Rosh Hashana is coming fast and we will soon be welcoming 5781. When our world got turned upside down this past March and we celebrated Passover without our families around our tables, it would have been a shocking thought to consider that we might do the same for the High Holidays. But alas, it’s looking this way. Certainly, many of us have figured out how to see our loved ones using social distancing, masks and testing but we are not where we would want to be with full and happy faces dipping our round challah in honey, together around the table.

While we treasure holidays in “normal” times, holidays during our current pandemic are even more cherished and appreciated. In contrast to the uncertainty that prevails in our current days, we know without question that holidays are going to arrive and it’s up to us to decide how we are going to embrace them.

The High Holidays, including Rosh Hashana (September 18) and Yom Kippur (September 27), with their many traditions, rituals and symbolism are coming and we’ve already started to think about what changes we want to make in the coming year, both personally, community-wide and beyond.

Here at Challah Connection, holiday food traditions are our guiding force. Rosh Hashana has several that allow us to stay focused yet creative with our cooking. If you’re not sure of these traditions, here they are.

Honey, honey and more honey! We all wish for a “Sweet New Year” full of all of life’s greatest joys and there is no better “sweet” food then honey. Honey is a great ingredient for baked goods (honey cake), main courses (brisket or honey glazed salmon for example), appetizers and of course is ideal for dipping sliced apples or challah. Dipping apples and challah into honey is a tradition that typically is included during the Rosh Hashana meal.

Round challah, why? Braided challah is eaten every Shabbat but why do we eat round challah for both Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? To symbolize the never ending cycle of life; there is no better time than the New Year to remember that seasons of life (and death) don’t ever end. There is something both beautiful and life affirming about this. If you are wondering, the recipe for round challah is exactly the same as braided, it’s just the shape that changes. Some bakers like to add additional sweetness to round challah with raisins or other creative ingredients.

Finally, there are the pomegranates. This shines the light on a really interesting fact: there are 618 seeds in a pomegranate which is the same number of mitzvot that are cited in the Torah. Again, what better time to remind us to follow a path of good deeds than the new year?  Pomegranates and pomegranate molasses are both terrific food ingredients for sauces, side dishes, main course and cocktails!

We wish you all a very Happy New Year, L’Shana Tova!!

-the mavens @ Challah Connection

When summer ends we know Rosh Hashana isn’t far behind. This year, the holiday starts on 9/29—almost 3 weeks later than it did last year! The late start gives us time to breath and plan our menus (not to mention daydream about how we will make our upcoming year better than the previous). I know that not everyone likes to cook but my personal opinion is that even if you make just one thing—a cake, a side dish, an entrée—this effort will change the way you feel about feeding yourself and family for the holiday, in a very positive way. There are a couple of key RH traditions to know about:

Honey—WHY?
As you probably already know, when it comes to Rosh Hashana food, it’s all about foods that support a “sweet new year” and honey is THE food we eat to bring sweetness. This is why we eat honey cake.

Apples-WHY
Simply, because honey tastes good on them and they are a great “vehicle” for transporting honey (better then sticking your finger in the honey pot, right?). This is why we eat apple cake and tzimmes (sweetened with honey) and anything made with apples and honey.

Round Challah—WHY?
Remember, Judaism loves symbolism, even with food. We eat round challah versus braided challah which we eat on Shabbat, to remind us of the endless cycle of life. Both plain and raisin challah are traditional. Why raisin? Sweetness!

Pomegranates—WHY?
Amazing fact: Pomegranates have 613 seeds which is the same number of mitzvot (good deeds) in the Torah. We eat pomegranates to show our intention of achieving all of them in the coming year.

Here are some favorite recipes that include apples and honey.

Rosh Hashana Apple Cake

Teiglach

Carrot and Fruit Tsimmes

But of course, these recipes won’t make a complete meal. This is where we go to the archives of Jewish cooking: chicken soup with matzo balls, brisket, roast chicken, potato kugel and more. To help you out, we’re so pleased to offer you a terrific “Jewish” cookbook, Gefilte Manifesto written by our friends from Gefilteria, Jeff Yoskowitz and Liz Alpert. They have agreed to share their recipe for challah with you.

