Simhat Torah Activities and Recipes

Activities

Before the holiday make your own Simchat Torah flag. Decorate them with the symbols of the tribes of Israel, cities of Israel, or with an Israeli flag.
Learn the blessings for the Aliyah, for being called to the Torah.
Attend your own synagogue Simchat Torah celebration.

Personal Torah:

glue, 2 empty paper towel rolls, yarn or ribbon black marker, white paper 6”x18” (cut a 12”x18” sheet of paper in half), 2 sheets brown construction paper 9”x12”

Write the word “beresheet” in the middle of the white paper.
Apply glue to one sheet of the brown paper. Roll this around one of the paper towel rolls. Repeat this with the other paper towel roll.
Place glue 6” from either side of the white paper.
Place the covered paper towel rolls on top of the glue. Set this aside to dry.
Roll the paper towel rolls toward the middle at the same time to form a scroll meeting in the center.
Tie with a ribbon or yarn.

Torah Costume:

2 sheets of white paper-12”x18”, one sheet of brown construction paper 12”x18”, 2 strips of construction paper 3”x12” , glue, crayons, paints or markers, scissors, stapler

Decorate the 2 sheets of white paper with Jewish symbols
Cut 8 Torah handles out of brown construction paper
Glue the Torah handles to the back of your decorated white sheets, 2 on the top and 2 on the bottom of each sheet
To put the Torah together, staple one strip of paper to the right shoulder of the Torah and one to the left. Repeat on the other side to make a sandwich board Torah
Slip the costume over your head, so that you have a strap resting on each of your shoulders

Recipes

Stuffed cabbage:

2 lbs. ground beef
3/4 c. cooked rice
1 lg. egg
1 onion, chopped fine
1/2 tsp. salt & pepper
1 large head of cabbage
1 can condensed tomato soup
1 can (14.5 ounces) tomatoes
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Remove leaves from head of cabbage gently, trying to keep whole. Scald these in boiling salt water just long enough to wilt. Take and set these on paper towels to cool. Prepare meat mixture in a large bowl; add rice, onion, egg, salt and pepper; mix well. Place about 1/4 cup meat mixture in center of each leaf; fold in sides and roll ends over meat. Place in Crock Pot. Combine tomato soup, tomatoes, cinnamon, salt, and pepper; pour over cabbage rolls. Cover and cook on low for 7 to 9 hours. Add the excess cabbage, too. These can also be cooked in the oven at 350 degrees for one hour. Serves 6 to 8.

Kasha Kugel – parve:

1 lb. wide noodles
4 eggs
1 cup fine kasha
4 large onions, sliced and sautéed in oil
salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste

Cook noodles and kasha as directed on their packages. Combine both, then add eggs, onions and all seasonings. Pour into a greased 3 quart oblong glass pan and bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes.

Teiglach:

2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 eggs, beaten
1-½ cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup mild-flavored honey
½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon baking powder
Baker's parchment or wax paper
1 cup finely chopped nuts (optional)

Combine oil and beaten eggs. Sift together flour, salt and baking powder. Add flour mixture to egg mixture, beating to form a dough. Knead dough slightly, adding more flour if necessary. Roll dough on a floured surface into a long rope, about ½-inch thick. Cut into ½-inch pieces. Combine honey, sugar and ginger in a heavy saucepan and bring to a rolling boil. Add a batch of dough pieces, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on parchment or wax paper to cool. (The confections will be sticky.) Continue cooking until the dough is used. Roll in the chopped nuts, if using.