Remembering Ofra Haza on what would have been her 63rd birthday

Ofra Haza was an international Israeli singer whose voice dazzled audiences for decades. Her music would be known as World pop, ethnic electronics synthpop as well as a mixture of traditional and commercial styles of her Yemeni heritage. She became known as the Madonna of the East. I was first introduced to her in the 1998 film The Prince of Egypt as the singing voice for Jochebed, Moses’ mother. I was reintroduced to her recently as I did a study on Jochebed and discovered her other music. Sadly, she died in 2000. Today would have been her 63^rd birthday. I would like to introduce everyone to Ofra Haza. She may be done but she left behind such a beautiful success story and amazing music for us to remember her.

Born Bat-Sheva Ofra Haza on November 19, 1957 in Hatikva, Tel Aviv, Israel. She was the youngest of nine children to Yefet and Shoshana Haza, Mizrahi Jewish parents who had immigrated from Yemen. At the age of 12, Ofra joined a local theater troupe, and manager Bezalel Aloni noticed her singing talent and featured her in many of his productions. Aloni would become her mentor and manager as her singing career progressed. At 19, she would be Israel’s foremost popstar. After her first album, Al Ahavot Shelanu (About Our Loves) was released in 1980, it produced a string of radio hits. She would be named Female Vocalist of the Year by Kol Israel Radio for four years straight, 1980-1983. In 1983, she released Shirey Moledet, her renditions of Israeli folk songs which went platinum and produced two volumes in 1985 and 1987. She was so popular that she was asked by Michael Jackson to do a joint international concert tour in 1990, which she turned down (Shahar). In 1997, she married Doron Ashkenazi.

Her career would include many collaborations and performances. She would provide vocals for Sarah Brightman’s Harem (2003) on the song, “Mysterious Days.” She did duets with Paul Anka, Cliff Richards, and Iggy Pop (Shahar). She sang on various movie soundtracks including Colors (1998), Dick Tracy (1990), Queen Margot (1994) and The Prince of Egypt (1998). The animators for The Prince of Egypt were so moved by her beauty that they used her image for Jochebed. She would also sing “Deliver Us” in each language the movie was translated in, 18 in all. Ofra would also do a series of covers from Carol King and James Taylor’s “You’ve Got a Friend,” to Madonna’s “Open Your Heart.” One of my favorite covers by Ofra is Led Zeppelin’s “Kashmir.” She did two versions. One was upbeat and sounds similar to Zeppelin’s version and a second version which is slow and very haunting (which is my favorite of the two versions).

Ofra Haza died on February 23, 2000 at the age of 42 from AIDS related pneumonia. Her death was controversial in Israel despite her HIV positive status was generally known. Many people would blame her husband, Doron, for giving her HIV. However, she got HIV from a blood transfusion in a Turkish hospital following treatment from a miscarriage (Paphides, 2010). When her death ws announced, Israeli radio played her music nonstop while then-Prime Minister Ehud Barak praised her as a cultural emissary and an Israeli success story. He would say that she “emerged from the Hatikavh slums to reach the peak of Israeli culture. She has left a mark on us all” A park in the Hatikva Quarter was renamed in her honor. Her death from AIDS related causes added another layer of mourning for her fans and the people of Israel as “She was a beautiful crystal ball that suddenly shattered without anyone knowing it was cracked” (Shalev, 2020).

In conclusion, Ofra Haza was a rare beauty and talent who left an undeniable mark in Israel and on me. She is a success story that one can rise above their beginnings and leave their mark on the world they leave behind. It saddens me that I didn’t know her and her music during her lifetime. However, I love that I can enjoy the music she left behind. One of my favorite songs is Yershalayim Shel Zahav (“Jerusalem in Gold”) which she sang at the officially ceremony marking Israel’s 50^th anniversary. I have posted the link to her performance above. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

                                                                    References

Paphides, Peter (December 9, 2010). Ofra Haza: Madonna of the dark soul. The Guardian. www.theguardian.com/music/2010/dec/09/ofra-haza-madonna-of-the-dark-soul. Retrieved November 18, 2020.

Shahar, Nathan (no date). Ofra Haza. My Jewish Learning. www.myjewishlearning.com/article/ofra-haza/. Retrieved November 18, 2020.

Shalev, Ben (February 27, 2020). Looking Back at Ofra Haza's Transformation, 20 Years After the Death of Israel's Iconic Singer. Haaretz. www.haaretz.com/life/.premium.MAGAZINE-20-years-to-iconic-singer-s-death-looking-back-at-ofra-haza-s-transformation-1.8590931. Retrieved November 18, 2020.

