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A Very Jewish Christmas

by Ken Abrahams

Growing up in South Bend Indiana we were one of the very few Jewish families. For the most part my religion didn’t impact my daily life or cause others to pay much attention to the fact that we were “different”. Holidays were the exception to the rule. Often, I had to explain why I wasn’t in school if Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur fell on a weekday. Not sure if it has changed, but back then the schools in South Bend were never closed on the Jewish High Holidays. Of course, Christmas was another time where being Jewish raised lots of questions from my friends and classmates. Some thought it was great that we had 8 nights of presents versus the one day that they got. Little did they realize that our “8 crazy nights” of presents were often things like a Hot Wheels car or a few dollars, it was not the chaotic present opening frenzy of Christmas morning that was the norm at many of our friends’ houses. Yet, I rarely felt cheated because we had our special Christmas traditions. Christmas Eve was often spent watching a classic movie or holiday show on tv. Despite the limited number of channels, no cable, and no streaming services there was always some station playing It’s A Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34 th Street, White Christmas or the original animated How the Grinch Stole Christmas. This was often followed by the family piling into the station wagon and driving around town to see all the trees and lights. Sometimes we would even drive through downtown to look at the decorations on the stores and in the windows. It was a lot of fun.

Christmas day we often went to the movies and then got Chinese takeout for dinner. Yes, some of those stereotypical things that you have read or heard have some truth to them, at least in my family. On occasion, friends would call and invite me over to share in Christmas Dinner or just to see some of the cool new toys they got earlier that day or the night before. Honestly, I never felt cheated. As I got older, some of my friends, who were also Jewish, would continue the tradition of a movie followed by Chinese food or we would all cook a holiday meal for ourselves. Christmas was and still is a nice time to be with family and friends.

Please enjoy this holiday season. Take time to keep your eyes and heart on what is truly important and that is the love and joy of the season and getting to spend time with the people you love. Don’t get me wrong, the gifts are nice but that time and those memories are priceless.

Sam’s Tips for Gingerbread House Decorating

Every year, one of my favorite family traditions is decorating gingerbread houses. Over the years, I have had several family members involved in the process, from siblings and nieces to my son and daughter, it is a great time to share something I love and enjoy with the people I love. We have done it multiple ways, from homemade to store bought, from simple to complex, but no matter which you choose, nothing says Christmas quite like a quintessential gingerbread house. I hope these tips help guide you and that you and your family have the happiest of holidays!

Timing is everything!

One of my rookie mistakes in my early decorating years was rushing the gingerbread house process. Can you make a gingerbread house in one day? Not really. If you want a structurally sound creation, this is a three-day experience. Day one- you bake the gingerbread and let it rest. I personally like to store it in cardboard shirt boxes, especially since I have them handy at Christmastime already. Day two- you build your gingerbread house and let it set overnight. This is very important and if you skip this step, your roof may fall in once you’ve decorated it. Nothing is more disappointing than watching your house collapse once you’ve spent time perfecting it. Day three- now you can decorate. Get creative! Some years I make shingles for my roof or a chimney, some years I make pine trees for the front yard. The possibilities are endless.

Use the right ingredients.

One year I thought that I could make a house using my go-to gingerbread cookie recipe, spoiler alert – I was wrong. It’s always best to use a tried and true gingerbread house recipe like this one here https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/gingerbread-house/ . Chances are your favorite cookie recipe is going to be too soft to build a house out of. You also need to choose the right glue to hold it all together. You can use a “crusting buttercream” like the recipe above, or honestly, I like to use melting chocolate. I don’t have the patience to hold my pieces in place while they dry for very long and the chocolate sets almost instantly.

Have FUN!

The most important thing about making a gingerbread house is to have fun. Have friends and family join you in baking or decorating. Bring your creation to your holiday gatherings. Host a gingerbread house competition. Make a gingerbread replica of Hogwarts. No matter what you decide to do, have fun creating sweet memories.

The Feast of the Seven Fishes

by AC Anders

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is a beloved Italian-American tradition, celebrated on Christmas Eve and deeply rooted in Southern Italian customs. Known as La Vigilia, this meal honors the anticipation of Christmas Day by abstaining from meat, instead focusing on seafood. The feast often includes seven different fish dishes, symbolizing elements of faith, such as the seven sacraments or creation's seven days.

As a child, my memories of this feast are filled with the flavors of shrimp cocktail, fried smelts, oyster stew, salted cod fish cakes, and anchovies with olive oil, garlic, and spaghetti. While my family sometimes left out a few traditional dishes, the celebration was always filled with warmth, connecting us to our heritage and each other.

Italian families continue this tradition, preparing classics like baccalà, calamari, scungilli, mussels, and clams. The beauty of the Feast of the Seven Fishes lies in its adaptability, as each family personalizes the menu while keeping the spirit of tradition alive, making every Christmas Eve a memorable blend of food, family, and faith.

The traditional Feast of the Seven Fishes often includes a variety of seafood dishes, with choices varying by family and region. Here’s a classic lineup of seven fishes that might appear on the table:

1. Baccalà (Salted Cod) – Often served fried or in a tomato-based stew.

2. Calamari (Squid) – Popularly fried or sautéed with garlic and oil.

3. Scungilli (Conch) – Often prepared in a salad or with marinara sauce.

4. Shrimp – Served in scampi, cocktail, or grilled with garlic and herbs.

5. Mussels – Cooked in a white wine or tomato sauce.

6. Clams – Commonly served with pasta or in a clam sauce.

7. Anchovies or Sardines – Grilled, marinated, or part of a salad.

While these seven are traditional, families often add more seafood or adapt the dishes based on personal preference. This flexibility is part of what keeps the Feast of the Seven Fishes a beloved, personalized celebration across generations.

Here are some excellent websites where people can find recipes for the Feast of the Seven Fishes and other Italian holiday dishes:

1.  Eataly - Eataly offers authentic Italian recipes and tips for creating a memorable Feast of the Seven Fishes, including traditional dishes like baccalà and calamari.

2. Italian Food Forever – A great resource for classic Italian recipes, Italian Food Forever includes detailed seafood recipes and guides to traditional holiday dishes.

3. NYT Cooking – New York Times Cooking has a rich selection of seafood recipes that work beautifully for a Feast of the Seven Fishes. They often feature step-by-step guides and tips for making complex dishes more approachable.

4. Delish – Delish offers fun and accessible recipes for classic and modern takes on Italian seafood dishes. Great for anyone looking to put a twist on the tradition.

5. Serious Eats – Known for detailed recipes with in-depth explanations, Serious Eats provides recipes for dishes like clam pasta, fried smelts, and more with tips for achieving perfect textures and flavors.

6. Saveur – Saveur offers recipes inspired by Italian and Italian-American traditions, with options ranging from traditional to inventive takes on each seafood dish.

These sites provide a mix of traditional and creative recipes, making it easy for families to build a memorable menu and enjoy the rich flavors of an Italian Christmas Eve!

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