The Matzah Ball: A Novel
Oy! to the world
Rachel Rubenstein-Goldblatt is a nice Jewish girl with a shameful secret: she loves Christmas. For a decade she’s hidden her career as a Christmas romance novelist from her family. Her talent has made her a bestseller even as her chronic illness has always kept the kind of love she writes about out of reach.
But when her diversity-conscious publisher insists she write a Hanukkah romance, her well of inspiration suddenly runs dry. Hanukkah’s not magical. It’s not merry. It’s not Christmas. Desperate not to lose her contract, Rachel’s determined to find her muse at the Matzah Ball, a Jewish music celebration on the last night of Hanukkah, even if it means working with her summer camp archenemy—Jacob Greenberg.
Though Rachel and Jacob haven’t seen each other since they were kids, their grudge still glows brighter than a menorah. But as they spend more time together, Rachel finds herself drawn to Hanukkah—and Jacob—in a way she never expected. Maybe this holiday of lights will be the spark she needed to set her heart ablaze.
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Readers say **The Matzah Ball: A Novel by Jean Meltzer** warmly captures Jewish traditions and the impact of chronic illness with heartfelt humor and ...
First and foremost, I have to say that I am a Jewish woman who also celebrates Christmas and I LOVED THIS BOOK! Everyone who is being so rude and hurtful about this book needs to read more about the author because much of this story is based on parts of her real life and struggles with chronic illness. She also went to rabbinical school so all the reviewers that say she needs to educate herself are just ignorant!
Now back to the book itself... L'CHAIM!! Absolutely LOVED this book and was cracking up and crying throughout the whole thing. The sprinkle of yiddish words and traditional Jewish foods, prayers, and traditions made my heart warm. This book is so heartfelt and charming. If enemies to lovers or friends to enemies to lovers isn't your style, then just don't read it. But this is established pretty early on so you can't say that the characters were horrible or annoying when you knew what the trope was.
I honestly wish that someday I find my Jacob! Absolutely loved that Rachel had someone like Mickey who she could be honest with about both her job and her struggles with her illness. And thank you Jean Meltzer for giving more information on this illness and how much so many people who have it have to overcome. And thank you for showing a character that doesn't let it stop her!
At the end of this book, I was holding it tightly and feeling like, finally, a book told about a holiday that I truly love. This book not only reflects Jewish traditions and rituals but shows us how those traditions are magical in the way they bring families together and bond them tightly. This book is about destroying your inner walls, confronting the resentments that hold you back and fighting your inner fears. Whether you are Jewish or not, you can learn a lot from this book.
Quick summary: Rachel Rubenstein Goldblatt (what a Jewish name for sure), daughter of a doctor and Rabbi, makes a living writing Christmas romance novels. She hides this fact about herself much like she hides her chronic illness of chronic fatigue syndrome. Her daily life is plagued with crushing fatigue, brain fog, migraines and just doing simple tasks could force her into bed for days after. Being an at-home writer is the perfect job but she is afraid of what everyone else will say about what she writes given her family and upbringing.
Now publishers want her to write a Hanukkah romance. But how? Rachel just doesn't see how Hanukkah is as magical as all that she already writes about. Well, it's time to research. There is soon to be a Matzah Ball party: a Jewish musical celebration to be thrown on the last night of Hanukkah and is being put on by one of the best party planners ever. Problem: his name is Jacob Greenberg and he is Rachel's camp archenemy. What hoops will she have to jump through just to get the research she needs?
As time passes, they begin to see different things in each other, they begin to learn more truths about themselves and each other, and they truly go on an emotional rollercoaster throughout the days leading up to the Matzah Ball.
5 stars for sure and one I will be recommending for years to come. Such a wonderful, inspirational, tear jerking, romantic Hanukkah story!! Go into it knowing certain tropes are coming and that yes, the main character is a Jewish woman who loves Christmas and get past that. Then you will absolutely love this story and every single character!
