Shabbat Shira – Parashat Beshalach

Shabbat-Shirah-website-graphicPlease join us for Friday Night Shabbat Services TONIGHT February 10, at the regular time of 7:00 PM. Songs, friends and joyful prayer will greet you.

Shabbat morning services are THIS Saturday February 11. We will have a children’s Tu BE Shevat story time and snack at 10:30 as well as a delicious kosher lunch following services. Please join us for this special Shabbat Shira! Thank you Toda Raba to Barry and Audrey Mann who are kindly sponsoring the lunch in gratitude for their recent amazing visit to Israel. We can’t wait to hear all about it.

Sunday school THIS SUNDAY morning February 12 at 10 AM.

Only a couple of weeks away – Friday February 24, we will proudly host Scout Shabbat for the Austin Jewish Community. Join us as we honor Beth El and Jewish community scouts at Scout Shabbat. Services will be at 6:30 PM followed by a fun pasta dinner. Jay and Carol Rubin will be our special guests.

Candle lighting in Austin is at 5:52 PM

Friday January 6, Rabbi Daniel Septimus CEO of the Austin JCC will likewise be our guest speaker at Beth El.

Cantor Ben-Moshe’s Message
This Shabbat is Shabbat Shirah, the name we give to the Shabbat on which we read Parshat B’shallah, the parshah that includes Shirat Hayam, the Song of the Sea. The Torah teaches that Moshe and Miriam led the Israelites in song as they celebrated the defeat of the Egyptian army by floodwaters at the Sea of Reeds (The Great Bitter Lake, on the edge of the Sinai Peninsula). Interestingly, the Torah introduces the Song with the words “Az yashir Moshe uv’nei Yisrael”-“Then Moshe and the Children of Israel *will sing*”. The Song at the Sea was merely the first of many songs that our People have sung, and will continue to sing into the future. May our voices always be lifted in song to the God who delivered our refugee ancestors, and who continues to support us and all other refugees today. Shabbat Shalom.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

HOLD THE DATES: Special events at Beth El.

On Friday February 24 February, Jay Rubin, former CEO of Shalom Austin and avid historian and his wonderful wife Ms. Carol will come to Beth El! Jay will give our Dvar Torah and celebrate Scout Shabbat with us.

In March we will welcome Rabbi-Cantor Marie Betcher, who among other things is a Police Chaplain, ordained Rabbi and Cantor, as well as a former Opera Singer.

Also coming up in the Spring, Ami Pedhazur, UT Professor in Israel and Diaspora Studies will give a guest talk at Beth El on the 50th Anniversary of the Six Day War. Date to be confirmed.

Join us for Scout Shabbat, Friday February 24 at 6:30 PM. Show your support for Jewish scouts in Austin, including several girls in our own shul! Jay and Carol Rubin will also be our special guests as we celebrate shabbat with our wonderful Scouts.

SISTERHOOD PERSONAL ORGANIZATION CLASS COMING ON MARCH 4 at 12:30 PM – Please join us as Jennifer Lava,
Professional Organizer & Productivity Consultant and volunteer with the Austin Jewish Business Network comes and helps us GET ORGANIZED.

Happy February birthdays to Shiry Turjeman, Rachael and Arie Stavchansky, Barry Mann, Gregg Philipson, Sara Koeller, Marina Garfield, Carol Rubin, Mirit Solomon-Shimony, Tamar Zohar and Elaine Jacobs. Please shoot us an email if we don’t have your birthday and it’s this month!

Check out the Friday night tunes on our website:
http://bethelaustin.wpengine.com/education-2/kabbalat-shabbat-songs/

http://bethelaustin.wpengine.com

And please donate generously to your shul! A Jewel in the Austin Jewish Community.
www.bethelaustin.org/donate

Community News:

FAMILY FUN DAY AT THE ECP:
Spend an exiciting morning with our community to enjoy many interactive games, rides and activities. Money will be raised through wristband sales and sponsorships. . #ECPFun17

Austin Jewish Business Network:

On Tues, February 21st, 2017 “Starting a Nonprofit Business in Austin”, Joshua Levy.

