Suzy Ultman has been delighting us for years, ever since the algorithm gods placed her adorable felt “Shalom” pennant on our feeds. Since then, the award-winning author, illustrator and product designer has brought so much Jewish joy into our lives through her art and the many Jewish children’s books she’s written and illustrated.
Suzy’s newest book might be the most exciting yet: “The Art of Jewish Joy” comes out this week and includes 50 crafts to celebrate Jewish holidays and traditions. (Plus, we’re partnering with Suzy and her co-author Amanda Kingloff on a Rosh Hashanah card-making class — learn more here!)
We asked Suzy to share the things that bring her Jewish joy, and not surprisingly, her answers are as delightful as her art.
Baking challah: I love to bake challah. The smell is a sensory memory like no other — it immediately brings peace and happiness to my whole being. For years, I used my grandmother’s challah recipe. But I love to experiment in the kitchen with new recipes. So, one day, I gave this Nosher challah recipe a whirl. Don’t tell my bubbe, but it’s my new favorite!
Elegant Shabbat candleholders: I was recently gifted Oneg Shabbat candleholders, and they’re the best new piece of Judaica in my home. They’re elegant and functional.
Family jewelry with a Jewish story: I have two special pieces of jewelry that help me feel connected to my Judaism. I wear my grandmother’s Yad, a trinket she purchased during a trip to Israel, and I also have my mom’s charm bracelet which she wore annually to High Holiday services. As a kid, during the long service, I’d play with her bracelet to pass the time.
A spicy sauce that’s perfect for shakshuka: Sababa’s Saturday Sauce!
“Dirty Dancing”: When I saw “Dirty Dancing” in the theater when I was 18, it was the first time I saw myself represented on screen. Jennifer Grey’s Baby Housman was a fully realized young woman who was smart, funny, unconventionally pretty, sexy, determined, confident, compassionate and Jewish! To top it off, I was a dancer, and well, there’s lots of dancing in the movie.
Jewish board books: My board books brought a lot of Jewish joy into my whole family’s life. My kids are a little old for the books now, but the process of making them opened up some fun conversations. For each book, I did a lot of research, so it was a chance to share my discoveries with the family. We all found that really special and joyful.
New Year, More Kveller. A few dollars keeps Kveller joyfully, honestly free.
