High spirits for Pesach
Just in time for Passover, Distillery 209 has launched a kosher-for-Pesach vodka. Arne Hillesland, “ginerator” of the company, explains that the drink is distilled from sugar cane instead of the usual rye, wheat or corn, and has the Orthodox Union seal of approval. The vodka is the second Pesadik spirit from the company. Two years ago it created a gin when the company’s owner, Leslie Rudd of Oakville, complained that he couldn’t get a decent cocktail during the holiday, says Hillesland. The gin (and hopefully vodka, too) is available at Dean & DeLuca in St. Helena, PlumpJack Wines in San Francisco, Royal Liquors in San Jose and Piedmont Grocery in Oakland, among other places.
And in other Passover news … the Mendocino Coast Jewish Community is providing “seder mentors” for community members who want to host a seder but aren’t quite sure how to do it. The group’s newsletter explains, “Your seder mentor won’t plan to attend your seder, but he or she can help you: figure out who to invite, plan a menu, find the right haggadah, plan the ritual itself, learn some songs, make it fun and meaningful for children … Whatever will help you have a great experience.”
Ad men
Bob Hoffman, CEO of the advertising firm Hoffman|Lewis, was named Ad Person of the Year at the S.F. ADDY Awards held earlier this month. In the 1980s, Hoffman volunteered with then–ad guys Ron Berman and Jeff Saperstein to develop a marketing and media affinity group at the S.F.-based Jewish Community Federation. Among other things, the group held a seder at Herb Bass’ One Pass Productions, which they called (ta-dah) … One Passover. “I believe we used Bob’s mother’s matzah ball soup recipe,” recalls Berman.
Imagine making trouble
As Hadassah celebrates its century anniversary, I’m thinking about Anat Hoffman’s dream of hundreds of Hadassah women, wearing tallits and walking from the King David Hotel to the Kotel (Western Wall), where they will read the Torah. Hoffman, who is executive director of the Israel Religious Action Center and co-founder of Women of the Wall, spoke about women’s rights at Congregation Rodef Sholom in San Rafael in February. “Make trouble … Your nuisance value is unexplored,” she urged.
Short shorts
Mazel tov to Andy Altman-Ohr, as of Feb. 1, j.’s new managing editor. Altman-Ohr reports that he was recognized at the Aquarian Minyan Purim party by a green-faced, red-caped frog princess, who told him he usually looks smaller and flatter. Elisheva Hurvich (the princess) was joking about the picture next to a recent column (which she liked, he notes). At the event, Altman-Ohr reports, the Minyan Shpielers presented Occupy Purim, lampooning a new network named Pox News headed by Haman Murdoch … The Jewish community center of Krakow’s new Wellness Center, funded by the Koret Foundation with support from Tad Taube, president, and Jeff Farber, CEO, opened in January. It will offer special fitness classes for seniors, among other activities … Alex Finkelstein, a junior at Oakland Technical High School, was elected Grand Aleph Moreh — international vice president of membership — of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization … Susan Mall of San Francisco writes that she has a “new gig” coordinating the grand opening of the new SFJAZZ building, scheduled to open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day next January.
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