14 Baltimore dati girls visit Ashkelon for Hanukah

Hanuka vacation and 14 Baltimore girls, from Midrashot in Jerusalem, came to Ashkelon to spend the daywith HaGarin HaTorani Orot , accompanied by Terri Cherbite from JAFI and Leah from Masa.

In the evening, they lit Hanukah candles at a traffic circle in the center of one of the neighborhoods. It was a sandstorm and difficult toget the candles lit but no-one really noticed because everyone was out and about and having such a fun time! There was dancing by the Garin HaTorani boys, high spirits, and lots of "soofganiyot " handed out to passers-by.

The Baltimore girls spent the day at Barzilai Medical Center doing their "chessed mitzvah", handing out"soofganiyot" and visiting with patients. They then did something very Israeli with their Ashkelon hostesses (girls their own age and younger, from Garin HaTorani, from their Shnat Sherut group and from Bnei Akiva). They went door-to door in small groups in one of the apartment buildings, knocking on doors, and handing out "soofganiyot". They lit candles on a hannukiya they brought with them and sangHanuka songs with Israeli families. This "chutzpadick" informal direct contact with Ashkelon families made a lasting impression on them and was one of the highlights of their busy day in Ashkelon.

The Garin HaTorani staff in charge of the dinner at 'Beit HaMidrash Imry Tal' are all young, enthusiastic and motivated, and warm. (Manager Eliyahu Reuven is part of the partnership strategic planning process.) Their Rabbi Reisman is an ex-American who spent many years studying in Baltimore. After dinner he delivered a short (and interesting) Dvar Torah in English and Hebrew, and then went over to chat with the girls and ask "who knows who" . That was a nice personal contact for them with an impressive personality.

After hearing about Ashkelon, the Partnership, and how Park Baltimore was built, many of the girls wanted to know about coming ro Ashkelon for a Shabbat. HaGarin HaTorani is already following that up to make it happen.

The last surprise was when Eliyahu handed each of the girls a memento of their visit to Ashkelon - a personal photo on a magnet (see attached photos). That must have been quite a logistical challenge for Eliyahu but it was a huge hit!

Thank you to everyone for a great day!

SEE MORE PHOTOS HERE

Happy Chanukah!

Wishing all our friends in Baltimore and everywhere

a very Happy Chanukah!

We have been having a heated debate as to the correct way to spell Chanukka in English. Anyone have an opinion? And the answer is: Hanukkah is a transliteration of a Hebrew word so you can spell it any way you wish.

During Chanukah, Chabad light candles every night at locations all over Ashkelon and hand out 'soofganiyot'. See the video HERE with a blessing from Rabbi Lieberman.

Our recipe for delicious Hanuka latkes !

-----------------------------------------------

Finely grate a few unpeeled potatoes, a peeled sweet potato (yam), and a small onion (gourmet upgrade option : add 2 peeled grated 'Jerusalem artichokes'). Squeeze out most/all of the liquid. Add salt and pepper, 3 well beaten eggs, 1 tsp baking powder and 2-3 tablespoons of flour. Gently form into uneven flat patties and fry both sides in oil until golden brown.

Drain on paper and serve hot, sprinkled with a mix of sugar and cinnamon.

For those who prefer less oily food: Grease a pyrex dish with olive oil, put the mixture in, paint the top with olive oil and bake in a hot oven for an hour or more until golden and crispy. Serve hot: sprinkle each slice with sugar and cinnamon.

Chag Sameach!

Happy Hannukah Everyone!

Yesterday was the 1st night of Hanukah, and a joint candle-lighting ceremony was planned, with the women of Baltimore and the women of Ashkelon, lighting candles together by videoconference.

Everyone was very disappointed when icy road conditions and bad winter weather prevented the Baltimore women from taking part. In Ashkelon the weather is still warm and sunny so we could only try to imagine what a "real" winter feels like.

In Ashkelon there was a good turnout and the women took the opportunity to reconnect and celebrate Hannukah. Then everyone rushed to get home in time to light the candles with their families. Nicole

In Ashkelon, the women gathered for the candle-lighting ceremony

Chag Urim Sameach!