Chanukah in Israel

One of my favorite holidays of all time- but here in Israel, Chanukah is taken to a new level.
Besides for my daughter having learnt in Gan for the last 3 weeks consecutively every last detail about Chanukah- dreidel spins, menorahs are polished and then lit with oil, the Pach Shemen was very important- did I leave anything out- and then actually coming home with several songs about Chanukah, Israel tends to make a big deal about this holiday.
The Ubiquitous Sufganiyot line the street, so much so that you can smell them practically everywhere- caramel, jelly, and plain- you name it, they've got it. Livivot, or Latkes, are being baked everywhere, so potatoes are on sale at your local grocery or makolet.

But not only that- traffic hits a new high at around 4 pm, as everyone frantically rushes home to light their candles as soon as they possibly can. I got home at 5- and my whole block (practically) had their menorahs already proudly displayed in their windows, or in the aquarium boxes on the street. The Kollel men shift their schedule tocome home at 4 and then head back at 6.

I guess it's nice having such a nice, big, deal made of the Chag HaORim, Festival of Lights. It's beautiful to see even those who are not religious celebrating this day. Where I work made a special effort to erect a menorah and light it on time for all the workers still there.

So whereever you are, have a very Happy Chanukah this year, and may we be able to see the Temple that the Jewish people fought for rebuilt speedily in our day.

Erev Shabbos #25- Short Friday

People view me as a generally 'emotional' person- when I'm happy, I'm happy, sad, sad, excited, angry- you name it, I display it. It's something I think I have to work on in my life. After all, my face is public property.

But no more of that- frantic- is the emotion I generally feel on a Friday afternoon that leads to a Short Erev Shabbos. After all- I have to have everything ready by 4:00 in the afternoon- and no, I don't cook during the week. All is done on Friday, fresh and early. Even if I have guests, most of the time I don't prepare in advance.

I do however, during each recipe on a given Friday, try to make doubles or triples- to stash up in my freezer for times of need, a friend in need, or an emergency.

Yet early Shabbosim, and the Short Friday syndrome (everything is always ready, exactly when Shabbos starts, no matter what time it is) often prevent me from doing everything.

A rebbitzen in our community once discussed a lady who was very stressed out on Erev Shabbos. The lady complained that she had no time, and couldn't manage to get everything done, so she vented her frustration on her husband and family. (I'm sure we all can relate to that.) So my rebbitzen's answer- buy some ready made and use paper and plastic. Hence the reason that she is a practical rebbitzen, and I am not.

So I try. But- sometimes the Short Friday overtakes me, and I'm found rushing from one thing to the next, ordering my family around, and generally frantically frustrating the world.

Yet I continue to hope that every week I will find the right balance- between getting everything done, and getting frantic about it- between having it all and doing what I need to do.

It's a work in progress- just like my kugels. But it'll happen eventually- with Siyata Dishmaya- help from Heaven.

Lag B'Omer and Shavuot

For those of you who don't know, Lag B'Omer was my birthday, celebrated in Israel with large dangerous bonfires being set hapahazardly close to grassy areas. In my own neighborhood, a man was employed with a fire hose to extinguish those fires (read, most) that got out of hand. I myself told my own neighbor about the three little boys trying to make a bonfire directly in front of my building, next to his car. After all, they didn't know how to build it properly, and they might have needed help, no?

Anyway, my workplace celebrated my birthday as well- going to special efforts to obtain a kosher cake for me, and wished me a happy year filled with blessing. So, how's that for a birthday?

Yet, between Lag B'Omer and Shavuot, people's heads turn to thoughts of: cheesecake. Yes, there is Kabalat HaTorah, yes, the men learn all night, and my friend visiting from the US is planning to hike to the Kotel at dawn, but for me- I've got to figure out cheesecake. I've decided this year to do like last year, and make a delicious and delectable pareve cheesecake, rather than make a milchig one. That way, it can be eaten at more meals- some of which will be fleshig for those lactose intolerant people in my family and who are invited.
So does pareve cheesecake still count as cheesecake?

Any other random thoughts floating through my head?

Not really. But I have a more serious post coming up soon, so stay tuned.
Oh, and Chag Sameach!

