HAKOL Chanukah Dec 2016 by Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley

DECEMBER 2016 | KISLEV/TEVET 5777

Celebrate Chanukah at the JCC

By Jen Fracas JCC of the Lehigh Valley Celebrate Chanukah at the JCC this year! Stagemakers at the J will join PJ Library for a special event on Dec. 18 (see story to right). On the first day of Chanukah on

Sunday, Dec. 25, the JCC will be hosting its annual Pancake Breakfast from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Grab a stack of pancakes and have fun in the pool. We will also be screening a special movie. Then, join us on Wednesday, Dec. 28, for an incredible evening of music, food, and community. There will be plenty of latkes, sour cream and

PJ Library celebrates Chanukah with special Stagemakers production

applesauce. Following the celebration, come together for our Menorah Candle Lighting Ceremony. At the end of the event, we will be serving hot chocolate and doughnuts to keep you warm. The JCC is looking foward to sharing our Jewish values with you and your family this holiday.

By Stephanie Bolmer Special to HAKOL PJ Library, in partnership with Congregation Keneseth Israel and Stagemakers at the J, is bringing a beloved book to life this Chanukah. “Mrs. Greenberg's Messy Hanukkah” is a play adapted from a popular PJ Library book to be put on by Stagemakers, directed by their very own Raphaella Mizrachi. In addition to seeing the performance, families are invited to come decorate a picture frame, which can be used to display the family photos which can be taken using a variety of Chanukah props. There will also be readings of two Chanukah-themed books, 'The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes” and “Mrs. Greenberg's Messy Hanukkah,” both by Linda Glaser, read by KI's new director of youth and family learning, Rena Fraade. And, of course, in addition to all of the fun activities, snacks will also be provided. Join PJ Library for a Chanukah celebration to remember at this special one-time only Stagemakers production at 3:30 on Dec. 18 at the JCC. The event is open to all of the community, and families are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate as the price of admission. RSVP to Abby Trachtman at abbyt@jflv.org. 2 DECEMBER 2016 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | HAPPY CHANUKAH

Local family celebrates Chanukah with wasabi latke eating contest and a multitude of menorahs

Above, the Szydlow kids and one of their many menorahs. Above right, Ben and Ken make wasabi latkes. Right, the latkes. By Michelle Cohen HAKOL Editor The Szydlow family tries to make Chanukah a “special event” every year, father Ken Szydlow says. Along with his wife Lisa, Ken has created a series of traditions that the family follows every year that remind their three children of the importance of family, togetherness and a Jewish life at home. Every year, in addition to traveling to Philadelphia to visit Ken’s sister’s family and getting a visit from his parents in Allentown, the Szydlows, who live in Bethlehem and

are members of Temple Shirat Shalom, have their own traditions that they do every year. To start, they hang a large blue flag emblazoned with a menorah on their flagpole to symbolize Chanukah. In a neighborhood with little Jewish presence, the Szydlows want to proudly display their identity at a time when many people hang up Christmas lights. “We live in an area where there’s only one other Jewish family in the neighborhood,” he added, noting the importance of holding onto a Jewish identity in a secular world. Once the flag is up, the Szydlows arrange some of their

large collection of menorahs in the windows, wherever they will fit. Every year, each of the children – 16-year-old Ben, 14-year-old Nathan, and almost 13-year-old Emma – lights his or her own menorah, and together the family lights an array of menorahs that they proudly display. Each year, they go searching for more menorahs to add to their impressive collection. On the first night of Chanukah, Ben makes latkes with his dad every year. Although many families use baking as a way to come together over the holidays, the Szydlows add a special ingredient to their

latkes to add some pizzazz to a traditional ritual. “We put a lot of wasabi paste in them to fire them up,” Ken says, adding that the family then proceeds to a latke eating contest. With no established family champion, every year is a toss-up between all five members of the family. Usually, Ken says, “someone hits between 15 and 20 latkes, and these are big latkes.” He and Ben cook enough on the first night to last

all eight nights of the holiday. What motivates Ken and Lisa to continue these traditions every single year? “It helps the kids remember and enjoy” their Jewish heritage, Ken says. Although they do include traditional practices such as giving and receiving presents, their unique way of building memories as a family ensures that their celebrations will be memorable for years to come.

7 of the coolest menorahs for this Chanukah season By Gabe Friedman Jewish Telegraphic Agency Another Chanukah season means another chance to impress with a creative menorah choice. Here are seven of the most inventive menorahs we’ve spotted in recent years. Buy one as a gift — or buy each of them for yourself and you’ll guarantee your Festival of Lights will consist of eight memorable nights.

