WINTER 2014 What’s Up Israel International Newsletter Skiing in the Golan What’s Up on the Web! Made in Israel Dear Readers, Great news! We are happy to say that we have established a website: From the Editor’s Desk http://whatsupisrael.org This addition has added a new We approach winter here in Israel with the level of communication with our readers especially those who are rainy season. Temperatures are mild but not Facebook inclined. It has occasionally we might get to wear long sleeves also provided us with flexibility throughout the day without feeling too in providing general information and links to other sites. hot. Nevertheless there will come a time where Although we are still developing it is appropriate to wear sweaters, light coats the site, it is currently accessible and boots and you may even be able to go and will contain the current and some past newsletters. As we skiing, in the North, if it snows. In celebration continue to work on our site, feel of the season, we have included a few pictures free to send us your comments of winter scenes in Israel over the past several regarding what information you would like to see available on it years. We think you will enjoy them. Happy to [email protected]. Holidays! Mieksje, Ann & Siobhan WHAT’S UP ISRAEL WINTER 2014 THANKSGIVING It's almost Thanksgiving! Celebrated in America on the last Thursday of November Traditionally, the first Thanksgiving in America was attended by Native Americans and English Pilgrim settlers and held in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1621. That first Thanksgiving mirrored ancient harvest feasts such as the Jewish holiday of Sukkot. It was not until 1863, however, in the midst of the American Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the last Thursday of each November as a "day of thanksgiving and praise to our beneficent Father". EVENTS Established in 1881 by a Christian couple from Chicago, The American Colony in Jerusalem now houses a peaceful, elegant hotel and restaurant where ‘Jews and Arabs comfortably meet’, along with diplomats from all over the world. Call for information and reservations to their highly acclaimed Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinners: http://www.americancolony.com/events For something a little more casual, try Mike’s Place in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, or Herzliya. Enjoy some good cheer and delicious traditional fare for 120 shekels. ‘Lots of giveaways for those dressed in theme’. http://www.mikesplacebars.com/parties/thanksgiving.html Come to Jerusalem for a festive Thanksgiving meal with live entertainment on Wednesday, Nov 26 from 12:30-15:00 at AACI (Association of Americans and Canadians in Israel). For reservations and online payment before Nov 12: http://www.aaci.org.il/articlenav.php?id=301 Enjoy these two articles that celebrate the season: http://www.timesofisrael.com/pumpkin-spice-hummus-hits-us-shelves/ http://www.israelexperts.com/blog/thanksgiving-celebrated-israel 2 WHAT’S UP ISRAEL WINTER 2014 HANUKKAH Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, commemorates the rededication of the second temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt. Many years ago, around 200 BCE after the Greeks conquered Judea, a revolt by the Maccabees and the Chasidism (forerunners to the Pharisees) against the assimilation of Hellenistic Jews and the Greek government (Antiochus IV) occurred and was successful. As a result the Temple was taken back and rededicated. At the time of the rededication, there was very little oil left to light the Menorah and keep it burning throughout the night, every night in the Temple. Only one flask of oil was found, enough to keep the Menorah lit for just one night. Miraculously, the oil from the flask burned for 8 days. During Hanukkah, a candle is lit on the Menorah each night, starting with one on the first night culminating with 8 candles on the last night. Each night prayers and songs accompany the lightings. Many celebrate the holiday with fried foods such as potato cakes (Latkes) and doughnuts (Sufganiyot). Small gifts are given to children and games are played using a dreidel. For more details on Hanukkah see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanukkah and http://igoogledisrael.com/2008/12/hannukah-the-festival-of-lights-and-donuts/ This year Hanukkah is celebrated 8 days before Christmas from the evening of December 16th to the evening of December 24th. CHRISTMAS Christmas is a holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus as well as a widely observed cultural holiday. Although the exact date of Jesus’ birth is not known, Christians as well as many non- Christians currently celebrate this occasion on December 25th. Other dates on which Christmas is celebrated include January 6th, 7th or 9th by Eastern Christian churches. Historically, celebrations of Christmas are noted as far