The Matzo Ball Heiress

I wanted to read this book because the author lives in my community. I don't personally know her, but we've exchanged messages in a community FB group. I found it interesting that some of the locations are in the neighborhood where I, and the author reside. However, I had to force myself to finish reading it and it was only towards the end when the seder actually takes place that it finally gets more interesting. All the characters seem a bit off-kilter which should have made it funny, but it didn't. I thought this was going to be a laugh-out-loud read but for me it wasn't. I found most of the story mundane.

This story and its zany characters would make a great romantic comedy movie. The "family" members and friends have to find their way to a sense of "family," initially somewhat forced into this for publicity for their company. The plot and "family" development kept me reading through the night, and laughing through the reading! Loved this!

As an inquisitive Gentile, I thoroughly enjoyed Shapiro's The Matzo Ball Heiress. Not only was the main character, Heather Greenblotz smart and witty, she paved the way for an education of sorts...for me, anyway. Heather attempts to find herself, her roots, and a little romance in between filming a live Seder for the Food Network with her more than dysfunctional family. The book is fast paced and full of information about Jewish dietary laws and practices. But don't let that fool you...there is lots of story packed in, as well.I applaud Shapiro for creating a great summer read that educates as well as delights.

As the holiday of Passover approaches, Heather Greenblotz is gearing up for a typical observance: spending time alone and eating decidedly non-kosher food at a time when most Jewish families gather together. It wouldn't bother Heather so much to be without her family at this time of year but for the fact that the Greenblotzes manufacture kosher products, including the world's most popular Passover matzo. What in the world would people think if they knew how non-traditional the family really is?Laurie Gwen Shapiro's second novel, THE MATZO BALL HEIRESS, introduces Heather as she emotionally prepares for another disappointing Passover. 31-year-old Heather is a successful documentary filmmaker with two Emmy Awards to her credit, and her involvement in the family business is minimal. Few people even know she's a wealthy heiress to the Greenblotz family business, begun by her grandfather Izzy many years ago. Every spring, however, she helps out her cousin Jake (figurehead and CEO of the business) during the busy Passover season. Otherwise, she is seemingly disconnected from the world of traditional Judaism and kosher food. One day, while filling in for Jake at the matzo factory, she is interviewed by the Food Network and her Passover plans begin to radically change.After the success of the interview with the dashing Steve Meyers, the Food Network wants to do a live broadcast of the Greenblotz family Seder. Jake Greenblotz thinks it's an excellent idea and that it will boost slumping sales. Heather, on the other hand, has her doubts. The family, she reminds Jake, has never gathered together for the ritual meal; her mother usually goes snorkeling, her other cousins can't stand Heather or Jake, Jake's brother lives like a playboy in Florida, and her father Sol, the only one who could lead the seder and read Hebrew, was last heard from several years ago when he moved (with no forwarding address) to Amsterdam.At the urging of her over-the-top therapist, Heather agrees to the broadcast and begins to assemble relatives; when that fails, she asks others to act as family members for the broadcast (including Jake's Irish girlfriend Siobhan, who becomes Shoshana for the day). But will the world be convinced by the staged Greenblotz Seder?Complicating the already sticky situation is Heather's entanglement with on-air personality Steve Meyers and her growing fondness for kosher cameraman Jared Silver.With a little patience and faith, Heather survives a near disastrous Seder and emerges with a new love in her life and a newfound respect for her family and friends.THE MATZO BALL HEIRESS is funny and sassy, and because it focuses on a Jewish family's traditions (or lack thereof) and issues, it is also unique. Heather Greenblotz is more than a typical Manhattan socialite; she has depth and intelligence. Thus, Shapiro's novel moves beyond the simple classification of Chick Lit, although it retains the romance, sex and attitude. The writing here is light and natural, a

I really, really enjoyed this book. In fact, I was irritated every time I was forced to put it aside. It's well written, funny and modern -- as well as being set in one of my favorite neighborhoods. It also successfully evokes 30-something NYC angst. Good job, Ms. Shapiro!

The five Greenblotz cousins sit on the board of directors for the family run matzo company. However, Jake actually runs the firm while his brother handles the Florida sales and documentary film director Heather fills in when Jake needs her. The other two cousins are estranged from this trio.Heather takes a Food Channel crew on a tour of the matzo factory. Later, the interviewer Steve Meyers asks Heather out. When they return to her apartment following their dinner date, he informs her in the middle of sex that his station wants to televise her family's Passover Seder. After throwing Steve out, Heather panics because her family avoids Seders. She dines on ham while Jake has an Irish Catholic lover; the rest of the family is worse. However, Jake informs her that their business is in trouble as the competitors are part of conglomerates that spend a fortune on advertising. They need this show and a family to go with their Seder so Heather begins the hiring process. Of course the dysfunctional Greenblotz rally around the Seder.This is an intriguing look at a Jewish family fully assimilated into the American culture. The story line is fun to follow as Heather struggles to understand her heritage beyond her inheritance with the Seder serving as a symbol between the old and the new. Fans will appreciate this insightful look at the de-Americanization of Heather and her family who discover there is more to being Jewish than chocolate matzo.Harriet Klausner