JHFNC

Jewish Film Festivals!

rbarth — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:29:54 +0000

Both the Triad and Charlotte are hosting Jewish Film Festivals beginning Feb. 25, 2012. In other parts of the state, synagogues and JCC’s also frequently offer film showings.

Be sure to check them out the Triad and Charlotte as this year some great films will be shown.

The Triad For more information

Charlotte For more information

What is one of your recent favorite Jewish films? Besides our own, Down Home: Jewish Life in North Carolina Documentary film, of course.

Sources for local challah

rbarth — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 19:01:28 +0000

Smelling the fresh challah at the JCC in Durham got me thinking today. Where else can one pick up challah? This is a new offering at the Charlotte and Dick Levin JCC. In starting my search I noticed that Chabad in Wilmington also takes orders for challah. What are some other sources across NC that people can recommend? We may not have authentic Jewish bakeries, but you’d be surprised at what one can find.

Next to the Durham Farmer’s Market there’s a new baker who sells chocolate babka-and he asks customers to pay what they feel is appropriate!

Any other ideas for sources of Jewish style baked goods?

Looking for a long weekend trip destination?

jeanne — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:23:22 +0000

Check out the National Museum of American Jewish History in Philadelphia-over 25,ooo sq. ft. of core exhibit space that explores the experience of American Jews.

www.nmajh.org

Food memories from our museum exhibit recipe cards

jeanne — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 18:31:44 +0000

My father would make gefilte fish with his brothers. They also made kosher pickles in the family store basement. My mom’s challah was amazing and she made it most every friday. Jewish southern fried chicken-use matzah meal instead of flour. … Continue reading →

Hanukah Memories

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:50:15 +0000

I remember going to Jr. Congregation at Beth El Synagogue in downtown Durham from about 10-12 years old, before the “new” shul was built on Watts Street in 1956. Although I can’t recall the services, I can still taste the orange Tru Ade drinks we had at Kiddush afterwards in the “vestry” room (a fancy name for the basement).

As a teenager, I’d invite my gentile friends over to celebrate Hanukkah and they’d invite me to their homes to string popcorn on their Christmas trees. They were always jealous that we got to celebrate 8 days and get presents every night. At our house, we also celebrated Santa Claus, hanging stockings up on the mantle Christmas Eve and having them stuffed with little presents. My mother didn’t want my brother and me to feel left out so we also colored Easter eggs and had Easter egg hunts.

As my husband and I raised our own children here, we did not feel the need to “assimmilate” them, although every December they asked if we could move to Israel because they were sick of having every public school class contain something about Christmas celebrations. We had our own way of celebrating Hanuakkah: first night — presents from grandparents, second night — presents from aunt and uncle, third night — presents from kids to parents, fourth night — kids exchange presents with each other, fifth night — presents from other relatives, sixth through eighth night — presents from parents. Our kids are now adults and their favorite gifts are still those from their siblings.

Lynne of Durham

Chanukah Handmade Gifts

admin — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:49:42 +0000

Response to Chanukah presents-Rather than exchange bought presents each night we had one night when each child read something they had written for their brother or sister, one night when each child gave a handmade present, one night of a humorous homemade present. Our family would decide ahead of time the themes for a few of the nights of Chanukah.

Robin of Durham