshelf, or would make a great hostess gift!

My Review:
The pictures above are very pretty, and represent some very nice projects from the book, but they are not my favorites! Some of my favorites are the Decoupaged Apple Dish, children's costume accessories, Embellished Picture Frame and the Decorated Mirror. The pictures don't even include any of the recipes such as: Apple-Pear Gallete, One-Bowl Carrot Cake, Chicken Kabobs and Pomegranate Punch.

Content: There are over 120 colorful projects inside this book, with lots of ideas for get-togethers, including lots of recipes! The book includes things for the following Jewish holidays: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Succot, Chanakah, Tu B'Shevat, Purim, Pesach, Shavout, Shabbat. It also includes a chapter for every-day use. The content is suitable for all ages, although kids should be supervised by an adult.

Format: The book starts with a note to parents, then a note to kids. The author then talks about kosher kitchens, followed by a product and tool guide and then a section for each major Jewish holiday. For each holiday there are plenty of craft projects and recipes.

Readability: Very easy to read, with clear pictures and easily understood instructions. There is even a section for templates! It can't get any easier unless someone else comes and does the work for you. :)

Overall: A wonderful book for adults and children full of Jewish recipes and craft ideas. You don't need to be Jewish to appreciate or use this book - anyone can enjoy this book and make any of the items it contains. I encourage you to pick up a copy and try some great new recipes and crafts for the holidays!

I hope this amazing book is the first of many by this very talented author.
The photography is phenomenal, and the projects are explained in simple step by step, so that even someone as uncrafty as me can follow along. I admire Mrs. Koenig's initiative in utilizing her creativity to develop such a family friendly activity book that relates to the Jewish year. There very few books of that kind out there. You're gonna love this one!

I bought this book as a present for my 11 year old triplet nieces, and they love all the wonderful craft projects. Their mom wants to try out a bunch of the recipes, including the Purim cookies on a stick. The triplets grandmother is interested in making the challah. This book was a tremendous success and popular with everyone!

An excellent piece of work from Artscroll: hardback, pictorial boards, dustjacket; 272 pp, color illustrations throughout.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Product and Tool Guide
Rosh Hashanah
Yom Kippur

Succot
Chanukah
Tu B'Shevat

Purim
Pesach
Shavout
Shabbat

For Every Day

Templates
Resources
Index

Excellent resource for teachers and moms who love to craft with their kids. Beautifully laid out book with creative ideas.