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Ricki Meyer is a ConnectGens fellow.

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It is striking how often similar conversations arise among Jews.  Perhaps this is due to the fact that Jews talk – a lot – and can’t remember what they’ve said to whom.  Or maybe as a Jewish young professional, my generation and I are starting to realize our responsibility in defining the future of Judaism.  How do we find meaningful involvement in our community? How do we grapple with the ever-present social and political issues while maintaining our love for and commitment to sustaining the Jewish state of Israel?  These questions pose a fundamental shift from those asked by our grandparents’ and parents’ generations, a shift from how do we form a Jewish state to how do we keep it flourishing as a democratic society within the confines of the Jewish religion (this could take a blog post of its own).

Politics aside, I want to delve into this concept of identity and how it continues to reappear in my own life.  If you scroll back up to my third sentence, you’ll see that I defined myself as a Jewish young professional.  The order of these three words is intentional.  In the second NeXus seminar, we explored with Dr. Erica Brown how we each define our identity.  As the Jewish people – based on a relatively homogeneous sample of 40 young professionals in DC, so not your ideal test group – we tend to attribute our identities to two things: parents and religion.  What is it about these two significant factors – albeit one more obvious than the other – that influence our upbringing and the ways we continue to self-identify once we enter the ‘real world’?

For me, all directions point to the notion of tikkun olam.  My parents have led by example, ultimately inspiring me to find my own path of repairing the world at each stage of my life thus far.  My sister and I have chosen professional paths that on the surface level seem quite different, though we ultimately each identified a population for which we want to dedicate our lives and efforts to impact in a positive way.  See, it really does come back to tikkun olam as it passes along the generations.

As a fellow in the ConnectGens Fellowship Program powered by PresenTense, I am privileged to meet with like-minded individuals who are driven to create change.  Each fellow has been accepted to the program in order to develop a venture into a reality, utilizing assets of the community – and most of all each other – to work through the challenges involved with social entrepreneurship.  The ventures range from activities to spur thought-provoking conversations in DC to providing an innovative lens through which the world can view the story of Israel today, capturing stories of anyone who is willing to share (keep reading for a personal plug below…). Though we don’t have all the answers, we are taking the opportunity to collaborate with one another and more importantly to challenge each other to think in different ways and ask difficult questions.

Though fellows and ventures vary across age, geographic location, and target audience, they all stem from the same foundation of closing a gap that exists in the broad Jewish community, in turn repairing the world in our own way.  Would it be fair to say that the desire to create positive change is part of our identities, of who we are as social entrepreneur fellows and as Jews, and from where we come? I am confident to say yes, as some of this year’s fellows have their own children and are rightfully setting the example of creating the change they long to see in the communities around them.

So yes, Jews talk – but we also listen. We listen to the needs of our community and the actions of those who came before us, and make the conscious decision to act in a way that will help others.  It is my hope that this is the example my generation continues to follow, and that we continue to talk – as we are already leading the path for others.

As promised, a few words about my venture. I am working with two friends – both participants of the 2011 Alumni Leadership Mission – to create the infrastructure to have agencies and organizations send packages to Lone Soldiers who serve in the Israeli army.  About 2,800 Lone Soldiers leave their homes and families all over the world to serve in the Israeli army each year.  Some of them have relatives on the ground in Israel, but most do not.  Our venture also includes a community building aspect to foster relationships between local Jewish communities and the Lone Soldiers in Israel. Please contact thelonesoldierproject@gmail.com or @lonesoldierproj if you are interested in learning more about the project!

When you’re putting yourself out there in the vast online dating pool, it’s important to take the time to read and re-read your profile to make sure that “your” not messing up easy words and hurting your chance to find the perfect match.  Robert Thaler and Cass Sunstein, the authors of the book “Nudge” (which has nothing to do with my business), point out that it’s often the important decisions – the 401(k) and the health care plan – that get the shaft, while we spend more time and energy doing the much smaller tasks.  As they observe, “… 58 percent [of those in a survey] spent less than one hour determining both their contribution rate and investment decisions [for their 401(k)].  Most people spend more time than that picking a new tennis racket or television set.”  They also note that once the investment decision is made, the choices are rarely, if ever, looked at again.

