by Webmaster | Apr 11, 2016 | Holidays, Identity, Recipes
We are Sephardic Jews. Originally from Spain, most of our families fled in 1492, expelled by the Monarchy to avoid a forced conversion to Catholicism under threat of death. Many of our families were welcomed into the lands of the Sultan, under Ottoman rule. There our...
by Webmaster | Apr 6, 2016 | Holidays, Identity, Recipes
What is the best way to usher in the Passover season? Not with handwringing and housecleaning, but with celebration, blessing and sweet joy! On Rosh Hodesh, the first day of Nissan, the Jewish month during which we celebrate Passover, Jews from Tunisia and Libya...
by Webmaster | Mar 16, 2016 | Holidays, Identity, Recipes
Want the secret recipe to the perfect global Jewish cocktails? Read on. After all, the story of Purim is, in part, a story about “passing” — hiding your identity because it is disadvantageous or even deadly to be who you really are. Esther’s dilemma has always struck...
by Webmaster | Mar 14, 2016 | Holidays, Identity, Recipes
Purim is right around the corner! Among the traditions of the holiday is the exchanging of gifts of food with one another. Many communities exchange mishloach manot (Hebrew: sending of portions). In our Ladino community, I’ve always heard it referred to as Platikos...
by Webmaster | Dec 1, 2015 | Holidays, Identity, Recipes
As a convert, I have always felt a special responsibility to actively choose Judaism. Each new choice I make reminds me to live a Jewish life with kavanah, with loving intent. I have to make being Jewish happen. My fledgling faith was galvanized by the charge to make...
by Webmaster | Nov 16, 2015 | Holidays, Identity, Recipes
We fought the Greeks, and the victory was ours!” (Traditional Israeli Hanukkah song) Eating Greek at Hanukkah might seem like a contradiction. After all, at Hanukkah time, there is a stark dichotomy drawn between Jews (good) and Greeks (bad). According to the...
