What If?

What if you were doing what you usually do on a normal day, and all of a sudden it starts raining?  But then it doesn't stop raining.  Sixteen-year-old Sebah is caught in what turns out to be "The Flood."  She ends up as a stowaway on Noah's Ark and is a witness to all that goes on.

There is no spoiler alert necessary because I'm not including any spoilers.  I am usually not a fan of books based on biblical stories that push creative license to the point of blasphemy or heresy.  But Ms. Napoli did her research in many areas (and I do love an obviously well-researched book).  The time frame stays true to the biblical time frame as to when the rain stopped, when the mountain tops could be seen, and when everyone finally got off the Ark.  The animal behavior, particularly some fun-loving primates, is also accurate, as are the descriptions of the foods and plants.  She even includes the midrash of Og, the King of Bashan, riding on top of the Ark.

While reading the book, many things came to mind.  In a way, STORM fits in the current trend of dystopic books - having the violent, evil world destroyed by a flood is pretty frightening, and the details of how Sebah deals with life on a daily basis, while retaining hope for the future, is what keeps the book moving at a steady pace.  It also brought back fond memories of APE HOUSE by Sara Gruen, another great book.  

While many children's book portray Noah happily feeding the pairs of animals, Napoli explored the interaction between the people on the Ark.  When you think about it, spending days cooped up in the rain makes people tense and irritable, especially when they spend those days feeding and cleaning up after animals.

For those who may worry, I checked all the biblical passages and calculated the days myself, and the book does not veer far from the original story.  I continue to assert that Noah was not Jewish, since Abraham was the first Jew (10 generations later).  So while the story of Noah is not a particularly Jewish story, it is a biblical one.  Napoli's tale is gritty and imaginative. To quote the author:  "people who are religious can open it without fear of having what they hold dear being trampled.  New perspectives can sometimes support old ones in an enriching way, rather than supplant or denigrate them."

STORM poses that challenging question to the reader.  What if?  What if you were on the Ark?  How would it smell? (Probably pretty bad).  What would you eat?  How would you pass what little free time you had?  How would you feel before, during, and after the rain? Were there rainbows before God "set his rainbow in the cloud" and promised "the water shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh." (Genesis 9, verses 13-15).  Do you think the world today would qualify to be flooded?

The book is appropriate for both young adults and adults.  Young adults will identify with the 16-year-old Sebah, who deals with a combination of dystopia, Big Brother and Survivor.  Adults will appreciate how closely STORM follows the biblical account.

The Book of Books

"With extraordinary exhibitions and one of the world's finest collections of Ancient Near Eastern art and archaeology, the Bible Lands Museum Jerusalem is dedicated to encouraging the understanding and appreciation of the roots of monotheism through its exhibitions, catalogs and programs."

I went to see a new exhibition at the museum:  The Book of Books, which is being shown in cooperation with Verbum Domini, "a network of international exhibitions that celebrate history’s most influential book—the Bible. Each exhibit features a unique assemblage of Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Protestant, and Jewish treasures, displayed against immersive backgrounds, to tell the story of the Judeo-Christian Scriptures throughout the ages.

The Verbum Domini exhibition series was inspired by Pope Benedict XVI’s vision of renewed religious passion for the “Word of the Lord.” The first Verbum Domini exhibit was held at the Vatican in the spring of 2012. Since then, exhibitions focusing on different aspects of the Bible’s extensive history have been held around the world, from Cuba to Israel and beyond.

Verbum Domini exhibits feature items from The Green Collection—one of the world’s largest private collections of rare biblical texts and artifacts—as well as significant pieces from the collections of major public institutions and other private collections worldwide."

I was mainly interested in the Jewish treasures, which included:

  

 Some books from Yemen produced in the 15th and 16th century.  These are handwritten, ink on paper renditions of the Pentateuch.

Incantation bowls from 5th century to 8th century Iraq.  These are often referred to as "magic bowls," because a circular formula was written in Aramaic which was thought to drive away evil spirits.  One is inscribed with the words of Isiah 22:8:  "And he discovered the covering of Yehudah, and you did look in that day to the armor of the house of the forest."

