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The Rebbetzin’s Guide: What To Bring Your Host For Rosh Hashanah

Image by Getty Images

By Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt September 15, 2017

So you’re invited out for a Rosh Hashanah meal — and you’re stuck as to what to bring? We’ve got you covered.

For The Gourmand

We’re itching for a copy of celebrity Israeli chef Yotam Ottolenghi’s Sweet (his publisher should have timed the release better, with the chief holiday of sweets upon us now), but in the meantime, we recommend Leah Koenig’s adorable Little Book of Jewish Appetizers.

Read our review here — as well as two sneak peek recipes, in case you’re looking for some ideas yourself.

Leah Koenig’s new cookbook Image by Linda Pugliese

For The Tchocke Collecter

We invite you to swoon with us over Laura Cowan’s gorgeously designed honey dishes, ($95+). When choosing host gifts, opt for less Judaica kitsch, more SoHo chic.

Honey Dipper dish by Laura Cowan, $160. Image by Laura Cowan

For The Bookworm

This fall, there’s tons of exciting Jewish literature coming out.

For a host who prefers a delicious read over another thing to crowd a breakfront, we recommend Nicole Krauss’ Forest Dark ($19.03 on Amazon), and Nathan Englander’s Dinner At The Center Of The Earth ($16.47 on Amazon).

Nathan Englander and Nicole Krauss

Looking for a more spiritual read? Consider Ilana Kurshan’s new memoir, If All The Seas Were Ink ($17.68 on Amazon), about studying the Talmud (get a taste of her writing in her essays for the Forward here), or Sivan Rahav-Meir’s collection of insights on the weekly Torah readings ($23.14 on Amazon).

For A Hearty L’Chaim

If your host is one for schnapps, consider a bottle of whisky. Consult with the Forward’s resident whisky expert, executive editor Dan Friedman, for his recommendations — for all budgets.

A bottle of Milk and Honey’s Single Malt Whisky. Image by M&H Whisky Distillery

For The Hostess With The Mostest

A bouquet always does the trick. Go for something elegant — and hold off on the fall-colored arrangements for Thanksgiving. We recommend white — symbolizing a fresh new year, a blank canvas full of possibilities. Check out high-end Ovando florist for some inspirations (that will cost you $125 and up).

Ovando White Sleeping Beauty flower arrangement, $150. Image by Ovando

For The Wine Snob

Check out our Rosh Hashanah wine guide here, for some ideas of Israeli wines to bring to the table.

The Gva’ot Gofna Reserve Chardonnay-Cabernet. The 2016 is made of 80% chardonnay and 20% cabernet sauvignon. Image by Gva'ot

Or pick up a bottle of Israeli pomegranate wine for a dessert drink.

‘Tis the season, after all.

Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt was the Life/Features editor at the Forward. Her work has appeared in the New York Times, Salon, and Tablet, among others.

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