Chanukah gives Shaina the opportunity to stop—in the middle of school projects and finals!—and think about tradition, life outside whatever is currently consuming her and, of course, latkes.
Letting Light into Life’s Black Holes

Chanukah gives Shaina the opportunity to stop—in the middle of school projects and finals!—and think about tradition, life outside whatever is currently consuming her and, of course, latkes.
Latkes are my favorite winter tradition. Four years ago, I threw a Chanukah party in India. I grated potatoes with three friends, two knifes and one hand peeler. We poked…
Here’s an alternative to sour cream that will make the vegans in your life happy and serves as a dairy-free latke accompaniment if you’re making meat. The curry is a throwback to…
The high holidays were a quiet time of introspection, but as soon as they were over, Shaina was back to full speed. Now it takes time and effort (and special breakfasts) to slow back down.
One of my favorite breakfasts-in-a-jar is buckwheat porridge. I’ve been playing around with buckwheat a lot. As life seems to get faster and faster, I feel drawn to foods that…
A lot of Americans return from trips to Israel feeling inspired by community, oneness and connection to the land. Shaina, on the other hand, comes back inspired by all the salads.
I think a lot of Americans return from trips to Israel feeling inspired by community, oneness and connection to the land. I always return feeling inspired by vegetables. In the…
Home before flying off to Israel for the summer, Shaina enjoyed plenty of her mom’s blintzes, cookies and cakes, while a trip to the farm with her dad resulted in baby kale for balancing green smoothies.
When I was home, my dad and I went on an outing to the farm. We picked over ten pounds of tender baby kale. The sautés, salads and smoothies were…
Now studying journalism, Shaina reflects on her chosen profession, which is challenging and anxiety inducing, versus cooking, which comes naturally and is completely free of fear.