Matzo Balls for Breakfast: and Other Memories of Growing Up Jewish

by Alan King

For everyone who treasures their heritage and loves a good story, Matzo Balls for Breakfast, now available in paperback, is an inspiring collection of personal remembrances from a wide range of people who share their fondest memories of growing up Jewish, collected by one of America's most beloved Jewish entertainers, bestselling author, television and movie personality, the recently deceased Alan King.

Alan King—the beloved comic, actor, producer, author, philanthropist, and storyteller extraordinaire—has compiled a wonderfully readable book about growing up Jewish, with totally original contributions by famous people. Combining warmhearted humor with a prideful nostalgia, these essays discuss life in the Jewish family and neighborhood, being a Jew in a non-Jewish world, Jewish holidays, and discovering the essence of being Jewish.

Genres: Judaica, Memoir

272 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kathleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish the thumbnail sketches in the book had been more substantial. Otherwise, I did enjoy them.

[Sashi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reminiscenses of jewish people on growing up jewish. All of them seem to have had a very very predictable childhood. Now all the jewish 50- year and aboves can feel that they were not the only ones who were raised the way they were! It is endearing to reiterate that so many people in the entertainment industry are jewish. Considering they look very serious, where did the humor come from? :)
Very positive and inspiring, extremely well written and an easy read. Hghly recommend it.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A 104 year-old man gave this book to me to read when he was done with it. He told me, "For some reason I don't want to read detective novels and mysteries anymore. I want to read about what I know." Reading the vastly differing accounts of what it was like for various people to grow up Jewish in the U.S. helped me place myself and others in context and to see how our world views are shaped.

[Krystal · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was a compilation of famous Jewish people who grew up in America. I thought it was funny in parts, sad in others. It was a beautiful read, and I recommend it to everyone.

[Cheryel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jewish life fascinates me. I once belonged to "The Order of Ruth: Shiksas With Yiddisha Shviggers".

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a light and very fast read.

[Vikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a book of memories of growing up Jewish. Very good!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

We need this book for the Temple library.

Nice variety of people and diverse stories.
Some are inspirational and some just are in there to be a name??

[I · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was not a great book per se, but gives you an interesting perspective of how it was to grow up Jewish in America in the 50's.

[Janis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and fun read.

[Maryann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Collection of memoirs...most of them extremely short. While the stories were interesting, I usuallly wanted more development and detail.

[Rebecca]

It is a beautiful collection of stories of celebrities saying what it means to be Jewish. The stories are funny and heartwarming.