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. ❑ 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. ❑