Shapiro's Purim Beer

 

My neighbor mentioned to me that she had received a couple of beers among the Mishloach Manot-Purim Food Gifts and wanted to know if I was interested in receiving them. She's not a beer drinker. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, as they say, so I didn't ask for details, just said "yes, thankyou." 

This morning she brought them to me, and one had me almost jumping for joy-- Shapiro Purim Pale Ale. Maybe some of you remember that I wrote about the Shapiro IPA seven, yes, 7 years ago. Over the years, my taste buds have changed, and now I prefer a good IPA to wine. Once she saw how enthusiastic I was about it being a Shapiro Beer, she was happy to join me drinking it.

She was even impressed that I knew how to pour beer... then I checked the aroma. Lovely fruity, natural fruit for sure. And it tasted wonderful. Even my non-beerdrinking neighbor liked it. 

Just one thing to mention... The bottle says it's a 5% alcohol beer, contrary to what I read on the Shapiro site, but that's OK, especially in the morning. During a war, it's especially nice to find small treats, like a good Israeli IPA. Thanks, Shapiro...

Real Life Under Fire

A local shelter, I waited in a couple of times

I thought I could write a Baile Rochel about real life under fire, but although I do find some humor, it's just too serious a situation. I planned a Baile Rochel before Israelis were murdered, but now... I can't ignore the tragedies, even when I can mock/satirize what is ironically enjoyable. ... it's not that life has been dull, but...

This isn't in Shiloh, but I did
visit it. Some people spend the
night in their local shelter, so
they don't have to wake up and run
to safety. Especially those with young  
children.

No doubt you're aware that I live in Israel, so you must be aware that we're under attack. Iran has been launching dangerous rockets at Israel, destroying homes and murdering innocent Israelis. Many Israelis have been injured, too. 

Some have been injured trying to get to shelter. One old man even died on his way to safety. Most Israelis don't have convenient shelters in or near their homes. We're among them, unfortunately, but I'm so grateful that we had our house built extraordinarily well insulated with stronger walls and foundations than standard. There are a few spots, away from windows, where my husband and I feel safe, certainly safer than we'd be going to a neighborhood shelter.

On Shabbat, just hours after the war began, as I was walking to a Torah class, suddenly a neighbor called out that there had been an alert. She's the mother of young children and used the emergency situation to turn on her phone. I was just a few steps from the shelter pictured at the top of the post, so I walked in. One entered with a bottle of whiskey, so of course I requested some-- which he happily poured for me. By the time it was affirmed that there had been an "all clear," lots of other neighbors had entered, and we had a lovely time together. 

Once it was permitted, I continued on my way to the class. The neighbor who had agreed to give it was surprised that we had shown up and were waiting for him. When it was over, there was another alert. That gave me ten minutes to return to the shelter I had been in previously. No whiskey that time, but great company. After the all clear, I walked home.

True story, Shushan Purim Sameach

Rosh Chodesh Adar Soon-- No Joke!

It's said that the month of Adar increases joy. One can look at it as the tail end of winter, and we're very ready for the warmth of spring and tapering off of rain. There's also the fact that the Purim holiday is in the middle of Adar, and it celebrates Gd's love for the Jewish People, His miracles against all odds, even in the Diaspora.

Rosh Chodesh Adar 5783 (2023) is actually two days, the 30th of Shevat and the 1st of Adar. Our Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Tel Shiloh will, Gd willing, be Tuesday February 21, 2023, 8:30am.

תפילת נשים ראש חודש אדר בע"ה יהיה יום ג' 21\02\2023 ל' שבט תשפ"ג ב8:30 בשילה הקדומה

You're invited to join us. There's also a lot to see and do in Tel Shiloh where the Biblical Tabernacle was located for close to four hundred 400 years. For more information contact Shiloh Hakeduma 02-5789122, visit@telshilo.org.il.

Corona Lock-down Tips, How I'm Surviving

How are you getting through these challenging times? Corona lock-down isn't all that easy. I'm the type who loves getting out, even if it's a walk around the block. Actually, especially in our rather rural area, in theory I can take a walk. But Gd has decided to continue winter a bit longer.

I had to contort myself to get this photo taken earlier.

Now I'll get off the computer after posting this. Here's my little message and plans:

Even when rain resumes, I'll keep the sun in my mind. It's there, even when hidden. I'll dress as nicely as I can, even though I'm not going out. I plan another walk inside while listening to a class, like yesterday. I'll turn on the heat, so I won't suffer from the cold.

