Easy To Make Orange Lentil Stew

 

This is tasty and and so easy to prepare. I just had a batch for dinner.

Ingredients

2 small or more, or larger squashes
medium onion, larger if you're making a larger quantity
1/2 cup red lentils, before cooking
oil, water-- a bit more than double the amount of lentils, seasonings--your choice

Put it all in a pot, cover, first on high heat until boiling. Then lower to a simmer until all soft. Cool a bit and serve/eat. Yes, it's that easy. You can add the seasoning after it's cooked or at the end of cooking. You can also use some sweet potato for half the squash and/or add other vegetables, according to what you like and what's in your house. And if you're wondering, I don't use frozen vegetables. If that's all you have, then add them when the lentils are partially cooked. Frozen vegetables need less cooking.

I'd love to have your reactions in the comments, thanks.

MITZVAH G'DOLA A Big Mitzvah

A big difference between the world I was raised in, America and Jewish Life is our responsibility when we find a lost item. Like many English speaking kids I'd recite:

Finders keepers -- losers weepers

Judaism commands us to make every effort to find the owner of a lost item and return it.

Yesterday, like many Wednesdays I take a bus from Jerusalem to the Shiloh Junction, because there are almost two hours between buses after I finish my classes in Matan. It's not all that difficult, because there are a number of buses that pass Shiloh and can let us off at the junction. I usually take advantage of one of those buses. That's what I did yesterday...

Sometimes I get a ride home within seconds, and sometimes I must wait a lot longer. Most of the cars who offer rides are continuing eastwards at the T-junction about a mile or more from the main junction. Yesterday there were many of us waiting for rides; I may have been the only one trying to get to Shiloh.

While I was waiting yesterday, I noticed two bags on the bus stop bench. As the crowd emptied --others got rides-- nobody picked up the bags or seemed to even notice them, just me. I kept waiting and signaling for a ride, but nobody stopped. Again I glanced at the bags and realized that I needed to do something to try to find the owner, so I took a quick picture. 

Immediately after I took the picture a neighbor stopped to give me a ride. As I was closing the door, I mentioned that there were bags on the bench, one of which looked like a Tefillin bag. He reversed a meter or so, exited the car and examined/opened the bags to look for identification. He found it plus the owner's phone, which needed a code to use. He took them, and we told the soldiers at the security gate that he had the bags and would return with a sign and tape, so the owner would know who had them.

Life in Israel the Jewish country.

Visit to Yekev Shiloh Winery

Yesterday afternoon some of my kids and I walked down the hill from my house to the Yekev Shiloh Winery at the entrance to our industrial zone/shopping area. I correctly guessed that they'd enjoy the visit before taking the bus back to Jerusalem. 

We got there close to "closing time," so we didn't ask for a full tour and tasting. But they all agreed that they'd be back for the full "show." They found the public part of the Yekev very impressive and then bought a few bottles of wine, one of which was opened for us. We sat on their terrace enjoying the view and the wine.

The Chenin Blanc was perfect to drink on a spring afternoon. My wine maven kids described it as fruity, citrus taste. I just liked it. It was light and fine without food.

 

The Yekev also serves meat meals (strictly kosher of course) with wine. No doubt for meat I'd recommend, or prefer, a strong red wine.

If you want a tour, tasting and/or meal, it's best to make reservations: 

Amichai +972-50-342-2268,  Ami@shilohwinery.com, ​ Main office: Office@shilohwinery.com ​, Shiloh Industrial Zone Israel ​

Eight 8 Beers to Taste, Quite a Night

Doug Greener, the Beer Maven

The usual crew of tasters met at the beer maven's home. He had eight 8 beers for us to taste. That's more than our usual supply. I'll tell you about a few of them.

We started three from BEERBAZAAR. Mordechai, Ester and Persian Haze. They all had fruity aromas, no surprise since all are IPA's but when drinking them, they were different. Mordechai's my favorite, Ester I didn't like, and Persian Haze in between.

Herzl makes a wonderful tart fruity beer, more like a tart cocktail. I really liked it. 

Shevet's Duke is an oatmeal stout that tastes better than it smells, which is rare. Usually I'm disappointed, but not this time. There's "dark" taste, almost tabacco-like.

Malca's black IPA is chocolatey in aroma and flavor, and I must say it's my favorite Malca beer to date.

We ended with this Shapiro beer, Double IPA, which is good, since it has 8.2% alcohol. Shapiro, one of the best of the local Israeli beers, and it didn't disappoint. 

