Subscribe Now: and win a chance for a free copy of “Dare to be Different!” The fabulous NEW COOKBOOK by ROBIN JEMAL!!!

Dear Hostesses,

Check out these  fabulous Jewish Blogging women who work very hard to bring us Jewish holiday highlights, decor and kosher recipes from all over the world. Here’s a roundup of some of them!

1- The Jewish Hostess- The Jewish Hostess is a place for all Jewish Women to be inspired by one another. My special love is displaying gorgeous pictures of Jewish Holiday Table Settings and parties  that women send me from all over the world.  Of course, gourmet kosher recipes are also a huge part of our  holiday meals and you can find tons of ideas for holiday and weeknight menus on The Jewish Hostess, many with a Sephardic and middle eastern flair!

2- Learn how to make garlic knots out of challah dough! Great to use these soft  challah knots for sandwiches on Shabbat!

Click on the video below from the famous kosher cook Jamie Geller from Joy of Kosher.

3-Kosher Shopaholic- Friday night chicken soup recipe and dreidel shaped noodles! YUM!

On Kosher Shopaholic you will also find regular sales and deals, coupons, money savings tips, and reviews of products that interest the Jewish consumer.

4- For more great holiday deals,  coupon, freebie, or money-saving
idea, visit my Yeshivah of Flatbush elementary school classmate, Susan Ehrenfeld Sharf over at Daily Cheapskate. She scouts the web for deals like this Barnes and Nobles 30% discount ! Who doesn’t love a good deal???

Print your coupon for 30% off one item, in-store, at Barnes and Noble.  Good until 12/24/11.

And don’t forget about the $10 off $20 coupon for toys and games at Barnes and Noble.

5- Check out Esti Berkowitz’s blog at Prime Time Parenting for the latest deals on gourmet kosher products and products for  growing Jewish families. Esti has been connected with brands and bloggers from around the world since 2008!

6- Get some GREAT kosher recipes from The Kosher Blogger Margo Sugarman who lives in Israel. Try her lowfat, low carb latkes all year round!

 7-I’ve got to try to make this EDIBLE MENORAH! HOW PEFECT IS THIS HANUKKA IDEA ??

From my friends at COOK KOSHER.com

8- Check out this crafty no-mess DIY post by Creative Jewish Mom over in Israel. Your kids can learn how to make their own crayon resist

Hanukkah wrapping paper! Gorgeous and so personal!

9- Learn how to make Skirt Steak Diablo with Zahava from Kosher Camembert.  Zahava has been featured in Saveur, PhotoGrazing, Food Gawker, and Tastespotting.

10- I’m loving  Dinner in Venice by Allesandra Rovati. Alessandra Rovati was born and raised in Venice, Italy, and has had a passion for food since a very young age. Alessandra writes about Kosher and Jewish Italian food . Check out her recipe for Arugula pesto!

11-WAIT!!  I have five more great blogs!! Busy in Brooklyn should keep you clicking!.  Check out this Hanukkah snow globe!

12- Please visit  The Kosher Foodies.  You will love their healthy recipe for Lentil and Brown Rice Burgers!!!!!!

13- Kosherstreet is a fantastic new resource for kosher recipes and tons of trendy updates for the  Jewish woman. Check out Sarah Lasry’s recipe for Carrot Craisin Healthy Muffin Bread HERE.

14- Fashion- Isha has the chicest picks of fashion and style for every Jewish woman. Enjoy!!!!

15- Koshereye has all the latest info on all of the top kosher products on the market. Check them out!

Subscribe Now: and win a chance for a free copy of “Dare to be Different!” The fabulous NEW COOKBOOK by ROBIN JEMAL!!!

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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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To All of my Jewish hostesses,

Please support Joanne Caras’s effort to commemorate the lives of the  millions of “Jewish Hostesses” of the holocaust. Let’s all try to make some of these recipes so that their memories still live on within our  own families and on our dining room tables. When you make one of these dishes, make sure you tell your families the story of survivors behind it, so that your kids may continue on with the recipe and tell the story on their own tables. I know that the Greek Bouzekitas recipe below sounds extremely close to the Syrian version of meat samboosak, and I am excited to try it for a  Shabbat lunch appetizer.

Buy this cookbook as a Hanuka gift!!

Thanks for reading!  Marlene

“Dear Marlene

 I would be honored to have you write about my book HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR COOKBOOK: COLLECTED FROM AROUND THE WORLD

 My book, which was first published in October, 2007, is now on it eighth printing.

