Jane’s Kitchen: Solar Eclipse Quesadillas

8 12-inch tortillas  1 16-ounce can refried beans (Rosarita)  1 tablespoon taco seasoning mix  12 ounces Mexican cheese blend, shredded  Salsa and sour cream to serve    Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Mash beans with taco seasoning. Build quesadillas by covering two-thirds of a tortilla with cheese and spreading the bean mixture in the […]

Jane’s Kitchen: Golden Sunshine Quinoa Salad

By Ingrid Hoffman   2 cups quinoa, pre-washed if possible  2 1/2 cups broth (vegetable or chicken)  16 scallions, white and light green parts only, sliced  1 cup golden raisins, chopped  1/2 cup rice vinegar  1/2 cup orange juice  1 teaspoon orange zest  2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil  1/4 teaspoon cumin powder  1 cucumber, […]

A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: TZAV (LEVITICUS 6:1-8:36)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant The primary theme of last week’s Torah parsha, Vayikra, pertained to the five diverse sacrifices which the Israelites presented at the Sanctuary. On the surface, this week’s parsha, Tzav, appears to be merely an extension of Vayikra, differentiated solely by the focus shifting to the kohanim, who were the […]

A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: VAYIKRA (LEVITICUS 1:1-5:26)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant   This week’s Torah parsha, Vayikra, is the first in the Book of Leviticus, known formally as ‘Torat Kohanim’ (Instructions for the Priests) (1). The title, Vayikra, defines the entire Book of Leviticus: “and He called”. We have just completed reading the thrilling and dramatic story of the Book […]

A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: PEKUDEI (EXODUS 38:21-40-38)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant   Pekudei is the last chapter in the Book of Exodus. For the fourth time, as in parshiot Tetzaveh, Terumah and Vayakhel, we again read a tedious repetition of the inventory of all the equipment used in the building and decorating of the Sanctuary: “These are the records of […]

A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: VAYAKHEL-PEKUDEI (EXODUS 35:1 – 38:20)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant   This week, we read two parshiot: Vayakhel followed by Pekudei. Each of these parshiot are replete with contradictions and multiple interpretations.  The first enigma is the question of why they exist at all. In the Torah parshiot Terumah and Tetzaveh, we read descriptions of every one of the […]

A ‘Bissel’ of Torah: KI TISA (EXODUS 30:11-34:35)

By Joy Scott, Am Haskalah Congregant   This week’s Torah parsha, Ki Tisa, begins on Mount Sinai, where God is relating to Moses some rather benign instructions pertaining to the final particulars to complete the Holy Sanctuary. It is expected that Moses will remain at the top of the mountain for another forty days. Here, […]