Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on February 11, 2022

Ashkenazic Approach

Many Ashkenazic yeshiva students wear their tzitzit out, in line with the Mishna Beruras (8:26) powerful exhortation to do so. The Chafetz Chaim famously writes:

Those men who tuck their tzitzit in their pants, not only are they ignoring the Torahs direction ureitem oto, you should see the tzitzit and thereby recall all the mitzvot (Bamidbar 15:39), they are degrading Hashems mitzvot and will be held accountable by Hashem for having done so!!

The Mishna Berura writes that if one received a special garment from the king with the latters name carved in it, he would proudly display it at all times. How much more so should we show the garment of the King of all Kings, Whose Holy Name is alluded to in the tying of the tzitzit!

The Aruch Hashulhan (Orah Haim 8:17), while using milder language, expresses a similar sentiment. He notes that baseline halacha does not require a man to wear tzitzit outside his pants. Nonetheless, he writes, Why should one be embarrassed about performing Hashems mitzvot? He concludes that Torah authorities are not pleased with men who tuck their tzitzit inside their pants. However, he makes an exception for those who find it highly impractical.

As is well-known, Rav Ovadia Yosef (Teshuvot Yehave Daat 2:1) marshals a boatload of evidence that runs contrary to the strong words of the Mishna Berura and Aruch Hashulhan.

Rav Ovadia begins by noting that the Rishonim already debate this matter. Moreover, many Rishonim, including the Baal HaItur, Rabbenu Yonah, and the Maharam MiRutenberg, agree that the Torah does not require one to wear ones tzitzit out.

Moreover, the Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 24:1) uses much more mild language than the Mishna Berura or the Aruch Hashulhan. The Shulhan Aruch merely writes that it is proper to wear tzitzit outside ones garments. The Shulhan Aruch implies that one is not required to wear tzitzit out and is not frowned upon for not doing so.

In addition, Rav Ovadia notes that the broad consensus of top-tier poskim, including the Shulhan Aruch (Orah Haim 23 and Yoreh Deah 367:4) and even the Mishna Berura (23:3), permit men to wear tzitzit in a cemetery since they customarily wear them tucked inside their garments.

Finally, Rav Yosef notes that Kabbalistic authorities believe it is proper to wear tzitzit inside ones garments. Rav Haim Vital, the leading student of the Ari zl, records (Shaar HaKavanot 7b) that the Ari wore his tzitzit inside his garments and even frowned on those who wear it outside. Maran HaHida (Birkei Yosef, Orah Haim 8:7 and Kesher Gudal 2:2) agrees.

Rav Ovadia notes that Sephardim follow the Ari zl in such matters even when it runs counter to the view of the Shulhan Aruch. Rav Ovadia refers to matters of hiddur mitzvah (mitzvah enhancements) such as the directions of lulav waving and the shape of a sefer Torahs letters.

Rav Ovadia notes that all venerated Sephardic authorities he witnessed as a young man wore their tzitzit inside. Rav Yitzhak Yosef relates that these great rabbanim include Rav Yaakov Sofer (the author of the authoritative Kaf HaHaim), Rav Ovadia Hadayah, and Rav Ezra Attia.

Rav Ovadia concludes that it is beautiful for Ashkenazic yeshiva students to express their pride in following Hashems ways and wear tzitzit outside their garments. Nonetheless, it is proper for Sephardic Jews to follow their tradition to keep tzitzit inside their clothes.

Nonetheless, Rav Yitzhak Yosef (Yalkut Yosef Orah Haim 8:46) writes that a Sephardic teenager who wishes to fortify his commitment to Torah may wear his tzitzit outside his garment. However, he notes that a Sephardic man should follow the traditional Sephardic practice of wearing the tzitzit inside ones pants after marriage.

The Torah (Devarim 13:7-12) condemns the Mesit, one who tries to influence others to veer from the Torah path in an unparalleled harsh manner. However, the Torah thereby teaches that Hashem also bestows tremendous reward upon those who influence others to follow the Torah.

Teenage young men who wear tzitzit out make a profound statement. They are proudly broadcasting their pride and joy in observing Hashems mitzvot. The reward Hashem has in store for these young men is profound!

Therefore, I counseled the Sephardic TABC student to continue his outstanding practice wearing his tzitzit outside since he encourages himself and his schoolmates to embrace Torah observance enthusiastically. However, I reminded him that upon marriage, God willing, he should follow the traditional Sephardic practice of keeping tzitzit inside his garments.

