The Book Talk

Philadelphians Joyce Eisenberg and Ellen Scolnic, co-authors of the Dictionary of Jewish Words (A JPS Guide, 2006), have cooked up three entertaining and enlightening programs for your group.

Topics

From kvetching about work to constructing a kugel, “Jewish” words describe every aspect of our daily lives. Through this humorous, fact-filled look at holidays, customs, food, prayer and more, The Word Mavens share the many stories and unusual facts they uncovered while researching their dictionary. They’ll answer questions such as “Who are the ushpizin and why are they here?” and “Who would you rather marry – a shmeggegge or a shmendrick?”

Whether it’s a holiday dinner with matzah ball soup or a Sunday brunch with bagels and lox, food plays a central role in Jewish life. The Word Mavens look at the ways in which food nourishes and defines the Jewish people...from ritual foods like haroset to the practical considerations of keeping kosher. They’ll debate the weighty eternal questions: Is it mandelbread or kamishbread? Why is brisket served on Shabbat? Why do Jews bring danish and not daffodils when making a condolence call?

Bar Mitzvahs have evolved over the years, from ceremonial changes like girls reading the Torah to celebration innovations like personalized candy bar party favors. The Word Mavens will take you on a historical trip back to the bimah to discover how both the religious and celebratory aspects of this rite of passage have changed. From your uncle’s luncheon with chopped herring and shnapps to your grandson’s baseball-themed gala with sushi, even the food has grown up through the years.