Coming to Israel: Introduction

Creating this blog has allowed me too deeply reflect on my heritage and history as a Jewish woman in America. I was lucky enough to attend Jewish private school which has taught me so much throughout my time there. I have decided to create a new series in which I investigate the different cultural backgrounds of Jewish people who came to Israel and how their influence has shaped Jewish and Israeli foods. In the next coming weeks, I plan to choose a different country that was affected by WWII in which Jews were targeted. After choosing the country, I will do a bit of research on their traditional foods and how those foods have impacted the culture and food traditions in Israel and throughout the world within Jewish communities. Some countries I am interested in researching are Poland, Hungary, Russia, the Netherlands, and France. 

            Each one of those countries had been impacted by World War 2 and was Invaded by Nazi Germany. These countries were home to many Jewish families who were forced into concentration camps, and many were killed. After this horrific massacre, those that did manage to survive were left with nothing and had to rebuild their lives as best as they could. One way many people were able to do this was through food. 

When the Jewish people made their way to Israel, so many different cultures came together to create something beautiful. A homeland for the Jewish people meant so much to many individuals who were now able to live free no matter their religion. Each person came from a different country with a different story, and they all shared their culture and history with one another. One of the ways they were able to share was through food which ultimately changed the entire pathway of how food is seen and consumed throughout the country. This stunt is more than a way to engage readers but also to deeply connect with the stories and histories of so many. As I research each country, I want to see how their culture and food patterns intertwine with what I know today as a diverse Jewish person who has visited Israel.