The TABC talmid who posed the question is a Moroccan Jew, so it is important to note that the Moroccan minhag is also to wear the tzitzit inside ones garments. Two Moroccan luminaries, Rav Shalom Messas (in his haskama to Ptil Techelet) and Rav Moshe Malca (Teshuvot Mikveh Mayim 3:1), corroborate this assertion. Furthermore, the Baba Sali wore his tzitzit inside his garments, as is recorded in Ptil Techelet (page 238). In addition, Rav David Yosef (Halacha Berura volume one, Teshuvot Otzerot Yosef number 27) and Rav Mordechai Lebhar (Magen Avot, Orah Haim 8:11) write that all Sephardic communities wear tzitzit inside their garments.

Rabbi Haim Jachter is the spiritual leader of Congregation Shaarei Orah, the Sephardic Congregation of Teaneck. He also serves as a rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County and a dayan on the Beth Din of Elizabeth.

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TABC Sephardic Student Inquiry: Is It Acceptable for Me to Wear My Tzitzit Out? - The Jewish Link

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Posted By admin on February 11, 2022

Lifelong Five Towns resident David Friedman, the former ambassador to Israel under President Trump, along with wife, Tammy, will be honored by the Chabad of the Five Towns as Ambassadors of Light, at the religious organizations 27th annual gala dinner on Feb. 15.

While the Friedmans have a deep history of Jewish involvement in the Five Towns, Davids father was Morris Friedman, an iconic figure in the Jewish community, who was one of the founders of the modern Orthodox movement and was the spiritual leader at Temple Hillel in North Woodmere. Once full-time Woodsburgh residents, the Friedmans now split time between Florida and Jerusalem, and visit the Five Towns frequently.

The Friedmans and Rabbi Zalman Wolowik, the leader of the Five Towns Chabad, have been longtime friends. More than 25 years ago, David was suffering from what was described as incurable back pain. Tammy called the newly opened Chabad center to ask for the familys mezuzahs to be checked.

Wolowik came and checked the tefillin as well and he found serious blemishes in the tefillin scroll. Miraculously, the next day, after using new tefillin, Davids pain stopped, the relationship with Wolowik continued.

David and Tammy Friedman are what Wolowik said, true embodiments of the Lubavitcher Rebbes concept of lamplighters. The rebbe encouraged everyone to spread light, because when one torch lights another, the first light does not diminish both lights grow. The Friedman family has been connected with Chabad through the Gan Chamesh Preschool, Bat Mitzvah club and other youth activities.

While serving as the envoy to Israel, Davids no-nonsense style helped broker the recognition of Jerusalem as capital of Israel and subsequent move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem and the Abraham Accords. Wolowik delivered the opening prayer at the opening of the embassy.

We are all partners in rebuilding the Jewish nation, David said at the Shluchim Convention in January. We are partners in making any place we reside a more moral place. We are partners in bringing light and truth to places that are dark and without hope. That partnership bears fruit each day and is the reason why, like the former British Empire, the sun never sets on the Chabad community.

Chabad serves all ages from seniors to preschoolers and through its Friendship Circle ,which pairs teenagers with children with special needs for learning, fun and companionship. At the dinner, Chabad will honor 20 Friendship Circle presidents and 10 CTeen leaders.

Yosef Yitzchak and Penina Batsheva Popack; Gidon and Alla Shema; Gary and Suzanne Wallin; Jeff and Shira Eisenberg; Israel and Sharon Garber; Sholom and Pessy Jacobs; and Shalom and Iris Maidenbaum, are the dinners chairpersons.

The gala takes place at the Sephardic Temple, 775 Branch Blvd., Cedarhurst. Purim Katan 5782 at 6 p.m. VIP reception at 7 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom. Tickets are $770 per couple. VIP Reception: minimum donation of $10,000 to receive a personalized signed copy of Sledgehammer, the new book written by David.

Raffle tickets are available for as little as $36 each. Options include an Orlando Getaway, Enhance Your Table, Beautiful Megillah, $1,000 Visa Gift Card, or $1,000 to Gourmet Glatt.To RSVP for the dinner, or purchase a journal ad or raffle tickets, go to https://fivetownsgala.com.

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Five Towns Chabad honors the Friedmans | Herald Community Newspapers - liherald

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Posted By admin on February 11, 2022

A top UK Jewish body said on Wednesday that far-right Religious Zionism MK Bezalel Smotrich is not welcome in the country, as he tours Britain.

