Introduction: Food and Identity- Gender, Food, and Survival Summary

            In this short passage composed by Normal Baumel Joseph, we learn about the relationship between, food, religion, and gender. In first generation Jewish records, we read about religious gatherings, communal settings, and other events that include the sharing of food, but, none of these early texts mentioned anything about the role of women. It was just a known fact that their primary role was to cook and clean so the consensus was that there was no need to write about them. When in reality, noting the efforts of the woman was very important because they were the ones who shared recipes and traditions with one another within the Jewish community (This articles focuses on the Jewish community but I’m sure this pattern stays true for most other religions). In essence, the ones holding the Jewish culture and tradition together. Like most cultures and Judaism in particular, food was an essential part and with the dietary laws and religious sacrifices involved, it created a tight knot community that everyone was a part of. This passage teaches us that everyone has an important role within the community and no one’s efforts should go unnoted. Food is a quintessential part in everyday Jewish life and neglecting to mention all aspects of how it is prepared and served did a large injustice to women.