My sister in law Grace is a fabulous cook and friend, although she never wants to take credit for it. She is one of the few people I know that will do anything for anyone without being asked to, including dropping off a plethora of last minute perfectly folded Purim costumes for a niece in need, constantly sending gourmet meals to my parents, making me a “surprise” family birthday party,  accompanying  me on my various business ventures, and too many more to mention. She is a true sister in every sense of the word. Several months ago she made an unbelievable dairy Sunday brunch, and this was just one of the gourmet dishes that she served, which of course would be perfect on a Shavuot, Passover, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, or summer brunch menu. Love u, Grace! Marlene

 Veggie Egg White Pizza Omelet

• onions
• mushrooms
• peppers
• tomatoes

1. From the day before you can saute onions, mushrooms and peppers until soft and refrigerate.
2. Next day heat frying pan with Pam,beat egg whites and pour into pan.
3. Add sauteed veggies into omelete along with diced raw tomatoes…let cook.
4. Flip over once add salt and pepper.
5. When the egg omelete is done place onto a plate…to make it fun cut like a pizza!!
6. If desired you can sprinkle with chopped parsley.
7. Enjoy!!!

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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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• 

Thank you Helen Bachrach for sharing  your mother’s Shavuot table with The Jewish Hostess readers. Her story is so inspiring and I would really love to sit at her table and  hear it directly from her. I really enjoyed reading about the detail of this beautiful table. How wonderful that your mother was able to transform  sad childhood  memories into a meaningful, inspiring, and gorgeous Shavuot table!

Several years ago I viewed a documentary entitled “Hiding and Seeking: Faith and Tolerance After the Holocaust“ that sounds so similar to her story, I hope you don’t mind that I linked to a clip of it above. Its about a man who took his children to Poland to thank the non-Jews that hid their grandfather during the holocaust. I highly recommend everyone buy a copy of the film from Amazon and show it to their kids and grandkids!

To all of my Jewish Hostesses- enjoy Mrs. Bryn’s holiday table! Marlene

“This table was set for the holiday of Shavuot, by my mother, Felicia Bryn, from Sunny Isles Florida. My mother was a hidden child during the holocaust. She came to Israel in the 1950’s. At that time, she had very little connection to Judaism; she felt very lonely and missed Poland terribly. Gradually my mother started to make friends who invited her for Shabbat and Yom Tov. My mother was captivated by the beautiful Yom Tov and Shabbat tables she saw in different homes. This positive exposure to beauty and Jewish observance instilled in her a desire to create that type of Jewish life in her own home. She met and married my father in Israel. He was a Cantor in the United States and later became a Rabbi. As a Rebbetzin, my mother has had many opportunities to entertain in her home. She starts thinking about her Yom Tov and Shabbat table weeks in advance.  The attached picture shows my mom’s Shavuot table covered with Lenox butterfly patterned dishes on glass chargers. The crystal glass goblets come from Poland. My mother has always felt a sense of Hakarat Hatov for the people who saved her during the war and always finds a way to incorporate her crystal from Poland into her Shabbat and Yom Tov table. After the war, she visited them in Poland many times, even during the communist era. On these visits, my mother would collect colored glass goblets of all types and sizes.  My mother’s centerpiece consists of two cake stands with a pineapple on top. The bottom cake stand is porcelain. She does not remember where she picked it up. The second cake stand is by Atlas. The pattern is 22 karat gold. My mother picked up the pineapple at Bed Bath and Beyond. She thought the pineapple was whimsical and would add something different to the usual Yom Tov center piece. The bottom cake stand rests on a gold embroidered cloth. The porcelain cake stand is mostly red and white, but the gold trim on the edge picks up on the gold embroidery. The gold on the second cake stand really highlights the gold embroidery on the cloth. The pineapple is red and gold which highlights the entire centerpiece. My mother used gold flatware to tie the rest of the table into the center piece.  The tradition on Shavuot is to decorate the house and synagogue with greenery and flowers. One of the reasons given for the custom is as a remembrance of Har Sinai which grew beautiful flowers and greenery when Hashem gave the Jewish people the Torah. My mother expanded on this theme by using flowered napkin holders and filling vases in her home with a variety of greenery picked up from a florist. On Shavuot my mother brings beauty into her home to celebrate the beautiful gift of the Torah to the Jewish People. Please checkout her autobiography on Amazon.com. www.amazon.com/Never-Forget-Lie-Felicia-Bryn/dp/1412070198 ”

Helen Bachrach

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Karen Tawil is one of the most creative and talented people I know. Years ago, Karen volunteered for a Sephardic Bikur Holim bake sale that we were working on.  In one day, she ran down to the flower district and bought tons of  bonsai plants, flowers, and all sorts of containers and ribbon, and created about 50 of the coolest Shabbat arrangements for sale. Needless to say, we were all sold out within hours, and it greatly helped us add to the profits and enjoyment of the day!