The Board of Deputies of British Jews, UK Jewrys mainstream umbrella organization, tweeted in Hebrew that they reject the abominable views and the hate-provoking ideology of Bezalel Smotrich.

We call on all members of the British Jewish community to show him the door. Get back on the plane, Bezalel, and be remembered as a disgrace forever.

The MK has repeatedly made comments against Arabs and gay people that have provoked outcries.

Smotrich is currently on a tour of Jewish communities in the UK and France to rally opposition to the governments plan for major reforms of state-controlled Jewish religious services.

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He met earlier Wednesday in London with a Bnei Akiva group.

Religious Affairs Minister Matan Kahana has proposed plans that include easing the process of conversion to Judaism and broadening the range of organizations qualified to give kosher certification, thereby weakening the ultra-Orthodox hegemony, including the Chief Rabbinates control over Jewish religious life cycle events in Israel.

His plans, in particular the changes to the conversion services, have drawn sharp criticism from ultra-Orthodox figures, including Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau.

Last Sunday, Lau was joined by his counterpart, Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, in leading the Yeshiva March protest by students against the proposed reforms. The march was timed to coincide with the weekly cabinet meeting held at the Prime Ministers Office.

Addressing the crowd, Lau, who has been speaking out openly against Kahanas plan, said that our country is a Jewish country, with the Chief Rabbinate, with Torah that is our essence.

A Jewish state is one that has a Chief Rabbinate; a Jewish state is one in which the Chief Rabbinate makes the decisions, writes [the rules] and leads, Lau said.

Sephardic Chief Rabbi Yosef called on Kahana to wake up and think carefully about what he is doing.

He said Kahana has in his employ all kinds of small rabbis who are confusing him and urged him instead to listen to the chief rabbis and other leading rabbinic figures in the Orthodox community.

Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi David Lau speaks to national religious yeshiva students during the Yeshivas March against conversion and kashrut reforms, in Jerusalem, January 30, 2022. (Olivier Fitoussi/Flash90)

I call on him to retract all of his plans and step into line with the Chief Rabbinate of Israel and strengthen its position, Yosef said.

He warned that today there are all sorts of people who call themselves rabbis and discover new aspects to the Torah that are not based on Jewish law.

They are distorting the Torah, Yosef charged. They come and make all kinds of changes, in kashrut, in conversion, at the southern Western Wall plaza, he said, referring to a contentious plan to establish an egalitarian prayer site adjacent to the iconic Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem.

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Top UK Jewish body tells visiting far-right MK Smotrich to get back on a plane - The Times of Israel

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Posted By admin on February 11, 2022

Good morning, New York. Jewish Bronx-born comedian and actor Robert Klein turns 80 today. I was in the DeWitt Clinton High School marching band, he has joked. One of the worst bands ever formed. When we played the national anthem, people from every country stood except Americans.

Shabbat tragedy: A 99-year-old Holocaust survivor riding an electric wheelchair was struck by a motorist and killed on his way to synagogue in Brooklyn.

Meatless in Manhattan: Part-time vegan Jessica Seinfeld (yes, Jerrys wife) talks to The New York Jewish Week about the meat-, egg- and dairy-free recipes she has developed for herself and her family. Vegan food does not have to taste like kale and spinach, she tells Rachel Ringler.

Stepping down: Eric Lander, the Brooklyn-born geneticist and Stuyvesant High grad who served as President Bidens top science advisor and head of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, resigned Monday after a White House review found he had mistreated staff.

Remembering: Todd Gitlin, the former 1960s radical who, as an academic, would later question the movements he helped found, died Saturday at age 79. Raised in the Bronx,Gitlin taught sociology and journalism at New York University and Columbia University. Our colleague Ron Kampeas remembers Gitlin as a gregarious writer and activist known for enveloping his targets in affection even as he lacerated what he believed were their lapses of critical thinking.

TODAYS BIG IDEA

To read some of the comments from defenders of the book, youd think Maus is a tween-friendly introduction to the Holocaust. However, writes The New York Jewish Weeks Andrew Silow-Carroll,Art Spiegelmans complex masterpiece is not Auschwitz for Beginners.

PEOPLE & PLACES

Associate Rabbi Greg Weitzman of Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Manhattan is headed to Albany, where he willbecome the next senior rabbi of Congregation Beth Emeth. The Long Island native will take overfrom Rabbi Scott Shpeen on his retirement in July 2023.