We had an enjoyable evening, and I got home safe and sound.

Rosh Chodesh Shvat ראש חודש שבט

 

Join us this Thursday in Ancient Shiloh, the location of the Biblical Tabernacle, where Chana prayed for a son. If you come, then stay for the day and take advantage of the archeological site and various activities for the entire family. For more information +972-2-5789111 or visit@telshilo.org.il.

ראש חודש כסלו Rosh Chodesh Kislev

Just like in the days of the Bible, people come from all over the world to pray at Shiloh, which was the Jewish spiritual capital before Jerusalem. Most people have heard of Hannah who prayed for a son at Shiloh, promising Gd that if He gave her a son, she'd raise him to serve the Jewish People. A son was subsequently born to her, Samuel the Prophet.

For many years I've invited women to join me on Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the Jewish Month to pray where Hannah had prayed.

This year Rosh Chodesh Kislev is actually on two days, the last of Cheshvan and the first aka Rosh Chodesh of Kislev. The women who usually come to Tel Shiloh for Rosh Chodesh prayers said that Sunday December 1, 2024 would be most convenient. 

Of course, we'd be happy if others joined us. You can take advantage of the various activities at Shiloh Hakeduma. For more information 972 2-578-9111 or visit@telshilo.org.il.

Easy Vegetarian Lunch

 It can be eaten any meal, any time... You can also choose different vegetables...

I never made this before, but I had an "assignment." What's the story? The Health/Sick Fund I'm in has some free programs for the 65+ crowd. One of them is a Weight Loss Group via Zoom. We had our second meeting this morning, and she assigned us to make a balanced non-meat meal. This is mine. 

Ingredients

onion

sweet potato 

          eggplant 

squash 

          orange lentils 

carrot

Instructions

cut the vegetables bite-size

put in baking pan

add water and oil

cover

Bake at 160 C until lentils and vegetables are soft.

I added a bit of soy sauce when I ate it. I never measure exactly, but it was perfect.

Rosh Chodesh Marcheshvan Tomorrow

Sorry, I should have posted this much earlier.

There's also plenty to do at Tel Shiloh, which is an amazing archeology site. https://www.facebook.com/@AncientShilo

+972 2-578-9111

visit@telshilo.org.il

Lovely Meal at Jerusalem's גן סיפור Gan Sipur

Last week I found myself invited with a small group to  גן סיפור Gan Sipur, a dairy restaurant in Jerusalem. Although I must have passed nearby many times, I hadn't the vaguest idea it existed. But after having a meal there, I won't forget it.

As you can see in the photo above, the food was amazing. The prices weren't bad considering the quantity and quality of the food. I ordered the "Sport Salad," which is in the foreground. It was really tasty. All of the salads chosen by my companions were excellent. 

My only complaint was the noise, though the staff did move us to a slightly quieter table. Acoustics aren't great, but I'm hypersensitive to noise and wear hearing aids, also. Yes, rather complicated.

Gan Sipur is in Gan Sacher near the junction of Betzalel Street, the High Court and Cinema City. It's in the park. 

Kosher Dairy

Open: Sunday – Thursday – 08:00-24:00, Friday – 08:00-14:30, Saturday Evening – An hour after Sabbath ends until midnight.

Contact: Seating can only be booked by telephone 072-3360999 Extension 5   

Easy, Tasty Pasta Salad

 

I'm one of those who doesn't like complicated, multi-pot/bowl recipes. In addition I can eat the same basic meals routinely...

...but I'm not the only one at the table... This past Shabbat a neighbor, who probably has eaten by us more than anyone else, was invited and I felt that the time had come to tweak my usual menu. It seemed that the easiest part of the meal to change would be the carbohydrate. 

After wracking my brain for easy ideas, suddenly... Pasta Salad came to mind. There was a problem. As far I know, it's made with mayonnaise, and I don't buy/use/eat mayonnaise.

It didn't take long to come to a solution... olive oil, though I had no idea how it would taste. Thank Gd it was a great success!

Ingredients

cooked pasta
diced onion
diced tomato or any other salad vegetable-- the more the merrier
dehydrated or fresh parsley, dill, or basil
a bit of olive oil

Directions

mix, cover and refrigerate

Give it a try, and I'd love to hear how yours turned out.

PS of course this is kosher and parve...

Summer in Shiloh, Thank Gd A Swimming Pool

 Bli eyin haraa, don't tempt the "evil eye," we don't feel the war directly here... in a way...

