Guest Author - Paula E. Kirman

There is a well-known joke that has been circulating for years in Jewish circles and beyond. It goes something like this: all of the Jewish holidays have this as their history -- they tried to kill us, we won, let's eat.

Anyone who has grown up in a Jewish family knows the meaning of the punchline. Food is ever present in Jewish homes, both in daily life and as part of many holidays and rituals. From Sabbath meals to Bat/Bat Mitzvah party feasts, if you are ever invited to a Jewish function you will never have to worry about leaving hungry.

Much of Judaism is centered around the family. Eating together is a natural part of life, especially the Sabbath. Extravagant Friday night meals -- usually chicken or brisket -- and a Saturday afternoon lunch following morning services are commonplace.

At Rosh Hashana, we celebrate the sweetness of a new year and physically express this through the consumption of apples and honey during services. Honey cake is a very traditional dessert. Ten days later, we fast on Yom Kippur but break the fast with a large meal.

Chanukah celebrates the triumph of the Jewish people over the ancient Syrians. We eat a lot of oily foods because the oil in the temple where the Jews were hiding out lasted for eight days instead of one (the reason also why we light eight candles). Latkes (potato pancakes) are famous for the holiday, as is sufganot (jelly doughnuts).

At Purim we eat a triangular-shaped cookie called hamantaschen (Haman's ears), which is filled either with fruit or poppyseeds in the center. A tasty way to pass the time while reading the Book of Esther!

Then, comes Passover. Passover is all about food. Actually, it is about freedom from slavery -- a joke Jewish women often say sarcastically as they clean out their homes from any trace of leavening. We forget about bread for a week, and eat matzah instead. And, for two nights at the beginning of the holiday, we have a seder (literally means "order") where we read the story of the Exodus, with a huge meal dividing the evening. Groceries are stocked at this time of the year with food that is specially designated "Kosher for Passover," ensuring there is no trace of leaven in it.

In general, Jewish food is known for being rich, well-cooked, and served in large portions. Some foods that arenot tied into any specific holiday or celebration include the cliched chicken soup (with matzah balls, of course); kugel (sort of like a pie made from either potatoes or noodles); tzimmes (carrot stew); and cholent (meat stew simmered slowly, usually served for Shabbat lunch).

Anyone hungry?