DEAR FRIENDS,
March, 2026 | Passover Edition
It’s Springtime! But instead of birdies singing we got missiles singing. I guess most of us are used to this sort of thing. We have to keep trying to have a positive lookout. With the help of He/She above we will get through these troubles as we have done before.
So to kick off this newsletter I have a really simple recipe for Passover cookies. They are easy to prepare. That’s the good part. The bad part is that you use only the whites of eggs, leaving you with the yolks. This happens every Passover. Last year I saved up the yolks and after the holiday I looked in Google for something to make using the yolks. I found something, but it isn’t for Passover. If any of you find a Passover recipe using up the yolks I’ll be happy to hear from you.
So here it is:
You’ll need 4 egg whites, ¾ cup sugar (135 grams – a little less is also fine), 2 teaspoons almond extract, 3 cups almond flour (300 grams), 2 cups of sliced almonds and ½ cup melted chocolate chips (optional). All these ingredients are found in any supermarket.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Whisk the egg whites till stiff and add the sugar until foamy. Add the almond extract and keep whisking. Fold in the flour. If the mixture is runny add more flour.
Now scoop it up (if you have a scoop) or roll into small balls. Press down into the sliced almonds coating both sides. Sounds good already, no? Bake on baking paper a little apart for 20-22 minutes until the bottoms are golden.
Here’s the optional part. If you love chocolate (and most of us do) melt ½ cup or so of chocolate chips in the microwave and drizzle over half of the cookies (leaving the rest without chocolate for the rare person who doesn’t like chocolate or who may be alergic). You don’t need a fancy do-dad to do this. Put the chocolate into a Ziplock bag, cut off one corner and squeeze.
Store the cookies in an air-tight container, assuming there are any left after they cool off.
Enjoy.
Until further notice we are NOT meeting on Fridays at Bleecker.
You will get a letter to give you the good news that we are meeting there again.
For the meanwhile:
Don't forget! In times of stress:
Call the Moked Ironi 106 from a landline or *10681 from a cellphone to report a problem or to get help with one. Someone will take your information and help you. There are various organizations that have phone lines to help you in stress. USE THEM!
Emergency Numbers
Citizens Rights in an emergency situation (Hebrew)
https://www.kolzchut.org.il/he/ (need to google translate if you do not know Hebrew)
Israel Home Front Command (Pikud HaOref) Phone: 104
This is the official address for Israeli citizens during these times:
https://www.oref.org.il/en
Israel Police / Phone: 100
https://www.gov.il/en/departments/israel_police/govil-landing-page
MADA – Ambulance / Phone: 101
https://www.mdais.org/en
National Fire and Rescue Authority / Phone: 1299
https://www.gov.il/en/departments/firefighting_and_rescue_israel/govil-landing-page
Emotional Support
Association of the Deaf in Israel
Contact: +972 52-6033505 / Website:
https://www.deaf-israel.org.il/contact-us
Al-Anon Israel serves friends and family of alcoholics
https://www.al-anon-israel.org/
Crises Intake for U.S. Citizens in Israel
https://cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake
Eran Hotline
Sponsored by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration to provide emotional support, is open for immigrants to Israel in English, Russian, Amharic, French and Spanish between the hours of 4pm and 9pm at *3201. Website:
https://www.eran.org.il/helpline-for-olim-eng/
Ezer Mitzion
- psychological support: 1800808100
- special for people 60+: 1800802030 (between 8am and 8pm)
- want to volunteer?: 0732477777
- need medical equipment?: 036144500
- Bayt Cham: *9518
- Special professional hotline, for free, for boys, for girls, in English also: *8147, 24/7 *for more
- info: m1599503232@gmail.com
Get Help Israel
https://gethelpisrael.com/
Help Line for Holocaust Survivors
https://www.k-shoa.org/index.php?language=eng
Number to call is *5105 or 03 5682651
Kav LaOved – Workers Hotline
Foreign aid workers are able to check regulations via this link:
https://www.kavlaoved.org.il/en/
Leket food Bank in Israel
https://www.leket.org/en/volunteers/
Mashaabim Center
Parenting and family in an emergency:
https://hoseneastgalil.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Parenting-and-family-in-an-emergency.pdf
Health Funds
Meuhedet *3833 – 3 for English
Maccabi *3555 – 4 for English
Leumit *507 – 4 for English
Clalit *2700 – 4 for English
English News Resources:
i24News: https://www.i24news.tv/en/
Ynet: https://www.ynetnews.com/
Israel National News:https://www.israelnationalnews.com/
The Jerusalem Post: http://www.jpost.com
Ha’Haretz: http://www.haaretz.co.il
The Times of Israel: https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Arutz Sheva: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/
Other Helpful Resources:
Libby – Israel Digital Library
LIBBY for the Southern Evacuees Click here
Behavioral guidelines while driving a vehicle during sirens
https://www.oref.org.il/12487-16149-en/Pakar.aspx
Choosing a Protected Space – Pikud HaOref
https://www.oref.org.il/12487-15895-en/Pakar.aspx
How to explain the war to our children: A guide for parents
https://www.oref.org.il/12487-15895-en/Pakar.aspx
The Silent Radio Broadcast Stations Activated During Shabbat
https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/12102023_2
Foreign Embassies in Israel
Give A Kid A Break Fund
The school year is upon us once more. Well, it’s not upon us exactly but it’s upon all those kids
IMPORTANT!
In times of stress: Call the Moked Ironi 106 from a landline or *10681 from a cellphone to report a
