Announcing the winners of our 2011 Shavuot Table Contest!

Winner for FIRST PRIZE wins $200. gift certificate to PARCI PARLA!

This a just one of Parci Parla’s gorgeous table settings! Parci Parla has tons of gift and table ware for your home! Email Irene for more info!

SECOND PRIZE - $100 to Josh and Co. Florist

THIRD PRIZE -$75 to Josh and Co.

Winner #1 with the most Facebook likes, comments, and emailed votes sent in to me is Karen Tawil! Check out her beautiful tables HERE!!!

Winner #2 with the most Facebook likes, comments, emailed votes sent in to me AND most inspiring Holocaust survival story is Felicia Bryn, from Sunny Isles Florida. Check out Mrs. Bryn’s table settingHERE.

Winner #3 with the most Facebook likes, comments, emailed votes sent in to me is Lorene Sasson! Lorene’s two table top displays were a big hit! Click HERE to check it out!

A SPECIAL THANK YOU to Linda and Emile Haddad, Susan Lerner, Aunt Linda Betesh, Claudia Bldirici, Rachel Dweck,  and Allison Srour for sharing your GORGEOUS holiday tables with us!!!!

Click on each of their names above to see their beautiful Shavuot tables!

To check out ALL of the magnificent tables shared by our Jewish Hostesses please click HERE ! You are all such an inspiration to me and thousands of Jewish women all over the world! Marlene

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• 

Looking for some last minute Purim ideas for Mishloach Manot? Here are some easy ones that you can use for inspiration this Purim holiday. If you are not really sure about the meaning of mishloach manot, just click here, and then continue reading below!

1- Make a ton of  mini biscotti and pile into a small or medium mason jar. Tie  a decorative ribbon and silk flower around a bottle of  inexpensive kosher sweet wine and have your kids deliver the combo to all of your friends and neighbors.

2- Give out warm kosher hot chocolate, skewered marshmallows, pink chocolate dipped rice krispy treats that are rolled into a ball (right after cooking the mixture)in a cute Wilton Striped Cupcake Box. Very cozy!:

3- My niece Shirley who is a professional baker, was inspired by Bakerella’s cookie mix in a jar, and turned the idea into a fabulous mishloach manot. Their entire family stood in an assembly line and filled and scooped until they were done with all of their beautifully filled jars.  It really was one of the prettiest mishloach manot that I received last year. You can also find more cookie mix-in-a-jar recipes from allrecipes.com.

Download pretty instructions to attach to your cookie-mix filled jar with this PDF from Bakerella.

4-Bake orange juice cakes in mini loaf pans and send them with a mini bottle of fresh orange juice  or a mini Tropicana juice box from your local grocer. You can find fruit themed tissue paper from Bags and Bows and for a real home squeezed feel, use a crate from an empty clementine box, or a Purim basket that was stashed in a storage bin during last year’s Passover cleaning.

5- Last year my sister in-law  invited us to her annual gala Purim party with a printed potholder that held a note explaining that all the moms invited were to be united in a cooking contest. What a great way to invite the family over without not actually having to cook anything! (lol…)  Each family was given a rolled up note with what main dish or salad to bring.  The “judges” chose the winner who received a gift certificate to Kitchen Kaboodles on Avenue U in Brooklyn. All in all, it was so much fun and easy to for everyone to walk in with part of the Purim seuda.

6- Need an adorable Purim card to attatch to your mishloach manot? My very creative friend Erika Sabbagh sent in this unforgettable idea. Dress your kids up in their Purim costumes, take a pic,  print it on cardstock within a card making or a label software, print, and you are done!

7- Make an sweet treat, pile into food bags, tie with raffia or a pretty ribbon, add a bottle of  kosher grape juice, a fresh daisy, place a decorative napkin inside a disposable 
paper loaf pan and deliver!

8-Borrow some of Martha Stewart’s Valentine’s Day ideas and transform them into your Purim Jewish hostess treats!