1. THE BIKE CHAIN The biker or environmental activist in your life will appreciate this menorah — it’s made from actual recycled bike chains in Moradabad, India. So you can turn and rearrange the shape of

the hanukkiah however you’d like while feeling good about your environmental impact. Recycled Bicycle Chain Menorah; Ten Thousand Villages; $29 2. THE OCTAGON (Courtesy of the Jewish Museum.) Each side of this elegant, octagonal menorah — it’s actually an octahedron — has a different number of slots for candles on each side. This hanukkiah requires “active” participation; each night you’ll need to turn it onto a new side to fit an additional candle. Hanuka 21 Menorah by EightDays Design; Jewish Museum; $1,100

tachable magnetic candle holders — and it’s designed for travel, too, for those wishing to hit the road during the Festival of Lights. Thinking Out of the Box Menorah; Laura Cowan Judaica; $85 3. THE DREIDEL (Screenshot from JudaicaWebStore.com.) Menorahs and dreidels are the two most identifiable symbols of the Chanukah season – why not combine them into one product? This menorah’s small separate candleholders click together to form a multi-colored dreidel. Just don’t try to make it perform both functions at once. Chanukah Dreidel Modular Menorah; Agayof Design; $144 4. THE MAGNET (Courtesy of Laura Cowan.) If you’ve ever felt like sticking your Chanukah candles in wacky sideways arrangements or in random magnetic places, this is the menorah for you. The possibilities are endless for its eight de-

5. THE BOTTLE CORK Another clever travel menorah, the Copper Cork menorah transforms any bottle of wine into a menorah. “Great menorah for the college student!”

tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to celebrate Chanukah!” Then there’s the cheeky ruby high heel peeking out under Lady Liberty’s robe, which reminds us that “there’s no place like home.” Statue of Liberty Menorah by Acme Animal; Jewish Museum Shop; $400 reads a description on the product’s retailer web page. We’ll vouch for the menorah — but whether or not college students actually drink corked beverages remains subject to debate. Copper Cork Menorah; Decor craft; $18 6. THE STATUE OF LIBERTY This handpainted piece of folk art practically screams: “Give me your

7. THE POMEGRANATE TREE Perhaps it’s not a surprise to see a menorah made in Israel depict the pomegranate, one of the most symbolic foods in the Jewish tradition. But this classic, colorful hanukkiah will add sweetness and flavor to any holiday gathering. Blue Chanukah Menorah with a Pomegranate Tree and Birds Design; Yair Emanuel Judaica; $89

HAPPY CHANUKAH | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2016 3

The true story of the modern latke – a shocking timeline By Gabe Friedman Jewish Telegraphic Agency

AS EARLY AS THE 14TH CENTURY: DEEP-FRIED RICOTTA CHEESE That’s right. Latkes were originally an Italian cheese dish. According to Appelbaum, they were inspired by The Book of Judith, set hundreds of years before the Maccabean Revolt. The book, from the Catholic Bible, tells the story of a daring widow who seduced and killed the As-

UP TO THE 19TH CENTURY: GRAIN PANCAKES Appelbaum notes that potatoes were originally cultivated in South America and weren’t introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers until the second half of the 16th century. Potatoes weren’t widely grown and consumed in Eastern Europe — the Old World from which many Jews emigrated to the United States — for a couple more centuries. Until the early 19th century, Eastern European Jews made pancakes from grains, such as buckwheat and rye, according to food historian Gil Marks. Those

were among the few crops available to them during the frosty early winter, when Chanukah is celebrated. THE 19TH CENTURY: POTATOES FRIED IN SCHMALTZ, NOT OIL In the 1800s, even after potatoes took root in Eastern Europe, latkes were still not fried in olive oil (as they are today, providing a convenient link to the oil-rich story of Chanukah). Olive trees were uncommon in the region, and people cooked with schmaltz, fat rendered from chickens, geese or beef. In fact, schmaltz remained a traditional latke ingredient well into the 20th century. Appelbaum cites a stipulation from a 1927 issue of The American Mercury magazine (which he says includes the first mention of the word “latke” in English) that the potato pancakes be “fried in schmaltz.” FROM THE 20TH CENTURY: TODAY’S LATKE — POTATOES FRIED IN OIL The advent in 1911 of Crisco, the first shortening made entirely of

SHUTTERSTOCK

The latke is one of those Jewish foods that feels steeped in tradition, as if it’s been made the same way since the days of the Maccabees. But in a revelatory article, Atlantic senior editor Yoni Appelbaum explains that the latke as we know it — grated potatoes fried in olive oil — is a relatively new culinary invention. Here, in brief, is the Chanukah staple’s origin story. Warning: This timeline may be upsetting to traditionalist latke lovers.

syrian general Holofernes to save Israel from invaders. In an obscure Hebrew version of the story, Judith distracted Holofernes in part by feeding him pancakes “salted and mixed with cheese.” Italian Jews adopted the custom of deep-frying cheese pancakes on Chanukah to honor the story, which they apparently conflated with that of the Maccabees.

