From the Macaroon Sisters to Passover Table and Shabbat Shalom from a Friend

First, a poignant message from Marc Gellman that I suspect many of us can relate to. Grieving isn’t all that bad: 04/25/2024 A Shabbat moment to think about other things: GRIEVING ISN’T ALL THAT BAD . . . . . . and some of us know of the “DER TSAR” (grief) that doesn’t go away….

Hello, Stranger, Have Some Soup! (re-mix) and Shabbat Shalom from a friend.

First, a wonderful message from Marc Gellman – a great lesson for all of us. NO! PASSOVER is not the Jewish Easter!  04/18/2024 A Shabbat moment to think about other things: NO! PASSOVER . . . . . . is not the Jewish Easter! We would travel from western New Jersey to eastern Long Island…

The Kitchen Orchestra, Mejadra, and Shabbat Shalom from a Friend

First, a warm and inspiring message from Marc Gellman. I’ve Often Heard People Say 04/11/2024 A Shabbat moment to think about other things: I’VE OFTEN HEARD PEOPLE SAY . . . . . . that their lives have been so “Meshuga” (crazy) and filled with “Bubbemeises” (fairytales) and “Tsuris” (distress) that they could write a…

Nostalgic Cabbage Moments and Shabbat Shalom from a Friend

First, another heartwarming and poignant message from Marc Gellman: Inspire parents and children to capture the moments: 04/04/2024 A Shabbat moment to think about other things: INSPIRE PARENTS AND CHILDREN . . .  . . . to capture the moments. When we deliberately dedicate time to reflect on our past, we can better understand, appreciate,…

Hello, Ovid! Я вам не скажу про всю Одессу… (remix)

I am only doing a bi-lingual post twice: as they say in Odessa, “the first time which is already the last.” I am only doing it because of a phenomenal blogger and a wonderful blogofriend Brigitta Moro who magically blogs in Russian and Ukrainian and who has shared very thorough, research-based information about April 1 right…

Popalik for a Poor Orphan (reiteration) and Shabbat Shalom from a Friend

First, a wonderfully heartwarming message from Marc Gellman. WITH OUR KINDER: 03/28/2024 A Shabbat moment to think about other things: WITH OUR “KINDER” (children) . . . . . . we become our parents. On the day of my wedding, I noticed something different about the way my dad was looking at me. I was…

Joyous, No Matter What, and Shabbat Shalom from a Friend

First, a strongly motivational message from Marc Gellman. 03/21/2024 A Shabbat Message: SOMETIMES OUR LIFE FEELS LIKE “GORNISHT” (strong sense of nothing) . . .    . . . giving the kids breakfast, sending them off to school, and we leave for work. In the evening, having dinner, watching TV, going to sleep, and starting…

The Clever Suitor and the Dietetic Hamentaschen (reiteration)

You have already met the famous prankster and jester Hershele of Ostropol in some of my previous posts (https://koolkosherkitchen.wordpress.com/2016/09/28/yukh-a-one-eyed-soup, https://koolkosherkitchen.wordpress.com/2016/12/20/summer-latkes-in-december). He is not a fictional character; he actually existed and served as a Shamesh (synagogue attendant) for one of my illustrious ancestors, Rabbi Boruch of Medzhibozh who lived in the second half of 18th – beginning of 19th…

Of Hats, Pockets, Ears, and Hidden Messages (remix)

These pastries are called Hamantaschen. We can no more imagine the holiday of Purim without them than without the graggers – noisemakers gleefully shaken by children and adults alike to drown the name of the evil villain Haman. That’s a story of Purim in a nutshell. Once again, the Jewish people, marked for wholesale slaughter, were saved through…

Puffkin Surprise and Shabbat Shalom from a Friend

First, an important message from Marc Gellman to all of us in the blogosphere who can’t wait to click that button and have our work posted. WHY CREATE NISHTICK 03/14/2024 A Shabbat Message: WHY CREATE “NISHTICK” (worthless trash) . . . . . . and make yourself appear to be a “Lepish” (awkward and stupid)….

The Fighter Gene, Quinoa Mushroom Pilaf with Black Beans (remix) and Shabbat Shalom from a Friend

First, an inspiring and wise message from Marc Gellman. We learn from our parents: 03/07/2024 We “LERNEN” (learn) from our parents . . . . . . during our growing up years, following their leadership and guidance. If we’re fortunate during our lifetime, along the way, we meet other people too. “Menschen” (people) . ….

Who Am I? The Hussar Maiden and a Pie in Disguise (reiteration) and Shabbat Shalom from a Friend

First, a sweet and poignant message from Marc Gellman. Puppy Love and Shabbat Shalom: 02/29/2024 A PUPPY LOVE “TEFILLAH” (prayer) . . . . . . is a youthful feeling within us about a love that is young, innocent, naïve, and pure. The puppy love first comes to us at a time in our life…