back as 354 AD. Many of the current customs surrounding the Christmas holiday developed independently from the celebration of Jesus’ birth. Some of these secular customs include the Christmas tree, mistletoe, gift giving, caroling, family gatherings, seasonal food and drink, Christmas cards, Christmas stockings and Santa Claus. For more information on the history and story of Christmas check the following sites: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas http://www.whychristmas.com/story/the_christmas_story.shtml 3 WHAT’S UP ISRAEL WINTER 2014 HOLIDAY SHOPPING Food Hanukkah – It is customary to eat fried foods or foods baked in oil during Hanukkah. Traditional foods include potato pancakes known as latkes, bimuelos (fritters) and Sufganiyot (doughnuts). Roladin, established in 1987 is the largest bakery chain in Israel and as of August 2014 had 43 locations throughout Israel. Many recommend this bakery when looking for tasty Sufganiyot. Check out the following 2 links to see what others have to say about finding the best Sufganiyot for the Hanukkah Top 8 places to get Sufganiyot according to Haaretz Top 3 places to buy doughnuts according to igoogledisrael Cooking for the holidays can be quite a task especially finding the ingredients needed for traditional foods of the season. For all those planning their celebrations, here are some tips on where to get some of the ingredients you may need Turkeys and Hams– Order at the latest 1 week before your holiday celebration. • You can get Turkeys and Hams cooked or uncooked, delivered or pick them up at Yoji at the Kfar Shmaryahu Shopping Center, Hazorea 2. Order it from Ben at 09-956-4455. • The Hanassi Shops Butcher at 144 Hanassi in Herzliya Pituach will get you a “fresh turkey” uncooked and can be contacted at 0777660721. • Stop Market in the Arena Mall – Contact: 052-3561188 to order Turkeys. • Meatland on the corner of 1 Barlian and 128 Ahuza Street in Ra’anana is selling whole turkey. Contact: 09-7410881 • Check with Tiv Tam on ordering Turkeys and Hams. • Check with the Russian butchers in the Shuk Carmel in Tel Aviv for hams. Other Items – • Cranberry sauce, pie crust, rolls, canned pumpkin pie, and canned mushroom soup can be found at Meatland Superstore in Ra'anana Bar Ilan 1 Street. Visit their webpage or call: http://www.meatland.net or call 09-741-0881. Cranberry sauce can also be found at Stop Market in the Arena Mall above the frozen food bins in front of the butcher counter. • Black-eyed peas –Can be found in the dry bean section of your local supermarket. Look for “cow peas” these are “black-eyed peas”. • Fruitcakes, Date nut cakes, etc. - Many bakeries in the area make excellent cakes. • Tamales and Bunuelos – Celebrating the holidays Latin American style? You can find authentic corn flour, gluten free corn tortillas and regular flour tortillas at Tres Pesos in Holon (tortillas are made here – not imported). Visit their website http://trespesos.co.il/ or give them a call at 03- 5597761 to see if their items are carried in a store near you. Although you may not need them for Christmas, they sell Israeli grown jalapenos and hot sauces made and bottled in their local factory. 4 WHAT’S UP ISRAEL WINTER 2014 Decorations Several local vendors carry a variety of decorations and you may be able to find some lovely flowers and trees at local florists. All the Shuks (Markets) in Israel will begin carrying a variety of decorations by the end of November. You can also ask the stall/shop owner if they have any leftover decorations from Sukkot (the Jewish Holiday that uses decorations that are similar to Christmas decorations). Herzliya Pituach /Ra'anana/Netanya/Kfar Shmaryahu - You can find ornaments and other items at the Tiv Tam in Netanya. Check a Tiv Tam location near yours just in case they may have what you need. Bimbi at the Kfar Shmaryahu Shopping Center, Hazorea 2, carries artificial trees, lights and ornaments. Aquarel, an arts and crafts center located at Hapina 2 in Ra’anana and near the Azraeli Mall in Tel Aviv carries a variety of supplies you can use to make your own decorations and gifts. Also available for purchase are gift bags, ornaments and garlands (most likely used for Sukkot). If you have not visited this store yet, it is definitely worth the trip. Tel Aviv/Jaffa area - Carmel market in Tel Aviv, (Corner of King David & Allenby St.). Open daily except Saturday: Winter in Tel Aviv Nachalat Binyamin Market- Just off the Carmel Market on the Nachalat Binyamin Pedestrian walkway, Tel Aviv. Open Tues (9:30- 5:30); Fri (9:00 - 4:00): The Flea Market- Shuk Hapishpushim in Jaffa, Tel Aviv. Open Sun- Thurs: Hatikva Market, Hatikva Street, Tel Aviv. Open Sun- Thurs: (8:00 - 6:00) Fri: (8:00- 2;00): Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv (market- shops) Jerusalem/Bethlehem - Check out the Christian and Snowing at the Western Wall Armenian quarters of the old city.