for many years, it was natural to bring the joy that others gained from purchasing greenery even (and especially) during the bleak days of winter to their own home.
“It didn't matter what the holiday was,” she reasons. “Flowers make people happy, so dad always wanted flowers in the house. He [also] liked the excitement for the festivities of Christmas and the plants and the mistletoe, so we had it all!”
For Israeli immigrant Galit Grutman, proprietor of the popular Newton-based bakery and caterer Galit’s Treats, an important part of the holiday season is the traditional baked good known as sufganiyot. While these are often represented in the US by jelly donuts, Grutman explains that true (dare we say “kosher”?) sufganiyot have a delicious difference.
“Mine are baked and not fried in oil,” she says, admitting that she eschews the traditional ingredient (which is intended to remind those who enjoy them of the miraculous oil that lasted for eight nights, which is why Chanukah is so long) in favor of flavor and less fat. “They are made with best ingredients such as real butter, milk and eggs…[the] taste is beyond words!”
For those who insist on oily foods, Grutman explains that she also uses her mother’s ”special recipe” for sweet potato pancakes (aka, latkes).
A relatively new tradition in the Boston area is the Jewish Arts Collaborative’s Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights Celebration that was created three years ago. This year’s free event (which will feature music and dance, crafts, a virtual reality show, and a lighting of the traditional candles) will take place at the Museum of Fine Arts December 14 from 5-10 PM.
“This is actually before the holiday actually begins,” explains Communications Director Jim Ball, “but Chanukah officially begins on Christmas Eve and runs until New Year’s Eve, which made it more difficult to do a public event.”
With the food and festivities taken care of, all that are left are the gifts. Fortunately, there are plenty of places to get that all wrapped up too. One of the best is The Kids Place in Needham. In this colorful converted house kids (and adults) can paint plaster, create candles, celebrate Simchas (happy occasions) and have a creatively good time. And while Founder Samara Lamm-Helfman recently added classes and workshops to her bustling schedule, she says that holiday times are among her busiest and that this year will be more fun than most.