It is Friday and Bubbe Judy is ready to prepare the Shabbos table. Of course the fresh gefilte fish jar, her grandson's favourite dish is there, and everything seems to be under control. Everything until the sturdy nasty jar doesn't want to open. At any price, even if you take it to the doctor. Hypnosis doesn't help either. Everyone keeps going on and around the jar trying to find help for fixing this very important issue, but without any success. What's to be done? The more they try the more desperate they are. It seems the jar is listening only to those whom share the ardour for the delicious gefilte. Nephew Jack is the chosen one who will be able to open the jar just by saying 'Please'. Sometimes, we forget how easy and beautiful is to utter this very magic word. This could be the Shabbos lesson for this week.
I've found the book very inspiring, funny - the verses are flowing well and the choice for poetry is quite appropriate for this story - and with dynamic illustrations. The characters are modern - not wearing sheitels or long skirts - but still anchored in the tradition: they buy kosher and prepare the Shabbos table and use once in a while Yiddish - a dictionary is provided for the newbies. A typical Jewish American family nowadays, but it can resonate with other Jews that still want to keep the old traditions, but in their own way. Being non-judgmental is the best way to understand the new ways of being Jewish nowadays, outside the religious shtetls.
As a lover-without-borders of gefilte fish, I fully approve this book. Ironically, it happened to me more than once to deal with serious jar stubborness, and only the kindness of my neighbours saved our Shabbos meal. I never tried the magic word with the jar though...In the book, Bubbe promised herself to choose a can the next time and maybe I should too.
The book has also a Shabbos song, and a recipe for gefilte fish muffins that maybe I will try once in a while.
If you are looking for an inspired present for your children for the coming holidays, this book is a good idea.
Disclaimer: Book offered by the publisher in exchange of an honest review
No comments:
Post a Comment