Warm Wishes for a Happy Hanukkah, Meredith and Saundra!!!

Thank you so much, Lola. You are so kind and thoughtful and that is a lovely piece of artwork!

I'm just getting over a cold and haven't been here but did light my candle - 1 giant Hanukkah/Channukah (the spelling keeps changing) candle that was a gift last year.

I haven't had a cold for 4 years and almost forgot what to do...

Lola, you are so very cool.

How wonderful Lola to start something remembering our dear jewish friends and can all be a part of...

Happy Hanukkah to you both and anyone else on this forum that celebrates the Jewish holidays.

It's a wonderful privilege, Saundra. Do share with us your childhood memories of family traditions on Hannukah.

I was in Rome on a work-related matter on the first day but, was invited by a close friend and her family on Sunday evening. They had a visiting Rabbi and a few others from their Sephardi community as well. The singing was a blast because there were three cantors present. Then, after a ravishing meal, we all went to the Titus Arch where the Rabbi said a very moving prayer of thanksgiving.

Thanks so much Lola and Chatty!

Tonight is the last (8th) night. We have a brass Hanukkiah oil lamp with the Lions of Judah which I bought in Israel 30 years ago. We light it outside because the oil produces too much smoke for indoors.

The tradition is to eat foods fried in oil, to remember the oil that kept the lamp in the Hanukkah story burning for 8 days. Instead of potato latkes, we made salmon croquettes the first night. That was enough oil-fried for my week.

1 15 oz. can salmon (plus salmon juice, minus fatty skin), mashed
1 c. matzoh meal or bread crumbs
2 XL heritage tomatoes from the farmers' market, diced
*I was raised making this with ketchup. I hate ketchup.*
2 eggs
2 slices chopped red onion
spices -- I use the traditional garlic, black pepper and salt. No, I never measure.

Mix it all together.
10" fry pan covered generously with olive oil.
4 large patties fit into the fry pan at a time.
Fry till bottom of croquettes/latkes is lightly brown/crispy. Flip. Fry. Serve. Repeat.
Makes 12 croquettes.

Happy 8th night Saundra (and anyone else!)

I would love to go to Israel! I have'nt been and it figures highly in one of my "to do's".

Well wishes to one and all celebrating Hanukkah. I enjoy hearing your stories. It strengthens friendships.

Meredith I also make salmon patties but use italian bread crumbs instead of motza crumbs and no tomatoes. I use stiff mashed potatoes instead. When mixed in with the salmon, onion, egg it holds together nicely so then I make patties and pat them into the bread crumbs and fry them in olive oil.
My boys loved these and I would always make extra so they could have one on sandwich bread with a little mustard for their school lunch the next day. So good!

When I was a child and we lived in Vancouver, my parents kept a kosher house and they hosted our family for every Jewish holiday. At one time there were over 25 people.

My father was the most religious in the family. He said all the prayers and led the singing. My parents also made their own wine, which everyone enjoyed!

Cleaning began the week before each holiday and all of the women helped prepare the meals, which were traditional and contained at least 5 courses.

Let's hear it for the good old days...

I love to hear the Jewish songs...or are they hymns? Can you buy Jewish songs?