bulka wrote:
I'm invited to my first Seder this week.. Any suggestions on what to
bring?

You're always safe with the Manischevitz Passover products......we
always took a box of M's chocolate jelly rings and a cannister of
macaroons. A nice way to bring sweets that they can set out at the end
of the evening.

"bulka" wrote in message ...
I'm invited to my first Seder this week.. Any suggestions on what to
bring? I know enough not to make ham and shrimp cheese puffs, but not
much more. I'm looking for somthing traditional, but not so normal and
obvious that everyone else will be bringing the same thing. Any rules
about the wine?

Bulka

Don't get the sweet stuff, it'll put your pancreas into cardiac arrest.
Baron Hertzog is kosher and is very good, in SoCal it runs about $9-10 per
bottle and is available in most of the super's.

Harriet & critters

Doug Kanter wrote:


Other than required toasts, do NOT, under any circumstances drink that wine
unless you're idea of a good time is waking up the next day and feeling like
someone's making a hole in your skull with a 1" flat wood boring bit.


Funny, but I understand that the last time these folks hosted, it did go
something like that. This year, there are going to be some young
children, so, probably not.

Thanks to everyone for the conversation, but now I'm more confused.

Babsarooni said no corn, grains or peanuts? Why?

Even stranger, Sheldon said noone brings cooked dishes. This I really
don't get. In any case, they asked for sides, so I've got to do better
than a box of chocolates. Hoping to be a little more adventurous than
kugel.

Thanks sf for all the info (haven't checked the site yet), but about the
cheese puff pastry - even without the treyf, I wouldn't bring cheese to
a meat meal and wouldn't any way I got the puff to puff be not right?

Another question - my vegetarian girlfriend is going to cook, too. She
can't use butter for this, she can't use lard or schmaltz for her. I
assume veg oil or Crisco is OK? Maybe I'll just take a trip down the
Maneshevitz aisle tomorrow.

I got the idea that, somehow, fish is dairy. So no herring. Someone
suggested hard-boiled eggs, but can you do that with meat? Or is it
only no eggs with poultry? Or am I making this stuff up?

I'm not too worried. Maybe making things more difficult for myself, but
enjoying the learning and the challenge. The only advice they gave was
a reminder not to bring bread or cheese. I don't really know these
people (GF's friends), but maybe they're pretend kosher on the
holidays. I'm not going to buy another set of dishes for this.

I'm still accepting advice. I'll let you know how it goes.

bulka

bulka wrote:
Doug Kanter wrote:


Other than required toasts, do NOT, under any circumstances drink that wine
unless you're idea of a good time is waking up the next day and feeling like
someone's making a hole in your skull with a 1" flat wood boring bit.



Funny, but I understand that the last time these folks hosted, it did go
something like that. This year, there are going to be some young
children, so, probably not.

Thanks to everyone for the conversation, but now I'm more confused.

Babsarooni said no corn, grains or peanuts? Why?


any grain product is not allowed in its natural state because it could
become leavened. Corn and peanuts (and rice) are not eaten by Jews of
eastern European origin, because the rabbinnical community there decided
that those products could bemade int products resembling leavened grain
products, therefore possibly causing another Jew to think it is ok to
eat actual grain products.

Even stranger, Sheldon said noone brings cooked dishes. This I really
don't get. In any case, they asked for sides, so I've got to do better
than a box of chocolates. Hoping to be a little more adventurous than
kugel.

Thanks sf for all the info (haven't checked the site yet), but about the
cheese puff pastry - even without the treyf, I wouldn't bring cheese to
a meat meal and wouldn't any way I got the puff to puff be not right?



well, if they are reform, then they probably do not keep the laws od
kashrut. I'd ask.

Another question - my vegetarian girlfriend is going to cook, too. She
can't use butter for this, she can't use lard or schmaltz for her. I
assume veg oil or Crisco is OK? Maybe I'll just take a trip down the
Maneshevitz aisle tomorrow.

I got the idea that, somehow, fish is dairy. So no herring. Someone
suggested hard-boiled eggs, but can you do that with meat? Or is it
only no eggs with poultry? Or am I making this stuff up?


eggs are considered neither dairy or meat and can be eaten with both
kinds of meals.

