Be good to each other

We who are not so different from yourselves wish you well in the future.

P.S. Be good to each other. Not that we always were, but things went better when we tried.

Peace in your time

As you recognize the achievements and aspirations of past generations, may you realize your dreams and make peace a reality in your time.

Lyla and Howard Glener
New York City

Religious freedom and economic opportunity

 

We, the docents of the Museum at Eldridge Street hope that the promise of America will continue to bring religious freedom and economic opportunity to all as it did for the builders and congregants of the Eldridge Street Synagogue in 1887.

Roberta Berken
Representing the Museum Docents

 

 


A challah recipe

I hope challah is still being made at home by someone sometimes.  Here is my recipe that I make a few times a year.  Enjoy.

Hanna, New York City

CHALLAH RECIPE

Yield: 2 large loaves

Ingredients:

  •  1 1/2 cups warm water
  • 1/2 cup honey
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 4 eggs
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon sugar
  • 2 tablespoons instant active dry yeast*
  • 5 cups flour, plus additional flour (may take 8 or 9 cups of flour total)

Instructions:

1. Combine ingredients in a large bowl in order listed. Add enough flour and knead to make a smooth dough. Knead for approximately 10 minutes.

2. Oil top of bread and cover. Let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 1 1/2 hours. Punch down.

3. Divide dough into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into a rope about 14-15″ long and an inch in diameter.

4. Lay 4 ropes side-by-side and pinch tops together. Braid tightly starting on the left, taking the rope over two and under one. Pinch bottom ends and fold under.

5. Place braids on greased baking sheets and cover. Let rise in a warm place for 25-30 minutes.

6. Brush with beaten eggs and sprinkle with sesame or poppy seeds. Bake at 325 degrees for 30-40 minutes, until done. (If loaves are on two separate sheets, rotate halfway through baking time for even baking.) If loaves start to brown too quickly, loosely lay a piece of foil on top. Cool on wire racks, covered.

Preserve stories and places

I wish I knew more about my grandparents and earlier ancestors. So I guess I would tell my future descendants to preserve their stories and those places, likeEldridge Street, that are the repositories of those memories.

Amy,  New York City