The Jewish Community Relations Council of New Yorklaunched a fellowship to encourage community-based approaches to hate crime prevention. The We Are All Brooklyn Fellowship Against Hate recruited an inaugural cohort of 18 influential leaders to represent Brooklyns diversity. The Fellows will work together in finding solutions in challenging hate in New York and its neighborhoods.

Truah, the rabbinic human rights organization, will honor social justice leader Heather Booth with its Raphael Lemkin Human Rights Award at its annual gala in May. Booth is the founder of JANE, an underground abortion service predating Roe v. Wade and which is currently the subject of both a new documentary and a new feature film.

WHATS ON TODAY

Novelist Dara Horn got fed up with being asked to write about dead Jews in response to the recent wave of fatal antisemitic attacks across the world. Shell talk about her new essay collection, People Love Dead Jews: Reports from a Haunted Present, with her sister, Jordana Horn, a regular contributor to our partner site, Kveller. Signup for this Streicker Center Temple Emanu-El NYC event here. 11:30 a.m.

Last December, Jewish Currentsmagazine provoked a controversy when it published, and then apologizing for publishing, an ad promoting a free trip to Israel for young American Jews. Today it hosts a panel discussion on the ethics of organized travel to Israel/Palestine,featuringSam Bahour, Emily Siegel, Ilana Sumka and Peter Beinart. Noon.

Join The Museum of Jewish Heritage for a program exploring the depiction of teenagers in Holocaust graphic novels. The conversation includes David Polonsky, illustrator of Anne Franks Diary: The Graphic Adaptation; Ken Krimstein, author of When I Grow Up: The Lost Autobiographies of Six Yiddish Teens; and R.J. Palacio, author of White Bird: A Wonder Story. Find out how to register here. 2:00 p.m.

92Ys Black Jewish History/Black Jewish Futures Month continues with a presentation by Robin Washington on Hatzaad Harishon, an effort in the 1960s to bridge the gap between African Americans who worshiped as Israelites and mainstream Jewish congregations.Get tickets here. 7:00 p.m.

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Holocaust survivor killed in traffic accident Jessica Seinfelds meatless meals The meaning of Maus - Jewish Telegraphic Agency

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Posted By admin on February 11, 2022

(JTA) Some members of Congress are openly hostile to Israel. But it was Rep. Andy Levin, a Detroit-area Michigan Democrat and a scion of a storied Jewish political family, whom a former AIPAC president identified in an email earlier this month as arguably the most corrosive member of Congress to the U.S.-Israel relationship.

David Victor, a former president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, made the comment in an email Jan. 19 to pro-Israel donors in the Detroit area, where he is from.

Victor, who led AIPAC in the late 2000s and who remains influential among pro-Israel donors affiliated with the group, appealed in the email for political backing for Rep. Haley Stevens, another Democrat who is close to the AIPAC community. Levin and Stevens have ended up in the same district because of redistricting and have indicated that they are set to face each other in a primary.

The redistricting, Victor said in the email, presents a rare opportunity to defeat arguably the most corrosive member of Congress to the U.S.-Israel relationship.

The email, which Sophie Ellman-Golan, the communications director for the left-leaning Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, obtained and posted on Twitter, offers an early indication of how prominent a role Israel issues may plan in the race to represent the new Michigan district.

Levin backs defense assistance for Israel and is a strong believer in the necessity of a Jewish homeland. But he has authored legislation that would restrict how Israel spends U.S. defense assistance so that it would not be used to uphold the West Bank occupation.

Levin is the son of Sander Levin, a congressman, and the nephew of the late Carl Levin, a senator. Both served for decades in Congress are were hugely influential in their respective caucuses.

Victor said Levins family ties make his positions more objectionable.

Andy frequently and one-sidedly criticizes Israel, defends and even fundraises for its worst detractors and from his seat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee authors and supports highly problematic legislation, he wrote. And he does so as a Levin, a name which due to his uncle and father commands respect and admiration on Capitol Hill. To make matters worse, Andy sincerely claims to be a lifelong Zionist, proud Jew and defender of Israel. So when Andy Levin insists hes pro-Israel, less engaged Democratic colleagues may take him at his word.

Victor and AIPAC declined to comment.

In a statement Sunday to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Levin said, It is fine for people to support another candidate and to explain why they agree with their positions, but ad hominem attacks are truly harmful to the fabric of our Jewish community.

