The Latke Guys

On Rosh HaShanah 5768, Rabbi Stein made an unusual announcement from the bimah. He wanted 40 men to volunteer to make latkes for the congregation at Chanukah! He conceded that it was a crazy idea; he admitted he didn't know how it would be accomplished; but he wanted to try.

His announcement met with some skepticism, but several months later, more than 40 men and boys met in the Davis Auditorium, donned aprons that said "We Love Latkes," and transformed 300 pounds of potatoes into nearly 2,000 latkes to be frozen and eaten by the congregation over the course of Chanukah, in what has become an annual tradition at Shaaray Tefila.

In the years since, The Latke Guys have added to their culinary repertoire by grilling hamburgers and hot dogs at a number of rooftop barbecues.  If you'd like to join us at a future cooking event, let us know!

Latke Day 2012

On Sunday, December 2, dozens of men and boys (and a few daughters) gathered in the Davis Auditorium to make, from scratch, more than 2,500 latkes. They grated potatoes and onions, mixed in eggs, flour, salt and pepper, and fried the resulting batter in oil on the kitchen stovetop and in electric skillets set up in the Davis.

The smell of frying latkes wafted through the building, a reminder that we'll be eating latkes at our Congregational Chanukah Chappening on Sunday, December 9! The finished latkes were frozen for serving at Temple programs, events and meetings during the eight days of Chanukah. Racks, trays, boxes and liners were graciously provided by Certe NYC.

Matt Haiken, Chief Latke Officer, resting on some of the 2,592 latkes after a job well-done!