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Tag: Passover

  • THE DEA DECIDES TO RESCHEDULE MARIJUANA

    THE DEA DECIDES TO RESCHEDULE MARIJUANA

    In a historic move the Drug Enforcement Agency announced it plans to reschedule cannabis.  Monumental shift in the marijuana industry.

    After three years of waiting for President Biden to fulfill his promise of doing something about legal cannabis, the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) announced its plan to reschedule cannabis. This follows the recommendations from Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Agency (FDA).  They are sending their recommendation to the White House Office of Management and Budget for review of the impact on the budget. The shifts acknowledged the medical benefits of cannabis and can pave the way for PTSD treatment for veterans, something the President and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA).

    RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

    “Moving to Schedule III is the single biggest thing that can happen to the US cannabis industry. It removes the 280E tax burden, increases medical research, and opens the investor base. Today is truly a tipping point for this burgeoning industry.” declared Jesse Redmond, Managing Director at Water Tower Research.

    “This historic move from the Biden Administration to reclassify cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III reflects changes in the scientific and medical understanding of cannabis. It echoes moves in other countries around the world. Domestically, it lays the groundwork for federal tax benefits for the cannabis industry, as cannabis businesses will be treated like other businesses with regard to deductions and credits. It will also lower the costs and hurdles of conducting research on the plant and its products. Despite skeptics arguing that this spells the beginning of the end of the cannabis industry as we know, those doomsday scenarios fail to answer a basic question: why would the Biden Administration want to crack down on a substance that it classifies as “less dangerous” when it refused to crack down on the substance when it was a Schedule I substance? Little, if anything, will change at the state regulatory level, but that should not take away from the historic nature of this decision. Cannabis has been a Schedule I substance for 54 years, and despite multiple opportunities to reclassify it in decades’ past, today is the first time the US Government has been willing to say otherwise” shares John Hudak, Director, Maine Office of Cannabis.

    Hudak is widely respected in the industry and has been a thought leader for the growing industry. The move reclassifies cannabis from Schedule 1 of dangerous drug with zero medical benefits to to Schedule III such as ketamine, Tylenol with codeine, and anabolic steroids. The timing is still unsettled, but there is hope it will have an impact in 2024.  The industry as been struggling under schedule III despite a huge growth of consumers.  This will also open the door more for mainstream companies to become involved in the market.

    RELATED: Marijuana MicroDosing Can Improve Mundane Tasks

    “While this is great news for the cannabis industry, it’s too early to break out the Champagne,” said Lonnie Rosenwald, Partner at Zuber Lawler, LLP. “We don’t know yet when rescheduling will occur, or, perhaps more important, when the tax changes will take effect.  For companies and entrepreneurs considering entering the industry, rescheduling alone should provide an incentive to launch their businesses. But existing cannabis businesses will have to wait to see whether they’ll be able to deduct business expenses on their 2024 or 2025 returns. We expect answers to these questions in the coming weeks.” says Lonnie Rosenwald, an attorney for Zuber Lawler, a national law firm which covers the cannabis industry.

    This is a historic shift for the federal government and puts in more in line with the American Medical Association, most medical professionals, Canada and the general public.

     

    JJ McKay

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  • Is Marijuana At Passover Kosher

    Is Marijuana At Passover Kosher

    It is an important holiday with clear guidelines on celebrating – so is marijuana allowed.

    It is one of the most important and celebrated holidays in the Jewish faith. The 7 day observation is filled with food, gatherings and traditions. Passover, or Pesach in Hebrew, commemorates the slavery of the Israelites in Egypt and their ultimate exodus to freedom. This story of redemption from slavery is the anchor narrative of the Jewish People.  It is core to their faith and lifestyle. With family and friends, some like to imbibe in something intoxicating.  There is kosher wine, so you might wonder, is marijuana at Passover kosher?