To RSVP and for complete details of all AJBN Meetings and Events go to: http://www.meetup.com/Austin-Jewish-Business-Network/

Rabbi Peter Tarlow’s weekly Parashah – from the Center for Jewish Hispanic relations:
The parashah for this week is: “B’Shlach”. You will find it in The Book of Exodus 13:17-17:16. This parashah covers a great many historical events. It take the reader, from our leaving Egypt and Pharaoh’s regrets through the Red Sea’s parting, the giving of manna, the people’s first “revolt” against Moses’ leadership and ends with the beginning of the eternal wars with/against Amalek.
The section is ripe with ethical questions many of whose answers still allude us. For example, the sensitive reader is bound to ask such questions as: Was the parting of the sea a necessity or an unfortunate ambush? Were the people ungrateful and is ingratitude a normal part of political life? Should we expect people to thank us for what we do, or do we do for others simply because such actions are the right thing to do?
Despite the moral uncertainties within this week’s parashah, there seem to be a several unifying sub-themes. One of these sub-themes may be that timing has a major role in how we live our lives. Just as Ecclesiastes would note many centuries later, when we chose to do something may be as important as what we do. Thus, in this week’s section we note that there is a time for crying out and a time for action; that G’d can make suggestions to us, but in the end only we can do for ourselves.
We note this emphasis on timing in Chapter 14 of Exodus where G’d in frustration says to Moses at the shores of the Red Sea: “Ma tizak Elay; daber el bnei-Yisrael vYisa-u!/Why are you still crying out to me?
Almost like a frustrated parent whose children are adapt at procrastination G’d chastises Moses stating: Address the nation (people of Israel) and get going (across the sea)!” (14:15). The text all too plainly is telling us that at some point the talking has to cease and the action has to begin, that we can mull over an issue for ever, and in the end, what counts is not what we say but rather what we do. This principle is true both in our personal lives and in our national political life. How often are we experts in making excuses for simply not beginning? How many of us, and our politicians, seem to know how rationalize a lack of action?
How many of us need G’d to remind us, to stop talking and do more? How often are we so caught up in our non-stop analyzing of situations that we end up doing nothing? In this week’s parashah G’d teaches us that at some point all of us have to put our foot into the sea, and begin to cross it.
B’Shalach reminds us that the person of faith is a person of action, while the person without faith often fails to translate his/her thoughts into actions. This week’s parashah then may be as much a challenge as a history, reminding us that all of the knowledge in the world is worthless if it does not lead to actions. What do you think?

Parashat Shemot

13 shemotJoin us for Friday Night Shabbat Services. We’d love to see you, TONIGHT January 20, at the regular time of 7:00 PM. Rabbi Daniel Septimus, the CEO of the JCC, will join us for services and we greatly look forward to welcoming him to Beth El as he delivers a Dvar Torah. It is also Natalie’s birthday and she would love to have her congregation celebrate with cake after services.

Shabbat morning services are a week away, Saturday January 28.

Sunday school THIS SUNDAY morning January 22 at 10 AM.

Candle lighting in Austin is at 5:40 PM

Friday January 6, Rabbi Daniel Septimus CEO of the Austin JCC will likewise be our guest speaker at Beth El.

Cantor Ben-Moshe’s Message
This week’s parshah, Shemot, begins the book of the same name (Exodus in English). Our parshah presents us with examples of courage-the courage of the midwives, Shifrah and Pu’ah, who refused to carry out Pharaoh’s genocidal orders, and of course the courage of Moshe, who left the comfort of the palace to stand up for his Israelite brethren, and then to return to challenge Pharaoh himself. The Midrash also tells us of the courage of Amram and Yocheved, Moshe’s parents, in bringing another child into the world despite Pharaoh’s decree. Many have taken the courage of the heroes of our parshah as an inspiration, including the Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., whose birthday we celebrated this week. May we always be inspired by the courage of our ancestors, who dared to dream of freedom. Shabbat Shalom.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

HOLD THE DATES: Guest speakers at Beth El.