Season of Strawberries and Sufganiyot

Mmm- Chanukah is in the very air- as all the bakeries are churning out sufganiyot by the dozens, menorahs grace the store walls, and everyone is debating about boxes versus lighting indoors. I love this season- complete with rainfall, umbrellas, and cups of steaming hot chocolate.

This season also has brought with it a new fruit- strawberries. I saw these in my local grocery last week, and was highly tempted. But, then I remembered that strawberries were found out to be infested with thrips. Were they still infested? I wasn't sure.

Then, Yechiel Spero posted that he asked R' Moshe Vaye about strawberries, and found out that they were still infested and impossible to clean. Guess it's the frozen strawberries for me.

Here's an interesting site he linked to- all about thrips and strawberries. I'll include the short preview of the video, which shows thrips- which I had never seen before- which was kind of cool (And the kids in the background are cute!).
Enjoy!


View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

OII #19- Of Bus Drivers and Brissim

So, this past Friday, I had the privilege of attending a very good friend of mine's son's bris. She lives in my neighborhood, but the bris took place in the center of town, the better to accommodate her relatives that were arriving from all over Israel.

As required, I prepared Shabbos ahead of time, and left my house to take the bus to the center of town to make it in time for the bris. The simcha was lovely, the joy heartfelt, and the main participant wailed his way into the covenant of Avraham Avinu.

I waited till a neighbor was ready to leave as well, and we walked to what we thought was the correct bus stop. After watching our bus pass us by, we realized that with all the changes Egged has instituted, changing the route and stops of our bus was one of them, and we walked to the next bus stop to wait yet again.

We hopped on the bus, and it started heading towards Geulah area. Now for those who know, Geulah on Erev Shabbos is one of those places that can literally be called a madhouse. People are dashing everywhere, cars are honking, buses are swerving...in essence, I was glad I was on a bus already rather than being outside.

So we headed towards Yechezekel, and passed by the edge of Nechama Bakery. We were stuck in literally bumper to bumper traffic. Our bus driver stops, opens his window, and yells out to a worker standing outside the bakery. Quicker than our eyes can see, the guy runs into the bakery, pulls out an already wrapped challah, and runs across the traffic to give the challah to our bus driver. The driver counts out the correct payment, hands it to the bakery worker, and resumes driving (that is, if you can call traffic driving). All this so our bus driver and his family can have challah for Shabbos.

Now how's that for Only In Israel!

I'd Like a Cuppa

Cuppa joe, cuppa tea, cuppa cocoa; these hot drinks are the ones getting me through winter right now.

I know, for all those experiencing the gorgeous weather outside we Israeli's call winter, I guess I have no right to sit down to an exquisite cup of hot chocolate with a marshmallow for extra flavor.

But, as my family has been sick, and I'm still nursing (it's not mine- but it's needy and won't leave me alone) a cough, one of those hot drinks are the ones keeping me going.

Israeli tea- Wissotsky , is the foremost company- at least by it's indomitable presence on the shelves, and the first one to arrive in the search results from Google for Israel tea, is delicious, and well marked- unlike Celestial Seasonings, which drive me nuts trying to determine if it is caffeine free, or not. (Why do I worry? Caffeine isn't good for me, no matter how much I like it.)

They have all sorts of flavors- although not in the abundance I was spoiled by Celestial, but they have the delicious Israeli flavor of Nana- or mint- as only Israel can produce it.

Ask my Moroccan friend, she buys pure Nana leaves, soaks them in some solution, and puts them directly into her cup of boiling water. Add some honey, sugar, or Nutrasweet solution, and what you've got is fit for a queen.

Hot chocolate is my choice for late nights- either made with freshly boiled milk, or a pareve version in just water if I've recently eaten meat. But either way, nothing beats a cup of that hot cocoa for a freezing wet cold night, when all you want to do is huddle under blankets for hours.

Coffee would be my favorite, but as much as I try, I can't get my coffee to taste like Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, or even Aroma- so I've given up.

So, enjoy your cuppa, and let's wait out this winter, until spring comes again, and we can go back to enjoying our 'Arctics' (that would be Popsicles) and ice cream yet again.

