Kosher cookbook a treasure trove of recipes

Beth Tfiloh cookbook committee chairs, Wendy Miller and Shellye Gilden, display copies
of " America Cooks Kosher," their new publication. Joan Feldman/Submitted photo.

BEV FINE SERPICK 24.NOV.04

Beth Tfiloh: Accolades to Shellye Attman Gilden and Wendy Miller, the exemplary co-chairwomen, who handled "America Cooks Kosher" a Beth Tfiloh all-season, all-reason kosher cookbook! In it is the devoted input of more than 200 dedicated committee members who share a treasure trove of traditional and new recipes, including a few cherished recipes passed down from generation to generation.

"America Cooks Kosher" is a hardback, glossy 320-page cookbook with a total of 320 recipes. On each recipe page there is a sidebar for you to add inserts/additions for your favorite selected recipe. If the recipe page becomes smudged from repeated use, the page can be simply cleaned by wiping it off!

We all know the toll of what repeated use of the same recipe does to a page! My strudel recipe page is almost unreadable!

The category index of this new kosher cookbook includes appetizers and beverages, breads and soups, salads and dressings, entrees and sauces, kugels, quiches, pasta, veggie and side dishes and saving the best for last, yummy desserts.

There are menus, kids-in-the-kitchen recipes honoring future chefs and a kosher-for-Passover index. There are Passover substitutions, conversion tables, plus chitchat. Page eight has an adorable picture of Lennie Attman, age 8, with his beloved and fashionable parents, Ida and Harry.

Amit Yaffe, a talented Israeli-born artist now living in Baltimore, designed the colorful, pretty and unique cover, plus she designed the tasteful artwork throughout the cookbook.

Shellye Attman Gilden and Wendy Miller at the helm of leadership of the executive committee coordinated this fund-raising project. They are very appreciative of the 800 recipes submitted and their entire 200-plus member committee.

This exciting new cookbook has a three-year history in its making. Quoting Shellye Attman, "things have changed, it's all healthy eating today!"

Editors included Julie August, Robin Belsky, Deborah-Jo Essrog, Debi Gallo, Shellye Attman Gilden, Leslie Goldberg, Randee Greenwald, Karen Hyman, Esther Lichtenberg, Loryn Lesser, Wendy Miller, Zipora Schorr, Beth Sellman, Lisa Shepherd Sylvia Tulkoff, Gwyn Walcoff, Nina Wand, Laurie Weitz, Arlene Wolfe and Ida Zelaya.

Sylvia Tulkoff coordinated the typing of this recipe book with Irene Amernick, Randee Greenwald, Stephanie Hefter, Sonia Maltinsky, Lori Sochol, Arlene Wolfe, Judy Woolfson and Ida Zelaya. Thanks ladies!

Additional participants involved with this cookbook were Sue Singer, Paul Lande, Randi Roxin Eisenberg, Myra Fox, Maureen Davidov, DeVera Nachman, Laura Wolf, Karen Glazer, Karen Grabush.

Thank you to all (approximately 50) recipe testers and tasters. Also Eve Kresin Steinberg, Joan Feldman, Zipora Schorr, Rabbi Mitchell Wohlberg and the entire Beth Tfiloh staff for their guidance and assistance!

Mega thanks to the Phyllis and Leonard Attman Charitable Foundation, presenting sponsor of this kosher cookbook.

Thank you also to all the diamond, ruby, sapphire, gold, silver and bronze sponsors, plus the Chai Club, Circle of Friends, contributors, businesses, friends, all the volunteers in every age category who assisted and contributed funds for this cookbook.

A gargantuan success, 800 "America Cooks Kosher" first edition cookbooks had already been purchased prior to the lovely "Pick Up" party and open house in the Beth Tfiloh lobby.

An added bonus in addition to gift wrapping this book was that Weiss kosher caterers made tasty food samplings from the cookbook.

I chatted with Shellye Attman Gilden, her very proud husband, Steve; their equally proud daughter, Jayme Wood, who assisted with public relations; and Shelly's super proud mom, Phyllis Attman; also Joan Feldman and Beth Tfiloh brotherhood president, Frank Blatt, promoting the brotherhood's upcoming art auction that will also include sports memorabilia and sculpture on Saturday evening, Dec. 11 at Beth Tfiloh. A big selection of beautiful pieces from Ross Galleries will be featured. Preview time is 6:30 p.m., with the auction beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Music, wine, cheese, coffee and cake is included with the ticket price of $10 per person, $15 per couple. For more info/tickets, call 410-415-5259.

"America Cooks Kosher" is $29.95. All proceeds benefit youth and adult educational programs at Beth Tfiloh, plus Mercaz, food for the less fortunate.

For more info or to purchase this cookbook, call 410-602-2150.

The cookbook is a great gift to give to the cook in your family for Hanukkah. This gift-giving holiday is early this year. It begins Tuesday evening, Dec. 7!

- Community Times