Matzah and Flour – talk by awardwining culinary historian Hélène Jawhara Piñer

On Wednesday evening 28 January, Synagogue Groningen will host a talk, provided by the renowned culinary historian Dr Hélène Jawhara Piñer. In her talk she will discuss her book Matzah and Flour (2024). "To eat is to remember", argues the author, who also works as educator and chef. Jawhara Piñer will guide us in the history of the Sephardic Jews, and we will explore the central role of matzah and flour in Sephardic cuisine.  

Journey through centuries of tradition as flour, from various grains like chickpea, corn, and barley, intertwines with cultural narratives and religious observance. Delve into the symbolism of matzah, from its origins in the Exodus story to its embodiment of resilience and identity. Each of this cookbook’s thoughtfully prepared recipes is a testament to the transformative power of flour in Sephardic culinary heritage. From savory delicacies to sweet delights, these timeless flavors have sustained Sephardic families through history. Matzah and Flour is a celebration of tradition, history, and the enduring legacy of Sephardic Jewish cuisine. 

Hélène Jawhara Piñer is a PhD in Medieval History, History of Food and a Sephardic Chef. She has lectured at Universities of Yale, Berkeley, Bar Ilan, UCLA, the University of Pennsylvania, and other prestigious ones in the world. She hosted one of the most popular sessions of the Great Big Jewish Food Fest. She published articles in The Forward, Table Magazine, Hadassah, Tablet Magazine, Moment Magazine, etc. She has been awarded the Broome and Allen Fellowship of the American Sephardi Federation (ASF) (2018) and the David Gitlitz emerging scholar prize of the Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies (2021).  She was the Sephardic Chef of the monthly culinary show “Sephardic Culinary History with chef and scholar Hélène Jawhara Piñer” organized by the ASF. 

Matzah and Flour – talk by Hélène Jawhara Piñer (English) 

Wednesday January 28 – 7.15 pm (walk-in at 7 pm) 

Synagoge Groningen, Folkingestraat 60  

Tickets: €5,- | donors Synagogue & students: free | registration is required, stating “Matzah & Flour” via reserveren@synagogegroningen.nl