In today’s climate, it’s more important than ever to live life as loud and proud Jews—to own our identity, celebrate our roots, and shine our light in the world. Melinda Strauss embraces this lifestyle every single day.

A Jewish content creator from New York, Melinda has spent years sharing her life and the joys of Jewish food with her 1.6 million followers across social media. Now she’s put it all into one cookbook titled Eat Jewish, a beautiful compilation of “over 100 recipes that blend Jewish heritage, modern flavors, and family traditions.”

Featuring dishes like Aunty Bobbee’s Potato Kugel, Mom’s Baked Macaroni and Cheese, and Grandma Shelly’s Chocolate Walnut Banana Cake, this cookbook feels like an invitation straight into the Strauss family home—complete with a squeeze from bubby.

Pomegranate-Braised Pot Roast (From Eat Jewish by Melinda Strauss, (c)2025, used with permission of Rock Point, an imprint of Quarto)

Leah Grossman: Melinda—the book is gorgeous. I’m salivating already! After years of sharing kosher recipes on your blog, this seems like a perfect extension of your expertise. Was writing a cookbook something you always wanted to do?

Melinda Strauss: In the back of my mind, I always thought that maybe, one day, I’d write a cookbook. But for the longest time, I had no idea what it would actually be about so I never pursued it. Back when I was food blogging full time, I didn’t really have a specific niche, other than the fact that everything I made was kosher.

It wasn’t until I started sharing my weekly Shabbos meals on TikTok that something clicked. I began to realize just how curious people were about Jewish food and our traditions. That’s when the idea of writing a cookbook shifted from being a “maybe one day” to something real, something I knew I could really do.

LG: Have you always loved to cook? Do you have an early memory of being in the kitchen that sparked this passion?

MS: Well, I’ve always loved to eat, that’s for sure! Growing up, I wasn’t much of a cook myself, unless you count baking brownies in my Easy-Bake Oven. But I loved sitting in the kitchen, watching both my Savtah and my mom cook for Shabbos. I wasn’t really helping…just watching, soaking it all in, talking their ears off. I do remember helping my Savtah crush peppermint candies for her homemade ice cream, but let’s be honest, I was really there for the taste tests.

Yakir’s Biscoff Babka Buns (From Eat Jewish by Melinda Strauss, (c)2025, used with permission of Rock Point, an imprint of Quarto)

LG: I love that you include the classics as well as inventive new takes on our favorites. Personally, I gravitate straight to the dessert section: Cold Brew Cheesecake? Bagel, Lox, and Cream Cheese Hamantaschen? S’mores Coconut Macaroons? Yes, please! Can you share some of your favorites that you can’t wait for people to try at home?

MS: Oh my gosh, I really hope people try the recipes that intimidate them, the ones they’ve been curious about but never thought they could make. The sweet and sour tongue, oxtail soup, chopped liver, rainbow hamantaschen…I’ve always been passionate about encouraging people to step out of their comfort zones, both in the kitchen and in life. You never know what you’ll end up loving.

LG: This cookbook proudly embraces your Jewish roots, but clearly isn’t meant to be exclusionary. You include sections like “Who are the Jewish People?” and “What is Kosher?” for those who may not know, as well as transliteration of any words written in Hebrew. What’s your hope for how this book will be received outside of the Jewish community?

MS: This book feels like a natural extension of my social media, where I use my platform to teach people about Judaism and answer the questions they’ve always wanted to ask but weren’t sure who to ask. For many people, I’m the first Jewish person they’ve ever met, and I’ve always wanted to create a space where it feels safe to ask anything, no matter how out there it might seem. I know not everyone agrees with me, but I truly believe there are no stupid questions. If you’re thinking it, chances are someone else is too.

More than anything, I want people to take away from this book that food is meant to be shared, that anyone can make challah or hamantaschen, and that Jewish food, and Jewish stories, are for everyone who wants to learn.

LG: As someone who was proudly and publicly Jewish long before October 7th, have the past two years had any effect on your online presence and messaging? Do you feel you’ve pulled back at all, leaned in more, or remained consistent?

MS: Since October 7th, I’ve only felt more determined to be louder, prouder, and to show up every single day as a proud Jew. The more they try to bully me with their hate, the more they try to push Jews into hiding, the louder my voice gets. I’m not going anywhere, and I want other Jews on social media to know they don’t have to hide either. We will not apologize for existing or for contributing to the world in beautiful, meaningful ways. We can take up space. We can speak up. And we can do it with our heads held high and our Magen David necklaces worn proudly.

Broccoli Kugel (From Eat Jewish by Melinda Strauss, (c)2025, used with permission of Rock Point, an imprint of Quarto)

It’s no secret that Jews love to eat—maybe as much as we love feeding others. Our community’s enduring association with food evokes Alan King’s famous quote in which he summarizes the origin of every Jewish holiday: “They tried to kill us, we won, let’s eat!”

Eat Jewish is a fantastic addition to any culinary toolkit, it’s pretty enough to display on the counter, and it’s the perfect gift for anyone who loves to feed their tribe. As Melinda says, it’s “Jewish food, Jewish life, and Jewish pride all wrapped up in one beautiful book.”

Eat Jewish hits bookshelves September 2. Pre-order your copy and keep up with Melinda on Instagram and TikTok.

This article originally appeared on the Times of Israel blogs.