Some of you may remember when I wrote about celebrating the ninth night of Hanukkah to accommodate my family’s arrival in Montclair.
A nearly identical situation -but in reverse – occurred this Passover. My granddaughter came down from Canada where she is in college but had to go back before the official start of Passover, thus missing the seder. What’s a grandmother to do but be flexible? (more…)
Being stuck inside because of bad weather brings out the inner cook in me. I find myself really reading the New York Times recipes— though many of them are too fussy for my taste and call for too many ingredients— and food articles and searching my cookbook library for new twists on something familiar. (more…)
When Marc and I downsized about three years ago, we left behind the dining room table that fit 16, numerous pots and pans, tablecloths and other accoutrements of hosting large groups. We thought that the days of entertaining large family gatherings were over, with no more deck and no more yard and a large house to spread out in.
However, all the stars seemed to be aligned for a family Hanukkah gathering with Rebecca and her family coming to stay for a few days beginning on December 21st.
Oh, no! They would not arrive until the evening. We’d have to celebrate with a ninth night of Hanukkah. (more…)
Regard for animals goes back to the first stories in Judaism. Adam is given responsibility to care for the animals [Gen 1:26]; Noah is instructed to save all the animals [Gen 6:19-20]; Abraham’s servant Eliezer is impressed when Rebecca – who is to become Isaac’s wife – cares for the camels [Gen 24:42-48]. (more…)
This year Shomrei is participating in the Synagogue Vegan Challenge. As part of this program, we will have one completely vegan event each month.
It seemed fitting to schedule our 2nd event during Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret. These holidays provide an opportunity for us to reflect on our connection to nature, food, and shelter. (more…)
