Food is one of the best ways to introduce kids to customs, cultures, and people from around the world. Jewish people live all over the globe, in a diverse, rich variety of cultures. The stories listed here feature special traditional dishes, some unique to regional Jewish populations. Each listing also includes recipes to try with your family.
Picture Books
Written by Andrew Larsen
Illustrated by Sandy Nichols
Every Sunday, Eli’s zaida (Yiddish for grandfather) picks up bagels at Merv’s Bakery for his friends. But when Zaida hurts his tuches (Yiddish for rear end), he can’t make the trip to Merv’s. Will Zaida and his friends still have their Sunday bagels?
Written by Michael Herman
Illustrated by Sharon Harmer
Monty Nudelman is a neighborhood mensch (a Yiddish term often used to mean “a good person”) — every time it snows, he’s out there shoveling the walks for all his neighbors. But one day, his back gives out! What do you think his neighbors do?
Written by Joanne Oppenheim
Illustrated by Jon Davis
Benny’s family sells the best knishes on Rivington Street. When the Tisch family opens a knishery right across the street, Benny’s papa starts a price war. But as the battle wages, both sides realize that maybe Rivington Street is large enough for two kinds of knishes.
- At the back of the book, there’s a knish recipe with two delicious variations.
Written and illustrated by Alan Silberberg
From Apples to Zhug, meet a tasty Jewish food for every letter of the alphabet. This zany book will get you excited to try dishes from Jewish communities around the world. Learn more about some of the iconic foods illustrated in this book:
Written by Jennifer Tzivia MacLeod
Illustrated by Denise Damanti
When Maddie moves from the United States to Israel, she misses many things about home, especially around Thanksgiving. But soon she makes friends with other olim, immigrants to Israel, including her friend Orly from Ethiopia. When Orly shares the Ethiopian holiday of Sigd with Maddie, they come up with a perfect melting-pot recipe.
Written by Sarah Sassoon
Illustrated by Noa Kelner
When they emigrate from Iraq to Israel, Shoham and her family must leave everything behind, including her prized bangle. But Shoham’s Nana Aziza has prepared a special surprise to make their new country feel like home.
Written by Allison Ofanansky
Illustrated by Rotem Teplow
In Morocco, the end of Passover has traditionally been marked by Mimouna, a festive celebration that features moufleta, sweet pancake treats. With no flour in the house because of the rules of Passover, Miriam’s mother goes to her Muslim neighbors to get that key ingredient. And Miriam makes a new friend!
- This special book includes a recipe for moufleta or moufletot. Flip to the back page to find it.
Written by Richard Ho
Illustrated by Lynn Scurfield
Lanterns, round challah, sweeping up, listening to the shofar: All are ways to welcome a new year. In this vibrantly illustrated book, a Chinese-Jewish family celebrates the joyful traditions of Rosh Hashanah and Lunar New Year. Pictures of the family’s favorite dishes fill the pages, and a wonderful supplement at the end has more information.
Written by Sarah Aroeste
Illustrated by Nathalie Belhassen
This board book pairs beautiful paper-cut art of oil candles, hand drums, biskochos, and other Sephardic symbols with simple Ladino counting.
Podcast Episodes
Come to the magical woods of Mashal and visit a kusha, a special outdoor oven, to taste harissa. No, not the spicy condiment, but a special stew eaten after services on Shabbat.
Kiddo meets Mimi’s friend Ciara, who shares the history of the Baghdadi Jewish community of India. Learn how to make aloo makala, one of the special dishes unique to this community that Kiddo learns about from Ciara.
More
Exploring the Vibrant Legacy of Jewish Communities in India
Dinner and a Story: Books Featuring Recipes
The Ethiopian Jewish Community
June 12, 2025