Blog

The origins of Provencal TableclothsWhat we today regard as Provencal table cloths and fabrics have their origin not in France but rather in India. The colorful prints originated from East India in the 16th century. Jean-Baptiste Colbert (Minster of Finance under King Louis XIV) allowed free access into the Port of Marseille, and trade activity increased as imported goods arrive from the Indies. Among them, cotton fabrics with bright floral patterns with colorfast dyes. These so-called “I …

Purim customs from around the world in days gone by.GermanyOn Purim eve, torches containing gunpowder would be ignited. During the Megillah reading, the gunpowder exploded with a deafening noise. They also prepared doll-shaped cakes, called “Haman”. The children would cut off the doll’s head and eat it with great glee.ItalyThe youngsters would divide into two camps and throw nuts at each other. They also placed an effigy of Haman in a high place, and encircled it, to the sound of trumpets.F …

On Seder night, the Haggadah sets the order or Seder of the evening, but foods and traditions vary enormously among different communities. Ashkenazim can’t imagine a seder plate without horseradish, while many Sephardic families use romaine lettuce for maror and celery leaves for karpas. Naturally, foods were often influenced by what was available locally and by regional culinary traditions.My Sephardic mother cooked the eggs for the seder plate in onions skins and added a dash of coffee. …

Tradition has it that you start cleaning for Pesach from after Purim. I start preparing for Pesach from after Rosh Hashana. My early orders for Pesach usually come in the midst of Hanukah.To be inspired I usually go to old Manuscripts of Hagadot for Passover. In the days of travel I went to Sarajevo with Jewish Historical Seminars and viewed the magnificent Sarajevo Hagadah. We had the great fortune of having as scholar in residence Professor Shalom Sabar, who wrote a scholarly …

I love giving gifts. I love making gifts. But most of all, I love giving the gifts I make.I have often wondered why it gives me such pleasure, and what’s the point of a gift?On certain occasions, like birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and brits, it’s customary and expected to present a gift. Underlying the custom is a purpose: an expression of appreciation or love. We give someone a gift to show that we value the role they play in our lives.When it comes to the gifts they give and get, me …