Indian vegetarian food for Jewish friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No, nothing from your home is kosher.

I see.

Any ideas about what I can get for my friends? I do not want to offend.

If they do not keep a kosher kitchen that sounds fantastic!
Is there someone you can ask? Some families just wont have specifically non-kosher things like pork, but they don’t keep a whole kosher kitchen.
Most Jewish families we know would be delighted with that.
So many people send sweets; it’s great to get real food in times like this.

I’m Jewish, and I’ve brought a ham and rolls and sides to Christian friends after a death in their family.
I think your effort is lovely.

Thank you. As I am reading more on the internet about what is allowed and what is kosher etc, I think a lot of Indian vegetarian cooking will lend itself to meeting at least the dietary requirements (even if it is not meeting the purification and religious requirements) I intend to go several times to visit and I think I can then find out what I can make for them and if they are very strict or not.

I agree. I think some real food will be a change for them. I am sure their family and friends are getting them their regular food, so I want to bring them something different. Indian homemade vegetarian food is lighter, less spicy, fresher, more varied, more flavorful and healthier than what the regular Indian restaurants serve.

Anyways, thank you to all who responded. I am also reading a bit more about how a kosher kitchen is run and all I can say is that it makes so much sense. All of this is to make people mindful of what they eat and to prevent diseases and cross contamination.

Please don't cite secular reasons as justification for keeping kosher. This is actually a little bit belittling. I understand that it may feel like praise or being understanding or supportive, but it undermines that this is a commandment to be holy. It isn't done for reasons like preventing disease or cross contamination. That was never the point.

Thank you for your kindness and respect to this family. May this be returned to you tenfold.

Those reasons OP stated make a lot more sense than “hey this imaginary dude said to do this and we shall blindly follow”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The majority of American Jews do not keep kosher at all.

Do you have a mutual friend you could ask if she keeps kosher? What have you seen her eat?

Other than that your menu sounds amazing.

Thank you. I will probably go with just dried fruits and nuts platter for the Shiva. I think I will get a better sense after I visit her and after this period is over I can make some meals and see if they like it? Not sure how strict they are but I think in such times people revert to their traditions for comfort. Thank you.

No one who isn't ordinarily keeping kosher, decides to suddenly keep kosher just because someone has died.

It's really thoughtful of you to think of your friend like this - but it will be weird if you bring kosher food to a home where the peple don't keep kosher. It's super weird. I hate when people make assumptions about what I do and don't eat like that. Most American jews don't keep kosher. If you don't know, don't bring kosher food - you dont actually have to bring anything. The person sitting shiva will provide the food for the guests who come to mourn with them. But you can bring a platter of cookies or something like that = something that is easy to give away if they (for whatever reason) don't eat that food.

You won't have a better idea once you go to their house, unless you specifically ask - and no one is going to want to explain American jewish customs at shiva.

[Anonymous]

OP I am Jewish but not orthodox and when in doubt I always just buy something from a certified kosher market. I just feel that leaves less room for error. And by the way I wish I had more friends like you, you sound very caring.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The majority of American Jews do not keep kosher at all.

Do you have a mutual friend you could ask if she keeps kosher? What have you seen her eat?

Other than that your menu sounds amazing.

Thank you. I will probably go with just dried fruits and nuts platter for the Shiva. I think I will get a better sense after I visit her and after this period is over I can make some meals and see if they like it? Not sure how strict they are but I think in such times people revert to their traditions for comfort. Thank you.

No one who isn't ordinarily keeping kosher, decides to suddenly keep kosher just because someone has died.

It's really thoughtful of you to think of your friend like this - but it will be weird if you bring kosher food to a home where the peple don't keep kosher. It's super weird. I hate when people make assumptions about what I do and don't eat like that. Most American jews don't keep kosher. If you don't know, don't bring kosher food - you dont actually have to bring anything. The person sitting shiva will provide the food for the guests who come to mourn with them. But you can bring a platter of cookies or something like that = something that is easy to give away if they (for whatever reason) don't eat that food.

You won't have a better idea once you go to their house, unless you specifically ask - and no one is going to want to explain American jewish customs at shiva.

What a strange comment. Kashrut is indeed a spectrum, and according to surveys of observance, most American Jews do keep some level of kashrut, whether it’s not eating pork or shellfish, or not eating pork or shellfish in the home, not mixing meat and dairy, only eating vegetarian out, keeping Passover, etc. Keepimg kashrut does not mean two sets of dishes - this was not even a common practice until after WWII in most countries. I would never assume that a person’s level of kashrut and purposely bring something into their home that they don’t want there- especially when they are in mourning.