With Purim just around the corner, these Megillot caught my eye.  The first is an illuminated scroll from Ferrara, Italy from about 1615.  The second is from 19th century Morocco.  It's ink on parchment, and the silver work on the case probably took almost as much attention to detail as the scroll.

The exhibit also include fragments from the Cairo Geniza and original pages from the Gutenberg Bible, as well as many examples of the New Testament and illuminated Gospels.

The rest of the museum is home to collections of Etruscan, Greek and Roman artifacts, as well as Egyptian and Babylonian relics.  

A Rabbi, a Friend and the Benefit of the Doubt

Yehoshua ben Perachiah and Nitai HaArbeli received (Torah) from them. Yehoshua ben Perachiah said: "Make yourself a teacher; acquire a friend; and judge every person favorably."(Ethics of the Fathers 1:6)

It would seem my recent reading falls into these categories:

Make yourself a teacher (aseh lecha rav)

Former President William Clinton made Rabbi Genack his rabbi.  He asserts that although he is a Southern Baptist, "[Rabbi Genack] has been a trusted guide on matters of leadership, justice and faith." Rabbi Genack, a Talmudic scholar, chief executive officer of the Orthodox Union's Kashruth Division and a congregational rabbi, met Clinton when the former President began his campaign for the White House.  "As their friendship deepened, the rabbi started sending Clinton brief essays highlighting spiritual insights from the Bible.  Later, at Clinton's request, [Rabbi] Genack took a more formal approach, also inviting many distinguished acquaintances to contribute."  These include Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, former Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth; Noa Rothman, Yitzchak Rabin's granddaughter; and noted American rabbis and Jewish scholars.

The result is Letters to President Clinton: Biblical Lessons on Faith and Leadership by Menachem Genack and Bill Clinton (Sterling Ethos, 2013). It was a finalist in the Anthologies and Collections category of the 2013 National Jewish Book Awards.

Okay, not my favorite book.  Maybe it's because I was a Republican, and there is quite a bit of Bush-bashing. There's also plenty of political rigmarole, like "it is ironic that President Clinton is often assaulted by his Republican critics for waffling and changing policy, when his ability to adjust to new circumstances and political reality, while remaining true to his basic vision is the mark of real leadership." Maybe it's because I don't relate to explaining things from a Jewish perspective to a Baptist.  There are some bright spots:  Rabbi Sacks' letter about "Influence or Power?" was insightful; Jeremy Dauber's discussion of cities was relevant to Clinton's move to New York. But more than that I think of the people involved with the Clintons who suffered mysterious deaths:  Vince Foster, Mary Mahoney, James McDougal, Ron Brown, etc. When I read about Queen Esther facing Achashveros, "an innocent girl, ripped from the bosom of her family, unschooled in the art of diplomacy, and unacquainted with the intrigues of a royal court," all I could think of was Monica Lewinsky, the blue dress, and the leader of the free world saying "I did have a relationship with Miss Lewinsky that was not appropriate."

Acquire a friend (u'k'ne lecha chaver)

MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend by Rachel Bertsche (Ballantine Books, 2011).

I thought this would be a good read for someone moving to a new area, and I was right.  The author had 52 "dates" in which she tried to find a good, local friend with whom to get together spontaneously.  She did some research by reading books about friendship, and she set herself rules about how she would meet people.  Bersche lives in Chicago, so she had her pick of a lot of restaurants, social events, etc.  Although not religious, she joined a group for young Jewish leaders.  She also took a cooking class and an improv class at Second City.  Bertsche even used "friend services" in her research.

So what have I done on my friend quest?  I've joined a book club, I meet a friend for coffee once a month, and I go to a weekly prayer group.  Still on the list:  an exercise class, organizing a craft group, and volunteering at the library.  I've tried to stay in touch with the people in my Ulpan class, and I am blessed with amazing neighbors who are also very convenient friends.

