Jewish News - Happy Hanukkah Special Section 11.30.20 by United Jewish Federation of Tidewater

y p p a H ! h a k k u n a H Supplement to Jewish News November 30, 2020 jewishnewsva.org | November 30, 2020 | Hanukkah | Jewish News | 15

HAPPY HANUKKAH! 16 | Jewish News | Hanukkah | November 30, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

Hanukkah

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Dear Readers,

here’s no way around it, we all know Hanukkah will be different this year—void of big Hanukkah parties, Congregational Hanukkah dinners, Religious School

Latke parties, Youth Group gift exchanges, and probably, not even so many small family gatherings. Still, like everything else this year, we will find a way to celebrate the Festival of Lights, with perhaps some new traditions in the making. Along that line, we asked several in the community about some of their favorite Hanukkah traditions and how they plan to adapt them to this most unusual year. Not surprising, Zoom came up pretty often. Janet Kass, Mallory Weinstein, David Proser and Stephanie Steerman share their responses beginning on page 18. It’s been a tough year for everyone, including the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. But as a pre-Hanukkah gift to the world, the American Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (AFIPO) and the Israel Philharmonic Foundation will premiere the Israel Philharmonic Pre-Hanukkah Global Celebration on Sunday, Dec. 6. My favorite performer, Bette Midler is participating, so chances are, you’ll find me watching. While they appreciate donations, the event is free. Page 22. What would a Hanukkah section be without some recipes? We offer one on page 25, along with ‘five Hanukkah food hacks’ to make your holiday dinner easy and delicious on page 26. Who doesn’t want both? Plus, on page 21 we’ll tell you about an opportu-

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Hanukkah Hanukkah Memories Hanukiahs with meaning Janet Kass

s with all other holidays this year, unfortunately Hanukkah will be celebrated via Zoom. My favorite memories—BC—Before Covid—are when my grandchildren select a specific hanukiah from my collection to light. Each hanukiah has a different meaning and is very special. I love when they choose the one their dad made while a student at the JCC preschool/kindergarten or my newest from Yad LaKashish (Lifeline for the Old) in Jerusalem or the one that belonged to my mother, which has deeper meaning. Looking very forward to next year when we can again celebrate the holidays with family togetherness, not just virtually.

Janet Kass with her grandchildren Alexa, Micah and Jonah Kass.

Hanukkah Memories Going for Zoom Mallory Weinstein

e have a big party every year with homemade latkes made by our good friend Mark Lipton, donuts and tons of delicious food. Everyone brings a gift and we play a gift exchange game that’s really funny. We will miss the party this year, but we are planning something special on zoom.

Barb Gelb with Mallory Weinstein.

18 | Jewish News | Hanukkah | November 30, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

Hanukkah Hanukkah Memories Have Hanukiah, Have Hanukkah!

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Cantor David Proser

hen you’ve raised two children (both Hebrew Academy of Tidewater graduates) and now have three grandchildren, there are too many memories and too many photos of them lighting a menorah to easily pick a favorite. However, I can definitely give an unusual Hanukkah menorah story. Last year, before travel became a health-hazard, Rona and I spent a few days of the winter holiday with good friends touring in Savannah, Georgia. December 25 was the fourth night of Hanukkah. In order to light the menorah, and not set off the smoke alarm in the hotel room, we had to place the menorah by the bathroom sink. Needless to say, I hadn’t planned on publishing this pic, or I would have cleaned all of the usual bathroom clutter. But no matter, we celebrate Hanukkah wherever we find it.

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Hanukkah

Baby names inspired by Hanukkah Kveller

f your baby is on the way, have you picked a name? To honor the most favorite least important Jewish holiday, consider a Hanukkah-themed name. No, not like

“applesauce” or “latke” (although, those are pretty adorable names). From paying tribute to the Maccabee soldiers to honoring the fire that burns the menorah candles, here’s an extensive list of Hanukkah inspired baby names.