Remembering Grandma Ruby on her birthday

Today is June 1^st and it holds a special place in my heart. Today is my Cousin Jody’s 19^th birthday (Happy Birthday, Jody!). Today also would have been my Grandma Ruby’s 94^th birthday. My grandma has been on my mind lately. Since her death in 2005, I’ve learned that I wished I knew her better, talked to her more. I’ve have so many questions now. One of my most treasured items from my grandma was actually mine to begin with. It’s only a few inches tall, plush and insignificant to someone else. But to me, it is most precious and here’s why.

This item is a tiny plush Eeyore with magnetic hands which allows it to be wrapped around something. My favorite Winnie-the-Pooh character has been Eeyore since high school. I’m not sure why. I suppose because Eeyore is a gloomy character and I can relate to that. Even though I am generally a positive person, I sometimes feel as if I am insignificant in the grand schemes of this big wide world. I bought this particular Eeyore at Disneyland many, many years ago. I placed it around the gearshift of my 1987 Toyota Camry. And there it stayed for many months until one day it was gone. I couldn’t figure out how I lost it but it was gone. I thought about getting a new one but never got around to getting one. It wasn’t until after my grandma’s passing, as the family was cleaning out her dresser drawers, was it found.

Something you need to know about my grandma. She was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It was very hard to see this beautiful woman, who cared deeply for her children and grandchildren, slowly forget who she was or where she was. Sometimes I could see the recognition in her eyes, even though I knew she could not remember my name. Eventually it came to a point she was not safe home alone and my aunt was able to find a Senior Day Care she could attend during the day. I would often pick her up and bring her home. As I can figure, one day when I brought her home, she reached over and took the Eeyore as I moved to her side of the car to help her out. Why would she take it? Did she like it? Did she see it and think of me? Maybe she took it without really any thought.

I wish Grandma Ruby can see me now. Happily married to a wonderful husband and father. Mother to an amazing little girl who I marvel at every day. I wish she was there when I lost my daughter, Ziva. I wish I could have asked her how she moved on after losing her own son. Although I can guess her answer. Because she had to. A woman who lived through the Great Depression, the loss of a sister so young, losing her boyfriend in World War II and to lose her firstborn child. There is a reason her generation is called The Greatest Generation. She wasn’t perfect. She made her share of mistakes but she loved her family fiercely and did her best to make sure her family had what they needed. I grew up watching her devotion to my grandfather. I saw them bicker but they always came together for a kiss. It’s something I emulate today with my husband.

So, this tiny Eeyore has become very dear to me. When I got the Eeyore back, I didn’t put it back in my car. No, I put it in my room where it had a special spot. Even today, Eeyore still hangs around my bedroom lamp on my dresser among my other treasures. It may not seem like a very special place but it is. I see it every day and think of my grandma. It’s a little dirty but it makes me smile. It’s the little things that can remind us of our loved ones. A song, a scent, and a simple little knickknack.

My Grandma Ruby’s obituary from the Orange County Register http://www.ocregister.com/articles/ruby-207108-ken-children.html

Happy Birthday, Donald Duck!

Today is a beloved cartoon character’s birthday. DONALD DUCK! That’s right, Donald Duck was premiered on June 9, 1934 in a cartoon called the Wise Little Hen. Therefore, the Walt Disney Company recognizes today as Donald’s birthday. Donald is the most popular Disney character after Mickey Mouse. He was originally voiced by Clarence Nash until his death in 1985 when Tony Anselmo took over and continues to provide his voice today.

Donald is famous for his semi-intelligible speech, mischievous and temperamental personality. Many of Donald’s cartoon shorts portray him in a happy mood until something comes along spoils his day. I always liked Donald because he through he is initially scared of whatever is antagonizing him, that fear turns to anger and he fights back and comes out on top. However, Donald has also been portrayed as the one who antagonizes. He can be a prankster and sometimes a bully, especially to his nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie. Donald also is often portrayed as jealous of the spotlight given to Mickey Mouse and as a result a rivalry ensues. Everyone remembers the original Mickey Mouse Club song.

The cool thing about Donald is that he is often portrayed outside of Disney. He is the only character of film and television to appear as a mascot. The University of Oregon has a licensing agreement with Disney to use Donald’s image as “Fighting Duck.” The U.S. Coast Guard also uses Donald as a mascot despite his portrayal in cartoons as in the army.

Join me and everyone wish our favorite duck a Happy 81^st birthday! 

A birthday tribute to my beautiful Grandma!

Marlene Joan Mingo was born July 27, 1934 to Joseph and Lillian Mingo in Klamath Falls, Oregon. She is the one of three daughters. She married C.M. Nelson on July 18, 1953 and had two sons, Steve and Randy. 