And judge every person favorably (v'hevey dan et kol adam l'chaf zchus)

"dan l'chaf zchus" sometimes translates to "give the benefit of the doubt."

There are a few books in this category that are on my reading list:

The Other Side of the Story:  Giving People the Benefit of the Doubt -- Stories and Strategies by Yehudis Samet (Artscroll, 1996)

Also by Yehudis Samet - It Wasn't How It Seemed:  True stories about People Who Jumped to Conclusions (Shaar Press, 2001)

and Benefit of the Doubt:  Breaking the Idol of Certainty by Gregory A. Boyd (Baker Books, 2013), in which this Christian pastor "invites readers to embrace a faith that doesn't strive for certainty, but rather for commitment in the midst of uncertainty. Boyd rejects the idea that a person's faith is as strong as it is certain. In fact, he makes the case that doubt can enhance faith and that seeking certainty is harming many in today's church."

But I've also giving the benefit of the doubt to several books that would not normally be on my reading list.

The aforementioned book club has chosen A Soldier of the Great War by Mark Helprin.  My copy is 860 pages long.  It's about an old man walking on the road with a young factory worker.  As they walk, the man tells the story of his life.  Instead of being off put by the number of pages, the subject matter, or the "My Dinner with Andre"-like, one long conversation about life format, I decided to give the book a chance, and I'm really enjoying it.

Koren recently published Derash Yehonatan: Around the Year with Rav Yehonatan Eybeshitz by Shalom Hammer.  Ravi Yehonatan died in 1764, and Rabbi Hammer has endeavored to "popularize the teachings of Rav Yehonatan and make them accessible to a broader audience."  He chose selections that he felt were the most pertinent and poignant.  This Rabbi lived in what is now Denmark, had a disagreement with another rabbi that divided the Jewish community and lived in the 1700s.  I asked myself if there might be anything in the book that was pertinent and poignant to me.  I was pleasantly surprised to find writings about Jewish activism and "the requirement of every Jew to long to be in the Land of Israel."  Rabbi Hammer notes that "those who cannot actualize Aliya should at least anticipate the day when they can join Am Yisrael in their land.  Those fortunate enough to live in the land should appreciate the opportunity given them."  My roommate from my freshman year in college was visiting on her most recent trip of many to Israel.  It was great to see her, someone who loves Israel and shows it through frequent visits and support, and to appreciate how far we've both come since our freshman year in college, when making Aliya was a small hope, and I am now fortunate to live in this beautiful country.

Like Dreamers

"When God will return the captivity of Zion, we will be like dreamers." (Psalm 126, verse 1)

Like Dreamers:  The Story of the Israeli Paratroopers Who Reunited Jerusalem and Divided a Nation by Yossi Klein Halevi is the 2013 National Jewish Book Award winner of the Everett Family Foundation Award for Jewish Book of the Year.  Mr. Halevi is also the winner of the 2014 Sophie Brody Medal, awarded by the American Library Association to the "author of the most distinguised contribution to Jewish literature for adults published in the United States in the preceding year."  Although the book cover is graced by David Rubinger's iconic photograph of  Zion Karasanti, Yitzhak Yifat and Haim Oshri by the Western Wall shortly after its capture on June 7th, 1967, the book is not about these three soldiers.  

It centers on seven of the soldiers that fought and reclaimed Jerusalem:  Arik Achmon, Udi Aviv, Meir Ariel, Avital Geva, Yoel Bin-Nun, Yisrael Harel, and Hanan Porat.  Moreover, it looks at the Kibbutz Movement and the Religious Zionist Movement and how ideologies and "dreams of Zion" influenced these men not only in battle, but in their lives after the war. For someone who favors literary fiction, this history of modern Israel, told through the lives of its history makers, was fascinating and informative. 

Avital Geva articulates one of the Zionist dreams.  "Could there be greater joy than working the fields with one's closest friends and sharing food grown by their kibbutz?" Others espoused the philosophy of Rabbi Kook, that "the spiritual failure of the religious provoked the rebellion of the secular who, however inadvertently, were preparing the way for the next, higher stage of religious evolution by restoring the holy people to the holy land."