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Rep. Andy Levin the 'most corrosive' on Israel - Heritage Florida Jewish News

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Posted By admin on February 11, 2022

In January, McMinn County, Tenn., made international news for perhaps the first time in its history when the school board voted to remove Maus, the acclaimed graphic novel about the Holocaust, from the 8th-grade curriculum. The board stated that it made the change on account of the books use of profanity and nudity, asking school administrators to find other works that accomplish the same educational goals in a more age-appropriate fashion.

This curricular change, affecting a few hundred of the approximately 5,500 K-12 students in McMinns public schools, was quickly amplified on social media into a case of book banning with shades of Holocaust denial. The author of Maus, Art Spiegelman, said that the decision had a breath of autocracy and fascism. Theres only one kind of people who would vote to ban Maus, whatever they are calling themselves these days, tweeted the popular fantasy writer Neil Gaiman, earning more than 170,000 likes. The controversy sent the book to the top of Amazon s bestseller list.

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Whats Really at Stake in Americas History Wars? - The Wall Street Journal

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Posted By admin on February 11, 2022

Comedian and disinformation expert might not seem like two jobs that intersect, but for Boston local Abbie Richards, who has gained over half a million followers on TikTok by fighting conspiracy theories, jokes make the truth go down just a bit easier.

Richards joined Boston Public Radio to talk about her work combating conspiracy theories on TikTok, using comedy and charts that explain why information is wrong and how it went viral.

TikTok is kind of like the wild west in a lot of ways when it comes to moderating, Richards said. It got so big, so fast that there's just a lot of catch up to play.

Richards explained that misinformation can often go viral on TikTok even faster than on platforms like Facebook because TikTok shows content entirely based on recommendations from an algorithm.

TikTok has a lot that they can be doing to make their platform safer, she said. If we prioritize engagement over the quality of the information that's shared, it's oftentimes going to end with the same results.

The stakes are high, because TikToks audience is massive. In September, TikTok reported one billion users who go on the app every month.

When she first joined TikTok, Richards gained a following for her anti-golf climate activism, advocating for the end of golf because of the way golf courses take up green space and consume water and chemicals. Then she created the conspiracy chart, which went viral.

The chart is an inverted triangle with different tiers, beginning with things that actually happened.

Abbie Richards

It is so important that we acknowledge that people in power do abuse their power, and that's where a lot of the anxieties that fuel conspiracy theories come from, Richards said, explaining why the chart begins with events that are true, like Watergate. It's really important that we acknowledge that, and that we work to fix systemic inequalities that allow that kind of power.

After real events comes we have questions, including events like Jeffrey Epsteins death and the circumstances surrounding it, followed by unequivocally false but mostly harmless, largely about pop culture celebrities. Then comes dangerous to yourself and others, such as vaccines having microchips. Finally, theories pass the antisemitic point of no return to reach the final level, world ruled by supreme shadow elite, promotes hatred and violence toward marginalized groups, which includes QAnon and Holocaust denial.

Richards said goal with her chart and debunking videos is to correct misinformation in a way that is accessible and engaging, drawing on her background as a stand-up comic. Now, she is working towards a masters degree in climate science, researching how conspiracy theories manifest themselves on TikTok in relation to climate change. She said she has noticed a shift from outright climate denialism of past decades.

The messaging is switched a bit away from that classic denial and towards distraction and delay, she said. You're seeing just more this is an attempt to install a new world order kind of stuff.

Richards biggest piece of advice for users looking to combat misinformation is to report it as much as possible.

If you want to just be a good, helpful citizen, it helps to learn what misinformation looks like and how to spot it, she said. You should just be reporting it as false information and not engaging with it and not sharing it.

By immersing herself in a world of misinformation and extremism, Richards said she regularly faces misogynistic and antisemitic hate. Still, she has hope for the future of TikTok.

There are some really interesting accounts that deliver high-quality news on TikTok, it's not to say that all news that you get on TikTok is bad, she said. It just depends where that is coming from.

Richards is currently working on her masters degree in climate studies and is a co-founder of EcoTok, an environmental TikTok collective that specializes in social media-based climate communication.

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Abbie Richards fights TikTok disinformation with a cup of tea, a conspiracy chart and a punchline - wgbh.org

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Posted By admin on February 11, 2022

Brooklyn, N.Y.Number of Stores: 1

Beginning life as a pop-up shop in the summer of 2020 with an investment of just $8,000, Ediths Eatery & Grocery has now grown into a new flagship location, on 312 Leonard Street in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, N.Y., that carries hard-to-find grocery items, a full dining menu featuring innovative versions of classic Jewish dishes, and a robust house-made program,highlighted throughout the menu and the deli case, andfeaturing such items as smoked fish, breads and pickles.

