Thursday, December 30, 2010

A Different kind of '3M'

Hey all, the opportunity below is a great way to connect with the community at large in focused, friendly, local venues: Minneapolis Mitzvah Morning


Presented by Women's Philanthropy of the Minneapolis Jewish Federation Mitzvah Morning: Choose Your Mitzvah
An opportunity to experience the impact of Federation through hands-on projects with community partners


Wednesday, January 19 9:15 a.m. Volunteer (at various locations)


11:30 a.m. Lunch at Federation



Choose from five different volunteer experiences:
9:30 a.m. Jewish Family and Children's Service Help sort and organize the Hag Sameach storage area
9:15 a.m. Jewish Family and Children's Service Altercare Interact with developmentally disabled adults by reading and discussing current events, doing exercises and watercolor painting. (Program located at Sholom Home West)


9:15 a.m. Sabes Jewish Community Center Read and conduct activities with children in an early childhood classroom.
9:30 a.m. Sholom Home West Tour Sholom Home West and experience Yiddish Club with residents.
9:15 a.m. VOICE Project Make Shabbat candlesticks with the Russian-Jewish population living in the Booth Manor Residence in the Loring Park Area.

Minneapolis Jewish Federation 13100 Wayzata Boulevard, Minnetonka (day will begin at volunteer location followed by lunch at Federation) $12 per personLunch will be served. (Dietary laws observed) Click here to RSVP or contact Dana Rubin at 952.417.2344

Monday, December 20, 2010

Introducing...our youngest member!



Dear friends,
It is with great joy that I announce the birth of Eve Blue Sulman, daughter of Chaya and Jon, born last week. Everyone is home now, happy and healthy. We hope you can meet Eve and join in celebrating her birth at our next Shabbat gathering on January 21 at Chaya and Jon's.
As they say in Yiddish, af simkhes! (=only happy occasions!)
Happy pre-new year!

Friday, November 26, 2010

Next week: Shabbat/Hanukkah shindig



Hey everyone. It was great to see so many of you a couple weeks ago at our most recent Friday night gathering. We hope you can join us next Friday for our big Shabbat/Hanukkah celebration.

It'll be going down 5:30PM, Friday, December 3 @ Andrea's.




As always, please bring something for the vegetarian potluck. Please consult the list below to see what we still need for this coming Friday night.




Secondly, in celebration of hanukkah, we'll be doing a Hanukkah grab bag. To that end, we ask everyone bring one item to throw in. Try not to exceed $5 in selecting your item, and try to get something you think others would enjoy.




Also, if you have an extra chair or two, please bring that along with you--we'll most likely need it! Finally, if you would like to light, please BYOH (bring your own hanukiah, or Hanukkah candelabra and candles)







Who's bringing What:



Food:



Pre-dinner snack food (we won't be eating dinner right away: this is important)_____ (Monica)



Wine________ (Elliot)



Challah (at least 2)_______(Ben F. is bring one challah; Devorah)



Soup_________ (Devorah's bringing matzah ball soup)



Salad_________ (Mila)



Drinks (water, soda, juice etc.)________



Side dish_________ (Sonia's bringing curried veggies and beans; Cia's bringing stir fry; Deborah and Todd are bringing something vegan/gluten-free and delicious)



Main course___________ (Andrea's making gluten-free latkes; Raysh might make some glutenous latkes; Meredith's making spanikopita; Laura and Joel are bringing something awesome)



suggested: Latkes



Dessert____________ (Raysh is brining Hanukkah Gelt; Katy; Nick)



suggested: Sufganiot (=jelly donuts)_______







General stuff:



Plastic or Paper Cutlery__________



Plastic or Paper Cups___________



Plastic or Paper Plates__________



Napkins_______________ (Monica)



Tea-lights________ (Monica)



Transliterated Kabbalat Shabbat song sheets______ (Raysh)



Bencher with Kiddush: (Raysh)



Extra kippot:_____ (Raysh)



Hanukkah grab bag bag:_____(Raysh)



Extra dreidels:_________



Other:_____________











Happy Thanksgiving weekend and see you soon!











Shavua tov.

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Upcoming November Friday Night Dinner + pre-Hanukkah lunch meeting and shopping excursion

Hey people!


I hope this does not find you buried under the snow. Or if it does, I hope you're having a fabulous time building that snow replica of the Kremlin to scale. Either way, be sure to make it out this Friday night for our awesome November Havurah Friday night gathering, which will be taking place this Friday, November 19, at 7pm @ Elliot's. (Watch your inboxes for address and instructions)


There's a very good chance we'll need extra chairs, so if you could bring a folding chair or lawn chair along, that would be great. (No sweat if you can't.)


We'll also be collecting for the Uptown Food Shelf, so please remember to bring a non-perishable food item to contribute.

Finally, this is a vegetarian potluck, as always. If you're looking for creative, delicious ideas, check out this posting from my good friend Tamar Fox, over at myjewishlearning.com :



Please consult the list below to see what we still need for this coming Friday night:

Food:

Pre-dinner snack food (we won't be eating dinner right away: this is important)_____(Monica; Raysh)
Wine________ (Emily; Stefanie)
Challah (at least 2)_______ (Nick)
Soup_________(Joel; Shira)

Salad_________ (Raysh is bringing a salad-esque stir fly; Yael)

Drinks (water, soda, juice etc.)________(Katy)

Side dish_________ (Deborah and Todd are bringing a vegan/gluten-free kugel; Raysh is bringing a gluten-filled apple kugel)

Main course___________(Meredith is bringing Blintzes)

Dessert____________ (Jon and Chaya)



General stuff:
Plastic or Paper Cutlery__________(Josh)
Plastic or Paper Cups___________(Josh)
Plastic or Paper Plates__________(Josh)
Napkins_______________ (Josh)

Tea-lights________(Raysh)

Transliterated Kabbalat Shabbat song sheets______ (Raysh)

Bencher with Kiddush: (Raysh)

Extra kippot:_____ (Raysh is bringing)
Food Shelf Donation collection bag:____ (Raysh is bringing)

Other:_____________






Also, a number of you have expressed possible interest in having a group Hanukkah shopping excursion. Please watch your inboxes for possible options. If we do it, it will be on Sunday, November 21, mid-day. We'd gather for a quick lunch, over which we'll have a planning meeting, and then we'd go holiday gift hunting.


