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 Beautiful
Book of Holiday Traditions, December 29, 2004
Daylight is precious now and the nights are long
and cold. It is time to gather our family and friends around the
menorah and celebrate Hanukkah, "the Festival of
Lights." The glow of the candles is reflected in our
children's faces, full of anticipation and awe. Warmth, light,
miracles...this is Hanukkah. ~page 69
This is a Writer's Digest Award Winner and it truly is the
Ultimate Holiday Guidebook for families. You will find information
on eleven significant Jewish Holidays:
Shabbat - Dipped candles, dye-painted Challah cover, spice
boxes.
Rosh HaShanah - Creative Cake Cones, apple print cards.
Yom Kippur - Read-aloud story, book of life scrapbook
ideas, writing your own prayers.
Sukkot - A suggested Sukkot Menu, collage, decorations,
crayon leaf picture.
Hanukkah - The Miracle Moon story, gift ideas, making your
own Menorah.
Tu Bishvat - Tree of life diagram, easy bake cookies,
family tree project.
Purim - Manot baskets, costumes, woven paper cones,
puppets.
Passover - The story of Egypt, Seder Plate, Matzah Pizza
recipe, cartoon story.
Lag B'Omer- Hats, games, egg races.
Yom Ha'Atzmaut - Layered Sand Jars, flags and necklaces.
Shavout - Blintzes, Yogurt Popsicles, parades, crafts and
activities.
Each chapter highlights a Jewish holiday and you can learn how to
experience the holidays, create interesting foods and research
holiday traditions. There are Read-aloud stories, traditional
passages, crafts and fascinating food facts.
Then, you will find a chapter of recipes:
If you have always wanted to make delicious latkes, there is a
recipe. If you want to try some contemporary favorites, try the
Oreo Cheesecake. Salmon Mousse with Cucumber Dressing, Homemade
Hummus, Challah, Chicken Soup, Beef Tenderloin, Sour Cream
Potatoes, Broccoli Soufflé and Mandel Brot all make their
appearance along with a number of delicious favorites. You can
also make Passover Brownies with matzo cake meal.
There are diagrams you can copy and an Appendix filled with
blessings. The index is excellent. This book would be perfect for
teachers. It is essential for parents and for any student of
Jewish traditions.
As one who learned how to make chicken soup from a Jewish friend
in Seattle, I can say Jewish food has always been a favorite. I
even make my own Matzo balls for soup and have mastered the making
of Challah. As a child, some of my most comforting memories
included eating meals at Jewish parties. I seem to remember eating
the creative cake cones as a child.
~The Rebecca Review 
Jewish Mandalas
Mandala Miracles, April 29, 2007
"Looking at the letters as the expressions of creation can
bring us back to the creation, to G-d's dream and vision of the
world that was intended to be, to the purpose of creation, and to
our own seemingly unlimited potential for human creativity."
~ Rabbi David Zeller
Adam Rhine's beautifully illustrated alphabet originates from
ballpoint sketches that turn into warm watercolor expressions that
seem to be an ever-changing mandala miracle. His fascination with
calligraphy and interest in infusing his work with the energy of
color takes his black-and-white pen drawing into new realms. Here
he paints and tells the story of each letter. When discussing
"Beit" we see a drawing and also read:
"Having a solid foundation, the letter beit represents a
house or home. Each of us can be a home for the divine and a
source of blessings to the world, making it a true home for the
Divine."
As you contemplate each holy letter in this book you can gain a
deeper sense of purpose in the way letters are arranged to produce
deeper meanings in words.
"Chai, the world for `life,' is spelled with a chet and yud.
This combination unites the presence of G-d (represented by the
yud) to our existence in time (chet)."
The drawings themselves are alive with meaning and beauty. I love
the drawing "Ahava" because two hearts are incorporated
into the picture to produce a stained-glass effect. The "Tikkun
Olam" painting would be beautiful framed.
~The Rebecca Review
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