Now that this year’s Hanukkah celebration is a lovely memory, it’s time to pack away the menorahs and munch on leftover chocolate gelt or turn it into spiced hot cocoa. How about giving yourself some treats that will enrich you in 2018? Here are some suggestions from some of my favorite Jewish creatives. Sweet Noshings. New Twists on Traditional Jewish Desserts The amazing Amy Kritzer, creator of WhatJewWannaEat.com, wrote this book to give us updated ways to look at classic recipes. If you love to bake, your family will be so happy you got this for yourself! Recipes include … [Read more...]
F.I.N.D.S* – Alicia Jo Rabins
Happy 2016! As we dive into the new year, we often think about resolutions - next year, I want to exercise more, learn more, spend more time with the kids. if you're pondering exploring new music -- always an interest of mine -- let me introduce you to Alicia Jo Rabins. Last summer, I took a chance on the first-ever “Lunch and Learn” session offered by Jewish Women’s Archive* led by Education Program Manager Etta King and Alicia Jo Rabins. The subject: Ruth and Self-Revelation. I loved her blending of exploration of text about Ruth and her mother-in-law Naomi with four Rabbinic … [Read more...]
Hanukkah 2015 – Share Your F.I.N.D.S
As we move into the last weekend of Hanukkah, when lots of families are planning parties and gatherings, let’s share: what are the best Hanukkah menorahs, recipes, and adventures that you discovered this season? For us, a F.I.N.D is a Fabulous. Intriguing. New-to-me. Discovery. Gecko Menorah We discovered this adorable gecko menorah at FairTradeJudaica.com that simply tickled our grandsons! (In 2016, we will do a full post about this wonderful organization.) What amazed me was that our 3-year-old knew it was a gecko when he pulled it out of the box! One note: we learned right away … [Read more...]
Hanukkah Gift of Music For You
Wow! Rabbi Judy Caplan Ginsburgh is offering us the special Hanukkah present of a 50% discount on her lovely CD, “Boker Tov, Laila Tov.” Translation: Good Morning, Good Night. With 19 favorite Hebrew, English and Yiddish songs for families, the CD features a host of upbeat, playtime, energizing songs, like Kum Bachur Atzayl (Wake Up, Lazy Boy), and softer, slower songs, including a truly beautiful version of Shalom Rav. The insert includes the words, which I find incredibly helpful. My faves? An upbeat version of Bim Bam (Shabbat welcome song), Hokey Pokey Hebrew Style (I think my … [Read more...]
Black Friday Specials & Hanukkah in Motion
Happy Thanksgiving! My favorite part of all holidays is celebrating with the little ones. If there’s laughter and mess and happy noise, so much the better! Here are two easy ideas to keep your kids out of their chairs and in motion out during Hanukkah celebrations in your home. Warning: if you're prone to headaches around loudness, you might rethink the first idea! Hanukkah parade If your crew needs to work out excess energy before family dinner, invite everyone to participate in a Hanukkah parade. Crank up some upbeat Hanukkah tunes (like The Maccabeats Candlelights), hand … [Read more...]