Rally Round this Simchat Torah Flag Custom from Poland

An apple for Simchat Torah? Never heard of that one, but I just found out that it's the choice fruit of Polish Jews, who stick it on top of every Simchat Torah flag handed out to children.

Why an apple? No, it has nothing to do with the fact that we're getting ready to read the story of Adam and Eve (BTW: they didn't eat an apple; more likely a date). It's a metaphor for the words spoken by the Israelites when they received the Torah on Mt. Sinai (maybe we should be baking apple cake for Shavuot?) -- first we will do, then we will listen. Apparently, an apple tree bears its fruit first and then the leaves come out. In more contemporary terms we could say that for Jews, the Torah is the apple of their eye.

In short, this Polish custom proves that from Rosh Hashanah to Simchat Torah, the apple gets to the core of our being.

Chag Sameach.


Apple photo credit

Pass on an Important Jewish Value Through This Moroccan Sukkot Custom

Looking for a social action/mitzvah project for your class, or for you and your family? A Moroccan Sukkot custom proves that sometimes you don't have to look further than your own backyard to do a good deed.

Sukkot is a time for Ushpizin -- the Aramaic word for guests. A widespread tradition for Jews around the world -- be it in the United States, Eastern Europe or the Middle East -- is to virtually invite a different Biblical guest (e.g. Avraham, Moshe, King David, etc.) during the seven days of the holiday to "join" the meal. While this is a wonderful learning opportunity (and a great custom to follow as well), many Moroccan Jews push the envelope by inviting a different poor person into their Sukkah every night as a replacement for a Biblical celeb. Not only do they reach out to the needy, but they make him feel like a king, placing him/her at the head of the table and providing a lavish feast.

The way I see it, this is an example of Jewish living at its best. Together, a family celebrates. Together, a family reaches out. Together, a family feels pride in belonging to the tribe.

Chag Sameach!

























Sukkah photo credit

Before Rosh Hashanah Begins Tunisian Jews Get Ready for Yom Kippur

For Tunisian Jews Yom Kippur is not for the Faint-Hearted! That's precisely why they have developed a unique pre-Rosh Hashanah custom. It will remind you of the post Succot tradition of tacking full cloves into the Etrog in order to turn it into a creative Havdalah spice.

Here's the deal. Tunisian Jews are mindful of the fact that fasting can affect one's physical well being, to the point of dizziness and fainting. Therefore, before Rosh Hashanah they take a quince fruit, roll it in ground spices, wrap it in a towel and let it sit covered until Yom Kippur. By the time Yom Kippur rolls around the same beautiful yellow quince is now brown, and let's face it, pungent! The strong odor helps people get through the fast day, and makes the day go by fast.

I have no idea what becomes of the quince once the fast is broken. Perhaps it becomes part of a pile of compost? Maybe it's used for Havdalah? But that's not the point. What's wonderful about this custom is that it can provide children with a meaningful and fun activity. It will make them feel part of the Yom Kippur tradition, even if they are not fasting. Seeing that they are creating a home-made "revival" fruit for the adults they love so much -- be it parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles -- they will also inadvertently tap into the ancient tradition of viewing a quince as the fruit of love.
You gotta love this custom. Happy quince hunting.



Quince photo credit

The Jews of Rhodes Have Different Symbolic Foods for Rosh Hashanah

Don't be fooled into thinking these are cherry tomatoes. They are superbly crafted marzipan cherries, similar to the marzipan treats that the Jews of Rhodes make for Rosh Hashanah.

They are part of the Rhodes recipe for a sweet year. In fact, the Jews of Rhodes eat a variety of symbolic foods quite different from the menu we are accustomed to. In addition to marzipan they make a white, lemon-flavored fondant to symbolize purity (and I assume sweetness). Several foods are made in a round shape to represent continuity and wholeness. The lineup includes a festive ring-shaped bread, savory pies, pastries and round, stuffed vegetables.

Salt on the table for Rosh Hashanah? Never. Only sugar. I don't have to explain why. And then there the foods that the Jews of Rhodes avoid eating.  Anything sour or bitter is shelved until after the holiday. Similarly, food goods like dark raisins, black olives and eggplants are scratched off the list since their color is associated with mourning.