TONIGHT Friday January 20, Rabbi Daniel Septimus CEO of the Austin JCC will be our guest speaker at Beth El.

And the third Friday in February, Jay Rubin, former CEO of Shalom Austin and avid historian will come to speak!

In March we will welcome Rabbi-Cantor Marie Betcher, who among other things is a Police Chaplain, ordained Rabbi and Cantor, as well as a former Opera Singer.

Also coming up in the Spring, Ami Pedhazur, UT Professor in Israel and Diaspora Studies will give a guest talk at Beth El on the 50th Anniversary of the Six Day War. Date to be confirmed.

SO GOOD TO HAVE OUR BERS (Beth El Religious School) BACK dancing their hearts our with Ms Carol Rubin!!! A great time was had by all. Please see the website for the Spring calendar.

The Children of Beth El religious school unrolling the beginning of their Sefer Torah – just like we finished reading Genesis, they too have finished the first book of the Torah and continue this weekend.

Read the lovely sisterhood article in The Jewish Outlook.

https://etypeservices.com/…//Magazine151411/Full/index.aspx…

Sisterhood Book Club Event! NEXT WEEK.
**On January 24th at 7:00 p.m. we will be having another book club event, The event will be at the home of Yael Shacham, who has graciously volunteered hosting our evening get together. The name of the book and its author, that we will be discussing, is “A Pigeon and A Boy” by Meir Shalev. PLEASE come even if you haven’t finished the book or are just interested in reading the book. The discussion promises to be lively and inspiring.

Happy January birthdays to Sara Pollack, Javis Howeth, Daniel Freedman, Bev Golden, Idit Katz, Natalie and Shirley Koeller, Idan Nahum, Jay Rubin and Ira Shapiro!

Check out the Friday night services on our website:
http://bethelaustin.wpengine.com/education-2/kabbalat-shabbat-songs/

http://bethelaustin.wpengine.com

Community News:
*Stand with Israel event on February 9!

* JCC Austin is sponsoring a trip to Spain and Israel October 2017 : www.shalomaustin.org/MeltonSefarad

or contact Lisa Quay at 512-735-8086 or lisa.quay@shalomaustin.org.

*Please join the JCC on Sunday January 29 from 9 Am to 4:30 PM for the 15th Annual Tapestry of Jewish Learning. Wonderful key note speakers and a full day of Jewish learning. Please see www.shalomaustin.org

for more information. Cost is only $10 if you register ahead of time.

Chazak Chazak ve Nitchazek

Chazak Chazak Ve Nitchazek! Join us for Friday Night Shabbat Services. We’d love to see you, TONIGHT January 13, at the regular time of 7:00 PM.

Shabbat morning services are THIS Saturday January 14 at 9 AM. The kidish lunch is in honor of our beloved teacher Bev Golden who has taught Kita Gimmel for the last two years.

Sunday school THIS SUNDAY morning January 15 at 10 AM.

Check out all the Friday night melodies on our website:
http://bethelaustin.wpengine.com/education-2/kabbalat-shabbat-songs/

Candle lighting in Austin is at 5:33 PM

Friday January 6, Rabbi Daniel Septimus CEO of the Austin JCC will likewise be our guest speaker at Beth El.

Cantor Ben-Moshe’s Message

This week we conclude the Book of B’reshit, Genesis, with the reading of Parshat Vayehi. Our parshah takes place in Egypt, with Ya’akov/Yisrael blessing his children before his death, and with the promise that their descendants would one day return to their homeland. Interestingly, the Torah concludes on a similar note-Moshe blessing the Children of Israel before his death, as they are about to enter their homeland after centuries of exile. Moshe even echoes the language which Ya’akov uses in our parshah. The cycle is complete, and God has fulfilled His promise to the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, even though the road to that fulfillment was a long one. We must never give up hope that things will get better-this faith is the essence of Jewish thought. Our Tradition has always taught us not to despair, but rather to have faith that God’s plan will ultimately unfold. As we always say at the end of a book of the Torah, חזק חזק ונתחזק-“Be strong, be strong and we will strengthen ourselves. Shabbat Shalom.

Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

HOLD THE DATES: Guest speakers at Beth El.

Friday January 20, Rabbi Daniel Septimus CEO of the Austin JCC will be our guest speaker at Beth El.

On the first Friday of February, we welcome Rabbi/Cantor Marie Betcher who will talk about the great work she does as a Police Chaplain.

And the third Friday in February, Jay Rubin, former CEO of Shalom Austin and avid historian will come to speak!

Also coming up in the Spring, Ami Pedhazur, UT Professor in Israel and Diaspora Studies will give a guest talk at Beth El on the 50th Anniversary of the Six Day War. Date to be confirmed.

SO GOOD TO HAVE OUR BERS (Beth El Religious School) BACK!!! Please see the website for the Spring calendar.

http://bethelaustin.wpengine.com/congregational-school/

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Did you see The Jewish Outlook article about Beth El’s sisterhood – it’s on page 55 in this month’s edition: “Congregation Beth El Sisterhood Builds and Nurtures Jewish Life”. Our sisterhood is truly inclusive and open to all. Please join us for any and all events. Thank you to our wonderful Shereen for writing the article.

https://etypeservices.com/…//Magazine151411/Full/index.aspx…

Sisterhood Book Club Event!

**On January 24th at 7:00 p.m. we will be having another book club event, The event will be at the home of Yael Shacham, who has graciously volunteered hosting our evening get together. The name of the book and its author, that we will be discussing, is “A Pigeon and A Boy” by Meir Shalev. PLEASE come even if you haven’t finished the book or are just interested in reading the book. The discussion promises to be lively and inspiring.

Happy January birthdays to Sara Pollack, Javis Howeth, Daniel Freedman, Bev Golden, Idit Katz, Natalie and Shirley Koeller, Idan Nahum, Jay Rubin and Ira Shapiro!

Community News from the J:

* JCC Austin is sponsoring a trip to Spain and Israel October 2017, a Melton Travel Seminar with Dana Baruch and other educators leading the program. Learn more from Dana and Melton Travel Seminars Director Haim Aronovitz on Thursday, January 19 at 7 pm or Friday, January 20 at 9 am. Trip is open to all adults, not limited to Melton students or graduates. Itinerary and cost details at www.shalomaustin.org/MeltonSefarad

or contact Lisa Quay at 512-735-8086 or lisa.quay@shalomaustin.org.
Register now to attend one, some or all of the sessions at this year’s Tapestry: A Day of Jewish Learning on January 29 at the JCC. Day features both morning and afternoon keynotes and 24 other sessions to choose from, including 4 live music performances, provocative speakers and scholars, compelling panel discussions and more! Pre-registration is $10 ($15 at the door). BBYO providing snack and lunch options for sale in the Tapestry Café (cash only please) or come-and-go throughout the day and attend what interests you the most. Full details at www.shalomaustin.org/tapestry

or contact Lisa Quay at 512-735-8086 or lisa.quay@shalomaustin.org.

Please let me know if I can provide additional information and thank you for your assistance.

Lisa Cohen Quay, LMSW, MPA

Happy New month, New Year and Hannukah

Friday Night Shabbat Services. We’d love to see you tonight, December 30, at the regular time of 7:00 PM.

Shabbat morning services are two weeks away on Saturday, January 14 at 9 AM.

One week away, Friday January 6, we look forward to welcoming Rabbi Daniel Septimus who will give the Dvar Torah at Beth El and tell us about his role as CEO of the JCC.

Sunday school resumes January 8.

