As the fourth anniversary of publishing 52 Shabbats: Friday Night Dinners Inspired by a Global Jewish Kitchen approaches, I want to take a moment to reflect on the process that brought my cookbook to life.

In February 2020, I sat down with Angela Engel, founder and publisher of The Collective Book Studio, to discuss cookbook ideas. I had developed more than a thousand Jewish food recipes and spent years writing about Jewish food history and traditions for publications. However, I was reluctant to voice my idea for fear that a Shabbat-menu cookbook combining storytelling and recipes would not be deemed marketable. Thankfully, Angela saw my passion and expertise and asked me why I wasn’t writing this book. With that question, she kickstarted a journey that turned my vision into a reality. 

Candid photo of Faith Kramer cooking.

I knew that I wanted my cookbook to connect Jewish food, holidays, and Shabbat customs across place and time, presenting modern twists and flavors that would reflect how I cook for family and friends. I love connecting with others over Friday night dinner, so I wanted 52 Shabbats to explore Jewish life, celebrations, and communities to heighten the Shabbat experience for those both new to and familiar with the tradition. 

With this vision in mind, I began creating, testing, and revising recipes: I put my spin on classic Jewish dishes, experimented with vegetarian and vegan adaptations, and crafted recipes inspired by the Jewish diaspora and international cuisines. I fleshed out the stories behind these recipes—researching their ingredients, cultural significance, and associated practices, as well as their related histories, economics, politics, and geographies.

Behind the scenes photo of the food photoshoot for 52 Shabbats.

I then turned to my team to transform my manuscript into a book. Editor Amy Treadwell helped me hone my voice, ensuring what I envisioned in my head was reflected on the page, while designer Andrea Kelly, photographer Clara Rice, and food stylist Bebe Black Carminito ensured that the book’s visuals were captivating for readers. Collaborating during COVID times presented its share of setbacks, but through it all we launched the cookbook of my dreams. 52 Shabbats sold out its first printing in a month, became an Amazon bestseller, and received awards for its content and design. 

The making of 52 Shabbats called for a combination of passion, expertise, and a strong support system. It’s with these ingredients that we crafted a cookbook that transports me into readers’ kitchens, cooking alongside them, sharing stories about the food I love.

This is the story behind 52 Shabbats, but not the end of my story. Join me for the journey at faithkramer.com or by signing up for my newsletter at faithkramer.substack.com.