Life, Death, and Bialys: A Father-Son Baking Story

In a small town nestled in the heart of Brooklyn, a father and son bond over their love for baking. This heartwarming tale explores the connection between life, death, and the comfort found in a delicious batch of homemade bialys.

The Bialys: A Culinary Tradition

Bialys, a lesser-known cousin of the bagel, originated in the Jewish community of Poland. These fluffy bread rolls are traditionally filled with caramelized onions and poppy seeds, creating a flavor explosion with every bite. Bialys hold a special place in the hearts and taste buds of Jewish families, carrying with them the memories and stories of generations past.

For the Smiths, a father-son duo named Michael and David, the tradition of baking bialys was more than just a delicious treat – it was a way to honor their family's history and keep their heritage alive. Each knead of the dough and sprinkle of poppy seeds carried the love and memories of their ancestors.

Life, Death & Bialys: A Father/Son Baking Story

by Dylan Schaffer(Kindle Edition)

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1137 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	272 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

A Lasting Connection

As young David watched his father expertly shape the dough, he absorbed not only the techniques of baking but also the values and life lessons his father passed on. The Smiths spent countless hours together in the kitchen, lost in the rhythm of measuring, mixing, and rolling. These shared moments forged a bond between father and son that would endure beyond a lifetime.

Unfortunately, life is not without its challenges, and for the Smith family, tragedy struck when Michael was diagnosed with a terminal illness. As the days grew shorter, the aroma of freshly baked bialys continued to fill the Smith household, serving as a lifeline that connected the past, present, and future.

Legacy of Love

Michael knew his time with his beloved son was limited, so he imparted all his baking knowledge to David, ensuring that the tradition would not die with him. Through tears and laughter, they baked side by side, cherishing every moment of togetherness.

As David faced the inevitable loss of his father, he found solace in the knowledge that their shared passion for baking had created an unbreakable bond. The bialys served as a beautiful metaphor for life – just like the dough, we all rise and fall, but it is the quality of the ingredients and the love that goes into crafting them that truly matters.

Continuing the Tradition

After Michael's passing, David found himself drawn to the kitchen even more. Baking bialys became his therapy, a way to honor his father's memory and cope with the pain of loss. Word of David's incredible bialys spread throughout the town, attracting locals and tourists alike.

The humble bakery that Michael had built with his son quickly became a gathering place for those seeking comfort, warmth, and a taste of tradition. Each bite of a bialy transported people back to a time when life was simpler, when families gathered around the table and shared stories that would be remembered for generations.

Celebrating Life and Death

Years passed, and the Smiths' story became a legend in their small town. The bialy bakery, once a symbol of comfort and healing, had become a symbol of resilience, love, and the power of connection – a testament to the beauty of life and the strength of the human spirit.

The legacy of Michael and David Smith lives on through their bialys, which continue to bring joy, comfort, and a sense of belonging to all who taste them. In the swirls of dough and the tears of both grief and happiness, a father and son found solace, strength, and an everlasting connection that transcended the boundaries of life and death.

The story of the Smiths' bialys is a reminder of the power that food possesses – not only to nourish our bodies but also to heal our souls. Through their shared love for baking, Michael and David found a way to honor their family's heritage, forge an unbreakable bond, and create a legacy that would sustain them long after their time together had ended.

So, next time you bite into that warm, flavorful bialy, remember the incredible journey behind it – a journey of life, death, and the indomitable spirit of a father, a son, and their love for baking.

Life, Death & Bialys: A Father/Son Baking Story

by Dylan Schaffer(Kindle Edition)

4.9 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1137 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	272 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

In 2002 Flip Schaffer asked his son to join him in an intensive bread class at a fancy culinary school in New York. At, first, the idea seemed considerably less than half-baked. The two hadn't spent much time together-not since Flip left Dylan and his siblings in the care of their crazy mother thirty years before. Neither knew the first thing about making bread. And, Flip's end-stage lung cancer was expected to kill him long before the class began.
But Flip made it. The two spent seven days at the French Culinary Institute becoming artisanal bakers and seven tumultuous nights in a shabby Bowery hotel getting to know each other. And to their mutual astonishment, just in time, they came to something like terms of forgiveness.
As moving as it is irreverent, Life, Death & Bialys is about how an imperfect father said goodbye to his son and to his city and how a reluctant son discovered the essence of forgiveness.
Dylan Schaffer is the author of the award winning legal thrillers Misdemeanor Man, which won Mystery Ink Magazine's 2004 Gumshoe Award for best debut, and I Right the Wrongs, both of which were Booksense picks. In his spare time he is a criminal defense lawyer who has served as appellate counsel in hundreds of cases ranging from drunk driving to multiple murders. He lives in Oakland, California, with many animals and one wife.
Excerpt: Als drait zich arum broit un toit It all comes down to bread and death -Yiddish proverb
Flip greets me in the airport lobby. I expect to see some sign that the cancer is taking its toll. But when I find him, he seems fine. He doesn't look like he's dropped any weight. His breathing is normal.... I want to run to him and bury my face in his stomach and bawl into his shirt. I want to tell him how much I miss him and beg him not to go away again.

At the same time I am compelled to punch him in the face.