I'll finish Shabbat preparations and take out a cake and challot from the freezer.

Gd willing I'll read another children's book or story or poem at 2pm Israel time.

May Gd give us health and sense of humor to survive these difficult challenging times. I really thank Him for scheduling the corona lock-down after Purim, because all the family came here for Purim.

Purim Coffee, 5779, 2019

Dear departed friends, George and Rosaly Evnine, Z"L x2, gave us this set of stacking mugs sometime after we moved into our house in Shiloh, well over thirty years ago.

I hardly ever use the mugs, because I want to preserve them. But this year, in celebration of Purim and l'ilu'i nishmatam, just a few months after Rosaly died, I drank my coffee in the whole set.

First I started with the feet, the morning after we Shiloh ladies had a pre-Purim dance fest. Then a few days later, on the first day of Purim, remember that here in Shiloh we celebrate double Purim, on a pretty empty stomach after fasting the day before I used the torso. And finally this morning, when there's just one more Megillah reading to go, I'm Gd willing expecting the family for a Purim Seudah and it's Shabbat in less than twelve hours, I need all my brains to get the logistics right, so I'm drinking my coffee from the head.

This mug set perfectly illustrates the Jewish People and State of Israel. We're all together, all one, and we have a sense of humor.

Shushan Purim Sameach!

Have a truly joyous Purim wherever you are!

Starting Purim Early, Dance Fest for Women

Here in Shiloh we celebrate two days of Purim, although our local Chief Rabbi Elchanan Bin-Nun has been consulting with Torah scholars to get a final psak, halachik decision for us to join other ancient Biblical cities in celebrating only Shushan Purim, which is the second day.

After thirty-seven 37 years of a double Purim, it's pretty routine for me. There are advantages, OK only one or two I can think of.

1. We can give our kids a choice about which day they want to come to us, as long as it's a group decision.
2. We get to know the text of Megilat (Scroll of) Ester really well.

When I was young, I'd frequently find myself pulling an overnighter, needing all of that second night to cook for a second feast and mishloach manot, the food gifts one gives out. Now I can't do that, and I don't need to. We do less entertaining, and with just the two of us home, I also give out fewer food gifts.

At one time, I promoted having the second night as the perfect time for a Women's Purim Party. I blogged about one as Baile Rochel, Got That Rhythm! In recent years I haven't even gone to most of the parties, whichever night they had been held. Generally as I'd approach the location, the tsunami-like super-loud music pushed me away. But yesterday (a few days before Purim) was this year's party, and I had promised my friend, who was going to lead Belly Dancing that I'd come. 

My Belly Dancing friend added a few costume additions, so I'd look the part. Sorry, but I'm not posting a full body pose. I had never done that genre of dance, except that one time I wrote about, but did my best to follow. I didn't do too badly, though I was the oldest in the hall, even old enough to be the grandmother of some of the others there. 

Belly Dancing was great fun. Maybe I should convince her to give classes next year. It certainly makes one move every single muscle and parts of the body that in my case had been frozen for decades. 

Now, I'm ready for our two-day Purim Marathon!

Cooking for Two Weeks/Shabbatot, Purim in Shiloh

Ever since our house emptied of kids, and I've had jobs that kept me out in the evenings, or coming home without time to prepare dinner, my Shabbat cooking is for the week.

This week, we'll have very few regular evening meals, between my book club, a grandchild's birthday party and Purim. Here in Shiloh, Purim is a long two day holiday, a third day of food change if you count Ta'anit Ester, The Fast of Esther. We celebrate two days of Purim, so next Friday is also Purim, and Gd willing the kids and grandkids will be coming to eat a festive Purim Lunch. That doesn't leave me much time to prepare for the immediately following Shabbat.

So, I cooked a bit more than usual yesterday of chicken and moussaka/meatloaf (using ground turkey) and froze half of it.

This is in the freezer already, made in a double pan.

The two smaller containers are now frozen for next week. 

I'll have to find time to make side dishes before Shabbat, probably after the Thursday night's Megillah reading, which will be our third out of four.

