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Spinning Yarns In New Jewish Fabric Crafts Book

Staff — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 02:00:02 +0000

Rabbi Debra Rappaport's Tallit and Tallit Bag

When Rabbi Debra Rappaport became the spiritual leader of B’nai Vail Congregation in Vail, her proud mother, Susan H. Rappaport, made her a stunning cashmere tallit, along with a matching tallit bag out of silk. The meaningful pieces brought the rabbi to tears, and she cherishes both of them to this day.

Now others will be able to share the joy the rabbi experienced when she first received her personalized tallit and tallit bag because both are showcased in a new book exploring the world of Jewish fabric crafts and the inspiration behind this imaginative work.

Called “Jewish Threads: A Hands-On Guide to Stitching Spiritual Intention into Jewish Fabric Crafts” (Jewish Lights Publishing, 288 pp.), the book presents 30 fabric craft projects, created by talented artisans from throughout the United States and Israel.

Compiled and written by Diana Drew with Robert Grayson, “Jewish Threads” delves into the backstory of each of the pieces spotlighted in the book–how and why they were made and what sparked the idea for each one. The artisans whose work is presented in the book freely share the influences in their lives that prompted them to create the pieces contained in this treasure trove of Jewish fabric crafts.

For Susan Rappaport, who lives in Minnesota, making the tallit showcased in “Jewish Threads” was a family affair. In choosing the materials for the tallit, Susan used white cashmere from sweaters worn by her husband, Gary; her daughter, Debra, the intended recipient; her other daughter, Lissie Schifman; and by the artist herself to ground the tallit in a sense of family heritage. Susan sewed everything by hand, making the tzitzit (ritual fringes) from directions she found on the Web.

The directions were very specific about keeping focused on your intention and not being distracted by the things around you,” she points out. “It was a very profound process for me.”

And this magnificent tallit holds extraordinary meaning for Debra, who notes: “Though my mom invited quite a bit of collaboration on this project, I was moved to tears when I received this tallit. The thoughtfulness and love that went into it were profound. I feel deeply blessed, held, and joyful every time I put it on.”

Author Diana Drew spent a year and a half sifting through a myriad of projects from throughout the United States and Israel, choosing those that reflected deep-rooted connections to Jewish heritage and contemporary Jewish life. Each project had to have a compelling story behind its creation, and fit in with the overall concept of the book as both a volume of stories about artisans’ spiritual intention in making these crafts and a how-to book for novices as well as more experienced needlecrafters.

“Jewish Threads” is designed to motivate readers to fashion some of the traditional ritual items as well as more contemporary pieces included in the book–individually or in groups–by offering easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions at the end of each of the stories about the fabric artists and their spiritual intention. Most of the projects are relatively simple, and make wonderful gifts.

Readers are encouraged to draw on their own life experiences to give the pieces they make a distinctly individual flair, a one-of-a-kind feel. So the book can serve as a springboard for readers’ own imagination and creativity.

“Jewish Threads” craft projects range from wall hangings for the home to shulchan (lectern) covers for the synagogue, whimsical pieces for celebrating holidays (a ChanuCats quilt for Chanukah and Dancing Hamantaschen costumes for Purim, for example), and meaningful craft projects to honor milestones in the Jewish life cycle, such as healing and memorial quilts. Some of the crafts presented in “Jewish Threads,” such as challah covers, have roots in Jewish tradition, while others, including Purim puppets and a knit seder plate for Passover, play off centuries of tradition, while incorporating a contemporary spin.

Among the fabric craft techniques represented in “Jewish Threads” are quilting, needlepoint, knitting, crochet, felting, embroidery, appliqué, needle felting, and counted cross-stitch.

Ellen Premack, executive director of the Mizel Museum in Denver, says of “Jewish Threads“:

Bravo for getting us back to our needles, threads, and sewing machines to create beautiful Judaic objects! With this book, author Diana Drew has reminded me of growing up in a small Jewish community and learning our traditions, history, and Hebrew through making artifacts. This book is a wonderful guide for every artsy-craftsy Jewish education-through-the-arts type of person, whether it be for your home, your synagogue, your Hebrew school, or your community Jewish museum!”

