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  1. Museum of Jewish Montreal
  2. Lilian Cornfeld

Lilian Cornfeld

collection1901-1922

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Held by
Museum of Jewish Montreal via Museum of Jewish Montreal — map of Jewish Montreal
Dates
1901-1922 (indexed as 1901–1922)
Level
collection (source: Story)
Extent
4 places
Scope & content
Known as the “Mother of Israeli Cuisine,” Lilian Cornfeld (1901–1995), born Lilian Kert, helped create a uniquely Israeli cuisine based on “Sabra” (homegrown Israeli) foods and a synthesis of the cooking styles of its diverse ethnic groups, while taking into account the young country’s tzena (rationing policy). One of the most popular and influential figures in Israeli food, Cornfeld wrote a dozen books emphasizing the emerging Israeli cooking culture, popularizing many distinct meals. Born in Montreal, Cornfeld studied at McGill and Columbia University to become a teacher and dietician. In 1922, she was one of the first Canadian women to immigrate to Palestine. When she arrived at the port of Jaffa, the future Israeli politician Bernard “Dov” Joseph (himself a Montrealer), personally came to greet her. The very first complete cookbook in Modern Hebrew, published in 1948, was Cornfeld’s Ani mevashelet (“I Am Cooking”). Having supervised domestic science for WIZO (Women’s International Zionist Organization) and having worked as a food columnist and nutritional advisor, Cornfeld noted the challenges impeding the emergence of a national cuisine in Israel. These included its diverse composite populations (hailing from places as disparate as Russia and Yemen), the necessity for simplicity and austerity, and the absence of professional chefs. Ani mevashelet addressed the need to create a cuisine distinct to the young state, and is a compilation of recipes garnered from national and international organizations actively working to meet this objective. Though known for her bestselling cookbooks, Cornfeld also contributed articles and recipes to Ha’aretz , the Jerusalem Post and the Palestine Post . Her articles exemplify how women’s columns in Israeli newspapers played a critical role in the wartime efforts during the nation’s first few years of existence. Suggesting meals for husbands and sons both on duty and on leave, Cornfeld addressed the problem of insufficient variety and nutritious content in soldiers’ meals through the creation of a weekly menu for the military kitchen manager. Cornfeld’s creativity in adapting to often restrictive conditions is exemplified in her book, Ma avashel mimanot tzena (“What to Cook with the Austerity Portions”), published in 1949, which directly addressed the period of rationing that followed the founding of the state, through innovative recipes for eggless cakes and dishes using simple and easily accessible ingredients. In addition to her dedication to Israeli cooking, Cornfeld initiated the first program for women on Kol Yisrael, Israel’s national radio station. Sources: Azrieli, David J., Joe King, and Gil Troy. Rekindling the Torch: the Story of Canadian Zionism. Toronto: Key Porter, 2008. Cornfield, Giveon. Lilian - A Life Story: Biography of "Israel's First Lady of Cuisine" Honolulu, HI: Orion Master Recordings, 1996. Print. Cornfeld, Lilian. ""Filafel" Comes Into Its Own." Palestine Post [Jerusalem] 31 Dec. 1939: 10. Historical Jewish Press. The National Library of Israel. Web. 30 May 2011. Cornfeld, Lilian. Israeli and International Cookery. Tel Aviv, Israel: G. Cornfeld, 1978. Cornfeld, Lilian. Israeli Cookery. Westport, CT: Avi Pub., 1962. Encyclopedia Judaica. "Cookbooks." Encyclopedia Judaica. New York University. Web. 15 Oct. 2010. Klein, Shira. "An Army of Housewives: Women’s Wartime Columns in Two Mainstream Israeli." NASHIM: A Journal of Jewish Women’s Studies and Gender Issues 15 (2008): 88-108. http://130.102.44.245/journals/nashim/v015/15.klein.pdf Marks, Gil. "Encyclopedia of Jewish Food." Google Books. Web. 01 Nov. 2010. Nathan, Joan. "The Foods of Israel Today." Google. 2001. Web. 24 Nov. 2010. Azrieli, David J., Joe King et Gil Troy. Rekindling the Torch: the Story of Canadian Zionism. Toronto : Key Porter, 2008. Cornfield, Giveon. Lilian - A Life Story: Biography of “Israel's First Lady of Cuisine.” Honolulu: Orion Master Recordings, 1996. Cornfeld, Lilian. « Filafel Comes Into Its Own. » Historical Jewish Press [Jerusalem]. 31 dec. 1939. Bibliothèque nationale d'Israël. Palestine Post. Cornfeld, Lilian. Israeli and International Cookery. Tel Aviv : G. Cornfeld, 1978. Cornfeld, Lilian. Israeli Cookery. Westport : Avi Pub., 1962. “Cookbooks.” Encyclopedia Judaica. New York University. Klein, Shira. “An Army of Housewives: Women’s Wartime Columns in Two Mainstream Israeli.” NASHIM : A Journal of Jewish Women’s Studies and Gender Issues 15 (2008): 88-108. Marks, Gil. “Encyclopedia of Jewish Food.” Google Books. Nathan, Joan. “The Foods of Israel Today.” Google. 2001. *Images courtesy of the Historical Jewish Press and the Jerusalem Post.
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Subjects
Communal; Education; Literature
Language
English
Harvested
2026-10-17T06:33:35Z · source datestamp n/a · mjm
Original metadata as harvested (mjm)