When Gold married English husband, Daniel Gold and joined his family for Yom Kippur it was more subdued. "My husband's family was small and my first year with them was a big shock. It was just me and his immediate family, and we ate a light deli meal - egg and onion, smoked salmon, light salads. It felt like they weren't making much of Yom Kippur, but they didn't feel comfortable eating a big huge meal," she explains. "When I told them what we eat in South Africa, they thought we were nuts!" Over the years, Jan has come around to her in-laws' way of thinking. "I've given in," she laughs. "It does make more sense to eat less and I'd find it hard to go back now."
Sarah Moss of Muswell Hill explains that when she and husband David first shared their first post-Yom Kippur meal, they were more than a little surprised at how their traditions differed.
"David's family always broke their fast at his aunt's house, on hot coffee, followed by a full meal. First they had smoked salmon, olives, pickles and herring. Then a meal with salmon, fried fish, many salads and desserts. My husband said it was a feast."
Dips and salads fit the bill for many Photo: Getty Images
Sarah explains that her family had always done things differently. "The mood is informal and low key. We break the fast on tea and grapes or honey cake. Then we have everything on the table at the same time, like a high tea - challah and smoked salmon, egg mayonnaise, cake, fruit, some sliced cucumber and tomato. The idea of a big meal is out of the question."
"I love breaking the fast with Sarah's family, but it's completely different from what I am used and can feel a little strange," adds David.
The differences are not just about the food, but the sense of occasion. "It's what a family makes of a meal. In David's family it was a feast - they would get out the best china," explains Sarah, "but in my family there's not that feeling of ceremony - it's more informal."
Nutritionist Ian Marber agrees that ultimately it comes down to tradition. "As a child our family broke the fast with my grandma's fantastic honey cake. Once I was old enough to choose my food, I drank soup and plenty of water. People tend to eat too much - but that's tradition," he smiles.
A straw poll showed that traditions vary widely. South African Gwen Horwitz shares that in her family they break their fast on a "Brown Cow" - a mixture of half coke and half milk. "A number of people do that in South Africa" she says, explaining that they then go on to tea with babke, bulke or cheesecake before a four-course meal.
"Since living in London I've realised our UK relatives don't want that, so I cook a three or four-course milky meal which is less heavy. This year I'm making borscht; poached salmon; smoked salmon and fried crumbed lemon sole; salads and desserts."
Says Helen Goldrein, creator of food blog Family-Friends-Food:"My Dad always had a glass of milk and soda water. I always thought it sounded revolting, so one year I tried it... and it was revolting! I've no idea where he got that from." After that, we usually stick to tea, challah and butter with some herring and salads and maybe a piece of cake a bit later on."
French Sephardi Caroline Zeitlin and English Ashkenazi husband have very different traditions, but says she and husband Adam take a "when in Rome" attitude to their different menus. "I have always felt that traditions are best when you are with your family. Since we married we have spent alternate Rosh Hashanahs with my family, so wherever we are we adapt to the local tradition!"
However you break your fast, fast well.
NOTE: This article was first published in 2016
