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As the holiday of Passover approaches, Heather Greenblotz is gearing up for a typical observance: spending time alone and eating decidedly non-kosher food at a time when most Jewish families gather together. It wouldn't bother Heather so much to be without her family at this time of year but for the fact that the Greenblotzes manufacture kosher products, including the world's most popular Passover matzo. What in the world would people think if they knew how non-traditional the family really is?
Laurie Gwen Shapiro's second novel, THE MATZO BALL HEIRESS, introduces Heather as she emotionally prepares for another disappointing Passover. 31-year-old Heather is a successful documentary filmmaker with two Emmy Awards to her credit, and her involvement in the family business is minimal. Few people even know she's a wealthy heiress to the Greenblotz family business, begun by her grandfather Izzy many years ago. Every spring, however, she helps out her cousin Jake (figurehead and CEO of the business) during the busy Passover season. Otherwise, she is seemingly disconnected from the world of traditional Judaism and kosher food. One day, while filling in for Jake at the matzo factory, she is interviewed by the Food Network and her Passover plans begin to radically change.
After the success of the interview with the dashing Steve Meyers, the Food Network wants to do a live broadcast of the Greenblotz family Seder. Jake Greenblotz thinks it's an excellent idea and that it will boost slumping sales. Heather, on the other hand, has her doubts. The family, she reminds Jake, has never gathered together for the ritual meal; her mother usually goes snorkeling, her other cousins can't stand Heather or Jake, Jake's brother lives like a playboy in Florida, and her father Sol, the only one who could lead the seder and read Hebrew, was last heard from several years ago when he moved (with no forwarding address) to Amsterdam.
At the urging of her over-the-top therapist, Heather agrees to the broadcast and begins to assemble relatives; when that fails, she asks others to act as family members for the broadcast (including Jake's Irish girlfriend Siobhan, who becomes Shoshana for the day). But will the world be convinced by the staged Greenblotz Seder?
Complicating the already sticky situation is Heather's entanglement with on-air personality Steve Meyers and her growing fondness for kosher cameraman Jared Silver.
With a little patience and faith, Heather survives a near disastrous Seder and emerges with a new love in her life and a newfound respect for her family and friends.
THE MATZO BALL HEIRESS is funny and sassy, and because it focuses on a Jewish family's traditions (or lack thereof) and issues, it is also unique. Heather Greenblotz is more than a typical Manhattan socialite; she has depth and intelligence. Thus, Shapiro's novel moves beyond the simple classification of Chick Lit, although it retains the romance, sex and attitude. The writing here is light and natural, a pleasure to read. And the humor is well balanced with some of the weightier issues, such as religious observance, identity and family dynamics. While Shapiro doesn't offer many meaty insights into these issues, she doesn't shy away from them either.
THE MATZO BALL HEIRESS is a fun and quickly read novel coming out just as Jewish families across the world prepare to sit down together to celebrate Passover. Chances are that some readers will find their own families reflected in these pages. Others will be treated to a good story.
--- Reviewed by Sarah Rachel Egelman
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