Honey Cake & Latkes: Recipes from the Old World by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Survivors

by Ronald S. Lauder (Foreword), Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation, Maria Zalewska (Editor)

More than a cookbook, this collection of heirloom recipes conveys Auschwitz-Birkenau survivors’ stories through the mnemonic lens of cooking and food. Collected and edited during the pandemic, this book—in the words of Ronald S. Lauder, Chairman of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation—“is a story of hope and triumph of the human spirit.” Over 110 recipes accompanied by survivors’ pre-war recollections and post-liberation memories weave a unique tapestry of sensory experiences of flavors and aromas from the old world, accounts of loss and trauma, as well as heartwarming and poignant tales of new beginnings and healing. All of the recipes have been tested and retested to make sure they can be replicated in your kitchen while keeping the original character and voice of the survivors who contributed to the volume. Delicious recipes include Blintzes, Kugel, Matzo Ball Soup, Cholent, Goulash, Kasha Varnishkes, Rugelach, and more. Plus, there is a special chapter devoted to classic dishes for the Jewish holidays (Latkes, Charoset, Gefilte Fish, Knishes, Tzimmes, Challah, and others) that you can use to prepare, host, or bring food to a gathering. All proceeds from the sale of this book go to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation.

Genres: Cookbooks, Food, Judaism, History, Jewish

256 pages, Hardcover

Published September 13, 2022

Reviews

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recipes are well laid out. They all look delicious! I hope to try making some of them, so rating may change once I've made a few. I will be buying this one at some point. It is worth having simply for the stories, recipes, and photos even if it doesn't become a frequently used cookbook. But given how many recipes use potatoes and given how much I love eating potatoes, something tells me I'm going to use this on a somewhat regular basis.
Updating it to five stars. The recipes are easy to follow, and the food is delicious. I loved the Latkes!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't normally rate cookbooks but this is not just a cookbook. It is a tribute to resilience and a book of memories... of homes and family and traditions from a time before the Holocaust destroyed all that. The stories from the auschwitz survivors whose recipes are recorded here are heartbreaking but also a testament to the human spirit. We should never forget. Our rabbi actually used this book as part of her Rosh Hashanah sermon.

[Lizzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A most lovely Hannukkah gift <3

[Corin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a library copy and now I definitely need to order my own.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important book—not necessarily for the recipes, but for the stories. Jewish survivors of the Holocaust share their stories of survival, but also their life stories, through the lens of food and culture. Many of the recipes appear as duplicates, but it is the associated preamble—each written by a different person—where the true value lies. Really impactful and somber and also celebratory in the resilience of the people and Jewish culture. This cookbook shows the power of words, sharing culture, and sharing stories.

[KA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with pictures and stories from the contributors, including photos of them cooking their recipes, this is an incredibly life-affirming book. I was surprised by the simplicity of some of the recipes, since my previous exposure to Ashkenazi cooking left me thinking it was mostly beyond my patience, and my skill set. But even if you end up never making most of the recipes found within, this is a book to treasure.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the stories and the recipes too. As far as making them, you gotta have skills to pull this off.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book filled with stories and recipes from Auschwitz-Birkenau Survivors.

[Alexandria Fanjoy Silver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful.