Teams to compete to make the best latke
Robyn Finberg
Lauren Rabin
Five teams will face off in front of a sold-out crowd on Dec. 14 to see whose latke reigns supreme. The teams will also make their own vodka cocktails and will present their offerings to three judges and 100 audience taste-testers. Their creations will be judged on taste, presentation, originality and pairing. The Latke-Vodka Hanukkah Cook-Off is presented by the JCC’s Adults at the J and the Jewish Federation’s Young Adult Division and sponsored by Whole Foods Market and 100.7 WLEV. “Potatoes are such a blank canvas and leave a lot of room for creativity,” said Amy Sams, adult programs coordinator at the J. “We can’t wait to see what the teams come up with.” This event is sold out, but to be placed on the waiting list, stop by the JCC Welcome Desk, call 610-4353571 or visit www.lvjcc.org.
Terrence Baker
MEET THE TEAMS TEAM: 50 SHADES OF LATKE Captain: Robyn Finberg
Robyn learned the basics of Jewish cooking at an early age. She is known to push the limits in cooking and feed many hungry people at her dinner parties. Everything she makes is a work of art. She is thankful to her teammates, Jessica Volchko, Nick Volchko, Brian Ford and Adam Smartschan for teaching her some important life lessons: 5-inch heels and good vodka can conquer the world, spice and the perfect boots are all you need, and you can always make something no matter what is in the pantry.
TEAM: A BAD MOMS HANUKKAH Captain: Lauren Rabin
Lauren leads her team with a spatula in one hand and a potato grater in the other. She is always looking for ways to spice up her latke recipes. She is thankful for this opportunity to bring her sassy cooking style to the Lehigh Valley. With her teammates Beth Kushnick,
Rachel Levin
Chelsea Busch
Ilene Ringold, Debi Wiener and Kira Bub by her side, these bad moms are ready to tempt your taste buds with a latke and vodka duo you won't forget. Join them for an unforgettable evening of friends, fun and a little fire!
TEAM: JBA (JEWS BY ASSOCIATION) Captain: Terrence Baker
Terrence was born in Youngstown, Ohio, where from a very young age, he suffered as a Browns fan. To work out his frustrations, Terrence's mom showed him how to transform simple potatoes into french fries and other delicacies. Following a culinary trip around the world, and several years of free Jewish food at the JCC, Terrence stumbled upon the perfect latke recipe. Terrence and his "Jews by association" teammates, Sara Ritter, Holly Hebron, Stephanie Bennett and Rebecca Wagner, are up to the challenge of putting their own spin on this time-honored tradition.
TEAM: L’SHANA VODKA Captain: Rachel Levin
Rachel received her degree in latkes from Bubbie University and graduated
with a double cheek pinch and a kiss on the forehead, the highest honor you can receive at Bubbie's. Following several years as a latke cook in top kitchens of Albright and NYC, Rachel can’t wait to share her talent with the world and with her team, Abby Feinberg, Adrian Shanker, Mike Smith and Cori Rubel.
TEAM: THE COUCH POTATOES Captain: Chelsea Busch
Chelsea first started cooking in high school after she was inspired by the hours she spent watching the Food Network after school. She likes to choose a recipe for inspiration, look at it, and throw in a little of this and a little of that to make it her own. Chelsea particularly likes sharing recipes among her brothers and finding and creating new twists on old classics, sometimes making them a little healthier, sometimes making them a little yummier. Every holiday is an opportunity to try a new recipe, but Chelsea knows it's always good to have a few tried and true recipes in her back pocket, especially for classics like the latke. She is excited to collaborate with her teammates Dan Friedman, Daniela Viale, Maureen Falcone and Katie Flatley.
Dr. Jeffrey Jahre Has Spent His Career on the Leading Edge Jeffrey Jahre, MD, decided to become a doctor when he was in high school in Brooklyn. The primary catalyst for this choice was his parents. “My father had to leave school when he was 12 and he always regretted that he was unable to have an education, and my mother became a teacher later in life,” says Dr. Jahre, St. Luke’s University Health Network’s (SLUHN’s) Senior Vice President of Medical and Academic Affairs and Emeritus Section Chief of Infectious Disease. “Both encouraged me to get as much education as I could.” Not only did Dr. Jahre honor his parent’s wishes, he did so at an accelerated pace, graduating from both high school and college in less than four years apiece. His hunger for learning and the extreme value he places on education has persisted ever since. Now, as he approaches 50 years as a doctor, Dr. Jahre reflects on a career during which he treated emerging diseases such as HIV, Ebola virus, Zika virus, Lyme disease and others. To enhance healthcare in our community, Dr. Jahre established the region’s first travel immunization clinic where people traveling out of the country can receive vaccines and guidance. He’s also been instrumental in growing the St. Luke’s infectious disease team to what will soon be six doctors, each with an area of expertise.
www.sluhn.org • 1-866-STLUKES
14 DECEMBER 2017 | HAKOL LEHIGH VALLEY
In addition, Dr. Jahre is helping to educate the next generation of medical professionals. St. Luke’s trains residents in 22 postgraduate areas as well as being a clinical campus for the Temple/St. Luke’s Medical School, with plans to expand its scope of offerings. Dr. Jahre says that being a part of SLUHN’s tremendous growth as a care provider and a teaching hospital has been the most rewarding aspect of his career. “St. Luke’s has gone from what was a good, solitary community hospital to a leading regional and national institution,” he says. “We are a network of seven hospitals that may soon be 10, in two states with a national reputation as a four-star hospital and a five-time winner of the Truven Award. And still, our top jobs remain what they’ve always been — providing outstanding patient care and education.”
Jeffrey Jahre, MD Dr. Jahre is St. Luke’s University Health Network’s Senior Vice President of Medical and Academic Affairs and Emeritus Section Chief of Infectious Disease. Following his graduation from Chicago Medical School, University of Health Sciences, he completed an internship and residency at Saint Vincent’s Hospital and Medical Center of N.Y.C. and a fellowship at the New York Columbia-Presbyterian University Medical Center. To contact St. Luke’s Infectious Disease Group or to make an appointment, call 484-526-6200. To contact the Travel Clinic or to make an appointment, call 484-526-6451.
Jeffrey Jahre, MD