Cinco De Mayo

A long time ago, I once was a staff member of a Teen Trip to Israel. After one of those long hikes, with complaining teens, we arrive at a nice hotel in Jerusalem. The kids are all happy (the kibbutz hotel was not good enough for these kids) and they are tired (YES) and getting ready to go to bed. Then, from out of no where, mass chaos erupts. A bus load of teenage boys and girls from Mexico City emerge from their late night activity, screaming and running around like crazy. They invade my girl's rooms. Bras, underwear,shirts (basically everything) tossed around their hotel.There went that peaceful night's sleep... 


More recently, we visited Progreso and Cozumel, Mexico. Progreso was pretty empty. We did a little trip to some Mayan ruins. It was interesting, but somewhat disappointing. Bonus: climbing on Mayan ruins (it's allowed). Negative: No food, kinda boring history after listening to it for over 20 minutes. 

Cozumel, on the other hand, was amazing. The port was large, it was easy to get around and there was so much to do. Beautiful weather always equals the beach. We went to a place called Mr. Sanchos. Mr. Sanchos had all you can eat (and good veggie) Mexican food. They had an aqua fun park, jet skiing, boat rentals, on beach massages, snorkel and diving rentals (they even made their own underwater Mayan ruins to attract fish),  cabanas, a pool (the pool had a bar and table & stools within it!) and nice bathrooms. I could not ask for more. The day was beautiful and affordable. People were nice and there were lockers... so perfect. If you ever go to Cozumel, I highly recommend this place. 

We left enough time to head into the port area for some shopping. We didn't so much dig it, though if we really wanted to, I am sure we could have found something. In the downtown area we found signs (and followed them) to the Beit Chabad. So random, but so cool. We met with the Rabbi there and even encountered some Israelis who ignored us as soon as we entered the building (wow!). The Rabbi was super nice and offered drinks and some good conversation. The house was decked out with beautiful art. You never know when you will run into places like that. They also do have a kosher restaurant to eat in Cozumel, so for those who are concerned...it's awesome!

OK enough with the talk!!!! So, what is a Jew To Do? Grab your favorite Corona, eat and celebrate because it is.... Cinco De Mayo time!

I have no idea what the hell this video is about...but hey, why not. 

• Latin Americans know how to have fun. We have all seen the fancy Latin dances
• They know how to hit the pinata.

• Did you know that Jews first arrived in South America with Cortes? Jews have been in South America since 1492 (Jewish Virtual Library). A little history was never a bad thing. Still interested? Click here to learn about What Jews are doing in other South American Countries. 
• Corn chips, Salsa, Guacamole, Tacos, Burritos, Beans, Rice, Cheese, Sour cream...Holy shit, how can you not like Mexican food? Maybe try this Kugel, with a Mexican Food twist (After all, Cinco de Mayo does fall on Shabbat this year).

Do Jews Wear Green?

Let's start off with some Singles Adds from Israel

Worried about in-law meddling? I'm an orphan! Write. POB74.

Yeshiva bochur, Torah scholar, long beard, payos. Seeks same in woman. POB 71.

Desperately seeking shmoozing! Retired senior citizen desires female companion 70+ for kvetching, kvelling, and krechtzing. Under 30 is also OK. POB 64

Attractive Jewish woman, 35, college graduate, seeks successful Jewish Prince Charming to get me out of my parents' house. POB 46

Divorced Jewish man, seeks partner to attend shule with, light Shabbos candles, celebrate holidays, build Sukkah together, attend brisses, bar mitzvahs. Religion not important. PB 658

Female graduate student, studying kaballah, Zohar, exorcism of dybbuks, seeks mensch. No weirdos, please. POB 56

Israeli professor, 41, with 18 years of teaching in my behind. Looking for American-born woman who speaks English very good. POB 555

I am a sensitive Jewish prince whom you can open your heart to. Share your innermost thoughts and deepest secrets. Confide in me. I'll understand your insecurities. No fatties, please. POB 86.

Though my New Orleans Post will have to wait, I thought I would update today’s post in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Before you get your TzitTzit in a twist, we will be giving St. Patty’s day a Jewish spin. I saw you on Purim…I saw you on Simcha Torah… Stop rolling your eyes and give in to all that’s green and alcoholic. Don’t even start with the “I do not celebrate St. Patrick’s Day” and the “ Oh it’s not Jewish- I’m not celebrating a Saint” . If you like to drink, you love it. If you love beer you love it. If you love the Irish accent you love it. Don’t even lie that you do not like the Irish accent.

