metro
You'll Like This a-Latkt
JCC Chanukah events include a Sunday latke buffet
and a Tuesday celebration with Russian Jewish Life.
Elizabeth Applebaum
Special to the Jewish News
T
he key is the onions.
You want a good latke, you've got to have
the onions. And then add the eggs, salt and
pepper, and as little flour as possible. Fry them and
then get them in the oven, making them deliciously
crispy on the outside and thoroughly cooked on the
inside.
When it comes to making latkes, Shalom Shomer
is an expert. Director of kosher operations at Milk
and Honey Catering, a division of Epicurean Foods,
Shomer and his cooks make some 8,000 latkes every
Chanukah. Who buys them? Who doesn't? Day schools,
individuals, synagogues and temples, families, Jewish
organizations.
Milk and Honey's famous latkes also will be available
5-8 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 21, at a Chanukah buffet at the
Jewish Community Center in West Bloomfield.
Making thousands of latkes begins with the potato,
of course. Milk and Honey staff buy theirs from the
Eastern Market. The spuds are then peeled by hand by
the Milk and Honey team.
Next — and this part is certain to bring you to tears
— comes peeling the onions. Then comes the most
time-consuming aspect of latke making: the shaping
and frying. Workers use a scoop so that the latkes will
all be a consistent size, and then move them to a big
fryer where they can cook 60 at a time. The latkes are
fried in canola oil, "which gives them a nice brown
on the outside, and then they're finished in the oven
to make certain they're fully cooked on the inside
Shomer says.
Potato-and-onion are the best-sellers, but Milk
and Honey also offers specialty latkes like zucchini,
cheese and sweet potato. Orders for just one or 700
can be accommodated — and they are available all
year. Naturally, they're best fresh, but they freeze well,
Shomer says. Just remember to reheat latkes in the
oven rather than refry them.
Also for the holiday, at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23, the
JCC in Oak Park will present a Chanukah celebration
hosted by Russian Jewish Life. The event will feature
performances by the Vesna choir and students from
the Russian Ballet Academy, music by Russian Jewish
Life Director Ben Opengeym and refreshments. The
cost is $5, and reservations are requested to Ben
Opengeym at (248) 967-4030 by Dec. 19.
Shalom Shomer of Milk and Honey fries up some latkes.
Menu for the Milk and Honey buffet Sunday, Dec.
21, at the JCC in West Bloomfield includes latkes,
salads, soups, planked salmon and desserts. Cost is
$29.95 for adults, $12.95 for children ages 11-4, and
free for children 3 and younger. Every sixth person
in a group is free. Reservations are due by Dec.19
by calling (248) 661-2327.
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Nimp INign@Td IN,n6g 04 Caws C)q
Gift for Yad Ezra is a highlight of this year's Chanukah Wonderland.
T
housands of cans will be formed
into a 10-foot CANorah, which
will be lit at a grand celebration
culminating the Chanukah Wonderland
in the center of Orchard Mall, after which
they will be donated to Yad Ezra food bank
in Berkley.
The can menorah is the newest addition
to a packed program at the fifth annual
Chanukah Wonderland, presented by the
Tugman Bais Chabad Torah Center and
the Orchard Mall. Partners for this year's
program include the Jewish Federation
of Metropolitan Detroit, PJ Library, the
Sherrill Berman Art Education Fund, Yad
Ezra and a host of generous sponsors.
The Chanukah Wonderland has become
an annual highly anticipated Chanukah
attractions for hundreds of Metro Detroit
families. Children (and adults) can delight
in endless holiday-related fun and activi-
ties, jumping in a giant dreidel-shaped
moonbounce, baking doughnuts and
latkes, take-home crafts, including an elab-
orate lucite menorah and Chanukah gloves,
a multifaceted toddler section, and a Home
Depot-sponsored mitzvah tool box. In
total, there are some 30 entertaining and
fun-filled activities and crafts to enjoy.
Chanukah Wonderland also offers a fas-
14 December 18 • 2014
JN
year again," said Rabbi Shneur
Silberberg, Bais Chabad outreach
program co-director along with
his wife, Zeesy. "We encourage
everyone to come and enjoy, and
at the same time, to give back by
bringing a can to help build the
menorah to feed the needy.
"We are especially appreciative
to Orchard Mall for them once
again opening their doors to bring
holiday joy to the community.
Tapper's and Say-On in Orchard
The dreidel-shaped moonbounce
Children having a blast at last year's Chanukah
Mall are also sponsors of the pro-
Wonderland.
gram."
Lea Luger, executive director of
cinating educational experience. Every half
• Festive musical celebration on Monday,
Yad Ezra, expressed excitement to
hour (during Wonderland hours), there is
Dec. 22, at 5 p.m. at which there will be
partner in the wonderland this year. "The
an olive press demonstration at which chil- Milk and Honey-catered latkes, soups and
beauty of the CANorah is the reminder
dren see olives pressed into oil while hear-
doughnuts, the kindling of the completed
that all of us in our community CAN help
ing the Chanukah story that culminated in
• CANorah, a musical presentation by
alleviate hunger," she said.
the kindling of the olive oil-filled Menorah
the Kid's Klez Band of Michigan and a
in the Temple.
drum circle for all to participate in.
For all Chanukah Wonderland-
Highlight events include:
There is no cost to attend the above-
related information, visit www.
• PJ Library Pizza and Chanukah magic
mentioned highlight events. Participants
ChanukahWonderlandMl.com or
show on Thursday, Dec. 18, at 5 p.m.
attending Chanukah Wonderland are sug-
contact Rabbi Shneur Silberberg
• Chanukah Lattes and Latkes class for
gested to make a $5 donation to help cover
at rabbishneur®baischabad.com or
women on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 11 a.m.
the many expenses. The Grand CANorah
(248) 207-5513.
• Home Depot wood workshop on
Lighting is free.
Sunday, Dec. 21, at 2 p.m.
"We anticipate great crowds this
O.
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