The same is true for online dating.  Most people think that writing an online dating profile is a one-time affair, and they rarely change it based on its success (or lack thereof).  They also try to write it as quickly as humanly possible.  But this is one thing that you really should spend your time on.  You’re putting yourself out there for the world to see, so you might as well put your best foot forward.  When was the last time you even read what you wrote in your profile that fateful day when you signed up for JDate?  If you can’t remember, or if you have to look back at your profile when someone sends an e-mail referencing something in it, it’s been too long.

When you’re finally done writing your profile – having spent the appropriate amount of time on it, of course – I can’t stress enough the importance of getting yourself an “unpaid intern” (a.k.a. a friend, brother, mother, etc.) to read through it just in case you missed anything.  Oftentimes, the language of online dating gets mangled.  It’s like we have a new vocabulary, one that wouldn’t make our high school English teachers proud.  I don’t know about you, but I probably wouldn’t go out with a reformed “cereal dater” (I prefer oatmeal), someone who rides the “stationery” bike (to write notes?), or someone who wants an “intellagent” partner (hmm…).

A final word: As I said earlier, no one is perfect.  Maybe your new beau or babe will be a terrible speller but great at storytelling, identifying different kinds of butterflies based on their wingspan, or doing calculus.  Everyone is smart in a different way, so it’s important to decide if some initial “flaw” is really a deal-breaker for you.  Either way, give your profile the final once-over just in case, because no one wants to go out with someone who is “humerus” – arms just aren’t that funny.

This article was also posted in JMag, the online magazine for JDate.com.

An old Christian proverb proclaims that it is “better to give than to receive.” By contrast, in Judaism, we believe that to give is to receive! This week’s Torah portion, Parshat Terumah, inspires us with this timeless and important message.

Parshat Terumah begins with G-d instructing Moshe (Moses) to tell the Israelites to contribute something to the construction of the Tabernacle where the tablets of the Ten Commandments will be kept and G-d’s presence will dwell. G-d’s word-choice in saying: “Speak to the Children of Israel and let them take Me a donation” is curious. Our rabbis ask why the verse says to take for me a donation. Why not simply instruct the Jewish people to give a donation? Sforno comments that this command was directed to the tribal leaders, who were expected to take or collect voluntary donations rather than levy a tax on the populace.[1]

However, there is another interpretation that demonstrates how this verse is meant to illustrate the Torah’s view of giving. The Midrash (Midrash Rabbah Leviticus 34) teaches that: “More than the benefactor benefits the pauper, the pauper benefits the benefactor.”[2] Expanding on this idea, MeAm Lo’ez explains that “when one gives a poor person a gift, he is not really giving, but taking. What the donor gives the beggar is limited and temporary, and it eventually vanishes. The reward for giving the charity, however, is infinite and unlimited. It is something spiritual that endures forever in the world-to-come.”[3]

This concept fundamentally shapes how we view charitable giving. In Judaism giving charity or tzedaka is a mitzvah (Torah commandment). G-d created a world in which there are enough resources for everyone, but their distribution is in the hands of humanity. The Talmud (Baba Basra 10a) relates that the wicked Turnus Rufus once asked Rabbi Akiva, “If your God loves the poor so much, why then doesn’t He provide for them?” Rabbi Akiva responded that G-d could easily provide personally for the poor, but He chose to give us the merit of giving tzedaka (charity) to save us from Gehinnom (netherworld).[4] With this understanding we can see why charity is in fact, an inaccurate translation of the word, tzedaka.

Tzedaka actually means justice. Charity denotes giving when one is feeling inspired, generous, or ‘in the mood’ to give. Tzedeka, on the other hand, is an opportunity and an obligation to assist G-d in repairing a world fractured by economic disparity and strife. While a poor person and a worthy cause or institution certainly benefits from the generosity of the giver, the giver is actually gaining infinitely more by connecting with G-d through performing the mitzvah of tzedaka and thereby making the world a more G-dly place.

That’s not all. A recent study discussed in the journal, Science has shown that people are actually happier when spending money on gifts for others and/or making charitable contributions than they are when they are spending money on themselves! Unfortunately, many spend a disproportionately small amount of their income on things that benefit others.[5] By using the word take rather than give, the Torah is teaching us that giving is the gift that keeps on giving. The merit we earn for helping others will continue to accumulate interest for eternity so go on and be selfish…Give more!