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Honor the Maccabees The Maccabees are the official poster boys for the Festival of Lights. Matityahu and his five sons (Judah, Shimon, Yonatan, Yochanan, and Eliezer) revolted against Antiochus, the anti-Semitic ruler of the Syrian Kingdom, and led a guerrilla war against his army. After three years of battles and bloodshed, the Maccabees won—the true miracle of Hanukkah. Judah is a Hebrew name for boys that means “to praise or thank.” Shimon is a Hebrew name for boys that means “he has heard.” Yonatan is a Hebrew name for boys that means “God has given.” Yochanan is a Hebrew name for boys that means “God is gracious.” Eliezer is a Hebrew name for boys that means “help of my God.” Matityahu is a Hebrew name for boys that means “gift of God.” (Are you sensing a common theme here among the Maccabee boys?). Mac is not a Hebrew name, but it’s super cool and unisex and short for Maccabee. Gift it For some families—and hey, no judgements!—the true miracle of Hanukkah isn’t about oils and lamps or military victory…it’s about all those fabulous presents. And, really, what’s better than the gift of life? Matan/a is a Hebrew name for boys or girls that means “gift.” Jesse is a Hebrew name for boys that means “gift.” Shai is a unisex Hebrew name that means “gift” or “present.” Gold and bold What is Hanukkah without gelt? Golda is a Yiddish name for girls that means “gold.” Paz/it is a Hebrew name for boys or girls that means “pure gold” or “anything that glimmers like gold.” Zahava is a Hebrew name for girls that means “gold.”

Zehavit is a Hebrew name for girls that means “gold.” Light and fire These baby names are an ode to the flame that keeps the menorah candles burning all night long. Yair is a Hebrew name for boys that means “he will illuminate.” Zohar is a unisex Hebrew name that means “light.” Ziv/a is a Hebrew name for boys or girls that means “light” or “brilliance” or “glow.” Neri is a Hebrew name for boys that means “candle” or “oil lamp.” Ziv is a Hebrew name for boys that means “light” or “brilliance” or “glow.” Or/a is a Hebrew name for boys or girls that means “light.” Lior/a is a Hebrew name for girls or boys that means “I have a light.” Noga is a Hebrew name for girls that means “light.” Orel is a unisex Hebrew name that means “light of God.” Or/it is a Hebrew name for girls or boys that means “light.” Keren is a Hebrew name for girls that means “ray of light.” Uri is a unisex Hebrew name that means “my fire.” Uriel is a Hebrew name for boys that means “fire of God.” Uriah is a Hebrew name for girls that means “fire of God.” Shalhevet is a Hebrew name for girls that means “flame.” But that’s not all! There are also a bunch of Hanukkahadjacent names, such as these. Nissim is a Hebrew name for boys that means “miracles.” Leila is a Hebrew name for girls that means “night.” Jobina is a Hebrew name for girls that means “persecuted.” Yuval is a unisex name that means “rejoice.”

Hanukkah Hanukkah Memories Introducing Hanukkah to non-Jewish friends Stephanie Steerman

ur family loves to share the holiday of Hanukkah with our non-Jewish friends. One of my favorite traditions is spending time in my children’s public school classrooms to teach the story of Hanukkah. I explain why we light the candles, we do an activity or craft and finish up with donuts—which are always a big hit! We also Stephanie Steerman celebrates with a child’s class. invite our neighbors to celebrate the holiday with us. We light the candles together and enjoy freshly made latkes—typically gathering around the cozy fireplace in the living room. This year all my children are happily at Strelitz International Academy where they’ll celebrate the holiday with their class. We are still planning to host our neighbors, but this year it will be slightly different—socially distanced and outside. We will still light the candles and enjoy the latkes but this year we will gather around the fire pit instead of the fireplace! May your Hanukkah be filled with love, light and good health! Happy Hanukkah to all!!

Cook with Michael Solomonov Sunday, December 6, 4 pm, Zoom

oin the James Beard Foundation Award-winning chef, Michael Solomonov on Zoom for an engaging and delectable Hanukkah cooking demonstration. Together with local chefs Marcy Mostofsky and Leora Droy, participants will create the perfect Hanukkah meal with a menu of apple shrub, potato latkes, salmon with artichokes, and sfenj (Moroccan doughnuts), just in time for the holiday. The event is presented by the Konikoff Center for Learning as part of United Jewish Federation of

Tidewater’s and the Simon Family JCC’s Lee and Bernard Jaffe Family Jewish Book Festival, in coordination with the Jewish Book Michael Solomonov. Council. Droy and Mostofsky will also share tips and tricks from their own kitchens, along with some recipes, too. Register at JewishVa.org/kcl, grab the ingredients, and get ready to make some award-winning dishes.

