Gift for mothers

[Mamabear04]

I was wondering if there is a traditional gift for mothers in Jewish culture? Like a certain type of jewellery or something? My Mum recently found out her Dad was Jewish (she is almost 70!) and I thought it would be nice to get her a gift to celebrate (is that the right word?) her new found heritage. I think of star of David would be a but much (maybe a bit rich seeing as we're not Jewish) is there anything else that would make a nice gift?

How about a Chai necklace? Chai is the Hebrew word for 'life'.

Autocorrect!

Chai is the Hebrew word for 'living'.

I have no idea about traditional gifts, but I’ve given my mum a menorah before. She has Jewish heritage and loves it so much.

Or possibly a framed family tree? Or do some research into the Jewish branch of the family tree? Just throwing ideas out there- feel free to throw them back. 🫣

Could you tell me more about why one would give a chai necklace? I was looking online and it seems like it's mainly given to girls or am I wrong?

Oh this is a nice idea!

Maybe a cookbook? The Evelyn Rose one is always popular, or maybe one that also tells a story about the food and the people? I have one like it for Iraqi Jewish coming, I'm sure there are similar for other backgrounds.

Claudia Roden's Book if Jewush Cookery is an absolute delight - biography, autobiography, history and cookbook all in one.

I know plenty of young Jewish men who wear a Chai. It is a symbol of hope. And of defiance: 'Am Yisrael Chai' - the Jewish people lives, despite everything that has been thrown at us, despite all the attempts to annihilate us, we're still here! It is also a relatively discreet symbol of Jewishness. Most people know what the six-pointed star represents, and sometimes that leads to unpleasant interactions, but few racists recognise those two Hebrew letters.

As you feel that giving your dm an overtly Jewish symbol would be inappropriate, how about something that is not overly Jewish, but emphasises life, hope, and a connection with the Jewish people?

(Though if your dm is into cooking, or even into reading about cooking, you won't go wrong with the Claudia Roden book!)

Re the star of David...I just feel because we're not born Jewish or of the Jewish religion that maybe we would be completely appropriating a culture that's not really ours if that makes sense? My Grandfather kept it hidden from everyone even my Grandma. I like the idea of a chai necklace as hearing our family's story of surviving the pogroms of Europe and their journey to the UK(all thr way from Jordon!) makes me very proud that they were so resilient in their perseverance to find a safe place to call home.

Unfortunately my mum hates cooking! I am the complete opposite and might buy myself a Jewish cook book!

Goggling for myself....

Love the idea of the narrative along with the recipes!

Do get it for yourself, it's a fantastic book.

You could also buy a hamsa - it is a decorative hand used to ward off the evil eye. It’s traditionally used in Sephardi Jewish families but now more widely adopted. Hamsas can be bought as jewellery or as a home decoration.

I saw some beautiful iced Rosh Hashanah biscuits from biscuiteers the other day. They are pricey but look gorgeous.