Says Drew, an award-winning former daily newspaper reporter and a longtime book editor:

‘Jewish Threads‘ brings together the disparate threads of my own life–Judaism and Jewish observance, sewing and knitting, writing and editing–while stitching together the inspiring stories of fabric artists from throughout the United States and Israel. Collectively, these personal stories, and the projects that spring from them, form a patchwork of modern-day Jewish life. The part openings, written by Robert Grayson, place these crafts in historical perspective, with tales from the Jewish tradition that give these fabric crafts added resonance today.”

“Jewish Threads” is available at major bookstores and online.

One Egg is a Fortune: Book Review

Sharon Badian — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 03:00:41 +0000

One Egg is a Fortune

Jews have a deep appreciation for a good story. In the telling and retelling of stories we remember the joy, the excitement, and the sorrow in life. And, we remember the food, which is so central to Jewish life.

Storytelling about food – including recipes that connect to the stories – is the theme of a gorgeous new cookbook entitled “One Egg is a Fortune” (www.oneeggisafortune.com) compiled by Pnina Jacobson and Judy Kempler.

Jacobson and Kempler spent over a decade collecting personal food stories of 50 Jewish celebrities from around the world. They have intertwined these stories with recipes and glorious full-color pictures to create a unique and beautiful book. This is a book that would be as comfortable on your coffee table as in your kitchen. Unlike many coffee table cookbooks, this one is full of recipes for home cooks, not chefs.

Mini Espresso Cupcakes: recipe provided by Jacobson & Kempler, associated with Ian Bersten

Jacobson and Kempler met at the school bus stop in their Sydney, Australia neighborhood as they packed their children off to school. They discovered that they shared a love of food and a good story, where food memories connect us to a recipe. They also wanted to do something for their community. As Kempler was dealing with care of her late mother-in-law, they decided that part of the proceeds would go to Jewish aged care in the communities where the book is sold.

In order to make their community cookbook more distinctive, Jacobson and Kempler took a very broad view of their community. There are stories from celebrities throughout the world including Australia, Israel, South Africa, and the US. The recipes, both from the celebrities and Jacobson and Kempler, represent Jewish culture (the recipes adhere to Jewish dietary laws) and the culture of their home countries, making this truly a multicultural cookbook.

Salmon Fillets with Green Peppercorn, Mushroom & Macadamia Nut Sauce: recipe provided by Jacobson & Kempler associated with Dennis Ross

The stories are varied, some humorous, some touching. Many speak of the way family memories are attached to food memories. The title of the book comes from the story by Dudu Fisher, an Israeli stage performer. His grandmother, a survivor of the Holocaust, would pay him to eat all his food to fatten him up. Each food had a price and for her, “one egg is a fortune.”

This charming book would make a wonderful Chanukah gift for any foodie, or anyone interested in the rich world of contemporary Jewish storytelling.

Editors Note: Boulder Jewish News is offering copies of “One Egg is a Fortune” for $50.00 per copy, plus $7.00 shipping within continental US (no international sales, please).

The book ships UPS from Chicago, IL.

Tofu Fingers with Sweet Chilli Sauce: recipe provided Gary Friedman

8 Must-Have Kitchen Gadgets for GF Kitchens

Lisa Velick — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:00:53 +0000

Lisa's Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Cookies

Running a gluten free kitchen is no easy task. As most of you know, I am in the kitchen a good part of my day, either preparing meals or designing new recipes, or stocking up on homemade essentials such as breads, breakfast foods and lunch snacks, as well as preparing a fresh, home-cooked meal for my family for dinner. With a baby in the house, I really need to use my time in the kitchen efficiently. Who knows if she is going to sleep for one hour or three hours in the afternoon? That is why I would not be able to live without these eight items in my kitchen. If you are looking for a Hanukkah gift for friends, family or that special someone, I would recommend these items for your kitchen. Happy Hanukkah!

