I can’t believe we are celebrating Chanukah already. The year has flown by unbelievably fast. The kitchen has had a great variety of activity over the year, offering sumptuous food for all kinds of wonderful celebrations.

 

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our members for choosing the Shaarey Zedek Catering Department for your simcha celebrations. I would also like to personally thank my kitchen staff, and the office staff and clergy for being part of my creative energy and our successes. And a special thank you to Joel Lafond, without whose professional talent, calm demeanor and loyalty, our Catering Department would not be the same. He is an amazing person and a wonderful friend.

 

So in having said all that, I turn toward 2006 with great excitement. It will be a new year with a lot of changes—all positive!

 

There will be a new and improved menu package, which will be available not only in a handy folder, but highlights will be featured on our website, the better to tempt you with, my dears. If you haven’t logged on lately, check it out!

 

Then, there will be changes in the catering process itself. Initially, of course, you and I would meet to discuss ideas and establish the menu. Any contractual changes that could possibly occur after that would be addressed by our accounting department. Joel and Kelly will also be accessible and informed, so they may answer your catering questions on those days when I am not available. We know that this new direction will only help in making us a more powerful and professional team. It would also allow me to be in the kitchen more frequently, and focus on what I think I do best, prepare sumptuous, mouthwatering meals for your events. It would also provide me the time I need to concentrate on recipe development and menu design. Perhaps I might even find time to bake pastry, an area where I feel a bit “iffy”, if you know what I mean. After all, practice makes perfect! Right?

 

2005 was a huge year for our Programming Department. We shared in their successes with first time events such as the Purim Gala, Congregational Shabbat dinners, and the birth of the wonderful Passover Second Seder. An equally successful event was the Shabbat dinner on board the River Rouge as it sailed up and down the Red River. For those of you who didn’t attend any of these events, you might want to reconsider for next year. These programs offer an incredible opportunity for you, your friends and family, to mix and mingle and dine with the congregation and the clergy in a unique and relaxing setting.

 

Getting back to Chanukah for a minute, I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday throughout. This is such a happy time of year. Let us all take the time to think fondly of those less fortunate than we are, and finally, pray for a peaceful New Year.

 

Till next time,

Shelley