Anybody celebrating Passover?

[Taylormamaloveslindtbunnies]

Just wanted to wish all those who were a good "Yom Tov" - enjoy your matza!

Hi Manuka

I am married to an atheist , so almost the same as you

when we got married almost 9 years ago, we were the only Jewish family to have settled in our town for 10 years (orthodox), there is a bigger reform community, which i started to get involved in, but it did not sit terribly comfortably with my orthodox upbringing, but ds is 7 , so need to start thinking about cheder!

BTW, taylormama is my sister !

there is one other Jewish mum on here, but she is WOHM and has 5 DCs, so not much time to post!

there must be more!

Hello, glad you all had a nice Pesach. I managed to get by on the Matzah which I like but the kids gave up. OH isn't good with keeping things kosher.

Anyway, nice to see some other jewish mums here.

Oh and SugarMagsEatsMatzah, thanks for the correction. Once I read the Manish Tana with DD1 I remembered the word! LOL

cheesecake on Shavout.. isn't it something to do with suddenly realising when Moses came down from the mountain that none of their pots and pans were kosher, so they had nothing to cook in and had to make do with cheese?

(not Jewish but growing up in North London at a 50% Jewish school means it's all very familiar...)

can;t remember MrsB...will ask my dad, the font of all knowledge, religious and otherwise !

hi mumtwogirls !

mumtwogirls....you live the same as area as taylormama !

I don't know why cheese on shavuot - will ask DH's grandma as she's already taking orders for cheese blintzes!

lulumama - my situation is almost the opposite of yours. I was brought up reform/conservative in NY. But as there is no conservative movement in the UK and DH's family are orthodox, reform is no-go for him. So we go to an orthodox shul but it doesn't sit well with my upbringing. I resent having to sit at the back and I'm already annoyed that DS will get a proper Bar Mitzvah but DD won't (they're only 3 & 6 BTW!). But I don't want to take them to the reform shul as it would split the family and I don't think that's fair to them. At least the Jewish school here is so good I don't have to worry about cheder. DD can already bench better than I can.

(really enjoying this conversation )

ooh - more Jewish Mamas LOL! Hi LM .... just found another box of matza hiding at the back of the cupboard (will save for next year).

Me and DH are a bit observant - DH goes to synagogue, we light candles on Friday night etc. We have DS's name down for a Jewish school. I like a lot of the traditions with Judaism - DS had a Pidyon Ha Ben which was amazing and we aren't cutting his hair until he is 3!

I found the answer to why we eat dairy

"We eat dairy on Shavuot because celebrate the giving of the Torah. This gift was one of complete compassion and loving-kindness, for with the Torah we were given the tools (i.e. knowledge, commandments) to connect with G-d.

As opposed to meat foods, associated with death and finality, dairy foods are associated with the loving, nurturing generosity exemplified by a mother nursing her baby. It is this supreme love that we connect to on the anniversary of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai".

ooh, not heard that one - nice!

Shabbat shalom ladies! Hi Lulumama. I love Shavuot and love cheesecakes. Only wish DD1 would try them!

i like that TM !

shabbat shalom

although i should not be using my computer, really if i was observant!

yes, sugarmag, we are almost exactly opposite!

you really not cutting his hair TM! !!!!

are you going to give him bunches

Thanks Taylormama! These traditions [cue music to Fiddler on the roof!] are really quite special aren't they?!
I like cheesecake so will partake in that one!
I made dd(9 months) some latkes for lunch today cos she wont be spoon fed. First time I've ever done Jewish cooking, my mum will be proud of me! Even more amazing is she actually ate one!
Anyway Good Shabas to you all!!! xx

good shabbos all - latkes are a great finger food and traditional LOL! Try corn fritters as well - yumminess.

Yes LM - i won't be cutting his hair and i cannot wait to get a bobble in his lovely blonde hair.

I really like the explanation for Shavuot - i love traditions and passing things down to my DS ... very special IMHO

How do you make corn fritters?? am desperate for recipes cos she will not be spoon fed!!

don't know how kosher it is but this is a corker for finger food ideas...

mauka - corn fritters - make a batter with flour, eggs and water and add a drained can or two of sweetcorn - fry in hot oil and drain on kitchen paper - they are yummy.
My DS loves feeding himself - try strips of cooked chicken, steamed veg, houmous and pitta, mini pizzas, cut up quorn sausages - anything you eat really

Thankyou for corn fritter recipe- will be eating them myself and thanks for other tips!
MrsB- That book looks brilliant so will definitely get that!
I rarely cooked before becoming a mum- it was all just salads and easy stuff so this has been a huge shock to my lazy ass system!!!

I've only just seen this thread, so I'll join a little late for Pesach. All this talk of matzah brei and cheesecake is making me so hungry .
I also married out, not that I was particularly religious before, but I do miss the traditions. Yet another note to self to sort my life out and proactively make more of an effort to introduce the lovely traditions to DS1.

hi JonahB - about a month to go to Shavuot and we can swap cheesecake recipes!
Manuka - the corn fritters are yummy - can also give you my salmon latkes recipe as they ace

Yes please for salmon latke recipe!!! All ideas are enormously helpful!!!! Thankyou xx

salmon latkes (you can also use canned tuna)

1 large can of tinned salmon - check all bones are removed etc
1 medium onion grated
salt, pepper, 2 x eggs and matzo meal.

Flake the salmon (or tuna) and put into a large dish. Add the finely chopped onion and mix. Add 2 beaten eggs and mix. Make the mixture firm by adding matzo meal (medium) ... leav to stand for a few mins .... you can add salt and pepper depending on the age of your DCs

Form the mixture into balls (wet your hands a bit so they are smooth when you roll)

Shallow fry in medium oil - if the oil is too hot then the onions will burn ...

Serve warm and enjoy! xx

Thankyou!! They sound extremely delicious and I will be eating a fair few myself!

Wow, sounds tasty!!

I am a CHristian and we dot have this foodie heritage - wish we did!!

What is matzo meal. And where do I get it to try this?

harrisey - Matzo meal is avaiable at most major supermarkets (usually in the kosher section) it is basically wheatflour and water (i think) and comes in different grades (fine, medium and cake). I use it in recipes which need breadcrumbs and it works really well so if i am making snitzels i coat the chicken breast in egg and matzo meal and it is yummy - goes very crispy ...