Cheder kids cook up history with Lady Montefiore’s Cookbook

Thanet & District Reform Synagogue (TDRS) Cheder Club turned back the clock to 1846 and discovered that Jewish history tastes delicious!

The children, led by head teacher Zoe Jacobs, explored recipes from The Jewish Manual, the first Jewish cookbook ever published in English. Written locally by Lady Judith Montefiore, wife of Sir Moses Montefiore, the book blends Sephardi, Ashkenazi and Victorian British influences, showing how Jewish tradition harmonised with the fashions of the day.

Cheder parent and cook Kathie Hannah, who helped lead the session, said: “Cooking is one of my favourite ways to connect to my Jewish identity and heritage. It was magical to see contemporary Jewish families connecting with our local history in such a joyous way. Food is a gorgeous connector. The making, the eating, the table laying and even the cleaning up created a warm feeling of togetherness.”

The children adapted Lady Montefiore’s recipe for oil twists, making it simple enough for even the youngest to join in. By the end of the morning, trays of golden pastries were out of the oven and ready to eat.

Local historian and Cheder parent Katie Blythe added, “Lady Judith published anonymously as ‘A Lady’ – reflecting the aspirations of Anglo-Jewish families eager to keep tradition while embracing Victorian refinement. Seeing the children experience our inherited cuisine was delightful. Food brings continuity across generations.”

Zoe Jacobs summed up the energy of the day, “Our plans grew until 15 children made a feast for 32 people in under two hours. We baked bagels, kugel, Torah cake – a recipe that said things like ‘200g of Leviticus 2:14’. It is simply a fruitcake with all of the 7 species mentioned in Torah, but the children had to look up each ingredient – and ‘oil twists’, which were puff pastry twists with cinnamon and sugar.”

The synagogue was filled with families eating and talking, swapping recipes and memories. What began as a cooking session became a celebration of Jewish heritage and community spirit.