Israel! The Land That I Love!

My day started with a Yom HaZikaron ceremony with my students at the Hebrew Academy of Tidewater. Tears rolled down my face as the fifth graders read the English translation of a song narrating the battle at "Givat HaTachmoshet" - "Ammunition Hill" in Jerusalem. So many young lives lost in the battles to protect our beautiful, holy,  land.

I have been to Givat HaTachmoshet twice.  The first time was the summer after 10th grade when I was lucky enough to spend 6 weeks touring Israel. The second time was just 7 weeks ago on my recent trip to Israel. Levi and I headed to Israel with excitement - with no firm plans in place.

Our second day turned out to be exhilarating from beginning to end. We had the honor to join my brother Levi in greeting his close friend Mendy as he and his unit finished their 26 mile, overnight, march to Ammunition Hill. I'm not sure I can even describe the moment - but I will try. Suddenly,  coming up from the valley we saw soldiers and more soldiers. Some carrying flags, some with painted faces. All their faces glistening with hard earned sweat on the beautiful, brisk Jerusalem day. There were songs, there was chanting. While just a visitor, I was immediately sucked into the emotion of it all. People were on the sides of the roads clapping and cheering. Suddenly people in their cars starting honking a celebratory tune. One person even proclaimed from a speaker in his car "ein kamocha ba'olam" - there is no one like you (the IDF) in the world. Eventually my brother found his friend and they embraced. What a moment. We marched up the hill a bit more with the unit and eventually went back to our car to finish the drive to Givat HaTachmoshet. Once at Ammunition Hill we clapped and cheered some more as the soldiers' march finally came to an end. We stayed for a bit as the soldiers spent time with their families.

We bid farewell to Levi's friend Mendy and headed back to my brother's neighborhood to grab a bite for lunch (more on that later!) and then it was time to go back to Ammunition Hill for Mendy's "beret ceremony". Music was blasting when we arrived. Song after song about brave soldiers, prayers and more - all upbeat and setting a festive mood. It was absolutely fascinating to watch the ceremony. Looking into these young soldiers' faces. Listening as their commanders charged them with their incredible task. Knowing that in the next few days, after a short break with their families, they would all be returning to duty. Watching as each paratrooper traded in their green beret for their red beret left me teary eyed. I was in absolute awe knowing that these brave individuals were ready to put their lives on the line, ready to give everything they have, ready to protect our land and our people. We showed up as friends of a friend - but left feeling like family to each and every person in attendance.

Tears welled up in my eyes as my heart filled with a certain kind of pride that I can't even explain. 

A pride in my people. Knowing that we are still here, strong as ever. Proud to say Am Yisrael Chai!

A special thanks to my brother Levi, and my sister in law Aidel, for shlepping us along to experience an experience unlike any other. May it be the will of Hashem that Mendy, his comrades, and the entire IDF be blessed by Hashem with safety and security - as they keep our precious land secure and safe for all. 

Now back to lunch. I decided that day that I must experience a "hummusiya" - essentially a hummus restaurant. Levi (my brother) knew just the place! We found ourselves at a tiny little eatery and ordered the house hummus and the mushroom hummus. It was love at first bite! While I have yet to figure out the magical flavors in the house hummus, I was able to do some sort of recreating of the mushroom-onion hummus once we got back home. Each time I eat it, I am transported right back to our incredible journey!

 

Mushroom -Onion Hummus

Chickpeas ( I cheat and use canned)

Olive oil

Garlic powder

Lemon juice

Sesame oil (instead of techina) 

Cumin

Salt

Mushrooms 

Onions

Hawaijj spice if you have 

In a food processor, grind up the chickpeas. Slowly add the rest of the ingredients and blend to the desired consistency. You can add water if needed. Unfortunately I don't have any real measurements for the hummus - but I play around with it each time, tasting it and adding more lemon and garlic as needed.

Slice mushrooms and onions and sautee in olive oil. Sprinkle with some salt and a pinch of hawaijj for added mediterranean flavor. Warm hummus and mushroom onion mixture before serving. When ready to serve, place hummus in a bowl, drizzle with olive oil and then top with the mushroom onion mixture. Delicious!! 

Churros Waffles

As is tradition, my family, and members of the community, gathered at the Chabad House about two hours before Pesach ended to take part in the "Moshiach Seudah". Each year we drink four more cups of wine (really!!), eat our last bits of Matzah, enjoy some more food, sing moving Chassidic tunes and share words of inspiration - just as Pesach is getting ready to end. I sat there enjoying the time with my family and then suddenly Pesach came to an end. The room came turned to hustle and bustle as everyone gathered their children, their strollers, their jackets and more. As everyone turned to leave I got a bit sad as a I realized that the next day my family would all be returning to their respective homes. As I started to say goodbye to one of my sisters in law, I suddenly blurted out, "I have an idea! How about I make chametz breakfast for everyone tomorrow morning?" She loved the idea, as did everyone else standing around.

I went home thrilled with my plan to host everyone in the morning before they would leave to their respective homes. I did a quick calculation and realized I had invited 30 people to come join me for breakfast :) I set into motion, making a menu and running to the grocery store to stock up for the clan! The next morning I got up bright and early and worked on scrambled eggs, shakshuka, salad, and toast and best of all churros waffles topped with whip cream and strawberries! 

I used 3 giant frying pans and 2 large electric skillets, more than 75 eggs, and lots and lots of other kitchen tools to make the magic happen - but it was worth it. The REAL magic was in the hosting. Observing everyone eating and enjoying each other's company before heading out was truly magical. I also was overcome with an incredible feeling of gratitude for the many blessings Hashem has bestowed upon my family. As I looked at the long row of chairs and tables filling my dining room and living room, marveled at the ability to easily pull off a meal for a crowd and at the amount of food I was able to share with my family I felt an extra measure of thanks to G-d. 

As the gathering ended we wished each other farewell and voiced our hopes to be able to gather once again for happy occasions in the near future! 

Now for the recipe....I made Churros Waffles from the Real Life Kosher Cooking cookbook by Miriam Pascal. This cookbook has quickly become a favorite in my kitchen. These waffles were incredible and everyone really loved them! 

Churros Waffles 

2 cups flour 

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 cup water (cookbook calls for soymilk) 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 eggs

3/4 cup oil

Cinnamon-Sugar mixture

Whip and berries for topping

Mix together flour, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Add water, vanilla, eggs and oil. Mix well. Prepare waffles per directions for your waffle iron. 

When ready, remove waffles and place on a tray. Spray waffles with cooking spray and then sprinkle with cinnamon-sugar mixture. Flip waffles over and repeat. I put my mountain of waffles in the oven on 175 to keep warm until it was time to serve them. Delicious! Enjoy!