Another mouth watering recipe is from Susan Barocas a well known chef and food writer, who I met at the Hazon Food Conference last month. Like me, Susan is half Sephardic and half Ashkenazi, She has some terrific recipes and shared this one with us: Black-Eyed Pea Salad.

BLACK EYED PEA SALAD

Everything your favorite nosher will kvell over, in one Yiddish tote! 

We have teamed up with our friends at Modern Tribe to create an exciting new gift basket just in time for Rosh Hashana. It’s the perfect gift for your favorite nosher and they are sure to be kvelling over it all year long!

Lovingly packed in our sturdy canvas tote are the most delectable Jewish bakery favorites along with a signed copy of Sweet Noshings, a cookbook written by Amy Kritzer, co-owner of ModernTribe and blogger at What Jew Wanna Eat AND a “Kvetch” notepad to easily make a note to buy more noshes! Specific noshes include:

• Sandwich Sprinkle Cookies (10 oz. container with 8-10 cookies, CRC, Pareve)
• Orthodox Chews (1 lb. bag, Certified Kosher Dairy) – this is the best saltwater taffy we’ve ever tasted, with unorthodox flavors such as caramel swirl, watermelon, and cinnamon roll.
• Classic Traditional Braided Challah (OK, Pareve)
• Chocolate Babka (CRC, Pareve)
• Bag of Pistachios (8 oz.)  (OK, Pareve)

Serves 8-10

To enter to win the gift basket leave a comment on this blog letting us (and the world!) know what you wish for in the new year 5780.

and for extra entries…

Follow Challah Connection, Modern Tribe, What Jew Wanna Eat on Instagram

Then, fill out the widget below saying you’ve entered. US entries only. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

USA ENTRIES ONLY. MUST BE 18 YEARS OR OLDER TO ENTER. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO WIN. BY ENTERING, YOUR EMAIL WILL BE ADDED TO THE CHALLAH CONNECTION AND MODERN TRIBE EMAIL LISTS BUT YOU CAN OPT-OUT AT ANY TIME.

Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, is a significant gift giving occasion. Here are some commonly asked questions that we are asked regarding Rosh Hashana gifts. We hope this helps!

–What should I give my Jewish boss or coworker for Rosh Hashana?

For a boss or coworker, you DON’T want to be overly personal but you DO want to be “holiday appropriate.” It is best to select a Rosh Hashana gift basket that reflects Jewish tradition such as our Rosh Hashana Traditions Basket or Fruitful Holiday Basket. Both are impressive and will show your thoughtfulness.

I’m not Jewish but my friend is—what should I give?

For a friend, perhaps you are looking to acknowledge the holiday with a tasteful gesture. A tin of rugelach or round challah and honey are great, affordable choices.

What do you recommend for my college student?

Our experience working with parents of college students indicates that parents have 2 specific goals when sending Jewish holiday gifts to their kids: 1) Remind the child that the holiday is here and 2) Send a taste of home and love. Please be sure to read our advice about shipping to college dorms or apartments. Top choices for college students include Rosh Hashana in a Box and Rosh Hashana Traditions Basket. Many college students are gluten free. Check out our Jewish gluten free department.

Is it appropriate to give a Rosh Hashana gift to clients and customers?

Not only is giving a Rosh Hashana gift basket or kosher gift basket to a client or customer appropriate, but it makes great business sense. The point of gifting a client is to thank them for the business and solidify the relationship. What better way to do this than to acknowledge their own holiday therefore honoring them and who they are? We have many corporate customers—most of whom are not Jewish—who send gifts for all of the Jewish holidays to their clients. Many of our corporate clients select custom gifts, which we are always happy to help with. Please call Jane or Ann at 866-242-5524. They know everything!

–Do you have gluten free products that are appropriate for Rosh Hashana?

Perfect for the holiday, and 100% gluten free, our assortment includes our best-selling Gluten Free Challah Set, Walnut Honey Cake, Gluten Free Apple Cake, and Rugelach Duo. But there’s more! Please click to see our entire gluten free department.

