is a terrific classroom for children any time of year. But holiday cooking provides a learning opportunity not to be missed.
Recognizing this, author Joan Nathan has written THE CHILDREN'S JEWISH HOLIDAY KITCHEN (Schocken Books), a cookbook that invites parents and children to explore holiday traditions and beliefs together as they cook.
"When children help you cook for a holiday," says Nathan, "they learn the meaning of that holiday."
The book features a collection of Jewish Holiday recipes, with tasks divided between children and adults. The recipes follow the Jewish calendar from Rosh Hashanah to Shavuot. Passover gets special attention, however.
"The symbolic nature of Passover and especially the seder meal makes it a perfect vehicle for teaching," Nathan says. "When the kids learn to separate eggs, they also learn why we use eggs instead of leavening. And when they learn to grate horseradish, they're learning about the bitterness of slavery."
Try these recipes from Nathan's book with your children and let us know what you think.
