Blog

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Kosher Frozen Yogurt?

By
Stephen Richer
– August 23, 2011

If YogiCastle was just another Dupont frozen yogurt store (we’re up to 8 by my count), it wouldn’t merit mentioning on this blog.  But YogiCastle has a kosher twist.

The store opened about four weeks ago, and during the first weeks of its operation, its colorful flavor guides bore the OU kosher marker ().  OU is the symbol of the New York-based Orthodox Union – the biggest, and one of the most respected, kosher certifying organizations in the country.

Delicious frozen yogurt – great!  Kosher – all the better!

But as of yesterday, the OU had been removed from the flavor cards.

According to Grace Jung – YogiCastle’s marketing manager – there had been some confusion over the OU symbol.  YogiCastle receives all of its yogurt from a kosher certified organization that uses only kosher ingredients and produces a completely kosher product.  Knowing this, YogiCastle thought it would be OK (not circle K) to label its flavors with the OU.  They later learned that to use the OU marker, the Orthodox Union would have to certify not just the product, but the store.

Rabbi Sanders – kosher expert and managing Rabbi of the Vaad (the organization that certifies Eli’s, DistriKt Bistro, etc.) – offered a similar explanation.  “I think that what the manager meant was that the OU (and every other certification) only certify the mix as it is in the sealed carton from the factory.  Once it is open and being served to customers, the OU can’t take responsibility anymore.”

When asked what it would take for a store like YogiCastle to make the leap to kosher certified, Rabbi Sanders offered a brief description that did not seem overly onerous.  However, specific details and costs cannot be offered until the Vaad examines the store and its situation.

Will this happen?  Will YogiCastle become kosher?  Ms. Jung states that the store “is still considering the possibility of kosher certification.”

The kasherization costs as estimated by Rabbi Sanders certainly seem like something YogiCastle can handle, but kosher certification would also require closing for Shabbat, something that YogiCastle will probably not accept  (**Correction.  Closing on Shabbat might not be necessary.  See comments.)

End assessment: YogiCastle offers tasty, self-serve frozen yogurt for a good price, but though it uses kosher yogurt, I wouldn’t bet on it becoming officially kosher any time soon.

 

Dupont Frozen Yogurt Options:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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First Etz Chayim Community Meeting WEDNESDAY

By
Gather the Jews staff
– August 23, 2011

Join Etz Chayim in their first ever community meeting TOMORROW! Etz Chayim is a community forum for people in the Washington, D.C. area to exchange ideas, create events, and channel their collective power toward food and environmental justice work, inspired by Jewish tradition and practice.

Topics include: Significant learning, work, or volunteer opportunities related to food security, urban agriculture and environmental justice in the DC area, Jewish voices on food justice and environmental justice, multi-faith environmental work, and Judaism and ecology.

WHEN: August 24, 7:00 p.m.

WHERE: 3166 17th Street NW

Please send any technical questions to etzchayimhee@gmail.com.

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A Taste of Home

By
Audrey Horn
– August 23, 2011

A few weeks back, my friends and I gathered for dinner at a beautiful house in Maryland. While standing in the sprawling backyard, my friend and I shared our nostalgia for home – having a yard and a mailbox, being surrounded by furniture that doesn’t require assembly, etc. It was this legitimate homesickness that prompted me to ask my grandma for her famous brisket recipe (see below). My thinking was that cooking Nana’s brisket would make my apartment feel cozier by reminding me of family, and by default, home.

For those of you who read about the egg fiasco chronicled in my last post, you won’t be surprised to hear that this cooking experience wasn’t without its excitement. When the meat was finished, I pierced the meat with a fork to transfer it out of the aluminum pan onto a plate for slicing when the meat slipped off the fork, plopped into the broth below, and splattered my hair, face, and shirt with oily marinade. Luckily my friends were there to laugh at the absurdity of the situation, which helped cool the burn of embarrassment, but not the hot liquid on my skin (no worries though, there was no permanent damage). Yet again, it produced another learning experience, which I interpreted as: buy an apron and some tongs.

So how does the whole experience rank? On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being “bad” and 5 being “good”:

Prep time: 5

Prep was limited to sauteing one large onion and sprinkling some spices on the meat. Also, the scent of sauteing onions gives visitors the impression that you are cooking something insanely delicious – added perk!

