All Jewish holidays begin with a good story. Passover depicts Moses facing off against Pharaoh, and Purim features Mordechai and Esther prevailing over the wicked Haman. Chanukah boasts a particularly compelling narrative with its epic tale of freedom versus tyranny. The underdog Maccabees managing to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat and the…
Dear Helen: I’m part of a circle of friends who’ve traded holiday gifts for decades. Eventually we stopped giving them to all the children, too, but it would feel very strange, even socially uncomfortable, to skip Chanukah gifts for the core friends. This summer I gently suggested donating our gift money as tzedakah instead; I…
Hood River Havurah member Amanda Lawrence wanted to bring the light of Chanukah to towns in the Columbia Gorge. “After I spoke with (Hood River Mayor) Paul Blackburn about this idea, he graciously offered to pay for half and then I reached out to the Havurah group to help pay for the other half,” says…
With holiday parties in abundance this month, thoughts inevitably turn to food. What should you take your hostess? Food and drink to share? Or maybe a thank you gift? A bottle of wine is always a nice choice for a formal dinner or elegant party. But if you’re going to a casual get together, consider…
“Put on your yarmulke, it’s time for Hanukkah!” Every year while lighting the menorah, we never forget to enjoy Adam Sandler’s rendition of the Hanukkah song. It is a lighthearted, funny song that never fails to make us laugh. We also enjoy indulging in all of those delicious fried goodies traditionally eaten on the eight…
Traditionally, macaroons have been relegated to the chametz-free Passover menu. Most people don’t miss them during the rest of the year, since they’re often dry, heavy and sickeningly sweet. However, a new Portlander is making macaroons so palatable that you’ll want to eat them all year long. Toronto-born Jenn Topliff, daughter of renowned cookbook author…
Brazil was nothing like I had expected it would be. Lush, bustling and diverse, it was a thriving country of varied landscapes and cultures. My family’s primary reason for going was to visit our 17-year-old daughter, Lauren, who in 2004 was a foreign exchange student for the year. Despite the exhausting 20-hour trip from the…
