Some of my earliest memories are of putting together trays of crackers and vegetables, while my mother was busy preparing the main holiday meal. I can smell the brisket just thinking about it.
Isn’t it amazing what memories food inspire? Whenever I see mandel bread, I remember making it with my grandmother in Michigan. I see noodle kugel and I remember sitting on a stool in my Chicago grandmother’s kitchen, watching her make it. And after every meal, there would always be a pack of leftovers to take home.
For me, for many, I think of Jewish food as comfort food. There’s something beautiful about knowing the recipes we make have been enjoyed by those who came before us and that they will be passed down to future generations.
There’s something beautiful about knowing the recipes we make have been enjoyed by those who came before us and that they will be passed down to future generations.
We also love to talk about food: what we are going to eat, what we are eating and what we just ate. The planning, the preparation, the togetherness of the experience is just as valuable as the food itself. Perhaps that’s true of all cultures, not just ours.
Food connects us.
I asked some of my fellow Jewish Journal writers why they think food is so important in the Jewish culture. Here’s what they had to say.
Kylie Ora Lobell: “Judaism is all about bringing the holy into the mundane routines of our everyday life. We are instructed what food is kosher (holy) and what food is not kosher. We say blessings on our food to thank God before and after we eat. Food presents an opportunity to incorporate spirituality into our daily routine.”
Ryan Torok: “Food brings families together. Family is a major part of Jewish observance, and food helps connect us with our loved ones. It’s also part of keeping kosher, obviously, and thus a way to express our commitment to Jewish law and tradition.”
Brian Fishbach: “Nobody should be Jewish in a vacuum. To be Jewish is to go to Jewish gatherings with fellow tribe members and enjoy life together. What better reason to gather and enjoy life with fellow Jews than to eat?”
Harvey Farr: “Because what is considered ‘Jewish food’ so often connects to Jewish holidays, rituals and traditions. It also reminds us of the foods our mothers made when we were growing up and how we celebrated Jewish holidays in our youth.”
Aaron Bandler: “It’s a way of celebrating our ancestors while also the opportunity to connect with one another.”
Tabby Refael: “We truly never knew whether we would be alive tomorrow. That meant we made every meal count.”
David Suissa: “[Food] appeals to everyone and is disconnected from politics.”
When I asked about their favorite Jewish food, Harvey gave the most detailed answer.
“Herring,” he said, “if it can be considered a Jewish food. It is an acquired taste that is being forgotten. There was a time when no shul kiddush was complete without herring and crackers, but now it seems to appear only by special request of the kiddush sponsor.”
Aaron’s favorite is brisket and David’s is spicy Moroccan fish.
Kylie’s favorite Jewish food is the Hillel Sandwich, which we eat at the Pesach seder. I also enjoy that combination of charoset and horseradish between two matzos.
Tabby likes Gondi, Iranian Jewish chicken and chickpea meatballs, prepared for Shabbat.
Brian’s favorite is matzo ball soup; his favorite to make is noodle kugel, which is Ryan’s favorite, as well.
Speaking of kugel, about two thirds prefer sweet kugel, while a third goes for savory. Also, about two thirds are pro-gefilte fish, the rest said they’d pass.
As far as favorite deli foods are concerned….
Kylie: Club sandwich kosher style with fried pastrami instead of bacon and no tomatoes.
Ryan: Pastrami on rye.
Brian: Salami on rye with matzo ball or kreplach soup.
Harvey: Pastrami. Nothing like a fresh, warm pastrami sandwich on rye bread.
Aaron: Roast beef sandwich with au jus sauce.
Tabby: Fried salami.
David: Scrambled eggs with lox and onions.
As for me? I love lean corned beef on rye with mustard, chicken matzo ball soup and a chocolate phosphate.
You didn’t expect me to pick just one, did you?
Wishing you a happy, healthy, food- and family-filled new year!
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