I must also add that Karen and her husband Neil own  Bright Eyes, the BEST place to shop for designer sunglasses in the Tri-State area. Bright Eyes is Located at 508 Kings Hwy # 1, Brooklyn, NY 11223-1917

Call Karen or Neil for more info:(718) 382-8722 ‎

Thanks for sharing your breathtaking holiday table settings with us, Karen!  You make it look so easy!!!

p.s. To all of my Jewish Hostesses! keep sending in your holiday photos to marlene(AT)thejewishhostess.com! use the @!!

Marlene

“Hi Marlene,

I love the reaction of my guests when they come into our home and they get excited with all they see. I feel like the table setting makes the meal memorable even if its a meal as simple as bbq. For shavuot lunch it was just the four of us. I used a woven leather placemat from Pottery Barn with a silver charger ,the dishes are limoge and the flatware is lucite. I used stargazer and blue hydrangeas…….

For dinner table decor, I used a silver liner with a shimmer white overlay. Everything else was simple. As it was the holiday of Shavuot,  I just wanted it to be about the flowers. I put six vases across the table filled with roses, lisianthus,philanopsis,calla lillies and peonies. In front of each place setting, I put a single orchid in medicine tubes. The napkin rings were made out of silver leather from the fabric store sealed with a hot glue gun. Simple and elegant!!! Karen Tawil”

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Thanks Lorene Sasson for sharing two of your holiday tables with us! I love the holiday colors and themes that you chose! Now I’m ready for summer! Marlene

Hi Marlene!

The first night of Shavuot I went for the summer/ocean/colorful look, and for the second night, I went for a garden feel. I actually bought the mirrors and the silver chargers from Amazing Savings. The napkins and rings are from Bed Bath and Beyond.

I also used shower gifts from 6 years ago. The silverware was a gift from my sister, as well as the dishes and stemware. I love making the holiday by me  because I can use the items that are really special to me.
I was going to go thru with the whole summer/oceanside feel- but then I saw the flowers at the shop stuffed together and i love COLOR and at the last minute my whole table changed. but to stay true to my original theme, I threw in some ocean glass.

The second night-  I bought new dishes from home goods (Mikasa Cherry Blossom) and I already had cherry blossom branches that I have never known what do do with EVER so i put them away. I decided to bring them out of the closet and add them to the table with my new dishes.
The table runner is Lenox. The  pewter dragonfly/butterfly plates were a gift from my mother who was not here for the holiday this year, so it gave me the chance to make the nights by me. I cant wait to show her the pictures,I know she’ll love them!

I am very pleased with this table because everything really fell together nicely in the garden theme.

Thanks Marlene,  and Shabat Shalom!!
Lorene Sasson

First Shavuot Night- Seaside Inspired

Second Night- Flower Garden Settings Below

Win a Viking mixer! Click HERE !

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Thank you Joy Betesh for sending in your grandma’s recipe for kanafe. I LOVED watching this video because that was exactly how MY grandma spoke!!! The EXACT accent!!!! And the Syrian BANGLES!!!!!  MEMORIES!!!  (Please note- when the video is completely edited Joy will send it in for us to view but enjoy these couple of minutes with her grandmother!!!)

Shavuot would NOT be the same without Kanafe!!!! Happy holiday to all!! Marlene

Kanafe is the most heavenly Syrian Dessert….the combination of the ricotta cheese, buttery crispy shredded wheat  and the fragrant rose and orange blossom water syrup makes me swoon.This knafe recipe is unique because cream of rice cereal is used as a lighter alternative to heavy cream. I submitted it to Food 52 and it was an Editor’s Pick!

This is my grandmother’s recipe and I videoed her making kanafe in 1986. Ten years later, my mother wanted to make Kanafe for my son’s Bar Mitzvah and we did not have an accurate recipe…so we popped in the video and was able to capture Grandma Abadi’s recipe and her technique! Now I have prepared the Kanafe and will bake it next week in honor of the birth of my grandson!” – Joy Betesh

p.s. Its also the perfect dairy Shavuot Dessert!

SERVES 12-14

For the kanafe:

• 1 pound kanafe (shredded phyllo dough)
• 2 1/2 pounds ricotta cheese
• 1/2 cup cream of rice cereal
• 3 sticks of sweet butter melted
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon rosewater
• 2 cups milk
• 1/4 cup pistachios, peeled & chopped

For the Syrup:

• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• 1 teaspoon rosewater
• 1 teaspoon orange blossom water
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice

 
1. Drain the ricotta in a strainer. Prepare the cream of rice according to the box directions using the 2 cups of milk, add the 4 Tbsp sugar and the rosewater. When the cream of rice mixture is cool add the ricotta and mix well.
2. In a large bowl shred the kanafe with your hands, tearing apart the strands of dough so there are no clumps. Mix in the melted butter, continuing to shred the kanafe till it is well coated with the butter.
3. Spread 1/2 the kanafe in a 9 x13 pyrex or large pan. Press down firmly and press the kanafe 1/2 way up the sides of the pan. Add the ricotta mixture, spreading evenly over surface. Top with the other 1/2 of the kanafe. The kanafe may be frozen up to this point.
4. For the syrup, bring the sugar, water and lemon juice to a boil and then simmer for 15 minutes. Add the rosewater and orange blossom water. This syrup may be made ahead and refrigerated.
5. Bake in a 350 oven for one hour or till golden. Pour the cold or room temperature syrup over the hot kanafe. Garnish with the chopped pistachios. Serve warm or at room temperature.