    RELATED: Science Says Medical Marijuana Improves Quality Of Life

    Being kosher for food means it adheres to the dietary laws of the Jewish faith. Meats and dairy must adhere to a strict set of rules. Preparation has clear guidelines to ensure the faith’s laws and intentions are maintained. For all commercial products, this is usually a letter of kosher certification from a Rabbinic agency which designates the item as kosher. The letter of certification will indicate the pareve or dairy status of the product as well.

    Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, widely considered the leading living ultra-Orthodox halachic authority, ruled marijuana is kosher for Passover and can be either eaten or smoked over the eight-day Jewish festival. Which means gummies (possible animal gelatin) and edibles (dairy) must be kosher certified to be considered. Flower and vapes are plants and in preparation do not touch either so they are good to consume.

    Smart product companies will have the label on the package if you want gummies or edibles. Wana Brands product are kosher and have been certified by Whole Kosher Services, a company based in Houston.

    Kosher approval symbols
    Kosher approval symbols

    RELATED: Marijuana MicroDosing Can Improve Mundane Tasks

    About 8 years ago, as Israel become a leader in cannabis innovation, Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky ruled t marijuana is, in fact, kosher. Allowing it to be consumed over the celebration of Passover for medicinal purposes. For some, being with family for eight days is enough to give anxiety, which medical marijuana is a way to ease the tension and make for a more relaxed holiday.

     

    Sarah Johns

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  • Phoenix restaurants and delis serving kosher meals for Passover

    Phoenix restaurants and delis serving kosher meals for Passover

    Passover begins at sundown on Monday, April 22, and ends on the evening of Tuesday, April 30. During the first two evenings, the tradition is to have a ceremonial dinner or Seder with family and friends to commemorate the holiday…

    Rudri Patel

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  • FBI on alert for threats to the Jewish community ahead of Passover, director says

    FBI on alert for threats to the Jewish community ahead of Passover, director says

    Federal law enforcement is on alert for any potential threats to the U.S. Jewish community ahead of the start of the Passover holiday, FBI Director Christopher Wray told a group of nationwide security officials Wednesday.“We at the bureau remain particularly concerned that lone actors could target large gatherings, high profile events, or symbolic or religious locations for violence – particularly a concern, of course, as we look to the start of Passover on Monday evening,” Wray said.Speaking at an event hosted by the Secure Community Network, a Jewish community nonprofit safety and training organization, Wray said threats to the U.S. Jewish community had already been elevated before Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel, but the number of FBI hate crime cases tripled in the wake of the incident.“Between Oct. 7 and Jan. 30 of this year, we opened over three times more anti-Jewish hate crime investigations than in the four months before Oct. 7,” said Wray, who noted raw statistics about investigations represent “very real threats to your institutions, to your houses of worship, to your schools and university organizations, and to the individuals in your communities simply for being who you are.”An Anti-Defamation League audit released Tuesday showed there was a dramatic upward trend of incidents after the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Between Oct. 7 and Dec. 31, there were 5,204 incidents, CNN reported earlier this week.The Jewish civil rights advocacy group tracked 8,873 antisemitic incidents in the United States in 2023 – the highest number of incidents reported since the organization began tracking data in 1979.In addition to homegrown violence and a surge in hoax threatsagainst Jewish facilities, Wray warned that the FBI was also observing a range of threats from abroad.“We’ve seen – since Oct. 7 – a rogues’ gallery of foreign terrorist organizations call for attacks against the United States and our allies,” said Wray, including calls by global terrorist groups “to target Jewish communities both in the United States and Europe.”In addressing Jewish community security officials, Wray also called out state-sponsored threats.“After the last few days, in particular, the threat posed by Iran itself is very real,” he said.Wray added that after Iran’s missile and drone attack on Israel last week in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria, “we are urging all of our partners here and around the world to stay vigilant” against any “potential threats that may emerge from Iran or its proxies both overseas and even here in the homeland.”CNN’s Jack Forrest and Nicole Chavez contributed to this report.

    WASHINGTON —

    Federal law enforcement is on alert for any potential threats to the U.S. Jewish community ahead of the start of the Passover holiday, FBI Director Christopher Wray told a group of nationwide security officials Wednesday.