Here are some facts that you might find interesting about my book:

• All of the profits from the sale of the Holocaust Survivor Cookbook go to support Jewish groups and charities. 
• To date we have raised over a half million dollars for a variety of groups who use our cookbook as a fundraiser.
• My families donates all of our profits to the Carmei Ha’ir Soup Kitchen in Jerusalem, which feeds over 500 poor Israelis every day, many of whom are Survivors themselves.  To date we have given them over $140,000.
• Our cookbook is being sold in the US Holocaust Museum in Washington,DC, where it is their number one best selling hardback.
• Our book was recommended by Yad Vashem to Holocaust Educators around the world.
• It is now being used in public schools to teach tolerance and Holocaust studies to students in middle and high schools.
• The cookbook took 2 1/2 years to complete.
• Our cookbook contains 129 stories of survival, over 250 kosher family recipes, and photos from the wartime and more recent family photos.
• Our stories were collected from all over the world, including, Israel, South Africa, Europe, Canada, South America, Asia, and over 20 US states.
• I have given over 150 speeches to groups all over the world about the cookbook. Every time I mention how some of the recipes call for “a little of this and a bissel of that” the women in the audience smile and tell me how their mother or grandmother used to cook the same way.
• This is a world mitzvah project and our goal is that 6 million Holocaust Survivor Cookbook will go into the world.

 He was finally liberated in 1945. A man of a large frame, he weighed only 100 pounds.

When the Americans found him he was unconscious and very close to death.

“When I opened my eyes I saw an American nurse feeding me soup. I don’t remember anything from the three days before that.”

 In 1979 Daniel went back to Auschwitz to face the memories of his past.  He started as a tourist but when the Polish tour guide learned of his past she asked him to conduct the tour.

 He led the tourists, all Greek gentiles, into the old gas chambers at Auschwitz and described how the Nazis lured their victims into the gas chambers, which they disguised as showers. They even gave each person soap and a towel.

 Mrs. Carasso, herself a survivor, remembers her husband’s explanation well.  “My husband kept talking but they were all crying. And I had to leave because I couldn’t listen to it again.”

Rena and Daniel

Mommy’s Ravani:

• 2 sticks sweet butter
• 6 eggs
• 1 water glass of flour  (I think she means CUP…this is from her original recipe book)
• 1 glass farina (dry cereal)
• 1 glass sugar
• 1 glass milk
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp baking soda

 Beat the eggs, and sugar, warm the milk and melt the butter and add them to the beaten eggs.  Add the vanilla and slowly add the mixed flour, farina, baking powder and baking soda.

1.  Bake in 350 degrees in a greased pan for 35 minutes or until the top of the pan becomes light brown. Meanwhile, prepare the syrup.
2. Add immediately the syrup while the ravani is still in the oven 

Syrup:  Boil 2 cups of sugar and 1 1/2  cups of water.  Remove from heat.  Add a few drops of lemon juice.  Pour the syrup over the hot ravani.  Let her cool off. Cut in square pieces.

 Kaltsonakia

 Dough                                                 Filling

 ½ cup oil                                             2 cups chopped walnuts

1 cup water                                         ¾ cups sugar

½ tsp.salt                                             1 ½ tsp. cinnamon

                                                            ½ tsp. cloves

                                                            4-6 unsalted crumbled crackers

                                                            1 ½ TBSP. homey

1.  Boil the oil, water, and salt for 5 minutes stirring constantly.  Remove from heat and let it cool off.  Add little by little flour as much as you need for a dough not too soft or too hard either. Leave aside for ½ to 1 hour.
2.  Mix all of the ingredients for the filling together and if the mixture is too dry add a couple of drops of water.
3. Take the dough and cut into small pieces about the size of a walnut. Roll them into small 3 inch circles.  Fill each one with a teaspoon of the filling mixture and fold them up.
4.  Bake in greased pan at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until they get golden brown..
5.  Prepare the syrup: 

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 ¼ cups water
• Few drops lemon juice

1. Boil sugar and water for 5-8 minutes.
2.  Remove from heat and add the lemon juice.
3.  As soon as you take them out of the oven poke them on both sides with a fork and dip them into the syrup immediately.

Bouzekitas

 Dough :                                               Filling: 

2 cups flour                                         ½ lb. ground beef

3 oz. oil                                               1 medium onion

1 pinch of salt                                     1 TBSP. oil

                                                               2 medium sized potatoes

                                                              1 egg

                                                              ½ tsp. salt

                                                            ¼ tsp. pepper

1. In a pan put the flour, oil and salt, rubbing for a few seconds with your hands.  Add water as much as you need to make dough not too soft or too hard. Let it stand for 1 hour.
2.  In a frying pan put tablespoon of oil and one chopped onion. Fry until it gets light brown. Add the ground beef and cook for 5 minutes on medium heat until all of the blood is absorbed.  Remove from heat, and the salt and pepper, and let it cool off.  Add the 2 eggs and mix it all together.
3.  Take the dough and cut into small walnut sized pieces and with a roller open round sheets (size 4-6 inches).  Fill them with the mixture and fold like half moons. Press your finger on the sides to enclose the filling and trim it.
4.  Bake on greased cookie sheet for 35-40 minutes at 450 degrees. 