We're all super busy, so this won't be terribly long. Figure lunch (~an hour) plus shopping (~a little more than an hour). And remember, you can show up for one part and not the other, if you so prefer.




So please, you are warmly encouraged to join me for high-quality noshing, high-quality planning, and (moral support in) shopping--most importantly, figuring out What My Mother Will Love. We'll vote on possible places via email, so stay tuned! Meanwhile, stay warm and safe.





b'virkat Shalom,
Raysh

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Uptown Havurah Turns One! Come celebrate at tomorrow night's kabbalat Shabbat and potluck dinner

Hey folks. It's hard to believe a full year has already sped by since we started coming together as a group. It's been fun watching us grow, meeting new friends, networking, learning new tunes and traditions, trying out new recipes, and planning for an exciting future.

Thank you to everyone who has participated so far. We are tremendously blessed to have such a strong group of awesome people, each of whom offers so much to us all. And thank you to everyone who has opened their living space up to us and hosted. This past year we've celebrated Jewish life at the lake (thanks God!), at Ben M.'s, at Deborah and Todd's, at Elliot's, at Laura's, at Meredith's, and at Mila and Steve's. (Please forgive me if I'm missing anyone--and let me know so I can put it up here).

May we be blessed with each other's continued company as we enter our second year. To everyone I wish a hearty l'chaim!


bi'virkat Shalom,
Raysh

At this time, I want to remind y'all that we have our October gathering tomorrow night, at my place. If you haven't yet, lemme know if you can make it and if you are, what you'll be bringing.

Below, I'll start listing who I know is bringing what (and again, if you've already said you're coming but didn't say what you're bringing, please scan this over and shoot me an email indicating what you'll bring)

Food:
Pre-dinner snack food (we won't be eating dinner right away)__________
Wine________ (Evan)
Challah (at least 2)_______(Laura is bringing)
Soup_________(Deborah's bringing borscht)
Salad_________(Monica; Ben F.)
Drinks (water, soda, juice etc.)________(David's bringing soda; Katy's bringing juice)
Side dish_________ (Max is bringing kugel; Yael's bringing veggies; Rachael; Ben M. and Eric are bringing couscous)
Main course___________(Raysh is making stuffed peppers--vegan/gluten-free/dairy variable)
Dessert____________ (Jon and Chaya are bringing apple pie; Erin's bringing ice cream)
General stuff:
Tea-lights________(Raysh)
Transliterated Kabbalat Shabbat song sheets______ (Raysh)
Extra kippot:_____ (Raysh is bringing)
Other:_____________

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Guilt-free post-Yom Kippur break-the-fast Shindig + Save the Date for our Sukkot Bash

1) This Saturday night, 9pm at Meredith's house, we'll be noshing on a variety of goodies (please watch you inboxes for an updated list of who's bringing what). Please do come!

2) We're currently in the process of gathering the materials needed to plan and construct our very own sukkah! If you would like to contribute to the building of the Uptown Havurah Sukkah, please get in touch with Raysh. Thank you so much to those who've already stepped forward to help out!

Also, if you're particularly skilled at construction or interior design, this is your moment to shine. Don't be shy about volunteering. We'll probably start building the frame Sunday in front of Ben M.'s place (where the sukkah will, with any luck, stand).

3)...which brings us to the last point: save the date for our Sukkot dinner, Monday night, Sept. 27th. More details to come. (This is during the intermediate days of Sukkot)

That's all for now. May everyone have a meaningful and inspiring Yom Kippur.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Todah Rabbah!

Todah Rabbah, great thanks to everyone who participated in Thursday night's Rosh Hashanah dinner. It was so nice to see so many of you there! May this be a blessed year for all of us, full of more such opportunities for us to celebrate together.

Especially big thanks to Laura for hosting. Please note that we will also have a break-the-fast party this coming Saturday night (9/18) at Meredith's. Please watch your inboxes and/or contact Raysh for more details.

In the meantime, many of us might be interested in hearing Arun Gandhi who will soon be visiting the Twin Cities. For more details on his upcoming talk, please click here. (Thanks Katy!)


Shavua tov and shana tovah

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Tashlikh Service: 5:20pm, Thurs. 9/9

Ever wish you could just toss away your wrong-doings?

Well now you can!

Tashlikh consists of tossing some bread crumbs into a body of water and reciting an accompanying text. We will provide said text and even some additional bread.

Come spend time with lovely people in a lovely setting just a couple hours before dinner, right in the neighbourhood. Let's meet over on the grassy area between the street and Lake of the Isles, 5:20pm, Thursday 9/9 at the intersection of W 27th St. & Lake of the Isles Parkway E.

No need to RSVP, just please arrive on time, as we will start promptly at 5:20pm.

Rosh Hashanah dinner, who's bringing what

7:30pm, 9/9 @ Laura's. Be there.

