Celebrating Jewish Holidays as a Vegan

by Ellen Montal
(Central Valley, NY, USA)

Celebrating Jewish Holidays as a Vegan


No matter what the holiday, I season it with vegan flavor. First I had to come to terms with the menu changing. It wouldn't be what I was raised with - the menu tradition would need to be changed to a new tradition. I still am struggling with trying to find good vegan menus for the traditional Jewish fare; however, I'd rather struggle with that or coming to terms with just not having it then for the animals to struggle at all.

With every holiday, I have always started the holiday with everyone sitting around the table discussing the meaning of that holiday. Now I go into the meaning of that holiday more intensely discussing the animal's plight. For example, for Passover, we not only discuss what the Jews went through in Egypt but also the slavery that is still going on in all parts of the world as well as what the abuse, torture and horror the animals are experiencing. Soon will be Rosh Hashanah - again I will discuss the meaning of the holiday and how it relates to what is going on with the animals. Thanksgiving is the same - we discuss the holiday meaning and how other creatures have the right to a healthy, happy life and that I am thankful that there are people who are dedicating their lives to make it so.