metro » Chanukah Combo continued from page 14 ing sons who assure everyone their mother’s challah “is the best thing you’ll ever eat.” In September 2016, TGIS was featured on food blogger Melinda Strauss’ Instagram after which Elberg received feedback from as far as California. Jewish Senior Life's Eight Over Eighty event recognizes and celebrates eight distinguished older adults who have demonstrated a dedication throughout their lifetime to the Jewish value of Tikkun Olam – Repairing the World. WE INVITE YOUR NOMINATIONS Nominations are due by January 12, 2017 Nominees must be… At least 80 years of age Past or present volunteers in the community Dedicated to maintaining strong Jewish values Inspiring leaders or mentors in the community DOUGHNUT DABBLING Inspired by the mouthwatering selection of sufganiyot available in Israel during Chanukah, Elberg began dabbling in the world of doughnuts in 2014. After email- ing several Hebrew Pinterest recipes to an Israeli friend to translate, the friend offered her own family recipe, with con- fusing measurements such as “a spoonful of this” and “a bit of that.” Elberg man- aged to nail down exact quantities, loved the recipe and began to experiment with toppings again. “The topping is always the best part,” she said. “Which kid doesn’t eat it first? I remember being excited about the top- ping drippings on the parchment paper! I wanted my toppings to be that good. I went through tons of trial-and-error until I had the exact chocolate glaze I wanted.” When Elberg saw a jam-stuffed chal- lah online made by a fellow challah enthusiast, she was inspired to invent her sufganiyot-challot: a buttery-tasting challah with custard filling and sprinkle topping, and a second, jam-filled, crumb-topped challah with a confection- ers’ sugar base. Challah flavors, available weekly for $7.50, include regular, whole wheat, vegan whole wheat, cinnamon sugar, vanilla crumb, vanilla crumble, Funfetti sprinkle, cookies ‘n’ cream, Java chip, cinnamon dolce, caramelized onion and dill, roasted garlic and onion bialy. Elberg also sells frozen challah dough for $5 and babka for $11 to $14. Special-for-Chanukah gourmet doughnuts are $2 each. Flavors include Boston cream, chocolate-filled s’more, rainbow sprinkle with vanilla whipped cream, Rosemarie chocolate filling, black & white and halva cream. Advance orders are recommended, but Elberg also announces flavors of the day on Facebook. All her baked goods are kosher and parve (except at Shavuot). * Naomi Elberg can be reached via Facebook at TGIS Challah, Instagram at tgis_naomi, email at Tgis.challah@gmail.com or through her website www.squareup.com/store/tgis. How to Nominate: Write or email JSL describing the merits of the nominee. Please include: tName, age and telephone number of nominee and name, phone number and email of nominator tInvolvement in Jewish organizations and causes tLeadership positions held tCurrent and past accomplishments tLetters and newspaper articles in support of nominee tHow the nominee’s long-standing activities exemplify a commitment to Tikkun Olam (Repairing the World) tAt least one paragraph on why you think this person should be recognized in this way Mail or email nominations to: Eight Over Eighty Jewish Senior Life 15000 W. Ten Mile Road Oak Park, MI 48237 Attn: Michelle Buda; mbuda@jslmi.org; (248) 592-1101 Or nominate online at www.jslmi.org And SAVE THE DATE for Sunday, May 21, 2017 for this signature celebration of the pillars of our community 3URFHHGVEHQHÀWWKH-6/.RVKHU0HDO3URJUDP 2136990 2146560 18 December 22 • 2016 Lending A Hand continued from page 16 firefighters willing to get things done for them.” Fourteen countries besides the United States were represented in Israel throughout the week to help fight 80-90 percent of the catastrophic fires. Israel had a very dry and hot summer, which made fires easy to start. Eizen added that many sets of fires were started by ter- rorists. The IDF was able to catch three individuals involved. “It was amazing we were able to get the fires out. They saved hundreds of people, and nobody died from any of the fires,” Eizen said. He did talk about the devastation, including the remains of a home where an Auschwitz survivor had lived in Haifa. After the fire, everything was lost, including some items she had from the Holocaust. Once the fires were put to rest, a clos- ing ceremony took place where all the firefighters gathered before their depar- ture home. Eizen was overwhelmed by it all but for a reason one might not think of. “After almost 30 years of working as a firefighter, I thought I was the only Jewish one,” said the Young Israel of Oak Park member. “There were times in Michigan where I had to find a little corner to daven so I wouldn’t bother anybody. Not in Israel. There were so many Israeli firefighters and places con- nected to the station to pray. We even had enough people participating to form a minyan.” Eizen returned to the U.S. on Thursday, Dec. 1, reuniting with his family before the holidays. Although he returned to his Michigan home, he says his heart will always be Israel. “It is my homeland,” he said. “I would do anything for Israel. The land needs to be safe for anyone to live there. I thank HaShem for 30 years of experience so I could repay Him for protecting the land He gave us.” * The EVP is a nonprofit organization and relies on donations. If you would like to know more, visit www.EVP.org.il.