Vitamix 5200 - We bought our Vitamix four years ago at Costco. This machine gets used in my kitchen at least two to three times a day! I use it to make baby food, fruit smoothies for breakfast, protein shakes for after school, soups for dinner, and even homemade frappuccinos. You can find these blenders online for around $450. Once you own one, you will never go back to your old blender again!
My Kitchen Aid - I was very skeptical when deciding whether to buy a Kitchen Aid standing mixer. My other hand mixer worked fine and my breadmaker made great breads. But with a gift certificate I decided to splurge. At Macy’s, they are around $200. I do not know what I would do without it. I make all of my baked goods in the Kitchen Aid. I like that it has a powerful blade that can really mix the ingredients well and I don’t have to stand there holding the mixer the whole time. It is great for breads in that it really kneads the dough well. It comes with different attachments, for whisking, a dough blade for breads, and an all-purpose blade for other baked goods. The cleanup is a snap. My mixer saves me a lot of time in the kitchen.
Griddle by Oster - I personally cannot resist a sale. So when I went shopping at Kohl’s with my 30% off coupon and noticed that they had an Oster Griddle on sale, I couldn’t pass it up. And, with my coupon, it was quite a deal from the regular price of $70. As you know, I make all our breakfast foods from scratch, and the griddle has been such a blessing to own. I whip up a double batch of pancakes or crepes and I can make 8-10 at a time on the griddle. This is much faster than in a frying pan on the stove. When we have eggs on the weekends, it is nice to have the whole griddle to customize each order… eggs with cheese; without cheese, but with veggies; with almond cheese and veggies, etc. I can even throw some hash browns and turkey bacon on as well.
Cuisinart Waffle Maker - Waffle making is an art. If your batter is not the right consistency, you will be spending a lot time scraping and very little time eating. That is why the Cuisinart Waffle Iron is a time saver. Again, when I whip up a double batch of waffles, I do not want to be in the kitchen all day cooking them. This waffle maker has each batch ready in a matter of minutes! And you can adjust the temperature to decide if you want them lighter or darker. I found this product at Kohl’s for only $40.
Aroma Rice Cooker - We eat a lot of rice in our house. I would say that we have rice at least twice a week. I used to make the biggest mess on my electric stove trying to make the perfect rice. Then my husband brought home the Aroma Rice cooker from Costco for only $35. It takes me five minutes to measure the rice and add the water, based on the chart they give you after you calculate how many servings you need. You can also cook and steam vegetables in the rice cooker. This machine also has a delay timer, so I can set up the rice in the afternoon and it will be ready for me by dinner. Now that is easy!
Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker - I used to believe that it was a total waste of time to make ice cream. For goodness sake, they have dedicated a whole row at the grocery store for almost any kind of ice cream imaginable. But then I became gluten free, chocolate free, soy free, partially hydrogenated oil free, and now dairy and tree nut free. You can imagine that it is pretty difficult to find an ice cream that fits our needs. But then I was fortunate enough to be able to borrow my sister-in-law’s Ice Cream maker. She bought it at McGuckin Hardware for around $30, but I have seen them at Bed, Bath and Beyond and Costco. Not only can I make any kind of ice cream and frozen yogurt treat I want, I have also learned, with one secret ingredient, to make dairy free ice cream as well that is fantastic. Again, it takes about five minutes to add the ingredients, and then you are free for 30 minutes while the machine does all the work. My only suggestion is to make sure that the freezer bin stays in the freezer for about 5 days prior to use, or the ice cream will not get hard enough.
Cuisinart Food Processor - I guess I did not realize what a huge fan I am of Cuisinart products. Anyway, I love my food processer as it has great chopping ability when I am not in the mood to chop. In the last 24 hours, I have used it to make baby food, Rice Carob Granola Bars (see recipe next year), and shred three blocks of Almond Cheese. Cuisinart Food Processors can be purchased at JCPenny’s for only $120. My favorite part about this product, besides the fact that I can just throw it in the dishwasher to clean, is that it comes with a cookbook for many more recipe ideas, from soups to casseroles to smoothies to breads.
Braun Coffee Grinder - When I got a coffee maker with a built-in coffee grinder for Mother’s Day a few years ago, I actually gave away my coffee grinder. What in the world would I need it for? Well, it turns out, in the gluten free world, lots of things! I ended up buying another one at a garage sale, but you can find them at Walmart for about $20. Not only will it grind coffee, it can grind gluten free flours that may need to be fluffed up to make the batter lighter. It is also great to grind up tortilla chips or dried bread to use in recipes that might call for bread crumbs. These can be used in meatballs, meatloaf, or as a coating for crispy chicken. I also grind oats to use in my baby food or to make gluten free oat flour for my baked goods.