Quotes
“Dr. Rubenstein pushed her way inside, letting her fingers graze the mezuzah on Rachel’s doorpost before entering. Making her way straight to the refrigerator, she began unloading ‘dinner.’ There was a large vat of chopped liver, two loaves of pumpernickel bread, three different types of rugalach. Dr. Rubenstein believed in feeding the people you love, and the love she had for her daughter was likely to end in heart disease.” pg. 11
“Fine, Mickey admitted. I’m judging you a little. But seriously Rachel. You’re the bestselling author of over twenty Christmas romance novels! You have four Christmas movies on television. And nobody in the world even knows about it. Not your readers, not your fans, not your parents! I mean, I’m all for keeping folks in the dark about one’s personal life, but don’t you think it’s time to come out of the Christmas closet? Or in your case … the Christmas office?” pg. 19
“But Rachel had seen a side of Jacob during Shabbat she did not expect. He was charming and sweet. He enjoyed complex thoughts and conversations. But the moment that he really thrown her - the moment that made her think this man may have true romantic potential - was when he’s interacted with Paul.
Men came with all sorts of qualities. Some had broad shoulders, large wallets, or a decent sense of comedic timing. But when she thought about walking down the aisle, when she thought about standing beneath the huppah, getting ready to marry someone the center of her world - she knew she would only marry a mensch. A good person” pg. 121
“Matzah was like the Jewish people this way. Hardy and resilient. It could be kept for years, hidden away in the pantry, pulled out during times of economic uncertainty or as a prescriptive for indigestion. Matzah was always there for you in an emergency” pg. 149
“But what I always explained to Jacob is that these candles are a metaphor. They remind us that we always have a choice. We can be someone who snuffs out another person’s candle and, in the process, makes the world a darker place. Or we can be the type of person who spreads light. Better to be the shamash - one candle that lights all the others and brightens an otherwise dark world” pg. 182
“The world is filled with angry and miserable people. Those people are never going to be happy for you. So you go out there and you live your truth. You be the person the universe asked you to be. And anyone who doesn’t celebrate you for it, anyone who doesn’t love you through it, screw ‘em. Because we love you. Just the way you are.” pg. 250
“Truth can be scary. Darkness might always endeavor to snuff out the light, but the strength of those who truly loved us would always push us forward. This was how we brightened an otherwise dark world. We filled it with truth, and love, and light.” pg. 343
“When I first saw you again, I thought you were still that horrible little boy I met at Camp Ahava. I thought you just wanted to torture me, and embarrass me, making me wear that stupid matzah ball costume all around your event. And yes, I only wanted a ticket because I needed to write a book about Hanukkah. But then I started to get to know you. I started to learn about you, and your mom, and your bubbe, and why Hanukkah was such an important holiday to you. And I began to see you for who you are, Jacob. You’re not a horrible person. You’re not the Hanukkah Grinch. You’re kind, and philanthropic. You go out of your way for people, for me. And you deserve better than someone who lies to you. The point is…I love you” pg. 369-370
“Dr. Rubenstein responded, ‘Our daughter is a world-famous Christmas romance novelist.’ Rabbi Goldblatt said, ‘I thought we knew that.’ ‘Of course we knew that! But now, she has finally found the courage to tell us.’ Bittersweet tears filled Rachel’s eyes. She could not believe what she was hearing. All this time, her mother and father had known the truth. Glancing up at her parent, pride beaming from their faces, she understood. Rachel was loved. She was loved unconditionally. For all her bad days, disappointments and disasters…she had never been invalid” pg. 371-372
“Rachel had lived a decade of her life in secret, certain that her entire world would come crashing down if anybody found out the truth about her disease or her career. Instead - the irony struck her - it was the exact opposite. Everything good in her life had grown out of being honest” pg. 384
Now back to the book itself... L'CHAIM!! Absolutely LOVED this book and was cracking up and crying throughout the whole thing. The sprinkle of yiddish words and traditional Jewish foods, prayers, and traditions made my heart warm. This book is so heartfelt and charming. If enemies to lovers or friends to enemies to lovers isn't your style, then just don't read it. But this is established pretty early on so you can't say that the characters were horrible or annoying when you knew what the trope was.
