Wrapping Up Chanuka

It's official, Chanuka's over- walking down the street this morning, the Sufganiot were all gone from the store windows. Very sad, but very good for our arteries.

We made the most of the last two nights though.

On Monday, me and Eitan headed to Tel Aviv with Nina who got off from the army for vacation this week for a birthday and Chanuka celebration at the Kirschenbaum/Kamins. Ami couldn't make it, between the time getting to the bus station and to Tel Aviv in the height of traffic, but don't worry, we brought him home (delicious) leftovers.

While in Tel Aviv, Eitan and I had a date with friends visiting from home- Abbey and adorable baby Aviv who we met for the first time, finally! Last time we saw Abbey, Eitan was 10 weeks old, and Aviv was still 27 weeks away from birth, so it was really really awesome to have the two boys together and get to catch up.
And a great reminder of how much a few months difference makes in babies.

This is as good as I could do. Really pathetic. I know.

We had a blast at Hudy and Debra- they made tons of latkes, and even added rosemary into some of them in my and Eitan's honor (not really, but they were just as good). We even skyped with Kayla off from school in Teaneck in our very modern Chanuka way. And we topped of dinner with suganiot from Tal Bagels. Good. Especially the cookies and cream flavor that a wonderfully thick frosting on top, and an alcohol laced chocolate filling.

And yesterday, the last day of Chanuka, we finally got to Jerusalem's most coveted doughnuts, from Roladin. I was saving the best for last. Also because rumor has it that they're so good, all others pale in comparison. And they're really expensive, so having them the last night ensures we can't go back for more following days.

Post Dinner. We're gross.

Again, these pictures do not do these justice. 

But wow. They are good. Beautiful. Delicious- like AMAZING. The frosting and inner creams tasted like sweet whipped cheesecake. The only was that was just good was the halvah flavor, the Cafe Neeman halvah was actually superior. But the other two. Wowaweewa.

Okay, so the menorah is put away, the calories have been maxed out, and it's time to get back to normal routine.

Neeman vs. Neeman

If you come here often, you know we've spent a lot of time in bakeries in the weeks we've been here. Being that the two pillars of my diet are sufganiot and burekas (believe it or not, Mindy Levin), I've had a chance to sample lots of different places.

So there's a chain of bakeries here in Jerusalem (and maybe elsewhere in the country? I don't know) called Maafiat Neeman- Neeman Bakery.                                                






They're all over- there's on in the mall near us, a big stand-alone branch on the way to the mall near us, one in the
center of town on the corner of King George and
Yaffo, (where the Sbarro used to be that got
bombed) and that's just off the top of my head. So, when down on Emek Refaim there is a little cafe called Neeman (it's some hebrew word I don't know and cafe- translations welcome, btw in the comments below...), I just assumed it was a fancy cafe version of the Neemans with some additional menu items and seating (like our neighborhood Marzipan).

But then, as I sampled all of the Sufganiot in this city, I noticed that the flavors and designs at the Neeman on Emek Refaim differ from the others.  And then, noticed that the logo of most of them is what looks like the silhouette of a rabbi guy, and the one on Emek Refaim, a rolling pin. So, on one Sufgania outing (Night 3 of Chanuka for those keeping track) as we walked in, Ami asked them what's the deal with the Neemans. So the story goes, says the woman at the register, that there were two brothers Neeman, who started the bakery. And many many years ago, like fifty, the broke away from each other, and the one on Emek is the only Cafe Neeman and some hebrew word I don't understand, with no continuing relationship to the ubiquitous chain.

So now, after that introduction, the real question arises. Which is better? With my very scientific methods of eating and comparisons, it's kind of a tie.

Maafiat Neeman (the chain) has better sufganiot, they taste better, but are less pretty. Their burekas are fine, but nothing amazing, and they're a bit stingy on the filling. Cafe Neeman has better Burekas, and tasty, sure, but prettier, not more delicious sufganiot. So then, I'd say, on a year-round basis, I'd rather be at Cafe Neeman. Plus they have amazing ice coffee that is so creamy and not-too-frappachino sweet.

Battle Sufganiya: Winner Maafiat Neeman

Beautiful, but not as good. BTW on the one on the right, that's a tiny little meringue on top, not cream. Adorable.

Totally appetizing, not beautiful, but Delicious.

 

 Battle Bureka: Cafe Neeman, hands down. Didn't even take pictures of Maafia Neeman...

Savory Burekas: Amazing. Especially mushroom.

Sweet Burekas: Amazing. I think sweet burekas may be rugelach, I'm not sure...

Sixth Night of Chanuka: Rain Fails and Artsy Photos

The sixth night of Chanuka is always important in our family because it's Nina's hebrew birthday. Happy Birthday Sis!

We had big plans for last night- because Sunday nights aren't work nights for me, it was one of the only nights of Chanuka where we could actually go out and do something special. The plan was to walk over to Mamilla Mall where they do a big candlelighting each night with music, sufganiot and kids stuff. And Roladin, the bakery known for the best sufganiot around even has a branch in there for us to indulge in.

