ARTICLES

A Seder During a Time of Uncertainty and Fear. Again

A Seder During a Time of Uncertainty and Fear. Again
THE PASSOVER STORY AND THE IMPORTANCE OF REMEMBERING Since the horrible October 7th attack on Israel and the subsequent rise in antisemitism around the globe, I am thinking a lot about those whom I once interviewed for my cookbook “Too ...

A Seder Plate for Rosh HaShannah? (It’s not just for Passover!)

A Seder Plate for Rosh HaShannah? (It's not just for Passover!)
Did you know that in some Sephardic homes there is the custom of presenting a special Seder plate before the Rosh HaShanna meal, just like one does for the Passover Seder? Eight symbolic foods (Simanim) are selected and arranged on a platter to ensure a happy, healthy, and prosperous ...

A Sephardic/Judeo-Arabic Seder

A Sephardic/Judeo-Arabic Seder
With the majority of Jews in the United States being of Ashkenazic or Eastern European descent, there is a specific interest in the ways that Sephardic Jews (those descending from Spain) and Middle Eastern Jews (those with a long history ...

A Tu b’Shevat Seder: Time to Honor Israel’s 7 Fruits

A Tu b'Shevat Seder: Time to Honor Israel's 7 Fruits
Today is Tu B'shevat, the Jewish holiday celebrating the new year of the tree in Israel, marking the beginning of its fruit bearing cycle. In order to connect us to nature (and Israel) it is customary to incorporate 7 specific fruits and grains that represent the ...

Afgani Proverb: “Be Content with Such Things as You Have.”

Afgani Proverb: "Be Content with Such Things as You Have."
During my ongoing research into the Central Asian Jewish community I came across this supposedly well-known Afghani proverb mentioned in several sites: If there is only bread and onions, still have a happy face. The meaning?: "Be content with such ...

Ajeel: Iranian “Trail Mix”

Ajeel: Iranian "Trail Mix"
Dried fruit and nuts are among some of the most important ingredients used during the Passover holiday. Usually some kind of dried fruit (such as raisins, dates, apricots, or figs) is blended with a variety of nuts (such as walnuts, almonds, or pistachios) ...

Albóndigas and the Sephardic Meatball

Albóndigas and the Sephardic Meatball
Meatball dishes are popular in many cuisines around the world and some of the earliest recordings of meatball recipes can be found in Arabic cookbooks dating back to medieval times. During the period of Muslim rule in the Iberian Peninsula ...

Are we ready for a Thanksgiving Seder plate?

Are we ready for a Thanksgiving Seder plate?
As I continue to work on my Passover cookbook, I am struck by certain parallels between Passover and Thanksgiving. Just as Thanksgiving is the most popular holiday enjoyed in the United States by Americans of all backgrounds (a billion-dollar industry with thousands ...

Chapter by Chapter: The Jews of Bukharia and Afghanistan

Chapter by Chapter: The Jews of Bukharia and Afghanistan
In this week's Passover chapter, I am focusing on the Jewish community from Afghanistan and Bukharia (located today in the southwestern part of Uzbekistan). This is especially interesting to me because I know so little about this community. I also ...

Chummus or Chametz?

Chummus or Chametz?
Many ingredients that are innately kosher the rest of the year, may not be considered kosher during Passover week. While certain foods (such as pasta, cereals, breads, and pastries) are more obviously considered chametz (forbidden) for all, the restrictions for ...

Cleansing your sins for Passover? It’s time to start preparing.

Cleansing your sins for Passover? It's time to start preparing.
"My mother never wanted a cleaning lady to help (for Passover) because she believed that wherever you were cleaning your chametz, you were also cleaning your avonot — your sins. She used to tell my older sister who was not yet married, ‘Clean more, ...

Did You Know? New Passover dishes in Ethiopia

Did You Know? New Passover dishes in Ethiopia
Did you know that in Ethiopia it is the custom every Passover to break all the old ceramic dishes from the previous year and replace them with brand new ones for the upcoming Seder? These dishes (including bowls, cups, and even ...

Did you know?: The Iranian tradition of covering the table during the Plagues

Did you know?: The Iranian tradition of covering the table during the Plagues
Did you know that in Iran it is often the tradition during the recitation of the Ten Plagues to shield the Seder foods and table by covering it with a big white tablecloth? Some also stand up and hold it over ...

Did you know?: The Libyan Seder Basket

Did you know?: The Libyan Seder Basket
Did you know that not every community uses a Seder plate? The Libyans instead place large portions of each symbolic food into a large basket-like tray with handles called a Sabadj ...

Did you know?: The myth that ALL Sephardim eat rice.

Did you know?: The myth that ALL Sephardim eat rice.
Did you know that some of the most Sephardic of Sephardim simply do not eat rice at all during Pesach? Yes, it's true! Recently I interviewed a woman (thank you FaceTime!) straight from her Gibraltar apartment who informed me that ...

Egyptian Take-Out: The Seder ceremonial plate (for those on the go…)

Egyptian Take-Out: The Seder ceremonial plate (for those on the go...)
The story goes that while fleeing the land of Egypt, the ancient Israelites didn't have time to wait for their dough to rise, which in turn created the first matzah. Every year for the Seder, we serve this matzah, alongside ...

Four Generations Come Together for Algerian Boulettes with Green Peas

Four Generations Come Together for Algerian Boulettes with Green Peas
Each spring, Ginette Cohen would pack her suitcase with quatre épices and a box of Spigol spice packets, and fly from France to New York City to visit her grandson David Rak for his birthday. In his tiny Harlem kitchen, ...

Henna: Hametz for Passover?

Henna: Hametz for Passover?
Recently I had the opportunity to speak with Noam Sienna about his research and discoveries regarding henna in the Middle East and Mediterranean, and he shared some interesting things about the practice in the Jewish communities with regards to Passover: “In Jewish ...
Jennifer Abadi | ARTICLES