Tradition with a twist
Celebrating Chanukah will be a little more competitive this year as the Levite Jewish Community Center hosts a latke cooking competition for the area’s Jewish communities.
Teams from Temple Emanu-El, Collat Jewish Family Services, N.E. Miles Jewish Day School, the Birmingham Jewish Federation, the Birmingham chapter of Hadassah, Chabad of Alabama and possibly more will compete on Thursday, Dec. 10. The teams will face one another in a cook-off based on the Food Network show “Chopped,” and will be required to use any secret ingredients they are presented with.
LJCC Community Accounts Receivable and Events Coordinator Priscilla Denard said that there have been latke competitions in the past, but the secret ingredient element is new.
“This year, we wanted to put a twist on it,” she said.
The teams will have 30 minutes to prepare their latkes and any accompaniments, and will have access to a pantry for basic ingredients. While latkes are traditionally simple potato pancakes fried in oil, Denard said the teams will be able to use the secret ingredients in the latkes themselves or in side dishes or condiments.
A panel of judges that will include local celebrity chefs will choose the winning team. The winners will receive a golden frying pan trophy and a donation from the LJCC to their respective organization.
Denard said the event will also include a full dinner for guests and an indoor carnival for the young and young at heart.
Dinner, which includes a bowl of vegetarian chili, a side salad, dessert, a latke and a drink, will be available for $8 per person or $35 for a family of four. The Community Youth Group will be putting on the Chanukah carnival, complete with games and prizes.
“We definitely want to teach people a lot about the Jewish experience, and it’s also a great way to come and spend time with family,” Denard said.
The atmosphere of family time fits with what Judaic Educator for the Cohn Early Childhood Learning Center Michelle Konigsburg said Chanukah is all about.
“The real emphasis of Chanukah is gathering together with family, lighting candles, eating latkes or jelly doughnuts and just having family time,” Konigsburg said.
She said latkes are part of the custom of frying foods to pay tribute to the miracle of the oil, which is part of the Chanukah celebration. While not one of the largest Jewish holidays, Konigsburg said Chanukah is still important because it celebrates a group of people that courageously liberated themselves from tyranny.
“It’s a holiday of reclaiming Jewish identity,” she said.
The latke competition will take place in the auditorium of the LJCC, with the entire event beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Celebrating the festival: Chanukah 2015 Events
Sunday, Dec. 6
The Sisterhood of Temple Beth-El will host its annual Chanukah luncheon and raffle downtown.
The area’s Jewish communities will gather at the Summit for a Grand Menorah Lighting hosted by Chabad of Alabama and the LJCC. There will be Chanukah music, latkes, doughnuts and hot chocolate and Dreidel Man will be passing out gelt and taking photos with everyone.
Monday, Dec. 7
The LJCC will be helping those celebrating Chanukah work off their latkes at “Sh’Bamukah,” an aerobic-dance class that on Dec. 7 will be taught to Chanukah music. The event will be held at the LJCC recreation facilities. For more information on times and specific locations, visit bhamjcc.org.
Tuesday, Dec 8, 6:30 p.m.
A screening of “The Return” will be held at the LJCC, along with an educational Chanukah program.
Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6 p.m.
Knesseth Israel will host their annual Chanukah bingo game.
Thursday, Dec. 10, 5:30 p.m.
The LJCC will host the “Chopped” latke cooking competition, complete with dinner and Chanukah carnival, in the center’s auditorium.
There will also be an intergenerational candle lighting, which will follow the traditional sundown calendar.
Friday, Dec. 11
No official events will be held as the community honors the sacred ritual of Shabbat.
Saturday, Dec. 12, 7:30 p.m.
Chabad of Alabama will host “Latkes & L’Chaims,” a cocktail party at the W XYZ Bar in the Aloft hotel in downtown Homewood. The event will include cocktails, latkes and dairy hors d’oeuvres. The cost is $18 per person or $30 per couple, and those interested should RSVP to office@chabadofalabama.com.
Sunday, Dec. 13
The Brotherhood of Temple Emanu-El will host its annual Chanukah luncheon at noon on Dec. 13.
N.E. Miles Jewish Day School will host a children’s Chanukah PJ Party at the Barnes & Noble bookstore at the Summit.