Rosewater
Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert Talk Talmud
It was a Jon Stewart/Stephen Colbert lovefest as the comedian promoted his new film, ‘Rosewater.’ And the conversation got pretty Jew-y.
Sorry Jon Stewart, Don't Quit Your Day Job
‘Rosewater’ is a solid movie. There is some fine acting and strong imagery. But Anna Goldenberg writes that the main thing missing from Jon Stewart’s directing debut is, well, Jon Stewart.
The Forward Fall Movie Guide
After comedies and action heroes dominate theaters during the summer, fall is the great comeback season for movies. Here are eight Jewy films to look out for in the coming months.
Jon Stewart Peaces Out
School’s out for Jon Stewart’s summer.
Upside Down Persian Rice Dish Reveals the Story of Purim
Just like the elements of the seder plate or oil fried latkes, most Jewish holiday foods recall the story of the holiday. Purim is no different — we feast on hamantaschen that represent Haman’s hat (or pockets, or ears, depending upon which story you buy). But one of the central themes of Purim, hippuch or sudden reversal, is often left out of our celebratory food for the holiday. By adding dishes that include an element of reversal we can recall the story of the holiday at our own banquet. This year, I will serve Shirin Polo, a traditional Persian rice dish, which is served upside down to tell the Purim story through food.
Persian Halvah
Persian halvah is not like the regular halvah you are used to. The word halvah refers to several dense and sweet desserts made with nuts or flour. In contrast to the more popular Israeli halvah made of sesame paste, in Iran, halvah is flour based with a hint of rose water. I actually think Persian halvah is much better! It has a soft, play-dough consistency that is very agreeable to the palate. The taste is heavenly and very exotic. Persian halvah is intertwined in many areas of the life of Persian Jews. Halvah is the food of choice after fasts and it is also one of the essential foods to be given away on Purim for mishloach manot. It is very easy to make and very easy to eat!