Miriam's Kitchen: A Memoir

This book moved me as few have in a long time. Ehrlich draws vivid portraits of people, places, and mouth watering recipies you can almost smell. The stories of her childhood and those of her husband, parents, and in-laws are told in an effectively simple, straightforward manner both engaging and enthralling. As a first generation American of Holocaust survivors, I related page after page to Ehrlich's details of life in The New Country where immigrants clung steadfastly to customs - and foods - from their homelands while trying to fit in and assimilate. I cried as often as I laughed, recognizing my own family in this wonderful book, and bought copies for all my friends. It was hard to put down, and even harder to put away at the end.

Elizabeth Ehrlich wrote a beautiful book, so beautiful that you may feel impelled to kiss the pages. She brings us Jewish family life rich with images and words that deeply evoke the reader's feelings and memories, but that some how never get lost in excesive sentiment. In this nicely balanced and charming piece of literature, Ehrlich writes, "Religion is a story that tells us how to live," but Miriam's Kitchen too is a story that tells us how to live--and how to serve; how to respect, how to love, how to appreciate, how to observe, how to question and while we are at it, how to make coffee cake and sweet and sour cabbage. It's at once very Jewish and at once something that can be appreciated and enjoyed by anyone from any ethnic or religious background. Best advice: Buy more than one copy. It's the kind of book you will want to give away again and again.

When I opened this book, the author opened her front door and welcomed me into her family, her home, and the treasures of her heritage. Miriam's Kitchen gives being a Jew a warm cozy feeling. As Ehrlich describes the homes of her parents, grandparents, and in-laws, the reader sits at the kitchen table with all of them. We see the development of a contemporary, observant Jewish home through the kitchens and traditions of two generations. When you read it, you go home for a visit, or a holiday, or a celebration. Miriams Kitchen is Judaism passed on through the hands of its women. You can almost smell the luscious aroma of the Jewish Kitchen. This book is now in my personal library, my mother's and my mother-in-law's. It is to be shared, like a glass of tea. I cannot wait to try the few special recipes which are included. A Great gift for the women you love!

If I could give this book a 10-star rating, I would. Elizabeth Ehrlich has written this memoir from her heart, and it shows. The memoir traces the deepening relationship between Ehrlich and her mother-in-law, Miriam, as well as Ehrlich's memories of her fiercely left-wing family in the inner city of Detroit. Both families celebrate their Judaism through food, drink, ritual, prayer and family ties. Ehrlich's views on Judaism shift as she travels the road to middle age, first as a young girl, then as a young adult, next as a new wife and, finally, as the mother of three young children. Along the way she explores such complexities as Miriam's memories of the Holocaust and her native Poland, the challenges of managing a kosher home, and the joys and regrets of interfaith unions. Travel Ehrlich's road with her and you won't regret it-- her book is rich with memories and love. An added bonus: the reproduction of many of Miriam's mouthwatering recipes.

Most people who read this book are women. I read this book because my wife was so affected by its content (she cried all the way through), that I just had to read it. I cried too! While the author catalogues her aging mother-in-laws unique recipes, she also reflects on the cycles and rhythms of life held by Jewish traditions. In effect, she is challenging all of us (not only Jews) to look at what valuables, or values, we can, and should, transmit to our children. We are also left with the deeper question of our responsibility, observant or not, to understand and pass along our family and religious traditions. In addition to your children, this book will make you want to connect with your entire family, and get in touch with the family history and traditions that make you who you really are. This book is heartily recommended. It also makes a great gift, especially for a Jewish relative or friend. And the recipes are good too!