It seems that just when Shabbat starts to "come in" (as my kids say) at a normal hour, the clocks get switched back. With candlelighting at around 4 PM, I have to be organized. Below I post techniques that I have used. I prefer not to cook in advance. With certain exceptions, food pulled out of the freezer is not as tasty as fresh, and you can't refreeze leftovers without sacrificing the quality further. And if I cook on Wednesday or Thursday, I'm loath to serve the leftovers on Sunday or Monday. Plan menus with an eye toward leftovers. If your side dishes are pareve (neither meat nor dairy), you have more options later. Seasoned potatoes, vegetables, or rice can go in another dish, … [Read more...]
The Day is Short, and the Work is Great: Efficient Shabbat Preparations
November 23, 2008 by 29 Comments
The eruv came too late for me. . .
September 11, 2008 by 6 Comments
If the level of observance was low in New York before the war (see previous post and comments), imagine the state of Jewish life in Sacramento, California. My mother's family settled there in the late 30's, where my grandfather and my grandmother's brothers had established a business. My grandmother told me that she refused to travel to shul in the car, so my grandfather attended alone for a few months until she gave in. According to my mother, her uncles hesitated to bring their parents over from Germany. They realized the parents would be disappointed in the brothers' lack of observance and shocked at the absence of religious amenities. My great-grandparents did manage to get out in … [Read more...]
Who are you waiting for, Miss America? Guess not.
September 9, 2008 by Leave a Comment
Last night we went to the shiva for the mother of an old friend. The friend told how her mother's mother studied piano with Bess Myerson, the first (and only?) Jewish Miss America. My friend's great-grandmother tried to fix up one of her sons with Bess, but they weren't interested. If I have it right, this great-grandmother was American-born, and attended Hunter College in the 1890's. When her future husband, a Polish immigrant, was looking for a shidduch, he asked for a "religious, American-born girl." The great-grandmother agreed to marry him on condition that he close his factory on Shabbat. Apparently, being "religious" in those days did not include strict Sabbath observance. … [Read more...]
A Reward for Efi
November 20, 2007 by 18 Comments
One of our favorite alonim, called Mibereshit, comes in a gan or an elementary school edition. The gan version has a regular feature about a boy named Efi and his family. Efi has lots of problems but his wise parents help him resolve them through a discussion about the weekly Torah portion.Last week Efi went to the dentist with his mother. Usually they enjoy looking at store windows, but Efi got upset when his mother told him an elaborate toy he coveted (pictured) was very expensive. She suggested he wait until Passover to request it as an afikoman present. Efi wasn't satisfied, so they sat on a bench to think of a solution. (We are almost always rushed on our way to appointments, but Efi's … [Read more...]
The Truth about Nursing in the Ezrat Nashim
September 18, 2007 by 14 Comments
Which of the following situations is disturbing, distracting, or inappropriate in shul? Cracking open a bag of Bamba for a toddler, who proceeds to distribute the contents around the shul Hansel and Gretel style. Shoving chairs right and left while pushing a monster stroller through the aisle. Blocking the shul entrance with an unattended stroller. Chatting loudly. Repeatedly shushing noisy and restless preschoolers. Allowing preschoolers to run back and forth among their friends. Remaining with a crying baby in shul, even during the shofar blowing (the central observance of Rosh Hashanah). Standing quietly in place, noting that the baby is getting restless, and discreetly … [Read more...]
Rosh Chodesh Av: Kosher Cooking Carnival # 20
July 16, 2007 by 4 Comments
Blog Carnivalkosher cooking carnivalarchives | submit post Welcome to the July 16, 2007, 20th edition of the Kosher Cooking Carnival! When I suggested this date to Batya, I didn't realize that it fell on the first day of the Hebrew month of Av. According to the mishnah, "Mishenichnas Av mamaatin be-simcha." When Av enters, one minimizes happiness. The ninth of Av commemorates the destruction of both the first and second Temples in Jerusalem, and Jews observe a semi-mourning period from the first day of Av through the middle of the tenth day that includes refraining from meat, unnecessary laundry and bathing, and parties, including weddings. So while it feels a bit inappropriate to host … [Read more...]
Parsha Post–Korach
June 15, 2007 by Leave a Comment
Rebecca of Jewess asked me to write a dvar Torah with a feminine twist. You can check it out here. … [Read more...]
My kids and cooperation
May 20, 2007 by 5 Comments
Sephardi Lady asked me here whether I overestimate or underestimate the amount of help my kids can give. It seems that they always have plenty of time to read, go on the computer and play with friends, and study occasionally, so I guess they are not overworked. I suspect they would not agree! Of course, I am overworked and wish they would do more.Below is a partial list of the jobs that my kids do regularly. One great thing about having a large family is that you can usually find someone available to help, and at least one child will enjoy doing a particular chore. My 13yo daughter enjoys pouring the boiling water into the thermos on Friday afternoon--go figure. On the other hand, when there … [Read more...]
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