Overall ease: 4.5

It’s hard to believe I was ambivalent to cook a meat dish; this recipe was super easy.

Cook time: 2

Brisket requires a lot of attention. The hourly glazing with marinade poked a major hole in my plan to pass the time by sitting in the park playing a mean game of Scrabble. Rather, my cooking mates and I sat in my apartment to be on call for the requisite basting. If you are attempting this recipe, be sure to have some friends (and beverages) nearby to kill the time.

Cost: 3

All the ingredients came to a little over $20, with the biggest ticket item being the meat.

Taste: 5

After baking so many sweets, it was a nice change to make a main dish. Not only was the brisket juicy and flavorful, but the first bite transported me right to my grandparent’s dining room. I interpret that as a success.

—-

Nana May’s Brisket

2-4 lb Flat cut brisket of beef

1 large onion

Salt, pepper, and garlic (for seasoning)

Basting liquid: Beef broth, apple juice, and ketchup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and saute one large onion in pan Season beef with salt, pepper, and garlic on place in roaster. Place sauteed onions on top of brisket.   Cover roaster and cook for 1 hour. Turn and add liquid, cook one more hour. Turn, add liquid, and cook for one more hour. Slice meat against the grain before serving.

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GTJ idea competition

By
Gather the Jews staff
– August 22, 2011

Gather the Jews invites you to participate in its first ever IDEA COMPETITION.

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The competition prompt is simple:  Improve Gather the Jews.

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Gather the Jews aims to facilitate Judaism as an event aggregator, news service, and social rallying point for young professional Jews in DC.

We’ve had some success in doing this.  Over 2,000 young professional DC Jews subscribe to our weekly newsletter, and our website receives 3,000 visitors per week.

But we want to keep growing and improving.  And that’s why we’re asking for your help.

…………..

What you must do to compete:

To help us, please submit an idea for how GTJ can improve.  Your entry should be fewer than 200 words and must be submitted by Wednesday, September 7 at 11:59 PM EST.   You can submit as many ideas as you like.

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The prize:

The winning idea will receive $100.  The second and third best ideas will get $50 each.

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The judging process:

All ideas will be reviewed by a committee of GTJ staff members.  Ideas will be judged based on:

1)      Their ability to improve GTJ
2)      Their ability to help the Jewish DC community
3)      The ease with which they can implemented
4)      The cost (lower the better) with which they can be implemented

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The GTJ committee will select the best five ideas by September 21.

These five ideas will then be posted on the GTJ website and GTJ viewers will be given one week to vote on their favorite idea.  Final standings will be determined based on number of votes.

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Submit your idea: Email info@gatherthejews.com

 

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DC Jewish blog round up

By
Stephen Richer
– August 22, 2011

Iranian delinquents. Picture from The Jewish Policy Center

In case you weren’t able to read the other local Jewish blogs this week, here’s a few of my favorite articles:

Shalomnova.org:

  • No Plus One on Tu B’Av:  Samantha continues to bemoan her status as a single female Jew in DC, stating that “a person without a plus one feels like it adds up to zero.” (Carrie Bradshaw).  Sorry Samantha!  Hope you find Mr. Jewish Charming soon.  I recommend the Gather the Jews Happy Hour this Thursday – bound to be some single guys there.
  • 50 days until Rosh Hashanah: It’s Shul Shopping Season!:  Jen reminds us that Rosh Hashanah is on the way, and she has some tips on how to select the perfect shul for High Holidays.   50 days away…  Yes, yes, Gather the Jews will soon be putting together a guide to High Holiday options.

The Blog at 16th and Q:

InTheMoment (Moment Magazine):

  • The AJC, the Supreme Court, and Jennifer Rubin:  Theodore Samets assesses whether the Washington Post’s Jennifer Rubin is right to be mad at the American Jewish Committee’s “refusal to join eleven other Jewish organizations in an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of M.B.Z. v. Clinton.”

“M.B.Z. v. Clinton is the case that the Supreme Court will hear this fall brought by Naomi and Ari Zivotofsky, American citizens who wants their young son’s U.S. passport to list his place of birth as ‘Jerusalem, Israel,’ instead of simply ‘Jerusalem.’”