Unfortunately, a local boy was killed defending the State of Israel a few months ago, and another was seriously wounded fairly recently. Many local kids of all ages and family members of those of us living in Shiloh have been fighting for our very survival... So I can't say that the war doesn't touch us. It can be said that so far, at least, we haven't been targeted.

So, besides being a gigantic elephant in the room, pressure that is hard to ignore... the war is almost distant. Of course many of my neighbors are doing tons of amazing volunteer work...

But it's summer, and our local swimming pool has opened for a longer than usual season 

Getting my exercise in the pool a few times a week keeps me fit, sane and healthy. Or at least as healthy as I can be at my advanced age...

I exercise in the pool, pretty much the same fun and games -not classic swimming- as I loved to do well over sixty years ago. 

Not only do we have "separate" swimming times, there are hours for "adults only." Thank Gd for this pool, which is only a few minutes' walk from my house.

Rosh Chodesh Menachem Av-- Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh

תפילת נשים בראש חודש מנחם אב בשילה הקדומה

Ladies, join us for Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Tel Shiloh, the Biblical site, where Chana prayed for a son. Today it's an amazing archeological site with lots to do for visitors of all ages. Spend the day.

Tel Shiloh is available by public transportation from Jerusalem and Ariel. It's a five minutes walk from the bus stop. For more information contact 972-2-5789111 and visit@telshilo.org.il

  אפשר להגיה לשילה הקדומה בתחבורה ציבורית מירושלים ואריאל. רק 5 דקות הליכה מתחנת אוטובוס. לפרטים נוספים.

 972-2-5789111 visit@telshilo.org.il

Rosh Chodesh Tamuz-- Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh

 

Rosh Chodesh Tamuz is in a few days, and we're planning on meeting as usual at Tel Shiloh aka Ancient Shiloh, שילה הקדומה Shiloh Hakeduma. For information in Hebrew מידע בעברית, click here, For information about Tel Shiloh in English, click here.

For decades there have been Women's Prayers, except for Shabbat, on Rosh Chodesh when we sing/pray Hallel together out loud at the site of the ancient Biblical Mishkan, Tabernacle, where Hannah prayed successfully for a son. 

עשרות שנים אנחנו מתפללות ביחד במקום המשכן, המקום שחנה התפללה לבן.

אתן מוזמנות

You're invited.

Delicious, Munchies, Ariel

For the longest time, I'd been hearing from friends that the best restaurant in nearby Ariel is Munchies. Some of them even say that it's their all time favorite. Finally, this week, I got to eat there when some friends took me out for my birthday, and I must agree.

When we entered Munchies, there was loud music, a bad start. But when I mentioned the problem to the staff who had greeted us, he immediately turned it down, no arguments at all. 

The generous beef hamburgers come with a choice of side dishes. I chose the salad which was really delicious. The waiter brought a variety of dressings and sauces for the hamburger and salad, but I didn't try them. I just asked for olive oil for the salad.

Apparently, they've reduced the menu, since the war, fewer available employees. I found plenty of food to choose from. They have a nice variety of hamburgers and other main courses, plus side dishes and a children's meal.

They offer a featured beer, Shikma שקמה. Since this was my "birthday celebration" how could I refuse to try it? It was a pleasant beer, amber ale, not very strong, but tasty.

As you can see, it's a really lovely salad. I appreciate the dressing was on the side.

Munchies is on Rechov Hamelachah 2, in the old industrial zone not far from the Rami Levi Mall/Shopping Center. Phone 03-9368000. Yes, it's kosher.

Service was wonderful, polite and helpful. They don't have an English version of the menu, one of the things that bothers some of my friends. But the waiter was willing to translate and explain when needed.

Yes, I've joined the Munchies Fan Club!

Living Without a Car, How Do We Travel?

How do I manage to travel, even though we don't have a car, and public transportation can be rather complicated?

Sometimes it can be very easy, but days like yesterday can be rather complicated. I had to get to my cousin in Hod Hasharon, which in theory shouldn't be all that complicated --our 461 to Ariel and then there are usually many buses from there to the Yarkon Junction.

But the Transportation Ministry has decided that people don't travel on Israeli Independence Day by bus. Most of the buses to Ariel had been canceled, so I took the first one, which came to Shiloh about 10am. For a few stops I was the only passenger on the bus! Then some more came on.
As we arrived in Ariel, I checked on the bus app (efo bus) for buses to Yarkon Junction. They all said "day+" meaning tomorrow. That wasn't very helpful. I didn't want to tremp-- hitchhike.