    “We at the bureau remain particularly concerned that lone actors could target large gatherings, high profile events, or symbolic or religious locations for violence – particularly a concern, of course, as we look to the start of Passover on Monday evening,” Wray said.

    Speaking at an event hosted by the Secure Community Network, a Jewish community nonprofit safety and training organization, Wray said threats to the U.S. Jewish community had already been elevated before Hamas’ Oct. 7 terrorist attack on Israel, but the number of FBI hate crime cases tripled in the wake of the incident.

    “Between Oct. 7 and Jan. 30 of this year, we opened over three times more anti-Jewish hate crime investigations than in the four months before Oct. 7,” said Wray, who noted raw statistics about investigations represent “very real threats to your institutions, to your houses of worship, to your schools and university organizations, and to the individuals in your communities simply for being who you are.”

    An Anti-Defamation League audit released Tuesday showed there was a dramatic upward trend of incidents after the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Between Oct. 7 and Dec. 31, there were 5,204 incidents, CNN reported earlier this week.

    The Jewish civil rights advocacy group tracked 8,873 antisemitic incidents in the United States in 2023 – the highest number of incidents reported since the organization began tracking data in 1979.

    In addition to homegrown violence and a surge in hoax threatsagainst Jewish facilities, Wray warned that the FBI was also observing a range of threats from abroad.

    “We’ve seen – since Oct. 7 – a rogues’ gallery of foreign terrorist organizations call for attacks against the United States and our allies,” said Wray, including calls by global terrorist groups “to target Jewish communities both in the United States and Europe.”

    In addressing Jewish community security officials, Wray also called out state-sponsored threats.

    “After the last few days, in particular, the threat posed by Iran itself is very real,” he said.

    Wray added that after Iran’s missile and drone attack on Israel last week in retaliation for a suspected Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic complex in Syria, “we are urging all of our partners here and around the world to stay vigilant” against any “potential threats that may emerge from Iran or its proxies both overseas and even here in the homeland.”

    CNN’s Jack Forrest and Nicole Chavez contributed to this report.

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  • Where to Dine on Passover in Chicago

    Where to Dine on Passover in Chicago

    Fans of stalwart mini-chain Goddess and Grocer can order a $95 seder meal for two (or a two-seder meal for one) that plays all the hits: gefilte fish, chopped liver, charoset, matzo ball soup, brisket, tsimmes, garlic mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, and flourless chocolate cake. The team is also offering a la carte options including a traditional seder plate, braised beef brisket, matzo-crusted chicken schnitzel, matzo s’mores cookies, and chocolate-and-toffee matzo bark with toasted almonds. Pre-orders must be placed online by noon on Monday, April 15 for pickup at any of their four locations.

    Naomi Waxman

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  • Passover Fast Facts | CNN

    Passover Fast Facts | CNN



    CNN
     — 

    Here’s a look at the Jewish holiday of Passover.

    The holiday will be celebrated from sundown on April 22 through April 30, 2024.

    Passover, also called Pesach, is the Jewish festival celebrating the exodus of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery in the 1200s BC. The story is chronicled in the Old Testament book of Exodus. In the book, Israelites marked their doorposts with lamb’s blood to protect children from the tenth plague: the slaughter of the first born. With the protective mark, the destruction would “pass over” the house.

    The word “Passover” comes from a Biblical story about the ten plagues God inflicted on Egypt for enslaving the Israelites.

    The story of Passover is told in the Bible in Chapter 12 of the Book of Exodus.

    During one plague, God killed every Egyptian first-born male but passed over the homes of the Israelites.

    Passover is also sometimes called the Festival of Unleavened Bread.

    During Passover, only unleavened bread called matzo or matzah may be eaten. According to the story of Passover, the Jews did not have time to let their bread rise before they fled Egypt.

    Passover begins on the 15th day of Nisan, the seventh month in the Jewish calendar, March or April on the Gregorian calendar.

    Jewish people celebrate Passover with a ceremonial meal called the Seder.

    At the Seder foods of symbolic significance are eaten, and prayers and traditional recitations are performed.