jewishnewsva.org | November 30, 2020 | Hanukkah | Jewish News | 21

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merican Friends of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (AFIPO) and the Israel Philharmonic Foundation will premiere the Israel Philharmonic Pre-Hanukkah Global Celebration, a multi-disciplinary program of instrumental performances, behind-the-scenes interviews, and powerful messages of hope. The event will stream internationally, free of charge, to bring music and holiday light from Israel’s world-class Philharmonic to audiences around the world. The event will weave together word and song, featuring Academy Awardwinning composer Hans Zimmer, Grammy and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Bette Midler, actress and star of Fauda Ronalee Shimon, actress and model Dar Zuzovsky, music manager Kenny Hamilton, and other special guests. The Israel Philharmonic and Lahav Shani, its music director, will perform pieces from Zimmer’s acclaimed works. “The Israel Philharmonic is a shining light for humanitarian principles, artistic freedom, and tireless pursuit of excellence—and for continuing to provide accessible, inspiring digital musical content despite the pandemic,” says Danielle Ames Spivak, AFIPO executive vice president and CEO. “We are thrilled that Hans, Bette, and so many Israel Philharmonic

friends are joining us to spread our message of light through music.” “2020 was an extremely difficult year for the Israel Philharmonic. We are making every effort to assist the Philharmonic and I am moved by the heartwarming responses of its friends in Israel and throughout the world,” says Tali Gottlieb, Israel Philharmonic Foundation executive director. “In an end-of-the-year effort and in light of the exceptional success of our Global Gala this past June, which was viewed by more than 500,000 people worldwide, I hope this event will provide the Israel Phil the support it needs to grapple with the enormous challenges still ahead.” Registration is free on AFIPO’s website; donations will offset critical Philharmonic revenue losses due to forced pandemic closures. Donors will receive access to an exclusive VIP after party with Christie’s Global Managing Director Lydia Fenet and guests, discussing “Trendsetters and Tastemakers: Culture, Art, Fashion and Design in 2021 and Beyond.” For more information, visit www.afipo.org. About the Israel Philharmonic: The Israel Philharmonic is the leading orchestra in Israel and globally recognized as a world-class symphonic ensemble. Founded in 1936 by famed Polish violinist Bronislaw Huberman, the Israel Phil performs regularly in its home, the Charles Bronfman Auditorium in Tel Aviv, as well as across Israel, including Jerusalem and Haifa. Additionally, it tours internationally, from Europe to Asia to North and South America. Since its inception, the Israel Phil has enjoyed long-lasting relationships with renowned soloists and conductors, which have kept it at the forefront of the classical music world. For more information, please visit www.ipo.co.il.

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jewishnewsva.org | November 30, 2020 | Hanukkah | Jewish News | 23

Hanukkah Add some color to your Hanukkah menu with these savory beet latkes Elisa Spungen Bildner This recipe originally appeared in The Nosher.

hese beet pancakes are great for using up a variety of other root vegetables. Using a food processor will make quick work of the shredding aspect of the preparation. With a nice browned crust, the latkes are delicious served with applesauce or sour cream and chives, and offer a good alternative to hash browns at breakfast or brunch. This recipe is reprinted with permission from The Berkshires Farm Table Cookbook, by Elisa Spungen Bildner and Rob Bildner, Countryman Press.

Ingredients • ¼ cup chopped scallions, white and green parts (about 2 large) • 1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme • 1 tsp kosher salt, or more to taste • 2 cups peeled and shredded red beets (about 11 ounces, 2 to 3 medium beets) • 1 cup peeled and shredded carrots (about 6 ounces, 2 to 3 medium carrots) • 1 cup peeled and shredded celery root (about 8 ounces, ½ small celery root) • 1 cup peeled and shredded Idaho or russet potato (about 12 ounces, 1 large potato) • ¼ cup rye or whole wheat flour, or more as needed to hold the raw latkes together • 1 cup soft goat cheese (about 5 ounces) • 1 large egg, lightly beaten • 2 Tbsp neutral oil, such as canola, plus more as needed, for frying • Sour cream and chopped chives, or applesauce for garnish (optional) Directions 1) Prepare a plate with layers of paper towels to drain the pancakes. 2) P lace the scallions, thyme, salt, beets, carrots, celery root, and potatoes in a large bowl and mix well. Use a paper towel to gently squeeze out any excess moisture. Scatter the flour on top of the shredded vegetables and mix until well incorporated. 3) C ombine the cheese and egg in a small bowl. Fold into the vegetable mixture until well coated. 4) H eat the oil in a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Working in batches so as not to crowd the pancakes, use a ¼-cup measure to scoop the vegetable mixture into the skillet. Flatten the mixture gently, using the back of the measuring cup or a spatula, making sure the pancakes do not touch each other. Fry for 4 to 5 minutes on one side, until browned and crisp, and then flip to fry the other side for the same amount of time, or until browned and crisp. Transfer the latkes to the lined plate to drain. Repeat until the entire vegetable mixture has been used. If more oil is needed for frying subsequent batches, add as necessary. 5) S erve the beet latkes warm with sour cream and chives or with applesauce as a garnish.

