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March 16, 2011
I canoed to my seder
Yom tov candles and an ornate seder plate sat upon our “table,” which was covered with a beautiful cloth. We poured our first glass of wine and began to read from the haggadah. In almost all ways, this was a traditional seder. What made it different, however, was that it required two days and 25 miles to canoe to it. For six days, eight other Jewish souls joined me for a Pesach canoe trip on the Colorado River into the wilderness of Canyonlands National Park in Utah.
Pretty for Passover
Quickly approaching are those festive spring nights marked by a plethora of matzah, reclining comfortably in your chair and — just maybe — hitting your neighbor over the head with stalks of green onion during the “Dayenu” (an Afghani and Iranian Passover tradition). Whether you’re hosting a Passover seder this year or joining one, you won’t want to be without these beautiful essentials that are sure to remind you and the rest of your table that those once enslaved have now become like kings.
Spice it up
The old-fashioned chalkboard just outside the front doors of Sassi in Encino announces that the day’s special is Tripolitan couscous, and this is exactly what I’m here for.
Passover Argentina style
In Argentina, although Passover comes in the fall, the celebration is much like that observed by Jews in the United States, and the food is similar to Eastern European dishes, but with a South American flair. Argentina has a Jewish population of more than 250,000, making it the largest in Latin America. Their ancestors immigrated from Poland, Russia, Syria, Turkey and North Africa in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Most of the immigrants spoke Yiddish, formed settlements such as Moisés Ville and Villa Clara, and became gauchos (cowboys).
Love on the fringe
Israel’s “The Matchmaker” headlines the sixth annual Santa Barbara Jewish Film Festival, taking place April 7-10. The opening night film, which was also spotlighted on the first night of Los Angeles’ 25th Israel Film Festival in October, has garnered two Ophirs — Israel’s equivalent of the Oscars — for best actor and best actress. But don’t expect a heartwarming shtetl romance or a Hollywood-ish “Father of the Bride” comedy.
Dancing off the street
As on most Tuesday afternoons, 17-year-old Jess Davis parked her red sedan in front of the local Boys & Girls Club and emerged wearing baggy blue sweat pants and a white tank top, her long brown hair hanging loose around her shoulders.
Gathering: Valley Performing Arts Center, Tifani Coyot, Matisyahu, Herzog Wine Cellars
Dr. Gerald Picus and former L.A. City Councilwoman Joy Picus celebrated the gala opening of the $125 million Valley Performing Arts Center on Jan. 29. The two-hour star-studded event at California State University, Northridge, drew Valley performers, including Jane Kaczmarek, Noah Wyle, Nancy Cartwright, Dave Koz and Cheech Marin, as well as 1,700 guests.
Deliberately, delightfully child-free
Ken and Alissa Koven love kids — as long as they’re other people’s. “We like to give them back when we’re done,” Ken said. The Marina del Rey couple have no intention of ever having children, a decision that may rankle bubbes everywhere but is just fine with them.
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