[1] The Stone Edition Chumash, Artscroll, 445

Classic onion soup is made with beef broth and topped with melted cheese.  That combo is obviously a no-go for kosher eaters.  Since the cheese is the best part, I decided to sacrifice the beef broth.  Between the options of vegetable stock and vegetarian beef-flavored stock (several brands make boullion), the latter has more oomph, so I went with that option.  The recipe below is based on one by Giada diLaurentis, with a few changes.

Total time: 40 min.

Yield: 4 servings

Level: Easy

Recipe

© Courtney Weiner.  All Rights Reserved.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 large Vidalia onions, halved and sliced
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons cooking sherry or dry white wine
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
• 4 cups vegetarian beef-flavored broth
• 4 slices baguette, toasted
• 4 ounces (or more) grated gruyere cheese

Directions

In a medium, heavy saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender, about 10 minutes. Add the sherry or wine, and cook briefly, loosening any bits that have stuck to the pot.  Add the thyme and broth. Simmer, uncovered, until the onions are soft, about 15 minutes.

Divide the soup between the 4 ovenproof ramekins. Place one slice of bread on top of each ramekin. Top each with cheese. Place under the broiler, until the cheese is golden and bubbly, about 4 minutes. Serve immediately.

Middle Eastern music, African sounds and Hebrew words! These are just some of the ingredients that make Idan Raichel’s music unique and fascinating and which, on March 7th, will transform the Historic Synagogue at Sixth & I into a temple of music. The 34-year-old Israeli artist is famous across the globe thanks to his international group, The Idan Raichel Project, which first became known on the Israeli musical scene in 2002 and, within the space of very few years, turned into an international sensation.

About 60 musicians total, from different parts of the world, contribute to producing music that, although it can be defined as international, always has a Middle Eastern “flavor” in every song. Different songs and rhythms are woven together on stage and, while most of the songs are in Hebrew, your ears should be prepared for Arabic, Spanish, English, Yemenite, Hindi and even Amharic (Ethiopian.)

Raichel’s songs touch on the main problems of modern society. To quote The Jewish Journal, the singer “has both a gift for creating beautiful music and the courage to spread a message. He preaches universalism, the power of shunning labels and celebrating humanity.”  He sings about world peace and friendship, human relationships and their problems and — of course – love, love, love! The topics is his songs range from the difficulties of expressing feelings (“Chalomot shel ‘acherim” or “Milim yafot me ‘elle”) to common couples’ misunderstandings (“Medaberrim be sheket” or “Im telech”). However, for each problem there is a solution because, as Idan himself sings in one of his most famous songs, “Hakol over” – everything shall pass.

His musical education, humanitarian activism, work as a producer, and love for Israel all contribute to creating his beautiful pieces. The first four albums starting with his eponymous album “The Idan Raichel Project,” offered in both a Hebrew and an English version and have all received international acclaim. Recently, the group produced a new album called “Traveling Home.” This three-CD album is the group’s first live recording and contains both old hits and new tracks.

For tickets, click here.  And stay tuned for further GTJ coverage of this amazing event!

Do science and love mix?  Many online dating sites provide users with daily or weekly suggested “matches,” or simply pick your matches for you, claiming to have the magic scientific formula for success.  eHarmony, for example, requires you to fill out a long (I’m talking at least an hour) “personality profile.”  Chemistry.com has you take a personality test, similar to Myers-Briggs, that “reveal[s] your personality type [to] see what makes you tick.”  For both of these sites, the premise is that similar people attract each other.  Taking a slightly different approach, OkCupid provides you with a “match percentage,” based on how your answers to certain questions compare to someone else’s.  The questions range from the more serious, “Do you like to discuss politics?” to the absurd, “In a certain light, wouldn’t nuclear war be exciting?”  OkCupid designed the site so that you can use the match percentage if you want, but they leave it up to you.  OkCupid’s founder Sam Yagan agrees that similar people make the best matches, recently saying, “We [at OkCupid] say that opposites attract… and then attack.”

