BGU Students Launch Cookbook of Survivors’ Recipes
BGU Students Launch Cookbook of Survivors’ Recipes
June 2, 2015
Negev Development & Community Programs
i24 News — BGU students initiated a project to publish a cookbook of dozens of original recipes from Holocaust survivors. The cookbook was recently released in Israel, with its debut at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.
The project, Once Upon a Kitchen Counter, features approximately 40 recipes gathered by Jewish students working with survivors in Israel, the United States and the former Soviet Union.
The students, members of Hillel, visited the survivors’ homes to compile the cookbook. Each recipe is accompanied by a photo and some were improved by famous Israeli chefs.
“Our primary motivation was to provide a different kind of assistance to Holocaust survivors,” says Vitaly Viller, a 25-year-old BGU student who played a key role in launching the project.
Vilner visited Ukraine with funding from the Genesis Philanthropy Group, where he learned of a similar project being carried out.
Most of the recipes in the cookbook are inspired by East European cuisine. The recipes include “Elsa’s yeast cake,” Chana’s carrot cookies,” “Tzila’s kreplach,” and “Lola’s cheesecake,” among others.
Nearly 100 students and Holocaust survivors participated in the international cookbook project. Proceeds from sales will be reinvested in projects dedicated to helping Holocaust survivors. The book is available for purchase on the Hillel Israel website.