Customer Rating: 
Summary: Tastes of Jewish Traditon: Recipes, Activities and Stories for the whole family
Comment: It's a wonderful book for a young mom, grandmom, teacher or blended family looking for good but easy explanations of the holidays, activities, stories and recipes for the holidays. I can't keep it the religious gift shop! The Hebrew school just bought one every teacher in the school! They loved it!
Customer Rating:
Summary: More than a taste in this fun-filled book!
Comment: author of Cooking Jewish: 532 Great Recipes from the Rabinowitz Family
from the Canadian Jewish News, Passover 2003
"Tastes of Jewish Tradition," by Jody Hirsh, Idy Goodman, Aggie Goldenholz and Susan Roth, is the culmination of a community effort that turns holidays into major festive family events. With the able assistance and support of the staff and parents of the Milwaukee Jewish Community Center's Parenting Center, and with input from rabbis and local artists, this fun-filled compilation of recipes, activities, commentary and stories for the entire family was originally conceived as a cookbook.
"We sent out a mailing and gathered 400, 500 recipes," says Roth, the
Parenting Center's director. "Then the mothers were saying to us, 'We
really would like art projects for the holidays.' Everything came from the parents in terms of what they want."
The Center's Director of Judaic Education, Jody Hirsh, wrote the "Traditions and Text" section for each holiday, bringing the Biblical portions to life. "Jody doesn't like people to think that Judaism stops at age 13," says Roth. "He wanted real information about the holidays too." In a sidebar to each text he includes interesting, little known facts. For example, "Did you know...Persian families hit each other with green onions during Dayenu?"
Each holiday chapter contains an "Experiencing" page, beautifully written by Idy Goodman, the JCC's Jewish Family Educator, who also coordinated the recipes and activities, and Aggie Goldenholz, now Director of Judaic Education at the New Orleans Jewish Day School.
To experience the ritual cleaning of hametz (leavened products), for
example, the authors write: "We look into the farthest corners of our cupboards and closets and sweep away even the tiniest crumbs. In the same way, we sweep away the cobwebs from our hearts and minds, ridding ourselves of anything that might obscure our vision of who we are and what we strive to be."
The authors of this valuable resource book take very seriously the injunction: "In every generation, all are obligated to see themselves as though they themselves had gone out of Egypt."
"On Passover we are encouraged to remember the exodus as though we too had been there," says Goodman. "It involves your whole body. You reenact the story through all your senses. Suddenly you're all Egyptians or Israelites. Through the activities you feel what it must have been like to be a slave and work so hard."
Set the mood for the seder by creating a Bedouin tent, donning Middle Eastern head covers called kefias, and making plague bags. The book even includes a magic trick to simulate the parting of the Red Sea and suggests musical selections to accompany your virtual crossing.
Children will enjoy creating their own tambourines, burning bush centerpieces and afikoman bags. But don't confine your search for project ideas to the Passover chapter alone.
"We tried not to repeat techniques for craft ideas across chapters," says Goodman. "So, for example, the tissue paper technique for making the jeweled kiddush cup in the Shabbat chapter can be used to make a Passover plate." The same can be said of the salt dough technique for making Shabbat candlesticks, the Hanukkah section's sponge painting technique or the Purim puppets.
Betsy Kaplan provided the charming cover illustration, and local artist Cindy Cooper did all the interior illustrations and templates.
"I tell people to use all the illustrations in the book for their projects," says Goodman. "Blow them up or make them smaller. Use your imagination."
Indeed, throughout we are encouraged to use the book as a springboard to further study and fun. "We feel the title to be especially apt as we provide you with a 'taste' of Jewish tradition," the authors tell us in the introduction. "Judaism is a rich, multi-level, ancient - while contemporary - religion and culture. Our expectations are that you and your children [and grandchildren] will use 'Tastes of Jewish Tradition' to deepen your understanding of Judaism and find a place for its rituals and traditions in your homes."
But what about the food? "Oh, what a plague, a week without pizza!" declares the "Kids in the Kitchen" page with its kid-friendly recipe. In fact, most of the recipes can either be prepared by kids themselves or are easy but delicious time savers for busy moms and dads that kids really like. What could be easier than the potato kugel using boxed stuffing mix and frozen hash browns and onions with its crispy, crunchy texture? After Passover try the Honey Pecan Crusted Chicken with corn flakes instead of matzoh meal, and it will become a staple all year long.
Wondering what to prepare for lunch during the week? Kids as well as adults will love the creamy (and nutritious) Passover macaroni and cheese.
"The flourless chocolate cake is to die for," Goodman told me. Indeed, it is a chocoholic's dream.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Beautiful Book of Holiday Traditions
Comment: 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
Customer Rating:
Summary: A superbly presented celebration of Jewish holiday tradition
Comment: 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.
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