ONS4 is "culture and cuisine" today, a Friday, so I started planning this morning for a photo of the bread, wine, and candles -- present at any traditional Friday night (Jewish) Sabbath dinner. I knew the wine would be easy and I had one pair of color Sabbath candles left from a box I’d bought online because they went with the candlesticks my close friend had given me when we traveled together in Israel. I hadn't made challah in years, so worked at home for the day so I’d be around for the different steps. I couldn’t help but compare my little ‘adventure’ with making bread -- starting in a bread machine, and between risings, working on a PowerPoint, making photocopies, having a student meet me at home instead of my office, phone calls – with my grandmother’s. She would have actually prepared for the Sabbath, not a photo op. She would have been getting a traditional dinner together as a widow at the age of 44, with 9 children from ages 4 (my mom) to 23. She wouldn’t have her partner grilling pork chops (she would have kept kosher). What a difference two generations make!
Wow. First, it's a great photo, I love the balance in it, between the tall bright candlesticks and the shorter, darker wine glass and carafe. Second, I love your musings comparing your preparations for a special photo-op thing with it being what your grandmother would have done every single Friday.
My grandmother made a bread that's a bit like challah, and made it for everyone's birthday and every family party. (With no electrical appliances). I can hardly manage to make a batch every two years.
It's a beautiful Sabbath shot! We were part of a congregation that celebrated the Sabbath together for a long time and one of the ladies made the best challah! The beauty of any tradition is that it can be both enduring and adapted to each generation. You may not have a completely kosher Sabbath, but I think your grandmother would be pleased to know that you're celebrating it! Once again- a beautifully composed and taken picture!
@anwan Thanks Annette. It was one of the few times I've thought of a shot to take and then planned it and made it happen. So, it did strike me as soooo different than really planning for a family dinner. And the next best thing is challah French toast for breakfast on Sunday!
@danielwsc@kerristephens@michaelelliott Thanks Daniel, Kerri, and Michael! I was hoping the mood would be inviting. Daniel, the bread -- if I do say so myself -- was quite tasty! Thanks so much for faving the photo!
What a beautiful photo! I love it - and I love how much forethought went into producing it. And I love your memories of your grandmother. She must have been quite a woman. A fav for sure.
@barbsmith Thanks Barb! There are so many stories my mom has told me of her -- I only knew her as an older woman, and one of my strongest memories is when we visited, she always made us little bite-sized chocolate chip cookies. A major addiction of mine til today!
Your story is reflective in a way that captures the essence of "culture and cuisine" so perfectly. I like how generations keep yet adapt both culture and cuisine. Lovely photo, and indeed, very inviting.
April 1st, 2013
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My grandmother made a bread that's a bit like challah, and made it for everyone's birthday and every family party. (With no electrical appliances). I can hardly manage to make a batch every two years.