I honestly wish that someday I find my Jacob! Absolutely loved that Rachel had someone like Mickey who she could be honest with about both her job and her struggles with her illness. And thank you Jean Meltzer for giving more information on this illness and how much so many people who have it have to overcome. And thank you for showing a character that doesn't let it stop her!
At the end of this book, I was holding it tightly and feeling like, finally, a book told about a holiday that I truly love. This book not only reflects Jewish traditions and rituals but shows us how those traditions are magical in the way they bring families together and bond them tightly. This book is about destroying your inner walls, confronting the resentments that hold you back and fighting your inner fears. Whether you are Jewish or not, you can learn a lot from this book.
Quick summary: Rachel Rubenstein Goldblatt (what a Jewish name for sure), daughter of a doctor and Rabbi, makes a living writing Christmas romance novels. She hides this fact about herself much like she hides her chronic illness of chronic fatigue syndrome. Her daily life is plagued with crushing fatigue, brain fog, migraines and just doing simple tasks could force her into bed for days after. Being an at-home writer is the perfect job but she is afraid of what everyone else will say about what she writes given her family and upbringing.
Now publishers want her to write a Hanukkah romance. But how? Rachel just doesn't see how Hanukkah is as magical as all that she already writes about. Well, it's time to research. There is soon to be a Matzah Ball party: a Jewish musical celebration to be thrown on the last night of Hanukkah and is being put on by one of the best party planners ever. Problem: his name is Jacob Greenberg and he is Rachel's camp archenemy. What hoops will she have to jump through just to get the research she needs?
As time passes, they begin to see different things in each other, they begin to learn more truths about themselves and each other, and they truly go on an emotional rollercoaster throughout the days leading up to the Matzah Ball.
5 stars for sure and one I will be recommending for years to come. Such a wonderful, inspirational, tear jerking, romantic Hanukkah story!! Go into it knowing certain tropes are coming and that yes, the main character is a Jewish woman who loves Christmas and get past that. Then you will absolutely love this story and every single character!
Quotes
“Dr. Rubenstein pushed her way inside, letting her fingers graze the mezuzah on Rachel’s doorpost before entering. Making her way straight to the refrigerator, she began unloading ‘dinner.’ There was a large vat of chopped liver, two loaves of pumpernickel bread, three different types of rugalach. Dr. Rubenstein believed in feeding the people you love, and the love she had for her daughter was likely to end in heart disease.” pg. 11
“Fine, Mickey admitted. I’m judging you a little. But seriously Rachel. You’re the bestselling author of over twenty Christmas romance novels! You have four Christmas movies on television. And nobody in the world even knows about it. Not your readers, not your fans, not your parents! I mean, I’m all for keeping folks in the dark about one’s personal life, but don’t you think it’s time to come out of the Christmas closet? Or in your case … the Christmas office?” pg. 19
“But Rachel had seen a side of Jacob during Shabbat she did not expect. He was charming and sweet. He enjoyed complex thoughts and conversations. But the moment that he really thrown her - the moment that made her think this man may have true romantic potential - was when he’s interacted with Paul.
