Cook and the Rabbi

For many belonging to the Jewish diaspora, understanding the holidays means lighting a menorah for Chanukah, maybe hosting a seder during Passover. But, if celebrated with an understanding of the storied customs behind the festivities, these occasions can be so much more than candles and matzah. Following the lunisolar calendar, James Beard Award-winning author Susan Simon and Zoe B Zak devote a chapter to each of the fourteen holidays. From Selichot to Rosh Hashanah, Purim to Pesach, every holiday has history, interpretation and foods, with kosher recipes that reimagine traditional dishes with flair.

More than a cookbook, The Cook and the Rabbi is a testament to the resilient versatility of the Jewish people and their traditions. With Zoe's thoughtful insight and Susan's inspired recipes, there's no end to the ways you might celebrate the holidays and make your personal relationship with them uplifting, inspiring and deeply fulfilling. Chag Sameach!

Review: "For someone like me, who has lived in fear of brisket, here is the book we have been waiting for. Drawing from the broad Jewish Diaspora, these recipes, like the illustrations, sparkle. I can't wait to try a dozen of them. This is a book to keep." -- Mark Kurlansky, author
"Meaningful gatherings. Delicious food. A deep understanding of the human condition. This book warms the heart." -- Maira Kalman, author and artist
"A gentle and powerful book that reveals the magical and uplifting arc of the Jewish year through food and food for thought. What's not to like?" -- Henry Sapoznik, author and producer
"When the cook meets the rabbi, the holiday table becomes a feast for body and soul. This beautiful book, with its charming illustrations, is an invitation to celebrate Jewish holidays, not only deliciously, but also meaningfully." -- Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett, author
"There is so much in this charming, educational (for me) book, which Susan Simon with her recipes and folk art-style illustrations and Rabbi Zoe B Zak with her religious knowledge have created, that I am looking forward to exploring." -- John Derian, designer