The weather however, didn't cooperate at ALL, and it poured and poured the whole day and night, keeping us at home. Wet Chanuka Menorah lighting isn't that appealing (see this post to note that Mamilla Mall is an outdoor corridor).

So we stayed home, did the whole sixth night here, thought of Nina in the Army and called and sang the brachot and songs to Liat Rozmaryn who we're so dying to skype- light with but wasn't home to be able to be in front of a computer and get online. (By the way, this article, is so our lives right now.)

And, while Eitan sat in his chair double fisting (what a fatty) burekas,  Ami got all photographer on us. Enjoy photos of our very own Menorah night six style.

Shabbat Chanuka

Shabbat Shalom! We're off to visit our Lessin/Rozmaryn cousins, but before we head out needed to share this quick series of photos our little miracle in his newest shirt a perfect gift for spending this chag here in Israel. He's totally modelling, right?

Chanuka Night Two

Now that we've captured the busses with their Chanuka greetings on the front, it's really Chanuka.

All of the kids are off school, but oddly work isn't closed, so I really don't know what parents do, but, I digress, there are kids all over.

Last night we had big time Chanuka treats. We picked up a package that friends of Ami's parents brought over from them which had goodies for each one of us. My Kindle Fire (!) that Ami's parents got me for my birthday/chanuka, a book of 501 Hebrew verbs (yes, that's the name of the book- check it)that Ami's been wanting, and is about a quarter of the price on Amazon then here in a bookstore, Eitan's stroller bundle me for cold Jerusalem nights and last, but definitely not least, probably best, treats from Callie's.

Callie's. This is a post in it of itself, but, in short, Callie's Candy Kitchen is the venue of choice for the extended Rozmaryn family on the day after Thanksgiving. You've heard about Rozmaryn Thanksgivings before... They go to Callie's each year, and listen to Callie, the original Callie, who's probably about 95 now, give a shpiel about the chocolate and candy business. Mind you, they can all recite the entire speech by now. Highlights include: how to turn brown into green (hint: making chocolate is profitable), the ingredients in chocolate (cocoa, cocoa butter, milk, sugar), musings on white chocolate (there's no such thing- it's white candy).

Anyways, we, now they, all go every Friday of Thanksgiving, hear the stories, and buy lots and lots of chocolate. One specialty is called Pocono Crunch. It's good. It's peanut buttery, chocolate, kind of like rice krispie treats but better. You can even buy it yourself, here.  Another that we got is called Bark. It's a layer of mint between two layers of chocolate. We're saving that one, and it's not available in their online shop. By the way, doesn't that website look like it's from 1995? It's exactly perfect for the place which looks like it hasn't changed since, well 1950 I'd say.


Onward with Chanuka. So I made Latkes. From scratch. For the first time. And they were really good! Neither of us are particularly Latke people, but this recipe which changed things up a bit was really good. Notes: I didn't use oregano and we added more Parmesan on top right before we ate them. As you can see Eitan liked them too. He wouldn't stop. And see below, he almost kind of even says Latke. Most words he imitates from us kind of sound the same nowadays... others like "more" however, crystal clear.






oily goodness

destroying the latke



First Night of Chanuka and First Steps!

Ha those candles look like they're attached to Eitan's head.

Okay, friends, get yourself cozy and hunker down, because if you plan on reading this whole post now, well, it's going to be a while. The past 24 hours have been crazy- and it is only the first day of Chanuka!

Last night we celebrated the first night of Chanuka.

We had all of the "ingrediants" ready to make the first Chanuka that Eitan gets what's going on (kind of) exciting. Yes, we know, he won't remember it. Shoot man, he probably forgot it already and it's been a day, but we have proof right here that his parents did Chanuka right for him!

We had candles (from which Eitan needed to be restrained from).

We had driedels. Israeli driedels that has sides representing the great miricle that happened Here ( Poh, with a Pei) not There (Sham, with a Shin). For more on that, our friends at Wikipedia come to the rescue.

We had presents. Courtesy of Eitan's uncle Gadi, aunt Tia Jackie and cousins Liat and Itai.

And, we of course, had more Sufganiot.

So, Chanuka night 1, success! Right?

At this point, we're feeling pretty good about ourselves as parents. Even though Eitan had some doughnut, it's all good, it's his first Chanuka!

But then, our real Chanuka Miricle happened. Eitan Rozmaryn took his first steps! Two steps with Ami while I was hiding out in a quiet room on a work conference call, and then followed by threes and fours once I was off and back in mommy mode. Is there anything better? Ever? I mean, yeah so the Jews getting to keep being Jewish is cool, and the oil lasting 8 days in the Beit Hamigdash too, I guess...But, STEPS! Eitan really must have appreciated all of our efforts and decided to throw us a bone. Or maybe it was the sugar.

Either way, here it is, Eitan and four steps. Or maybe it's a slow fall, but we're taking it.

And here is my post- walking shock/crying/laughing courtesy of paparazzi Daddy Ami. And Eitan looking at me like it's no big deal and I'm a total crazy. This happens often, I know the drill.