Suddenly it indicated that an 86 to Petach Tikva would be at Ariel Mall stop in about six minutes. I was a few minutes from there, but if the driver was planning on letting us off at the official last stop, I'd miss the bus.

At times chutzpah is necessary, so I asked the driver to let me off a few hundred meters early, and he agreed, so I easily caught the connecting bus. The next bus was about an hour or more later. Neighbors would be passing by about a half an hour afterwards, so they could have picked me up. I only found out that they'd be traveling in the direction I needed after I had left on the 461.

At Tzomet Yarkon I was picked up by my cousin. The return trip was a bit more complicated... If you want to hear, please let me know.

WHITE RABBIT's Day Dream's a Dream

All photos, photographed by me

WHITE RABBIT invited the Beer Maven, Doug Greener. and the tasting crew -including yours truly, plus Jerusalem Post staff to its Tel Aviv brewery last week. We got onboard the train in Jerusalem and in no time we were in Tel Aviv. 

To be honest, I can't remember the last time I had been in Tel Aviv and hadn't a clue as to where in Tel Aviv we'd be. I trusted Doug to find the way to the brewery. And I certainly had never taken the train to Tel Aviv, though a friend and I once took it for free to Ben Gurion Airport when it was in "the running-in period." 

After leaving the train station, we needed a couple of stops on a bus, and there we were in their spic and span white and polished brewery. Just know that it wasn't in the neighborhood of fancy geometric modernistic skyscrapers. 

We were treated to some fresh salads and a variety of their beers. 

In addition we received a tour of the brewery with lots of explanations and stories from those in charge.

As you can see in the photos, White Rabbit's equipment looks very impressive. To preserve the quality of their beer they only sell to shops and pubs that promise to keep the beer cooled, rather than just cooling before serving. 

It was explained to us that their beer is a natural drink without chemicals to keep it stable and fresh-tasting. I prefer beer over wine, since wine has sulfites which aren't good for me.

The three beers we tasted were all versions of IPA, including a NEIPA, and by the time we left I couldn't really distinguish any differences. The only thing I knew for sure was that all the White Rabbit beers we tasted were delicious, Day Dream 5%, Ten Feet Tall 7% and Feed Your Head which is the NEIPA 7%.

Since we were given gift packs of their beers to take home, I decided to drink them on their own to get a better feel for the flavor. On Shabbat I drank Day Dream, which has a nice strong fruity aroma. The taste was flavorful, perfect for a summer morning, and the low-ish alcohol content was good, too.

You can order White Rabbit online, not just in bottles. There are various "dispensers." If you want to contact them  Telephone 03-6242783, or email Info@white-rabbit.co.il.

Book Review: Gilgul I: Re-dedication

Gilgul I: Re-dedication by Emily Singer is a fascinating and compelling fictional retelling of the Chanuka story written for children. With the great success of the Harry Potter series, many Jewish authors have taken themes from our history and expanded them  with magic and mysticism especially for youth.

Considering that Israel is now at war for its survival, and Jews in the Diaspora are dealing with a rise in antisemitism that had been unthinkable even a year ago, this really is the time to give your children a book of Jewish heroism and hope, like Gilgul I. 

In this interview with Singer, you can read of how she felt the need for the book, even in simpler times.

David, just fifteen 15, and his sister Leya are the heroes of this behind the scenes biblical adventure. Their father defies the Greeks by secretly teaching Torah, while producing exquisite wooden furniture with the help of his children. 

Like many biblical heroines, Leya is brave and practical, even more so than the males. Her prowess with the bow and arrow are, davka, superior to David's who prefers playing Skyros, similar to rugby but much more dangerous. His extraordinary talent has been noticed by a royal Greek player making David's life much more complicated. 

Yes, I recommend Gilgul I, which can be ordered from Amazon.

Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Hakodesh Press (November 13, 2018)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Paperback ‏ : ‎ 208 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 6202455276
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-6202455275

That Oppenheimer Movie

Oppenheimer did really well in the recent Oscars aka Academy Awards, but IMHO they didn't deserve all those awards.

The other night I saw that Oppenheimer movie. Actually we didn't go to the cinema; we saw it in a neighbor's home where she has a nice big screen. 

I'm glad that I hadn't paid to see it. It was rather torturous to be perfectly honest. One neighbor walked out in the middle saying that he know the plot/history. I stayed hoping it would get better, even though trying to run a marathon would probably have been more pleasant.