Many people wonder why we in Shiloh have been instructed by the rabbis to celebrate both days. Other Biblical Cities, like Jerusalem only celebrate the second day, Shushan Purim. But even though we are in the same location, which is agreed by Biblical scholars and archeologists alike, the fact that for centuries Shiloh was deserted probably changes its status. Our local Chief Rabbi Elchanan Bin-Nun, in this year's Purim instructions has stated that although we still must celebrate both days and make the blessings only on the first, we should have strong kavana, spiritual intentions recognizing Shushan Purim as our Purim. Maybe in the near, or more certainly distant, future we in Shiloh will be instructed to drop the first day of Purim and only celebrate on Shushan Purim.

After decades of living in Shiloh, since 1981, we've gotten used to a Two Day Purim. It's certainly a lot easier than having two Pesach Passover S'darim. There are no travel restrictions on Purim, and one can be extremely creative in terms of menu. Having two days for the feast gives a lot of flexibility for family and friends. When we host, we have a choice of days, according to what our children prefer. The most difficult of the Purim logistics is making sure to hear the megillah four times.

Have a Truly Joyous Purim

Chag Purim Same'ach

Purim in Shiloh 5778, 2018

Many years ago, one of my neighbors established a custom of spending part of Purim in the main intersection, providing street theater and entertainment for one and all. Yesterday I managed to photograph him from my perch in the front seat of the bus.

Today is also Purim in Shiloh, but of a more anemic variety.

This Year's Purim Soups, Yes Two 2

I feel best breaking fasts on vegetable soup. The Jewish Calendar has a number of fasts in the year, and one of them is the day before Purim. My custom is to spend the afternoon making soup. That's what I did yesterday afternoon.

Since I no longer have, nor usually need, a supersized pot, I made two pots of soup. Another reason was that I had lentils and peas I wanted to use up. So instead of mixing them into one soup, I made two different ones.

Lentil-Ginger Soup

The Lentil-Ginger Soup ingredients:

lentils
onion
fresh garlic
carrots
sweetpotato
fresh ginger
parsley root and leaves
a spoon or two of vegetable oil
salt to taste, or a just a bit less

Instructions:

• A few hours before I plan on cooking the soup, I put the checked lentils in a pot and add boiling water to cover and then cover the pot.
• Afterwards I cut all the vegetables, add them, except for the parsley leaves, to the lentils, add the oil and some more boiling water. 
• Cover, start cooking on a high flame, then lower it to simmer for at least 45 minutes.
• Add the parsley and salt.
• Cook a few more minutes, and then let it sit covered.

Enjoy!

Simple Pea and Carrot Soup

The  Simple Pea and Carrot Soup Ingredients:

onion
garlic
carrots
squash
parsley
root and leavesvegetable oil
coarse black pepper and salt "to taste"

Instructions:

• A few hours before I plan on cooking the soup, I put the checked peas in a pot and add boiling water to cover and then cover the pot. 
• Afterwards I cut all the vegetables, add them, except for the parsley leaves, to the lentils, add the oil and some more boiling water. 
•  Cover, start cooking on a high flame, then lower it to simmer for at least 45 minutes. 
• Add the parsley and salt. 
• Cook a few more minutes, and then let it sit covered.

Enjoy!

After sampling both soups, I decided to try them mixed/together. 

I hope my neighbors like the soups they'll be getting for mishloach manot, Purim food gifts as much as I did.

Jerusalem Purim, 5777, 2017

This year our kids "spoiled" us. They did the entertaining on Purim, both days, even. So we weren't home much at all. On Shushan Purim, we were in Jerusalem, and even though it was a bit drizzly, London style, there were plenty of people in the streets dressed for the holiday in costumes, or at least funny hats. The trains even had some decals decorating the windows.

Here are some of the pictures I took.

Finally Finished, Purim 5777

In the Ezrat Nashim, Women's Gallery, waiting to hear the fourth and final Megillat Ester reading for 5777.

The most difficult of the Purim logistics for me is figuring out where to hear the required four readings of Megillat Ester, the Scroll of Esther, which we, including women, are commanded to hear twice each Purim Day.  So, since Shiloh is one a very exclusive select number of Biblical cities required for various reasons to celebrate two days, of Purim, I have four Megillah readings to worry about.

The reason that Megillah readings are the most difficult and stressful for me is simply because I can't do it myself. I'm also hypersensitive to noises and too easily distracted. Add those problems to my deteriorating hearing, and I need a "quiet reading." That means a reading in which there isn't noise, or very little noise, when Haman's name is said. And what happens is that there's usually an "echo" effect. The noise somehow gets dragged out another few words. And then I'm lost, miserable and even angry. Yes, I get angry on Purim.