Initially supposed to last just eight weeks, the pop-up immediately went viral, enablingEdithsto become a permanent jewel-size fast-casual sandwich shop in Williamsburg, attracting diners from near and far. The retailers latest iteration, which officially openedJan. 18, following a soft opening on Jan. 11, promises an entirely new kind of grocery shopping and dining experience one that youre encouraged to both explore in store and take home with you. Ediths likens the ambiance to that of legendary New York City deli Zabars.

Ediths founder/CEO Elyssa Heller, who once created supply chain solutions for brands such as Milk Bar and Dylans Candy Bar, offers food influenced by the Jewish diaspora, exploring the global flavors and cultural experience of Jewish cuisine.

After spending 10 years on the consumer side of the food industry working with different CPG brands, I always wanted to give the restaurantindustry a try, Heller tells Progressive Grocer. I felt like there was room for my point of view within the Jewish food space and wanted to try it out on a small scale with the pop-up to see how my concepts around Jewish food would resonate with guests. On the first day of the pop-up, we opened to two-and-a-half-hour lines down the block, and since then, Ive never looked back.

The store started off with an all-day caf menu, with dinner offered later this spring. Dishes include Malawach, laminated Yemenite Jewish flatbread; Kasha Porridge, a buckwheat oatmeal with seasonal fruit and nuts; Syrniki Pancakes, traditional Russian-style pancakes with a Japanese souffl, tart currant syrup and smetana (sour cream); Labneh Parfait with Chickpea Granola, consisting of tangy yogurt with seasonal fruit, house-made crunchy chickpea granola and ancient Middle Eastern honey; Chicken consomm containing mini matzo balls, vegetables and bitter herb; and a Smoked Fish Plate featuring a trio of seasonal house-smoked fishes: salmon, Arctic char and whitefish dip. According to Heller, whodevelops the recipes with Ediths team of chefs,The core menu will stay the same, while we will rotate seasonal specials.

Meanwhile, Ediths grocery offering turns the spotlight on Jewish food staples, including traditional appetizers as well as unique assorted treats, complemented by historical information inspiring guests to try new ingredients and learn about their history. The store will also carry such exclusive products as Emmetts Frozen Tavern Pies and collaborative items with Pierozek Pierogi, Petees Pie (Tahini Chess Pie) and La Boite (Everything Spice). Noting that Ediths isshowcasing people who may not have the infrastructure to sell to traditional grocery stores, but who make amazingfood that is rooted in tradition, Heller promises more brand partnerships in the works that will roll out seasonally.

The flagship store is just the beginning of the story, however.

We are putting a plan in place for what the future of Ediths could look like now that we have found success in multiple formatsour flagship-style restaurant-retailhybrid, as well as fast casual, says Heller. Tradition with a twist is what makes Ediths special, along with the emphasis on food quality and our story. This time last year, we were a team of three cooking on a folding table at our pop-up in the back of Paulie Gees pizzeria; now we have a team of over 20 and two locations. The fact that we have been able to do this during a pandemic has me really excited for what the future holds for Ediths.

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15 Outstanding Independents That Dare to Stand Apart - Progressive Grocer

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Posted By admin on February 11, 2022

Jews from all over the world have their own distinct history, culture and customs. Some countries have large Jewish populations, while in others, the Jewish population is quite small. Those living in each nation have their own stories about how they settled and what life is like. For Jewish people living in the diaspora, many people find themselves wondering: How did Jews end up in places like India? What separates Eastern European Jews from Sephardic and Mizrachi Jewry? These are the questions Rabbi David M. Weis is exploring with his students and their families through cooking in Kulanu this trimester.

Each Tuesday, students and their families have the special opportunity to cook together with Rabbi Weis as their teacher. With recipes in hand from Jewish Federations newly published community cookbook Kugels By the Shore Let My People Eat (chaired by Ilene Daniels), Rabbi Weis is able to lead students and their families on a culinary journey around the world, exploring the nuances of the varying Jewish experiences in different countries.

In developing this class, Rabbi and Susan Weis, Board of Jewish Educations executive director, wanted to honor the far reach of Daniels community cookbook and knew it was the perfect vessel for the class. Daniels said, When Susan called me, I was over the top excited! Its incredible to see that the cookbook has taken on a whole new direction, and is being used to teach and is used on a learning adventure.

