VOLUNTEERS grind the ingredients for the fruit filling for Congregation Shaarie Torah Sisterhood’s annual Hamantaschen sale.

 

Sisterhood bakes up Hamantaschen

By JEWISH REVIEW

article created on: 2009-02-15T00:00:00

A tradition of the Shaarie Torah sisterhood for more than 60 years, the art and recipe of creating hamantaschen have been passed from generation to generation.

Through the decades, the sale has grown by the dozen–literally. With the help of hundreds of volunteers, nearly 3,000 dozen Hamentaschen are produced by hand and sold around the city in time for Portland’s various Purim celebrations.

Hamantaschen are a traditional three-cornered pastry said to have taken the shape of the evil Haman’s hat. The mitzvah of eating Hamentaschen on Purim signifies the victory over Haman’s plot to kill the Jew’s in Persia.

Shaarie Torah bakes two types of Hamantaschen: Fruit, which are filled with a mixture of dates, prunes, raisins, coconut, oranges and other sweet ingredients; and Moen, which are filled with poppy seed and berry jam.

All Hamantaschen are baked during the three weeks leading up to Purim.

Hamantaschen are $9 per dozen or $25 for three dozen and can be purchased and picked up now thru March 4 by calling the synagogue office at 503-226-6131. All pre-paid orders are guaranteed.

All proceeds from the sale of Hamantaschen support educational programming, events and a variety of synagogue efforts. Additionally, special funds are earmarked for student educational and summer camp scholarships.

To obtain order forms, for or additional information, or to contact Shaarie Torah, visit www.shaarietorah.org.