Editor’s Note: Cailin Acosta is visiting relatives in Texas, but through the magic of the Internet she still remains current on San Diego happenings,
EL PASO, Texas – Why do we eat jelly filled donuts on Chanukah? The easy answer has to do with agriculture, food politics and the desire for something sweet.
I read an interesting article from myjewishlearning.com that states the first recipe for jelly donuts was found in a cookbook printed in Nuremberg, Germany in 1485. Adding jam to donuts was taste changing as previously they were filled with mushrooms, cheese or meat.
In the 1500’s, the cost of sugar went down so many Europeans would make donuts for the winter holidays and other special occasions, frying them in schmaltz, goose fat or oil.
In the 1920’s, sufganiyot were specially tied to Chanukah in the Holy Land. This gave jobs to many Jews in the yishuv jobs involving baking, transporting and merchandising.
Here in America, many Chanukah parties include donuts of different kinds. Personally, I have never met a donut I care to indulge in. They just don’t interest me so I pass them by year round. But someone has to like them or they wouldn’t be so popular.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Congregation Beth Am invites the community to attend its “Hanukkah at the Highlands” at 6 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 26 at Del Mar Highlands Town Center (outside of Cinepolis Movie Theatre). The event includes sufganiyot, menorah lighting, other festive treats and singing.
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Tifereth Israel Synagogue announces its “Beit Midrash: A House of Torah Study with Rabbi Hanan Leberman” at 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 26. Leberman says he will dive into Torah study in a safe, non-judgmental environment where all questions are treated with respect. Click here to rsvp and receive location.
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Young Israel San Diego invites the community to attend its “Hannukah Fun” at 8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 28 at the San Diego Community Kollel. The event includes a game night, food and crafts. Attendees are encouraged to bring their favorite game to play. Click here to register.
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Congregation Adat Yeshurun invites the community to attend its Chanukah celebration at 2 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 29. The event includes a petting zoo, bounce house, latke and donut making and a dairy buffet. Click here to register.
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Beth Jacob Congregation invites the community to attend its annual Chanukah dinner at 5:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 29. The event includes a chicken dinner, sufganiyot, dreidel competition, talent show and activities for children. Click here to rsvp.
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CHABAD HAPPENINGS
Downtown: “Shabbat Chanukah Dinner” at 4:45 p.m., Friday, Dec. 27. Click here to rsvp.
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Encinitas, La Costa, Coastal Gan: Chanukah Family Celebration at 4:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 29, at the Forum Carlsbad with latkes, donuts, music, crafts, and giant menorah lighting.
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Poway: Chanukah party at 4:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 29, menorah lighting, moonbounce, doughnut decorating, gelt drop, candle making, and music.
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East County: Jewish Women’s Circle’s “Torah and Tea” at noon, Thursday, Jan. 9. Click here to rsvp.
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AROUND THE COUNTY
San Diego Hebrew Day School’s Student Council took on the challenge of making sufganiyot from scratch and were very successful. Morah Sharon made latkes with each grade and students had the chance to personalize their latkes with their choice of ingredients. Students in kindergarten to 8th grade welcomed grandparents for its annual Generations Day event. Grandparents attended a Chanukah Fair with interactive stations and creative activities.
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Congregation B’nai Tikvah reports congregant Jonah Levy is collecting gently used coats, jackets and hoodies for a community service project with Sharia’s Closet. Bring donated items and Jonah’s family will take the clothing to the location.
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Mordy and Yael Estersohn welcomed the birth of a baby girl, Beth Jacob Congregation reports. Mazel Tov!
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Ohr Shalom Synagogue reports congregant Aviva Wolpoff is collecting baby items and diapers sized 4 and 6 for her community service project with Jewish Family Service’s Diaper Drive.
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OBITUARY NOTICE
Anita Hosenpud died on Saturday, Dec. 21. The funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Thursday, Dec. 26 at El Camino Memorial Park. A meal of consolation will follow at Congregation Beth Israel. Donations in Hosenpud’s memory can be made to Congregation Beth Israel, Social Action Committee.
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Myron Shelley, grandfather of Darren Yehezkel, died. The funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Tuesday, Dec. 24 at El Camino Memorial Park followed by a consolation luncheon at Congregation Beth Israel. Donations in Shelley’s memory can be made to Seacrest Foundation; Congregation Beth Israel reports.
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Cailin Acosta is the assistant editor of the San Diego Jewish World.