The Flames of Beauty....

בס''ד


At this time of the year, children of all ages are busy making beautiful Chanukah menorahs and other Chanukah decorations at school and at home. 

Chanukah is around the corner...Yea! I love Chanukah! I love watching the flames flicker and dance. I love the family atmosphere.  

Tomorrow evening, Moetzi Shabbat [Saturday night], December 8^th, the first Chanukah candle is lit. Every evening for eight days, Jewish families around the world, use either the familiar colored candles to light the Chanukah menorah, or like our family, use olive oil with cotton wicks to honor the holiday. 

After saying the Brachot [blessings] and singing Maoz Tzur, many families enjoy sufganiot [doughnuts with jelly filling] or sfinjas [a delicious Sephardic doughnut, recipe below] 

There are two famous women associated with Chanukah, Yehudit and Hannah.  These two women show the courage and inner-strength of the Jewish people in the time of adversity. 

Hannah is remembered for her faith in G-d. By teaching her seven sons that sometimes one must give up even life itself for the sake of one’s beliefs and by not begging for mercy from the evil king, Antiochus. When the king saw that six of Hannah’s sons were ready to die rather than bow to an idol, he decided to tell Hannah to reason with her last son and to tell him to bow down. Instead she encouraged her youngest and last son not to bow to evil. Hannah took a stand at great personal lost.

Yehudit, is the daughter of Yochanan the Kohen Gadol [High Priest], and father of the Chasmonean family. 

During the time of the revolt against Syrian oppression, Yehudit told the elders of the city that she had conceived a plan to deliver the Syrian-Greek army into their hands, but they must trust her and not ask questions. 

Yehudit, went to see the Syrian general, leader of the Syrian army, and told him she knew how to deliver the  Jewish people into his hands. Being very interested, he invited her to come and eat with him and tell him her plan. Yehudit told the general that her salty cheese was the best and would bring him some. 

He agreed. Yehudit served the general her salty cheese and continued to feed him the cheese. To quench his thirst she gave him very strong wine, until he fell into a deep sleep. When she was sure he was sleeping deeply, she beheaded him with a sword. 

Yehudit returned to her city and told the elders what she did and advised that there must be a surprise attack on the Syrian-Greek army immediately. When the Syrian-Greek soldiers went to wake their leader they found him dead and because of the surprise attack they fled. Yehudit saved the day and her people.   

During the eight days, for supper we eat something fried in oil, remembering  the little flask of oil that was enough for one day but a miracle happened and the little bit of oil lasted eight days or dairy to remember the actions of Yehudit.. 

What a good reason to eat cheesecakes, cheese blintzes, cheese kreplach, and cheese pies. Yummy!  

Sfinja

1 kilo flour

3 level tablespoons dry yeast

¾ cup sugar

¼ tsp. salt

¾ cup oil

3 eggs.

warm water

Mix dry ingredients, add oil, eggs

Slowly add warm water until dough is soft.

Knead dough to form ball

Oil hands & rub top and sides of dough & bowl.

Cover with nylon wrap to seal

Let dough set until double in size [app.1/2 hour] 

Knead dough again & cut 20 /25 even size balls.

Shape each ball to look like a ring with a large hole in the center.

Allow to rise on a grease tray or plastic tablecloth. Do not use flour, as the donuts will be heavy. Fry in deep hot oil until golden brown. Drain on paper towel.

Sugar glaze

1½ cup sugar

¾ cup water

2 packages of vanilla sugar or liquid vanilla

Mix together and boil on medium to low flame for 7 minutes.

Cover donuts with glaze or honey or eat them plain... Enjoy!

Thank-you Devorah for your recipe. 

Chag Chanukah Samaech to everyone!

Until next time. Feel free to comment and share.     

Miriam              

בס''ד

Taking Charge..........

This past May, I was diagnosed with Diabetes type 2. It is now 6 ½ months later, I’m off all medication and I’m thankfully free of any diabetes. I had a doctor’s appointment today and he told me that I am living proof that if you take your diagnoses seriously, you can beat diabetes.