There is a riveting account of the battle for the Old City, which tempers the ebullient cry of "Har Habait B'Yadenu" (The Temple Mount is in our hands) with the number of those who died or were wounded in securing the victory. 

Halevi follows the seven soldiers' lives after the war, their personal endeavors, changing ideologies and politics, as well as their relationships with one another.  It was also interesting to read Halevi's assessment of Ariel Sharon in light of Sharon's recent death:  "Ever since he was a boy, Sharon had been an outsider.  In this farming village, Kfar Malal, his parents were so estranged from their neighbors that he had grown up without knowing what the inside of this friends' homes looked like.  In the army he'd been repeatedly denied promotions for which he was most qualified.  He's reckless and untrustworthy, opponents said his military exploits leave behind too many bodies.  Supporters, though, regarded him as a savior, the IDF's most brilliant commander, inspiring his men to victory.  And when the country was in desperate need, whether to stop terrorist incursions in the 1950's or defeat the Egyptians in 1973, it invariably turned to Sharon.  And then, invariably, rejected him."

There were also some eerie predictions:  And he [Sharon] warned that handing control of most of Gaza to Arafat would lead to Katyushas on neighboring Israeli towns like Ashkelon and Ashdod.  Arik Achmon laughed when he hear that one, Katyushas on Ashkelon!"  Although it wasn't so funny when they closed schools in Ashdod and Ashkeon on January 17, 2014 because of the escalation of rocket fire on both cities.

The book ends in 2004, with Yoel Bin-Nun commemorating Jerusalem Day, the holiday celebrating the reunification of the city in 1967,  as he did every year:  by taking his students on an all-night walking tour of the battleground, from Ammunition Hill, passed the pre-1967 borders,  around the wall of the Old City and up to the Western Wall.  It is at this point that the verse from Psalms again echoes:  "Everything had seemed so clear then, in the summer of '67, when Israel had abruptly emerged from the nightmare of annihilation into the dream of redemption." At that moment, who could foresee the complications and challenges Israel deals with now?

In an interview with Seth J. Frantzman in The Jerusalem Post (September 27, 2013),  Halevi said that "when you go back and you experience the origins of these movements, there is something thrilling about discovering the details, and suddenly you feel the Israeli story in a different way." Thank you for sharing your discoveries with the reading public.

I attended the "Israeli Book Launch" on Sunday, January 19th.  It was a great event for a number of reasons.  First, because Yossi Klein Halevi discussed the book with Saul Singer (co-author of Start-Up Nation). 

The author gave some insights into his 11-year journey writing the book and the importance of the "soundtrack" accompanying the history of the modern State of Israel. Second, the event was presented by the Highlight Foundation, whose mission is to create awareness, encourage financial support, and volunteering to worthy causes in Israel -- while sharing an unforgettable, social and fun experience.  Extra points for Ruth for remembering my name and checking on the kashrut of the soup that was served. Third, the evening benefited Jerusalem Village, an organization with the goals of providing newcomers with an outlet where they can make an impact on their community and grow their social network; expanding the opportunities for newcomers to have high quality, authentic, social experiences; and encouraging young Jewish adults from all over the world to choose Jerusalem as a destination by creating a welcoming culture.

Finally, and heartfelt to me, the event took place at the First Station, the hip new meeting place in Jerusalem in the refurbished Ottoman building and grounds (see E-reading and Jerusalem for more about the old train station). It was amazing to be sitting and hearing about the Six Day War less just a three-minute walk from where the fighting took place. It was definitely worth braving the chilly Jerusalem air for this memorable evening.

(The Train Station and the Khan Theater are located in the bottom right on the map).

