Latkes, and candles and Russians - oy vey!
We had a wonderful party on Sunday with 44 attendees, about a third of them attending their first JRCA (Jewish Russian Cultural Alliance) event. Newcomers and old-times had blended very well, finding lots of common ground - historically, conversationally, culturally, gastronomically and beyond.
Thanks to everyone for making it such unprecedented success. It gets better every time and our small community is growing.
Thanks to Nan Roytberg (4th from the left bottom row) for candle and bread blessings.
Thanks to the planning committee! Thanks to the Kharlamov and Lantsberg families for doing most of the set up and break down. Thanks to everyone who helped clean up!
Thanks to everyone who made special cookies, cakes, sauce, salad, or brought bread, candy, candles - whatever you undertook was greatly appreciated by all!
Many requests were received for the "bizet center" cookie recipe. Would the owner please email?
Congratulations to all Latke contest entrants! Simply delicious to the very last bite!
By popular vote (democratic process decided by applause), the contest winner and special prize recipient was Marina Lantsberg. Congrats, Marina!
Special thanks to the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples for welcoming us under their wing!
Happy Birthdays to Yury Kharlamov and Yana Lantsberg!
L'Chaim to everyone and Happy Hanukkah! Happy and healthy 2017!
NB: A hurdle to Sunday event - elevator code - kept an attendee or two stranded, after our usher Alex G. was pulled upstairs after 3:20. Note to the future: please take the responsibility to check the code in advance and/or call anyone already upstairs - we'll be glad to come and get you! Being on time is good, too.
No Russian Jew should be left behind! Let's spread the word and make this group even more successful!
JRCA is open to all Jewish immigrants or seasonal residents of Southwest Florida, whose lives started on any of the former USSR territories. and their families, of course. Others will be considered on an individual case basis, with strong chance of a "yes."
See you in March 2017 at Purim.
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