B"H, Blue Sky Has Returned!

actual color, not sepia
photo taken early in the dust-storm 

Israel generally has the most boring summer (from April to October, sometimes interrupted in May-June by a couple of short desert sandstorms) weather which varies between hot and hotter, and the sky stays sky blue for months on end, but this year was different. For the last week or two we've been suffering from a long, almost never-ending unseasonable and unprecedented sandstorm.

For those with all sorts of health problems, especially connected to lungs, like asthma, this has been very trying times and dangerous, too. The only thing to do was to stay in air-conditioned buildings and keep all windows closed. Even awful housekeepers like myself have been continuously dusting. The fine sand has even snuck into closets and no doubt lungs, too. And for those of us who hang our laundry outside to dry, this has been a time of minimal clothes-washing, because wet clothes particularly attract the dust and sand.

I was going to do a lot of wash yesterday, as I usually do on Tzom Gedalia while fasting and staying home, but the air was still pretty dirty, although the forecasters had been predicting that it would end for days if not longer. I had decided that dust, sand or not, I had no choice but to launder today, even if it meant hanging laundry to dry all over the house.

But miracle of miracle, finally this morning the sky is clear and blue!! Thank Gd!!!!

Cooking Up a Storm, Healthy Traditional Jewish Food

I haven't posted recipes for quite a while. Every time I cook it seems like I'm making some new version of old favorites. So, in some ways my food is all the same, but in many ways it's different.

This year's tzimmes has most of the usual ingredients, but is lighter than many:

Tzimmis ingredients, all cut, before adding water, to almost cover.

Relative quantities aren't that important:

• prunes
• raisins
• carrots
• sweet potatoes
• apple
• cinnamon
• nutmeg
• fresh ginger root
• dark brown sugar
• water to almost cover

Cook it all on low flame in covered pot until soft. Yes, that's it.

With my very flexible and simple basic cake, I made an Apple-Fig Upsidedown Cake for Rosh Hashanah! Here's the simple one-bowl recipe. 

This is the basis for all sorts of cakes, including chocolate, apple, chocolate chip, etc. It can be multiplied, and I never make it with less than 3 cups of flour. Of course, it can be frozen and iced. I make it with whole wheat cake flour and brown sugar.
1 cup flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 t baking powder
1/6 cup oil (soy)
1/2 cup water
1 egg
1 t vanilla
mix dry ingredients
add oil and water
mix
add eggs
mix
pour in pan
bake medium heat* 
until pops up when gently pressed in center of cake

This time I added cinnamon and nutmeg to the batter instead of vanilla.

On the bottom of the cake pan I put sliced apples and fig "jam." Then I poured on the batter and baked. It was a great success.

I also made Apple Cake with the same batter. I diced up some apple and placed the pieces in the cakepan. Then I poured in the batter and mixed.

They all baked up beautifully. It's very easy! I froze the apple cake and two little ones I made with the batter for later eating.

Cooking does not have to be difficult and stressful. I find that having simple basic recipes that can be varied is the best way to cook and enjoy myself. I can be creative and not get all hysterical and OCD over finding exactly the "right" ingredients. I base my cooking on what I have and what is easily available and reasonably priced. 

*My oven does not have regular temperatures, and I just "know" where the dial should be. For baking a cake I set the dial at just after 5 o'clock, if that helps you.  If the top seems cooked, while the batter is still watery, lower the heat.

Gmar Chatima Tova, Next Week is...

I feel so relieved that this Rosh Hashannah is over. Getting ready for it was pretty stressful for me, but once it began, it was truly wonderful. I enjoyed the dovening in our shul, and also the main Shiloh Synagogue modeled after the Biblical Tabernacle. And I enjoyed the neighbors we ate with, in their homes and ours. It really was a pleasure spiritually and socially and everything.

my homemade challah
bli neder, I'll post about the special foods I made

Of course, I ate too much. But tomorrow is Tzom Gedalya, which is a fast day, dawn to darkness. And next week is already Yom Kippur. That's a bit hard to get used to. We had Rosh Hashannah right after Shabbat, less than 24 hours after Shabbat ended we were already lighting the Holy Day candles. And by the time we break the Tzom Gedaliah fast, we have to start preparing for Shabbat. So, yes, the fall Jewish Holiday Marathon has begun!

Yes, I know that it's more complicated out of Israel. In Israel, the Jewish Holidays are National Holidays, so we aren't missing work and school. Jews out of Israel are supposed to observe an extra day of "yomtov," which means that they have even more Jewish Holidays than we do. And they are in countries that do not celebrate Jewish Holidays. They frequently find that pretty much all or most of their paid vacation days go to celebrate Jewish Holidays.

