Food at the Heart of Family & Tradition

Growing up Jewish, mealtimes weren’t just about eating—they were the heartbeat of our family, the centerpiece of every gathering, and the backdrop to our most cherished memories. Whether it was the aroma of freshly baked challah filling the house on a Friday night or the careful preparation of dishes passed down for generations, food was never just food. It was a connection to our past, a celebration of our culture, and a way to bring everyone together.

From holiday feasts to everyday dinners filled with laughter (and plenty of debate), every meal carried meaning. In our home, the table was more than just a place to eat—it was where stories were shared, traditions were kept alive, and love was served in generous portions.

One of my favorite recipes that mom would bake was her Mandel Brodt and of course if there was a way to add chocolate, she would figure that out… I love that I have a handwritten recipe of hers as well as her cookbook (you can see this cookbook was well loved).

I cannot talk about food, my mom & traditions without mentioning Passover. Passover was always my favorite holiday. My mom would spend days pulling out the “special” dishes, planning the menu and of course hours & hours of cooking. Mom would invite everyone over for the Passover Seder. Friends and family would gather around multiple tables, coming together to share in this feast. I think everyone came for my mom’s specialty dish – fricassee (a slow-cooked chicken wings dish, gently simmered in a flavorful, velvety sweet sauce). For some reason, I enjoyed her chopped liver. There were all the traditional choices like matzah ball soup and of course my grandmother’s famous rolls. Mom would bake her amazing coconut, chocolate cake (yes, it was kosher for Passover) and there would be more desserts than the actual meal so there was never a shortage of food.

Fast forward to now… I married an Italian man who is a total foodie and loves to cook. We start every morning with a conversation about what we should make for dinner. We have our own traditions where every Sunday, we make a sauce. Aaaand we bake Mama’s (Dan’s grandmother) cookies so there is always a sweet treat nearby. We host most holiday meals (Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas & Chanukkah) in our home. Even though family members may be gone, we keep them alive with their famous recipes, we share stories of shared memories and of course, the kitchen is always at the heart of it all.

What are some of your special food traditions?