Just because it won lots of prizes doesn't mean it's good. I'm a cynic, realist, pragmatist, and I don't follow the crowds. Some movies which had won barely any awards have have held up and today over half a century later, like Some Like It Hot, and are now treasured, praised and viewed more than ever. Compare it to Roman Holiday and The Sting, also great award winners. They're favorites with many, though over a half a century old. If I'm even in enforced bedrest, please keep me cheerful and fascinated by watching movies like those. I doubt if people will will willing to watch the three hours of Oppenheimer in sixty 60 years, or even in ten, unless they're already unconscious.

Good cinema, like good literature must show character development, challenges and changes. Granted Oppenheimer did face challenges, but Cillian Murphey's expression, tone and expression never changed. Maybe it's because his facial skin had been stretched too tightly...

I was surprised to discover that Emily Blunt was the actress who played Kitty Oppenheimer, because, at least to me, she was unrecognizable and looked miserable. Kitty was a very poorly written character, which makes little sense. Do you consider that good acting for an attractive actress who did such a great job as in The Devil Wears Prada?

The only aspect of the movie that impressed me was the visual at times, so I would have nominated them for the Academy Award for  "Special Affects." Not only didn't they win it, but they weren't even nominated for that category.

If you're thinking of seeing Oppenheimer, think again. It's not worth three hours of your life. For me the test of what's a great movie is answering "yes" to the question: 

"Would you like to see this movie another few times for enjoyment?"

Hearing Aids Report #6 Two Years Later-- A Few Tips and HUMOR 😅😊

You may find it helpful to read my previous articles about life with hearing aids, updates #1,  #2, #3, #4, #5, plus mask-tying advice for avoiding COVID and loss of expensive hearing aids.

pre-bedtime routine
glasses and hearing aids

It's hard to believe that over two years have passed since I first got my hearing aids. My audiologist had sent me out that day with them in my ears claiming that there's no gradual getting used to them, but to be honest it did take me quite a few months. During those first few months I returned to the clinic for quick visits, help, different size domes etc. Also, I'd go days without wearing them and find them uncomfortable by the end of the day.

I can't say exactly when things changed and wearing them daily until bedtime became routine. Of course, I wasn't under a lot of pressure to rush it, because I do hear, though not perfectly. Generally I don't put them in until I'm leaving home, or if I need the Bluetooth in order to listen to things when I'm not alone.

One of the The best thing about wearing hearing aids is no longer interrupting people with "What?" or "I couldn't hear that."

A few weeks ago I made an appointment at the clinic where I had bought my hearing aids to see if there had been any changes in my hearing. The audiologist who helped me then had be promoted to head a different branch, so I had someone else. She tested my hearing and adjusted the hearing aids to their new requirements. No complaints.

Our healthcare provider gave lots of choice in places to get the hearing aids but first required an exam by an ENT and a proper hearing test. Every three and a half years we, here in Israel, can buy a subsidized pair.

*****

Following are a couple of funny things concerning my life with hearing aids. My hearing may be faulty, but not my sense of humor. What do you think?

Has this happened to anyone else?🙃 Tell me in the comments.

1-I sat down by the computer in the den after being in the kitchen and suddenly realized I didn't have my phone, though I could hear it through the Bluetooth. 

So I went back to the kitchen and looked all over. I couldn't find it. 

My husband decided to be helpful and "dialed" me, but of course that didn't help, since the ring is via Bluetooth. I heard the ring through my hearing aids.

So I took out my hearing aids and opened the battery case to turn off the Bluetooth. 

Suddenly sounds came out of a cabinet. Yes, I had placed my phone in a kitchen cabinet. I took it out,  turned my hearing aids back on and returned them to my ears.😉

2-One morning my phone refused to make any sounds. I tried everything, turned it off. Restart didn't help. I psyched myself up to prepare for a trip to someone for repairs. 

Before leaving, I took my hearing aids to insert in my ears and... discovered that I hadn't turned them off before going to sleep. There wasn't anything wrong with my telephone's sound. The sound had been going into the hearing aids which had been in their box. The only thing I hadn't tried was to turn off the Bluetooth. 😏

Women's Rosh Chodesh Adar 2 Prayers at Tel Shiloh

Ladies, join us at Tel Shiloh, Shiloh Hakeduma on the 1st of Adar Bet, Monday March 11 at 8:30am.

Besides our Women's Prayers, there are many other things to do at the beautiful well developed archeological site at Tel Shiloh. This is the actual, proven, location where the Biblical Chana prayed for a son and the Mishkan, Tabernacle stood welcoming Jews for prayers for close to four hundred 400 years. 

For more information 02-578-9111, visit@telshilo.org.il and a-shiloh.co.il.