Soulfood for Shavuot

Soulfood for Shavuot

Shavuot is one of the rare Jewish holidays that really specifies a dairy meal. Some say it’s because the Torah came with the promise of a land of “chalav u’d’vash,” a land of milk and honey. Some say its because this is the time of the year when cows, goats and...
A Sephardic Passover Meat Pie

A Sephardic Passover Meat Pie

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...
Recipe: Sephardic Cookies for Purim

Recipe: Sephardic Cookies for Purim

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...
A Recipe for Homemade Hanukkah

A Recipe for Homemade Hanukkah

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...