OII #17- It's a Gemach, Not a Store

Well, I'm basically settled in, and I started to explore the neighborhood. But I had a secret confession to make: I used to live next door, literally, to a major cheap supermarket. So, I was determined to find a way to do my shopping in the same manner- convenient, close, and cheap.
Little did I know that those things are possibly oxymorons.

At first, I took the bus ride to the nearest large and cheap supermarket, thinking that with all the money I'll save, I can make up for the bus ride and delivery charges. This was true, but a major hassle.

Then, I found a smaller, not as cheap, but still large supermarket, a short bus ride away, that I would also have to pay for delivery. Not financially worthwhile, except on the days they have major sales.

I tried the store advertised in the local circular, but although they have sales, the other items are inflated to much higher prices.

The local market suited me fine, as it was a makolet with it all, but I heard rumors about the Arab men working there, and that just scared me off.
So where to shop?

Then I heard about the other local makolet. It was stocked with American products, albeit that the prices were sky high, but everyone, and I mean everyone, shopped there.
Why? What was the hype? I had to go and check it out.

The first odd thing that struck me was that the store owner was manning the checkout.
The second odd thing was that he said hello to me, and welcomed me to the neighborhood.
The third odd thing was that every one, all the workers, were Jewish, and not only that, but were extraordinarily helpful.
Even odder- they all spoke English.

So I shopped there. And continuing with the oddities, I was subjected to the help asking me if I needed any.

When I checked out, I asked for delivery, and how much it would cost. "Free," he remarks to me, asking where I live in the next breath.

There was a small notecard box next to him, and I immediately realized that this was a store where people shopped on credit. If they had money, or they didn't have money, everyone was able to buy food, and then pay it off when they needed to.

I remarked on my unusualy experience with the Rebbitzen of the neighborhood, and she informed me that the owner has a heart of gold. He can't stand to see anyone go hungry, and he allows all who need to pay over many months. "It's a 'gemach', not a store," she told me. He just keeps on giving, and those loyal customers who actually do pay are keeping his business afloat for those who can't.

Mi K'Amcha Yisroel- where a storekeeper uses his entire shop to perform mitzvos. May he continue to have success in his business.

Shechiyanu Fruit

I never realized how special Shechiyanu was until I moved to Israel.

I had grown up in America, where food was something I took for granted. I would walk into a supermarket, or fruit and vegetable store, where every available amount of produce was sitting there, just waiting for me to pick up and enjoy. Foods in season, out of season, coming into season, and never in season were always in season at my local stores.

My mother has a friend who came to America from Russia. The first time she stepped foot into a a grocery store, she fainted. She had never seen so much food available in her entire life- as she lived in Russia, where rationing, and food shortages were common.

Of course, price was an issue in America, as those fruits that were out of season were more expensive, but usually, after shopping around, one could find them for decent prices also.

Then I moved to Israel. Israel is built on an agrarian society- where food is grown by the people in the country themselves. And not everything is available all the time. Seasonal fruits are really seasonal. There are times when I can't get celery, or parsnip. Pomegranates are a yearly treat, as are clementines. Sometimes I even can't get sweet potatoes.

So, there are those who hold that the Shechiyanu blessing, made on a 'new' fruit, is one made when the fruit has just come into season. In America, almost all fruits were available all the time, making finding an interesting fruit a necessity. Here, I feel blessed to make the blessing on a plain old clementine, as I truly haven't had them in a year- since the last season was last year.
Some use mangoes, or kiwi, pretty commonplace in other parts of the world.

But it makes me feel so blessed- since it helps me recognize Hashem's bounty, and enjoy His simple delights and creations- like a fruit that only shows up once a year.

OII #16- Moving In

So, we moved in. Which was wonderful. But, here comes a series of unfortunate events.

Firstly, unfortunately, that means we also had to move out again, as our new apartment desperately needs a coat of paint. But, we did move in for a couple of days and started to set up.

The second unfortunate event was that we did not have any appliances. Yep. Besides for a microwave and a hot pot, all our appliances were ordered before Tisha B'Av, but weren't allowed to be delivered until after such day. So, we were stuck.

