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

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?

-”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!

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!