What should my Rosh Hashana gift message say?

When sending a gift, including a gift message is key! A great gift message is “Shana Tova! Wishing you a sweet, happy and healthy New Year. With love, Your Name.” If your gift is to a client or customer, a great way to sign the card is “Your friends from ABC company.”

I hope that this Rosh Hashana gift giving advice is helpful to you. Feel free to contact us with any questions or suggestions. Shana Tova to you and your family.

Written by Jane Moritz (jane@challahconnection.com), Chief Maven Officer, Challah Connection

Challah Connection is the premiere online kosher gift company specializing in Jewish traditional gifts for Jewish Holiday, Shiva, Jewish Birthday and all Jewish gift giving occasions . “Creating Kvells Since 2002”

August is our birthday month and Challah Connection will be 17. Like any 17 year old, we have grown in so many ways. We have been blessed with stellar sales growth, loyal customers and a firm leadership position in our niche. However, growth hasn’t always been easy. We had so much to learn when we opened our first browser window back in 2002, such as:

“Who ARE we, what is our mission and what do we stand for?”

“How can we serve you best?”

Those are just a couple of soul-searching questions that put us on our path to becoming the go-to spot for kosher and Jewish holiday gift baskets (not to mention shiva gifts, which make up a large part of our business).

While we sell a tangible item, we provide a highly emotional experience, one where we help customers connect with Jewish tradition and ritual. Additionally, as a gift company, our customers are counting on us to deliver that emotional message to their loved ones, friends, business colleagues—people they truly care about and with whom they want to share this nostalgic experience. Here are just a few of the many heartfelt messages that you have shared with us over the years.

“Your luscious babka and rugelach remind me of my grandmother’s house and the aromas from her kitchen when she was baking. Thank you for recreating these beloved tastes.”

“I have found that one of the best ways to share holiday wishes with members of my family and friends who live at a distance is to send them a Challah Connection gift basket!”

“Thanks for making us a hero to our out of town family.”

More reviews

As we get ready for Rosh Hashana, a time of gratitude and reflection, we will be appreciating you, our customer, and asking how we can improve your experience with Challah Connection for 5780 and beyond. Thank you!!

Jane Moritz
Chief Maven Officer, Challah Connection

Looking for something easy and delicious to serve this weekend? One of our mavens cooked it over the weekend and raved about it! Just add some fresh vegetables, rice or quinoa and of course challah and dessert!

For glaze and sauce

-2/3 cup white wine vinegar

-1 cup dijon mustard

-1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

-2 cups of vegetable oil

-Freshly ground black pepper to taste

-3 tablespoons soy sauce

-¼ cup chopped fresh dill sprigs

-Two 2 ½-3 lb whole salmon fillets with skin any small bones removed with tweezers.

Make glaze and sauce:

In a bowl whisk together with vinegar, mustard and brown sugar. Whisk in oil in a stream until emulsified and season with pepper and salt. Mixture may be made 3 days ahead and chilled, covered.

Bring mixture to room temperature and whisk before proceeding. Transfer ¾ cup mixture to a small bowl and stir in soy sauce to make glaze. Whisk dill into remaining mixture to make sauce.

Preheat broiler and grease a broiler pan or jelly-roll pan.

Rinse Salmon fillets and pat dry.  Arrange fillets skin side down, in pan. (Cook 1 at a time if broiler is small.) Brush salmon with glaze and season with pepper and salt.  Broil Salmon 3 to 4 inches from heat about 8 minutes or until just cooked through.

Serve salmon warm or at room temperature with sauce.  Serve 16 as part of buffet.

Gourmet Magazine, September 1996

Many of you know that I recently celebrated a birthday and for the many of you who sent me birthday greetings: THANK YOU! I was so touched by your words and that you took the time to send me heartfelt wishes. You made me feel loved and for that, I thank you.