I'm not too worried. Maybe making things more difficult for myself, but
enjoying the learning and the challenge. The only advice they gave was
a reminder not to bring bread or cheese. I don't really know these
people (GF's friends), but maybe they're pretend kosher on the
holidays. I'm not going to buy another set of dishes for this.


If they are inviting non-jews to their seder (the only time I've seen an
orthodox family have a non-jew at the seder was last year, when my mom
had myself, my husband and my daughter for the seder), and asking them
to bring food, they are probably not too stringent about the laws of
kashrut.

I'm still accepting advice. I'll let you know how it goes.

bulka


--

saerah

http://anisaerah.cmayes.net/blog/

email:
anisaerah at s b c global.net

Adam Bowman wrote:
I always wonder when someone brings up a point about Bush, and you
then bring up something that Clinton did, are you saying they are both
wrong? Because that's all it points out to me, places where they both
messed up. It doesn't negate the fact that Bush did wrong; was that
your intention?

That type of argument is like

"Bob shot someone"

"Yeah, but don't you remember when Don hit that guy with a bat?"

sarah bennett wrote:



any grain product is not allowed in its natural state because it could
become leavened. Corn and peanuts (and rice) are not eaten by Jews of
eastern European origin, because the rabbinnical community there decided
that those products could bemade int products resembling leavened grain
products, therefore possibly causing another Jew to think it is ok to
eat actual grain products.

and

eggs are considered neither dairy or meat and can be eaten with both
kinds of meals.

Intuitively, eggs seem more like meat than milk does, yet it's sold in
the dairy section of the supermarket. Yeesh!

Thanks, but, man-o-man! How does anyone keep track of this stuff? I
knew it was complicated, but my head is starting to hurt! Between
kashrut and midrash and probably other things I've never heard of, how
is anyone an observant orthodox, let alone a rabbi, without being driven
completely crazy? Is this grain and peanut thing only for Passover, or
do the serious folks never eat them?

If they are inviting non-jews to . . . bring food, they are probably not too stringent about the laws of
kashrut.

Yes, of course. I'm the only one making anything out of this. I'll be
entertained, challenged for a few days, learn some strange and
interesting things, meet some new people, have a nice meal. And then I
can have a bacon-cheeseburger on Friday (oops, breaking a rule of "my
people"), and only have to worry about how much of it is bioenginered
frankenfood.

bulka

bulka wrote:



Yes, of course. I'm the only one making anything out of this. I'll be
entertained, challenged for a few days, learn some strange and
interesting things, meet some new people, have a nice meal. And then I
can have a bacon-cheeseburger on Friday (oops, breaking a rule of "my
people"), and only have to worry about how much of it is bioenginered
frankenfood.

bulka

If you have not prepared something already, bring some nice, ripe
strawberries, dipped in chocolate, or some dried California apricots,
dipped in chocolate
..
This is always appreciated and you do not have to worry about dietary
laws.

bulka wrote:
sarah bennett wrote:


any grain product is not allowed in its natural state because it could
become leavened. Corn and peanuts (and rice) are not eaten by Jews of
eastern European origin, because the rabbinnical community there decided
that those products could bemade int products resembling leavened grain
products, therefore possibly causing another Jew to think it is ok to
eat actual grain products.


and

eggs are considered neither dairy or meat and can be eaten with both
kinds of meals.


Intuitively, eggs seem more like meat than milk does, yet it's sold in
the dairy section of the supermarket. Yeesh!

Thanks, but, man-o-man! How does anyone keep track of this stuff? I
knew it was complicated, but my head is starting to hurt! Between
kashrut and midrash and probably other things I've never heard of, how
is anyone an observant orthodox, let alone a rabbi, without being driven
completely crazy? Is this grain and peanut thing only for Passover, or
do the serious folks never eat them?

just for passover. You remember all of it because it is drilled into
your head at a young age.



If they are inviting non-jews to . . . bring food, they are probably not too stringent about the laws of
kashrut.


