To Gail Lesser-Gerber and her father, Ben, mandel bread is much more than a dunkable cookie.
It’s family. It’s tradition. It’s remembrance.
Mandelbrot and Family Roots
“Too many people nowadays do not know their family roots. They know where they’re from, but they don’t know the stories, and it’s these stories that we need to keep alive. And through this idea, Papa Ben’s Kitchen was born,” says Gail Lesser-Gerber, PBK President and daughter of the company’s namesake, Ben Lesser.
The Meaning of Mandelbrot
Mandelbrot, literally translated, is simply almond (mandel) bread (brot). But to the Lesser family, their mandelbrot holds a much deeper meaning. It’s family. It’s tradition. It’s remembrance.
A Bright Household
Ben Lesser, born in Krakow, Poland in 1928, was one of five children. At the end of the Holocaust, he was one of two, losing both his parents and most of his immediate and extended family to Nazi atrocities. This loss did not define his life, nor did it define the lives of his children, however. Lesser-Gerber recalls a bright and open household as she was growing up. Her father did not want to live in the past. He came to the United States to build a future and believed he could accomplish anything he wanted.
Survival and Baking
When Lesser's family was evading Nazi capture, they had to leave Krakow. A brother-in-law gave Lesser's grandfather some flour, salt, and other ingredients. Instead of making bread for the family, he decided to bake pretzels and cookies to sell to bars at night to earn money for his family's survival.
Baking and Remembering
Baking became Lesser's most tangible connection to the family he lost. It became a way to remember. He would enter the kitchen and bake, not speaking publicly about the Holocaust until he had the opportunity to speak to his grandson's 4th-grade class. This experience made Lesser realize the importance of sharing the stories.
The Zachor Foundation and PBK
In his retirement, Lesser dedicated his life to speaking and educating others about the Holocaust, which inspired the establishment of the Zachor Foundation. To help fund the foundation, the family decided to mass-produce their beloved mandelbrot. The PBK Mandelbrot is made with hand-rolled dough and the finest ingredients, including Belgian chocolate and natural maraschino cherries. Five flavors are currently available - minty dark chocolate, chocolate espresso bean, lemon blueberry with poppy seeds, spicy chipotle with ginger and dark chocolate, and the original family recipe that is still Lesser's favorite.
Honoring the Past with PBK
PBK Mandelbrot is available online through the company website, and a portion of the proceeds from each package sold goes to the Zachor Foundation. PBK is not only a business venture but also a means of honoring Ben Lesser and his fight for life and appreciation for every moment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, mandelbrot holds a special place in the Lesser family's heart as a symbol of family, tradition, and remembrance. Through Papa Ben's Kitchen, they share their cherished family recipe and support the Zachor Foundation's mission to educate others about the Holocaust. Enjoy a piece of mandelbrot and take time to tell your own stories, honoring the past and embracing the future.
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