By Deb Silverthorn
Taste buds and community spirit will be on fire when cookbook author Adeena Sussman is featured, in partnership with Sharsheret: The Jewish Breast and Ovarian Cancer Community, to close out the 2025–2026 Margot Rosenberg Pulitzer Dallas Jewish BookFest. Sussman will share her new book, “Zariz: 100 Easy, Breezy, Tel Aviv-y Recipes,” in conversation with Dallas food writer and influencer Rachel Edenson Pinn beginning at 7:30 p.m., May 6, at the Aaron Family JCC.
“I’m excited about Adeena’s visit which brings her new cookbook, her talent and her passion for cooking, including the way she shares it in a way to do good, to Dallas,” said Lizzy Rosenberg Greif, chair of the May 6 event. “I appreciate the meaningful and positive work she’s done to help so many by bringing awareness and to benefit others and we’ll bring all that together for a very special evening.”
Greif, a Dallas native and daughter of Ann and Marcus Rosenberg, of blessed memory, is the sister of Steven Rosenberg, Helen Waldman, Margot Rosenberg Pulitzer and Sheri Rosenberg Kanter, the latter two of blessed memory, who both battled breast cancer.
“This visit is a ‘thank you’ for all Adeena’s given to Sharsheret and a gift to us, to anyone wanting to bring delicious and user-friendly recipes to their kitchen,” said Greif, who met Sussman while in line for a flight to Israel last year and has since forged a friendship.
“As you turn the pages,” said Greif, who last September met with Sussman in Israel, “you can feel the heart, soul and passion Adeena puts into her recipes and cooking.”
In “Zariz,” which means “quick,” Sussman shares her philosophy of streamlined, joy-filled cooking shaped by the realities of busy modern life, focusing on recipes like Sunny Sheetpan Shakshuka and Spice-Drawer Schnitzel, with fewer than 12 ingredients (not counting seasoning staples), by maximizing flavor through technique, pantry staples and minimal cookware.
“Each of my books is a reflection of how I was raised. My mother was a great quick cook, usually what she made was streamlined and simple, and — in these complicated times — simple is good and needed,” said the Tel Aviv resident and author of “Shabbat: Recipes and Rituals from My Table to Yours” (a New York Times bestseller) and “Sababa: Fresh, Sunny Flavors from My Israeli Kitchen,” who last took to BookFest’s stage in November 2019.
“As dangerous as it is now, ‘Zariz’ was written in the aftermath of October 7. Now, I’m bringing the book into the world in the middle of another war,” said Sussman, who spoke with the TJP while sheltering in her Tel Aviv safe room (mamad) in early March, during the height of the war with Iran.
“I was raised in a home focused on hospitality, on hosting, family values and the ability to welcome and please the many,” said the Palo Alto, California, native and daughter of Steffi Sussman, of blessed memory, and Stan and Betty Sussman. “I see the world through a lens of food and believe the power of cooking is mystical and magical and this book is a snapshot of that part of my life.”
Event partner Sharsheret, which translates to “chain,” is the only national organization supporting Jewish women and families of all backgrounds facing breast and ovarian cancer — those diagnosed and those at high risk. The organization, which has served more than 120,000 men and women, families, health care professionals, community leaders and students from all 50 states, provides personalized support, lifesaving education, financial assistance and genetic counseling.
For nearly 15 years in Dallas, Sharsheret’s footprint continues to shine.
“Lizzy has been our point person and, with no boundaries, has created amazing connections for us,” said Elana Silber, executive director of Sharsheret. “She demonstrates passion in everything she does by hosting and chairing events, serving on our board and by doing whatever she can to get the word out and to support what we do.
“To have Adeena, with her own personal connection and never-ending support, Lizzy and the Dallas community together,” said Silber, “what a blessing.”
Sussman and her sister Sharon Wieder, a breast cancer survivor, are founders of Sharsheret’s Pies for Prevention Thanksgiving Bake Sale, which supports the Stephanie Sussman and Ann Nadrich Memorial Jewel and Sharsheret’s Ovarian Cancer Program. In memory of their mother, Stephanie (Steffi) Sussman, and grandmother Ann Nadrich, of blessed memory, both lost to ovarian cancer, the project has raised more than $1 million over the last 18 years in nearly 40 cities.
Pinn, who will host the conversation with Sussman, says she developed a taste for fine foods at a young age when her aunt Linda Cohen would take her out for special meals and the theater in New York City. Her appreciation for fine dining and love for sharing visual experiences developed as her professional marketing career took off.
Pinn is the daughter of Marna and Roy Edenson, a Richardson native and graduate of Berkner High School. She was a member of Sally Blum Chapter BBYO and a Rubin Kaplan chapter sweetheart, and she and her family are members of Chabad of Park Cities.
Married to Greg Pinn and the mother of twins Evie and Maya, the food writer met Sussman during a December 2025 trip to Israel to celebrate her daughters’ b’not mitzvah.
“We went to the shuk where Adeena is a celebrity,” said Pinn. “I’ve known her to be incredible in the food world for a long time, and I know she’s going to be a terrific guest.”
All May 6 registrants, or anyone who purchases Sussman’s “Zariz” through the J before April 28, will receive a Pesach recipe bonus. For more information or to purchase tickets or books, visit jccdallas.org/events/bookfest-adeena-sussman or email rweisscrane@jccdallas.org.
“Welcoming Adeena and shining a light on the important and meaningful work of Sharsheret is an amazing way to close out this really wonderful year of BookFest,” said Rachelle Weiss Crane, director of Israel Engagement & Jewish Living and producer of the J’s annual Jewish BookFest and Jewish Film festivals.
“We’re already setting up next season with perennial favorites and new authors and we hope everyone will join us to learn, to enjoy and to be community.”
