Sweet Shabbat possible even in modern mother's busy life
by Deborah Moon
January 1, 2007

"The Modern Jewish Mom's Guide to Shabbat," by Meredith L. Jacobs, Harper Paperbacks, New York, Feb. 6, 2007, trade paperback, $16.95.

As modern moms whirl through a week of work and transporting kids to soccer practice, ballet, music lessons and a seemingly endless list of activities, the idea of taking more time to create a special Shabbat dinner can seem overwhelming and even pointless.

Yet those are exactly the reasons that author Meredith Jacobs says making a family Shabbat are important for a family. Jacobs should know—she went from thinking of Shabbat dinner as a burden to considering it an important family event.

"I suddenly saw Shabbat not as a burden that would take extra time and effort, but as a gift I could give to myself and my family," Jacobs writes in the book's introduction. "Shabbat became a guaranteed time Jonathan (her husband) and I could spend with our children and give them the tools to become the kind of people we pray they will grow to be. … Shabbat is the time we turn off the outside world and connect with one another."

Jacobs introduction presents a convincing argument for committing to a family Shabbat dinner. She emphasizes that it doesn't have to mean becoming frum (religious) or trying to do everything.

"It means taking the time to figure out what feels comfortable and what works for you and your family," she wrote.

The majority of the book is dedicated to offering tips and ideas to make Shabbat fit into any family's schedule.

Jacobs has an entire chapter on the addictive process of making and eating homemade challah. Boxed items throughout the book tell readers how they can "take it to the next level." For instance, the challah chapter includes the ritual and the blessing to say when removing a small pinch of dough as an offering to God.

She offers "tried-and-true easy, delicious and traditional Jewish recipes. Calling herself a "lazy cook," Jacobs wrote, "Basically if a recipe made it into this chapter, it's easy to make and appropriate for Shabbat dinner."

And when you just don't have time to cook, Jacobs assures her readers that "it's the mood, not the meal" that make it Shabbat dinner.

Other chapters offer ideas for Judaica art projects for all ages to enhance the Shabbat table, extending Shabbat celebrations after dinner all the way to Havdallah Saturday evening, engaging teens in the Shabbat experience and "how to use the weekly Torah portion to have amazing family discussions with children of all ages."

The book also includes a glossary of Yiddish and Hebrew words as well as a list of books and Web sites "for ideas and inspiration."

Jacobs definitely succeeds in making Shabbat dinner sound appealing and restful in a world of rushing and stress.

Author headlines event for women

Meredith Jacobs, author of "The Modern Jewish Mom's Guide to Shabbat" will be the keynote speaker at this year's Connections event for women.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Portland's annual women's event will be Feb. 11 at the Portland Hilton. The 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. event will feature brunch, Jacob's keynote address with her mother Ellen Levin on "Creating a Balance: Incorporating our Traditions in a Modern World," and two sessions of workshops.

Tickets are $37.08 before Jan. 10, and $47.08 thereafter. Invitations are being mailed the first week of January. For more information about Connections, visit the JFGP Web site at www.jewishportland.org or call Jen Feldman at 503-245-6449.

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