Lost in Translation

Many people who have made Aliyah realize that while they were hoping to be fluent in two languages, they end up illiterate in both. My family has decided that a good way to maintain our English skills and build our Hebrew skills it to read a book in English, then read the same book in Hebrew. In theory this should work well. Since you already know the plot of the story, you have some context for reading. You know you already enjoyed it in English, so you're likely to enjoy it again, and the challenge of reading in Hebrew will be worthwhile. It's also interesting to compare the Hebrew and the English:

With Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the title and author are spelled phonetically in Hebrew. He is also riding Buckbeak the hippogriff on the cover -- same as the English version. But Muggles as known as "Mooglim" and The Daily Prophet is "Navi HaYomi. "Toldot Hakishuf," which translates to "Annals of Magic" is required at Hogwarts.

The Hunger Games translates pretty well: it would literally be "The Games of the Famine" from the Hebrew. The second book in the series is title "Hitlachot," which means conflagration, inflammation or ignition.  Pretty close to Catching Fire. The final book in the trilogy is Mockingjay. We would have thought it would be translated phonetically, but the Hebrew title is "Orvanei Chakeen," or "Mixed-up Mimic," which is a good description of the titular birds.

Another favorite trilogy, the Divergent series by Veronica Roth, gets similar treatment. The Hebrew title for the series and first book is "Mefutzalim," which means divided or fissured. Divergent in Hebrew is either "mesutaafim," which is more like a tree branching out; or "metupalgim,"which means to split. Neither captures the idea of the novel. Looking up the words has increased our vocabulary as well as given us an appreciation for the nuances of the Hebrew language.

Then there is Letters to Talia by Dov Indig (Gefen 2012). The book is a collection of letters exchanged between Talia, a secular kibbutz girl, and Dov, who was combining military service and Torah study through a hesder program. The book is not only helping with language development as we read in Hebrew and English, it is also helping us to understand the divisions between secular and religious society in Israel, which is also an important part of our klita (absorption).

No beautiful sights to share -- we are now experiencing a horrible winter storm with massive downpours and snow expected in mountainous areas. 

But we did manage to see some real cats of Israel before the deluge.

Happy Reading! Kriyah S'maycha!

Love and hope and sex and dreams are still survivin' on the street…

This lyric from “Shattered” by the Rolling Stones sums up my reading this month.


Warning: This entry is meant for adult readers and there will be spoilers.

 

Erotica for Hanukkah

Fifty Shades of Gray took the world by storm. Entertainment Weekly calculated the equation of its success: “erotica plus fan fiction plus a book-buying female readership liberated by a choice in literary delivery systems equals a whole new garden of opportunities for the publishing world in the digital age.” This sensation (soon to be a movie) inspired several copycats and a lot of spoofs, but this is the first one I’ve encountered with a Jewish angle.



Fifty Shades of Oy Vey! by E. L. Jamesbergstein stays close to the original plot line. College senior Anatevka Stein interviews bagel mogul Chaim Silver for the Hillel Newsletter and sparks fly at their first encounter. “His age and his waist size are both roughly 40. He has a pale, sickly Yeshiva boy glow. Yet I am drawn to him. Powerfully drawn to him.” Except this version includes Jewish mothers, lots of ethnic food and a “kinky Ketubah.” There is an exchange of emails and an encounter with a salami in the “Blue Room of Broadloom.” While I know I should be offended and appalled by both the BDSM and the stereotypical Jewish jokes, I was amused. Instead of Anatasia’s “inner goddess,” Anatevka has an “inner yenta.” Billed as “so erotic, you’ll plotz,” it’s an entertaining parody.

 

Discussing Sexuality with Kids

I recently reviewed Talking about Intimacy & Sexuality: A Guide for Orthodox Jewish Parents by Dr. Yocheved Debow (Ktav and OU Press, 2012). While the book contains important information, most people will not give it the attention it deserves. For more traditional Orthodox readers, there is no approbation, so they may be reluctant to read it. For more modern Orthodox readers, they can get a lot of the information from secular sources and on the internet. In a 342-page book, I found that page 167, where the chapter on “Relationships between the Sexes” was where the book really began to deal with the intersection of sexuality education and halacha (Jewish law). What I got out of the book was the media’s pervasive influence on our body image, perception of sexuality, and perception of what’s “normal.” Included in the book are “Helpful Conversations,” which give examples of how to broach such topics as sexuality, dress and identity, and homosexuality. The test subject, my adolescent teenager, ran out of the room screaming when I tried to start these conversations.

