Wherever my family is, we always incorporate the Jewish delicacy of latkes into our Hebrew holiday dinner meals. Potato latkes are a more recent Ashkenazi invention that gained popularity in Eastern Europe during the mid 1800′s. A series of crop failures in Poland and the Ukraine led to the mass planting of potatoes, which were easy and cheap to grow. Latkes have played a huge part in my family's holiday celebrations because they are the main appetizer and sometimes meal for everyone. My first Rosh Hashanah dinner that I can recall was around early September of 2009. My family always gathers at my house where my mom and dad would host cousins, grandparents, and family friends from all over Long Island to come enjoy the Jewish New Year. Everyone looked forward to my grandma’s famous homemade latkes. These latkes had been more crunchy and tasteful than any other Hebrew food I have ever tried. My grandma had always shown up extra early and was the first person to leave every time. Throughout the night each person delightfully enjoyed their own latkes and the happiness on their faces couldn’t be faked. The story is important to share because it symbolizes how my family enjoys our holidays feasting on Hebrew delicacies. Latkes are the main food that everyone looks forward to eating before having an appetizing meal. This object represents myself because it symbolizes my Judaism and how I incorporate it into my everyday life.

– Liam P.

Relationship:  Grandchild of im/migrant Grandchild of im/migrant