Food

edited by Rabbi Dr. Shmuly M. Yanklowitz

From brisket and gefilte fish to chicken soup and beyond, the Jewish diet heavily leans on meat and other animal products. And for all the good feelings and nostalgia this food provides, there is a dark component to it. The horrors of industrial meat production—including factories that supply the bulk of kosher meat throughout the world—are well-established: the profitable yet unethical methods of slaughter, the widespread abuse, and the callous treatment of livestock raised solely to die. As members of a tradition that emphasizes compassion for all living beings, the current trend towards more meat consumption endangers the fragile ecology of our planet. But more importantly, it threatens the moral sustainability of our souls. That is where THE JEWISH VEGAN comes in: To be a guide for those who are beginning to think deeply about making a significant change in their diet and lifestyle. Featuring selections from prominent, contemporary Jewish vegan thought-leaders, this tome features essays that touch upon everything from Jewish spirituality and philosophy, to holidays, and health (and much more)! THE JEWISH VEGAN is the perfect companion for the journeyer seeking a new approach to the relationship they have with what is on their plate...

This collection of books featuring Jewish main characters is decidedly non-comprehensive. As we come across books that are described as having Jewish main characters, we add them to this database. The creators of the Jewish Genre Reading Challenge have not read all (or even most) of the books in this database. We have gathered information from many sources and not all may be accurate. Inclusion of a book in our database does not imply endorsement or approval. There is always the possibility that antisemitism may be present in a book, either written into a character's experience or through malicious or ignorant caricature or stereotypical portrayal of Jewish characters and culture. Please take care of yourselves as you read. 

PLEASE let us know if you encounter a book in this database that does not have a Jewish main character, if you have corrections or additions for a book's genre categories, or if you have any other concerns about the inclusion of a particular book in this database.