Of course I love cooking Eastern European food because I'm a Jew

Host: The room was filled with a quiet calm, the soft light of the lamp casting gentle shadows across the space. Outside, the world had settled into the stillness of night, the air cool and peaceful. Jeeny sat at the table, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her cup, her expression thoughtful. Jack, standing by the window, gazed out at the darkened world, absorbed in his thoughts. There was a subtle sense of anticipation in the air, as if a deeper conversation was about to unfold.

Jeeny: (breaking the silence, her voice calm but reflective) “I came across something by Judy Gold today that really made me smile. She said, ‘Of course I love cooking Eastern European food because I’m a Jew, but I also love making roast chicken. I love making Hungarian goulash. There are a lot of egg noodles in my cooking.’ What do you think about that?”

Jack: (pauses, a soft smile appearing) “I love the way she embraces her heritage and identity through food, but also how she celebrates the joy of cooking beyond just tradition. It’s not just about cooking Eastern European food because it’s tied to her Jewish roots—it’s about the pleasure she finds in the act of cooking itself, in the food that nourishes her, no matter where it comes from. There’s something really human about it, isn’t there? Cooking is both a connection to our past and a way to enjoy the present.”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly) “Exactly. Food has this incredible way of tying us to our roots, to our families, to the stories of where we come from. But it’s also about personal expression—it’s not just about tradition. It’s about what we bring to it, what we create, and how we find comfort and joy in the food we make. Judy Gold seems to be showing that food can be a blend of identity and pleasure, of history and individuality.”

Host: The stillness in the room grew deeper as Jeeny and Jack reflected on the deeper meanings behind Gold’s words. Outside, the night had fully set in, but inside, the conversation had begun to take on a more profound tone—about the connection between food, culture, and personal expression.

Jack: (his voice more reflective now) “I think it’s also interesting how she talks about egg noodles in her cooking. They’re simple, humble, and yet they appear in many different traditions. That’s the thing about food—it’s both familiar and universal. It’s something that can carry the flavor of your heritage while also being open to experimentation and creativity. There’s a humility in cooking, and it doesn’t have to be fancy to be meaningful. It’s about what you put into it.”

Jeeny: (softly) “Yes, and there’s something deeply comforting about the foods we grow up with, the ones that have a sense of tradition attached to them. But it’s also about celebrating those foods in a way that makes them your own. Even if you’re cooking something familiar, you’re still bringing your personal touch, your unique flavor to it. It’s like each person has their own story embedded in the way they cook and the dishes they choose to prepare.”

Jack: (nodding slowly) “Right. And maybe that’s why food is such a universal language. It connects us to each other, to our cultures, and to ourselves. It doesn’t matter where the food comes from—what matters is the love and care we put into it, and how it connects us to others. Even something like Hungarian goulash or roast chicken carries so much meaning, whether it’s because of the memories we attach to it or simply because it brings us joy to make it.”

Jeeny: (smiling gently) “Exactly. And Judy Gold’s quote is a beautiful reminder that food isn’t just about following tradition—it’s about making it meaningful to us, personally. It’s about expression, about taking what we know and love and finding ways to create something new out of it, all while honoring the traditions that have shaped us.”

Host: The quiet in the room seemed to grow deeper, as the conversation unfolded into a reflection on food, identity, and creativity. Outside, the world had quieted, but inside, there was a deep understanding about the role of food in connecting us to our past, while also offering an opportunity for personal expression.

Jack: (smiling softly) “It’s a reminder that food is more than just something we eat—it’s a way to express who we are, where we come from, and what we love. It’s a form of creativity, a form of connection.”

Jeeny: (nodding warmly) “Exactly. Food tells a story, whether it’s one of tradition or innovation. And it’s in that blend, the combination of the past and the present, that we find something truly special.”

Host: The night continued outside, but inside, the room felt full of understanding. Jeeny and Jack had uncovered a deeper truth about the role of food in our lives—it’s not just about what we eat, but how we use food to connect with our heritage, with others, and with ourselves. Like Judy Gold’s love for cooking, food is a way to express our identity, our creativity, and the joy we find in sharing experiences with the world.