Honey Cake & Latkes: Recipes from the Old World by the Auschwitz-Birkenau Survivors

"Preparing the dishes in this substantial new cookbook feels like paying homage to resilient survivors."
-- Florence Fabricant ― The New York Times

"A perfect gift for anyone who loves the traditions and food in the Jewish religion." ― Glamour

"Honey Cake & Latkes is more than a collection of recipes. It also contains inspiring stories from the survivors as well as archival and contemporary photographs showing their resilience." ― Jewish Telegraphic Agency

"Sure, Honey Cake & Latkes contains enough Jewish recipes to feed an oneg's-worth of hungry mouths, but in this poignant, one-of-a-kind cookbook, the matzo balls and latkes take a backseat to the subject matter at hand: the collective legacy and triumph of the survivors of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, whose families provided the recipes for the compilation. The cookbook is also a gift that keeps on giving, since all proceeds are donated to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation."  ― Saveur

“You’ll want to cook this mix of well-known classics like matzo brei and lesser known dishes such as mamaglia, a Romanian staple akin to polenta. But just as much, you’ll want to savor the stunning photographs of the foods and, more importantly, the stories of the survivors.” —Dawn Davis, Editor in Chief, Bon Appetit

More than a cookbook, this collection of heirloom recipes conveys Auschwitz-Birkenau survivors’ stories through the mnemonic lens of cooking and food. Collected and edited during the pandemic, this book—in the words of Ronald S. Lauder, Chairman of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation—“is a story of hope and triumph of the human spirit.” Over 110 recipes accompanied by survivors’ pre-war recollections and post-liberation memories weave a unique tapestry of sensory experiences of flavors and aromas from the old world, accounts of loss and trauma, as well as heartwarming and poignant tales of new beginnings and healing. All of the recipes have been tested and retested to make sure they can be replicated in your kitchen while keeping the original character and voice of the survivors who contributed to the volume. Delicious recipes include Blintzes, Kugel, Matzo Ball Soup, Cholent, Goulash, Kasha Varnishkes, Rugelach, and more. Plus, there is a special chapter devoted to classic dishes for the Jewish holidays (Latkes, Charoset, Gefilte Fish, Knishes, Tzimmes, Challah, and others) that you can use to prepare, host, or bring food to a gathering. All proceeds from the sale of this book go to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation (ABMF) is a New York-based non-profit organization established in 2012. Its mission is to safeguard the memory of Auschwitz-Birkenau through the preservation of its original artifacts and bringing education about Auschwitz to every American student. Under the leadership of its Chairman, Ronald S. Lauder, the ABMF believes that the existence of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, its authenticity, and its message will help prevent a reoccurrence of the hatred, racism, antisemitism, and xenophobia that led to the Holocaust.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Foundation's work consists of three main pillars:

• Preservation of the authentic remains of Auschwitz-Birkenau
• Holocaust education 
• Survivors' outreach in the United States