Yes, of course. I'm the only one making anything out of this. I'll be
entertained, challenged for a few days, learn some strange and
interesting things, meet some new people, have a nice meal. And then I
can have a bacon-cheeseburger on Friday (oops, breaking a rule of "my
people"), and only have to worry about how much of it is bioenginered
frankenfood.

bulka

Hehe. Have fun at the seder!

--

saerah

http://anisaerah.cmayes.net/blog/

email:
anisaerah at s b c global.net

Adam Bowman wrote:
I always wonder when someone brings up a point about Bush, and you
then bring up something that Clinton did, are you saying they are both
wrong? Because that's all it points out to me, places where they both
messed up. It doesn't negate the fact that Bush did wrong; was that
your intention?

That type of argument is like

"Bob shot someone"

"Yeah, but don't you remember when Don hit that guy with a bat?"

On Tue, 11 Apr 2006, Sheldon wrote:


bulka wrote:
I'm invited to my first Seder this week.. Any suggestions on what to
bring? I know enough not to make ham and shrimp cheese puffs, but not
much more. I'm looking for somthing traditional, but not so normal and
obvious that everyone else will be bringing the same thing. Any rules
about the wine?

These are a bunch of artists and left of reformed, so I'm not worried
about embarrassing myself, or offending anyone, but it's a tradition and
I want to play by the rules, yet still have fun and maybe show off a
litttle.

We're having lamb and pot-luck sides.

You'd need to bring food or drink that's not only kosher but Kosher for
Pssover. Don't bring any cooked dish.

sheldon's crazy. if you're gonna enjoy cooking to crazy standards -- feel
free. But do ask if they'd be offended by _whatever_ you want to bring.
I'd feel really upset if you went to all the trouble to make a cake for
me (and I don't keep kosher, but i do try to keep to the spirit of the
holiday).

You can bring a box of
chocolates if marked Kosher for Passover or wine the same. It matters
not how orthodox your hosts, no one brings cooked dishes to a seder.

.... I think part fo the reason no one brings cooked dishes (at least in
shelddon's experience) is that the seder starts long after you get there.
thus food gets cold.

lena

On Tue, 11 Apr 2006, Boron Elgar wrote:

On Tue, 11 Apr 2006 16:45:33 -0500, zxcvbob
wrote:

Lena B Katz wrote:


On Tue, 11 Apr 2006, zxcvbob wrote:

bulka wrote:
I'm invited to my first Seder this week.. Any suggestions on what to
bring? I know enough not to make ham and shrimp cheese puffs, but not
much more. I'm looking for somthing traditional, but not so normal and
obvious that everyone else will be bringing the same thing. Any rules
about the wine? These are a bunch of artists and left of reformed, so
I'm not worried
about embarrassing myself, or offending anyone, but it's a tradition and
I want to play by the rules, yet still have fun and maybe show off a
litttle.

We're having lamb and pot-luck sides.

Not completely OT: On Terry Gross's NPR show today I heard a band
called "What I Like About Jew." Their Passover song, "They Tried to
Kill Us; We Survived; Let's Eat." is hilarious.

Bulka


From last week's Washington Post:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/04/AR2006040400430.html


The mousse cake (first recipe in the article) looks pretty good to me.

allow me to suggest _not_ bringing a cake.

For a holiday about "no leavend products", it seems a bit... jarring.

Lena


It's a kosher for Passover (and pareve) recipe. Plus, he said the group
was /very/ "Reformed".

I wouldn't bring anything except maybe wine if they were Orthodox.

that's why i'm saying no cake. I'm reform, and i'd consider it in poor
taste. 'course, i think most of the rules of "kosher for passover" are
just about bribing the rabbi...

Lena

you can't make wine without yeast... maybe this year i'll just use grape
juice (the sparkling kind)

Your average Passover Kugel is made with potatos instead of noodles.
It can be made savory with eggs and no dairly if desired.

bulka wrote:

Thanks to everyone for the conversation, but now I'm more confused.

Babsarooni said no corn, grains or peanuts? Why?

You might want to post this to rec.food.cuisine.jewish

They can explain it all very well over there, and give you appropriate
suggestions as well. They're hard core on knowing their stuff.