In Israel Friday has become a day off or a half day for many. I work in a store and we close it early enough for everyone not only to get home, but to do a lot of the pre-Shabbat or pre-holiday preparations.  To me that's more important than a "sunday." I want my Shabbat to be a Shabbat and cannot imagine how to get everything done if you're rushing home barely in time to light candles.

Enjoy the Holy Days!! And have an easy fast, if you're fasting.

For a Very Healthy and Happy 5776!

The new Jewish Year is about to debut in a few hours. This year's model "head" has been posing very cooperatively for me, and I'd like to post some of the photos.

Yes, I don't use animal heads, neither fish, fowl or mammal. For twenty-five 25 years I was a vegetarian and during that time I came up with the idea of a Fruit Head. It's healthy, edible and creative which should be what a good head/year will bring us.

Gd willing we should be a head and not a tail!

You can vote for which version you like best. Have a Wonderful Blessed Year everyone!!!

Chag Sameach

Gmar Chatima Tovah

Tefillat Chana, 5775, Shiloh Hakeduma

Cross-posted on Shiloh Musings 

Thousands of females, ok, the percentage of those past their teens was lower than usual, braved the raging sandstorm on Wednesday to attend the annual Tefillat Chana at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh. For many it was their first visit to the popular holy site. I found myself answering a lot of questions, as if I was wearing a sign on my backing saying:

I live here; I'm your unofficial expert re: Tel Shiloh. Just Ask!

Honestly, I wasn't. But of course I answered as well as I could. I used to give tours of the Tel on rare occasions. And as you probably know, I go to doven at the Tel on Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the Jewish Month with some friends. I started that as a reaction to the mobs fighting to get space in Kever Rachel, Rachel's Tomb. Shiloh was the location of the Mishkan, the Tabernacle which was the forerunner of the Holy Temple. The Jewish People carried it throughout the wandering in the desert/wilderness after the exodus from Egypt, and then when they entered the Land of Israel, it was brought to Shiloh and set up here for worship. That period, when Shiloh was the religious and administrative Capital of the Jewish Nation lasted for 369 years.

The holiness never left Shiloh, even when the Tabernacle was no longer.

It was wonderful seeing all those women, young and old, walking, praying, learning, exploring and experiencing the event. Here are some of my pictures:

Yes, there were men around who had jobs to do. Here some are dovening mincha, praying the afternoon prayer.

Shani Taragin at Shiloh Hakeduma,
Tel Shiloh, at the Tefilat Chana 

And this year there was a talk in English by the well-known, popular Tanach/Bible Teacher, Shani Taragin, which was greatly appreciated. She gave a riveting talk. There were problems with the lighting so the photo didn't come out well. And as in previous years, the Rabbanit Yemima Mizrachi also spoke.

Afterwards there was a musical performance, but I didn't stay.

As you can see from the pictures, everyone had a wonderful time.

Greetings for the New Jewish Year, 5776!

Gd willing this new upcoming year will be a wonderful one for all of you and the Jewish People and the State of Israel and thereby the entire world.

May the people in power be gifted with true wisdom, both the politicians and the media...

May we all learn how to put things in the right proportions and not get all hassled by irrelevant stuff.

May procrastination and overeating be a thing of the past...

I hope you like my "Fruit Heads," I put one together every year instead of serving a fish head or sheep head or whatever most other people do for Rosh Shanna. These fruit heads are from previous years; it's too early to do one for this year. I wait until the last minute, so it will stay fresh and perky throughout the two day Holiday. 

There's the growing tradition to make up lots of punned blessings to expand on the classics:

• יהי רצון Be a head not a tail. (Said over the "head" on the table.)
• יהי רצון Have a sweet year, (Said over the apple dipped in honey.) 

What are your favorites or new ones? I invented a new one for this year:

• יהי רצון that we learn to grin and "beer" it. 

Yes, I bought some beer for that one!

Serving Beer at the Amber Beer Tasting at Doug's. Photo by Mike Horton

Shanna Tovah uMetukah!

Have a Good and Sweet Year!!

Energy Sapping Weather- Challah Kneading to the Rescue!

This sand/dust storm has been awful.

This is not sepia colored. This is what really was outside on Tuesday morning during the dust/sandstorm.

My schedule has been busy enough, but oxygen isn't reaching the brain. It's not enough just to drink water. People with lung and breathing problems should be closed up inside airconditioned buildings.

