From the Lampert Library

Every week a group of Shomrei members – and even some guests – gather to prepare food for the community. The definition of community may change: on Tuesday the food is prepared for the MESH community; on Friday the food is prepared for the Shabbat morning congregants.

However one defines community, the feeling of togetherness is the same as the cooks work toward the common goals of food that is nutritious, appealing and plentiful.

This past Friday we had an extra touch in our kiddish preparation. The menu for the kiddush, which was prepared to appeal to the Henei Mah Tov crowd, featured fish sticks. Now, fish sticks are pretty straightforward. They are literally straight, crunchy, pieces of fingerfood. Visually they are not terribly interesting.

But that day, the food genies were out in full force. As package after package was opened, we discovered one marvel after another: a het and then a yud to make the word chai. Does that mean that fish sticks are good for us and will grant us a long life? Does our food hold mystical meanings? What would the augurs have to say about Shomrei’s fish sticks?

There were a couple of Xs (but no Os) and some other strange shapes, too.

What was it about this batch of fish sticks-bad quality control, messages from beyond, or just chance that Shomrei’s fish sticks got all the interesting little fish stick puzzles?

Our mothers always told us to not play with our food, but I don’t remember ever being told not to READ my food.

So if you want to spend a couple of interesting hours discovering new roles that food can play in your life and maybe have a few laughs along the way, join the kitchen crew on Friday morning-or other times to be arranged. You may be not always be enlightened but you will surely be part of building community.

We really need people over the next couple of weeks; so call the office or sign up at shomrei.org/kiddush. See you soon – all ages and genders welcome.

To discover how communities are built through cookbooks take a look at these-and other- cookbooks available in the Lampert Library:

The Community Table: recipes and stories from the Jewish Community Center in
Manhattan and beyond
Mendocino Coast Jewish Community Cookbook
Gur, The Book of New Israeli Food: a culinary journey
Gur, Jewish Soul Food from Minsk to Marrakesh: more than 100 unforgettable dishes updated for today’s kitchens
Lewando, The Vilna Vegetarian Cookbook: traditional recipes and more
Machlin, Classic Italian Jewish Cooking: traditional recipes and more
Marks, Encyclopedia of Jewish Food
Nathan, Quiches, Kugels and Couscous: my search for Jewish cooking in France
Nathan, Jewish Cooking in America
Rose, Mother and Daughter Jewish Cooking: two generations of Jewish women share traditional contemporary recipes

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Aileen Grossberg

Aileen Grossberg, a professional librarian, is a long-time congregant and serves as volunteer librarian for Shomrei's Lampert Library. The library, one of the best-kept secrets at Shomrei is used by the Rabbi, congregants, students and teachers of the JLC (Hebrew School) and Preschool. It's a tremendous resource completely supported by your donations and gifts. Aileen also heads the Shomrei Caterers, the in-house food preparation group. Can there be any better combination…good food and good books!

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