Jewish Policy Center:

  • Iran: Where a Water Fight is Illegal: Samara Greenberg points out the latest bit of evidence that Iran is a freedom-loving country:  In response to a water fight in which Iranian “boys and girls [were] drenched in water and girls with their madatory hijabs coming off … the police arrested ten youths and officials criticized the event as inappropriate.”

 

Want to recommend a DC Jewish blog that we should be reading?  Email Stephen.richer@gmail.com

 

 

 

 

 

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Screening of Israeli Film “The Debt”

By
Gather the Jews staff
– August 21, 2011

Come enjoy the latest installment of ReelIsraelDC, which offers the best contemporary Israeli cinema on the 4th Wednesday of every month at 8:00 p.m. This month’s feature is the 2007 film, “The Debt,” by Assaf Bernstein.

The film, starring Gila Almagor, was remade in 2010 as an American film starring Helen Mirren. It tells the tale of three former Mossad agents confronted by a challenge from their past related to the capture and escape of a Nazi war criminal. For the trailer, click here.

WHEN: August 24, 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Avalon Theatre, 5612 Connecticut Avenue, NW

 

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Israeli Artist’s Smithsonian Exhibit

By
Gather the Jews staff
– August 21, 2011

Israeli artist Nira Pereg, born in Tel Aviv, creates documentary-based video works that explore routine actualities in dramatic form.  Starting tomorrow, DC residents will have the opportunity to enjoy Pereg’s “67 Bows,” a work from 2006, inspired by visits to the Karlsruhe Zoo in Germany, where Pereg studied a flock of flamingos.

In recent years, Pereg has been featured in exhibitions at New York’s MoMA PS1 and the Santa Monica Museum of Art.

WHEN: August 22 – November 13

WHERE: Smithsonian’s Hirshorn Museum & Sculpture Garden, 7th Street and Independence Avenue SW

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Workshop on Israeli, Middle Eastern Music

By
Gather the Jews staff
– August 21, 2011

Join Israeli Oscar-winning composer and renowned educator, Yuval Ron, as he presents The Mystical Music of Israel & the Middle East – a series of talks and interactive workshops about Israeli and Middle Eastern music.

WHEN: August 26 to August 28 (for full schedule, click here)

WHERE: Am-Kolel’s Sanctuary Retreat Center, 19520 Darnestown Road, Beallsville, MD

See Yuval’s recent talk on the Baal Shem at the TEDx Conejo conference here.

For more information, contact Gilah at 301-349-2799 or gilah@am-kolel.org

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Two fun plays to see — one free!

By
Stephen Richer
– August 19, 2011

If you’re in Dupont or Chinatown this weekend and looking for something fun to do, you should check out these plays:

1)
Play: Steel Magnolias
Venue: Keegan Theatre
Location: 1742 Church Street
Running until: August 21
Cost: $30 – $35
Link to tickets: Here

2)
Play: Julius Caesar
Venue: Shakespeare Theatre Company
Location: 610 F Street
Running until: September 4
Cost: Free!
Link to tickets: Here

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Israeli Ambassador Speaks with NPR

By
Noa Levanon
– August 19, 2011

Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, spoke to National Public Radio‘s Robert Siegel about yesterday’s multi-pronged terror attack in southern Israel.

For the video and transcript, click here.

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The Modern-Day Dating Lemon Law — GTJ dating series with Erika E. (week 7)

By
Erika E.
– August 18, 2011

You’re on a date.  It’s going just ok.  Actually, no it’s not.  You’re bored.  He lied in his profile.  Her jokes are offensive.  You got into an argument over some spilled wine.  He was rude to the waiter.  She thought it was polite to spit out her gum and keep it behind her ear for later.  He started talking about a potential Martian invasion and possible future wars between humans and aliens.  Whatever the reason, you want out.

And herein lies the question: Is there a polite, socially acceptable way to end a bad date and extricate yourself quickly and gracefully?

Now, I’m not necessarily talking about Barney Stinson’s Lemon Law.  (In case you don’t watch How I Met Your Mother, see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyyE70VV4qA.)  I’m just talking about a courteous gesture that indicates that the date is over.