What people are bringing so far:
Food:
Wine________ (Bradley)
Challah (at least 2)_______ (Laura)
Rare fruits_______(Raysh's bringing pomegranates; Andrea's bringing dragon fruit; Ben M.'s bringing pomegranates, apples, and honey)
Soup_________ (Margie/David; Deborah+1 or 2)
Salad_________(Katy; Monica;)
Drinks (water, soda, juice etc.)________(Ben F.)
Side dish_________(Meredith; Mila; Raysh's bringing apple kugel; Sonia)
Main course___________ (Emily; Andrea)
Dessert____________ (Raysh; Rhiannon is bringing apple pie)
General stuff:
Tea-lights (will provide 24 hr candle for transfer)________(Raysh)
Paper or plastic cutlery: Cups_______ (Deborah) Plates_______ (Raysh) Utensils_______
Napkins_______
Games________
Transliterated Rosh HaShanah blessing sheets______ (Raysh)
Extra kippot:_____ (Raysh is bringing)
Other:_____________

Sunday, August 29, 2010

Rosh HaShanah Dinner-Save the Date

We hope you can join us for Rosh HaShanah dinner, on the second night, Thursday, September 9th, at Laura's. Check your email for more details this week or email Raysh.Weiss@gmail.com for more information.


Don't know what to make for Rosh HaShanah? Find inspiration with chef Russell Klein:

[class description from St. Paul JCC website]:

Haute Holiday Cuisine: New Rosh Hashanah Recipes with Russell Klein
Thursday, September 2, 7:00pm, $18 members, $25 community
Just in time for some new Rosh Hashanah recipes, Russell Klein teaches a cooking class at the St Paul JCC. Klein is chef and proprietor of highly-acclaimed Meritage in downtown St Paul which features seasonal local New American food with a strong French influence. Prior to opening Meritage in 2007, he was the executive chef at W.A. Frost and Company in St. Paul. He has been named the Twin Cities Best New Chef by Minnesota Monthly, the Twin Cities Hottest Chef by Where Magazine and has been nominated for Food & Wine magazine's "Best New Chefs in America." In 2006 the Star Tribune called him "one of the Cities top talents," and he was named a "Restaurateur of the Year" for 2007 by Mpls.-St. Paul Magazine. Klein will feature Rosh Hashanah recipes with local and French flavors.

Friday, August 13, 2010

Save the date!

Hey everyone. First off, a hearty todah rabbah, thanks, to everyone who attended our last gathering by the lake and brought items for the foodshelf. The folks at the Joyce Uptown Foodshelf were very grateful and were excited to hear about our group.



Mark your calendars for our next Shabbat gathering, happening on Friday, August 20. Unless the weather does not cooperate, we're going to do this one potluck picnic-style by the lake again. More details to come (watch your inboxes).



Also, you're invited to join us for a free screening of Ghosts of Rwanda at the Guthrie 7pm, Tuesday, August 24. (Thanks Katy!)

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Kabbalat Shabbat and Potluck Picnic Dinner this Friday night


Friday Night on the Water


when: 7pm, Friday, July 30

where: southern end of Lake Calhoun, enter from the intersection of Upton and Lake Calhoun Pkwy*

what: some singing, lots of eating and schmoozing

what you can bring: 1) a non-perishable food item: we will be collecting these to donate to the Joyce Uptown Food Shelf and 2) something vegetarian for the potluck


Please RSVP (you can just shoot an email to Raysh.Weiss@gmail.com and indicate what you're bringing. Feel free to invite others, just include how many)and feel free to forward this invitation to anyone you think might be interested



*The forecast now suggests that it might rain Friday night, in which case we'd meet at Deborah and Todd's place. If you respond that you're coming, I'll email you the address and let you know via phone or email (whichever you prefer--please let me know) Friday afternoon where it'll be. If the weather cooperates and we're meeting outside, head over to Upton and Lake Calhoun Parkway, and head straight towards the lake. To the right there's a picnic table. We're going to try to snag that. Great view and great proximity to some port-o-johns. If you are lost, please feel free to call: 312.613.7707 up until 8:20pm.
What people are bringing so far:
Food:
Pre-dinner snack food (we won't be eating dinner right away)__________(Laura's bringing bean dip/pita); (maybe Jeff too)
Wine________(Yoni)
Challah (at least 2)_______(Miriam and Scott are bringing)
Soup_________(Raysh's bringing borscht)
Salad_________(Deborah); (Barb and Bruce)
Drinks (water, soda, juice etc.)________(Nathan's bringing soda)
Side dish_________
Main course___________(Andrea's bringing Polenta); (Meredith)
Dessert____________ (Emily)
General stuff:
Citronella candle(s) that repels bugs_____(Raysh)
Bug spray________(Raysh is bringing)
Tea-lights________(Raysh)
Paper or plastic cutlery: Cups_______(Andrea) Plates_______(Meredith) Utensils_______ (Andrea)
Napkins_______(Katy)
Games________(Katy)
Transliterated Kabbalat Shabbat song sheets______ (Raysh)
Extra kippot:_____ (Raysh is bringing)
Other:_____________

Monday, July 12, 2010

New Uptown Havurah Facebook Page. Huzzah!

Yes friends, the title says it all. Please 'like' us. On our spanking new facebook fan page, that is. It will do wonders for our tender ego! More importantly, it will enable you to access our equally new and fantastic "Events" message board and "Synagogue hopping/Synagogue Buddies" message board. Fire away!


Explanation: the Events discussion board (under 'discussions') is to invite others in the group to join you for local social and/or social action outtings. Know about something cool going on in town? Post to invite others. The Synagogue hopping/Synagogue Buddies board is designed for those interested in checking out local communities with others. In both cases, people should indicate if they need a ride or can offer one (if you won't be using public transit and it is a non-walkable or bikable distance).


AND....mark your calendars for our next Kabbalat Shabbat potluck dinner gathering, Friday July 30. Unless it rains, we'll do it picnic-style by the lake. Hope to see you there!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Reminder for today's meeting

Hello again! Just a quick and friendly reminder that our planning meeting is happening 2pm today at Infinitea. Drop by if you can. And if you can't attend, no sweat--we'll be sure to send minutes.