 

At the same time I was reviewing Dr. Debow’s book, I got a copy of a Sex & Faith: Talking with Your Child from Birth to Adolescence by Kate Ott (Westminster John Knox Press, 2013), which is a “grace-filled guide (Christian approach) to bringing the good book and the “big talk” into loving and lasting relationship.” The first time the author mentioned Jesus, I thought “What Would Jesus Do?” Well, besides some rumors about him and Mary Magdalene (read The Da Vinci Code for more on that legend), it seems he did not have a relationship with a woman. Then I thought, what would happen if he asked his mother, the Virgin Mary, “Where did I come from?” “Well, son, we lived in Nazareth, but you were born in Bethlehem. Let’s leave it at that.”

Getting past my initial musings, I liked the tone of the book. Ott urges respect for all others, and stresses the value of appropriate information. She evens suggests some of the same resources as Dr. Debow and has similar suggestions for answering questions. In the first chapter, Ott debunks several myths and stresses the need for constant communication with children about “relationships, our bodies, what it means for us to be a boy or a girl, and yes, occasionally sexual intercourse.” For those who are squeamish about this discussions and mentioning body parts, it is important to remember that “accurate language for body parts helps children feel comfortable and knowledgeable talking about their bodies. This way, they can communicate with adults if they need help getting dressed or using the bathroom, and they can also accurately report and describe abuse if it happens.”

Although Jesus is mentioned 38 times (Thank you, Kindle), if you can get past this, Ott’s is a sensitive and straight-forward presentation. She suggests some great resources throughout the book, and she includes a list of them in the back matter, as well as additional resources. The screaming teenager was also more receptive to the question and answer format than the model conversations.

The Age of Innocence versus The Innocents          

I am a huge Edith Wharton fan. I love The Age of Innocence for all the reasons I love literary fiction: great characters, sense of place and time, twists and turns. This was also a rare case when I enjoyed the movie as much as the book because of the lush scenery and the performances of Winona Ryder as May Welland, Daniel Day-Lewis as Newland Archer, and Michelle Pfeiffer as Ellen Olenska. You can see the exact moment when Newland falls in love with Ellen, and the subtle change in countenance when May realizes Newland has fallen. I also love it because it’s such a period piece. This story could never happen now. Newland would either break his engagement or have an affair, not marry and be concerned about his sense of duty and May’s honor.

But what if it did take place in modern times, in London, with Jewish protagonists? The Innocents by  Francesca Segal won the 2012 Costa Award for First Novel, as well as the 2012 National Jewish Book Award for Fiction, the 2013 Sami Rohr Prize, and a 2013 Betty Trask Award.  It was long-listed for the 2012 Women's Prize for Fiction (formerly the Orange Prize). Despite these accolades, I was not as blown away as most readers. I enjoyed the sense of place in London, and I did enjoy the Jewish aspects. While there were not the strict dictates of early 20^th century society, there were definitely dictates of the Jewish community in which the characters lived. Looking at the novel on its own, not as a book based on another one, it was a good story because of the conflicted characters. As a book based on an earlier work, it lacked the subtlely of Wharton’s novel, and thus fell short of the mark for me.

  Interesting that Fifty Shades of Gray was panned as derivative fan fiction (a rip-off of Twilight), and The Innocents is receiving such high praise when it is based on someone else’s original story.

Wishing those in the United States a Happy Thanksgivukkah from the land where it is Thanksgiving every day and where the miracles of Hanukkah occurred.

 

Start With This

Recent kosher cookbooks have set a standard of expectation:

• interesting "main stream" or "gourmet" recipes (not a kugel to be had!)
• the latest "in" ingredients like quinoa, tilapia, etc.
• mouth-watering color photographs
• clear layout with different fonts in different colors and enough white space to read the recipe clearly
• detailed index
• "bonus" information about measurements, substitutions, cooking techniques, appropriate wines or the like.