She is my beautiful grandmother and today is her 80^th birthday! Since I can’t be with her today, I decided to write and share with you my wonderful grandmother.

I have always been close to my Grandma even though she lived about a thousand miles away in Oregon. We wrote letters and she would encourage me in everything that I did. I could talk to her about anything. She is a great woman of God. She's a sweet woman with a soft voice who rarely has a unkind word about anyone. 

Some of my favorite memories of Grandma are when she came to visit. Once we gave her string cheese for a snack and instead of pulling a string of cheese off, she bite right into it. I remember my siblings and I laughed so hard. Grandma didn’t know how to get string cheese. It must be heredity because my daughter eats her string cheese the same way. When Grandma visited, she always made a wonderful cinnamon-sugar twist that she called a hoot-n-nanny. 

Last September, my dad surprised me by flying her down. It was great to see her because I hadn’t seen her since my 21^st birthday! She finally got to meet my husband, Joe and my daughter, Abby. She also got to meet her other great-granddaughter, Cosette. It was a quiet visit where we sat and discussed many things. Some important but some were not. I introduce to football as games were on while she was here. It was a short weekend but filled with great memories. I'm glad that she was able to come down and meet my husband and meet her great-granddaughters. 

This past June, she had open heart surgery to repair two valves. While I encouraged and prayed, I was afraid. Open heart surgery is scary at any age. But she’s tough and she’s pulled through and better than ever. She enjoys her church, her little garden and her new cat, Theo. Even though we don't talk often, she is always on my mind.

Please join me in wishing her a happy 80^th birthday!

Happy 80^th Birthday, Grandma! We love you! 

Jennifer's amazing chocolate cake

This particular cake I made for my sister’s birthday. Happy Birthday, Stefanie! Anyway, I used to two different icings. You don’t have to. Now on to the cake…

Ingredients:

Cake:

2 cups of granulated sugar

1 ¾ cup of gluten free flour

1 teaspoon xanthan gum (omit if your flour already has it)

¾ cup good quality cocoa

1 ½ teaspoon baking powder

1 ½ teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup buttermilk

½ cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup hot coffee

1 ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Fruit Puree: (optional)

1 12 oz. bag, frozen unsweetened berries, thawed (I’ve used raspberries or mixed berries in this recipe)

Frosting: (for filling)

½ cup butter, melted and slightly cooled

2/3 cup cocoa

3 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1/3 cup buttermilk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Frosting:

1 cup unsalted butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons buttermilk

4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

Gel food coloring of your choice (if desired, available at most craft stores or baking supply stores)

Ganache:

16 oz. bittersweet chocolate chips

16 oz. buttermilk

Directions:

1.      Preheat oven to 350° Grease and dusted 2 8-inch or 9-inch cake pans. Set aside

2.      Puree the thawed berries in a food processor until smooth. Push puree through a mesh strainer to remove any seeds. Reserve ¼ cup and set aside.

3.      Combine the sugar, flour, xanthan gum, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk together. In the mixing bowl of a stand mixer, add the eggs and beat slightly. Then add the buttermilk, oil, vanilla and fruit puree. Mix until smooth. Add dry ingredients about 1/3 cup at a time. When all ingredients are combined, carefully mix in the hot coffee and the chocolate chips.

4.      Evenly distribute the cake batter in the two prepared pans and bake for 30-35 minutes to until a toothpick comes out clean. Let cool in the pans for 5 pans, then turn out onto a cooling rack to finish cooling completely.

5.      Filling frosting: Mix the melted butter and cocoa until completely combined. Then add the reserved puree, mix to combine. Alternative adding the powdered sugar and the buttermilk while mixing until the frosting is smooth, glossy and a spreadable consistency. If it’s too thick, add a splash of milk. If it’s too think, add additional sugar. Beat in the vanilla.

6.      I usually split the two layers in order to make four small layers. Using the chocolate frosting between each layer. If you don’t feel comfortable splitting the layers, spread the frosting between the two layers. Put in refrigerator to set.

7.      In a large bowl, combine powdered sugar, butter, buttermilk and vanilla. Mix on a low speed to combine, then beat on medium for a full 5 minutes. Add coloring, if desired.

8.      Frost the cake with the icing and put in refrigerator to set.

9.    To make the ganache, use a double broiler. You can use a makeshift double broiler by using a medium pot filled with water and a glass bowl (as shown). Make sure the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl. Heat the water to a boil. When boiling, place the glass bowl on top of the pot and mix together the chocolate chips and the buttermilk. Keep stirring until chocolate is melted and completely smooth.

10. Carefully pour desired amount of ganache over the cooled cake and spread toward the edges.   

11. Place cake in the refrigerator to set. Decorate as desired.

Enjoy!!!!!!