Hope to see you soon!

b'Shalom,
Raysh

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Planning Meeting Information and Summer Shout-outs

Hey Khevre,

It has been decided: the upcoming planning meeting is happening this Sunday (30.05.10) at 7pm at Infinitea (2827 Hennepin Ave S). Bring your ideas, suggestions, and any interested friends. If you can't make the meeting but would like to contribute to the discussion, please shoot me an email.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
People have been up to some exciting things recently, so a quick moment to schep some collective nakhes (fig. take pride):


Mazal Tov shout-outs to...
Eddie on his engagement and on surviving 1L along with Evan, Mila, and Joline; Ben on successfully completing his MA and being elected COGs (umn's Council of Graduate Students) VP; Andrea on being awarded both the GRPP and the SSHRC Fellowships; Katy and Laura on signing leases to live in Uptown; Elliot on being awarded an OIP grant; Mandy on finishing her successful tenure as COGs president


Good luck to shout-outs to...
Deborah, Todd, Mila, and Mandy on their upcoming marathons


Have a wondeful summer, everyone!

Friday, May 21, 2010

Upcoming Events and Opportunities of Possible interest, Part III

Hey y'all. Looking forward to seeing many of you tonight. Very soon I'll be sending out the time/place for our upcoming planning meeting, so please check your email. Even if you cannot attend, please do send me anything you would like to throw into the mix as we discuss ideas for what's next.


In the meantime, a couple of things going down in town:


National Harvey Milk Day of Action
March and Rally for LGBT Equality NOW!

SATURDAY, MAY 22nd
1 pm – Gather at Loring Park (corner of 15th St and Hennepin Ave)
March downtown for a closing rally and concert
2 pm - Rally at Government Plaza in downtown Minneapolis (corner of 5th St and 4th Ave)



On May 22, 2010, celebrate gay rights hero Harvey Milk's birthday by marching for LGBT equality. Let Congress and Obama know that we are tired of waiting for our demands to be met!


- Repeal the Defense of Marriage Act
- End Don't Ask Don't Tell
- Pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act
- Full Federal Equality for Gay, Lesbian, Bi-sexual, and Transgender people - NOW!!

---------------------------------------------------------------

HOW YOU CAN HELP:


Come to a Sign Making Party the night before the event (Friday May 21, 2010) @ May Day Books from 6-8pm.
Show up at 12:30pm at Loring Park (30 minutes early) on Harvey Milk Day for Marshal Training to help make this event safe and successful.
Come celebrate Harvey Milk Day with us and bring all your friends!!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


About Harvey Milk
In 1977, after years of working within the gay rights movement in San Francisco, Harvey Milk became the first openly gay man to be elected to public office in California. Milk served 11 months on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and was responsible for passing a strong ordinance that protected gay and lesbian people from being fired from their job for their sexual orientation. More than that, he helped forge a powerful alliance in San Francisco among LGBT people and allies that was an example for how to build a strong movement.

Endorsed by: Impact Twin Cities, ISO, Socialist Alternative, Unite + Fight Midwest Equality Network, and Equality Across America

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


From Cong. Mount Zion :


Volunteer at the Family Shelter June 1st – 30th

What is the Emergency Shelter?
Each June, we partner with Project Home to provide safe emergency shelter for families that find themselves without a home. We set up an 18 bed shelter here and provide a snack, a place to sleep, and a bit of breakfast. Families primarily become homeless due to the lack of affordable housing and the downturn in the economy. Most of our guests are children and many of their parents have jobs but are still unable to afford housing.

What can we do to help?
VOLUNTEER: We welcome new volunteers! Shelter Orientation will be on Tuesday, May 25, 7:00 p.m. in Johnson Social Hall.
To Learn More and Sign-up click on this link: http://sites.google.com/site/2010mountzionfamilysheltersite/home

Evening Shift: 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. OR Overnight Shift: Sunday –Thursday 8:00 p.m. until 7:30 and Friday and Saturday 8:00 p.m.- 9:00 a.m.

REMINDER: As our focus is to care for the families in shelter, many of whom have small children, we ask that if you volunteer with your children that they be age six or older so that your attention is on the guests and not your own children.
For more information call Judi 651-698-3881 ext 119 or email: socialjustice@mzion.org

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Help Mila Support Her Mom in Her Fight Against Leukemia

As many of you may already know, Mila recently found out her mother has been diagnosed with leukemia.

This summer, Mila will be training for the Minneapolis Duathlon, and I hope you will support her in her goal of raising money to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Foundation.

The foundation funds research to fight blood cancers and supports patients and their families.
You can help by making a contribution online. Any amount helps:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/mn/MinnDua10/mgumin

Each donation helps accelerate finding a cure for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma. More than 823,000 Americans are battling these blood cancers.

Please show your support to Mila and her family by supporting this worthy cause and circulating this message widely.

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Upcoming Events and Opportunities of Possible Interest, Part II


From Cong. Beth Jacob (Mendota Heights):











From Rabbi Amy Eilberg and Rev. Tom Duke:

PREPARING THE GROUND FOR DIFFICULT DIALOGUES:A LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP FOR CLERGY, INTERFAITH DIALOGUE AND PEACE ACTIVISTS

Learn the state of the art on:




·Choosing and preparing participants for dialogue·

Creating the conditions for meaningful dialogue to succeed

·Crafting Communication Agreements

·Building a spirit of reflective collaboration

PRESENTER: ROBERT STAINS Senior Vice President, Public Conversations ProjectNational expert in creating constructive public conversations on the most polarized of issuesMay 17th 6:30-9:30 PMHouse of Hope Presbyterian Church797 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105 between Dale and Victoria; enter from Portland Ave. side) Snacks providedNo charge for admission; donations welcome. RSVP to Rabbi Amy Eilberg rebamy@eilberg.com Please share this invitation with other colleagues who are potential dialogue leaders and planners (and encourage them to RSVP so we can plan appropriately).Hope to see you there!


