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Best Ways To Celebrate Rosh Hashanah In OC

rosh hashanah shofar 610
(credit: shutterstock)

Ring in the Jewish New Year by going to temple, making traditional Jewish recipes or commemorating the holiday at Pretend City's Rosh Hashanah Honey Factory. Your mind, soul and belly are sure to be content.

Rosh Hashanah Honey Factory
Pretend City
29 Hubble
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 428-3900
pretendcity.org

If you are looking for a fun way to teach your kiddo about Rosh Hashanah, check out Pretend City's Rosh Hashanah Honey Factory. A major part of Rosh Hashanah is the consumption of sweet foods to mark the hopeful richness of the upcoming year. This special event will teach you how honey is created and explain what makes it kosher. Get your tickets here. While RSVP's are encouraged, the honey factory will accept walk-ins as availability remains. 

Moist Holiday Honey Cake
Recipe by Amybobamy
(allrecipes.com)
  • cooking spray
  • 3 1/2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup canola oil
  • 1 cup honey
  • 1 1/2 cups white sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup strong brewed coffee (decaf is fine)
  • 1/2 cup orange juice
  • 1/4 cup whiskey

Directions:

  1. Place an oven shelf in an upper position in oven, and preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 10-inch fluted tube pan (such as a Bundt® pan) with cooking spray.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together the unbleached flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg until thoroughly combined. In a separate large bowl, whisk together the canola oil, honey, white and brown sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, coffee, orange juice, and whiskey. With an electric mixer, beat the flour mixture into the honey mixture just until the batter is thoroughly incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
  3. Bake on upper shelf in the preheated oven until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the cake comes out with moist crumbs, about 1 hour. Cool for 20 minutes in the pan before turning the cake out onto a serving platter.
  4. Notes: Some people drizzle with white icing and slivered almonds. If baking in a 9x13-inch baking dish, bake for 40 minutes.

Rlated: Best Bakeries In Orange County

Rosh Hashanah Service
Temple Beth Shalom
2625 N. Tustin Ave.
Santa Ana, CA 92705
(714) 628-4600
www.tbsoc.com

Celebrate this holiday with others in the Jewish community at Temple Beth Shalom. In addition to getting spiritually fed, there is a "Mitzvah Meal" at 9 a.m. to fill your tummy. This is the perfect place for the entire family to come and honor the start of the New Year among a close community, enjoying special services and specially-made meals. 

Matzoh Ball Soup
Recipe by Joan Nathan (www.foodnetwork.com)
  • Chicken Soup: 1 (5 or 6 pound) hen
  • 2 large celery stalks with leaves, chopped
  • 2 large carrots, sliced in big chunks
  • 1 onion, quartered
  • 3 sprigs parsley
  • 3 sprigs fresh dill (or 1 teaspoon dried)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste 
  • Matzoh Balls: 4 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 4 tablespoons chicken fat (from the above soup)
  • 1 cup matzoh meal
  • 2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/4 cup hot water
  • 12 cups salted water 

Directions:

  1. Wash the chicken with water and place in pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil over high heat, skimming off bubbling foam as it forms. Add celery, carrots, onion, herbs, salt and pepper and simmer, half-covered at lower heat, for at least 45 minutes, until the chicken seems done. The chicken will come away easily from the bone. Pour soup through strainer to get a clear broth. Let cool. When broth has completely cooled, skim off the fat and save for the matzoh balls.
  2. In a mixing bowl, mix together 4 eggs and 4 tablespoons chicken fat. Stir in the matzoh meal and salt. Add 1/4 hot water. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Form the matzoh dough into balls the size of walnuts. Bring the salted water to a boil. Add the matzoh balls, cover, and cook for 20 minutes (don't even peek!). Bring the chicken broth to a simmer. Remove matzoh balls from hot water with a slotted spoon and add to the simmering chicken broth just a few minutes before serving.
  3. Note: If you are concerned if the oils or other ingredients in these recipes are suitable for Passover, seek non-dairy substitutes or ingredients that are certified kosher for Passover. 
Rosh Hashanah Service
Back Bay Conference Center
3415 Michelson Drive
Irvine, CA 92612
(949) 300-8899
yioc.org/high-holidays

Young Israel of Orange County is hosting a full schedule of Rosh Hashanah activities such as sermons, youth activities and candle lighting. If you haven't practices in a while, or have previously felt underwhelmed by services, Back Bay Conference Center is offering a special "One-Hour High Holidays Learners Service For (Adult) Beginners," led by renowned Rabbi Dov Fischer. The services are open to anyone and everyone who wishes to celebrate the High Holidays, inclusive of people of all ages, background, origin, political affiliation, etc., guaranteeing a true feeling of belonging and community. Check out the event calendar on the website.

Stacy Brecht is a professional writer, publicist, dancer and model in the Los Angeles area. Brecht also enjoys traveling, wine, fitness training, live music, movies and trying new restaurants. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.


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