Balloons etc.

So, besides being a Rebitzin (rabbi's wife) I'm also a balloon artist. Not a very serious one, mind you, but I've been involved with the latex world for about 10 years. In America, that and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee and that's about it. Here in Israel, its a BIG deal. There are maybe 10 other people who do balloons on any kind of grand scale. (more than doggies and swords) in the WHOLE country. So, last Tuesday I bravely ventured out from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv where I met up with 2 other balloon guys and then drove to a place just outside Netanya. There ended up being 6 of us there, which was great fun. I wondered if it was going to be weird as I am the only one who was even remotely religious, but my fears were unfounded, as we could all relate on the balloon level. We all riffed on the theme of a coral reef, which was one guy's project for a photo shoot the next day. This was the result:

Cool, right? I made some of the coral and some of the bubbles. Seriously, most of the work is by a guy named Ori Livney. Google him, he's got some really cool videos and stuff available on the web, and he does amazing things with balloons. The other people who worked on this are Keren Friedman, Asi Cohen, Mishel Something-or-other, and Ori's SO Michal.






I also had a friend over last week to learn my mad bread-making skillz. She did this with minimal intervention from me:Good job, Nadine! Perfect Challot are the sign of an accomplished Jewish woman!
If you want the best Challah recipe ever, email me and I will send it your way.