Candle lighting in Austin is at 5:23 PM

Friday January 6, Rabbi Daniel Septimus CEO of the Austin JCC will likewise be our guest speaker at Beth El.

Cantor Ben Moshe’s Message
We read Parshat Mikketz, and last week’s cliffhanger is resolved. Joseph is freed from prison and rises to become prime minister of Egypt. The darkness of prison and slavery is dispelled. So too, the darkness of this season is dispelled by our lighting of the candles of Hanukkah. On Saturday night, we will light all of the candles of Hanukkah in a blaze of illumination. Darkness may come at times, as it does in the continuation of the story of the Children of Israel in Egypt, but as we will read in a few weeks, while there is darkness in Egypt, “for the Children of Israel there was light in their dwellings”. May there always be light in our dwellings, in the new month of Tevet, in the secular New Year, and always-and where there is darkness, let us bring light. Shabbat Shalom, Hag Urim Sameah, Hodesh Tov, and Happy New Year.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

HOLD THE DATES: Guest speakers at Beth El.

Next week – Friday January 6, Rabbi Daniel Septimus CEO of the Austin JCC will likewise be our guest speaker at Beth El.

On the first Friday of February, we welcome Rabbi/Cantor Marie Betcher who will talk about the great work she does as a Police Chaplain.

And the third Friday, Jay Rubin, former CEO of Shalom Austin and avid historian will come to speak!

Huge thank you to the amazing band Los Klezmeros who absolutely helped make this one rocking Hannukah – singalongs, kids drumming away, dancing and fun was had by all. Ben even brought his trumpet. The party was phenomenal and we look forward to many simchas as a community.

Sisterhood Book Club Event!
**On January 24th at 7:00 p.m. we will be having another book club event, The event will be at the home of Yael Shacham, who has graciously volunteered hosting our evening get together. The name of the book and its author, that we will be discussing, is “A Pigeon and A Boy” by Meir Shalev.

We want to wholeheartedly thank all the amazing folks who helped us prepare for the Chanukah party last week, whether you made 200 sufganiots, cooked all day for the scrumptious meal, helped lay the new floor in the social hall, cooked latkes till you dropped and of course donated generously to help us make it so much fun – you are appreciated!!!

Grandpa Abe:
“The Miracle of Children”
I was reading on the internet about a little boy. He looked to be about five and was just adopted. He had his hands up in the air shouting “Hurrah”. He was so delighted to now have a mom and dad. He had previously been in three other foster homes and my opinion would be they were just stopping points and not a place to be loved. I kinda know, or think I know, how this little fellow felt. I was blessed with some miracles also. My wife had lost a child due to a diabetic condition. We had talked about it and decided why not try to adopt. It wasn’t that we didn’t like children. We more than liked them. We felt they were needed in our lives to make them complete. At that time, my wife and I were on a bowling team. I might add that was the only year we bowled. One of the teams had an interesting person on it. I still remember her name. She was Sylvia. I got to talking to Sylvia and it turns out that she worked for the State in the Department of Child Welfare (or some department like that, I don’t remember the name). She suggested we fill out an application and, being we were not very picky of the sex or the age of the children, she thought, along with us, that it might work. Well, the two of us went home and worked over the ten page application. I remember one of the parts in the application was to list how much money you had in the bank. I guess they wanted to know if you can afford a child, if there was such a thing. I told my mother about that and she immediately sent me $300 to put in the bank to show we have a savings. As time went on, I would see Sylvia every week and cordially greet her and smile and talk about everything except the adoption. We felt that she deals with this all day long. She didn’t have to deal with it when she was off work. One day we get a letter. Don’t forget at that time there were no emails. We got a letter that they would like to interview us. I take off work and she took off work and we go for the interview. Both of us, with the blessings and prayers of our co-workers. I can tell you I have never been so nervous in all my life. They asked us every question that you can imagine. We included with our application a picture of us together and at that time I wanted to be a little clever. We sent a picture of both of us wearing coca-cola pants riding on a camel at the San Antonio zoo. At the end of the interview, the woman asked about that picture. She says most of the pictures she receives are so solemn like they were taken by a photographer and does not show the true personality of the people. I explained to her that that is us and that’s how we feel. My intentions were to get your attention and to let you know we are fun-loving people with lots of love to share. She informed me that she thinks I succeeded.