From the Interfaith Coalition on Immigration:

VISITOR TRAINEES WANTED FOR THE ICOM CIVIL IMMIGRANT DETAINEE VISITATION PROJECT
The Rev. Paula Bidle, a professional chaplain, and Julia Smith, a student at Macalester College who knows first hand what it means to have a friend detained by ICE, are ICOM's visitor training leads. For those interested, this is their announcement -- please respond directly:
Hi Everyone!On behalf of some of us that are working on the Visitation Project, we would like to invite you to join us for a training! If this is your first email about this project, the Visitation Project is a project that will, once we successfully navigate all of the red tape, bring community members to the detention center in St. Paul where detained immigrants are held. The goal of this project is to provide detained immigrants with support and someone to talk to in such an isolating environment. We are currently recruiting people who would be dedicated to this program. To be eligible to participate you must be able to make a commitment to a 6 hour training as well as visiting at least once a month for six months(we will provide transportation if that is a concern). Also, since this is a new program, we have to ask that anyone who has ever served jail time, even if it was for a civil disobedience offense, not participate. Sorry! Additionally, we want to make clear from the get-go that the purpose of the visitation is to provide support, not conversion and NO proselytizing will be permitted. Therefore, if you are receiving this email I would like to know from you...1. If you are still interested and able to participate and if so....2. On what days of the week and at what times of day are you generally free? Would you like the training to be done in one chunk, or on two separate days?
Thank you very much and we look forward to hearing from you. Julia Smith <jsmith10@macalester.edu> Paula Bidle <bidlemoore@CorazonDigno.net>
Go to Cuba with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee:
(FROM THE JDC)
JDC INSIDE JEWISH CUBA TRIP INFORMATION
About Cuba: Cuba has a unique and compelling place in the history of Jewish life in Latin America. Most are aware that Cuba—only 90 miles south of Key West, Florida—has had extremely strained relations with the U.S. since Fidel Castro took power in 1959. What is less well known is that Cuba is home to 1,500 Jews and that this community had lost connection to Jewish culture and tradition under communism. A change in Cuban law allowing religious expression in 1991 enabled JDC to re-enter the country. Since then, JDC has provided critical humanitarian aid as well as religious and cultural support for the island’s small Jewish community. Today, Cuba is experiencing a remarkable renaissance in Jewish life. Itinerary Highlights:Visits to the island’s historic synagogues and Jewish institutionsExclusive briefings with Jewish community leaders to understand the realities of Jewish life in Communist CubaVisits to programs of the world’s largest Jewish humanitarian aid organization, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), to address community needs and support Jewish lifeConversations with local young leaders about their uniquely Cuban Jewish culture and way of lifeMojitos and Afro-Cuban beats in Havana’s lively night clubs, visits to museums and art galleries, and strolls through Havana’s historic neighborhoods Trip Dates: September 2-6, 2010 Cost: $2,400 The trip cost includes: Round-trip airfare from Miami to HavanaLocal transportation within CubaMealsHotel accommodations (note: the participation fee covers accommodations in double rooms; participants may elect to stay in a single room for an additional fee)Briefings, tours, and leisure activitiesMedical and emergency evacuation insurance Note that participants will be expected to submit a deposit of $850 upon notification of selection. Final payment of $1,550 will be due by Friday, August 6th. JDC Global Leadership Grants: JDC does not want the cost of the trip to prevent your participation. If you are unable to contribute the full participation fee, we encourage you to apply for a JDC Global Leadership Grant (see JDC Global Leadership Grant section of attached application). JDC will award JDC Global Leadership Grants to a select number of participants on an as-need basis. Your decision to apply for a JDC Global Leadership Grant will not impact selection decisions. Beyond applying for a JDC Global Leadership Grant, we also encourage you to fundraise to cover the cost of your participation. We are happy to provide guidance as you reach out to friends and family to seek donations for this worthwhile experience. Flight Details: The group will depart on a charter flight from Miami International Airport early in the morning on Thursday, September 2nd, and will return to Miami on Monday, September 6th. A detailed flight itinerary will be announced closer to the trip. Participants will be responsible for arranging transportation to and from Miami to meet the group flight, and should plan to arrive in Miami by the evening of Wednesday, September 1st, to ensure you are able to make the Havana, Cuba, connection. JDC will provide hotel suggestions for the night of Wednesday, September 1st. Participants will be responsible for expenses associated with a hotel stay in Miami.
About the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC): For 95 years, JDC has provided rescue, relief, and renewal for Jewish communities outside of North America, helped Israel meet the needs of its most vulnerable citizens, and offered a Jewish response to natural and man-made disasters and non-sectarian development needs around the world. JDC’s work in over 70 countries is inspired by Jewish values of mutual responsibility, that kol yisrael areivim zeh l’zeh (all of Israel is responsible for one another), and tikkun olam, that Jews have an obligation to repair the world.



