Congregation Shomrei Emunah and the Shomrei Preschool celebrated the opening of its new playground with a ribbon cutting ceremony and community event on Sunday, May 19th. The new playground features all new, state-of-the-art equipment amid a larger footprint. Continue reading
From Captain Linda Ariel:
It was a lively evening at the Carol Starr MESH Cafe at Shomrei. It was a warm sunny evening, and the days were surely getting longer. We hosted 24 guests and were able to send four additional lucky people home with dinner. Sarita Eisenberg was top chef with the many able assistants, Chaya Kotlowitz, Charles Steindel, and Sarah Steindel ably preparing a delicious and colorful feast. Jonah and Madeline were the teen volunteers who did anything and everything that was needed to help. Lou Hammerman pitched in as both a server and a pot washer par excellence.
It seems like ages since I’ve shared recipes with the Shomrei community. Travel, Passover, Kiddush prep got in the way. Finally here are some new ones to try. By plan or coincidence they are all vegan friendly.
But first I must rhapsodize about the delicious paella I sampled in Barcelona. There are probably as many versions of paella as there are cooks. However, traditionally, paella is a mixture of seafood, poultry, perhaps sausage, and seasoned with saffron and other herbs and spices. It’s served over rice which often has green peas mixed in. Not the dish for kosher or seafood avoidant diners.
But I had the most delicious asparagus and mushroom paella at a friendly restaurant on the beach. It was as good as any could have been, well-seasoned, easy on the eyes and the tongue. What follows is an approximation of what I was served on that rainy evening by the sea. Continue reading
From Captain Shirley Grill:
Tuesday night was a cold and rainy night–not your typical spring evening! Because of the weather, we let our guests in early rather than have them wait outside in the rain. We were fortunate that the meal was a spinoff from our wonderful Syrian meal the prior Friday, so much of the work was reheating and cutting and chopping for a fresh green salad and fruit salad.
The following generous Tributes and Donations were made in April.
Make a donation or send a tribute online! visit: http://shomrei.org/donate
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It’s not as well- known as Black History Month (February) or National Hispanic Heritage Month (September), but there actually is a Jewish American Heritage Month and we are right in the middle of it.
It is annually proclaimed and published in the National Register. This year’s proclamation begins:
“As we observe Jewish American Heritage Month, our Nation celebrates nearly 4,000 years of Jewish history and honors the numerous contributions of Jewish Americans to our country and the world. Rabbi Akiva, a great Jewish scholar, declared that a central principle of the Torah is to “love thy neighbor as thyself.” Jewish Americans have repeatedly demonstrated their dedication to this commandment, helping the downtrodden and pursue justice, sanctifying the name of God, and embodying the best of America.”
From Captain Alex Kent:
The Carol Starr MESH Cafe at Shomrei hosted an Asian cuisine night on Tuesday, giving a new life to some delicious Chinese food repurposed from the Beatles Shabbat last Friday night. The food had been graciously donated by Aimee and David Brooks. Chef Lynne Kurzweil whipped up her own carrot and ginger soup, topped with Chinese noodles and parsley, followed by crowd favorites beef with broccoli, sesame chicken, lo-mein, vegetables in brown sauce, and rice. The meal was completed with fruit salad, and black and white cookies.
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Report from Captain Fern Heinig:
The Carol Starr MESH Cafe served 22 very grateful guests. Not only did our guests leave with a full stomach but our volunteers left with a full heart. Teen volunteers thanked me for “allowing” them to donate their time to help cook and serve. Adult volunteers took out calendars so they could commit to the next night to volunteer. Captain Fern left feeling like the world could be repaired after how grateful our volunteers were for the opportunity to cook and serve our guests Continue reading
Report from Captain Lynne Kurzweil:
The Carol Starr MESH Cafe at Shomrei welcomed 24 guests to our cafe this past Tuesday night, an additional 6 takeaway meals were distributed. Word has it that 35 people had lined up prior to 6:30 pm. Continue reading
There’s a Jewish proverb that says “No matter what happens, travel gives you a story to tell.” You never know what surprises you’ll find when you travel and where your feet will lead you.
My daughters and I spent a few days in Barcelona, Spain at the beginning of April. We planned to see the usual sites: a walk along La Rambla, tour Gaudi’s famed Sagrada Familia… and Park Guehl, the Picasso Museum, a stroll along the Mediterranean.
But it’s the unexpected that sometimes leaves the greatest impression.