Latkes have not always been made of potatoes. vegetable oil, changed the way latkes (and many other fried foods) were made. Kosher, Crisco was once marketed as the miracle for which the “Hebrew race had been waiting 4,000 years.” When Crisco “fell from favor,” as Appelbaum writes, olive oil took its place at the Chanukah table — and the modern latke was born.

“So what’s a latke?” asks Appelbaum. Simple: “It’s a shredded Andean tuber, fried like a buckwheat pancake, which was substituted for Italian cheeses, once eaten to honor a mistaken reading of obscure variants of an apocryphal text.” But it’s cool if you want to keep making the oil connection.

For Chanukah, breakfast latkes 2 ways By Shannon Sarna Jewish Telegraphic Agency

By Sandi Teplitz Brisket, pumpernickel bread, apple latkes, red wine BRISKET Ingredients: 5 lb. 1st cut brisket tomato juice to cover 3 cloves garlic, slivered 3 extra large onions, sliced salt and pepper to taste carrots (1 lb. bag, preferably organic) cut into 1" lengths 2 lbs. red potatoes, quartered, cut up, skin left on Technique: Brown brisket in large Dutch oven; then brown onions and garlic in the same pan. Add tomato juice and seasonings. Cover and cook over very low heat for 2 hours, adding the vegetables after one hour. Cool. Chill. Remove fat from top. Slice when cold. Reheat and serve. APPLE LATKES Ingredients: 1 large Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced into 12 pieces 1/4 c. dark brown sugar 1/4 t. cinnamon 1 +1/2 c. unbleached flour 1 t. b. powder 1/2 t. salt 1 beaten egg 1 c. almond milk 1 T. Earth Balance margarine to grease pan -- more if needed Technique: Sprinkle apple with sugar and cinnamon. Sift together dry ingredients. Add combined wet ingredients. Heat frying pan and pour in a T. of batter. Add an apple slice and top with another tablespoon of batter. Flip when done, Repeat 12 times, adding more margarine when necessary. Serve with optional Tofutti vanilla "ice cream".

4 DECEMBER 2016 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | HAPPY CHANUKAH

Ingredients: For the latkes: 4 Idaho (Russet) potatoes 1 small-medium onion 3 large garlic cloves 2 eggs 2 to 3 tablespoons flour 2 teaspoons salt 2 ounces goat cheese, left at room temperature For the cream cheese: 6 ounces cream cheese, left at room temperature 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice Salt and pepper to taste For the everything bagel topping: 1 tablespoon sesame seeds 1 tablespoon poppy seeds 1 tablespoon dried minced garlic 1 tablespoon dried onion 2 teaspoons thick sea salt Thinly sliced smoked salmon Vegetable oil for frying Directions: Before getting started on the latkes, I advise making the everything bagel topping and the dill cream cheese. Add softened cream cheese to a bowl and combine with fresh dill, lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Place back in the fridge until ready to serve. To make the everything bagel topping, mix together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, dried garlic, dried onion and thick sea salt. Set aside. Peel and cut potatoes and onions in half. Peel garlic cloves. Place potatoes, onion and garlic through food processor for a coarse grate (you can also grate coarsely by hand). Place potato mixture to a

SHANNON SARNA

Chanukah Festive Meal

EVERYTHING BAGEL LATKES WITH DILL CREAM CHEESE AND SMOKED SALMON Yield: 12-15 latkes These latkes are both creamy and savory. Making latkes bitesize makes the experience a little more fun – guests can easily eat the latkes with their fingers, and also feel like they can indulge a little more since the portions are small.

Everything bagel latkes, perfect for a Chanukah brunch. large bowl. Add eggs, flour, salt, goat cheese and 2 tablespoons everything bagel topping mix. Heat vegetable oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Form bite-sized mounds of latkes, taking care not to squeeze too much liquid out of the latkes. Fry until golden brown on each side, then place on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet to cool. Immediately sprinkle with a pinch of salt. When ready to serve, spread thin layer of dill cream cheese on top of each latke. Add smoked salmon on each latke and top with sprinkle of everything bagel topping. Serve while still warm. CORNED BEEF HASH LATKES WITH FRIED EGGS Yield: 12-15 latkes These corned beef hash-inspired latkes work best with thinly shredded corned beef. If you can purchase a hunk of corned beef, as opposed to sliced, that would be ideal. If not, make sure to heat up the corned beef before shredding it or dicing into very, very tiny cubes. But don’t skimp on the salt in these latkes just because you think the meat will be salty – the potatoes still need salt to make these latkes most flavorful.