On Wed, 12 Apr 2006 09:45:07 -0500, zxcvbob
wrote:

Michael "Dog3" Lonergan wrote:
bulka hitched up their panties and posted
:

I'm invited to my first Seder this week.. Any suggestions on what to
bring? I know enough not to make ham and shrimp cheese puffs, but not
much more. I'm looking for somthing traditional, but not so normal and
obvious that everyone else will be bringing the same thing. Any rules
about the wine?

These are a bunch of artists and left of reformed, so I'm not worried
about embarrassing myself, or offending anyone, but it's a tradition and
I want to play by the rules, yet still have fun and maybe show off a
litttle.

We're having lamb and pot-luck sides.

Not completely OT: On Terry Gross's NPR show today I heard a band
called "What I Like About Jew." Their Passover song, "They Tried to
Kill Us; We Survived; Let's Eat." is hilarious.

Bulka

You don't say if they are Orthodox or not. Anyway, just about any kind of
kugel should do. Just don't put ham in it

Michael



A lot of people have mentioned kugel, but that wouldn't be kosher for
Passover unless it was made with matzoh instead of noodles, would it?
It would be kosher at any time except Passover.

Also, the kugel must not have anything dairy in it because IIRC the
sedar is a meat meat.

Bob


It really goes way beyond that for anyone observant. At Passover, the
traditional rules & regs of kasrut apply, but another set is overlaid
on top of them.

This in only the tip of the iceberg (Goldberg, Iceberg, what the
heck)...

The use of certain grains at Passover varies by Sephardim and
Ashkenazim, with the former allowing "kitniyot," such as rice and
corn, but pretty much all other grains, that is, anything that could
be fermented, are banned by both. Traditions vary a bit within this
around the world.

In addition, care is taken so that Passover foods are prepared and
served with dishes, utensils, pots and pans specially reserved for
Passover and that have never come in contact with those foods
(chametz) prohibited during the eight days. The entire kitchen and
home undergoes a "spring cleaning" that rids the house of anything
that could be considered chametz.

So, asking someone to bring a dish to a seder is quite different for
an observant home and one that is less traditional, not only in food
content, but even in how the dish is to be prepared.

I assume our original inquirer is going to a more casual seder, but
just to be safe, it is best to inquire even of a less traditional
host, exactly which observances he or she wishes to maintain for the
evening.

Those who are very observant will disagree with any bending of the
rules. I do not think the OP needs to worry to that extent.

Passover is also a time of delight for old fashioned Coca Cola lovers
who can get it bottled kosher for Passover and made with sugar, not
corn syrup.

Boron

Margaret Suran wrote:
bulka wrote:

Yes, of course. I'm the only one making anything out of this. I'll be
entertained, challenged for a few days, learn some strange and
interesting things, meet some new people, have a nice meal. And then I
can have a bacon-cheeseburger on Friday (oops, breaking a rule of "my
people"), and only have to worry about how much of it is bioenginered
frankenfood.

bulka

If you have not prepared something already, bring some nice, ripe
strawberries, dipped in chocolate, or some dried California apricots,
dipped in chocolate
.
This is always appreciated and you do not have to worry about dietary
laws.

Yes you do too need to worry... don't bring any food unless it's
packaged and marked "Kosher for Passover". You can bring packaged
chocolate, if it's marked "Kosher for Passover"... no fresh fruit from
the stupidmarket. Being totally ignorant of what these hosts are
about don't presume anything... I'd strongly recommend to bring no
prepared food whatsoever, just avoid the food thing entirely, they may
be very lax or very strict and anywhere between, without knowing it's
wise to not interject ones presumptions. As a guest a personal gift
for the host/hostess is appropriate, not something to serve guests... I
detest when people bring something to serve my guests, especially not a
cooked dish, I don't bring perepared dishes nor do I permit anyone to
bring prepared foods to my home for a formal dinner, I make it a point
to inform guests not to... I won't serve what they bring either (my
menu is planned adn inflexible), and if it's a cooked dish after they
leave it almost always goes into the trash untasted, unless it's like
something baked I can feed to the birds. Bring flowers, liquer, a new
candy dish (empty of course), a nice vase. Even orthodox Jews do not
bring prepared foods to each other's homes, especially not on
Passover... each's concept of kosher is different, each keeps their
kitchen kosher somewhat differently. Orthodox Jews don't ever bring
prepared foods to each other's homes without prior conference unless
commercially prepared and in a sealed package and marked "Kosher" or
"Kosher for Passover" as appropriate. And you'd fare well to eat a
little something before arriving... a Passover seder can take hours
before anyone eats, you can chalesh. As a goy just feel honored you're
invited.

