A Year of Jewish Joy: Inspired Recipes, Rituals, and Traditions for Beautiful Celebrations

Before turning her attention to Jewish holidays, Rebekah Lowin worked as an editor at Martha Stewart Living, dreaming up tables, crafts, and celebrations. A Year of Jewish Joy brings that eye for detail to the Jewish calendar, combining more than 75 kosher recipes with rituals, blessings, hosting ideas, handmade decorations, and plenty of reasons to set a beautiful table. 

Shabbat and the major holidays provide the structure, but Lowin also makes occasions of days that receive less attention in many Jewish homes. Tu B’Av inspires a grape-themed gathering recalling the holiday’s ancient association with vineyards; Tu B’Shvat becomes an opportunity for a hike and seven-species trail mix bar. For Rosh Hashanah there are individual honey tastings and hawaij-spiced apple galette, while Hanukkah brings caviar-topped latkes, brigadeiro sufganiyot, and olive oil martinis. 

The food is similarly playful with tradition. Lowin adapts her Hungarian grandmother’s stuffed cabbage with golden raisins and caraway, turns hamantaschen into Brooklyn Blackout and banana pudding variations, and transforms lemon posset into tiny edible etrogim. Pressed-flower matzah place cards, edible flowers floating on matzo ball soup, and miniature Torah scrolls made from chocolates extend the same spirit beyond the plate. 

Underlying all the embellishment is the Jewish concept of hiddur mitzvah, the idea of honoring a commandment through beauty. Lowin treats the finishing touches not as incidental decoration, but as one way of bringing care, pleasure, and creativity to traditions practiced throughout the year. 

Hardcover. Color photographs throughout.