Oak Park Temple
B'nai Abraham Zion

1235 N. Harlem Avenue
Oak Park, IL 60302
(708) 386-3937

SOME OF SISTERHOOD’S FAVORITE COOKBOOKS

The Art of Jewish Cooking by Jennie Grossenger: The cooking at Grossenger’s Resort in the Catskills has attracted tens of thousands of guests each year. Most of her recipes are traditional ones, learned in her mother’s kitchen.

The Book of Jewish Food by Claudia Roden: The history and explanations interspersed throughout the book give one a sense of the variety of Jewish culture. The recipes cover a wide range of both Ashkenazic and Sephardic cooking.

In Memory’s Kitchen: This book is important for its message to us today. The recipes are printed in the original language, as the women in the camp at Therisienstadt remembered them. They are then reprinted so that we can duplicate them today. It is a moving tribute to the courage shown by our people during this darkest chapter of history.

The Jewish Holiday Cookbook by Gloria Kaufer Greene: This book is again international in its scope, including Ashkenazic and Sephardic recipes. The focus on the holidays gives one a real "flavor" for traditional celebrations in other countries.

Love and Knishes by Sara Kasdan: This is the classic guide to Jewish cooking. A good deal of humor is mixed in among the recipes handed down from women who never used recipes.

Traditional Jewish Cooking by Betty Goldberg: This volume invites us to explore the richness of classic Jewish cuisine as it has passed from generation to generation. The recipes are primarily from the kitchens of Eastern Europe. There is a clear explanation of the origin of each dish and how and when it is customarily served.

While these are all excellent books, one of the best sources for Jewish recipes is found in the cookbooks published by individual Sisterhoods. There are hundreds available through the Women of Reform Judaism. Also not to be overlooked are the many volumes published by Women’s American ORT.