Men came with all sorts of qualities. Some had broad shoulders, large wallets, or a decent sense of comedic timing. But when she thought about walking down the aisle, when she thought about standing beneath the huppah, getting ready to marry someone the center of her world - she knew she would only marry a mensch. A good person” pg. 121
“Matzah was like the Jewish people this way. Hardy and resilient. It could be kept for years, hidden away in the pantry, pulled out during times of economic uncertainty or as a prescriptive for indigestion. Matzah was always there for you in an emergency” pg. 149
“But what I always explained to Jacob is that these candles are a metaphor. They remind us that we always have a choice. We can be someone who snuffs out another person’s candle and, in the process, makes the world a darker place. Or we can be the type of person who spreads light. Better to be the shamash - one candle that lights all the others and brightens an otherwise dark world” pg. 182
“The world is filled with angry and miserable people. Those people are never going to be happy for you. So you go out there and you live your truth. You be the person the universe asked you to be. And anyone who doesn’t celebrate you for it, anyone who doesn’t love you through it, screw ‘em. Because we love you. Just the way you are.” pg. 250
“Truth can be scary. Darkness might always endeavor to snuff out the light, but the strength of those who truly loved us would always push us forward. This was how we brightened an otherwise dark world. We filled it with truth, and love, and light.” pg. 343
“When I first saw you again, I thought you were still that horrible little boy I met at Camp Ahava. I thought you just wanted to torture me, and embarrass me, making me wear that stupid matzah ball costume all around your event. And yes, I only wanted a ticket because I needed to write a book about Hanukkah. But then I started to get to know you. I started to learn about you, and your mom, and your bubbe, and why Hanukkah was such an important holiday to you. And I began to see you for who you are, Jacob. You’re not a horrible person. You’re not the Hanukkah Grinch. You’re kind, and philanthropic. You go out of your way for people, for me. And you deserve better than someone who lies to you. The point is…I love you” pg. 369-370
“Dr. Rubenstein responded, ‘Our daughter is a world-famous Christmas romance novelist.’ Rabbi Goldblatt said, ‘I thought we knew that.’ ‘Of course we knew that! But now, she has finally found the courage to tell us.’ Bittersweet tears filled Rachel’s eyes. She could not believe what she was hearing. All this time, her mother and father had known the truth. Glancing up at her parent, pride beaming from their faces, she understood. Rachel was loved. She was loved unconditionally. For all her bad days, disappointments and disasters…she had never been invalid” pg. 371-372
“Rachel had lived a decade of her life in secret, certain that her entire world would come crashing down if anybody found out the truth about her disease or her career. Instead - the irony struck her - it was the exact opposite. Everything good in her life had grown out of being honest” pg. 384
⭐️⭐️ / 2 stars
I thought, what's not to love about a bestselling author who's Jewish but secretly writes Christmas romance? Turns out, there's quite a lot about Rachel that I absolutely did not love.
She's whiny and so full of herself that she can't see what's right in front of her face, and don't get me started on the CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) references.
As a nurse I absolutely have compassion for those battling chronic illness, but my gosh talk about "beating a de@d horse". I just feel there was a huge missed opportunity here for true enlightenment and education. Instead, the author has potentially done more harm than good by turning people off of wanting to learn more or feeling empathetic because it's referenced to the point of annoyance.
Overall I felt like there was a good premise here with lots of potential, but unfortunately the ball was dropped on this one, pun intended.
I listened to the audiobook version and though I didn't enjoy the book, I thought narration was well done.
I thought, what's not to love about a bestselling author who's Jewish but secretly writes Christmas romance? Turns out, there's quite a lot about Rachel that I absolutely did not love.
She's whiny and so full of herself that she can't see what's right in front of her face, and don't get me started on the CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) references.
As a nurse I absolutely have compassion for those battling chronic illness, but my gosh talk about "beating a de@d horse". I just feel there was a huge missed opportunity here for true enlightenment and education. Instead, the author has potentially done more harm than good by turning people off of wanting to learn more or feeling empathetic because it's referenced to the point of annoyance.
Overall I felt like there was a good premise here with lots of potential, but unfortunately the ball was dropped on this one, pun intended.
I listened to the audiobook version and though I didn't enjoy the book, I thought narration was well done.
Was laughing out loud throughout, loved this so much the writing is great such a wonderful holiday read! I especially felt a strong relation towards the fmc as I have a chronic illness myself and am also Jewish. Lovely to see such a take on Hanukkah for a change 🕎🫶🏻 Highly recommended ✨
What witty book that is not actually a full Christmas book. At first I was skeptical and really thinking of skipping this book but overall this was enjoyable! I would recommend!
I adored this! I’d get frustrated with the characters and then squeal with delight. Funny, sweet and such a fun look into the Jewish culture.
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