It turns out, kugels are an extremely approachable dish for families to cook. Weis said, Kugels are low barrier, easy to make foods, and are not meant to be overwhelming recipes for our students. They are easy for most kids to do and are delicious. Students will learn to make standard potato kugels, vegetable kugels, and sweet noodle kugels. They will also explore non-kugel recipes from around the Jewish world, including blintzes.

All of the dishes featured in the class were meticulously selected in order to generate teachable moments. Each week, I look for something in the recipe that allows me to teach some nuance of the variety of the Jewish experience, said Rabbi Weis. For instance, one week the group cooked a raisin-curry kugel. This gave Rabbi Weis the opportunity to talk about Indian Jews who migrated from countries like Yemen and Iraq. He added, A kugel with curry allowed me to teach about Indian Jewry and its culture. I taught about their history and showed a short video of an Indian Jewish wedding. We dont often think about the story of Jews coming to India, and it is a part of the history of Jewish people that might not be known.

In another class, the students and Rabbi Weis made a blintz souffl and Rabbi Weis used that to teach the history of French Jewry and introduce students to Rashi, one of Jewish historys most important rabbis and a French Jew.

Teaching this class raises an important question: What exactly is Jewish food? Jews have migrated to countries all over the world and their cuisine has evolved, blending many different cultures together. In the case of the raisin-curry kugel, foods of Yemen mixed with Indian flavors to make a new cuisine that still featured flavors and techniques of their Jewish roots.

On the first night of this course, Daniels spoke to the students about her inspiration for the cookbook. She said, I literally woke up in the middle of the night and knew I wanted to do something just for kugels. Like that, the idea was born. Daniels cookbook has made its way across the community and beyond, allowing families to preserve and share their most loved recipes across hundreds of households.

Daniels shared her experiences cooking in her grandmothers kitchen every Friday with her grandmother and a community of women making everything from blintzes to kugel and chicken soup. It was here that she learned not just how to cook but about Judaism and the importance of family, a value which she is happy to pass along to families of Kulanu as they share moments together in the kitchen.

Rabbi Weis also shared about the class thus far, It is natural and normal for people to imagine that everybody is just like me. Studying different cultures opens up a world of diversity and connection. Many Jews think that all Jews are the same. This class is proving how different Jews are around the world, but how similar they are too.

Kulanu offers a wide array of electives to enhance Jewish learning and perspectives. In addition to the cooking class elective, some students selected a Jewish yoga experience based upon movement and yoga practice connected with Jewish values and prayer to help center you physically and spiritually. It is taught by Ava Gadon, a Kulanu graduate. In Becca Weis photography class, students are learning about photographic composition while exploring Jewish values and our connection to the environment.

Some students are enrolled in an elective with Jewish game designer Sari Kopitnikoff, where they discuss the history of board and card games, benefits of game play, an analysis of the components of games, and testing and rating various games. The class culminates with creating an original game. In a separate elective, students have the option to play Jewish Dungeons & Dragons, where they are able to join forces and explore new territories, wrestling with ancient mysteries and confronting fiendish enemies.

For more information about BJE, Kulanu, or Jewish education in the community, please contact Susan Weis at bjeatlantic@yahoo.com.

To purchase a copy of Kugels By the ShoreLet My People Eat, please contact Becky at Jewish Federation by calling (609) 822-4404. Pickup is available at the JCC Margate, 501 N. Jerome Ave, Margate City, NJ 08402 or by mail for an additional fee. Each cookbook is $18, or two or more can be bought for $15 each.

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Adventures in cooking with Rabbi David Weis - Jewish Community Voice

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Posted By admin on February 11, 2022

Kosher Wine Options Are Flourishing More Than Ever as Renowned Wine Producers Continue to Innovate

(Bayonne, NJ, FEB 10, 2022) Every spring, Jews around the world celebrate Passover. The highlight of the holiday is the Sedera festive meal when the story of the Jewish exodus from Egypt is recalled and celebrated across the generations. Wine, considered the drink of royalty, plays a central role in the Seder ritual. Jews are commanded to drink four cups throughout the evening as a symbol of freedom from bondage.

Thats a lot of wine!

Fortunately, the pandemic couldnt stop the evolution and expansion of the kosher wine market, and there will be no shortage of wine options when the 8-day Passover holiday begins on April 15. Quite the contrary.

Consumers looking for wines from renowned regions throughout the old and new world can satisfy their thirst with more options than ever before, said wine expert Gabriel Geller, Director of Public Relations for Royal Wine Corp., the largest manufacturer, importer, and exporter of kosher wine.