    The story of the flight of the Israelites from Egypt is read at the Seder from a book called the Haggadah.

    Another Seder tradition is for the youngest child present to ask the four questions about why the Seder night is different from other nights. The answers tell the Passover story.

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  • Jerusalem tense as Easter, Passover and Ramadan converge

    Jerusalem tense as Easter, Passover and Ramadan converge

    Jerusalem tense as Easter, Passover and Ramadan converge – CBS News


    Watch CBS News



    Christians, Jews and Muslims celebrate holidays in Jerusalem amid tensions over recent violence. Imtiaz Tyab reports.

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  • How To Carve A Spooky Easter Egg

    How To Carve A Spooky Easter Egg

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  • Netanyahu says he will delay his judicial overhaul. But will that be enough for protesters? | CNN

    Netanyahu says he will delay his judicial overhaul. But will that be enough for protesters? | CNN


    Abu Dhabi, UAE
    CNN
     — 

    Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said he would postpone the votes on his planned judicial overhaul, but analysts say that may not be enough to cool the protests.

    The prime minister announced he would delay the second and third votes on the remaining legislation until after the Jewish Passover holiday from April 5-13, “to give time for a real chance for a real debate.”

    Netanyahu nonetheless insisted that the overhaul was necessary. And while he may be trying to buy himself time, it is unclear if his deferment of the vote will silence the huge protests and mass strikes paralyzing the country, experts say.

    Gideon Rahat, a senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute and a member of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, said the protests may either tail off or resume at a later date following the announcement, but that the demonstrators are nonetheless “ready” for the reform, and can return to the streets at any moment.

    “The protesters now have the infrastructure to take protests out (to the streets) within minutes,” Rahat told CNN, noting that it is not just one protest movement but tens of groups, some of whom may decide to continue to rally despite the deferment.

    “The infrastructure is there, and if there will be a need, there will be a comeback (to the streets),” he said.

    Former head of the Israeli Intelligence Directorate and managing director of the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), Major General Tamir Hayman said that postponing the vote until after the Passover holiday will not end anger on the streets.

    “The protests will continue unless Netanyahu will note publicly that he was mistaken when leading that reform, and (that) he is holding all future motivations to renew the judicial reform,” Hayman told CNN. “This is the only scenario where we will see a complete stop of all the demonstrations.”

    If, however, Netanyahu uses the pause to conduct proper negotiations with all parties, and eventually presents a moderated reform bill that is approved by the opposition, then “maybe, in that case, at the end state, after Independence Day, we will see a remission in the protests,” Hayman said, referring to Israel’s national day on April 25/26.

    During his speech, Netanyahu also reiterated his criticism of the refusal by some reservists to train or serve in the military in protest at the planned changes. The prime minister had earlier fired Defense Minister Yoav Gallant over his opposition to the planned overhaul.

    “The state of Israel cannot continue with people who refuse to serve in the army,” he the prime minister said. “Refusing is the end of our country.”

    Hayman, from the INSS, said the protests may pose a security threat as some within the military begin to divide into camps for and against the judicial overhaul.

    While it is has not yet happened, said Hayman, the mass movement could cause “the gaps, the rifts inside the (IDF) units … to widen and deepen.”

    Some of the military members Netanyahu is referring to are also serving in very critical units, said Rahat. But since they are mostly volunteers who do so “because they love their country,” Netanyahu must “regain their trust” to bring them back to their posts.

    “This is a problem of legitimacy; this is a problem of trust,” Rahat said.

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  • Kayco Announces New Products That Make Passover Perfect

    Kayco Announces New Products That Make Passover Perfect

    Press Release
    –

    Mar 30, 2022


    BAYONNE, N.J., March 30, 2022 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Kayco announces an exciting lineup of both traditional and innovative Kosher-for-Passover products for family gatherings. Passover (Pesach in Hebrew), one of the most beloved holidays in the Jewish calendar commemorating the exodus of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt, begins at sundown on April 15 and lasts through sundown on April 23, 2022. Kayco, the most trusted name in quality Kosher products, expands its Kosher-for-Passover offerings just in time for the celebrations. 

