Support an international quest for the edible heirloom that sustained generations. Honor the ancestors. Unleash a huddle of hidden stories.
A Mystery
When Mrs. Stahl's 70-year-old Brighton Beach, Brooklyn knish shop disappeared without notice, Laura Silver sprang into action. The native New Yorker found the recipe resuscitated (more or less) in a pasta factory in New Jersey.
A History
Then, on a trip to Poland in search of family roots, Silver discovered her people were from not only Bialystok, but Knysyzn. She took this as a sign to continue her quest for the holy dough (references to knish-like objects appear in the Talmud, really) in Brooklyn, Israel and Eastern Europe.
A Hunk-a Hunk-a Burning Love...
Part memoir, part knish history, and part world tour in search of modern traces of the knish, The Book of Knish explores identity, memory and a persistent hunger for belonging.
. . . and You
Knish veterans, knish enthusiasts and the knish curious can all play a vital role in this project. Your contribution will help Laura sit on her butt and get this project done. You'll help cover costs of research, writing time, translation and ongoing knish investigations in New York and points east, way east, i.e., Moldova is a modern-day hotbed of knish production.
Knish Credentials
Laura has written for The New York Times, National Public Radio and the anthology Jews of Brooklyn. She has worked at the United Nations, the Museum of Jewish Heritage and WNYC Radio and has been recognized by the Lilly Foundation, the National Press Foundation, and the Banff New Media Institute.
But she still needs more dough to keep the project going. No donation too small. Knish stories — and questions — always welcomed.
Video by Peter Hamlin. Special thanks to Miss Wit, the Banff Knish Society and supporters everywhere.
FAQ
Have a question? If the info above doesn't help, you can ask the project creator directly.
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Funding period
Oct 1, 2010 -
Nov 1, 2010
- First created · 3 backed
- Has not connected Facebook
- Website: laurasilver.com
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13 backers
NOSH • Your name listed on www.knish.me.
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22 backers
HUNK • Plus handwritten thank you and access to never-before-seen sights and sounds of the author at work.
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8 backers
INNER CIRCLE • Plus an invitation to readings of knish chapters in progress (video feed for folks outside NYC).
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3 backers
MUSTARD MANIA • Plus an autographed 8" x 10" photo of the author as knish.
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4 backers Limited (16 of 20 left)
KNISHING COUSIN • Plus an invitation to join a knish reconnaissance trip in the NYC area (out-of-towners get in-depth documentation).
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0 backers Limited (15 of 15 left)
HONOR ROLL • All unlimited awards plus a knish resource kit complete with reading list, knish discography and a hand-drawn knish-centric map of your neighborhood.
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0 backers Limited (10 of 10 left)
HOT STUFF • All unlimited rewards plus access to play-by-play advances in the writing process for a month. Plus, I'll document your knish history based on a personal interview.
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1 backer Limited (2 of 3 left)
AMBASSADOR OF DOUGH • All unlimited rewards plus a personalized State of the Knish address, delivered for up to 35 people, at a venue of your choice.
Pledge $1,000 or more
0 backers Limited (2 of 2 left)
FRIEND IN KNEAD • A knish-baking session for up to a dozen people at a location of your choice. Includes generous helpings of Mickey's homemade mustard.
Pledge $2,000 or more
0 backers Limited (1 of 1 left)
DER GROYSER KNISH • A full-day knish tour of NYC for four.