Sheldon

In article , bulka wrote:

sarah bennett wrote:

Thanks, but, man-o-man! How does anyone keep track of this stuff? I
knew it was complicated, but my head is starting to hurt! Between
kashrut and midrash and probably other things I've never heard of, how
is anyone an observant orthodox, let alone a rabbi, without being driven
completely crazy?

What makes you think they're not completely crazy? "-)
I think you 'learn' this stuff by growing up with it -- not,perhaps,
really understanding the rationale behind the rules, but observing the
rules nonetheless. "I can have this, this, not this, this or this, but
not that or that. OK. Fein. Or fine,. "-) For a novice, maybe you
ask smart people whose opinions or references you respect.


Yes, of course. I'm the only one making anything out of this. I'll be
entertained, challenged for a few days, learn some strange and
interesting things, meet some new people, have a nice meal.
bulka

Good for you! Broaden your horizons. Is this your first seder? My son
has attended a Passover seder several times. I'll have to ask him if
he's brought a dish and if so, what it was.

We'll be interested to know what you brought.
--
-Barb
http://jamlady.eboard.com Updated 4-11-06, Church review #12

"If it's not worth doing to excess, it's not worth doing at all."

Melba's Jammin' wrote:
In article , bulka
wrote:


sarah bennett wrote:


Thanks, but, man-o-man! How does anyone keep track of this
stuff? I knew it was complicated, but my head is starting to
hurt! Between kashrut and midrash and probably other things I've
never heard of, how is anyone an observant orthodox, let alone a
rabbi, without being driven completely crazy?


These are topics discussed for centuries and for some, there is no
clear answer. Several years ago I wanted to know whether caraway
seeds are Kosher For Passover. I called the Jewish Theological
Seminary. Nobody there (Orthodox rabbis and rabbinical students) had
a clear cut answer. I received several telephone calls, but the best
they could come up with was not to eat any during the holiday, just to
be sure. I never told them that I am not adhering to any of the
Jewish dietary laws, of course.

What makes you think they're not completely crazy? "-) I think you
'learn' this stuff by growing up with it -- not,perhaps, really
understanding the rationale behind the rules, but observing the
rules nonetheless. "I can have this, this, not this, this or this,
but not that or that. OK. Fein. Or fine,. "-) For a novice,
maybe you ask smart people whose opinions or references you
respect.

Unless you are a fanatic Orthodox Jew, you make your own laws for this
and most other holidays. Even the Orthodox Jews I know, compromise to
a certain degree.

When you prepare your apartment for this holiday and get rid of every
trace of bread and other forbidden foods, you are supposed to take a
long feather and with it clean all otherwise inaccessible nooks,
crannies and corners, lest there is a crumb that was overlooked. I
doubt that most of my Orthodox friends (actually David H is the only
one I have) still do it. Where would they get long feathers?

Yes, of course. I'm the only one making anything out of this.
I'll be entertained, challenged for a few days, learn some
strange and interesting things, meet some new people, have a nice
meal. bulka


How did it go?


Good for you! Broaden your horizons. Is this your first seder? My
son has attended a Passover seder several times. I'll have to ask
him if he's brought a dish and if so, what it was.

It is my guess that he was not asked to bring a dish for the Seder.
First of all, the hosts traditionally do all the cooking or preparing
or buying of the meal. Second, the host would not take a chance that
the dish is not cooked exactly as expected. Perhaps a bowl of cut up
fresh fruit or something on that order would be acceptable, but that
is about all.

We'll be interested to know what you brought.

I am waiting to hear.