    The leading Kosher food distributor in America, Kayco prides itself in offering the top names in Kosher products, with brands like Manischewitz, Gefen, Heaven & Earth, and Tuscanini. Keeping a sharp eye on consumer trends as we enter 2022, Kayco has built its most impressive portfolio of Passover products yet, with trending innovations, unique products, and expansions of traditional Passover items in breathtaking new packaging. 

    New for Passover 2022 from Kayco

    From Manischewitz, the new Passover offerings are sure to tantalize the tastebuds. Highlights include a better-for-you update to the traditional horseradish (white and beet); Gluten-Free Wafers; a delicious new variety of Chocolate Covered Matzo, available also in Gluten-Free (Chocolate Mint, Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, and White Chocolate); and Potato Chips (Salted, Unsalted, and Rippled). 

    Imported from Italy, the Tuscanini brand offers up such new Kosher-for-Passover offerings as Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice, made from 100% Sicilian Lemons; Tuscanini Tomato Paste in an easy-to-squeeze tube; Peeled Tomatoes, Diced Tomatoes, Whole Cherry Tomatoes, and Crushed Tomatoes, all made with Puglia tomatoes for an acidic potency; spicy, jarred Calabrian peppers in oil; and Premium Cooking Wine made of Rosso Toscano and White Muscat Grapes to take cooking to the next level.

    To satisfy sweet tooth cravings this Passover and all-year-round, Heaven & Earth launches some fun, delicious, and better-for-you products for the whole family to enjoy. The first and only sugar-free chocolate bars for Passover, Heaven & Earth offers brand-new No Sugar Added Dark Chocolate with 70% Cocoa Solids; No Sugar Added Milk Chocolate; and No Sugar Added Milk Chocolate with Hazelnuts. In addition, Heaven & Earth also has a new line of Taffy Ropes as awesome Passover goodies, made with natural flavors and colors in such flavors as Watermelon, Fruit Punch, Blue Raspberry Toffee, Tropical Coconut Pineapple, and Chocolate Mint Taffy Ropes.

    “Passover is one of the most widely celebrated Jewish holidays, with food playing a prominent role in the celebration,” says Shani Seidman, CMO of Kayco. “During the holiday, no bread or leavened grain can be eaten, so Passover food has special certification. Kayco is proud to offer the most robust portfolio of Kosher-for-Passover products that blend the traditional with the innovative.”                                             

    For more information on Kayco Kosher Foods, go to www.kayco.com. For information on Passover recipes, chef suggestions, and everything else Kosher-related, check out www.kosher.com. 

    Press Contact:

    Stacey Bender

    sbender@bendergrouppr.com

    973-650-1218

    Source: Kayco

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  • Jamie Geller Media’s Growth Shows Growing Interest in Kosher Food

    Jamie Geller Media’s Growth Shows Growing Interest in Kosher Food

    Press Release
    –


    updated: Mar 6, 2018


    JACKSONVILLE, Fla., March 6, 2018 (Newswire.com)
    –
    Passover marks a time when all eyes are on Kosher, but Jamie Geller Media (a division of Kosher Network International) has recorded growth that proves that kosher is making a rise year-round.

    For the 2017 year, JamieGeller.com reported a 61 percent increase in users to the popular recipe site with more than half of the 2.5 million users being brand new visitors. The website, with over 8,000 recipes from Jamie Geller and contributors, derives most of its traffic through organic search where users are looking for kosher versions of popular favorites. Total page views increased 31 percent.

    It is an exciting time to be the leader in the kosher community. With kosher and other specialty diets taking the spotlight in mainstream media, it has been fun sharing our recipes and content with new followers.

    Jamie Geller, Celebrity Food & Lifestyle Expert

    The top recipes for 2017 were:

    Potato Kugel Cups – https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/potato-kugel-cups/

    Broccoli Kugel – https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/broccoli-kugel-2/

    Blintz Soufflé – https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/blintz-souffle/

    Soft and Chewy Dessert Nougat – https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/soft-and-chewy-nougat/

    Family Heirloom Chulent Stew – https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/family-heirloom-chulent/

    These popular choices show that both traditional recipes as well as new twists on family favorites are still trending in the kosher recipe market. Passover, however, still maintains to be the strongest time of year for kosher with an upwards of 500,000 web users during the five-week spring time-period.

