From ((gun latkes to an Israel spa-at-home:
T H E D E T R O I T J E W IS H N E WS
government officials, jazz performers (look into
41) T Vow! We're in the middle of Chanukah and
Lee Abrams, Max Kaminsky, Stan Getz), busi-
that, means there is still plenty of time left for
ness leaders, philosophers, playwrights, artists
those yummy, greasy, fattening latkes slathered
(see Amadeo Modigliani, Leon Bakst, Man Ray),
with sour cream or applesauce.
cartoonists, boxers (see Louis "Kid" Kaplan and
But don't make it yet another week of the same
Barney Ross), weight lifters and rock stars (like
latkes you've served year after year after year.
• Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits and David Lee
Try an international latke night, instead.
Roth).
* Try goire south with Cajun latkes. Sprinkle
some of New Orleans' master chef Paul Prud-
#3) Start saving for your first Jewish some-
homrne's Cajun Spices into your mix. (Paul Prud •
thing. Several thousand dollars, all in one go,
homrne's Cajun Spices are certified Star-K kosher
sounds overwhelming. But put away $10 a day
and available at Farmer Jack and other local su-
for one year and you've got enough for your first
permarkets.)
trip to Israel. Or, save up for an expensive Jew-
: ish book you've always wanted by putting $1 away
each morning.
•
#4) Host a Jewish film night at your home.
Many local video stores have an international sec-
tion where you can find movies from Israel.
And while Hollywood often does an atrocious job
with films on Jewish subjects, there are a few
fairly decent ones out there. Some to try: Cross-
ing Delancey, Gentleman's Agreement and
School Ties.
58
#5) Find out the story behind your Hebrew
name. You've always known you were named af-
ter your Great-Uncle Yaakov, who died 25 years
before you were born. Who was Uncle Yaakov,
anyway? Where was he from? What
did he do for a living? What happened
to his family? What kind of a man was
he? Why were you named after him?
* Make Mexican latkes by adding a little cumin
You also can research the meaning
and paprika and some slices of avocado on the •
• of your name in Jewish baby books,
side,
like Smadar Shir Sidi's The Complete
* Serve up Indian latices, with curry.
Book of Hebrew Baby Names, pub-
And that's just the start. Try a latke cooking
lished by Harper and Row, which lists
contest, with first prize going to the most original
more than 5,000 names.
latke recipe.
#2) Make your own Jewish trivia game. Call
your friends and ask each to research his favorite
subject, then pool your resources for an evening
of real fun! Some subject ideas: famous Jewish
#6) For years you've heard your sis-
ter talk about how much she loves her
synagogue, but you've always
shrugged off her invitations to ac-
company her there for Shabbat ser-
vices. Or maybe you've heard a lot
about the rabbi of Congregation
XYZ, whose sermons are said to
be extremely juicy, but
you've just never man-
aged to make it there
to hear him speak.
Stop procrasti-
nating.
#7) Make a pot-
pourri of flowers that
grow in Israel (which also
can be found in the United
Staths) like cyclamen, wild
poppy, wild c.hicory and hawthorn.
To make potpourri, select blooms before they
are completely open. Place in small bunches with
a rubber band around the stem. Hang bunches
upside down, spaced about 6" apart. Store in a
dark, dry area for about two weeks.
To make the potpourri smell even nicer, add
cinnamon sticks, dried citrus peels, rosemary,
pine cones or basil.
Flowers also can be made into a beautiful bath
oil — perfect to give to your sister just before her
big date with Mr. Right or as a thoughtful gift to
a hard-working 'nom. To make oil, combine fresh
flowers with 7 oz. liquid bubble bath and 1 oz.
baby oil. Let steep for several days
before using.
#8) Visit My Jewish Discovery
Place at the Jewish Community Cen-
ter in West Bloomfield. This hands-
on "mini museum" lets children
experience what it's like to help plan
a Jewish wedding or take a trip
aboard El Al, as well as learn about
many other Jevvish customs and'tra-
ditions.
Hours are 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Sun-
day; 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday; 3-
7 p.m. Tuesday; 1-4 p.m. Wednesday;