I decided to go shopping, and pick up some items that we could eat even without an oven or a stove top. Examples might be peanut butter, tuna, crackers, drinks, and those ever present 'Mana Rishona', the little Tradition Soup like instant soups that are so popular here. Except, they also have instant pasta, potatoes, and ravioli. Yum.

So, we prepared to heat up our instant supper, when the third unfortunate event occurred. Our hot pot didn't work. So, we had no hot water for anything.

I went up to my upstairs neighbor, who I had briefly met. (She is also a ganenet, and she also has 7 kids. Remember my old neighbor with the same situation!) I asked if I could have some hot water. She looked me up and down, and proceeded to serve me a delicious supper to bring down to Mr. NMF. As I protested the generosity, she had her daughters carry it down for me, complete with plates and silverware. And, I had only met this woman that day!

When I arrived home, another sight greeted me! Mr. NMF was holding another tray of food, also complete with silverware. Another generous neighbor had dropped off a plate, thinking we would be starving.

And so it continued. A welcoming committee brought us more meals, a neighbor invited us over to eat before the fast, and my wonderful upstairs neighbor brought us delicious waffles after the fast.

Moving into a new neighborhood may bring a series of unfortunate events. But, thank G-d we have wonderful neighbors to help us weather it! \

Kudos to all those who do the same in communities everywhere!

Moving Week

Talking about busy times is never the same as actually being in the midst of one.

This week is the week that all my family's stuff arrives from it's long journey across the Atlantic, and we actually get to place it in our new apartment. This tends to make my week rather busy.

Not to mention that in Israel, the buyer of an apartment has to take it as is, usually because the real estate market in Israel continues to escalate. This means we have quite a bit of fixing to do before the apartment is livable.

And, the neighbor with 7 kids who I've mentioned before? Well, her oldest son is having his bar mitzva. My freezer has been doing double duty for my stuff and her bar mitzva for about three months now, so this day is rather busy as well.

I have been indulging in one of my favorite activities- cake decorating. For those of you who think the domestic arts are boring, and anyone with half a brain could do it, well, try cake decorating. It is fun, challenging, and looks deceivingly simple. So, for the bar mitzva tonight, I created the centerpiece cake for her.

Here's some pictures:

So, this week is rather busy. But, I have to step back and realize that this is all for simchos! We're moving into a new place- a cause for joy and happiness! My neighbor's simcha is happening, something she's dreamed about for 13 years. And, well, there is nothing better than being busy with simchos!

Now, for some selfish self promotion: If you'd like a specialty cake in Yerushalayim, feel free to email me, at the Kollel Baking Company, through the email address listed on the right. Thanks!

Heading Towards Charedi

Shuk shopping has got to be one of my favorite Israeli pastimes.

After all, where else do you get to see fruit that looks like its right off the branch, fish literally swimming in a tank right before Shabbos, and the genial, sometimes direct, vendors hawking their wares all in one place?!

Just walking through the Machane Yehuda shuk has got to be an experience in itself, one not for the faint of heart.

You see the elderly Yerushalmi bubbies dragging their agala (cart) along the aisles, along with tourists snapping pictures left and right. You see the Yeshiva bachurim heading straight for the piles of fresh rugelach and bread, along with the ever present smell of sachlav. There are the regulars, the first-timers, and the vendors, constantly shouting and in perpetual motion.

There is fresh squeezed juice, chicken and fish, and of course more garninim (seed) shells than I would ever eat in a lifetime.

Recently when visiting the shuk, I noticed several stores that had, well, let me call it, the more frum hechshers. Shearis, Badatz Eidah HaCharadit, Chasam Sofer Petach Tikva and Bnai Brak, and even a Rav Landau store. All were swamped by people buying their products, while the other stores were slightly less busy than usual.

There were even some stores that had a Rabbanut, or Rabbanut Yerushalyim Mehadrin, that were also packed, and when I ventured closer, I noticed that they carried bug-free products with Rav Efrati's hechsher, also well known. Belz Machzike HaDaas and Rav Machpoud were also available, but all together, this was more Charedi hechsherim than I had seen in the shuk for a long time.

