AN ENCHANTED EVENING..............

Last night I had the privilege of attending an evening of magnificent evening of song and salute to Victoria Cohen May,
Cantorial Soloist at Congregation Gates of Prayer, on her 25 years at GOP. We dined on amazing fare, and
were surrounded by lovely decorations and more by devoted co-chairs, Cathy Bart and Judy Lieberman.

After honoring Tory, she honored the attendees with songs that she arranged and delivered with her amazing
vocal quality and range. Tory's stage presence and choice of tunes touched our hearts, and, at times, our "funny
bones" as she was so engaging and downright adorable!

We at Gates of Prayer are so blessed to call a person of Victoria Cohen May's caliber, our Cantor, our vocal leader, and our friend.......

AN ENCHANTED EVENING..............

Last night I had the privilege of attending an evening of magnificent song and salute to Victoria Cohen May,

Cantorial Soloist at Congregation Gates of Prayer, on her 25 years at GOP. We dined on amazing fare, and

were surrounded by lovely decorations and more by devoted co-chairs, Cathy Bart and Judy Lieberman.

After honoring Tory, she honored the attendees with songs that she arranged and delivered with her amazing

vocal quality and range. Tory's stage presence and choice of tunes touched our hearts, and, at times, our "funny

bones" as she was so engaging and downright adorable!

We at Gates of Prayer are so blessed to call a person of Victoria Cohen May's caliber, our Cantor, our vocal leader, and our friend.......

UP TO MY EARS IN MANDEL BREAD (BROT)

Now that Passover 2012 is but a memory, I am immersed in batches of my "signature" AUNT REVA'S MANDEL BREAD, which I was asked to donate to one of my favorite organization, HADASSAH, which as many of you know, is the largest women's Zionist organization in the world. Prior to, and after Hurricane Katrina, I was honored to be President of the New Orleans Chapter. During our temporary relocation when we were forced out of our homes, I addressed numerous synagogues and temples in Houston and the New York, New Jersey areas. The response was always the same. "We had no idea that Katrina affected people like us!" From the media coverage, most people believed that this killer storm affected only low-income families and the homeless.

Since HADASSAH is close to my heart, I am happy to spend a few days making these delicious little
treats for its major fundraiser, Shining Star.

Last weekend in New Orleans was the FRENCH QUARTER FESTIVAL. I told everyone there are
festivals all the time in the Big Easy!!! It seems that this festival has grown larger each year. Some say it has become better than JAZZ FEST, which is saying a lot! I did not attend this year, and
do not know what Kosher food was available. If anyone would like this information, please post your question, and I will do some research. 

Just a reminder-JAZZ FEST this year is April 28-30 and May 4-7. For ANY information on Jazz Fest or anything Kosher and New Orleans and Deep South-related, contact me.

For recipes and information on Aunt Reva's Mandel Bread, go to my Facebook site. Thanks!

Hi Everyone,

Passover 2012 is now behind us. Our two family Seders were most enjoyable. The chopped liver, gefilte fish,
matzo ball soup, stuffed cabbage, turkey, brisket, pecan praline sweet potato casserole, dressing, assorted cakes, cookies and the like were totally delicious.

Guess what? I learned how to convert my FLOATERS to SINKERS. Yes, after all these years of making the fluffy little round delights, I learned that if I used one less egg and half the oil called for in the recipe, the balls turned out harder!! My family has been begging for harder matzo balls for years. I DID IT! Next year, I will try two less eggs! Who knew? It was so easy.

The cutest and most rewarding part of our Seders were the poster displays of the PLAGUES by the children in
the family. They had diligently worked for hours on the correct spelling and drawing of the ten plagues, and were eager to display their expertise to the adults at our table. They were proud; we were prouder!! So, thanks
to Nicholas and Alex for the first night, as well Daniel and Naomi for the second night.

Of course, preparing and cooking for Passover, getting together with siblings, children, nieces, nephews, in-laws, and friends remind me of the Seders of my
 past with my dear parents. It is such a bittersweet Jewish
holiday for me, from the first blessing until the last. Every special spoon or platter handed down from Momma
conjures such deep and loving memories of my amazing, devoted and selfless parents. I miss them so.......

I will be posting my Passover experience soon including traditions, stories and recipes.