NJOP launches "Better Than Your Bubby's Chicken Soup Challenge"
New York, NY February 3, 2009 - Start your stovetops! It's the "Better Than Your Bubby's Chicken Soup Challenge" - a search for the best chicken soup recipe in America. The National Jewish Outreach Program (www.njop.org) is looking for both traditional and unusual formulas of this famous elixir. So whether it is your grandmother's famous recipe or your version of chicken soup fusion, NJOP wants to taste your Jewish penicillin. Visit http://betterthanyourbubbys.blogspot.com/ for contest details. Cooks across America are invited to submit their original recipes for a chance to win great prizes including a free trip to Israel, kitchen décor consultation with Art de Triomphe interior design and other great prizes. Five finalists will be selected under the direction of celebrity chef Jeff Nathan, the executive chef of New York-based Abigael's and their soups will be tasted and judged by a prestigious panel of judges.
The contest coincides with NJOP's 13th annual SHABBAT ACROSS AMERICA, which will be held on March 20, 2009. Just as traditional "Jewish" food is a unifying element to Jews of all background, SAA is an unparalleled display of unity as tens of thousands of Jews celebrate Shabbat across the country. The special event is held annually at hundreds of locations across North America and welcomes participants of all denominations.
"In times like these, I think the whole country could use a bowl of chicken soup," said Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, director of NJOP. "The Jewish tradition revolves around family and festivity. Through the Chicken Soup Challenge, we hope to reinforce the notion that Jewish life is fun - and delicious - and that our heritage, like our recipes, can be passed carefully from generation to generation."
In 2004, NJOP conducted its first Chicken Soup Challenge and named NY-based Rosely Himmelstein as winner. Only recipes that can be made in accordance with kosher dietary laws will be eligible. Email entries to contests (at) njop.org or call 1-888-SHABBAT. Deadline for entry is March 2, 2009.
About NJOP The National Jewish Outreach Program was established in 1987 by Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, and has become one of the world's largest and most successful Jewish outreach organizations. NJOP offers free programs at more than 3,670 locations across North America and in 37 countries worldwide. Through programs such as SHABBAT ACROSS AMERICA/ CANADA and READ HEBREW AMERICA /CANADA, NJOP has successfully reached more than 1,054,000* North American Jews, and engaged them in Jewish life. For more information about Shabbat Across America, visit www.njop.org and www.ShabbatAcrossAmerica.2.0.com.
The National Jewish Outreach Program, an Upper West Side-based Modern Orthodox Kiruv organization, has spearheaded an number of innovative projects aimed at reacquainting Jews with their Judaism. These include Shabbat Across America, Passover Across America and Read Hebrew America. While these have gotten the organization some attention, they really hit the jackpot with Better Than Your Bubby’s - The Chicken Soup Challenge. The contest, aimed to coincide with NJOP’s 2009 Shabbat Across America initiative, underscores how Jewish food unites Jews of all denominations. Today the New York Times reported the winner - one Michael Cohen of Los Angeles who won a slew of prizes including a free trip to Israel, with his Israel influenced Elat Chicken Soup. You can get his recipe as well as those of the runners up, at the contest site. You can get more information about the upcoming Shabbat Across America from the project’s page on the NJOP Web site. Other than a free trip to Israel, what more can we expect from Mr. Cohen?
The announcement was made by phone to Mr. Cohen, 31, who lives in Hollywood and writes music for film, television and video games. He said he started cooking a lot when he got his own place a few years ago, and had entered a number of recipe contests. The chicken soup was an Israeli-inspired recipe that he had created himself.
“Is he single?” a woman in the audience asked when his bio was read.
“I am,” Mr. Cohen replied on the telephone.
“Tell him one of the prizes is being set up,” the woman said.
Another Jewish tradition, which also evolves while staying the same.
Aw yeah. No one does Jewish like the New York Times does Jewish. What? You wanted a post about Bernie Madoff going to jail? Sorry. Jewish penicillin trumps massive fraud every time!
