Holocaust Survivor Cookbook by Joanne Caras – 350 pages
Book Blurb:
After Joanne Caras visited the Carmei Haโir Soup Kitchen in Jerusalem she came home to America determined to raise money to help them feed poor Israelis. For two years the Caras family worked tirelessly to collect recipes and stories from Holocaust Survivors all over the world. Joanne then compiled them into an unforgettable Holocaust Survivor Cookbook.
My Review: 5 stars
Iโve been known to read cookbooks before as I find them completely relaxing while simultaneously inspiring. This cookbook however, is so much more. Itโs not the recipes that kept me turning the pages but instead the stories that accompany them. Each recipe(s) is submitted from a survivor or family member of a survivor from the Holocaust. These stories are so important in remembering this tragedy as well as honoring those that perished during this hideous time in history. The passing of these recipes through the generations will keep the survivorโs spirits alive. The author, who I was fortunate to meet suggested that when you cook one of the recipes you should also share the story of that survivor with your family. I love that idea. One story in particular touched me about a woman hidden in her fatherโs barracks in a dug-out hole, from the time she was 18 months old until she was 4 years old. She never cried, never felt fresh air and was only taken out during the night to see her mother who was at the same concentration camp. I am certain to try her recipe of Chakchooka which Iโve never heard of but will absolutely give it a go. There are a lot of kugel (noodle dish), cholent (traditional Jewish stew), brisket and cabbage dishes in here but if you make only one and share the story, you are remembering someoneโs struggle and their ultimate survival. All proceeds for this book are donated to Carmei Haโir, a soup kitchen in Israel.
Quotes I liked:
– โ I am often asked, and I ask myself, how it was possible for a toddler to survive such confines and to understand that crying meant death. Somehow I understood, and under impossible conditions I remained hidden.โ
– โOne time a small piece of saved bread was the only thing that kept us alive and another time we were given the the skin of a potato and a piece of black bread when all hope was lost. …And from that one saved life there are now 35 grandchildren!โ
ย – โIn the Holocaust, I lost more than seventy family members; my mother, father, sisters, grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins. Of forty-one grandchildren on both sides of the family, my brother and I were among the six who survived.โ
Amoral, cunning, ruthless, and instructive, this multi-million-copy New York Times bestseller is the definitive manual for anyone interested in gaining, observing, or defending against ultimate control โ from the author of The Laws of Human Nature. I... read more
Review:The Museum of Failures by Thrity Umrigar is another excellent example of creating a novel with richly layered characters while comparing Indian and American lifestyles. In this story, Remy returns to Bombay, which he has dubbed the museum of failures, as he sees his native country through the lens of his American life. Heโs there to meet his friendโs niece with the hopes of adopting her baby, as he and his wife are unable to conceive. This innocuous trip turns into a much more complex time as Remy is hit with roadblocks time and time again.Itโs the story about Remy and his mother that really got to me. He lived a life of never measuring up and feeling quite unloved by her. Through their time together in Bombay, he learns critical information that allows him to see her in a more thoughtful and understanding way. This time away has brought whatโs left of his shattered family back together.His trip extends much longer than anticipated and he realizes the value of being home. His American wife Kathy seemed too good to be true, but I did like their relationship, born of trust and equality. Remyโs life as a poet was buried away, but through his visit in India, he realizes the importance of doing work you love, not just working for a higher paycheck.Overall, this was a satisfying read and one that fans of Umrigar will appreciate. Her last book, Honor, along with The Space Between Us, are my two favorites of hers. I havenโt met an Umrigar book I didnโt enjoy!@thrity_umrigar @algonquinbooks ๐: Do you dress up for Halloween? If yes, what's your costume of choice? If not, what's a scary book you've read? ... See MoreSee Less