March for Immigrant Rights and Against SB1070
MARCH FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS
NO to Arizona's racist law, SB1070
SATURDAY, MAY 1ST (International Workers' Day!)
2:00PM-8:00PM
MARCH: Gather at 2pm at 1 of 3 Minneapolis meet-up points:1) 42nd and Nicollet Ave. S - International Workers' Day March for Immigrant Rights 2) Chicago Ave and Franklin Ave. S March for Immigration Reform/Marcha por la Reforma Migratoria 3) University Ave. and Central Ave. SE March for Immigration Reform/Marcha por la Reforma Migratoria Marches will meet up downtown and march on the Republican State Convention, where the 2 leading candidates for the governor nomination say they support Arizona's racist, anti-immigrant, anti-Latino law SB 1070 FOLLOWED BY A RALLY IN LORING PARK featuring music, speakers, and more
-------------Last Friday, Arizona's governor signed into law the most reactionary anti-immigrant legislation yet passed by any state in the U.S., a law that essentially legalizes racial profiling. As the NYTimes reports, "The law, which proponents and critics alike said was the broadest and strictest immigration measure in generations, would make the failure to carry immigration documents a crime and give the police broad power to detain anyone suspected of being in the country illegally. Opponents have called it an open invitation for harassment and discrimination against Hispanics regardless of their citizenship status." As Zach de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine put it, this bill will "turn the entire state police force into sanctioned agents of racial profiling. It seeks to turn the entire state of Arizona into an island of hate, where to be brown is to be suspected of a crime."
The legislation has generated a wave of protests in Arizona and across the country, including a walkout by over 1,000 Arizona high school students on Friday. Even President Obama denounced the legislation. But only massive pressure from below can stop this racist legislation in its tracks, and win full legalization for all immigrant workers in this country!
Join us Saturday in the Twin Cities to protest Arizona's legislation and demand legalization and equal rights for all immigrants, and an end to the deportations and attacks on immigrant communities! Thousands will be march across the country as well!

Articles/videos on the Arizona legislation: Arizona Legalizes Racial Profiling - http://www.zcommunications.org/arizona-legalizes-racial-profiling-by-marjorie-cohnGOP Hopefuls in MN Say Arizona Law Step in the Right Direction - http://www.startribune.com/politics/state/92369324.htmlArizona Enacts Stringent Law on Immigration (NYTimes) - http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/us/politics/24immig.htmlThousands of Students Walk Out to Protest Immigration Bill - http://www.kpho.com/news/23206700/detail.htmlAlto Arizona: Zack de la Rocha speaks out against AZ's racist law: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVOZGAbEARMAlto Arizona campaign website - www.altoarizona.comRazing Arizona: Good summary of the issues involved - http://counterpunch.org/huerta04232010.html


Friday, April 23, 2010

Psoy Korolenko LIVE at Macalester

Last-minute announcement, but if you don't have plans for tonight, you should absolutely consider checking out Russia's pride and joy (or at least he should be), badass troubadour extraordinaire Psoy Korolenko. His music defies proper description, but imagine Jewish music bursting with the most colourfully obscene remarks and references to psychoanalytic theory. (And I  know what you're thinking: "not that again")

Psoy's performance will also include a screening of Abram Room's 1927 masterpiece Bed and Sofa, an NEP-era film with a wonderfully subversive feminist edge.

Again, this is happening tonight. Hope to see you next Friday night.


Until then...Shabbat shalom


Monday, March 15, 2010

Interfaith Seder

(to the left: Beckham in a kippah, apropos naught)
The following I'm pasting from a SPIN (St. Paul Interfaith Network) email. If you are available this Sunday at 4:30pm-ish, you should check it out. They say registration is due today, but they're very welcoming, even to procrastinators (like yours truly):

March 16th is the deadline for pre-registration for the SPIN Interfaith Seder. This note is going out to everybody on our list, including new registrants and people who have let us know that you cannot attend. For you guys, please be patient with us. For everybody else: PLEASE PRE-REGISTER to ensure your place at this very special event. You may pre-pay at www.spacc.org/spin by tomorrow, March 16. We cannot accept an increasing registration count after that unless you make special arrangements. If you are definitely intending to come but need to pay at the door, please email Rabbi Amy at rebamy@eilberg.com (and she will include you in the count). Our Interfaith Passover Seder is held this year at Temple of Aaron Congregation, 616 South Mississippi River Boulevard, Saint Paul, 55116.It takes place on March 21st, 2010, with doors opening at 4:30 PM, and the Seder beginning sharply at 5:00 PM and going until 8:00 PM. A fine vegetarian meal will be served well into our third hour together, so be sure to munch a little in the afternoon to tide you through joy and celebration and artistic expression until actual food is served. Here are directions to the Temple of Aaron Synagogue in Highland Park, Saint Paul. From the east end of the Ford Bridge, drive north on Mississippi River Boulevard just two blocks and turn right onto Hartford to the parking lot. From I-94 at the Cretin Avenue Exit in Saint Paul, drive south on Cretin across St Clair Avenue, across Randolph Avenue, and several more blocks, turn right onto Hartford for some four blocks. The parking lot will be on your left.

Sunday, February 28, 2010

Where to go for kosher food and spirits

Another practical post. Here's a list of places where you can find a good selection of kosher food:

Fishman's Delicatessen and Bakery
www.fishmanskosher.com
4100 Minnetonka Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN 55416
(952) 926-5611

Any Lund's/Byerly's. Here are two nearby ones:

Lund's
1450 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN‎
(612) 825-2440‎
[You can almost always find challah in their bakery section]

Byerly's
3777 Park Center Boulevard, Minneapolis, MN‎
(952) 929-2100‎
[This second one has a complete kosher section, many kosher bakery items, and an adjoining liquor store with a section of kosher wines. Did I mention they almost always have food samples?]

Cub Foods
3620 Texas Ave S, St. Louis Park, MN‎
(952) 938-5959‎
[Hands down, the best place to go for Passover shopping. Best prices, best selection]



MGM Wine and Spirits
3620 Texas Ave S, St. Louis Park, MN‎
(952) 938-5959‎
[Their selection has improved and the prices for kosher wine are definitely the best here]

Surdyk's Liquor Store
303 E Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, MN‎
(612) 379-3232‎

Zipp's Liquor Store
2618 East Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, MN 55406
612-333-8686

1st Grand Ave Liquor
918 Grand Ave. St. Paul, MN 55105
651-227-7039

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Sites (mostly virtual) of possible interest

NYT article on the Moishe house phenomenon. There is not any Moishe house in the Twin Cities…yet. Anyone care to save big on rent? ;-)
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/11/garden/11moishe.html


An awesome, open-source, online database of Jewish texts on social justice:
http://www.on1foot.org/