I hope this gives you an idea of something you can give or even ask for for Hanukkah this year. Enjoy the holiday.

Living Stomach Ache Free, Lisa Velick

Boulder’s Largest Chanukah Bazaar Going on Now

Ellen Kowitt — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 01:30:41 +0000

Congregation Har HaShem has Boulder’s largest selection of Chanukah merchandise for all tastes! Huge displays of Chanukah gifts, incredible children’s items, fabulous candles, yummy gelt, fun dreidels, festive paper goods, decorations, games, gifts, and general Judaica have been set up in the synagogue North Building Social Hall. For collectors of Chanukah menorahs, there is an impressive selection from traditional to unique one-of-a-kind creations.

Two Ways to Shop:

1.) Shop In Person: Come to the Congregation Har HaShem North Building Social Hall at 3950 Baseline Road in Boulder during extended holiday hours:

Sunday, Dec. 4: 9 am – noon
Monday, Dec. 5: 4 – 5:30 pm
Thursday, Dec. 8: 10 am – 1 pm
Sunday, Dec. 11: 9 am – 2 pm
Sunday, Dec. 11: 2 – 4 pm at ChanuConcert Community Celebration in South Building
Monday, Dec. 12: 4 – 5:30 pm
Tuesday, Dec. 13: 10 am – 1 pm
Wednesday, Dec. 14: 10 am – 1 pm
Thursday, Dec. 15: 10 am – 1 pm
Friday, Dec. 16: 10 am – noon
Monday, Dec. 19: 10 am – noon
Tuesday, Dec. 20: 10 am – 1 pm

2.) Shop Online: Now available on the Internet with thousands of items and shipping. CLICK HERE to browse and buy.

Find everything you need to make this Chanukah memorable!

All Gift Shop and Chanukah Bazaar profits support Congregation Har HaShem. The Gift Shop is open year-round and includes jewelry, ritual items including tallit, Shabbat items, cards, and bar/bat mitzvah gifts. Call (303) 499-5597 for more information.

8 Gifts for 8 Nights: Pet Style 2011

Julia Szabo — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:00:56 +0000

Editor’s Note: Chanukah is coming and Boulder Jewish News is here to help! We asked pet expert Julia Szabo, a.k.a. Pet Reporter, for some grrrreat gift suggestions. For daily dispatches from Julia, check out her “Living with Dogs” column on Dogster.com; she’s @PetReporter1 on Twitter.

Furry family members deserve holiday gift recognition too! Just be sure to give pets prezzies they actually like – or at the very least, ones that make a pet’s life more fun. Here are 8 hot ideas for this year’s holidays:

1. Protecting Precious Paws – Dogs love playing in the snow, but they don’t love walking on ice-melting salt, which burns their paw-pads and causes serious irritation and infection. Morton – as in, the “When It Rains, It Pours” people – knows the power of salt and adores dogs, so they’ve formulated safe, effective, salt-free Safe-T-Pet Ice Melt. Use Safe-T-Pet to make walkways slip-proof while you protect Spot’s sensitive feet.

2. Tantalizing Treats – Why should humans have all the fun with pumpkin pies and gingerbread cookies? Dogs whose busy people have no time to bake can now enjoy the four-footed versions of those heavenly holiday treats we all crave: Paws in the Pie treats by Ark Naturals and Gingerbread Men Buddy Biscuits by Cloud Star.

3. Pets’ Pearly Whites – Pet probiotics are great for supporting an animal’s digestive and immune systems – but did you know these beneficial bacteria also help prevent tooth decay? One scoop of EvoraPet sprinkled over a dog or cat’s food daily will help keep his choppers healthy. In between tooth-brushings and probiotic doses, keep Spot’s breath spotless with “Breath-less Brushless Toothpaste” from Ark Naturals, chewy green treats that contain breath-freshening Chlorophyll, Cinnamon, and Clove.

