First published in 1968, this is the "go to" cookbook for young singles, couples, and people who simply love food.

The cookbook has become a collector's item and is desirable for its great recipes, historic value as well as for its sentimental value. The cookbook provides users with simple recipes of traditional Jewish foods that are beloved from generation to generation.

Originally conceived as a culinary celebration of Jewish Holy Days, Second Helpings, Please has evolved into an indispensable cooking treasury, one designed with convenience in mind, but packed with all sorts of helpful tips and advice for the amateur cook. From discussions of oven temperatures to substitutions (when you do not have fresh milk, for example), from a primer on how to measure, to a dictionary of food terms, this soup to nuts compendium features over 500 recipes, plus extra pages to fill in one's own special favourites.

A comprehensive index, charts of recommended freezer storage time, glossaries, special occasion menus, and dieting hints add even more to the package.

This iconic cookbook was a project of Mount Sinai Chapter Montreal of B'nai Brith Women of Canada as it was then known. Sharing traditional recipes with simple and explicit instructions was the goal of the project. The members of Mount Sinai Chapter thought that this project would take a couple of months to complete and they would produce a simple cookbook that would be suitable for young brides. This 'simple' project took 3 1/2 years to complete. It was an instant success and quickly become the 'go to' gift for showers and weddings, eventually for young adults moving into their first apartments and finally for anyone and everyone setting up a kitchen.

This edition is a project of Mount Sinai Chapter, Act To End Violence Against Women and marks the 17th printing of this cookbook. Proceeds from the sale of this book will be used to support the work to end violence against women. Over 49 years since its inception, it has sold in excess of 175,000 books around the world and raised more than $250,000 for the work of the organization, now known as Act To End Violence Against Women. The organization's work gives hope for the future for abused women and helps makes their tomorrows better.

Norene Gilletz, a leading author of kosher cookbooks, is the owner of Gourmania Inc. (www.gourmania.com). She divides her time between her work as a food writer, culinary consultant, cooking teacher/lecturer, food manufacturer, and culinary spokesperson. Norene is a Certified Culinary Professional with IACP (International Association of Culinary Professionals) and has expertise in a wide variety of health concerns and special diets. Norene has done hundreds of personal appearances and demonstrations throughout North America. The mother of three and grandmother of five, Norene lives in Toronto and can usually be found in or nearby a kitchen.

Norene Gilletz's profile page

Harriet Nussbaum's profile page

Mount Sinai Chapter, Act To End Violence Against Women's profile page

"Few cookbooks achieve the impact and reach of this 49-year-old compilation, now in its seventeenth printing and with 150,000 copies already sold, produced to benefit Quebec's Act to End Violence against Women. Over the years, the content has morphed. While originally written with little or no calorie control in mind and following Jewish dietary guidelines, later editions also featured chapters on low-cal dishes as well as microwave basics. Its nearly 700 recipes will, almost certainly, satisfy every palate and eating idiosyncrasy. There are no photographs, and recipes are crunched together, often four or more to a page. Helpfully, like dishes are grouped with like (e.g., apple pie-type offerings include crunch pie, tart, and turnovers). Expect past as well as up-to-the-minute trends to be reflected, chopped liver (five ways) and Jell-O desserts along with baked vegetables like cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. Each chapter is prefaced by helpful hints (Too salty? Add a potato to absorb); sample menus are provided, especially for the Jewish holidays; and even suggestions for "ill child" activities and birthday parties appear."
— Booklist