My secret, I took charge. I did research on diabetes, checking out the diabetes associations of the Israeli, American, British and Canadian Associations. I read and reread information on what is diabetes, learnt about the G.I. index [glycemic index] http://www.glycemicindex.com/, how diet and exercise play an important part in controlling diabetes and what symptoms to be aware of and to speak to the doctor about.

I followed the advice of my family doctor, my diabetic doctor and my dietician. I started to eat healthy, started walking and lost weight. I check my blood glucose level on regular bases and do my blood work tests as necessary. My numbers are terrific, well within the normal range.

I just read an online article from the Toronto paper, The Globe and Mail, that said the number of Canadians living with diabetes will rise dramatically over the next decade, spurring an “economic tsunami” that will be felt well beyond the health system. Today there are 2.5 million Canadians who have been diagnosed with diabetes either type 1 or type 2. To read the entire article, the link is:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/diabetes-called-a-brewing-economic-tsunami/article1390792/

The amount of people diagnosed with diabetes is mind boggling. In the States, approximately 21 million Americans have been diagnosed and millions more are undiagnosed. Here in Israel, according to the Israel Diabetic Association almost 400,000 Israelis have been diagnosed and another 200,000 Israelis are undiagnosed. This makes a lot of people with this disease.

The questions on hand now are: how do we, the diabetic, make family and friends aware of diabetes and its potential life altering effect? Are the medical ministries of each country spending enough money to bring diabetes to the forefront? Does the general public understand that diabetes type 2 can happen to anyone, not just those who have a family history? Is there an awareness campaign? So many questions but not enough answers..........

Personally, I have suggested to my husband and children that when they do blood work, they should also ask to have glucose and Hemoglobin A1c added to their blood tests. This way they will know where they stand and if they have to start to take any precautions.
To change the topic........

This Friday evening and for the next eight days is Chanukah.

Chanukah is about miracles and celebration, when the Temple Menorah was rekindled during the re-dedication, only enough oil to last for one day could be found, however this small amount burned for eight days and nights until more oil was made.

To remember and celebrate the miracle of the oil, we eat a variety of foods fried in oil. For a diabetic or anyone else watching their weight this is difficult to do. The most common treats are potato latkes [pancakes] or any other latke and doughnuts.

Here are a couple of recipes for latkes and doughnuts that are diabetic friendly.

Latkes Recipe
2 large potatoes unpeeled [option.. substitute 1 potato for 2 zucchinis]
1 small onion

2 eggs (whites only)

1 tablespoon all purpose flour

1 tsp salt

½ tsp baking powder

4tsp Canola oil

Top with low fat sour cream, yogurt or unsweetened applesauce.

Finely shred potato and onion and place in sieve press to remove excess moisture. In a bowl whisk together egg whites, flour, salt and baking powder until smooth stir in potato mixture. In large non-stick skillet heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium heat. When water drops splatter on skillet spoon potato mixture about 2 tablespoons at a time onto the skillet to form 3 inch latke. Fry until brown and drain, drain, drain. ENJOY!

Doughnuts recipe

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

4 tablespoons sugar replacement

1/3 cup buttermilk

1 egg

1 cup flour

1/8 tsp baking soda

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. nutmeg [optional]

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. vanilla extract

salt

oil for deep frying
 Combine sugars, buttermilk, egg beat together add remaining ingredients except oil and beat until blended. Heat oil 375F drop dough into hot oil and fry until golden brown. Drain well. ENJOY! 
‘Chanukah Samaech’  to you and yours.

Miriam

בס''ד

Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah..........

At this time of the year, kids of all ages are busy making beautiful menorahs in school. Whether your family uses candles or oil to light the Chanukah menorah, every child loves to gather around the table and have their turn. At our gatherings, each child lights their own candles and recites the brachot, their sweet young voices brings a smile to my face and happiness in my heart. After candle lighting the family sings Maoz Tzur together.

Here is another popular children’s Chanukah song which can be sung in English, Hebrew or Yiddish.

Oh Chanukah, Oh Chanukah
come light the Menorah
let's have a party
we'll all dance the Hora.