On Tuesday my mind went blank, and I called a neighbor by the name of her daughter. Within a minute I found hers, but it was spooky. And then on the train (Jerusalem lightrail) the woman sitting next to me went into a panic and began asking why we were riding on the tracks. She called the security guy who had just gotten on. And then suddenly she realized that we were on the train. The driver was right there in front of us. I told her that it was because the sand/dust is fogging our brains.

The next day, Wednesday, I could barely get myself to function. Ok I must reveal that we do not have airconditioning and things might have been better if we did. I have so much to do before Shabbat and Rosh Hashannah. By early afternoon I finally got moving on challah baking. Of course, first I had to look up my recipe on the internet, since I couldn't remember where it was or if it was written on paper.

At first I worked rather mechanically, and then I remembered that challah-baking is supposed to be full of blessings, so I thought of my children and grandchildren and blessed them while kneading the dough. I actually began to feel better. And the challot ended up looking gorgeous, if I do say so myself.

After putting them and the unused dough in the freezer, I went, yes walked, down to Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh, for Tefillat Chana, which was wonderful.

But more on that at a later time. I'm busy today, very busy.

The Blind Angel, Book Review, Enjoyed!

I'm finally catching up on my book review and "fun" reading. There's still quite a pile between books sent to me, books given to me and a book for the book club I'm in. I must admit that I'll miss The Blind Angel by Tovia Halberstam & Joshua Halberstam, which has been a very enjoyable read, actually much better than I could have predicted.

For twenty-five years Rabbi Tovia Halberstam, a scion of the leading Chassidic dynasties, told these riveting tales to an audience of thousands on Yiddish radio in New York. His son, Joshua Halberstam, has translated these tales into a contemporary English that addresses a modern sensibility while maintaining the full charm and authenticity of the original tales.

In all honesty, I'm not the Chassidic Tales type, though I do love a well-crafted story with moral. Some of the stories here were new to me, while others are old favorites. It's hard to give a "favorite story." Each one had something special about it. Nobody was too goody-goody, and nobody seemed all that evil. Just like real life, many people found themselves in unexpected situations. The Chassidic Tale genre generally has a moral and happy ending with some plot twists.

The Blind Angel by Tovia Halberstam & Joshua Halberstam is the perfect book for those who like the genre and need to retell such stories for lessons or as part of speeches. I like books that can be put down and then picked up without having to remember the previous plot and narrative. It's great for those who have little time or short attention spans. And it would make a great gift for others and yourself, too.

Ladies, Live The Dream!

Har Habayit, The Temple Mount

As far as I'm concerned we're all living in a very special time of Biblical significance. Hadn't the Jewish People been dreaming of a return to the Land of Israel and Jewish Sovereignty for thousands of years?

Shiloh Hakeduma
Tefillat Chana

The Jewish State has come back to life, and mass influxes of Jews to the Holy Land have been happening for close to a century. I personally have memories of miracles of Biblical proportions, the 1967 Six Days War, the 1973 Yom Kippur War and other amazing Israeli victories and impossible, though true stories of Jewish survival.

Shiloh HakedumaTefillat Chana

Since 1967 some of Judaism's holiest places are now in our hands and still easily accessible. One of them is Shiloh, yes where I live. Shiloh was Judaism's first religious and administrative capital, yes before Jerusalem. The Holy Mishkan, Tabernacle stood here for 369 years.  It was the center of Jewish Prayer, personal and national. Today's Jewish Laws of Prayer were formulated on how Chana prayed in Shiloh for a son. That son was born, Shmuel Hanavi, Samuel the Prophet. Today women can come to the very location where Chana prayed so successfully and pray for whatever is important, whatever they need. There's no reason to travel to Uman or to fight over the limited space in Kever Rachel (Tomb) when Shiloh is so large and the air so inviting.

Shiloh HakedumaTefillat Chana

In Shiloh we feel the holiness all around and don't have to touch stones or tombs.

One can come to  the holy site of Shiloh Hakeduma, Ancient Shiloh almost anytime. Guided tours can be arranged through the Shiloh HaKeduma, Ancient Shiloh office. Email visit@telshilo.org.il or phone 02-994-4019.

I organize Women's Rosh Chodesh (first of the Jewish Month) Prayers, and the there is also a very impressive and enjoyable, Tefillat Chana, Hanna's Prayer, an afternoon/evening of special activities for women and teenage girls.

It will be this Wednesday. Information is on the poster.

Shiloh Hakeduma, Tefillat Chana

Dreams and Fantasies for 52Frames

You probably know that I'm not a fiction writer, and I live my dream here in Israel, so this week's 52Frames theme,  Dreams and Fantasies, was almost impossible for me. Yes, I wrote almost. Admittedly, I came up with a quick, last minute, not very aesthetically pleasing photo, but it does fit the bill. It's definitely a "dream and fantasy" to instantly and painlessly lose weight.

