the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Upper Saddle River NJ, Rachel Simon, a 10-year-old from Upper Saddle River, has won a prestigious national writing award from the General Federation of Women’s Clubs for her heartwarming composition, “Grandma’s Matzoh Ball Soup.” The award, which was presented at a ceremony hosted by the Women’s Club of Upper Saddle River, came just in time for Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.
Rachel’s journey to the national title began last spring while she was a fourth grader at Bogert School. Her story about the family tradition of making matzoh ball soup first won local and state-level honors before taking the national award, announced at the Federation’s convention in Chicago this past July.
A Family Tradition Passed Down Through Generations
Matzoh ball soup is a cherished tradition in many Jewish households, especially during Passover, when unleavened bread replaces yeast-based foods in remembrance of the Exodus from Egypt. In Rachel’s family, the recipe has been passed down through generations. It’s a simple but meaningful dish—cracker meal mixed with eggs, water, and fat, rolled into balls and boiled in a vegetable-rich broth.
In her award-winning composition, Rachel vividly recalls her first time helping her mother, Ellen Simon, and her grandmother, Karen Ginsberg, make the beloved dish. “We made little balls of the wet, cement-like mush and plopped them into a pot full of boiling hot soup,” Rachel wrote. “Soon, the delicious smell of matzoh ball soup began to waft through the house, making my mouth water.”
A Taste of Tradition and Love
Rachel’s essay isn’t just about making soup—it’s about the deep connection she feels to her family’s heritage. Surrounded by family photos in the dining room, she reflected on the generations before her who had eaten the same meal during holidays.
“I paused and thought about all the generations who had come before me, and how they had eaten the same soup as I was about to eat,” Rachel wrote. “And as I opened my mouth for the first bite, I thought about how I would do the same with my children and grandchildren one day. The soup tasted of memory, future, and love.”
Community Pride
Rachel’s accomplishment has not gone unnoticed in her community. Bogert School Principal Dave Kaplan praised her exceptional writing, saying, “To be the only national winner from New Jersey is an impressive accomplishment, and the entire school community is excited that her exceptional writing ability has been honored.”
The president of the Upper Saddle River Women’s Club, Alex Asteris, also presented Rachel with her award certificate, emphasizing how meaningful it is for the club to support young writers.
Rachel’s beautiful essay reminds us that family traditions are more than just recipes—they’re the stories, memories, and love passed down through the generations. And as she continues to write, it’s clear that Rachel’s connection to her heritage will be as enduring as her grandmother’s famous matzoh ball soup.
Join the new Saddle River Valley, Ramapo and Pascack Valley Communities Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1931704860512551/
#news #follow #media #trending #viral #newsupdate #currentaffairs #BergenCountyNews #NJBreakingNews #NJHeadlines #NJTopStories
Yummy