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This article greeted me earlier this week and I have to say that it made me chuckle. Is this what it means to be Jewish these days? Are we all on “teams”? Wow, who knew that it was “sexy” being Jewish?

Please click on the link  and read it, but if you need a bit more info before taking that leap; a Junior at Northwestern University, Lia Lehrer, has written her view of what it means to be Jewish these days. Seinfeld, JDate and Chinese Food, do some it up, but there’s more and it’s an easy and enjoyable read. Perfect for Jewish readers and for everyone else who wants to understand us (well, at least some of us) a bit better.

Looking forward to hearing comments and thoughts!

Jane Moritz, Challah Connection

I remember when I was a little girl, we would visit the Lower East Side (NY) for the best Jewish eating. Second Avenue Deli, Ratners, Gertels Bakery, Kossars Bialies–Jewish establishments that gave the area it’s flavor. Once I started my career in NYC, Orchard Street was the place to shop for suits and great work clothes (remember when we had to wear them?) at discount prices. Of course there was also great post-shopping noshing. Fast forward 10 years–my fiance (who I met at work uptown at an advertising agency) was living on Grand Street (I was an upper west type of girl and refused to move there). Ratners was the site of my first meeting of my future in laws.

All of this history, all gone for a rash of tall condos, trendy restaurants and bars (see New York Times, June 3, Styles)? What about all of the real history of the area? The thousands of immigrants that made the LOE their first American home? What does all of this ranting have to do with Kosher gift baskets? Alot. The Challah Connection and our line of kosher gift baskets and Kosher meals are created with tradition and Jewish heritage in mind. We exist to keep these traditions alive. The recipes and treats that came with our immigrant ancestors are our lifeblood. What to do about this? Curious how others feel about this, or is it just modern progress?

In the Kosher Today E-letter from June 4, there was an article about “Home Baked Challah a Growing National Phenomenon.” Some key excerpts from the article are:

-”Baking the challah bread, say food sources, has become increasingly popular amongst Orthodox, Conservative and even Reform Jews.”

-”Retailers say that many young women are increasingly buying flour and other ingredients to make the home baked challah, many adding sesame, spices and other flavoring to create what one called ‘exotic challah.’

-”Challah in general has become a popular category in bakeries and supermarkets. In one supermarket in the West Coast, most of the customers buying Challah are not observant and many do not even observe the Shabbat. “

Very interesting. Why are people suddenly becoming interested in baking challah? More religious? More interested in traditions? Any one have any input on this? On the Challah Connection website, we have seen challah sales fairly steady.  

Here’s me with my home baked challah–let’s see you!

Whether kosher baking, Rosh Hashana or Jewish Holidays is your interest or not, here’s a good story:

We were invited to a barbeque on Memorial Day Monday. Knowing that baking is my “thing,” my friend asked me to bring a dessert. Someone else was already bringing something chocolate (brownies), so I then had the challenge of finding a recipe for something that would be both kid and adult friendly. There is a recipe for honey cake that I’ve been wanting to try with the thought of selling it for Rosh Hashana on Challah Connection. There was my recipe!

However, not so fast. How was I going to “sell” honey cake on Memorial Day to my hosts and the other guests? I decided that I’d call it a “spice coffee cake” (spices and coffee are both in the recipe). Not a problem–they thought that sounded great.

With no exaggeration, that cake was gone within minutes–kids and adults loved it! I was impressed–it WAS a great recipe. It also confirms my observation that most people prefer desserts that are NOT too sweet and/or slathered in overly sweet icing.

Give me a few days and I’ll give you the recipe. Just call it a “spice coffee cake” and you can serve it for July 4!

While we are in full swing into the Spring, ‘07 Bar/Bat Mitzvah season, there are many of us who are in the planning phase for later this year or later. Having already planned 2 Bar Mitzvahs for my own sons (#3 coming in ‘09), as well as from Challah Connection work providing ceremonial challah, goody bags, hotel baskets & Oneg platters, for B’nai Mitvah, I consider myself somewhat of a maven on this subject. The best advice I can pass on is to 1) determine your vision 2) determine your budget 3) don’t budge from there! Yes, I know about all of the themes and the money that’s being spent. You can do this if you choose, but it is NOT necessary. Please read an article I have written about this. I look forward to your comments and experiences!

Shavuot marks the anniversary of the day the Torah was given to the Jewish people. It is customary to eat foods that are made with dairy ingredients, such as cheesecake and blintzes. Shavuout is a happy holiday and falls this year on May 23-24. The online store, Challah Connection, has some excellent dairy desserts including cheesecake and rugelach. Enjoy the holiday!