Being Jewish with Jonah Platt

Unwrapping Hannukah & Food Personality Jake Cohen

Dec 16, 2025
Guest
Jake Cohen
In a festive chat, culinary expert Jake Cohen, a bestselling author known for modern Jewish cooking, dives into the heart of Hanukkah. He shares his journey from a self-described 'High Holiday Jew' to a vibrant voice in food culture. Discover how hosting Shabbat dinners transformed his community connections and the importance of rituals like candle lighting. Jake discusses mixing Jewish identity with queer culture, hosting tips, and family legacy. It’s a conversation filled with warmth, laughter, and the joy of gathering around the table.
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INSIGHT

Hanukkah Is A Community-Created Tradition

  • Jonah Platt reframes Hanukkah as a living tradition chosen by communities, not fixed scripture.
  • He highlights the holiday's role as visible, home-centered continuity that Jews conferred to meet minority life needs.
INSIGHT

From Weapons To Light: The Holiday's Spiritual Turn

  • Jonah contrasts military victory with the rabbis' later focus on spiritual endurance in Hanukkah's story.
  • He argues the oil miracle shifts the holiday toward resilience and preserving the Jewish spirit.
ANECDOTE

Apple Cake Moment Sparked Jewish Food Focus

  • Jake Cohen describes his path from culinary school to food editorial and writing about his great-grandmother's apple cake.
  • That piece sparked his turn toward Jewish identity as the lens for his food work.
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