One of the greatest gifts I received this birthday is the deep reminder of the true definition of family, which, in my opinion, is LOVE. I spent my birthday weekend in Northern California with my 4 siblings and our spouses, who travelled from Israel, NY, CT and CA. One of my sister’s also had a birthday and for the first time—ever?—we shared our birthdays (mine is 7/20 and her’s 7/21).

Since we are scattered all over the world and don’t get together too often as the sizable clan that we are, we spent the weekend doing our favorite things:

• cooking
• eating
• talking
• laughing
• walking (gorgeous hikes along the cliffs overlooking the Pacific) and
• hot tubbing

Sounds like bliss, right? It was! When Sunday morning rolled around, we said our sad goodbyes but knew that we were all touched by each other and vowed to do this again. I’ll be sure we do! Here are some photo highlights.

Enjoy, Jane Moritz, Chief Maven Officer

Sea Ranch, CA

Birthday Girl Susan

Birthday Girl Jane

Birthday Sisters 🙂

Not sure what “Mishpacha” means? It’s Yiddish for “family.” Want to learn some more Yiddish? Check out our Yiddish glossary.

From the western slope of the Green Mountains, I want to wish you all a day of summer warmth and celebration, fun, and of course, great food! It’s our country’s 243rd birthday and there is no better excuse to pull out summer favorites, whatever they may be for you..hamburgers, hot dogs…

In anticipation of my own upcoming birthday, I want to share with you a wonderful tradition that my Dad, Julian created. For his birthday, Dad would give US–his 5 children–a gift. It was his way of showing his love and gratitude for us.

My Birthday Gift to You

Starting today through my birthday on July 20, take 20% any order over $20. The promo code is JANESDAY20. It would be my pleasure to have to you use the code for as many orders as you’d like and share our website and promo code with others.

What’s Your Birthday Tradition?

We all have favorite ways to spend birthdays. What’s yours? Could be a favorite cake, favorite adventure or just your favorite way to spend your special day. Please email me at jane@challahconnection.com with the subject line “My Birthday Tradition” and let me know. And, don’t forget to wish me a happy birthday!

With gratitude and in the spirit of summer fun,

Jane Moritz
Chief Maven Officer

The torrential downpours of the spring have subsided, flowers are in bloom and wedding season is upon us!  It’s such a beautiful time of year here in Connecticut, it makes us want to celebrate here at Challah Connection.  Speaking of celebrations, let’s talk about the very important tradition of the blessing of the challah (hamotzi) at a Jewish wedding, bar/bat mitzvah or brit milah.

We all know that challah is an important staple during Shabbat, but it is also very important during these Jewish milestone ceremonies, and for such occasions, the ceremonial challah is a wonderful choice.  Being that it is so large, the ceremonial challah allows everyone to come together and take part in the ritual.

The hamotzi is given over the ceremonial challah after the ceremony has been completed and before the meal is served. Typically at a wedding, the ceremonial challah is served after the cocktail hour, and at a bar/bat mitzvah and the brit milah after the conclusion of the ceremony, before the food is served.  The prayer is usually given by a parent/parents or an honored guest. After the blessing, the challah is cut and distributed to all of the guests… a delicious and meaningful way to join in the celebration!

Have questions? Happy to answer them!! Please email or call us at 866-242-5524. Please order 2 atleast 2 weeks before your simcha.

About a month ago, a friend came to our apartment for Shabbat and brought us a challah from the new Upper West Side kosher and gluten free “foodie spot,” Modern Bread and Bagel. I knew I had to get there to check it out as a possible new Challah Connection partner and for me personally, since I am a lover and baker of all things “Jewish baked goods” (challah, babka, rugelach etc) and I am also gluten free.

I went there on a Sunday in April, just before Pesach, shortly after it had opened. Needless to say, it was packed! I asked for the bakery manager and I met Orly, who is the owner and mastermind. She could not have been lovelier–and calmer!-given the maddening crowd around her. We are working on bringing our Challah Connection gluten free customers some of her delicious goodies but in the meantime, Orly has allowed me to share her recipe for these mouthwatering, delicious, gluten free brownies. Thank you Orly and I hope you all enjoy these as much as my family and I have.