Want ideas for quick-to-make, kid-friendly Hanukkah food that is not fried in oil? Here are three of my favorites: #1 Hanukkah pancakes If you have large Hanukkah cookie cutters, you can make your usual pancake batter – we make cottage cheese pancakes – and cut them into dreidel, Jewish star, and shield shapes. When the kids are six and up, they can help cut the shapes. #2 Pretzel rod candles My daughter made these cute pretzel rod candles a few years back. Delish and easy to make. Here’s what she did: Dipped pretzels into melted chocolate (melted in Mason jars in a slow … [Read more...]
Early Hanukkah But Not Quite Thanksgivvukah
Remember a few years back when Thanksgiving and Hanukkah actually overlapped? This year, we have a *whole* week between. But it’s worth imagining how we can use the long Thanksgiving weekend to get a head start on planning and decorating to celebrate Hanukkah. For our family, as sad as I am to acknowledge this, we probably won’t be able to get together with the out-of-towners during Hanukkah. So creating some Hanukkah moments over T-Day weekend will have to be enough. What can you cook double for Thanksgiving and Hanukkah? For me, it’s a big batch of homemade applesauce. Our … [Read more...]
Shanah Tovah To You and Yours!
Rosh Hashanah is around the corner. Wishing you and yours a Shanah Tovah, a year of health and joy and sweetness! Rosh Hashanah begins this year on Sunday evening, September 9th. While you’re busy cooking and baking, invite your little ones to create beautiful designs to decorate your home. Just download this PDF and supply them with crayons and markers . Jewish New Year Cards – Inspiration for Young Artists. For more ideas, check out our Pinterest board: Rosh Hashanah – Sharing Hopes for a Sweet Year. If it’s fresh apple season where you live, I recommend this super easy, … [Read more...]
Rosh Hashanah - Celebrations for Kids & Grownups
With Rosh Hashanah coming in just 24 days, it’s time to think of how we want to celebrate this year in our homes. Some of my favorite things: Rosh Hashanah Bingo Game – for ages 2-9 + intergenerational play. Get yours from Amazon – free shipping with Amazon Prime – before they’re gone for good. This year, they’ve already been shipping to New York, California, Virginia, Canada, Hungary, and more. Jewish Family Celebrations by Arlene Rossen Cardozo – my copy is falling apart, because I’ve consulted it so many times. Pinterest.com/JewishHolidays board for Rosh Hashanah to remind me of fun … [Read more...]
Last-Minute Passover Seder Tips
Yes, you can make a Passover Seder – even at the last minute – by simplifying, going for the basics, and enjoying what you can do. While I didn’t grow up with impromptu, thrown-together Sedarim (plural of Seders), in my adult life . . . well, sometimes that was our only choice. In grad school, my husband and I went to class, took the bus home, hit the grocery store at 5 pm, came home, cooked, and started our Seder at 9 pm. But we had one. (And we took a picture of the table; warms my heart to this day that we pulled it off.) So my philosophy has always been to do what you can that honors … [Read more...]