9- Be inspired by The Kitchn’s skillet toffee and 39 other homemade gifts. It’s a mouthwatering roundup of melt in your mouth treats. Any one of these delectables would make a unique Purim gift to send. Make sure to add two different items in your package so that your  recipient can make two prayers according to the Purim custom.

10- My good friend Allison  Srour made this healthy mishloach manor: baby spinach salad with balsamic vinaigrette,
and veggie burgers with tehine!

Allison also asked me to tell you about her elegant tablecloths that she has for sale for Purim. They are elegant AND washable. Contact Allison at allison7396@aol.com

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 Please “like” this Hanukka post and share with your friends!  A lot of hostess effort went into this holiday table!

Happy Hanukka to all of my Jewish Hostesses!

This year I decided to get an early start on my Hanuka table setting.Being that my Amex card was getting a little rusty, I decided to get into the holiday spirit and  venture out to Ikea and West Elm to see if I could whip up some Hanuka table decor inspiration on a budget.

I decided to stick with the traditional Hanukkah blue and silver color combo because I already owned blue water glasses given to me by my consuegro (Syrian word for son-in-law’s mother) as a Rosh Hashanah gift, plus I happen to own a set of blue and silver rimmed Greek style dishes (a perfect Macabee theme!).

After an hour or two of piling anything and everything blue or silver into my shopping cart at Ikea, this is what I finally ended up with:

1. Hanukah blue cotton place mats at $1.99 each. A great buy!
2. Silver mirrored squares-(come in a pack of 4- these are a great investment- buy a dozen or two- you can use them on a dessert bar, as placemats, or you can even line your entire table with them. Your friends will definitely ask you to borrow these mirrored squares when they see how cool they look on your table…) I placed 4 in a row as a runner in the center of the table and then place one atop each blue placemat.

3. Go run and buy these beautiful silver candles from Ikea before they run out of them! Eight of these festive candles look so elegant lined up along the center of the table-menorah style.  Ikea also has gorgeous cobalt blue glass candle holders that fit perfectly as a base for my  new silver candles.  I placed four candles into their bases in a row to the right and the left of my own “shamash” vase. (Note- my son reminded me that this “menorah display” cannot be used as the actual menorah- even if I decided to use a candle as a the shamash in the center- according to tradition, the menorah has to be fashioned out of one piece of metal, wood, or glass…like in the beit hamikdash…)

4. I couldn’t resist buying two velvety bluish purple pillows at $19.99 from Ikea to place on silver gray chairs (from B and B party rental in Brooklyn, N.Y.) at both heads of the table of the table.

5. Dashing into West Elm (while the whole family waited outside), I purchased  these stunning silvery shimmery cotton napkins at $7 each. They look perfect atop each plate. I neatly folded each one and topped with a sparkly dreidel. I also found delicious kosher blue and white swirley lollipops at West Elm that I placed on the  mirrored table runner as well.

Hanuka Flowers, Cakes, Cookies, Boxes and Sparkle and Chairs:

1. Again, thank you to B and B party rental for these gorgeous silver grey chairs. Ballroom chairs always add that touch of elegance for all of your  holiday table decor and party needs. Call B and B at (718) 436 – 8433 or go visit at 1076 38th Street, Brooklyn, NY.
2. My good friend Shirley Barnathan happens to be a Brooklyn and NYC florist. Check out her Facebook  florals  here. She ran over with some gorgeous Hanuka-blue dyed feathers, and within minutes, she draped them from my dining room chandelier. Shirley also filled my center vase with stunning silver sprayed leaves. Within seconds she picked up my dying orchid plants with replaced them with vibrant new ones. She also brought over some place card holders that I borrowed for the photo shoot. Its great to have friends in the business!
3. The magnificent and gorgeous Hanukka cake is by Fortune Farca. You will be amazed at her bakery creations! Check out her Facebook page HERE!  The beautiful and delicious Hanukaa dreidel cookies are by the talented Esther Dana. Check out her Facebook page HERE . There’s nothing like gorgeous holiday themed baked goods to cozy up the look of your table.
4. Chocolate Hanukka Coins, Dreidel and Hanukka Ornaments are inexpensive and really add to the holiday excitement. Sticking to one or two colors within your scheme  give a more elegant look. Shop here for Hanukkah Table Accessories and inspiration!
5. You can find silver boxes and gorgeous ribbon in  local shops or try sites like M and J trimmings for pretty Hanuka blue ribbons.
6. Hanukka sprinkles and nonpareils can be used as “sand” to sprinkle around chocolate coins and dreidels. They will really add a lot of pizzaz to your table!  Click here for a selection of Wilton Kosher Sprinkles. Use the White Glitter Sprinkles for extra sparkle.
7. P.S. Don’t forget to buy inexpensive Dreidel Ice Cube Molds! (see ice cube pic below). Kids love ‘em!
8. Keep scrolling down below to see the rest of my Hanukka table setting.

Use these suggestions as a basic guide for your own unique Hanukkah table decor. Using your favorite silver or blue or white tableware as a base, and then shop around your favorite discount stores, florist, Crate and Barrel, Ikea, Target, or West Elm for fun accessories to add to your holiday centerpiece. Of course if you want to go all out, you can click on over to Barneys for a real first class treat -to your wallet!

Of course I can’t wait to see your Hanuka holiday tables! Please send your pics over to marlene (at) thejewishhostess.com.

I have a fabulous brand new gourmet kosher cookbook for the most voted winner!

What do you think of this holiday table setting? Comment below with your suggestions for your sparkling Hanukka celebration!

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Thanks Karen Tawil for sharing  your GOLD table setting for your holiday table! 

I’ve been getting tired of the same old  silver, and I’m so ready for for some matte and polished GOLD  inspiration! Marlene

“Hi Marlene, I’m loving all the brushed gold that I’ve been seeing, so I got in the mood to set my table using gold accessories,which I haven’t used in a while. My house is contemporary so a lot of my old things are too traditional. I updated with a few new items, and as they say, “mix the old with the new”.

By the way the tablecloths are all custom sizes which my daughter Rachel is selling. I have two square tables and she got me gorgeous 90 by 90 squares which I have a hard time finding in a store. So to all the Jewish Hostesses, bring  out  your gold table decor, because  ”Gold is Back”!!! Karen T ”

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ANNOUNCING THE WINNER WIHH MOST VOTES!!! RAQUEL FALLAS!!!! #2!

The treasure trove of  Hanukka tables sent in by our amazing Jewish Hostesses are SO unique and display the wonderful energy and passion that was  put into their holiday atmosphere. I’v e become obsessed with each holiday table scape  and I’m amazed at  how each fabulous hostess reinvented the traditional Hanukka holiday table. The Jewish Hostess is all about each and every one of us and how we can all be inspired from one another!

Thanks so much to Lorraine Kasavi, Raquel Ralack, Paula BenZaken, Kim Dabah, Raquel Habert, Lori Mizrahi, Esther Sasson, Lorene Sasson, Sarah Nuseiri, Sheila Gindi, Yvette Kassin, Michelle Dayan, Rochelle Cohen,Victoria Arnold,Doris Dweck, Barbara Franco, and Vicky Cohen for taking the time to photograph and share your  special holiday with The Jewish Hostess readers.

Let your imagination run free with all of these table setting ideas. There are no rules when it comes to tweaking your own theme for your table top. Make your own brand new table statement by reinventing your old color combinations. Adding new textures such as lucite, glass, gorgeous soft flowers, feathers, and fabrics are all possibilities for new table inspirations from the Jewish Hostess Hanukka pics on this site. Enjoy and bookmark these pages!

Please COMMENT BELOW with your favorite and most creative tablescape.

Although I LOVE THEM ALL only one lady can win this  FREE copy of Kosher Elegance by Efrat Libfroind- A $39 value.!

