The Jewish New Year is almost here, and that means it’s time for self-reflection. Thinking about who I am, what I’ve done right, and where I need improvement is one of my favorite parts of this holiday. I love that no matter what we’ve done, God gives us time to reflect and learn from our mistakes. As a person with many flaws, I love there is no end point, or perfect goal we are expected to attain, but rather there is a recognition that we are a work in progress. So while improving myself can seem daunting, just like anything else, I take it one step at a time and try each year to be better. In Judaism, life is full of second chances.
As I get ready for that inner reflection, I also have to prepare for the actual holiday, and that means food! Rosh Hashanah is always celebrated at my house, and this year we’ll have two big dinners. Friday night, the night before the holiday, we go to temple, but before that, we have to eat. My girls are coming home to celebrate with us—and one is bringing her boyfriend—so I have to cook a quick but delicious dinner. Saturday night, the actual day of the holiday, my parents will join all of us as well, so that will be a more leisurely, but hopefully just as delicious, dinner. So today, I’ll pull out my cookbooks and decide what to make while trying to keep everyone’s preferences in mind.
Rosh Hashanah is also when we eat round challah. The rest of the year, challah is a regular loaf, kind of a braided oblong. But for Rosh Hashanah, we make it round, to symbolize goodness without end. We also eat apples and honey for a sweet new year. Those two food items are the most important symbolic foods of this holiday.
In fact, it was the need to bring a challah to her family’s Rosh Hashanah dinner that led the heroine of my book, Home for the Challah Days, to enter the deli of her ex-boyfriend. His family-owned deli makes the best challah around, and Sarah’s holiday isn’t complete without it. They see each other...and nothing happens. Whoa. Well, something eventually does, but first, they both have to get past their own history and a whole lot of issues before they give their relationship a second chance.
This book is my best-selling one ever. It’s funny, and sweet, and sexy, and handles serious issues, too. If you’re looking for a Jewish romance—or really any romance—I hope you’ll give it a chance. And if you’ve already read it, thank you! Please consider leaving a review on the retail site where you purchased it or on Goodreads.
I wish everyone a sweet New Year!
