Recipe with a Memory (Matkon im Zikaron) is a unique initiative that commemorates those Israelis who sacrificed their lives defending our Jewish homeland or in a terrorist attack, sharing their favorite recipes and stories – All from The Associated’s partner city, Ashkelon.

On the morning of Simchat Torah, October 7, 2023, Yehoshua Hatab set out for synagogue despite growing tensions, reassuring his family that all would be okay. Around 10:00 a.m. synagogues in the neighborhood began to evacuate and Yehoshua’s family would soon learn that everyone returned—except Yehoshua. Critically injured in the attack, he was hospitalized and passed away four days later. A kind and devoted man Yehoshua lived by the belief: “You don’t need Good Deeds Day to do good”—a reflection of his everyday acts of compassion. 

“It’s a very visceral way to remember a person,” adds Jake Simone who was one of the first participants in the program here in Baltimore. “It gives us literally a flavor of this person’s life.”

Another participant, Sarah Simone says that “It’s a really special way to learn about someone. To connect to Israel, Ashkelon and to these fallen soldiers.”