Earlier this month, a group of psychology professors (one of whom happened to be in my a cappella group at Cornell – small world, right?) released a report questioning these algorithms’ accuracy.  The authors found that, while they might be a good way to reduce the sheer number of potential partners on an online dating site, they are no better at creating success stories than two people put together at random.  The authors don’t say that online dating is bad.  In fact, they conclude that the best part of online dating is that the sites bring people together who wouldn’t have met otherwise.  It’s the “science” behind the websites’ claims, or their matching processes, that the authors refute.  Eli Finkel, the lead researcher, said, “Eighty years of relationship science has reliably shown you can’t predict whether a relationship succeeds based on information about people who are unaware of each other… The assumption is that the algorithms work.  We reviewed the literature and feel safe to conclude they do not.”

Sites like JDate and Match.com have come to a good balance.  In addition to providing you with “matches,” the sites simply let you browse the database to find people on your own.  This allows, say, a man in Chicago to communicate with a woman in DC because he’s planning to move here in three months.  On a site like eHarmony, however, this guy will never even be shown profiles outside of his own location.

In the end, take the sites’ suggested matches with a grain of salt.  Maybe someone in there will strike your fancy.  Maybe not.  No one is better able to predict whether you like someone than you, and it will still always take an in-person meeting to know if you have the right connection.

Now, I’ll put the question to you out there… Do you think that online services add value to the dating game with their supposed algorithms, or should just they leave it to us to decide who might be the best fit?  (Feel free to use the comments section for your responses.)

Erika Ettin is the Founder of A Little Nudge, where she helps people stand out from the online dating crowd and have a rewarding experience. An archive of all of Erika’s columns is also available.  Want to connect with Erika?  Join her newsletter for updates and tips.

Got burning questions you want answered in a future post?  Email date411@alittlenudge.com

Jodi Tirengel is on the GTJ leadership team and is head of Jewish Guy/Girl of the Week and co-director of GTJ events.

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“You haven’t taken NeXus yet?” This was the most popular question I heard when I told friends I had enrolled in the course. Offered by the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, NeXus is a six-part series designed to teach young professionals about the Federation’s role in our community and how we fit into it.

The looks of shock and awe I witnessed when I discussed my plans to take NeXus may be a result of the fact that I am not particularly new to the local Jewish community. In 2010, I embarked on a journey to learn about the Federation’s role overseas by participating in D.C.’s first Birthright Alumni Leadership Mission. On this trip, we visited partner agencies to witness the impact firsthand. In only one week, we saw a broad range of organizations that the Federation supports. From a recreational facility for the disabled to an Ethiopian absorption center and everything in between, it was amazing to see the organization’s reach.

When I returned from the leadership mission, I had the opportunity to become a Vice Chair of Engagement on the Federation’s Young Leadership board. NeXus felt like the neXt (forgive me) best step for me to take to learn more about the broader Jewish community and how I could continue my involvement. Admittedly, I did not know what the experience would be like. I stepped into my first class unsure of what to expect.

I entered a room filled with 31 other young professionals. We began the night with an icebreaker, sharing stories about ourselves in order to find someone with whom we had something in common. It was interesting to see how many overlaps there were: favorite sports teams, hometowns, and career fields were all bonding points for those in our group. We then had the opportunity to discuss our Jewish journeys. We were encouraged to draw outlines of our paths through Judaism and how they helped us arrive to the place we currently are. Once again, there was a great deal of overlap: Hebrew school, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Jewish camp, Birthright. It was interesting to see how much we had in common that had brought us all to this room.

After we concluded this activity, Shelly Kupfer, National Young Leadership Co-Chair of the Jewish Federations of North America, spoke about her own Jewish journey. A local small business owner, Shelly told us about her involvement with the National Young Leadership Cabinet. The Cabinet is composed of 200 young professionals from all over the country who meet at annual retreats and conferences to build stronger Jewish communities locally and abroad. Shelly chose to get involved after learning about the integral role that donations from the Federation played in helping a family of Russian immigrants build better lives for themselves in the United States. The story brought her to tears.

I heard a similar story while attending Tribefest, the Federation’s national conference for young professionals, last year. Alina Gerlovin Spaulding memorably spoke about how, without the work of the Federation, she would not have had the opportunity to lead the life she does today. Her father, an Olympic hopeful, nearly died after an injury. As Jews in the former Soviet Union, her family was persecuted. Refugees for months, they were relocated when Gerlovin Spaulding was just five years old. Donations helped save her father when he received medical care in the US. During a visit in which she returned to her hometown, Gerlovin Spaulding adopted a girl whose parents told her that she would not be able to accomplish her dreams if she stayed in Ukraine. Like Shelly, hearing this story brought me to tears. Reflecting on these experiences caused me to leave my first class thinking about the global impact of the Jewish Federation. The leadership opportunities that I have had locally have given me a new perspective on how the work being done here in D.C. has the ability to change the lives of Jews abroad. Through NeXus, I look forward to hearing their stories.