 WHICH TABLE  BELOW INSPIRED YOU MOST OF ALL?

PLEASE COMMENT BELOW AND HELP CHOOSE A WINNER!

1- Loraine Kasavi’s Mahjong Lunch Table-

2- Raquel Fallas’s Inspiring Hanukka Table:

3- NEWLYWED PAULA BENZAKEN LIGHTS UP HANUKKAH WITH A MAGNIFICENT HANUKKAH TABLE:

4- Kim Dabah’s Fabulous Hanukka Dessert Table:

5- HAPPY HANUKA BY RAQUEL HABERT!

6- Lori Mizrachi’s Sparkly Hanukka Table:

7: Two Beautiful Hanukka Tables from Esther Sassoon in Israel:

8: What a Hanukka Table! By Lorene Sasson

9: Sarah Nuseiri’s Decadent Hanukka Table:

10: Sheila Gindi’s Impressive Hanukka Table!:

11: Easy and Elegant by Yvette Kassin:

12: Michelle Dayan-My First Hanukka Party:

13- Rochelle Cohen’s Sparkly Hanukka Table Setting!

14- Victoria Arnold’s beautiful and Meaningful Hanukka Table:

15-Party Planner Doris Dweck’s Impressive Turquoise and Gold Hanukka Table:

16- Hanukka 2011 with the Cohens! by Vicky Cohen:

17- Barbara Franco-Modern Gold ‘n Bold on Hanukka!

 CLICK HERE FOR MORE LINKS TO YOUR FAVORITE HANUKKA TABLES!! 

GIVE ALL OF OUR JEWISH HOSTESSES A ROUND OF APPLAUSE!!!

ANNOUNCING THE WINNER WITH THE MOST VOTES!!! RAQUEL FALLAS!!!! #2!

AND THE WINNER OF THE COOKBOOK IS FRIEDA KATZ!!!!!

 FREE STUFF!!!

Last year, our Sukkah experience was extra special dining in Hymie and Liza’s Spanish style beachside home in New Jersey . Wood sukkah poles were  embellished with magnolia branches from the flower district in Manhattan. Baby pumpkin and squash,  fastened by mini hooks, were hung by thin rope from the bamboo “sechach.”  A huge thanks to our special cousins for a delicious and unforgettable Sukkot lunch!

Share your Sukkah pics!  Send to marlene@thejewishhosess.com

please “Like” this post! This is an elegant and  easy fruit salad idea that my talented and creative friend  Joanie Mann incorporated into a family party menu a while ago.  Cubed mango, pomegranate, and blueberries will be a tropical hit on your Rosh Hashanah dessert menu!

1. Take 3 – 10 mango , depending on the amount of company you are having, and cut into fine cubes.
2. Mix with 1-2 cups of pomegranate seeds.
3. Add blueberries
4. Turn martini glass edges into a bowl of water and dip to wet about 1/2 inch of the edge.
5. Dip into coarse crystalized sugar. We used clear, but in comes in many colors.(We found crystalized sugar in Pomegranate Supermarket in Brooklyn.)
6. Fill with cubed fruit. Serve on a linen napkin lined tray.

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This  recipe was a proven winner from our archives!

Ingredients:

1 (6-7 lbs) rib roast

4 large garlic cloves, chopped

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 cup fresh rosemary, chopped

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

3 Tablespoons dijon mustard

3 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

4 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

Place roast bone side down in roaster.

Mash garlic and salt together, and then stir in all other ingredients.

Smear the mixture over the meaty part of the roast (not the bones).

Place in oven and roast for 20 minutes. Reduce heat to 350 for 1 hour and 15 minutes (10 minutes more for medium).

Remove from oven and let stand 10 minutes. Carve with meaty side down. Expect two sliced from each rib- one with bone and one without.

Recipe courtesy of Prime Cut Butcher,431 Avenue U, Brooklyn, NY 11223;

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