It wasn’t long after, I’d say a month or two, you know how the State works, that we get a letter to come in again. Being I always think positive, I’m very over-joyed. At this meeting they explained to us that there is a brother and sister that they are looking to place. To the best of my recollection, I think the girl was 2 1/2 and the boy was a year old. Well, I was very over-joyed. Didn’t even occur to me how I was going to go from two paychecks and two people down to one paycheck and four people. But my wife told me that she had full confidence in me. If I could keep that old car of mine running, I could certainly figure this out. Well, this would make a good end to this story except I get a call this time that there are twin boys that they are looking to place. I was so over-joyed. I told her that I would have to speak to my wife and let her know tomorrow morning. Well, I remember the look on her face. WHAT? We talked, we cried, we thought about it and you know the outcome. We now had four children. For most people this would be unthinkable. But, by the grace of God, we made it. The kids grew up being loved, being disciplined and being loved some more. Now they’re all married, have children of their own and our daughter even has grandchildren. I think of my children quite a bit along with the grandchildren and the latest great-grandchildren. Times are so hectic now. Families are getting larger and I don’t get a chance to see them as often. The closest one is nearly two hours from me. It would be nice if I could see them more often, but you know God made that mother bird outside my window have the instinct to teach the baby birds to fly and be on their own. That’s what I have done. I don’t like it. I love my children and my grands, but that’s how life goes. I’m very happy that I’ve had this opportunity to raise these children.
Dor ‘l Dor Grandpa Abe

Hannukah 2016 3

Love Cookies – By Grandpa Abe – Parashat Vayeshev

Lots going on this weekend. Please join us for Friday Night Shabbat Services December 23, at the regular time of 7:00 PM.

Shabbat morningHannukah 2016 2 services are THIS Saturday December 24 at 9 AM, with the Torah service at 9:45 and children’s story time with Morah Shereen at 10:30. Kidish lunch following services.

THE HANNUKAH PARTY IS THIS SUNDAY. Please join us this Sunday December 25 at 5 PM at Beth El for one cool Hannukah party. Live music with Los Klezmeros, Kosher food including hotdogs and chicken and Guy’s famous Israeli sufganiot and candle lighting! Thank you to Avigail Adaky for sponsoring the party in honor of her 80th birthday! Mazal tov Avi – Ad 120! We’ll be there all Sunday afternoon cooking if you want to help make our famous Hippy Latkes.

Candle lighting in Austin is at 5:17 PM

Cantor Ben Moshe’s Message
This week’s parshah, Vayeshev, features an unnamed character who is actually pivotal to the narrative. Joseph is looking for his brothers near Sh’chem, and an anonymous stranger tells him that they are near Dothan, some distance away. Had Joseph not encountered this stranger, the rest of the story-Joseph’s sale into slavery in Egypt and everything that followed-could not have occurred.
Jewish folklore is full of stories of a stranger who appears at a pivotal time, who turns out to be the prophet Elijah. The purpose of these tales is to teach that we don’t know how important anyone we meet actually is. Anyone could be a vital part of our life’s story-any encounter might be a turning point, which we only recognize in retrospect. May we always strive to look for the possibility that every encounter with every person could be significant in some way. Shabbat Shalom and Hag Urim Sameah, Happy Hanukkah.
Hazzan Yitzhak Ben-Moshe

HOLD THE DATES: Guest speakers at Beth El.

Friday January 6, Rabbi Daniel Septimus CEO of the Austin JCC will likewise be our guest speaker at Beth El.

On the first Friday of February, we welcome Rabbi/Cantor Marie Betcher who will talk about the great work she does as a Police Chaplain.