    Growth was also seen in the social media channels where Facebook fans increased by 30 percent and their engagement grew 94 percent showing that Jamie Geller’s subject matter was on-trend and buzzworthy. Top posts included both Jewish holiday content and a growing interest in all things Israeli – homemade falafel and Israeli rice, lentils and chickpeas were ranked amongst favorites such as Jamie’s No-Knead Challah. Instagram audience increased by over 100 percent and still continues to grow.

    Jamie Geller’s JOYofKOSHER.com has maintained its No. 1 status by a large spread. It is ranked 55 percent higher than other kosher recipe sites by Alexa, an independent website analytics company. Alexa’s Traffic Ranks are based on the traffic data provided by users in Alexa’s global data panel. Those seeking the content Jamie Geller has to offer are majority female, college educated, with kids and a household income of over $100,000 annually. This audience is responsible for the high conversion rates seen by Jamie Geller Media brand partners.

    CEO Jamie Geller states, “It is an exciting time to be the leader in the kosher community. With kosher and other specialty diets taking the spotlight in mainstream media, it has been fun sharing our recipes and content with new followers.”

    Jamie Geller next appears on the “Today Show” on March 28, it will be her fourth “Today Show” appearance within seven months. On the show, she discusses not only Jewish Holiday content but easier and healthier spins on mainstream family classics.

    About Jamie Geller Media and KNi

    Led by world-renowned Jewish food and lifestyle personality Jamie Geller, the Jamie Geller Media division of Kosher Network International (KNi) is a cross-platform, global network for kosher food, recipes, news and entertainment that influences more than one million kosher consumers every day.

    Whether it’s by resonating with the ever-changing kosher consumer through the content it creates or by guiding companies to trade more effectively through the marketing and merchandising channels it opens up, KNi is the No. 1 network for engaging and selling to the global kosher marketplace.

    Media Contact: 
    Deborah Shapiro
    Phone: 904.580.7050
    Email: deborahshapiro@koshernetwork.com

    Source: Kosher Network International

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  • Nostalgic Food Reigns Supreme at the Holiday Table

    Nostalgic Food Reigns Supreme at the Holiday Table


    JACKSONVILLE, Fla., May 2, 2017 (Newswire.com)
    –
     Passover continues to move up on the list of major mainstream religious holidays. Interest is not only coming from Jewish-focused media, but also from mainstream media, states Deborah Shapiro, Vice President of Marketing and Operations for Kosher Network International (KNi). KNi noticed traffic to their Jamie Geller’s Joy of Kosher recipe website from new, more mainstream sources resulting in a 84% YOY increase of site traffic during the holiday period, for a total of almost 500k unique users with over 2 million page views. KNi also saw a 29% increase in social media recipe linking and a growth in their video views of 87% for a total of over 2 million video views in one month’s time. 

    Jamie Geller, founder of KNi, states: “It’s interesting: Although people are saying that they are looking for “new Jewish” recipes — a modern spin on the classics — what was actually trending the most during the holiday were the classics!” Traditional recipes that bring back nostalgic thoughts and remind people of their ancestors, like matzo 7-layer cake. Jamie Geller’s Matzo 7-layer cake video — made with the traditional matzo-wine-chocolate combination — had over half a million views in the first two weeks from publication. 

    “It’s interesting: Although people are saying that they are looking for ‘new Jewish’ recipes — a modern spin on the classics — what was actually trending the most during the holiday were the classics!”

    Jamie Geller, Founder of KNi

    KNi’s top Passover recipes were: 

    Media Contact:

    Deborah Shapiro 
    ​Phone: 904-580-7050 ext.108
    ​Email: Deborahshapiro@koshernetwork.com

    Source: Kosher Network International

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