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Wow- Ariella! I’m so glad that The Jewish Hostess site gave you some great table simple setting ideas and the confidence to express your own individuality and bring out your creative side!

Your note really lets me know that you appreciate the effort that goes into this site! Thanks for sending in photos of your beautiful and festive table setting!! Marlene

“Marlene,

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• 

Thank you Kineret Spector for sending in this beautiful inspiring story about the importance of carrying on our wonderful Jewish holidays and traditions! Marlene

The Reason for Everything

It was Sunday night dinner in our Sukkah.  Family and good friends totaling 20 were gathered around the table, already a beautiful sight!  I beamed at my guests for a minute and thanked everyone for being there, before turning to go in for the soup. Suddenly, my friend Jody’s daughter spoke up.”I want to say something!” she announced.  We all turned to look at Gilda, 6 years old, a normally reserved and serious child, and shy around adults – definitely not one to speak up at a table of 20. But Gilda showed no sign of hesitation as she continued, ”I just want to say how happy I am to be here in this Sukkah, and it is so beautiful in here, and I really love it.  I am so happy.”  Her eyes glistened as she looked around the Sukkah.

I was speechless. Years of hosting, cooking, decorating, inviting. Every Shabbat and holiday, as we say, Eem kol ha lev - with our whole heart.  And always to a happy, satiated, and appreciative crowd.  But Gilda’s pure and genuine compliment, in all its simplicity, instantly reminded me (and provided a case in point to my whole family), why we do this at all.  For our children.  For the next generation of Jews.

Every Shabbat and Holiday is ultimately for them, but especially Sukkot.  We know the symbolism of a sukkah and retell it every year.  But for children, it’s even more than that. It’s a fort! A little hut! A small house! An enchanted little getaway. And we get to have this in our driveway every year because we’re Jewish!  While the Sukkah is being erected, the kids are hard at work at the decoration table, making paper chains, paper lanterns, and welcome signs.  They get to decide where it goes.  It’s their own little Sukkah fort.  Truly, the party starts that evening, as it all starts to come together.

For Gilda, the magical appeal of a sukkah may have been just that spark that evoked the gush of appreciation and awareness. I’m so lucky. I’m so happy. I’m Jewish. I’m part of something. Our kids do as we do.  We tell them we’re Jewish, we model the rituals and tradition, we tell and retell stories of our ancestors, we explain and we teach. But to witness the moment when the first burst of genuine spirituality is stirred in a child – that is just a transcending experience.  From oldest to youngest, we were all touched by a little bit of sukkah magic that night.

Kineret Spector lives in Los Angeles with her husband and four daughters.  Please ‘like’ her facebook page BSG Tablescapes. 

 

Check out the new Jewish Hostess Aprons HERE!

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Thank you Naomi for sharing this breathtaking view of Jerusalem from your Sukkah!!!  You are absolutely right!!! This is the best decoration yet!! If we can’t all travel to Israel this year for Sukkot, then let’s enjoy Naomi’s view!!!  

By the way, Naomi- LOVE the dishes, wine cup, challah cover, and your baby pomegranates!!!

Jewish Hostesses-please comment below!

What do you think of  this view of Jerusalem for Sukkot???

Marlene

“Hi Marlene,

This view is the best sukkah decoration. It is taken from my terrace in Jerusalem.

Sushi gefilte and chopsticks as well as Algerian lamb.
Naomi Sutton Neustadter”

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“LIKE” this post and share with your friends!

My neighbor Miriam is a beautiful woman inside and out. Her glowing personality is evident with every greeting, smile, and hug that that she gives with the utmost generosity. Miriam’s vivid and deeply hued table top Mexican themed dinner table decor instantly put her holiday dinner guests in a festive mood, and these pictures make me happy every time I look at them! These fiesta themed dinner  table top photos are truly beyond words, and I am so happy to present it to my Jewish Hostesses!

Miriam used Mexican blankets as her table runners, and scattered gloriously striped Mexican pillows among huge fruit and flower filled champagne glasses as her ingenious centerpieces. Her dining room table served as a buffet table as the huge doors behind beckoned her guests to the fabulous Sukkah that was built as an extension to her home. Thank you Miriam for sharing your fabulous Mexican themed Sukkkot dinner party with us!

p.s. If  you love this Mexican fiesta table setting theme as much as I do, then please checkout these Mexican party supply sites:

•  http://www.elchamaco.com/mexican-blankets.php
•  Mexican Party Supplies
•  More Mexican Party  ideas from The Posh Pixie
• I love these vases and crafts made by Mexican artists- great centerpiece finds! HERE and HERE!

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