4. Chew on This – Nothing looks less festive than half-chewed rawhides strewn around the living room. Yuck! Deer Antler Dog Chews by Flint River Ranch, on the other hand, are the seasonally appropriate alternative, and dogs love ‘em. Ranging in size from Petite to Extra Jumbo, these naturally-shed antlers will keep Spot’s choppers gainfully occupied, plus they look downright decorative on your living-room floor, like natural holiday sculpture.

5. Spread the Love – If you’re like us, your first taste of Justin’s Nut Butter was a holiday in itself. Go ahead and share that experience with your best friend! Don’t fill your dog’s Kong with just any spreadable edible – give that rubber chew toy a generous schmear of Justin’s Classic Peanut or Honey Peanut (skip the chocolate blends, as cocoa is toxic to pets). And while you’re at it, bring handy, eminently squeezable snack packets of this stuff along whenever you’re out ruffing it on the hiking trail. Yum!

6. Senior K9s on the Move – Is arthritis making it tough for your older dog to get around? This holiday, give him or her the gift of vastly improved mobility with DogPawR Joint & Hip Complex. This sublime new product contains green-lipped mussels and turmeric in addition to glucosamine and several other key, natural ingredients. Sprinkled over a dog’s food, this combination of ingredients does wonders to help senior dogs overcome joint stiffness.

7. Style With Substance – Seniors and dogs recovering from illness need extra layers of protection from winter’s harsh chill. Protect them in style with Mountain Mutt Dog Coats, the Moncler of K9 jackets. The designs were inspired by a mutt named Mac, who bravely battled osteosarcoma. To honor Mac, a portion of profits from sales of these stylin’ K9 coats are donated to the Flint Animal Cancer Center at Colorado State University.

8. Home for the Holidays – Last, but certainly not least, please remember the wonderful people and pets at the Humane Society of Boulder Valley this holiday. Follow @HumaneBoulder on Twitter, and donate what you can, whether it’s money or supplies (animal shelters are always grateful to receive towels, blankets, and cleaning supplies). And if there’s room in your home, please consider adopting a shelter dog or cat – that truly is the gift that keeps on giving.

Har HaShem’s Art and Gift Fair Sunday

Ellen Kowitt — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:00:13 +0000

Start holiday shopping early (for yourself and others) with over 25 professional artists and merchants! Browse a broad selection of Boulder’s best selection of one-of-a-kind gift items including fair trade African textile handbags and accessories, as well as sustainable goods imported from Uganda.

Bring your whole family for merchandise for all budgets and tastes including Judaica, fine art, jewelry, fabric, paper, photography, metal, glass, and needle art. A cash snack bar, kid art activities, and face painting will also be available! There is no admission cost.

Har HaShem’s Gift Shop will be there too with a SPECIAL 20% OFF all Chanukah candles.

Start your Chanukah shopping early AND support this fundraiser for Har HaShem.

Spread the word! Tell your friends and neighbors to attend the only Judaica gift fair in Boulder this season.

Sunday, Nov. 6th from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm at the Congregation Har HaShem South Building, 3950 Baseline Road in Boulder. For information, contact ARTandGIFT@harhashem.org or (303) 499-7077.

More Gift Lists

Staff — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 05:00:16 +0000

We had a lot of fun with the “8 Gifts for 8 Nites” series and a few others did too – here’s a roundup of other gift lists spotted around the web:

The ComicsAlliance Chanukah Gift List: 8 Nights of Jewish Comics (ComicsAlliance.com)
8 Great Hanukkah Gifts (Overstock.com)
8 Hot Hanukkah Gift Ideas to Make Your Latkes Melt (Blogher.com)
Chanukah on a Budget: 8 Fabulous Chanukah Gift Ideas (Kosher.com)

Happy last night of Chanukah!

Chanukah Clearance Sale

Ellen Kowitt — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 04:30:36 +0000

You might find this one!

The Congregation Har HaShem Gift Shop has Boulder’s largest selection of Judaica. Take advantage of a clearance sale this Thursday and Friday to save 40% off almost everything!

Two Ways to Shop:

1.) Shop In Person: Come to the Congregation Har HaShem North Building Social Hall at 3950 Baseline Road in Boulder on Thursday or Friday, December 9th and 10th from 10 AM to noon.

2.) Shop Online: Now available on the Internet with thousands of items and shipping. CLICK HERE to browse and buy.

Stock up for next year at great prices!