The first bite of challah on Shabbat is like nothing else. The conversation starts. Where is it from? Did you make it yourself? What recipe do you use? And so the story begins. Rivy Poupko Kletenik and daughter Gilah will teach us the story of challah and how to make, knead, separate, braid, bake and bless. We'll also learn how to make a shlissel challah, the challah that is made in the shape of a key for the first Shabbat after Pesach. And Gilah will make her spelt challah for the dietary and health conscious. Recipes Included.

Space is limited. Register by email or call Lori Weinberg Ceyhun 206–774–2277 to reserve your spot.

In one night Mark Solomon, an experienced instructor and ardent home cheesemaker, will teach us how to make easy soft kosher cheeses at home, including fresh mozzarella, cream cheese, chevre and ricotta. We’ll also taste the cheeses we make and learn about books, online resources, and how to troubleshoot our mistakes.

Space is limited. Register by email or call Lori Weinberg Ceyhun 206–774–2277 to reserve your spot.

Seattle's Sephardic population is the third largest in the country. Sephardic food is Mediterranean – full of flavor, simple, pure, fresh, scrumptious. We are blessed with so much expertise in our community. Katherine Scharhon will be our teacher and guide as we learn to make (and eat) borekas, those divine filled pies and biscochos, the lovely simple cookies that can be sweet or savory and shaped for a variety of occasions. Recipes included.

Space is limited. Register by email or call Lori Weinberg Ceyhun 206–774–2277 to reserve your spot.

The Great Kugel Throwdown
Co-Sponsored by Hillel's JConnect
Date: Thursday, May 26th
Where: UW Hillel • 17th Avenue Northeast • Seattle, WA 98118
Time: 7:00 pm
Cost: $8 members / $10 nonmembers

Bobby Flay might not show up, but there will be surprise judges to consider kugels of every type - sweet, savory, noodle, potato, lokshen and matzah, traditional and innovative. Everyone will taste, vote and take home a packet of recipes.

Space is limited. Register by email or call Lori Weinberg Ceyhun 206–774–2277 to reserve your spot.

The traditional stew made for the Shabbat midday meal is so much more than a stew. Heinrich Heine wrote that:

"Cholent is the food of Heaven,
And the recipe was given
By the Lord himself to Moses
One fine day upon Mount Sinai."

Come and learn, taste, and choose your favorite. We'll make cholent that is traditional, Sephardic, vegetarian, nouveau. And, of course, you'll take home recipes.

Space is limited. Register by email or call Lori Weinberg Ceyhun 206–774–2277 to reserve your spot.

Dorothy Becker and her family make their fish together. They have it down to a science.

Did you never have the opportunity to learn how to make gefilte fish? Dorothy and her daughter Arlene Azose are experts. Come and learn. Step by step. From the first step when Dorothy brings up her large pot and the scarf that protects her hair from the fishy smell, to the taste of the soft, flavorful fish ball that is made with salmon from northwest waters. You'll go home with a packet of fish recipes – gefilte, sweet and sour, pickled and a layered fish terrine.

Space is limited. Register by email or call Lori Weinberg Ceyhun 206–774–2277 to reserve your spot.

Community Celebrates: Yesterday's Mavens, Today's Foodies: Traditions in Northwest Jewish Kitchens, our very own Washington State Jewish Historical Cookbook. We will celebrate together with tastings and a special surprise presentation as well as a sampling of our prized and award–winning recent exhibits, including some of the storyboards from Who's Minding the Store? Celebrating 150 Years of Jewish Business and Commerce.

Tickets for this event on sale in September. This event will sell out. First come first served.

Special Sponsorships available for inclusion in Historical Cookbook. To learn more about sponsorship opportunities, email Lisa Kranseler, Executive Director or call office at 206–774–2277.

JGSWS presents Genetics, Jewish History, and the DNA Shoah Project
Date: Monday, April 11th
Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM, Presentation starts promptly at 7:30 PM
Cost: Free admission for JGSWS members, $5.00 for non-members.
Where: Stroum JCC • 3801 East Mercer Way • Mercer Island

• The JGSWS library will be available
• WiFi will be available (bring your laptops)

Matthew Kaplan will present research findings from studies of Jewish genetics and Jewish population history. He'll start with a short review of some basic principles of human genetics and the biology behind DNA testing. He'll also talk about the DNA Shoah Project, a unique humanitarian effort to reunite survivors of the Holocaust. Following the lecture there will be time for questions. Volunteers will be on hand to assist those interested in contributing their DNA (free) to the DNA Shoah Project.

For more information visit: www.jgsws.org