Ingredients: 4 Idaho (Russet) potatoes 1 small-medium onion 2 eggs 2 to 3 tablespoons flour 2 teaspoons salt Shredded corned beef Additional salt Additional eggs Fresh parsley Vegetable oil for frying Directions: Peel and cut potatoes and onions in half. Peel garlic cloves. Place potatoes, onion and garlic through food processor for a coarse grate (you can also grate coarsely by hand). Place potato mixture to a large bowl. Add eggs, flour, salt and shredded (or diced) corned beef. Heat vegetable oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Form large, fist-sized mounds of latkes, taking care not to squeeze too much liquid out of the latkes. Fry until golden brown on each side, then place on a wire rack on top of a baking sheet to cool. Immediately sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Fry or poach eggs to your liking. When ready to serve, place latkes on platter and top with fried or poached eggs. Top with chopped fresh parsley.

Chanukah celebrations from around the world By Gabe Friedman Jewish Telegraphic Agency

CARSTEN KOALL/GETTY IMAGES

SHAVEI ISRAEL

BERLIN

Children celebrating Chanukah at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin.

INDIA

Members of the Bnei Menashe Jewish community from across northeastern India gathering in Churachandpur, in the Indian state of Manipur to celebrate Chanukah.

SHAVEI ISRAEL

PORTUGAL

A Portuguese family celebrating the holiday in Belmonte, home to the country’s remaining population of Marrano Jews.

KRAKOW, POLAND

Lighting menorahs in Krakow, Poland.

SHAVEI ISRAEL

A family celebrating Chanukah in San Salvador, El Salvador.

SHAVEI ISRAEL

EL SALVADOR

KAIFENG, CHINA

A few dozen of the 1,000 or so Jews in Kaifeng, in eastern China, gathered to celebrate on the first night of Chanukah.

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HAPPY CHANUKAH | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2016 5

Hakol at 40: The family quiz box

By Michelle Cohen HAKOL Editor From the time HAKOL began, one of its major missions was to bring Jewish people around the Lehigh Valley together. One such way was to get an entire family involved in reading the paper, which early editors implemented by adding a family quiz box in each issue. During the months without holidays, the questions revolved around aspects of everyday Jewish life such as the practice of hanging a mezuzah. Whenever there was a holiday, the questions were more focused, and provided teaching and learning opportunities for families in the Lehigh Valley. For a fun throwback to the past, try this Chanukah quiz from HAKOL’s third issue, in December 1976, with your family!

Join Friendship Circle for a musical and meaningful Chanukah event On Monday, Dec. 19 at 11:30 a.m., Friendship Circle, a social club for adults over the age of 50, will host a gala kosher lunch and klezmer entertainment program at the JCC. Friendship Circle meets on each non-holiday Monday from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. from September to June for a kosher lunch, entertainment and fellowship. Yearly dues are $25 and the cost of lunch is $6. Each program features a different form of entertainment along with time for talking with fellow attendees. Previous events have featured magic acts, dancing, sing-a-longs and bingo, among other programs. The Chanukah event will feature a catered lunch and a klezmer band. Klezmer, an Ashkenazi Jewish musical tradition, features a combination of dance tunes and instrumental display pieces. The word “klezmer” comes from the Hebrew words “klei zemer,” which literally translates to “vessels of song.” Other programs in December will include a speaker from the Center for Vision Loss on Dec. 5 and a program hosted by Rabbi Michael Singer of Congregation Brith Sholom on Dec. 12. To attend the Chanukah event, RSVPs are required by Dec. 13 to Cynthia Weiner at 610-739-2755. There is a charge of $10 for nonmembers. For more information about joining Friendship Circle or future programs, contact Lucy Wahrman at 610-820-5706. 6 DECEMBER 2016 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | HAPPY CHANUKAH

Celebrating Chanukah around the Lehigh Valley

Last year's Muhlenberg Hillel campus-wide Chanukah celebration in the student union. The student board, Hillel director and Muhlenberg College's president all attended.

Temple Covenant of Peace hosted its annual Chanukah celebration at the synagogue last year.

HAPPY CHANUKAH!

Lit menorahs at Congregation Keneseth Israel.

May your season of light be peaceful and prosperous.

Chanukah celebrations at Congregation Brith Sholom’s joint religious school program with B'nai Abraham Synagogue.

Temple Shirat Shalom congregants enjoy dinner and a service at Cantor Ellen Sussman’s house.

800.448.PROV • www.Provident.Bank

HAPPY CHANUKAH From the Board & Staff of the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley MARK H. SCOBLIONKO President MARK L. GOLDSTEIN Executive Director

HAPPY CHANUKAH | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY | DECEMBER 2016 7

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