I once went on a JDate to play ping pong.  (If you know me at all, you know I’m a ping pong fiend.)  When I got there, I couldn’t find him.  Why, you might ask?  Well, he was about 50 pounds heavier than his JDate picture and stated weight indicated.  I could talk for hours about the reasons not to lie online, but I’ll save that for later.  I wasn’t happy that my date lied, but I was already there, so I figured I’d give him the benefit of the doubt.  But it soon became clear that he was exceedingly boring (like, pulling teeth boring) and a poor sport at losing to me in ping pong.  Three strikes for him, and I was outta there.  I told him that my workout earlier in the day had really taken it out of me and that I had to go home.

Did I do the right thing?  Maybe.  In hindsight, it might have been more appropriate to say that I was disappointed that he had misrepresented his appearance.  But what’s done is done.

When it comes to a bad date, first determine the nature of “bad.”  Is it “creepy” bad or just “no sparks” bad?  If it’s the latter, then your best bet is to stick it out (at least for one drink or a cup of coffee).  A drink can’t hurt either… It may actually loosen you both up.  Who knows?  You might even start to like each other.  Plus, the worst that happens is you might get a funny story out of it.  “Remember that time when I went out with a guy from JDate who had taken me out six years prior, but I didn’t recognize him?  I didn’t like him then, and I certainly didn’t like him now!”  Yep – happened to yours truly.  I’m glad I stuck that one out since I’m still telling the story.

For the “creepy” bad date (other variants are “scary” bad, “offensive” bad, “mean” bad – you get the picture), the best bet is to (gulp!) be honest.  This is definitely the most awkward choice, but it’s also the most mature. “You know, I just don’t think we’re clicking.  It was nice to meet you, but I don’t want either of us to waste our time, so I thought I’d say that to give us the option to go do something else fun tonight.”

Telling a white lie (you’re not feeling well, you ate some bad cheese, you forgot about a work function you have to attend, you’re really tired, etc.) to get out of a date, like I did, isn’t usually the smartest move.  You may cross paths with this person again, which actually makes this choice pretty awkward too.  Your date may not have gotten the hint and may try to ask you out again, and the lie will become apparent by your present lack of interest.  No, a little white lie never killed anyone, but if you’re comfortable enough to use the, “I just don’t think we’re clicking” line, it’s a better, more honest approach.

So, while there’s no modern-day dating Lemon Law, if your date starts discussing the pros of dogfighting, or coughing in your face without any regard for your personal space, it’s ok to admit you’re not a match and move on.  Even Oprah agrees!

Erika Ettin is the Founder of A Little Nudge, and helps people find success in online dating and gets them excited about its possibilities. “Like” A Little Nudge on Facebook, or follow on Twitter. An archive of all of Erika’s columns is also available.

Have questions you want answered in a future post?  E-mail date411@alittlenudge.com

 

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Support RJ as he keeps going strong!

By
Gather the Jews staff
– August 17, 2011

As we mentioned previously, RJ Brodsky rocks.  As keyboardist for Paul Pfau & the Dimestore Band, he advances to the final stage of Battle to Break Out, a competition for a spot on the main stage at the HFStival.

The sponsors selected 40 bands and posted them on the website for people to cast their vote. We were among the 9 bands chosen to move on to the semi-final round. (Thanks for voting, GTJ readers!) The semi-final round consisted of 3 shows with 3 bands playing live in different venues. Dimestore played that round at Wild Willy’s in Annapolis this past Saturday in front of a panel of judges and the public. They won!

As finalists, they will compete against two other bands to advance to HFStival.

WHEN: Thursday, August 25

WHERE: The 9:30 Club,1301 U St. NW

Tickets are available here.  For more information, click here.

An Awesome Follow Up:
Just a week later, on Friday, September 2nd, the band will be releasing a CD of original tunes with a show headlining the Rock & Roll Hotel. Click here for ticket info and here for Facebook info.