To this, I had my own checklist:

• consistency - all measurements are either in volume, ounces or grams. Bonus points if the volume measurements are also converted to grams for those who live in Israel.
• no more than 10 ingredients
• no more than 6 steps to make the recipe
• easily obtainable, reasonably priced ingredients that will be used in other recipes
• something a little out of the ordinary for the Sabbath or a holiday, but not too weird
• things my family will eat.

Leah Schapira and Victoria Dwek's latest book, Starters & Sides Made Easy, has earned the coveted 12 checks. It continues in the tradition of their joint effort, Passover Made Easy, and Leah's solo effort Fresh & Easy Kosher Cooking. These busy ladies are also the editors of the Whisk section of Ami Living, and maintain a website, www.cookkosher.com, with recipes, serving suggestions and travel tips.

As my Mancunian neighbor (who is not a perfectionist; she just likes to do things properly) would say with her ever so lovely accent, "starters are a very important part of the meal. They set the tone for the whole seudah (festive meal)."

Shall I extol the virtues of this jam-packed little gem? Why not?! Let's start at the beginning. This is a paperback with what some call a "french fold" cover, so you can hold your place in the book. I love a big heavy cookbook as much as the next person, but when you think about it, how many recipes do you really use out of those huge tomes, and how hard is it to follow the recipe when you keep the book far away from the cooking space for fear of staining it? The $15.99 suggested retail price will make a small dent in your wallet but a big impact on your menu. The recipes are arranged in sections by main ingredient, which makes it easy for those of us who think, "I'd like to serve a vegetable as a first course" or "I'd like to try a new grain instead of the rice or kugel I always serve."

In the acknowledgments, the first mention is Hashem (God). The second mention is family. Just as the starter sets the tone of the meal, starting with this appreciation sets the tone of the cookbook as more than just a collection of recipes, but as an inspired effort.

The introduction is a conversation between Victoria and Leah, complete with speech bubbles. These ladies are passionate about their cooking, but as the same time are aware of the needs of those who aren't so enamored. A colorful Spice Guide follows. The numbering is a little hard to follow on the first pages, but if you don't know your spices, you should learn them by now!

One of the nicest features of the cookbook is "Building Blocks." These are quick tips to help you either expand a recipe or think out of the box. Instead of plain mashed potatoes,  you can leave the skin on, add garlic or onions, or use different vegetables, like sweet potatoes or broccoli.Other "Building Blocks" offer suggestions for rice, and roasted vegetables. It's like getting even more recipes for free!

This versatility extends to all the recipes. Things like "Chessy Onion Rolls," "Barbecue Noodles," and "Terriyaki Mushrooms" work well as either starters or sides. While some of the meat and fish dishes may not be perfect as sides, never fear! There are instructions at the back of the book for making several recipes into "mains," some as simply as adjusting portion size or serving over rice.

It seems this cookbook was published just for me. Each recipe is presented on a double spread, with the  ingredients and instructions on the left, as well as the number of servings and some tips and tidbits (Who knew that in the past, the most common variety of eggplant was small, round and white and actually looked like an egg?). The right side of the spread includes the clear color photo, how to plan ahead (prepare the sauce, freeze dough to use later), as well as a note that could be a serving idea or an anecdote.

Finally, for those who enjoy the aesthetics of food, there are plating ideas and serving ideas that include little cups made out of egg roll wrappers and stacking and arranging methods. I learned the scallion curling method from my Mancunian neighbor; it's a great way to add a little color.

As a responsible reviewer, I needed to try out several recipes, even though they are "triple-tested." The Terriyaki Mushrooms were very tasty - my crowd preferred them over a bed of rice.  I would make a big batch and use this one as a side instead of a starter. The Barbecue Noodles were "interesting," which meant some liked the novelty of a new dish, others thought they were very tasty, and still others were trying to be polite, but were not thrilled. Overall, a big success for eaters who like to eat the same thing every week.
  
 Bitayavon! (Hearty appetite in Hebrew)