Spin the whirling dreidels
all week long
eating the sizzling latkes
sing a happy song.

Now light them tonight
the candles all in a row
we tell the wondrous story of G-d in all His glory
the wonders of long ago.

****************************************
For our family, Chanukah is an especially happy time. Our first born grandchild, Yoni, was born on Rosh Chodesh Tevet, the sixth night of Chanukah and is a tenth generation Israeli.

We were still living in the old country, Canada. Our daughter and son-in-law live on a kibbutz in Gush Etzion. It was a Monday evening. I had lied down to rest before heading out to my shiur. The phone rang, my husband answered and all I could hear was "mazel-tov, mazal-tov!" How is everyone?

One minute later, my husband came to me and said, “mazal-tov Safta, we have a grandson!”

I can’t describe the feeling that came over me. It was incredible. I was bursting with happiness and profound gratefulness to be granted this Bracha. I couldn’t wait to come to Israel and meet my little grandson. Three weeks later, I was holding my little grandson.

Yoni’s Pidyon HaBen and the start of the first Gulf War were thirty days later. Since there was a travel ban, my son-in-law's parents, who lived in B’nei Brak and his family in Jerusalem couldn’t come. Some of the food that had been ordered from Jerusalem also couldn’t be delivered.

My son-in-law didn’t know what to do. His Rav said that the Pidyon HaBen mustn’t be cancelled. All their friends and neighbors pitched in to help make the simcha. They raided the kibbutz fridge, baked some cakes and set up a beautiful table. One of the kibbutz’s kohens had the honour. Yoni was redeemed and the simcha was just wonderful. For a few minutes, everyone sang and danced outside on the lawn, forgetting about the siren and scuds that had landed during the night.

On the occasion of Yoni’s Bar-mitzvah I wrote this poem to him.

It was the seventh night of Chanukah,
Rosh Chodesh Tevet.
A kick or two you gave your mother
on that cold wintery night.
Let me out! Let me out! Let me out!

After some time
A beautiful boy emerged.
The nurse handed you to your Mother
Your Father phoned Saba Avraham.

“It’s a boy! It’s a boy!”
All choked up your father managed to say
“Naomi will call you later,
I want to go see my son.”

Eight days later a brit you did have
Yonaton David was the name called out.
Yonaton, the brave Macabee
David, your great-grandfather.

Thirteen years have passed quickly.
Where has the time gone?
Today you have reached a milestone
Saba and I are so very proud.

Mazel tov Yoni, your Mother and Father too.
May the whole family celebrate
many more simchot with you.

Our precious grandson, will G-D willing graduate from his Yeshiva in June and at the end of the summer will start his army service in a Hesder Yeshiva.

****************************************

In Israel, the most popular treat after candle lightning are donuts. Bakeries can’t bake them fast enough. Every type of donut and every topping you can imagine are produced.

My daughters make donuts with caramel filling. This is no time to watch the scale. One of my daughters is married to a Tunisian. She makes the most fabulous Tunisian donuts topped with a gooey sugar glaze. It’s a bit of a ‘patch’ to make...but the results are worth it.

Sfinja

1 kilo flour
3 level tablespoons dry yeast
¾ cup sugar
¼ tsp. salt
¾ cup oil
3 eggs.
warm water

Mix dry ingredients, add oil, eggs
Slowly add warm water until dough is soft.
Knead dough to form ball
Oil hands & rub top and sides of dough & bowl.
Cover with plastic wrap to seal
Let dough set until double in size [app.1/2 hour]

Knead dough again & cut 20 /25 even sized balls.
Shape each ball to look like a ring with a large hole in the center.

Allow to rise again on a greased tray or plastic tablecloth. Do not use flour, as the donuts will be heavy.

Deep fry in hot oil until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel.

Sugar glaze

1½ cup sugar
¾ cup water
2 packages of vanilla sugar or a good squirt of liquid vanilla
2 squirts of a lemon
Mix together and boil on medium to low flame for 7 minutes.

Cover donuts with glaze

ENJOY!

Please feel free to comment and pass the blog around.