The Five Books: Jewish Authors on the Books That Shaped Them
Rebekah Lowin on Crafting Jewish Joy
With the Jewish holiday season fast approaching, many of us are thinking about holiday hosting. Rebekah Lowin has you covered: a challah recipe, an apple themed tablescape, an etrog mold dupe, and a Yom Kippur break-fast recovery packet for your guests. In this episode, Rebekah tells us about she became the Jewish Martha Stewart, reflecting on both her time working at Martha Stewart Living, and growing up in an artistic Jewish home, where her grandfather built a wooden sukkah that her family still uses and her Broadway actress mother sewed its draperies. She also talks about what it was like growing up without a Jewish community, and the unexpected impact of reading the children’s book Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins. Rebekah hopes her new book of recipes, rituals, and traditions, A Year of Jewish Joy, will help those living without tight-knit communities feel welcomed back into Judaism. Rebekah Lowin is a writer and content creator known for her whimsical, design-forward approach to Jewish holiday cooking, décor, craft projects, and storytelling. Since launching her blog in 2019, she's partnered with dozens of national brands including Crate & Barrel, HGTV.com, and Food Network Magazine, bringing Jewish holiday ideas into mainstream media. Combining creative inspiration and cultural depth with a playful editorial sensibility, her work aims to make traditions feel fresh, accessible, and joyful for a new generation of Jewish readers. Rebekah Lowin’s Five Books: 1. Hershel and the Hanukkah Goblins by Eric Kimmel and Trina Schart Hyman 2. The Sabbath by Abraham Joshua Heschel 3. The Wisdom of Anxiety by Sheryl Paul 4. A Time to Gather by Bruce Feiler 5. A Year of Jewish Joy by Rebekah Lowin Other Episodes You Might Enjoy: Bruce Feiler on Making Meaning, One Ritual at a Time Adeena Sussman on Flavor as a Jewish Language Samantha Ellis on Becoming a Keeper of Her Ancestral Language Bonny Reichert on Food, Fear, and Finding Beauty The Five Books is a podcast that celebrates the role of books in Jewish culture. Through author interviews, we delve into Jewish identity and discover each author’s favorite novels. Join us every week for new Jewish book recommendations! Some of our episodes have included conversations with Rabbi Sharon Brous, Sam Sussman, Rabbi Angela Buchdahl and Allegra Goodman. Sign up for our newsletter to get new episode reminders, authors’ five book picks, and more delivered straight to your inbox. Find us on at www.fivebookspod.org, on Instagram @fivebookspod or on Facebook at The Five Books Podcast. For feedback or author recommendations please email us at team@fivebookspod.org The Five Books has the advisory and promotional support of the Jewish Book Council. Jewish Book Council is a nonprofit dedicated to amplifying and celebrating Jewish literature and supporting authors and readers. Stay up to date on the latest in Jewish literature! https://www.jewishbookcouncil.org/events/celebrate The Five Books is fiscally sponsored by FJC, a 501c3 public charity. Hosted by Tali Rosenblatt Cohen Produced by Odelia Rubin Editorial and website support by Aimee Fogel Artwork by Elad Lifshitz of the Dov Abramson Studio Music by Dov Rosenblatt and Blue Dot Sessions
