Normally when we publish our Readers’ Choice edition, wars end, skin conditions clear up and people spontaneously dance in the streets.

This is not one of those years.

The country remains mired in recession. Unemployment is high. Credit is tight. Governments, businesses and average citizens are cutting back. This is no time for unbridled levity.

So, while the Readers’ Choice Awards still celebrate the diversity of the Jewish community and the sumptuousness available in the Bay Area, we have to do our part in these lean times.

In that spirit, j. has made cuts in Readers’ Choice this year. Mind you, nothing that will cause hysteria or gnashing of teeth. But still, belts must be tightened.

For example, we have trimmed down the number of categories. Favorite cosmetic surgeon and favorite religious school? Gone, baby, gone.

We have merged formally separate categories into economical new ones like favorite health club/day spa and favorite bakery/bagels.

But because we look out for our readers, including those stung by the bad economy, we have boldly retained timely categories like favorite financial planner, favorite accountant (for those who have anything left to count) and favorite lawyer (for those who don’t).

As far as other results, voters handed us a few surprises. The new Contemporary Jewish Museum, which opened only last summer, won in the categories of favorite museum, favorite gift shop and — get this! — favorite California cuisine.

Congratulations to the CJM for its all-around awesomeness.

Congrats also to the Kitchen Table, the gourmet kosher restaurant in Mountain View. Though open only a few months, it’s already made a huge impact on the area. Obviously. It won for favorite kosher restaurant in the South Bay/Peninsula, after all.

Also, the Moldaw Family Residences at the soon-to-open Taube Koret Campus for Jewish Life in Palo Alto came in second for favorite Jewish retirement residence in the South Bay/Peninsula. The place hasn’t even opened yet and it still won!

As often happens, we had a few ties this year, including favorite dentists in San Francisco. As a tie-breaker, we propose having Dr. David Rothman and Dr. Jack Sherman engage in a drill-off or rinse-and-spit contest to see who emerges top dog (make that top canine).

Of course, as far as we’re concerned, all our finalists — every JCC, synagogue, Jewish agency, social service provider, summer camp and ketubah maker — are top dogs.

And so are our readers, who never fail to make this annual feature a moment of respite, fun and — dare we say it? — stimulus.

Click on the categories below to see the winners.

 

Jewish Life

Community

Teach the Children

Time to Celebrate

Have a Nosh

Arts & Entertainment

Seniors

Shop ‘til you drop

Business & Finance

Health