The people of Israel are defined by their love of life and resilience. The cookbook Cooking Together features ingredients from the average Israeli pantry, particularly those from the Gaza Envelope region that was so devastated by a crushing massacre on October 7th that plunged the country into war.

Some of the effects of war are obvious, others less so. 75% of Israel’s domestically grown vegetables come from the Gaza border area, as does much of the nation’s fruit and dairy products. The farms in this area are largely responsible for Israel’s nutritional security. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, 89% of Israeli farmers have been negatively impacted by the war, with a drop of 70% in farm yield.

Israelis from the north to the south have embraced helping farmers as a national mission. Cooking Together is more than a cookbook; it is a manifestation of this nation’s resilience and commitment to helping farmers in the south.

Be’eri, one of the kibbutz communities devastated on October 7th, is home to Israel’s largest printing press. The surviving community members printed Cooking Together in collaboration with Jerusalem’s Geffen Publishing House.

Cooking Together celebrates Israeli cuisine and agriculture. The book is divided into ten chapters, each showcasing a main ingredient grown or produced in the region. Additionally, the recipes tell the story of 76 years of Jews returning home from multiple countries, each bringing their culinary traditions.

By preparing meals for your family with recipes shared by families of the Western Negev, you will be actively supporting Israel’s recovery. The editors have made following the recipes easy with preparation time and the number of servings.

It is heartbreaking to share that chapter three was dedicated to Dror Or, a founding member of Kibbutz Be’eri’s dairy farm. At the time of printing, Dror was being held hostage in Gaza. It has since been confirmed that he was murdered on October 7th, and his body is currently being held in Gaza by his captives. His wife Yonat was found murdered. Their two children taken hostage with their father were released in the first hostage negotiation.

Israelis are turning adversity into strength, and despite our collective pain, we still choose life! Our farmers will return to their land, and our beautiful country will once again bear fruit. We will share meals in spirit as we and our friends and family continue cooking together!

• Softcover
• 179 pages
• Color Photos