Sufganyot (jelly doughnuts) recipe

Here is the recipe for the delicious sufganyot that Jolene and Boris made at the Hanukkah party:
 

(10 Servings)

Ingredients

• 4 cups vegetable oil
• 1 (7.5 ounce) package refrigerated buttermilk biscuits, separated
• 3/4 cup seedless strawberry jam
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions

1. In an electric skillet or deep-fat fryer, heat oil to 375 degrees F. Fry biscuits, a few at a time, for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
2. Cut a small hole in the corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert a very small tip. Fill bag with jam. Push the tip through the side of each doughnut to fill with jam. Dust with confectioners' sugar while warm. Serve immediately.

Kugel Recipe

Had a great time at the Hanukkah party tonight. SO great seeing everyone there! Thank you Jolene for organizing it!  I will upload pictures tomorrow, but while I was thinking about, I wanted to get my kugel recipe up here... (Glad you all enjoyed it :) )

Ingredients
1 (8 ounce) package large egg noodles
6 tablespoons butter, sliced
6 eggs, separated
1/2 cup white sugar
3/4 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
4 tablespoons sour cream
1 (16 ounce) package cottage cheese, creamed
1 pinch salt 

(topping)
 4 tablespoons butter,melted
1/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup graham cracker crumbs

To make the BIG pan I made, here are the quantities I used:

2 (16 ounce) package large egg noodles
  2 sticks butter, sliced
9 eggs,
separated 1 1/2 cup white sugar
3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese,
8 oz sour cream
2 (16 ounce) package cottage cheese, creamed
 
(topping)
10 tablespoons butter,melted
3/4 cup white sugar
 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
(I used a large rectangular roasting pan to cook it in)

Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13 inch glass baking dish. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain and stir in 6 tablespoons sliced butter. In a medium bowl beat egg yolks with sugar and cream cheese; stir into noodles and add sour cream, cottage cheese and salt. Beat egg whites until stiff and fold into mixture. Transfer mixture to prepared dish. In a small bowl combine melted butter, 1/4 cup sugar, and graham cracker crumbs. Sprinkle over noodle mixture. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour.

Yom Kippur Break-the-Fast

Leah, Megan, Elisha & Matthew

Patsy, Carol, and Amanda preparing the food table

Karen pouring cups of wine

Sarah cooking the eggs

Peggy helping w/clean-up

Everyone was impressed by Brent's beautiful shofar...

Good job on the final "T'kiyah Gedolah" Brent!!

Eleanor, Beverly, Lolita and

Pete and Elaine

Megan and Matthew

Jeff and Sophie entertaining each other~ Not sure who was more amused...


For me, one of the most special traditions at Congregation Beth Israel is the congregational break-the-fast after Yom Kippur. In most synagogues, after praying together for 3-4 days together, members of the congregation leave the sanctuary, take in the obligatory wine and challah, then race out so they are not late for dinner reservations.

At CBI, the tables and chairs are set up the Friday night before Yom Kippur, the Ladies Auxiliary prepares dishes for all to share, and everyone gets to enjoy the food and everyone's company while breaking the fast as a congregation.

Annual Meeting~Change of Officers

At CBI's Annual Meeting last night, there was a "changing of the guard" of sorts... Syl Polunsky, President and fearless leader of Congregation Beth Israel for more than 20 years, handed over the reigns to incoming president Jeff Lisson. We will work hard to ensure that the solid foundation that Syl has built for the the synagogue continues and grows under our tenure.

Following is the list of officers for the 2009-2010 year:

President: Jeff Lisson
1st Vice Pres: Ami Mizell
2nd Vice Pres: Andrew John
Secretary: Elaine Micale
Treasurer: Robert Polunsky
Trustees: Pat Moore
Jerry Suriff
Syl Polunsky

Passover Seder

Even baby Evie gets a sip of Passover wine


Matthew found the afikomen- hidden in the piano


Every table had its own seder plate

Matthew and Jacob were lovin' the Passover foods!

Evie, Boris, Jolene and Oliver

Lolita and

Jerry and Patsy. What do you mean, you don't see Patsy?

Karen and Andrew

Pete and Elaine

Megan

The conclusion of the seder~ Next Year in Jerusalem!

We had our Passover Seder on Saturday, April 11. The first night's seder was Wednesday, but we all decided that Saturday was the first day we could all get ready for the big event. Almost everyone in the congregation was able to attend, and we even had a few guests. We all had so much fun; hopefully this will be an annual event at the synagogue.