So I turned this photo:

into this one:

Yes, it's  self-portrait. I was in such a rush I didn't even check to see how I looked, nor put on lipstick.

45 Years as Israelis!!!

Last night, September 5, after Shabbat was the non-Jewish date marking forty-five 45 years since my husband and I docked at Haifa Port on the Greek Lines Anna-Maria and became Israelis. There were over four hundred 400 other olim chadashim, new immigrants on the ship. We got full citizenship close to three years later, but that's a minor detail.

By using the date converter on the internet, I've discovered that we missed out on the Jewish anniversary of our aliyah by a couple of weeks.

Saturday night, the 5th of September 1970 = 5th of Elul, 5730 ה׳ בֶּאֱלוּל תש״ל

But considering that the move is something I have never regretted and celebrate daily, the exact Jewish date is not that important.

soon after arriving in Israel

My husband and I were young and admittedly immature when we got married announcing to all that we were not staying in the USA for long, but it was the wisest decision we could have made.

We first lived in the Maon Betar in the Old City of Jerusalem, before the area was called the "Jewish Quarter." There were very few Jews there besides those in Yeshivat Hakotel and NaChaL Moriah.

When our first child was born we moved to the Bayit Vegan neighborhood of Jerusalem to an apartment we had bought. In the mid-1970's we went on shlichut to do Zionist youth work in London with our then two daughters and returned home with a third.

On September 1, 1981, with four children including a newborn son, we moved to Shiloh. Just over two years later, our second son was born, and we still live in Shiloh. We've seen Shiloh, its school and the entire area around it grow and thrive over the decades. It feels very natural that I've spent more than half my life living in Shiloh, and so has my husband. What does feel strange is that we are now considered the "elderly" of the community. I really don't feel that old.

I have found a couple of other people who were on that ship with us and would love to find more. It would be amazing to have a reunion.

Dilemma, What to do About the Jewish Blog Carnivals?

I have trouble letting go...

For the past few years, I've pretty much been the defacto "coordinator" of the veteran Jewish blog carnival, Havel Havelim. It was started by Soccer Dad possibly in 2004 or earlier. I'm not sure exactly. In its heyday it came out weekly and was hosted by a wide variety of Jewish bloggers all over the world. After a few years, Soccer Dad passed the baton on to someone named Jack, and when Jack had enough, it was rescued by Esser Agaroth who set up the facebook page, and I somehow found myself holding it together and doing most of the hosting of late. I just wonder if anyone would mind or even notice if I'd stop cold turkey. Almost nobody sends me links to posts. I just include whatever blogs I like and rarely get thanks. I don't do it for the thanks, but there was a time when bloggers were happy to be included, which is rare now. The other day I posted a question, my thoughts about this on the facebook page, and it was totally ignored. This is it:

There seems to be less and less interest in Havel Havalim. Sometimes I wonder if I should just let it die out. But I'm not willing to do that yet. Since I've been the only host of late, I'll post when convenient for myself. With the Jewish Holidays getting sooner and sooner, that means that every week isn't realistic. So unless there are volunteers to host, HH will appear at my convenience. Like many bloggers I like the idea a a periodic post featuring links from other blogs. I'll keep the name Havel Havelim.
You'll be included if you send me links, besides the blogs I choose. So please send in your links from the past week to shilohmuse@gmail.com HH as subject and a blurb would be appreciated, thanks.
If you're willing to host, just let me know, thanks.You'll be included if you send me links, besides the blogs I choose. So please send in your links from the past week to shilohmuse@gmail.com HH as subject and a blurb would be appreciated, thanks.If you're willing to host, just let me know, thanks.

I did tag members of the group. One person sent me a link for the next Havel Havelim. Click here to see the one I posted last week.

And besides Havel Havelim, a number of years ago I began another blog carnival, the Kosher Cooking Carnival when a post I had submitted to a general blog carnival had been rejected, because that week/month they were only accepting those for ham. KCC is a monthly carnival which is supposed to appear around Rosh Chodesh. It, too, has lost its following, or food bloggers aren't interested in the community of a blog carnival. I've been combining it with Havel Havelim.

I'm not calling it quits. I think I'll just do periodic posts which are links from other Jewish blogs about everything, including the kitchen sink. And if you'd like to be included or see a post that should be included about any Jewish or Israeli issues, including kosher recipes and reviews of kosher restaurants and cookbooks, please send them to me, thanks.