And the third Friday, Jay Rubin, former CEO of Shalom Austin and avid historian will come to speak!

Huge thank you to Art, Yosef and Kevin for the new flooring in the social hall. Come check it out – you will be amazed. They were ably helped by Eden, Natalie and Sara. You can still find them there this morning finishing up if you want to lend a hand! Pictured below taking a well earned break.

Sisterhood Book Club Event!

**On January 24th at 7:00 p.m. we will be having another book club event, The event will be at the home of Yael Shacham, who has graciously volunteered hosting our evening get together. The name of the book and its author, that we will be discussing, is “A Pigeon and A Boy” by Meir Shalev.

Shabbat shefs was a blast this week rocking to Hannukah music while preparing a delicious kidish. Thank you to Claudia, Doris and Herschel, Michelle, Shereen, Javis, Iris, Yesenia and Genesis and Iris. Sunday afternoon at 1 PM onwards come on over to help make the latkes.

Love Cookies – By Grandpa Abe
Well, it’s a special time of the year. This is the time of the year that we get special things for the kids on Hanukkah and, if you’re lucky enough to be a special kid adult, you’ll get something also. it’s the time to play with dreidels and let’s not forget that chocolate gelt. The other day we went to our local heb to get some Hanukkah candles. For some unknown reason, we always have partial boxes left over. Some day we’re going to have enough to make a set of candles. For all of you who don’t know how many are in a set, there are 44 (I read the box.) While I was with my lovely wife doing some grocery shopping and getting, to me, the necessities of life like Hanukkah candles, I was reflecting on this time of year. There were many times I wasn’t home. Such as, I was in the military or my job had me living in another state. But my heart was always where my mom and dad were. It doesn’t matter how old I got. They were very special. I know you are probably saying isn’t your wife special? Yes, my wife is special. She is a different special than my mom and dad. I was going to visit my brother and my sister over the holiday season. There wasn’t anything I thought I could bring them. Both of them have anything they would want or they could obtain it. But I wanted to bring something. That is what mom had inbred in us. Out of the blue I thought the chocolate coconut cookies that mom would make. I remember being in Europe and in February getting my care package sent in December. This care package always consisted of these chocolate coconut cookies. I might add, if the enemy ever invaded me, I could use these cookies to kill them. They were as hard as a rock and so much appreciated. Not for what they were, but what they stood for. I knew they were made with lots of love and care. At that time, they were packed in wax paper. You hardly see that anymore. Well, I spoke to my precious wife and I said,”Let’s make some for my sister and brother. It was many, many years since our lips touched these cookies.” I called my sister and asked her if she had a copy of the rare recipe. Her answer was, “I do have it.” In the next day’s email I had it in my hands. Well, Grandma and Grandpa started to make these cookies. After much discussion, and not knowing anything about anything, the two of us decided on making four recipes. If you people do not know how much four recipes is, it’s just shy of feeding the whole block where you live. We had cookies and we had cookies. Well, they were good. We got it down to an assembly line. Each tray of cookies had to be in the oven for 10 minutes. That was good. That gave us just enough time to get a pan out of the oven, take one of my brand new putty knives that had been cleaned and take them off the cookie pan and onto a broiler pan. We didn’t have one of those cooling racks that my mother used to have, but this worked fine. It wasn’t quite to the point one for me and one for the box, but it was getting close. Came lunch time, we weren’t hungry as you could imagine why. We filled two aluminum pans that have covers on them that you buy at the heb store. When we were all done, as we sat there hugging each other, we were so pleased that we accomplished something. We made mama’s cookies with LOVE, like she would make. After these cookies were made, I sat there laughing as I’m thinking that Mom also added pecans, but I can’t remember. But anyways, the recipe for these cookies are 90% love and 10% ingredients!
Have a Happy Hanukkah and may the dreidel always keep spinning in your favor.
Dor ‘l Dor Grandpa Abe