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. 

A Couple of Sips From a Recent Beer Tasting

A few weeks ago, I decided to buy myself a couple of bottles of Israeli craft beer, but it had to be really good beer. My favorite brewery is Shapiro, but if I'm buying it has to be one of my favorites of theirs, their IPA or Jack's Winter Ale. I walked down Rechov Agrippas, Jerusalem, which has some liquor stores with beer. The first one had some Shapiro, but not those particular ones, and the same at the second shop. But in the second the salesman asked me what I was looking for, so I told him. 

First he tried to interest me in Shapiro's newest beer, pineapple and mango flavored. Ever since I tasted the awful artificial fruit flavored beers at the 2019 Jerusalem Beer Festival, I suffer a sort of PTS when people mention fruit flavored beer. As an amateur beer taster, I can't refuse when offered some, which I told the salesman, but there's no way I'd buy a bottle of an unknown beer.

One thing thing I didn't tell him was that I was scheduled to attend a beer tasting the following evening and suspected that this new Shapiro beer would be on the tasting menu. I had guessed correctly! And I must say that Shapiro has done a fantastic job with natural fruit flavored beer. 

Farm to Bottle Pineapple Mango's a rich golden color with pleasant fruity aroma, hints of the mango and pineapple. Nothing artificial. We agreed that it's more a summer than a winter drink. I'd add it to the list of beers for those who don't like beer. Personally I'd prefer drinking it to white wines. So if you have a chance to buy some, go for it.

As you can see from the display of bottles behind us tasters, we sampled quite a few beers that evening. We ended with Barrel Aged Saison from Shevet, another good Israeli craft brewery. 

This aged saison beer was another hit. Lovely golden hue, rich aroma, fruity, honey, plus some spice. Due to the fact that it's bottled in a wine-sized bottle, it should be served socially, like wine. I'd also prefer this Shevet beer to white wine. 

Israeli wines and even a local whiskey win international awards, and I'm pretty sure that our craft beers will be bringing home trophies, too.

Endives, Recipes Raw and Cooked

I recently blogged that I had volunteered packing mushrooms and cauliflower for sale at Chavat Tekoa, the Tekoa Farm. As a thank you gift, we had been given a bag of endives. Now, to be completely honest, I hadn't a clue as to what endives are or how to serve/prepare them.

From the photo you can't see the size, so I must tell you they're relatively small, about the size of a skinny hand. While working with them, it occurred to me that they're similar to Chinese cabbage, which I haven't seen for decades. There's even a similar texture and taste.

Back to business...

I googled endives and found a variety of recipes, cooked and raw, plus some warnings. I even asked friends, who also warned... that they're bitter. Honestly, I didn't find them bitter at all. 

I used the recipes I saw as "inspiration." I almost never follow recipes exactly. 

Ingredients:

sliced onion

cut the endives lengthwise

apple sliced

olive oil and dehydrated dill

Bake 150c until it "looks cooked."

Our guests all enjoyed eating the endives, so I consider it a success. The reason for the apple was that I thought it would be nice contrast to the sharp/bitter endives.

You can use the same ingredients raw with less onion, or just add it to a salad. Actually, that's what I did. It was delicious.

The War Effort Volunteering in Agriculture

Yes, that's me. I asked one of 
my fellow volunteers to 
photograph me

I finally had an east logistics opportunity to volunteer for the war effort. Our regional council, like an American county, Mateh Binyamin arranged for senior citizens, new and veteran immigrants to Israel to volunteer in the "packing house" of Tekoa, best known for its top quality mushrooms. 

Actually Chavat Tekoa was established by my neighbors' sons, who still own it.

I packaged mushrooms, then cauliflower so that they could be sold. It was important for me to do a really good job. It looks like it'll be a weekly event, but I won't be able to go. Wednesday is the day I study in Matan. Last week was the semester break, so I was really lucky to have such an opportunity.

Rosh Chodesh Adar I Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh

Ladies, join us rain or shine at Tel Shiloh to pray together on Rosh Chodesh Adar Alef. If you'd like to visit the Tel, Ancient Shiloh, Shiloh Hakeduma, after the prayers, there's plenty to do. 

For more information contact 02-578-9111 or visit@telshilo.org.il.

נשים מוזמנות להתפלל אתנו בראש חודש אדר א בשילה הקדומה לא חשוב מה המזג אוויר. אם אתן רוצות לבקר בתל שילה אחרי התפילה, יש הרבה  מה לעשות שם. 

visit@telshilo.org.il.לפרטים  02-578-9111  או

 

Shiloh is Quiet, But War Stress Still Strong

For over three months Israel has been fighting for its very survival against Hamas, such a cruel terrorist army/people that makes the Nazis look almost kind. 

We haven't heard any sirens. In Shiloh, we don't have to run into shelters; actually we don't have any. Newer homes were build with shelters, and some people who enlarged their older homes now have shelters, too. But in my neighborhood, there are few; certainly none that we can reach within a minute or so.

I stick to my routine of taking a nice morning walk, weather permitting, of course.

And I photograph what I see, afterwards making a collage on the phone's photo-editing app.

I try to keep myself sane. Staying home listening to the news isn't healthy. I'm trying to study even more Tanach/Bible than before. In addition I've been crocheting and going to a mosaics class.

Many neighbors of all ages are serving in the army and local security, family, too. Prayers for all. Just trying to stay sane and healthy. How are you coping?