24 | Jewish News | Hanukkah | November 30, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

Hanukkah Jewish women from North Africa have an awesome feminist Hanukkah tradition Rishe Groner This piece originally appeared in Alma.

hen it comes to celebrating Hanukkah, you probably think about lighting the menorah, playing dreidel, and eating so many latkes that your stomach burns in sweet agony. But did you know that there’s a special Hanukkah tradition—Eid Al Bnat (The Festival of Daughters, in Judeo-Arabic) or Chag HaBanot (in Hebrew)—that women and girls from North Africa’s Jewish communities have been celebrating for centuries? In Jerusalem last year, I joined a group of women of Middle Eastern and North African backgrounds who gather regularly to study their heritage with an organization called Arevot, and we held an inspiring Eid Al Bnat celebration, with a focus on how to bring it back into our own communities. It’s a beautiful tradition that more people should know about.

Origins of the holiday Celebrated on the Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) of Tevet (one of the Hebrew months where Hanukkah takes place) in communities in North Africa and elsewhere, particularly the islands of Djerba and Tunis in Tunisia, Algeria, Salonika in Greece and Kushta (Istanbul) in Turkey, this day is filled with historic connections to powerful Jewish women. The festival takes the form of ceremonial gatherings featuring symbolic rituals, delicious treats and traditional songs, all focusing on bringing together generations of mothers, daughters, aunts, sisters, and the extended community. The stories of Hanukkah and the ladies therein are often retold only as the story of Judith, the brave widow who fake-seduced the Greek-Syrian general Holofernes, fed him salty cheese and got him drunk on wine, then calmly beheaded him. The soldiers freaked out, the Maccabees won the battle and the rest is quite literally history. But there’s another, lesser known story

of a brave woman not named except as “the daughter of the Hasmonean, Yohanan the High Priest,” who lived in Judea (AKA modern day Israel) during the time of the Maccabees. Among the anti-Jewish edicts of the time, the invading governor insisted on sleeping with every virgin woman the night before her marriage, and this carried on for almost four years. On the night of the high priest’s daughter’s marriage, as she was about to be carted off to the governor’s chamber for the night, she uncovered her hair, ripped open her clothes, and exposed herself to all. Amid cries of “send her off to be burned!” she turned to the crowd and said something along the lines of, “Are you kidding me? It doesn’t bother you that I’m about to be exposed before this foreign invading governor, sacrificing me to him?” Her brothers, the Maccabees and Co.,

realized it was time to go off and kill the ruling governor. She got herself fancy and had herself escorted straight to the governor’s palace. Seeing the priestly family all caught up in this pseudo-wedding, the egomaniac governor let them right in. They utilized the opportunity to behead him and all his servants, which eventually helped bring the Maccabees to victory. How to celebrate In some communities, women visited the synagogue (not a thing that was usually done!) and kissed the Torah scrolls and were blessed by the rabbi; in others they cooked and baked a festive meal together, and then celebrated all night. Overall, though, the key components always include lighting the Hanukkah candles, lots of music and dancing, and the opportunity to create intimacy and community

with women. A communal bat mitzvah One awesome tradition is the presentation of the bat mitzvah girls of the year—consider it our very own debutante ball. It’s also traditional to prepare foods together, like the North African favorite sfenj—think jelly doughnuts meet churros drizzled with honey—or honey cakes and cookies, or a potluck dinner. Mishloach manot—gifting packages of food and treats—is also part of the Eid Al Bnat tradition. The power of women’s circles Whether you share stories, get vulnerable, cook up a storm, or dance the night away, this night is to celebrate the power of the ladies in our lives, and the bonds that keep us strong in the face of struggle.

