Hey y’all! I am starting to feel Southern already, and with the spectacular beginnings of the new shul, I think we are all feeling overjoyed and excited to start some new projects together.

Last month at the “Kick–Off” to our KICK Club, (that stands for Knesseth Israel Congregation Kids, by the way), the kids made all of those beautiful banners, flags, and posters that they waved so proudly in the Torah procession. This month, we’re going to get together on December 5th from 3:30-4:30 for another great KICK happening, but this time, our theme will be Chanukah! (For grades 1- and up. Ages 4 and 5 with a babysitter or parent are welcome as well.)

I want to thank everyone who has participated in making the Kiddushes the past few weeks better than ever! We all have benefited from the excellent choices of foods and the lovely way that everything has been presented. If anyone would like to be involved in the “behind the scenes” aspects of the Kiddushes, or would like to sponsor a Kiddush in someone’s honor, please let me know at eingber@bellsouth.net.

With Chanukah coming up, I thought I would include some recipes from my friend, and cookbook author, Tamar Ansch, which you could try at home for a special traditional treat:

Cheese Latkes
Kids everywhere love this one!

1 cup any kind of cream cheese
1/2 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup light brown sugar
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups white flour or a half-half mixture with whole wheat and white flours
2 tsp. baking powder
1 packet vanilla sugar or 2 tsp. vanilla liquid
small pinch of salt

Mix together all ingredients in a bowl by hand, or, for a really smooth texture, blend them with a hand beater. Spray a heavy frying skillet with baking spray and spoon out the cheese mixture by small ladlefuls and fry on both sides until golden brown. Serve immediately. It goes great with strawberry or blueberry preserves.

Chanukah "Light" Latkes
This recipe keeps the oil and fat calories at bay…

2 large potatoes, scrubbed and unpeeled
1 small onion
1/2 small carrot
2 egg whites
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3-4 Tbls. flour
Pinch celery seed
Scant 1/4 tsp. each curry and fennel
1/4 tsp. pepper

Grate potatoes alternately with onion and carrot in the food processor. Drain. Mix with remaining ingredients. Spray a good quality non-stick frying pan with Pam or another oil spray. Drop mixture by heaping tablespoons into hot frying pan and flatten with a fork to make the latkes thin. Fry on medium - high heat until brown. Flip over and brown the other side as well. Serve with applesauce. Yields 16-20 thin latkes.

Enjoy your latkes, and may we all be blessed with a joyous Chanukah!

- Rebbitzen Elisheva