A crafty New Year

September 25, 2011 by · 2 Comments
Filed under: Art, Blogging, design, Food, History and Culture, Holidays, Immigrant Moments, Israeliness, Life 

I’m thinking that the impending holiday has to be about more than the fact that my husband is leaving for two weeks to work as a baal tefillah at a synagogue in Toronto — read, vacation money, new furniture funds and maybe some put into savings — the food that has to be cooked for three days of chag and the mountain of dishes that will be washed. (Although there are some good recipes in there.)

And so, I’ve been inspired by a gan tradition that I had to fulfill, which was that we had to make cards to be given to our boys this week. It happens in schools and ganim throughout the country before Rosh Hashanah, but this was a first for me. So I first thought about easy ways to fulfill it; scribble something on a paper, print out a coloring page and use that. But then I warmed to the idea and came across all these momblogs that are just filled with crafty ideas, some cool, some kitchy. I finally settled on this one, from ChallahCrumbs, Thumbprint Bees for their RH cards, using just black construction paper, yellow fingerpaint and a white crayon. The idea was really adorable, just that my yellow paint ended up drying invisibly on the black paper and I had to use yellow crayons to outline the bees. No matter, it’s the thought that counts, right?

Even thought the thumbprint bees weren’t a total success, we had a great time today with Playdoh and a new Fun Factory, so much so that I’m thinking of embarking on another project tomorrow, Wine Cork Stamp Rosh Hashanah cards from creativejewishmom, in which you use wine corks and a red stamppad to create really sweet apple stencil cards, napkins, gift tags, what have you.

I can’t promise what will come out of all that, but I’m willing to give it a try. Finally, I’ll also be creating a non-dairy frosting for very sweet apple-shaped cupcakes. I already made these a week ago, using a lime cupcake base — gotta use all the limes from our tree — and a readymade frosting with red food coloring. But, have to think non-dairy for some big meat meals, so will probably be using this frosting recipe. Still, I can tell you that the cupcakes are a hit and there’s something very satisfying about creating such a finished looking product.

How’s them apples?

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Nostalgia Sunday – Shana Tova!

September 25, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Art, design, General, History and Culture, Holidays, Israeliness, Life, Nostalgia Sunday, Pop Culture 

Sometime during the early 1970s, the Jewish National Fund – Keren Kayemet l’Yisrael, issued a series of postcards in honor of the Jewish New Year. I came into possession of a pristine set some years ago and was charmed by the illustrations. (Click image to view full-sized).

The pictures, it turns out, are by Brigitta Brandeis, who illustrated other Jewish children’s books as well. I suspect this one is something of a self-portrait…

The tower, a symbol of Jewish settlement, in particular the communal kibbutz, is a recurring motif in this series.

The message on the back of the postcard reads: “Making the desert bloom and bettering the Land of Israel’s surroundings”. On the front, of course, it reads “Happy New Year” — which is what we wish all of our Israelity friends. May it be a sweet one, filled with health and happiness. Shana Tova!

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Foto Friday – New Year’s Pomegranates

September 23, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Art, design, Food, Foto Friday, General, Holidays, Picture of the Week, Profiles 

Along with apples and honey, the pomegranate, as a symbol of fertility and rebirth, is also a symbol of the new year. These particular pomegranates are unique in that they’re made of marzipan. Yes, marzipan. But in the hands of an artist like award winning pastry chef Judith “Yud” Zer-Aviv that malleable sugary almond paste is, well, just like clay in the hands of a creator. (Click on image to see full-sized).

Zer-Aviv — who was profiled last year in Israelity for her tasteful and tasty marzipan Fendi hats — recently posted an arresting set of photographs on Facebook. Entitled,”Make Pomegranates for the New Year”, it’s provides step-by-step instructions on making these decorative and delicious fake fruits, starting with a small ball of paste, pierced with a toothpick…

A few steps later, it begins to take shape…

There are several stages to getting the right effect with food coloring…

There are also instructions on how to make and attach the leaves and stems. Follow them, one by one, and voila! There are your marzipan pomegranates!

Visit Yud’s Facebook page for full instrucions or just enjoy the pictures. And as the new year begins, remember, you’re never too old for marzipan.

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Athens, Georgia via Tel Aviv – REM says goodbye

September 22, 2011 by · 4 Comments
Filed under: A New Reality, Entertainment, General, Holidays, Life, Music, Pop Culture, Travel 

REM's Michael Stipe and Radiohead's Thom Yorke in Ramat Gan comparing hummus joints.

The news that famed American rock band REM had decided to disband after 31 years may not seem have much relevance for Israelis, but the relationship between the band, and especially its enigmatic singer/lyricist Michael Stipe, and our Middle East abode was full of affection.

The Athens, Georgia indie rock pioneers only performed here once as far as I can tell – in 1995 in Ramat Gan with opening honors provided by none other than Radiohead (a dream matchup). But Stipe evidently is very fond of Tel Aviv, its ambiance and nightlife.
He’s been sighted more than once on vacation on his own in the city and I remember reading an interview with him in which he revealed that he had written a song (wish I could remember which one) while sitting on the terrace of his Tel Aviv hotel room and staring out at the Mediterranean Sea.

Tel Aviv also provided the inspiration for another REM song – “Disappear” from the album Reveal, which name dropped the city.

‘I was at a rave in Tel Aviv,” Stipe told an interviewer in 2001. “ It was four in the morning, I was next to the sea, it was beautiful, 2,000 people jumping up and down, lights, the whole thing. And there I am. And this kid came up to me and he said, “What are YOU doing here?” ‘ Stipe laughs, acknowledging the incongruity of the situation. ‘And I said, “I came to disappear.” ‘

With one of the greatest bands in the world finally laying down its arms, hopefully Stipe will have more time to disappear into our culture and soak up the Tel Aviv sun.

This is one of the most scintillating songs REM created, and I offer this clip – their first US nationally televised appearance in 1983 – here as a tribute:

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Honey costs

September 21, 2011 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Business, Food, General, History and Culture, Holidays, Israeliness 

Squeezable silan on the left, and honey on the right

It’s honey time, and looks like Israeli honey costs 3.5 times more than American honey, according to the Jerusalem Institute for Market Studies. Surprised?

Yes, the price of honey is up 26% in five years. Given the price of cottage cheese, it’s not all that astounding to hear that honey is also pricey.

According to the JIMS, the average price of honey in the United States is 28% of the average price in Israel. JIMS also notes that honey is twice as expensive as it is in England, while Canada, Mexico, Argentina and China offer honey for export at 15% less than the price of Israeli honey.

That’s a lot, considering that 40% of Israel’s annual honey consumption takes place during the upcoming chagim period, particularly on Rosh Hashanah. According to JIMS economist Keren Harel-Harari, “Israelis will consume 1,500 tons of honey in one month, valued at NIS 60 million. An average Israeli will eat 300 grams of honey.”

Harel-Harari says the reasons for the high cost of honey are the same as the reasons dairy products and cheeses are expensive – government policy and over-centralization of the industry.

According to the Honey Council, two-thirds of the price goes to retailers; honey imports are discouraged, so Israel imports from only 7 of 56 approved countries. Kibbutz Yad Mordechai, the largest honeymaker, has a market share of over 50%. Not surprising to hear in this country of monopolies. But, still, honey is honey and Rosh Hashanah is Rosh Hashanah. I guess we can all save a little and buy the regular jars instead of the cool, squeezable ones. Yet, still, the old-fashioned jars don’t do honey like the new ones.

Here’s to a sweet new year.

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