It seems the problem is not the availability of great wine but the overwhelming number of great wines to choose from. Royal Wine offers a delicious selection of kosher for Passover wines from around the world, said Geller. Some of the top producers are creating award-winning varietals at every price point. With Passover just around the corner, he wants to take the guesswork out of buying wine.

Red or white? For those who love a luxurious, bold, layered red, Geller recommendsJewel, Psagots new flagship wine (SRP $150). Its an impressive bottle of wine with notes of rich black fruit, cedar, and vanilla.

White wine enthusiasts will enjoyRimapere(SRP $23), a delicious, fragrant, floral, citrusy Sauvignon Blanc. And its hard to go wrong withBaron Herzog Ros(SRP $12). Fruit-forward, light, flavorful and crisp, he says, this crowd-pleaser is a fantastic value.

Of special interest to the wine world is the return of a kosher batch from the very prestigiousChteauPontet-Canet, 5thCru Pauillac(SRP $225). Geller warns that it may be very difficult to find this fine Bordeaux. The 2019 vintage is extremely limited and fully pre-booked pre-release in March, he explains.

However, it will be easy to sample a good selection fromBaron Herzog, the historic entry-level quality kosher wines from Herzog Wine Cellars. They recently underwent a complete revamping, Geller notes. Reasonably priced at$9 to $13, Baron Herzog showcases the best in California wines.

New from South Africa Royal Wine has added ESSA Winery to its portfolio, just in time for Passover. This new boutique winery produces arguably the best quality kosher wine to ever come out of South Africa. ESSA offers four different wines a white Bordeaux-style blend, a red Bordeaux-style blend, a Malbec, and a Cabernet Franc grown in some of South Africas most prized vineyards. The wines range from SRP $20-$50. ESSA is the dream come true of Joshua Rynderman, a young Boston-raised winemaker. He spends half of the year making kosher wine in California and the other half making kosher wine in South Africa. Chana, his South African wife, is the CEO.

Carmel Winerys newCarmel Special Reserve 40thAnniversary Edition 2016(SRP$80) is also high on Gellers list. This wine is a tribute to the legendary 1976 Carmel Special Reserve, Israels first modern high-quality red wine. Carmel, the pioneer of the modern Israeli wine industry, was founded by Chteau Lafites Baron Edmond de Rothschild in 1882.

Rounding out Gellers recommendations are RothschildsRimapere Sauvignon Blanc 2021from New Zealand (SRP $25) and semi-dry ross and a Pinot Noirs fromTura, the estate winery in the heart of biblical Israel (SRP $25-$90).

As for coming trends, Geller is pleased to note that Burgundy is making a comeback, and fans of Italian wine can look for new releases in the coming months, including a Vermentino, a Barbera dAsti, and a Super Tuscan.

About Kosher Wine

Before you grab a bottle of your favorite wine for Passover Seder, check the label. Chances are your go-to bottle isnt kosher. In general,Kosher is a term used to describe food that complies with the strict dietary standards of traditional Jewish law. It also applies to wine.Those amateur sommeliers among us will know that to make wine, yeast is necessary for fermentation. However, what separates kosher wine for non-kosher wine is that in accordance with Jewish law, Kosher wine is made with a mold grown of fruit or sugar not bread. All wines and spirits from Royal Wine Corp are certified kosher.

About Royal Wine/Kedem

Founded in 1848,Royal Wine Corp.s mission is to be the premier manufacturer, importer and distributor of specialty wines, spirits and liqueurs from around the world. The commitment to perfection and family tradition spans over eight generations and has experienced growth since its beginning. Royals portfolio of domestic and international wines ranges from traditional wine producing regions of France, Italy, and Spain to up and coming ones like Israel, New Zealand, and Argentina.

Additionally, Royal Wine Corp.s spirit and liqueur portfolio offer some of the most sought-after scotches, bourbons, tequilas and vodkas as well as hard to find specialty items such as flavored brandies and liqueurs.

The company owns and operates the Kedem Winery in upstate New York, as well as Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard, California, a state-of-the-art-facility featuring guided wine tours, a fully staffed modern tasting room, gift shop and catering facilities.Additionally, the winery houses the award-winning restaurantTierra Sur,serving the finest, Mediterranean-inspired, contemporary Californian Cuisine.

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Drink 'L'Chaim' with Passover Wines for Every Mood, All Kinds of Food, and Any Budget - wineindustryadvisor.com

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