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jewishnewsva.org | November 30, 2020 | Hanukkah | Jewish News | 25

Hanukkah

Five Hanukkah food hacks to make your holiday dinner easy and delicious Lauren Manaker

s the Festival of Lights approaches, you might be frying latkes and making applesauce in your dreams. The food is delicious and everyone is content and full, and above all, the meal is mess and stress-free. Then reality sets in: You are seriously so busy this time of year! While you may want to instill some tasty Jewish traditions in your family, do you really have time to shred a few bags of potatoes, or knead some finicky sufganiyot dough? Thankfully, this is 2020 and not 1920. These days, our grocery store shelves are stocked with convenience foods, so use them to your advantage! If you know what to do, it’s super easy to make a delicious, “semi-homemade” Hanukkah meal that will still create lasting memories. Read on for our top Hanukkah food hacks—they’re kind of like having your sufganiyot and eating it, too. For easy latkes, use pre-shredded hash brown potatoes. No Hanukkah celebration is complete without latkes, but the prep work can be extremely time consuming, tedious, and possibly a bit dangerous (especially if you have little helpers in the kitchen). But here’s some good news: It’s possible to have tasty not have bloody knuckles. Refrigerated and bagged shredded potatoes make frying up latkes a snap! Just swap out fresh taters with the bagged alternative in whatever recipe you use, and most people won’t even taste the difference. Pro tip: If you are trying to sneak in more veggies and/or have low-carb guests to entertain, use pre-riced cauliflower instead of potatoes.

Make zero-effort homemade applesauce in an Instant. Yes, you could just buy some jarred applesauce. But does anyone with teeth (and, um taste buds) actually like the stuff? If you have an Instant Pot—or any pressure cooker—you can make homemade applesauce in a flash! Just toss eight peeled, cored, and chopped apples into the pressure cooker with 1 cup of water, juice from ½ a lemon, and cinnamon to taste. After the lid is secure and the mixture is cooked

on high pressure for 8 minutes, mash up your apples to the consistency of your desire. Of course, you have to then make the most important decision: chunky or smooth? Pro tip: Put a Johnny Apple Peeler on your Hanukkah wish list to help make the prep even easier! If you don’t have a pressure cooker, you can still make easy homemade applesauce by using this recipe. Use pre-packaged biscuit dough for the easiest sufganiyot ever. Kids generally love making treats like sufganiyot in the kitchen with their family. But if you’re having guests over, or if you’re generally not the type who

26 | Jewish News | Hanukkah | November 30, 2020 | jewishnewsva.org

enjoys baking, there’s a hack for that: Use refrigerated biscuit dough—the kind that comes in a tube—instead. ( Just don’t tell Bubbie!) Simply break apart the pre-portioned dough and fry the biscuits in heated oil until golden on both sides. Amazingly, you don’t even have to cut circles. The biscuits come pre-sliced! How perfect is that? If you happen to have a pastry bag in your kitchen, fill it with your favorite jarred jelly and push the tip into the middle of the donut. Squeeze the jelly

into the doughnut until it is filled with enough sweetness to make your dentist cringe. If you don’t have a pastry bag, you have a couple of options: You can cut your donuts in half and put some jelly in the middle of the pastry, like a sandwich, or simply serve jelly as an accompaniment to the fried biscuit for dipping. Pro tip: Not sweet enough for you? You can also sprinkle some sugar and cinnamon on top of the warm doughnut to add a little more oomph if you wish! Let your slow cooker make the main dish. How exactly do you cook a brisket

dinner for a crowd while also fulfilling all of your daily (as well as holiday-specific) obligations? By using a slow cooker, of course! This ultimate “set it and forget it” tool allows you to cook, slow and low, tough cuts of meat like brisket without any worries about overcooking. Even better? About 10 minutes of effort will reward you with a super-tasty result. Just toss a brisket (fat side up) in a slow cooker with some cans of broth, sliced onions, carrots, garlic, and spices. Cook the dish on the high setting of the cooker for about 6 hours, or until tender. That’s it! Serve your brisket with latkes and a salad, and your dinner is complete. Pro tip: For an easy-peasy but delightful serving option, slice up the cooked brisket and make it fancy-looking with some sprigs of fresh parsley. Fancy up store-bought hummus for an effortless appetizer. First things first: You can absolutely take a package of store-bought hummus, serve it in its original packaging with some store-bought crackers, and that’s that. We won’t judge! But why not add some color and flavor to an otherwise standard app? Take your container of ho-hum hummus and spread it onto a shallow bowl. Scoop a small space into the middle of the hummus, and top the dip with extra virgin olive oil, fresh rosemary leaves, crushed pistachios, and pomegranate arils. If you have the time or inclination, you can include some roasted, diced butternut squash as a topping for some extra color. Or add whatever floats your boat! The decorative additions will hide the fact that you didn’t make the hummus from scratch. Pro tip: Think beyond pita! Try serving the hummus with fresh veggies or pretzels. Anything dippable will do! This article originally appeared in Kveller.