Although today\’s bar mitzvah parties are often as elaborate as yesterday\’s weddings, there\’s a new trend on the horizon — a, noisy, jubilant oneg Shabbat and lunch directly after the ceremony, and a quiet, intimate dinner at home for a few close friends and family at night.
My husband was called to the Torah as a bar mitzvah in 2001, more or less on the sixth anniversary of his conversion to Judaism. People started asking Spencer when he was going to have a bar mitzvah when his hair was barely dry from the mikvah.
I have plenty of friends who keep more strictly kosher than I do, but even some of them make exceptions — like bouillabaisse in France or lobster in Maine. I deviate when I\’m the guest in someone\’s home, and the options are slim — my rationale being that it\’s better to not shame a host than to stick to my half-baked rules.
It happens every year, said Daryl Schwarz — who opened this 100 percent-kosher market in 1989 — only lately it\’s been getting worse. Large supermarket and discount chains are able to undersell kosher specialty markets on the very products that, traditionally, have been the Jewish stores\’ lifeblood.
By using your imagination and listening to the tried-and-true advice of the experts, you can create a stylish and sophisticated Passover seder that will have your guests wishing for another invitation next year.
With flavorful and fun recipes that use ingredients and combinations far from what used to be considered traditional Jewish cooking — think Juniper Berry and Peppercorn Crusted Skirt Steak with Spiced Onions — this book can add flare to a tired repertoire for both connoisseurs and amateurs.
It\’s that time again. With Pesach here, it\’s time for my annual wrestling match with my nemesis, the dreaded sponge cake.
Many a great cook has been sent over the edge trying to produce some beautiful Passover baking.
For many years, my daughter and I were lucky to be invited out for Passover. Besides joining a big group of people, and sampling a variety of Passover foods, I relished the added benefit of not having to plan, shop and cook for the daunting seder (first and second night) meals.
How many times can you say \”Passover\” during the seder? For instance: \”Pass over the salt.\” \”Please pass over a soup spoon.\” Keep count and decide what the winner gets for a prize!
