By Ziva Swire, MHWOW Program Manager
We could all use a smile or a giggle these days so I would like to present to you some of my all-time favorite MHWOW programs that have made me laugh:
- Why are bagels Jewish?
- Sushi and Self-Healing
- Handmade Havdallah
- Women in Politics: Israel & US
- Jewish Foods from Around the World
- Holy Forking Shirtballs: Jewish Afterlife and The Good Place
Are we sensing a theme? Yes, I enjoy food programs and alliterations. But I also LOVE when hosts think outside the box about our Jewish culture and teachings. Moishe House has amazing, top-notch educators on staff that are here to help you with bolstering your Jewish content at your programs! Our regional Jewish educators can assist you in curating resources, brainstorm text and teachings, and even help you lead a program. Meet out our educators below to find out what topics they are experts in, their favorite Hanukkah memories, Hanukkah program ideas, and how they are observing Hanukkah this year so you can celebrate like a pro too!
MEET RABBI LOREN BERMAN
Region: New York and Mountain West
Ask me about: What Judaism says about (fill in the blank), Judaism 101, ritual training, Talmud, Jewish law, self-help, incarceration, addiction, drama, prayer/liturgy, drama, and Torah
Get in touch: loren.berman@moishehouse.org
Favorite Hanukkah memory: “Jerusalem during Hanukkah is one long Candy Cane Lane. I remember walking the streets of the traditional Old City, the modern Shuk (market), and neo-Chasidic/Hippy area of Nachlaot one night. Thousands and thousands of fully-lit menorahs sitting in glass boxes outside of people’s homes and in the windows of their apartments in all directions. For once, a feeling of peace.”
MEET FAUSTINE GOLDBERG-SIGAL
Region: International
Ask me about: Inclusion in Judaism, tradition and innovation, civic engagement and Judaism, Jewish folklore
Get in touch: faustine@moishehouse.org
A Hanukkah program idea for you to try this year: “Spark joy with minimalism! A rabbi once told me her beautiful six-word memoir version of the Hanukkah story: “There wasn’t enough, but there was.” Hanukkah is about acknowledging that quality trumps quantity and that the smallest flame can spark joy. If you’re into minimalism, you could play this 30-Day Minimalism Game with your community (maybe start by making it an 8-Day game in the spirit of Hanukkah!)”
MEET YITZHAK BRONSTEIN
Region: Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
Ask me about: Jewish holidays, Jewish ethics, Judaism and society, Judaism and Zionism, Jewish meditation, Jewish practical skills
Get in touch: yitzhak.bronstein@moishehouse.org
A Hanukkah program idea for you to try this year: “Sharing the light of the Hanukkah candles is at the heart of the holiday. This year, when so many of us will be unable to light with loved ones, I suggest bringing your community together for a virtual candle lighting. After the candles are lit, discuss ways you can each share the light of Hanukkah in your own way, and top it off by listening to our Hanukkah meditation together!”
MEET RABBI MYRA MESKIN
Region: East Coast and Mid-Atlantic
Ask me about: Women in Halacha, Judaism on Sexuality and Gender, modern midrash, modern halacha/responsa, prayer and liturgy, exploring theologies, learning Jewish songs/niggunim/Kabbalat Shabbat, Judaism 101, ritual training
Get in touch: myra.meskin@moishehouse.org
Favorite Hanukkah memory and how I’m celebrating this year: “Making latkes with my grandmother, Eva. Growing up I always watched her making latkes with my mom and my aunt, and a few years ago, I decided it was time that I learned her special recipe. Every year since then we stand at the stove together, and she reminds me of all her tips and tricks for how to know when the oil is hot enough and how to drain the excess water to make them thin and crispy the way my dad and I like them. This year we can’t make them side-by-side, but I’m excited to have her on FaceTime as I use the food processor she gave me and to put her years of tutelage to the test!”
MEET ALEXANDRA ROSENBAUM
Region: West Coast
Ask me about: Talmud, weekly Torah portion, prayer & liturgy, cantillation/ritual chanting, Jewish poetry/song, Judaism & ethics
Get in touch: alexandra.rosenbaum@moishehouse.org
My favorite Hanukkah memory: “Just the other year, giddily dancing around the Hanukkah menorah at MH staff member Sari Kreines’ house singing any Hanukkah song we could remember. I’m a fan of latkes of any kind (regular potato, sweet potato, zucchini, etc) – but not with sour cream. It has to be applesauce.”
How I’m celebrating this year: “I’ll be celebrating small – just me and my fiancé, but I’ll be tuning in to zoom candle-lightings across the country (which is a great idea for a covid friendly Hanukkah program!)”
MEET TANYA ZAYTZEVA
Region: RSJ (Russian Speaking Jews) North America
Ask me about: RSJ home and culture, Jewish texts and culture
Get in touch: tanya@moishehouse.org
My favorite Hanukkah memory: “My first time celebrating any holiday in my new city of Minsk was Hanukkah, in a youth club. I didn’t know anybody there because it was the first time that I came to the community, but I loved the atmosphere and the fact that everybody was very welcoming and I felt at home! I am from Belarus and we are famous for being a country that eats a lot of potatoes, our main crop, so latkes (or dranik) is a staple there.”
My Hanukkah recipe you should try this year: “My mom’s recipe is my favorite: 1 kilo of potatoes, 2 tablespoons of flour, salt! If the butter is very runny (that doesn’t happen to us a lot, because potatoes in Belarus are very starchy), just let it sit for a while and then throw the excess liquid out! Fry till they’re golden brown and delicious! That’s it! We have a funny feud in Belarus – if you should add egg or not, clearly my family is on the side of no egg! We eat them with smetana (sour cream).”
