Elana Benjamin with Indian-Jewish Food; in conversation with Indira Naidoo

Date: 6th Nov 2024 Time: 6:30pm - 7:30pm Location:

Waverley Library

Details

Waverley library invites you to attend this special talk with local writer, cook and literary contributor, Elana Benjamin presenting her new book Indian-Jewish Food: A Book of Recipes and Stories from the Back Streets of Bondi . This book captures the spectacular – but little-known – cuisine of India’s Baghdadi Jews who immigrated to Australia in the 1950s and 60s.

India was home to three Jewish communities, including one which originated in Iraq: the Baghdadi Jews. By incorporating Indian spices into traditional Iraqi dishes and following the Jewish dietary laws – which prohibit the mixing of meat and dairy – India’s Baghdadi Jews created a delicious cuisine that isn’t quite typical Indian.

Baghdadi Jews from India, mostly Bombay and Calcutta, began arriving in Australia in the late 1940s. Many settled in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, especially Bondi. This was well before the end of the White Australia Policy, well before the first trickle of Indian immigrants to Australia in the 1960s.

Elana will share the stories of Bondi's rich culinary history like Eze Moses’ legendary Bondi spice shop, as well has recipes, flavours and fabulous samples from the book. This is a special night not to miss. Help us celebrate Diwali Week by attending this talk.