Minneapolis and St. Paul's hub for all things hip and Jewish:
http://tcjewfolk.com/

A transdenominational website of Jewish information and education which offers thousands of articles on all aspects of Judaism and Jewish life and is geared toward adults of all ages and backgrounds, from novice learners, who may be exploring Judaism for the first time, to experienced learners, who are looking to delve deeper into specific topic areas:
http://www.myjewishlearning.com/

Name says it all:
http://www.jewishminnesota.org/

Local Jewish art opportunities and goings-on:
http://www.jewishminnesota.org/page.aspx?id=89036

An inifinite well of delightful Jewish snarkiness, replete with fascinating oddities and stories you might not otherwise catch:
http://www.jewschool.com/

Everything you ever wanted to know about Jewish rituals/holidays:
http://www.ritualwell.org/

Jewish Calendar:
http://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/week.asp?tDate=2/2/2010

To find out when candle-lighting is:
http://www.chabad.org/calendar/candlelighting_cdo/aid/6226/jewish/Candle-Lighting.htm

Hebrew Date Converter:
http://www.hebcal.com/

Learn Hebrew for Free:
http://free.byki.com/?c=98001&ag=55011

Recipes galore

By popular demand, I'm finally sharing with everyone Eddie's mom's awesome vegetarian lasagna recipe:

The recipe usually takes less than 20 minutes to cook, with the majority of time going into preparation. This is a tasty treat that gives you protein, carbohydrates, veggies, and some dairy too. It really covers a lot of bases.

Ingredients:
one large box of lasagna noodles
one bunch spinach, chopped
one medium-sized container of no-fat ricotta cheese
one container of firm tofu
1 1/2cups shredded mozzarella cheese
6 1/2 cups of spaghetti sauce (yourfavorite jar or make your own)

The Nitty-Gritty:
Chop the tofu into small cubes and mix it in well with the ricotta (thisdoes a great job of hiding it from those who are not fans). In a large saucepan, boil the noodles until they are soft. Cover the bottom of a nonstick pan with a thin layer of the spaghetti sauce. Now begins the layering. Add a layer of noodles, then a layer of thericotta/tofu mix, then a layer of the chopped spinach, then a layer ofsauce, then the noodles again, and so on. Be sure to save some sauce--wewill want that to be the last layer added. Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top and put the lasagna in a 350-degreeoven. Watch for the cheese to melt and brown a little--that means it's done.

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Apple Kugel for all occasions (but especially for Rosh Ha'Shanah)

Ingredients:

6 egg whites 1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup flour 5 granny smith apples, peeled and sliced
3/4 cup oil

The Nitty-Gritty:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease rectangular pan (about 8 x10 inch)
2. Mix all ingredients, except apples, together
3. Add apples
4. Sprinkle top with cinnamon sugar (1 part cinnamon to 5 parts sugar)5. Bake uncovered @350 for one hour.

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My Inferior Challah Recipe (ISO a superior challah recipe)

The following was ruthlessly stolen from an innocent elderly woman:

You will need:
a lot of luck (especially you, honey)
7 cups flour (1/3 version: slightly more than 2.3 C)
1 T salt (1/3 version:. 1/3 T)
1/2 cup sugar (or honey) (1/3 version: .05/3 C)
2 pkg yeast + 1/3 cup warm water (1/3 version: 1 yeast + 1/9 C w.w.)
1/2 cup oil (1/3 version: .05/3 C)
4 eggs (1/3 version: 2)
1 cup boiling water (1/3 version: 1/3 C)
1/2 cup cold water (1/3 version: .05/3 C)
This recipe makes the equivalent of 3 braided loaves.

Now do THIS:
Beat eggs in a small bowl.
In a large bowl mix oil, sugar and salt.
Add boiling water to large bowl and stir until all is dissolved.
Sprinkle yeast into a measuring cup with 1/3 cup warm water. Wait a few minutes, then stir.
Add cold water to mixture in large bowl. (The stuff in the bowl should now be the right temperature to add yeast. If too hot, wait a few minutes; if too cold, put the bowl in the microwave to heat it.)
Add yeast to large bowl.
Add eggs to large bowl, reserving about 1 tablespoon.
Add flour 1 cup at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.
Turn out dough onto floured board and knead for 5 minutes, adding more flour as needed (but not too much). Dough is ready if it springs back after being poked with a finger.
Put back into bowl, cover with dishtowel, and put in warm oven (heated to 170-200, and then turned off beforehand) until doubled - about 1 hour.
Turn out onto floured board and knead for 1-2 minutes.
Divide dough into thirds.
Take one of the thirds, and knead for another minute. Form into 8-12 small "snakes" for bulkies, or 3 large snakes for braid. Make bulkies by knotting each small snake and pinching the ends together. Place bulkies close together pinched-end down in greased pan (I use Pam). For braids, pinch ends of 3 large snakes together and begin braiding. Pinch ends together when done. Place in greased round pan or loaf pan.
Repeat for 2 other thirds. Put formed loaves/bulkies into oven (pre-heated and then turned off, as before) for about 45 minutes.
Remove from oven. Turn oven to 350.
Brush tops gently with reserved egg. Sprinkle with poppy seeds, if desired.
Bake for about 30 minutes (loaves) or 20 minutes (bulkies). Times will vary. Watch for moderate browning on top, but be careful not to allow scorching on bottom.
Remove from pans, and put on dish towels to cool.
YUM!! (her words, not mine)

Notes from Laura, who also uses this recipe, but with much greater success than the author of this post: I completely ignore all that information about the various water temperatures. I just do all the water normal bread making water temperature at the beginning (so sorta warm, I think many bread recipes have better descriptions than that) along with the yeast. Then I add the rest of the stuff as close to the order that its listed on the website. Also I only add as much flour as I need, which I don't think has been up to the full 7 cups so far.

