Archive: November 2021

Hanukkah candles, donuts, gelt and dreidels

Finding The Spirit of Celebration

Posted on November 17, 2021

My playlist is slowly shifting over from “Zombie Jamboree” and “Monster Mash” to Daveed Diggs’ “A Puppy for Hanukkah” and  Six13’s “Arianukah”. My kids’ snacks mutate from leftover candy to donut muffins. The skeletons go back into the garage until next year and the blue and gold window clings come out. My kids are especially proud of their electric menorah that Continue Reading »

YinYang

Hanukkah Torah

Hanukkah
Posted on December 13, 2020

Hanukkah, as we know, takes place at the darkest time of the year, not only because the days are the shortest of the year, with the least amount of sunlight available, but also because it falls in the last week of the lunar month. This is the time of the month with the least amount Continue Reading »

Moon over Water

Darkness and Dreams: The Month of Kislev

Kislev
Posted on December 6, 2020

The Moon of Kislev is just past full. Have you seen it?  A bright light amid the dark night. The days are still growing shorter but there is light amid the darkness. It is in fact the darkness that allows us to see the light more clearly. According to our traditions, this is the time of Continue Reading »

Girls and Latkes

Legendary Latke Recipe

Posted on December 4, 2020

Legend has it that this recipe was given to the Temple Israel Portsmouth Brotherhood by the chef at the Waldorf Astoria. The below quantities yield ~18 latkes. Ingredients: Russet potato ~1.67 lbs Matzo meal 1/3 Cup White whole wheat flour 5 T Eggs 2 Sweet onion (medium) 1/3 ~¼ lb. Salt ½ t +/- Pepper Continue Reading »