Saturday, December 22, 2012
Advice on avoiding holiday stress, plus three unique cookie recipes from the editor's kitchen.
City sidewalks, busy sidewalks dressed in holiday style… In the air, there’s a feeling of Christmas… Maybe in your private Idaho. Here in the real world, what I sense mere days before Christmas is stress. My to-do list remains distressingly full—life doesn’t always cooperate with pre-holiday plans. That means the next few days will be busy ones, what with all the cleaning and decorating left to do. And shopping too. In keeping with our family’s desire for a spiritual rather than materialistic holiday season, we don’t do much mall-hopping for store-bought gifts (save for Mom’s perfume, something musical for the guy and video games for the son). Some things, however, like food and household/holiday necessities, simply must be purchased. So, …
Thursday, December 20, 2012
No meat, no dairy, no problem!
Whether you shape your holiday cookies in Christmas wreaths or Hanukkah dreidles, there's no denying that in December, dessert is the main event. Well, that and shopping, of course! The first time my aunt attempted to make a vegan holiday dessert, we all couldn't help but laugh at the outcome. She followed the recipe for "dessert balls," but they tasted more like desert balls—dry, flaky, leaving your mouth absolutely begging for water. That was back in December 2008. She Googled vegan desserts, and combed through a handful of recipes before landing on the famous peanut-butter dessert balls. Today, a Google search for "vegan desserts" returns more cookies, pies, bars and cakes than one could make in a year. I've followed a few over the …
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Third annual Hanukkah observance at Town Hall brings joy, dancing and doughnuts.
Visible joy was in abundance as about 100 people gathered Wednesday night to celebrate Hanukkah at Parsippany's third annual Municipal Menorah Lighting. The purpose of the evening was to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights by lighting a huge candelabra in front of Town Hall on Route 46. Jews of all persuasions—Reform, Conservative, Orthodox and secular—along with members of the Township Council and other Parsippanians came together to remember the long ago miracle of a lamp that had only one day's worth of oil yet stayed lit for eight nights. That miracle gave hope to the ancient Maccabees, enabling them to achieve a victory in battle over their Greek-Syrian oppressors. Today, that miracle and the lights on the Hanukkah menorah give …
Friday, December 14, 2012
Video on the Go captured the 5th night of Hanukkah fun from start to finish.
Joy and celebration were the watchwords as Parsippany's diverse Jewish communities and residents came together to celebrate the fifth night of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights, at Town Hall. Mayor James Barberio and town officials were on hand as Councilman Jonathan Nelson used a torch dubbed the Light of Freedom to light the official town menorah which stands prominently on Route 46 in front of the municipal building. After the lighting, the attendees gathered in Council Chambers for music, inspirational messages and Hanukkah treats including jelly doughnuts and potato latkes.
A trio of Jewish groups hold ceremony on Route 10 for 6th night of Hanukkah.
A crowd of Parsippany and Morris Plains gathered at the corner of Route 10 and Powder Mill Road to light a menorah to commemorate the miracle of Hanukkah Thursday night. The event was organized by the Rabbinnical College of America, the Chabad Center and Rutgers Jewish Outreach.
Don't know what to buy a loved one? Save the cash and get cooking.
The winter-holiday season is among my favorite times of the year. It's amazing how much joy comes from seeing twinkling lights on a tree, from feeling the warmth that emanates from a nearby menorah, from hearing Christmas carols sung by a passionate chorale, from experiencing anew the wonder for a baby's birth 2000-odd years ago. And of course there is the glow on children's faces—there is nothing like seeing a kid gorging herself on candy gelt, anticipating a visit from Santa or running through a field covered in wintry white. Accompanying these magnificent joys is one proclaimed in an old adage: It's better to give than to receive. Don't get me wrong: I love getting presents as much as the next guy. (Again: I enjoy receiving gifts as …
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Win $100,000 For Par-Troy Schools In Patch's “Deck the House” Contest and $500 to pay your electric bills!
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Thursday, December 13, 2012
We’re launching our annual Deck the House Contest to find the most over-the-top holiday decorations in America—the best “decked” house in the country—the one home so spectacularly decorated that everyone in town jokes your holiday decorations could rival Rockefeller Center’s. If this sounds like your house, upload a photo or video of your home to our contest page from Nov. 26 to Dec. 16. Only residents of Patch towns are eligible to enter. We’ll select 24 regional finalists, and from them, pick one grand prize winner. Patch will pay up to $500 of the utility bill for each finalist, while our national winner will have $100,000 donated to his or her local school district. Our contest is right around the corner, so now’s the time to get your …
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
Where to celebrate the Festival of Lights
Parsippany area Hanukkah observances include: Temple Adath Shalom, 841 Mountain Way in Morris Plains, will take part in the Township menorah lighting Wednesday, Dec. 12 at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. The Adath Shalom choir will sing at the event. The congregation will hold its own annual Hanukkah celebration Thursday, Dec. 13 at 6 p.m. at the synagogue. Congregation Shaya Ahavat Torah, 113 Hawkins Ave., hosts a Hanukkah party at the shul Saturday, Dec. 15 at 7 p.m. As part of the festivities, the film "American Matchmaker" will be screened; the movie is in Yiddish with English subtitles. Refreshments will be served. Jewish Cultural School & Society: All are welcome to a JCSS secular humanist Hanukkah observance taking place Sunday, Dec. 16 at 1 …
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Historic site sets its charitable sights on the Interfaith Food Pantry, which serves the needy of Parsippany and Morris County.
The Stickley Museum at Craftsman Farms is getting into the spirit of giving for Hanukkah and Christmas. The historic site is hosting a holiday food drive to benefit the Interfaith Food Pantry. The food drive will continue through Wednesday, Dec. 19. The Interfaith Food Pantry, a non-denominational, nonprofit organization established in 1994, provides supplemental food assistance to low-income working families, fixed-income or housebound senior citizens, the disabled, and unemployed people who are residents of Morris County. The need for assistance is particularly great this year because of the number of families affected by Superstorm Sandy. Heather Stivison, the museum's executive director, told Patch that the facility is the perfect …
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Enjoy these terrific recipes to make your Festival of Lights celebrating extra special.
When one thinks of Hanukkah eating, the thought usually goes to the traditional: yummy potato latkes, crisp apple fritters, cookies and sweets and the myriad varieties of Sufganiyot (doughnuts). But dishes served to celebrate the annual Jewish Festival of Lights encompass so much more. Here are some terrific recipes we've tried and adored. These delicacies offer a miraculous way to wish your family and friends Ah Lichtige Hanukkah... a bright Hanukkah. We could eat this all day and all year long (and, in fact, we do!): This traditional golden brown Jewish egg bread is light and fluffy, rich and beautiful, making it perfect for Hanukkah feasts. This delicious recipe comes from A Taste of Home. Coming from the Sephardic tradition, this salad…