While I normally hesitate to write about the cooking customs of different holidays, I couldn't resist this time around. I love the symbolism of the Rhodes Rosh Hashanah table. Tell your children and students about it.  Maybe they can come up with additional ideas.




Marzipan photo credit

A CUSTOM QUESTION: What do King Solomon, Isaac Newton & Steve Jobs Have in Common with Rosh Hashanah?

The connection between Isaac Newton and Steve Jobs is fairly obvious -- the apple of course! But King Solomon? That's a honey of a query. Certainly, he didn't ask: "To bee or not to bee a lover of apples?"

It turns out that this fruit was the apple of his eye. Look at what he penned in The Song of Songs: "As an apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. Under its shadow I delight to sit, and its fruit was sweet to my taste."

Now there's an Aha moment! In one breath we have an apple and a sweet taste. To paraphrase Newton -- for Solomon, the apple was the force directly proportional to the amount of sweetness we need.

Or perhaps Solomon was more like Steve Jobs, who simply enjoyed picking apples?

Whatever the reason, the lines penned by our ancient king of wisdom could very well be the origin of the apple-eating custom on Rosh Hashanah. And the tradition of dipping this fruit into the sweet, sticky fluid made by bees?

I don't want to upset the apple cart. I'm going to let you and your students/children connect the dots.

I'll be back soon with some more unusual traditions and thoughts about the High Holy Days.














King Solomon Credit
Isaac Newton Credit
Steve Jobs Photo Credit

Lost In Translation

Israelis have a tendency to think only in Israeli terms. After living 36 years in Israel I too tend to go in that direction.  Over the past few years  I've been asking myself why the majority of American Jews seem so disconnected to Israel? This past January I was fortunate enough to join my husband on a semester sabbatical in the Washington D.C. area. I used the opportunity to fly to several states for author presentations and teacher workshops, speak to Jewish educators and just listen, listen, listen to conversations. I returned to Israel realizing that the scope of the disconnect is far broader than I thought, reaching way beyond our tiny Jewish State. I felt compelled to write this article. It was just put up in the LA Jewish Journal and will be appearing in other American Jewish newspapers. Please have a read and let me know what you think of my take.  Do you agree? Disagree? Is there a way I can help you bridge the gap?
Kol Tuv
Tami


Photo credit

Recipes and Research: A New Summer Jewish Heritage Custom

Ynet -- the internet version of Israel's popular newspaper Yediot Ahranot -- reported a few days ago that Michelle Obama will include recipes of Israeli women living in Nazareth Ilit in her national health campaign "Let's Move!"

The recipes represent different denominations and ethnic groups residing in this northern Israeli city.
Nazareth Ilit aside, Israel is a mirror image of the Jewish people's melting pot -- one that has cooked up many delicious dishes over the centuries. Have a good look at your family tree (or start one now). You may be surprised to find out that your roots do not lie in one country, continent or condiment.

What did your ancestors cook up along the way? Tracing possible dishes and ingredients can transform idle summer hours into a cooking custom with many memorable master chef moments reflecting Jewish diversity. Take it a step further, and explore Jewish history in every country along your ancestors' path.



                                                                 
For example, Great Britain may have been one of their stops. There they learned to have a yen for  shepherd's pie. While it bakes, have a look at the history of British Jewish life. 

On to France, where ooh la la, there is so much to choose from. Did your grandmother's blintzes evolve from French crepes? BTW: do you know that Rashi -- the famous Biblical commentator -- was French and a vintner? Find out more about French Jewish history.

Next stop -- Istanbul. Perhaps that should be your first stop, for so much Jewish history is rooted to the Ottoman Empire. Let Jamie Geller show you how to make an easy Turkish salad. While you savor the taste find out if there is a connection between Christopher Columbus and the Jews of Turkey.


Hopefully I've whetted your appetite on how to create a new summer custom. For the teachers among you -- who knows, maybe you'll be able to transport this custom into your classroom?!

As they say in Hebrew -- בתאבון







Photo credit
Shepherd's pie photo credit
Crepe photo credit
Turkish salad photo credit