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• 

(PLEASE “Like” this post!!)

Thank you to all of my Jewish Hostesses for sharing your Shabbat tables with other Jewish hostesses all over the world! 

Each table is an expression of the unique flair that you all have. By creating a Shabbat table that is truly your own, you are creating memories for your children that will be treasured for years to come. Ladies! Keep the pictures coming! Send them to marlene@thejewishhostess.com and be featured on The Jewish Hostess!

As a special thanks to my Jewish Hostesses- this week I will be sending the women who submitted Shabbat pics for this post, a free Jewish Hostess apron!

p.s- Check out MY Shabbat table HERE!!!

Shabbat Shalom! Marlene

1- “Hi Marlene, I love using accessories from nature for my Shabbat table.

My table has a classic white pintuck tablecloth, with coral and seashells scattered in the center. The challah cover has pink  roses.’

Jennifer Srour

2-”Hi Marlene,
Here is a picture of my shabbat table. I made challah napkin rings (inspired from one of the Susie Fishbein cookbooks) and bought some bright colored flowers.”
Michelle Dayan

3- “Hi Marlene,

I live in Baltimore, Maryland and really enjoy your website. The name of my business is Swirl. I specialize in creating handmade, beaded serving utensils and giftware. My creations are sold both in the retail market as well as the wholesale sector. Have a look at my website when you get a chance: www.swirlgifts.com
The look I am going for with this poolside Shabbat setting is along the lines of casual elegance.
Among the colorful pieces I design and have included for this shoot:

• Challah Knife
• Pewter Kiddush Cup
• Shot Kiddush Cups
• Wine Pourer decorated with summer flowers
• Wine Goblets
• Salt and Pepper Shakers
• Challah Basket
• Ice Bucket
• Water Pitcher
• Spreader and Spoons

The assorted colors make for a beautiful summer shabbat afternoon.
I hope you enjoy the look.
Shabbat Shalom.”
Linda Lebovic
www.swirlgifts.com

4-” Hi Marlene, Here is a picture of my mom’s Shabbat table! Frieda”

-

5-  ”Hi Marlene, My kids got way too excited when they heard me talking about this ’contest’ – they insisted on creating the table with me…so we ended up with a summery kidcrafty shabbat table…which absolutely applies to us, lol! I did not put place settings out yet, since it’s outside :) You get our ‘centerpiece’ with our summer decorations and ritual items. My three year old made the kiddush cup, my six year old made the challah cover and painted the ‘tea set’ from which we used two cups as candlesticks, I made the seashell box a few years ago, and my eight year old says he thinks he needs a new apron ”

Lyn Anne Cutler

6- “Hi Marlene- this picture is the first course at a Friday night Shabbos table.  The sushi was made with gefilte fish from a ready made roll.  It looked lovely on the table and made a beautiful presentation.” Sara Katsen

Get this Gefilte Fish Nori Roll Recipe HERE

7- “Hi Marlene, this is my daughter’s first Shabbat in their home in Florida.”

Victoria Arnold

8- Hi
I love your web site!
I’ve attached my Shabbat table pictures, but I must confess that I am a simple hostess and these pics were taken after a minor flood & BIG MESS.
Keep up the good work!
Tamara Moser

9- Here’s a first-ever  Shabbat table set  for the Gindi family!!!  by  Ruthie Tawil!

p.s. Ruthie also cooked her first-ever delicious authentic Allepian Syrian meal for her parents and brothers!!

Great job- Ruthie!!

10- And last but not least- Another unique  Shabbat table by Shelly Anteby . Give Shelly a hand for always creating a brand new Shabbat table setting every week!

Check out her Facebook page for weekly sample sales in NYC!!

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One of my favorite neighbors (who wishes to remain anonymous) amazingly transforms her Shabbat table with renewed style each week. Details such as linen napkins and place card holders are  never displayed in the same spot. Her napkins are always folded differently, and candles and flowers are  a weekly surprise.

Enjoy the pics below- and see if you can pick out the details an differences in these two glamourous tables!!

If you are enjoying The Jewish Hostess- please forward to your friends all over the world! Lets unite through our holiday table pics!!!! Thanks so much! Marlene 

DONT MISS A SINGLE GORGEOUS HOLIDAY TABLE SETTING!! SUBSCRIBE FOR A WEEKLY UPDATE!!!!

JUST CLICK HERE!!!

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