Headstone and grave of the matriarch of the Levy family, Rachel Levy. The plot is located on Monticello, but not in Jefferson family official burial plot.

Moses Goldwater is a community contributor to GTJ. The opinions in this piece are his own and do not represent a GTJ institutional stance.

On May 5, 2012, there is a 5K race on the Saunders-Monticello trail with all proceeds going to the Thomas Jefferson Foundation (TJF).  But where is the Saunders-Monticello trail you ask?  It is just outside of Charlottesville, VA (a three hour drive from DC) and runs up to the estate of Thomas Jefferson (if you have ever seen a nickel, you have seen a “picture” of Monticello before).

So what’s the Jewish connection?

There would be no Monticello today if it were not for the Jews, in particular US Navy Commodore Uriah P. Levy and his nephew Jefferson Monroe Levy.

Thomas Jefferson, like many of the founding fathers, lived beyond his means and died in debt.   To appease creditors, his heirs sold off the estate and much of its contents.  The subsequent owner did little to preserve the estate so, eight years after Thomas Jefferson died, the Levy family purchased the estate. Over the next 89 years, they did their best to refurbish it and recover Jefferson’s treasures.   (Monticello is now a National Historic Landmark and owned by the TJF.)

Whether you admire, question, or even know much of about the life of Thomas Jefferson, Monticello is a must-see.   Besides being the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and the third President of the United States, Jefferson was, among other things, a self-taught architect, an inventor, a historian, and an avid book collector (in one corner of Monticello, you can see Jefferson’s multiple copies of Don Quixote in different languages).

The tour of Monticello pulls no punches; it acknowledges the children Jefferson fathered out of wedlock with his slaves, but it is only recently that the Levy family’s contribution was recognized.  So whether you are runner, a patriot, or just looking for an excuse to explore some of the vineyards in Central Virginia, a tour of Monticello is an excellent weekend trip made possible, in part, by the Levy family.

To sign up for the 5K, click here.

The Patriots' jerseys honored Myra Kraft

On the heels of this past weekend’s Superbowl, DC resident David Isser finds a Jewish message tied to the New England Patriots.

This past summer, I traveled up to Boston for a celebration that took place in Temple Emanuel, a beautiful traditional temple located in Newton, MA. This was the same temple that Myra Kraft attended, and literally a week after my friend’s wedding, Myra Kraft’s funeral was held in the same chapel.

More than two thousand people attended the service and thousands more tuned in for the live podcast. The ceremony drew attention since many of the speakers were current and previous NFL players from the New England Patriots.  The obvious question was how and why many NFL players were so close with the owner’s wife.

Myra Kraft was an incredible Jewish woman who spent her entire life supporting foundations and charities across the world.  Myra specialized in raising awareness and helping many charitable organizations with their missions and she ran more than a dozen non-profits in Boston alone, including Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston and the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston. Her tenure as chairwoman of the Boys and Girls Clubs was so successful that the organization waived their term limit for her. She was known for going above and beyond to help needy children across the city.

Many people don’t know this, but prior to Bob Kraft buying the Patriots, Myra vehemently opposed the acquisition. Her reasoning was that an NFL team would not bring about any good to the world. Bob made an agreement with his wife. Their agreement was that she would allow his purchase of the team if she could require every player on the team to volunteer at charitable organizations. Bob purchased the team and Myra oversaw that every player was contributing. She even helped NFL players give back in their hometowns by helping establish charities across the US.

Myra had a zero tolerance policy for any criminal misconduct. The most famous story that comes to mind to highlight this took place in 1996 when Bob Kraft drafted Christian Peter in the first round. Christian Peter was an honorable mention All-American with stellar performances as a Nebraska Cornhusker all four years of college. Unfortunately, Christian Peter had also been convicted 7 times in 8 years for various crimes prior to being drafted by the Patriots. Only a week after being drafted, Peter verbally and physically abused a woman and was convicted yet again.