Additionally: Deborah points out that Minnesota air is especially dry, and one should adjust moisture accordingly.
------------------------------------------------------------

The Most Spectacularly Rocking Hamantaschen Recipe Out There

This is Mandy's recipe, and I hereby vouch for this recipe's absolute superiority over all other hamantaschen recipes I have ever tasted. Yes. Really.

Ingredients:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. salt (kosher salt works fine)
1/2 tsp ginger
2 eggs
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tsp. vanilla

Filling:
1 can peach pie filling
1 cup raspberry jam

Makes about 24

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Select a filling option, combine ingredients, and mix well. To prepare dough, mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients in separate bowls and then combine. Mixture will be crumbly and look dry; use hands to form into a lump. Knead a few times on a floured board. Roll out half the dough to about 1/8 inch thick and cut into circles with a cookie cutter. Repeat with remaining dough.

Place a spoonful of filling in the center of each circle and fold dough to form a triangle, covering as much filling as possible. If needed, use a little water to stick edges of dough together. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for about 15 minutes, until edges begin to brown.

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Kosher Sangria: or, how to redeem Manischewitz:

~ Cups
Manischewitz Concord*
1 Manischewitz Blackberry*
0.5 ½ Lemon-½ Lime Juice
0.25 Orange Juice
0.5 Pineapple Juice
0.25 Cranberry-Pommegranate (100% Juice Mix)
0.5 Gin
0.125 Pomegranate Flavored Seltzer Water
1 Yield = ~4 people drinking ~1 cup each -- Multiply according to need

To Add to Punchbowl:
½ Orange, wedge cut/seeded
2 Blackberries, whole
Chill and Enjoy!

*Use Passover Manischewitz to avoid high fructose corn syrup. From Manischewitz' Web Page: In the case of Manischewitz wines, this means Kosher for Passover wines are produced using real cane sugar, instead of corn syrup. Manischewitz produces Kosher for Passover items beginning 4 months prior to the Passover holiday each year.

Thanks to Ken Kowalchek who shared this recipe with me at the National Havurah Institute!
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K for P (Kosher for Passover Recipes)

The first in this category is again from Eileen. It's for Pineapple Kugel:

Ingredients:
1 stick margarine
2 large cans crushed pineapple, drained
1 C Sugar
3 C. Matzo Farfel
Cinnaman to taste
8 eggs

Now make it happen:
Melt marg, add sugar. Beat in one egg at a time. Soak farfel for 3 minutesin warm water only. Drain add to mixture with pineapple. Pour into sprinkle cinnamon on top. 350 for 45-60 min until firm and knife out clean.
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INDULGE in your Vices/Weisses (hey it's pronounced the same, it IS the same) Alcohol-Chocolate Cake

You need 10 regular matzos. (This makes two cakes of 5 matzo layers each)

And then:
1. Soak the first matzo in sweet Concord Grape wine on both sides

2. Put the matza on a flat surface and spread liberally with the chocolate cream frosting (see below for recipe), then soak the next matzo in the wine and put it on top of the first one and spread it with the cream, and so on. Use 5 matzos per cake, ending with a layer of the chocolate cream frosting.

CHOCOLATE CREAM FROSTING (makes enough for 2 cakes of 5 matzos each)

1. MELT: 6 Tablespoons sugar
3 Tablespoons cocoa powder (unsweetened pure cocoa powder, like Hersheys -
this is always Kosher for Passover, even without
a special marking)
7 oz. (200 grams) bittersweet chocolate
2 sticks margarine
2 teaspoons rum flavoring

(I melt the above ingredients by putting them in a pan which I put above another
pan full of boiling water -- i.e. a kind of homemade "double-boiler").

2. Cool the melted ingredients -- (they don't have to be cold, just not hot -- kind of
body temperature is ok...)
3. Beat 3 eggs well, and blend into cooled chocolate mixture.

4. Refrigerate for 3/4 hour -- not longer, or it will get hard! (If it does, just put it back
over boiling water again and keep stirring constantly until
it re-melts..)
5. Spread onto the matzo as instructed above.

ENJOY!!

________________________________________________________

Sweet Potato Zucchini Kugel

(this is Deborah's awesome recipe which is not only gluten-free and vegan, but also KforP. And, as all of you who attended the March gathering know, it is amazingly delicious and goes fast)

Ingredients:
1 lg sweet potato, peeled
2 sm zucchini
1 med russet potato, peeled
2 sm or 1 med yellow onion, peeled
2 eggs OR 1 1/2 Tbsp potato starch with 1/4 C water
1/3 C olive oil or canola oil
1/3-1/2 C potato starch
Salt & Pepper to taste (I recommend about 1 tsp salt)

Throw all the vegetables in a food processor to grate them, or you can do it the old-fashioned way if you have a grater (which will take more time). Put all the vegetables in a mixing bowl and add the oil and egg or egg substitute. Mix together. Slowly add in the potato starch and salt and pepper. Mix to distribute evenly.

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 365 degrees. Spray a 9x13 or equivalent sized casserole with cooking spray or grease with oil. Spread vegetable mixture evenly in the casserole and place in oven. Bake for 1 hr 15 min to 1 hr 30 min until top is golden brown and vegetables are soft. When in doubt bake for longer, but be careful not to let it burn. I also recommend turning off the oven when the kugel is done and leaving it in there to cool down. Best enjoyed with friends!
Makes about 8 servings.

Thanks again Deborah for sharing this fantastic recipe here!

Welcome (=) ברוכים הבאים

Welcome to the ~blog of the Uptown Havurah. This site will function more like a resource bin, but feel free to post anything you'd like. For now, I'm starting threads on the following categories that may be of use to us:

*Recipes
*Places to find kosher food in the Twin Cities (I swear, this isn't all going to be about food...)
*Online resources (learning, ritual, oddities)

...and more!



L'Chaim, (and I do mean that)
Raysh