So, Chag Sameach and here's to seven more nights! Still to come, making latkes, chocolate gelt, more presents (even one from us for Eitan, believe it or not), and lots more family and parties...

Chanuka's Coming!



Someone buy one for me, ok?



So Chanuka starts tonight. Where'd that come from? Sufganiot have taken over this city since Rosh Chodesh almost a month ago, and dreidels and sales in toy stores have been everywhere, but I guess, for this American, it doesn't feel like Chanuka without Christmas.

It's nice that Chanuka's the real deal for once, don't get me wrong, and we're so excited to celebrate with Eitan now that he (kind of) knows what's going on, but it is really weird not to see Christmas trees, ornaments, Santas, Carollers...We'll see what happens over the next 8 nights.

For now, some Chanuka prep we saw on our grocery run this morning. Displays everwhere with these driedel shaped boxes filled with little treats. They were so cute. And in the bakery section of the store, two men, a vat of oil, and a pastry bag to stuff the jelly in the doughnut. Eitan was just sitting happily watching these guys do their thing for a good 15 minutes.

But, the most exciting thing that we saw today, was that the public busses, in the front where the display shows the number, flashes with the message "Chanuka Sameach". It was awesome. Couldn't snap it in time though...one of these days.



So many sufganiot, only 8 nights.







Baby's First Shawarma

On Sunday we met Ami at Ulpan and had lunch together before he headed to his internship for the afternoon. It's a place on Shlomtzion HaMalka called "hashamen" which translates into "the fat". Real appealing huh? But it IS. So. Good. Ami will of course review it more analytically here, but for now, isn't this endorsement  enough:

That smile, right? It looks like he takes after his Daddy in his affinity for Shawarma. Here's the whole deal before being wrapped, and Ami also chowing down. Although not nearly as cute...

Shovav

So our Eitan is a little Shovav. Our Israeli neighbor in Teaneck first informed us of that over the summer, explaining that Shovav is the hebrew word for a kid that's a little mischief maker. Like, he's cute and he knows it and he's going to try to get away with as much as he can.

Since we've been here we've heard that a lot. A lot.  From a waitress in a restaurant that watched him crawl out of a chair under the armrest, someone else who observed Eitan likes to climbing into the basket underneath his stroller, or his cousins that saw him climb and stand up on top of his little chair. Here are some snapshots where we've caught our little Shovav in action. More to come, of course...

This one, here to the right was a second after stealing his friend Sholomo's snack cup- you see him on the side, looking a little confused? And yes, this picture was taken in a dressing room. And yes, I made Eitan give it back a second later.

This is pretty self explanatory, fingers and a VCR= hours of fun. What it doesn't capture is that Eitan got his hand stuck in the VCR already twice that morning and I had to lift up that little door to let it free.  FYI, the VCR has since been packed up and hidden.

This is the game called 'unravel my blanket'. Eitan's Sapta (Ami's Dad's Mom, SaPta as opposed to my Mom's Mom, SaVta, and my mom, Savtee, of course) crocheted him this amazing blanket and he loves to snuggle up with it at night. And during the day he likes to stick his fingers through the loops and try to pull it apart. He's somewhat successful, unfortunately, so we try to limit the blanket to bed time when he's too tired to make a game of it.

He's not doing anything mischievous here. That big smile was just so cute I had to put it in here after ratting him out to the Internet. So, you're welcome.

Story Hour

Back home in DC, every Tuesday at 10:30 there's a baby-toddler story hour at the library down our street. Eitan loved it. Not that he ever sat still for it, always crawling all over the place, but still, it was decided, he loved it.

Over here in Jerusalem, we have lots of story hours right in our apartment. He's particularly digging one of his board books that has a mirror on each page (thanks Tank, Shuli and Dalit!). The kid's pretty into himself it seems, it's his book of choice off of the shelf each time he wanders over there.

Checking himself out in the mirror page...

Giving himself slobbery kisses!

AND...distracted by glasses.

Private Rozmaryn

Guess who's all ready to enlist?

This Guy.

Or rather who has been recruited? Maybe next week Nina...

Side note, is it weird that being stuffed into a knapsack didn't phase this child at all? I can imagine him thinking, just another day, just another ridiculous stunt my dumb parents are putting me through. We're in for it in a few years, right?

Small Victories

At the corner of Ephraim and Menashe

Is a great playground. This is a great place to hang out because it's only a few minutes away (in the other direction from Gan Hapamon, actually) and it's filled with babies around Eitan's age.  I just also get a kick out of streets in our neighborhood named after Yosef's two sons that intersect at a playground.

Ephraim and Menashe are mentioned in the blessing for sons that we give to Eitan each Friday night, it goes that hat he should be like Ephraim and Menashe (why, you might ask, well, here), just another nice thing about living in a place where Judaism is woven into daily life.

Some pictures from Eitan's adventures in this playground!

Yes, he needs to get a haircut, his bangs are ridiculous. And yes, he's still crawling and not walking...

Eitan makes this adorable squinty smile all of the time nowadays. It kills us.