Instead of requiring him to go through therapy and overlooking his off-field issues, Myra Kraft personally demanded that the team cut all ties with Christian Peter regardless of his talents and his value to the team as an NFL player. Bob Kraft did not even give it a moment’s thought and this was the first time in NFL history that a first round pick was waived by his drafting team.

Myra Kraft believed in giving back to the community. She cared deeply for those who needed her help and in my personal opinion was a true shining light to the world. Even though football is generally viewed as a violent sport, Myra was able to see the good that football could bring to the world around her and has set up hundreds of charities revolving around football. Arthur Blank, another fellow Jewish NFL owner, said that both Bob and Myra have “given the perfect example for the rest of us.” I agree with him; they certainly have.

Finally, I would like to thank a very close friend of mine for helping me research some of the background information of Myra Kraft.  This person has asked to remain anonymous and I will honor that request.

Oh, how I’ve missed Gather the Jews! I’ve spent the last couple weeks on hiatus in Israel, getting to know more DC-area Jews and readjusting to life since coming back. Similarly, many of you may be back from Birthright, or know someone who just went on a trip during this winter stint, and are craving some constant connectivity with Jews back at home now. (My group definitely bonded like Teflon and thankfully we’ve done an amazing job keeping our spirits up.)

We’re just in time for Tu B’Shvat, a very pleasant holiday to coincide with coming back to DC after a trip in Israel and for celebrating the new year of trees. There is no dearth of events going on to meet new people, see friendly faces, or bring along your own crew.

On Tuesday, Feb. 7, The Chesed Project is hosting a seder to benefit the reforestation efforts of the Jewish National Fund. With a suggested $10 donation to help plant trees in Israel, you’ll be able to join others in kosher wine, dried fruit, nuts and other tasty food. I hear it’ll be a great time.

Sixth & I is having a session on exploring spirituality through text, meditation and food in celebration of the Jewish New Year for trees. Food will be served, cost is $10. Find more details here.

Wednesday, Feb. 8 will be the big event at the Embassy of Israel. Their Tu B’Shvat party starts at 5:30 p.m., and is expected to be a sizable party for sure. The JCC’s site has important information on ticket purchases and security, so be sure to visit the site before heading over.

And looking to find another seder in the area?

Etz Chayim DC is partnering with local Jews and the Moishe House to host sederim. You can find locations in Adams Morgan, Takoma, Woodley Park, Rockville and Shepherd Park. This helpful Google document will help you find a seder, sign up, and prepare hosts for special dietary needs. So no excuses on not being able to find a seder and celebrating a great and environmentally responsible holiday!

Sticking with the winter/comfort food theme, this week I took on chicken pot pie.  There are a lot of schools of thought on the crust for this (one or two, biscuit- or pie-style).  I adapted the Pillsbury recipe, which has two pie crusts.  A classic chicken pot pie filling is a white sauce, which usually includes milk.  I used soy milk for this.  Since the original recipe was a bit bland, I herbed it up a bit. This had the added benefit of masking the flavor of the soy milk.

Feel free to use fresh herbs if you’ve got them—use about three times as much as dried.

Total time: 1 hour 5 min.

Yield: 6 servings

Level: Moderate

Recipe

© Courtney Weiner.  All Rights Reserved.

Ingredients

• 2 non-dairy pie crusts
• 1/3 cup parve margarine
• 1/3 cup chopped onion
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• ¼  tsp salt (or to taste)
• ¼ tsp pepper
• ¼ tsp dried thyme
• ¼ tsp dried rosemary
• 1/8 tsp garlic powder
• 1 ¾ cups chicken broth
• ½ cup soy milk
• 2 ½ cups shredded cooked chicken (roasted/rotisserie is best)
• 2 cups cooked vegetables or frozen mixed vegetables, thawed

Directions

Heat oven to 425°F. If pie crust is not already in a pan, place it in a glass 9” pie plate.

In 2-quart saucepan, melt margarine over medium heat.  Add onion; cook 2 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Stir in flour, salt, pepper, and herbs until well blended. Gradually stir in broth and soy milk, cooking and stirring until bubbly and thickened.

Stir in chicken and mixed vegetables. Remove from heat. Spoon chicken mixture into crust-lined pan. Top with second crust; seal edge and flute or crimp with a fork. Cut slits in several places in top crust.

