Ori Z. Soltes highlights the unique Jewish culinary traditions that typically don’t appear in reporting on the community.
“Growing Up Jewish in India,” a well-researched text published by Niyogi Books, contains contributions from three other authors who help tell the story from different angles. What truly shines through in the book, which is scheduled to be released in December, are the few references to the unique community culinary traditions that get overlooked in most reports.
One of the most interesting customs and traditions unique to the Bene Israel of India is the malida ceremony, which Zoltes describes as particularly interesting. One of the most common ceremonies in cultures all over the world, this ritual incorporates a series of prayers, along with the distribution of food to the participants.