Tastes of Jewish Tradition: Recipes, Activities & Stories for the Whole Family [Spiral-bound]

Jody Hirsh (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 2001

Enjoy the award winning Jewish Cookbook/Resource that's stirring the nation!

Friendly guide to celebrating 11 Jewish holidays.

Created by parents & educators for families to share.

Stories, kosher recipes, craft ideas.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This colorful, accessible guide offers readers a "taste" of 11 different Jewish holidays, including Passover and Purim. The book opens with Shabbat, whose weekly celebration "is one of the most significant steps in creating a Jewish home and strong Jewish identity," and explores holiday traditions in the order they occur through the Jewish year. There are crafts and activities, stories for families to read aloud, games to play and recipes both traditional (latkes) and contemporary (Oreo cheesecake). The book is wonderfully family friendly, with special sections on "kids in the kitchen" and cartoons to tell the holidays' history. Rabbi Joseph Telushkin provides the foreword.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

"This is the book all Jewish families are looking for! A resource to build family events and traditions around holidays." -- Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, author of Jewish Literacy

Showcasing Jewish heritage as reflected in celebrated holidays, it is a wonderful and highly recommended addition to any family library. -- Midwest Book Review

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 298 pages
• Publisher: Jewish Community Ctr of Milwaukee (December 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0971346100
• ISBN-13: 978-0971346109
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 8.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,201 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #42 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Special Diet > Kosher

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superbly presented celebration of Jewish holiday tradition, September 8, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tastes of Jewish Tradition: Recipes, Activities & Stories for the Whole Family (Spiral-bound)

Tastes Of Jewish Tradition is a superbly presented celebration of Jewish holiday traditions and celebrations featuring 11 "kids friendly" stories, 90 do-it-yourself craft ideas; and 125 delicious recipes. Complete chapters are dedicated to Shabbbat; Rosh HaShanah; Yom Kippur; Sukkot; Hanukkah; Tu Bishvat; Purim; Passover; Lag B'Omer; Yom Ha'Atzmaut; and Shavuot. There are recipes for appetizers, breads, salads, soups, main dishes, side dishes, and desserts. Rounding out this "family friendly" compendium is a section of reproducible templates and "Prayers & Blessings". Showcasing the core of Jewish heritage as reflected in celebrated holidays, Tastes Of Jewish Tradition is a wonderful and highly recommended addition to any family library.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Book of Holiday Traditions, December 28, 2004

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tastes of Jewish Tradition: Recipes, Activities & Stories for the Whole Family (Spiral-bound)

Daylight is precious now and the nights are long and cold. It is time to gather our family and friends around the menorah and celebrate Hanukkah, "the Festival of Lights." The glow of the candles is reflected in our children's faces, full of anticipation and awe. Warmth, light, miracles...this is Hanukkah. ~page 69

This is a Writer's Digest Award Winner and it truly is the Ultimate Holiday Guidebook for families. You will find information on eleven significant Jewish Holidays:

Shabbat - Dipped candles, dye-painted Challah cover, spice boxes.
Rosh HaShanah - Creative Cake Cones, apple print cards.
Yom Kippur - Read-aloud story, book of life scrapbook ideas, writing your own prayers.
Sukkot - A suggested Sukkot Menu, collage, decorations, crayon leaf picture.
Hanukkah - The Miracle Moon story, gift ideas, making your own Menorah.
Tu Bishvat - Tree of life diagram, easy bake cookies, family tree project.
Purim - Manot baskets, costumes, woven paper cones, puppets.
Passover - The story of Egypt, Seder Plate, Matzah Pizza recipe, cartoon story.
Lag B'Omer- Hats, games, egg races.
Yom Ha'Atzmaut - Layered Sand Jars, flags and necklaces.
Shavout - Blintzes, Yogurt Popsicles, parades, crafts and activities.

Each chapter highlights a Jewish holiday and you can learn how to experience the holidays, create interesting foods and research holiday traditions. There are Read-aloud stories, traditional passages, crafts and fascinating food facts.

Then, you will find a chapter of recipes:

If you have always wanted to make delicious latkes, there is a recipe. If you want to try some contemporary favorites, try the Oreo Cheesecake. Salmon Mousse with Cucumber Dressing, Homemade Hummus, Challah, Chicken Soup, Beef Tenderloin, Sour Cream Potatoes, Broccoli Soufflé and Mandel Brot all make their appearance along with a number of delicious favorites. You can also make Passover Brownies with matzo cake meal.

There are diagrams you can copy and an Appendix filled with blessings. The index is excellent. This book would be perfect for teachers. It is essential for parents and for any student of Jewish traditions.

As one who learned how to make chicken soup from a Jewish friend in Seattle, I can say Jewish food has always been a favorite. I even make my own Matzo balls for soup and have mastered the making of Challah. As a child, some of my most comforting memories included eating meals at Jewish parties. I seem to remember eating the creative cake cones as a child.

~The Rebecca Review

5.0 out of 5 stars This book should be in every Jewish classroom, January 19, 2009

By 

Lora M. Bailin "Josh's Mom" - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Tastes of Jewish Tradition: Recipes, Activities & Stories for the Whole Family (Spiral-bound)

I had borrowed this book from the library and had it for a long time. When I renewed it twice then finally took it back I missed it so much I finally bought one for myself.