Place pie plate on a preheated cookie sheet and bake 30 to 40 minutes or until crust is golden brown.  During last 15 to 20 minutes of baking, cover crust edge with strips of foil to prevent excessive browning.  Let stand at least 5 minutes before serving.

I couldn’t have been more excited to learn about the plans for a new HBO comedy in the works entitled “All Talk”? The show will reportedly be based on the daily dramas of a Jewish family living in Washington, DC, and will star Ben Stiller, who is also the executive producer and director.  As if this were not exciting news enough, the show’s pilot was written by acclaimed writer Jonathan Safran Foer, who is originally from Washington, D.C., and whose mother, Esther Safran Foer,  is currently the executive director of our very own Sixth and I Historic Synagogue.  A perfect storm of awesome?  I certainly think so.  To be sure you’re with me on this, I will break this project down into its constituent parts (of awesomeness).

Ben Stiller

We all have a special place in our hearts for Ben Stiller, possibly for different reasons – for me it wasn’t Zoolander as much as it was Keeping the Faith, a 2000 rom-com about a love triangle between two childhood best friends who grew up to be a priest and a rabbi, and the non-Jewish girl that they both fall in love with.

Sometimes when I’m at a Friday night Shabbat service and the rabbi says “Shabbat Shalom” to the congregation and solicits an enthusiastic response, I still think of Anne Bancroft, mother of Stiller’s rabbi character in the movie, yelling out a supportive “Sha-bat Sha-lom!” to a near-empty synagogue.  The point is, in the film, Stiller played a young, hot (yeah, I said it), hilarious, up-and-coming rabbi, and I look forward to seeing what he can do playing a Jew in Washington, D.C.

Jonathan Safran Foer

I’m biased, because Jonathan Safran Foer – or, JSF as some adoring fans often refer to him – is one of my favorite authors.  If you haven’t read Everything is Illuminated, a powerful tale that ties together the history of one young man’s Jewish ancestors and his own personal quest for understanding, clear your calendar for the rest of the afternoon and read it post-haste.

Safran Foer also offered a frank and honest look at the factory farming meat industry, sharing his own personal journey toward ultimate vegetarianism in his non-fiction work Eating Animals. I found his personal struggle to reconcile the traditional, familial and religious ties to eating meat with his own moral tensions, and his coming to terms with why we eat what we eat to be extremely relatable.  Personally, the book set the ball rolling on what eventually became my decision to become completely vegetarian.  The point is, regardless of what you eat, the man is a good writer.

Additionally, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, Safran Foer’s other well-known fiction work, is on my nightstand, but the reasons I haven’t finished it yet have more to do with my own tendency to over-commit myself than how great the book is.  The story is a wonderful, smart, sometimes humorous, sometimes sad, often poignant journey of a young boy trying to cope with his father’s death on 9/11, which you can easily find yourself lost in.  The movie of Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close actually came out recently as well (though clearly I have to finish the book first).

Jonathan Safran Foer has gifted us with some brilliant and diverse works to date, and I look forward to seeing what he can do with the script for “All Talk.”  Having grown up in Washington, D.C. as part of a local Jewish family, it’s easy to imagine the role that his own upbringing will play in the comedy that he has created.

The Plot

I’m intrigued by what this show – labeled as “politically, religiously, culturally, intellectually and sexually irreverent,” is really going to be about.  I don’t think that there has been much of a window into the life of DC’s Jewish families.  Having lived in our precious District for a substantial chunk of my 20s, I like to think I’ve gotten a sense of its various flavors and communities.  But clearly the Jewish life that I am and have been involved with is very different from the circles that Jewish families run in.  I know about Jewish Rockville, I know about Jewish Silver Spring, and I see the families at Adas Israel congregation on the high holidays, but I don’t know what growing up as a Jew in Washington, D.C., or having a family here, is really about.

We might have to wait a little while to find out, since the show is not supposed to begin shooting until this fall (and apparently will not actually be shot in D.C.).

All in all, I at least am hoping that this perfect storm of awesome won’t just be “All Talk,” and will come through as a great new comedy.  Personally, I can’t wait for the Jewish jokes, and to see what my men Stiller and Safran Foer have in store. Maybe it’s time to get HBO?