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Eating Meat for Dinner? Try Non-Dairy Pesto

By
Courtney Weiner
– August 16, 2011

If there is a farmers’ market near me, I will likely find my way to it.  For me, the fresher, the better, so I do my best to cook what’s in season.  So, with fresh basil and other herbs in abundance, this week, I bring you pesto!  There are plenty of vegetarian options for pesto dishes, but what if you want to throw some chicken into that pasta?  You could always leave out the cheese entirely, but you lose some of the depth of flavor.  I tried two different parmesan substitutes, both available at Whole Foods: nutritional yeast and Vegan Grated Parmesan by Galaxy Foods.  Though nutritional yeast sounded, frankly, nasty to me, it kept appearing online as the perfect vegan parmesan substitute.  The results were better than expected but a bit bready-tasting.  So, the recipe below uses the Vegan Parmesan.  It may not be quite as good as the dairy version, but to use in or with a meat dish, this does the job very well

Note that this recipe is for a simple basil pesto with a traditional pine nut base.  If you’re comfortable, play around with different leafy herbs and greens, like cilantro, mint, Italian parsley, and arugula, alone or combined.  You can also use different nuts.  Pesto freezes well.

Non-dairy Pesto

© Courtney Weiner.  All Rights Reserved.

Total time: 5-10 min.

Yield: about 1 cup

Level: Easy

Ingredients

  • 2 cups packed basil leaves
  • 2 garlic cloves, pressed or chopped
  • ¼ cup pine nuts
  • ½ cup Vegan Grated Parmesan by Galaxy Foods
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper

Directions

If desired, toast pine nuts: either place them on foil in the toaster oven or oven at 350 degrees for 2-3 minutes or place in a dry skillet over medium high heat until golden and fragrant.

Place first four ingredients and about 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in the food processor and turn it on.  While the processor is running, add the remaining oil slowly through the feed chute.  Once the oil has been added, stop the processor, scrape down the sides with a rubber spatula, and run it again until the mixture is relatively smooth.

Stir into pasta, use as a crust for chicken, or whatever else you can come up with.

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GTJ Featured Entertainer Opens at DC Improv

By
Noa Levanon
– August 16, 2011

Former GTJ featured entertainer, scientist/comedian Adam Ruben, will be opening for Dov Davidoff at the DC Improv comedy club and restaurant this weekend.

WHEN: August 18 – 21 at 8:00 p.m., August 19-20 additional late shows at 10:30 p.m.

WHERE: 1140 Connecticut Ave N.W.

I had the pleasure of attending Adam’s one-man show, Please Don’t Beat Me Up, at the Capital Fringe Festival in July. Hilarious, insightful, and even sometimes poignant, Adam’s stand-up involves reclaiming awkward childhood and teen moments by turning them into comedy.  Likewise, Adam’s book, How to Survive Your Stupid, Stupid Decision to Go to Grad School, is unequivocally one of the funniest books I’ve ever read.  For anyone who has experienced the trials of grad school or ever felt like a nerd growing up, attending an Adam Ruben event should be a no-brainer.

We hear Dov Davidoff is pretty good, too.[1]

For tickets, click here. 

[1] Davidoff was recently named one of Variety’s “10 COMICS TO WATCH.” He starred opposite Mark Wahlberg in the film “Invincible,” co-starred in the NBC drama “Raines” with Jeff Goldblum, and was featured on shows such as  The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and Last Call with Carson Daly. He  also starred in his own half-hour comedy special on Comedy Central.

2

Gather the News – Jewish News – 8/15/11

By
Candace Mittel
– August 15, 2011

Let’s do some Gathering…

  • Mila Kunis, Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, Melanie Laurent, Emmanuelle Chriqui and Rachel Weisz, just to name a few…. Is Hollywood converting?
  • Hebrew University researchers discover biomarkers that predict the likelihood of developing brain tumors and introduce a new treatment method for brain cancer.
  • The research is prospering at Tel Aviv University as well, where two university scientists invent a personal sensor that can detect the presence of date rape drugs in your drink.[1]
  • Intensive group therapy sessions combined with sightseeing tours in New York is one Israeli group’s method for helping Israeli soldiers move past traumatic wartime experiences.
  • And Hillel will set up its own tents as well at 20 campuses across the U.S. this fall as part of an initiative, Talk Israel, to discuss Israel and Middles East issues.

Candace Mittel is a GTJ summer associate

 

[1] Approximately 200,000 women were raped in the U.S. with the aid of date rape drugs in 2007 alone.

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