When Sylvia Gold discovers her daughter Becca is dating Henry Rothschild, son to the famous banking Rothschilds, her excitement is at an all time high. What a perfect husband for her daughter....better than her marrying a doctor. Henry is single, rich and Jewish. The Rothschild Dynasty is famous. A banking empire, vineyards in Napa, diamonds in Africa, and recently the growers of the most popular romaine lettuce in our country. Sylvia invites Henry, his father, Edmond and his mother, Ursella, a former Russian ballerina, to celebrate a Passover Seder. Dr. Gold and his family from Greenwich, Connecticut are entertaining the Rothschilds' of New York City. Doesn't everyone prepare for a dinner by: repainting the inside of the house including the front door, have the gutters cleaned, drapes dry cleaned by professionals who also cleaned all her rugs. All wooden floors refinished, and the marble floors polished and resealed? And instead of cooking Sylvia hired Chef Michael. Sylvia wanted to present her home and family in a special way. Her husband, Alan simply asked, "How much is this Seder costing me?"

The dinner is filled with surprises. Chef Michael should have stayed home He is no match for Sylvia's past Seder magic with brisket and her family is very disappointed. Single son Gideon arrives from Sri Lanka where he is working with Doctors Without Borders and guess who he brings to dinner? An young African American woman named Malika also happens to be his new fiancee. Surprise Mom! Daughter Sarah is living with Joe who is Italian, did not go to college and refurbishes cars for a living. Sylvia is not pleased and wants him to disappear. The Rothschild's are having serious financial problems and their son, Henry is a drop out from college and just hangs out at home with no future plans.

Brenda Janowitz writes a funny, timely story about contemporary family, their beliefs, customs, and their dreams for their children. I laughed and was near tears several times as the characters sneaked into my heart. Joe, was my favorite and his love for Sarah was precious and lovely to watch. Sylvia gets more than she plans for as her Seder almost turns into disaster. THE DINNER PARTY is a recipe for a delicious read that I love and will recommend to everyone who enjoys a fun adventure about family and love. Mazel tov!

Book Summary

This Passover Seder is not just any Passover Seder. Yes, there will be a quick service and then a festive meal afterwards, but this night is different from all other nights. This will be the night the Golds of Greenwich meet the Rothschilds of New York City.

The Rothschilds are the stuff of legends. They control banks, own vineyards in Napa, diamond mines in Africa, and even an organic farm somewhere in the Midwest that produces the most popular Romaine lettuce consumed in this country. And now, Sylvia Gold's daughter is dating one of them.

When Sylvia finds out that her youngest of three is going to bring her new boyfriend to the Seder, she's giddy. When she finds out that his parents are coming, too, she darn near faints. Making a good impression is all she thinks about. Well, almost. She still has to consider her other daughter, Sarah, who'll be coming with her less than appropriate beau and his overly dramatic Italian mother. But the drama won't stop there. Because despite the food and the wine, despite the new linen and the fresh flowers, the holidays are about family. Long forgotten memories come to the surface. Old grievances play out. And Sylvia Gold has to learn how to let her family go.