"Why can't people aim their noise-making more accurately?" I keep muttering. "A lot of them are just copycats and start their noise-making when it should be finished."

We are supposed to follow the reading word by word, which is very hard for me. If it was just a matter of attending and tuning out with my eyes closed, I could just find a corner and meditate, but that's not the case. I have discovered that sitting in the back by a wall is helpful. At least the noise can't come from all four directions.

I ended up hearing the Megillah at three different venues, by three different readers. Both nights I went to the same place where a neighbor read according to his "quiet" rules. There was moderate, bearable noise for the first and last readings of Haman's name, plus a bit of additional noise by people who hadn't heard or paid attention to the "rules." Sitting with my back to the wall helped, but I had trouble following the reading. The first morning I went to a different neighbor. The venue was very pleasant, absolutely no loud noises, but not the clearest of readings. So, there, too, I got lost a few times. The final, fourth reading I end up where I had sworn I wouldn't go. Yes, I went to our neighborhood shul, but instead of the women's later reading, I went to the early morning one. The noise wasn't all that bad, and I sat in the back of the Ezrat Nashim, Women's Gallery. And in the synagogue there was the best reading. It was very easy to follow and understand every word he said, B"H.

On Purim I certainly had enough to eat at the two festive meals. And it was great fun to see all of my grandchildren and be a guest after decades of hosting, though I did offer to host this year and even host next year.

It's good that the more drizzly day was the second day, aka Shushan Purim. The Shiloh Purim Street Festival takes place on "regular" Purim.

Now there's just a month to Passover. EEKS!

Purim "Street Festival" in Shiloh!

The Purim 5777 me, a selfie

For decades it has been the custom for a "Street Festival" in my Shiloh neighborhood. One of the neighbors chooses a "theme" or sorts, dresses up and has a very cooperative cast, crew and enthusiastic audience. People make a point of getting to the location to see and participate in "the show."

This happens every year on the first day of Purim. "First day?" You may be wondering, because in almost every other location Purim is just one day. Some cities, like Jerusalem, celebrate a day later, but here in Shiloh one day just isn't enough... for various halachick (Jewish Law) reasons, we're blessed with a second day of Purim. Yes, that means, two seudot-festive meals and four megilla readings.

There are advantages, because it does give the opportunity for young marrieds to get to both sides of the family on Purim. My daughter used to go to her mother-in-law the first day and then we'd make a big gathering/feast on the second.

Here are some photos from Shiloh Purim, 5777.

May we all enjoy many, many more, Gd willing.

Purim Gifts- Mishloach Manot

This is the clever a perfect sort of Mishloach Manot I can never come up with. I got it as a gift from a fellow teacher where I work. And not only was it cute, attractive and delicious, it was the perfect lunch last Wednesday when I didn't want to eat in the yeshiva's Dining Room.

• 2 low fat plain yogurts
• a small bag of perfect strawberries 
• a jar of irresistible granola
• packed in a lovely Purim gift bag

Yes, I know that it wasn't yet Purim on Wednesday. That's pretty obvious since I studied and taught then. It was a very long day for sure. But since it wasn't Purim, the Mishloach Manot was more symbolic than anything, and the strawberries wouldn't have lasted another few days...

Usually I do eat lunch in the yeshiva dining room on Wednesdays, but last week I was very upset with the menu. In the tradition of the Jewish Month of Adar, leading to Purim there was a "reversal." The meat meal this month is at night for dinner, not for lunch. And the week before I was very upset to discover that the menu was mostly carbohydrates, except for the salads. And there was no protein. For me that's not a meal. I don't eat carbs, and salads aren't very satisfying.

Since I generally sleep out on Tuesday nights, I can't bring lunch with me on Wednesday. I was overjoyed to have received this gorgeous gift. Yes, I know that granola is very fattening, but the yogurt is a nice protein. I was starving and ate it. For me it was a more balanced and satisfying meal than I would have gotten in the dining room.

Purim and the Mishloach Manot

This morning I've been busy getting all the Mishloach Manot, those special food packages we give to friends, family and neighbors on Purim. I did the cooking/baking yesterday and last night and the night before.

Yes, that's me in a Purim wig!

I hope people like what I've prepared. Not everyone gets everything, but there are two types of vegetable soup, cookies, challah, wine, juice, beer and miscellaneous that I receive and then give away again. A lot of food gets redistributed, sort of and lehavdil,  like the classic "hot potato" song game.

What's your favorite to give and receive?