Conversely, my favorite halava guy had switched his hechsher from having a Badatz Eidah HaCharedit to having no Teuda at all, since he was now selling products from Bais Yosef, Chasam Sofer, along with his traditional Badatz halava.

So, what happened? How did everything suddenly shift, to the point where even the frummest would be able to shop in the shuk? After all, who would pass up a 4 for 10 shekel sale on fresh bug-free vegetables!

It's interesting, that even the shuk is heading towards a more religious perspective, although they may just be capitalizing on the market by getting the better hechsher. Also, some stores always carried mehadrin products, just now they are actually making the effort and getting the teuda to prove it.

I know that I love shopping in the shuk (where the fish get bopped on the head right in front of me) and now that I can buy even more products there, I'll like it even more.

OII #15- Busy Times

It's been so hectic lately, I barely have time to sit down with my computer. NBD to play with, guests from America to entertain, and the requisite packing that goes with any move.

I took some of the guests to a hotel, since they have an excellent package in which you can join their gym and fitness room (with seperate hours) for the day, and also enjoy the enviroment.

So, I'm wandering around, when I stumble upon H. Stern.

For those who don't know, H. Stern is a jewelery company- with some exquisite pieces that I, or any girl who likes sparkly things, would enjoy. I struck up a conversation with the manager, and as usual with most Jewish people, the saying applies: if you haven't found something in common talking with another Jew, you haven't talked for long enough!

She was born in Yerushalayim, and I introduced her to NBD, my first sabra. She mentioned her love of Israel, of her wish never to leave the Holy City, and of the fact that she has a cousin who is a 7th generation Yerushalmi.

We shmoozed, and she mentioned that there was a convention of livestock and cattle owners going on in the hotel, and as such, Tnuva was there, giving out free products.

The manager from Stern left, and came back bearing some Yoplait yogurt for me and my guests. "Only in Israel," she remarked, "can you get free yogurt with a Badatz hechsher on it from a Jewish farmer!"

Only In Israel is right!

OII #12- Traffic Jam

Today, I headed out for a brief outing at Canyon Yerushalayim, otherwise known as Malcha Mall. However, the traffic was brutal outside, and I couldn't figure out why. I asked the driver, who responded that there must have been an accident on the road, because there usually isn't any traffic at that hour of the day.

As we inched forward, I noticed the site of an accident- a stalled car. However, that's when the OII occurred. Before my eyes, a man reached out of the side of the vehicle ahead of me, and handed the guy with the stalled car a 2 liter bottle of water- so he wouldn't get thirsty and tired while he was trying to fix the cause of the problem.

Wow. Who would ever think of doing that anywhere else? Such a small thing- but such a big impact.

Erev Shabbos #18- Cooking Fun

I happen to enjoy cooking for Shabbos- oftentimes I try something new, but my favorites are the times I stick to something old.

There's nothing like a delicious good old fashioned bowl of chicken soup, or potatoes with chicken to feed the hungry guests.

My mother makes the most delicious cinnamon rolls in existence- just for Shabbos, and made from the same dough as her challah. Just one taste- ahh, gan eden.

There's nothing like an old taste to bring back memories of times gone by, of laughter amidst family and friends.

So, here's a quick and easy recipe for your Shabbos chicken- all in one pan- so that way, you can reminisce over the dinner table about the older recipes- tried, true, and tasty.

Ingredients:
1-2 chickens, cut into eighths.
4-6 potatoes cut into slices
3-4 carrots cut into slices
1-2 onions cut into slices.
paprika
garlic powder
onion powder
soy sauce to taste

First, cut the potatoes into slices and lay them on the bottom of the pan. Next, add your sliced carrots and onions. Then, arrange your chicken pieces on top of the vegetables so every vegetable is covered. Next step is to slather the chicken in paprika, garlic powder, and onion powder, until every inch of the chicken is covered. Make sure to do it in that order. Finally, drizzle soy sauce over the entire chicken, and add a 1/2 cup-1 cup of water to the bottom of the pan to keep it moist. Then pop it into the oven at 160 degrees Celsius (that's 350 degrees for Fahrenheit Americans), and leave to cook for 2 1/2 hours at least.

