Gratitude, thank-yous, fasting, thinking shakshuka

I realize that for the first time in a long time, I don’t know what I’m going to write about. Nothing funny happened this week; my husband Jerry didn’t do anything out of the ordinary (rare), he didn’t have any funny fasting stories, I wasn’t annoyed at anything, and I had an uneventful, relaxing weekend.

So let me take this time to thank all of those who follow my column for making the effort to email, text, call or, better yet, stop me in person to let me know that you enjoy reading it. I really get a kick out of people stopping me in stores, the LIRR, shul, and just about anywhere. I tease everyone and tell them that they never know when they will end up in the article.

So thank you Dasi W, who stopped me on the stairs of the LIRR, the Soddens, who talked about my recent article while buying Empire chicken in Costco, Mrs. Gomberg who, I had never met, but while I was standing in back of her in line in Costco, asked if I was related to the woman who wrote the funny column in The Jewish Star. I felt like a celebrity, if only for a moment. I’m appreciative to Alan Kreisler, his mom and sis who are “lansman” from Boro Park and appreciate stories from the old hood. Larry Saks, Barry Weiss, Arthur Karp thank you!

I must also mention the Young Israel of Woodmere “talking sector mates” that Jerry sits with on Shabbos mornings. Many thanks to Sharon and Gideon Bari, and to Mrs. Feit, I want you to know that every time I think I have no more ideas for my weekly column, and I think it might be time to retire, I see your kind faces and hear your words of praise (not sure it’s deserved, but definitely appreciated), and keep on writing.

And, to all my dear friends who end up in the article whether they like it or not, thank you for putting up with me. It’s because of all the wonderful memories I have of all of you that leads me to write about our escapades. Lastly, to my husband Jerry, whom, without, this column would not be as colorful and funny, and, yes, all his adventures are true and, yes, he’s a great sport (and wonderful person inside and out).

So, as usual, I ran my idea by Jerry and he said, “Wait, I have a great story for you, and being it’s Tisha B’Av, it’s perfect.” He was so excited, I couldn’t wait to hear it. After he finished, I told him I wasn’t excited with it. It wasn’t his usual “Jerry” caliber story. He insisted everyone would love it. I wasn’t convinced.

It was Tisha B’Av 1967 in Camp Raleigh. Jerry was 12 and didn’t have to fast, but he and the other boys in his bunk decided to. The incentive was the extra special meal waiting for them after the fast. It was much better than the meal for those who didn’t fast. It started off without a hitch. After eating, the entire camp went down to the lake and heard Eicha amidst huge fires that were set and contained. Jerry thought it was the most exciting night of his life; he loved fires. This was no regular campfire. The next day was a whole other story. He got into trouble first thing in the morning, for daring to lie down on the ground, during the never ending Kinot that went on for hours on the boiling hot tennis court. As the day went on, Jerry was starving. It was hot, and he was bored. By the time 3 pm rolled around, he was dreaming of the wonderful assortment of bear claws as well as other danish delicacies to break a fast for, that his counselor brought from Katz’s bakery the day before on his off day.

Try as he might, those sugary confections and sweet juicy Hawaiian punch drinks, hidden in his cubby, kept dancing in front of him every time he closed his eyes and tried to sleep. Glancing around the room he saw that everyone was asleep.

Slowly he walked to his cubby, and snuck out the box with the “Katz’s” logo on it and the punch. Quickly he ran into the corner of the room hidden by a different cubby from the rest of the bunk, and within minutes devoured every last morsel and drank every drop of his drink. He hid the evidence, got back into bed and felt very ambivalent, as this was the best Tisha B’Av of his life (counting this year).

When it came time to have dinner that night he was right in line with all the others who had fasted. He figured he would never lie again — starting the next day. And as far as I know, I believe that was the last time he lied.

For those of you who didn’t think the story was that funny, don’t blame me. Jerry can be reached via my email, attention to Jerry.

The recipe this week is for Shakshuka, because all our minds are on Israel and that’s what I’m dreaming about eating as soon as I break my fast AFTER T’isha B’Av ends tonight. Thank you Smadar for this yummy recipe.

Shakshuka

Ingredients:

3 teaspoons canola oil

3 cups onions, chopped

3 cups red peppers, diced

1 chopped chili optional

2 cloves garlic minced

2 large tomatoes chopped

1 teaspoon ground cumin

salt and pepper, to taste

1 large can (30oz) tomato puree

8 large eggs

Directions:

SAUCE — Heat oil in large pan over medium heat. Add onions and peppers and sauté 8 minutes. Add jalapeno and garlic, and sauté 1 minute more. Add tomatoes, puree and cumin, and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook for 2 minutes. Uncover and cook until mixture thickens.

ADDING THE EGGS — Reduce the heat and add one egg at a time gingerly as to not break the yolk. Leave equal space between all the eggs. Cover and cook until egg whites are set, or if you like the eggs (like I do) a little runny you can cook it a little less.

judy.soiree@gmail.com