What’s a Jew to Do’s Guide to St. Patrick’s Day:

·         Let’s start this off my mentioning the Jewish Community in Ireland. Yes Jews do live in Ireland.

·         Jews and the Irish have several things in common

·         Irish + Jews have made babies and unfortunately this may or may not have been one of these babies

·         No matter what this tune will stay in your head. PS I want this guy’s hat. See you tree of Tursday.

·         Celebrate St. Patty’s Day with a drink of two at your local Kiddush club. Don’t prefer that road? Go home and blame it on the Irish.

·         After Shabbat (Motzi Shabbat) go crazy. I mean it. Buy some green coloring. Make green pizza. Green cake. Green drinks. Green Bagels. Green cookies. Let your imagination go wild.

I think this will conclude my list for now. If you ever get the chance you should totally visit Ireland. It's beautiful. Everything is lush and green and there is so much to do! The food is fine ( the fish is really good!) The music is fun and the pubs are nice. Dublin has a lot going on ...What are you doing to celebrate?

Food For the Shabbat Table:

*Dairy

It’s winter now, but not too long ago, we were running around Pumpkin patches, visiting the corn mazes and doing all that is Autumn. Well, maybe or maybe not (Maybe next year?), but one thing is for sure, Pumpkins add a lot to your Shabbat Table.

I did however, run around to 10 different supermarkets looking for freaking canned pumpkin. If you did try to start early on all that is pumpkin you would have also noticed that there was a SHORTAGE of pumpkin in the early Fall. When the canned pumpkin did become available, (unfortunately Whole Foods was the first to get it…$$$$) I spent a nice amount of money stocking up on cans of pumpkins. I am telling you, if you like Pumpkin, you can do way more than the pumpkin pie (like my pals at TLC recommends in this article).

For now here is a slightly altered Paula Deen Recipe, which can be found on the Food Network. Go light on this one folks. Need a reason why? Click here.

In all seriousness, I modified it just a bit and it tastes the same. It’s a really good and easy cheesecake that everyone will love.

Pumpkin Cheesecake

Prep Time: 15 min

Inactive Prep Time: 4 hr 15 min

Cook Time: 1 hr 0 min

Serves: 8 servings

Ingredients

·          

Crust: 1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs 3 tablespoons light brown sugar 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 stick melted salted butter

Filling: ·         3 (8-ounce) packages low fat cream cheese, at room temperature ·         1 (15-ounce) can pureed pumpkin ·         3 eggs plus 1 egg yolk (you can substitute with egg beaters for the 3 eggs) ·         1/4 cup low fat sour cream ·         1 1/2 cups sugar ·         1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon ·         1/8 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg ·         1/8 teaspoon ground cloves ·         2 tablespoon all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

                                                  Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

For crust:

In medium bowl, combine crumbs, sugar and cinnamon. Add melted butter. Press down flat into a 9-inch springform pan. Set aside.

For filling:

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add pumpkin puree, eggs, egg yolk, sour cream, sugar and the spices. Add flour and vanilla. Beat together until well combined.

Pour into crust. Spread out evenly and place in oven for 1 hour. Remove from the oven and let sit for 15 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours.

SO, WHAT IS A JEW TO DO?

Q: How many Jewish mothers does it take the change a light bulb? 

 A: (Sigh) Don't bother, I'll sit in the dark, I don't want to be a nuisance to anybody . . .

HAS life gotten boring lately? Are you eating the same Shabbat (SHABBOS for those of you who prefer) meals over and over again? Fear not fellow Jews (and non-Jews, that’s cool too), from time to time I will feature some creative meals for your SHAB  table that will be firstly tasty and hopefully healthy as well (My husband lost over 40 pounds by just eating what I make him, has not complained once).

WARNING: If you are a carnivore, I cannot promise much. I do not eat it, and will not waste your time writing about it. If you are however interested in why meat and Judaism do not always mix, you can click here: http://jewishveg.com/ .

SOMETIMES you got to just get away. I get. As a self-proclaimed world traveler, I am happy to share some of my journeys and stops along the way with you. If you go anywhere cool, you will let me know and we will add your travels to the page. Kosher? We will get to that too. With some good ideas will be ready to get outta here.

CRAFTY: skillful or clever. I can get a little crafty. I will be sure to share my latest projects and I hope you will do the same.

WORLD events and everything else Israel and Jewish will be here too.

MY DISCLAIMER: Joining the blog bandwagon, I am not entirely sure  a) if what I am doing is right b) if how I am doing it is right and c) whether or not it will make any type of impact amongst the millions (maybe billions? trillions?) of blogs out there in cyber space.

SO what is a Jew to do?