Enjoy!
Gut Shabbos everyone!

Erev Shabbos #15- Spilt Milk

There's no use crying over spilt milk, the old adage says.
So too with other things in life, spilt cake batter (as happened to me this Erev Shabbos), lost time, and so on. There are some things that just fly by, or just happen- and we have to learn to roll with the punches.

On the early Shabbosim, sometimes it's really hard for me to get ready. I'm all in a tizzy, trying to figure out what to do next, what to do first, and how to cope with it all. And yes, sometimes I get upset, or frazzled, hassled, and nervous.

But I have to step back and realize: it's an Erev Shabbos. Do I really want to go into the holiest day of the week like that? It's only one day, which will set the tone for my week.
So therefore, although I may have made mistakes, and I do spill things occasionally, it's not worth getting upset about.

Rather, I should go into Shabbos with a calm demeanor, whether or not I have dessert.

So a Gut Shabbos everyone- and may this day be a calm and relaxing one for you!

Overdoing It Much?

When I was younger, my mother cooked for my family. She made wholesome, delicious meals, always used her chicken leftovers in three different ways, and had a bit of Shabbos soup left over for a Sunday night meal. Freezer space was used for vegetables, and maybe a bit of frozen soup or challah. Everything was made fresh, for that day, to be used that day.

When I moved to Israel, I found out that most people here subscribe to the same theory. Fresh is better, tastes better, and looks better. Freezers are used, but infrequently. Vegetables grace the table at every meal, and it looks all the better for it. Have you ever tasted a fresh salad made with Israeli vegetables? I'm telling you there is nothing like it. Nothing.

But, I came here with my American nonsense. Freezers are meant to be used, to the housewife's advantage. So I don't cook by singles and eat it fresh. I cook by quadruples, or quintuples for that matter. Freeze, pull out, serve. I'm telling you- there's enough soup and kugels in my freezer to last my family (with guests) for weeks.

Overdoing it? Nah. There is no such thing as having too full a freezer. I mean- come on! It's a freezer, a luxury not had in olden times. So, we don't have to cook like we did in the olden times as well! (Except for Pesach- since my freezer is full of chametz, we're selling it, and I have to make do with a tiny freezer and my fridge. Oh, and my good neighbor's freezer shelf space.)

So hurrah for the freezer- use it well.

Erev Shabbos #5

Here's my Erev Shabbos post for this week- as I seem to have a bit of time (I've been invited out for both meals- shame on me that I'm not cooking!!)

What to give as a gift for those you're going to?

When I was in Israel, for seminary, more often than not, the gift was store-bought food, usually candy or rugalach for the children, or a bottle of good wine for the parents. I tried to spend a minimal amount of money, yet invested time to make it look nice. And I always brought a gift, whether they said to or not- they appreciated it anyways.

I lived in NY for an extended period of time, and when I went out for Shabbos there- I also brought gifts, usually store-bought, but after a while, the families that I routinely went to, requested that I not bring gifts anymore- and they meant it.

Now, as I'm here in Israel- I still feel like I should bring gifts. But, these families with children probably wouldn't want a large amount of candy- or a bottle of wine. Oftentimes I find myself giving home-baked goods- like a cake on a platter, or cookies for the kids. Sometimes, with close friends, I even find myself offering a kugel or side dish for the meal- knowing how hard it is to cook a full Shabbos for many kids and guests.

I don't think I would have done that in the US- too many people are hechsher conscious of where their food comes from- so home-baked may not have been the best choice. But, it seems that in my neighborhood- everyone assumes that I use Badatz ingredients (which I do) and keep to high standards- so they are more than happy to take the delicious food, if I do say so myself :-)

So which is better? The store-bought, or the home-baked? Both probably show my degree of affection and gratefulness...but is one better than the other? Does home-baked show I put more time and thought into it- or was I just baking for myself and made extra? Does store-bought mean that I spent more money, and therefore it means more? Or does it show I was too lazy to do it myself?

Either way- it seems that it's nice to give a gift to those you head to for Shabbos.

So, I'm off to bake a cake or two.
Have a Gut Shabbos!