Unedited: The Jewish Standard Celebrations: Tea Party Revolution ...

May 27

Jeanette Friedmanfood, life cycle events and celebrations, local stories/community

TEA PARTY REVOLUTION

By Jeanette Friedman

It?s like listening to the Mad Hatter, whose anxieties were fraught with unfounded fear. The screaming, rude noises, and rabid partisan politics of the ultra conservative wing of a certain political party dominate the news, giving those who truly love refined, old-fashioned elegant tea parties a headache. The tea partiers described in the press have attitudes and behavior that are light-years away from the finely-honed, strictly structured etiquette, lady-like sensibilities and compassionate sensitivities of tea party lovers worthy of the name.

This is a call to lovely ladies and gents of all persuasions to appeal to civilized society and convince them re-adopt the pinky-in-the air tradition that, thanks to Queen Elizabeth of England and the royals, has not been completely eradicated by modernity. For those who indulge, tea parties have often been a lady-like way to raise funds for good causes. Now these sophisticated get-togethers are becoming fashionable again, along with hats, pearls, red lipstick, blue eye shadow and spiked heels, so it?s time to celebrate with one.

The very British tea tradition was embraced in Eastern and Central Europe and came to American Jewish communities with the Holocaust survivors who remembered how magnificent teas were served in their childhood homes. Of course, there was always the ?glezeleh tay? in a glass cup with a handle that was served after supper with a piece of cake, but nothing compared to a full spread of a Nishei Agudah women?s meeting, a fundraiser for the local Bikur Cholim organization, or an Oneg Shabbat tea organized by the local ladies in hats.

The neighborhood women knew how pull out all the stops, and taught their daughters to do the same. For large parties, they pooled their best silver and china, assigning different dishes, like fruit platters, fingercakes, apple strudel, and cheese cakes to the women who made the best of the best. The ladies would arrive at the home of the hostess, bringing their dishes and small gifts, like fancy paper napkins, a box of chocolates or other useful but elegant trifles. They wore lovely coat dresses and suits, with gloves, shoes and hats that were veddy veddy-matchy matchy. They chatted, gossiped, listened to a Dvar Torah, or pitch, wrote checks, and drank tea poured from sterling silver teapots into the finest porcelain cups, munching on finger sandwiches and other assorted delights. A wonderful, traditional custom from the Old Country was thus revived in the Jewish community.

Have a party of your own in a tea room or private home, cafes or hotel. Many scattered around the New York metro region will be happy to serve as your hosts or caterers. The most famous tea of course, is the afternoon tea at The Plaza Hotel, one of the most divine spots on the east coast. But there are rules.

You can find these exacting requirements on the web at http://whatscookingamerica.net/EllenEaston/EtiquetteFauxPas.htm. There are rules for everything, from how to hold the cup with your pinkie in the air to prevent spilling and how to use your teaspoon to stir sugar or milk (never cream) in your tea cup. Ellen Eaton has it all figured out for you. Google her and learn more about tea party ceremonies and tea than you could ever imagine.

Afternoon tea, also known as low tea, is a light meal typically eaten between 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. and served in sitting rooms on low tables (like a coffee table) placed near sofas or chairs. High tea, also known as meat tea, is an early evening meal consisting of cold meats, eggs or fish, cakes and sandwiches eaten at a regular height table between the hours of 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. It?s often followed by a lighter later in the evening.

To avoid Mad Hatter syndrome, make this easier by setting up a buffet andhaving your caters prepare finger sandwiches, fresh fruit and cake platters and other foods you want to serve. Keep little pots of tea hot on Sterno fueled platforms. Offer a selection of international teas that come from exotic places, or spice and fruit teas that don?t contain caffeine. They can be tea bags or loosed leaf teas. Prepare pareve substitute/milk, lemon, lime and orange slices, sugar substitutes, sugar cubes, honey, and different types of granulated sugars. Butter should be whipped and at room temperature for easy spreading. Don?t forget a huge bowl of whipped cream for the tarts and lemon curd for muffins and scones.

Put out your best china cups, and they don?t need to match. Use your fanciest platters, crystal plates and flatware. Everything should be as pretty as you can make it. You can buy fancy printed paper napkins or use linens, decorate with fresh flowers. Even the Queen of Hearts would approve.

Belamari Tea Room

198 Diamond Bridge Avenue

Hawthorne

973-304-0188

http://www.belamari.com

This Victorian tea room in Hawthorne was conceived in Paris in 2002 by three sisters who were there to celebrate a beloved niece?s Sweet Sixteen. As they sat in a tea salon opposite the Louvre and raised their tea cups to honor their recently deceased mom, they decided to create a tea room in Northern New Jersey. Their diverse backgrounds (information technology, the fashion industry, and banking) brought solid business experience to their love for tea and making people happy. The name ?Belamari? is a combination of the names of their grandmother, Emma Bell and their mother, Edna Marie?a wonderful way to celebrate their heritage. The sisters trained with industry experts, attended seminars, read books and took tea trips to France, Germany, the U.K., and several states in the U.S. where they gained a wealth of information about tea, its service, preparation and etiquette to help them provide their clients with the perfect tea experience. Call to find out about catering and kosher availability.

Lady Mendl?s
Five Course Tea Service
At the Inn on Irving Place

56 Irving Place
New York, NY

tel: 212- 533-4466
tel: 800-685-1447
fax: 212-533-4611

Inquiries: innatirving@aol.com

http://www.innatirving.com/default.aspx?pg=home

This tea room is a throwback to the Washington Irving and Jane Austen days, simply out of this world

By Reservation: $35 per person + tax + 20% gratuity
Monday ? Friday: 3pm or 5pm seatings
Saturday & Sunday: 12pm, 2:30pm or 5pm seatings

Harmony Tea Room

11 Bergen St

Westwood, NJ

201-563-0382

http://www.harmonytearoom.com

info@harmonytearoom.com

Located near the heart of Westwood?s Downtown, the Harmony Tea Room is American-style quiet oasis offering an escape from life?s hectic pace. It?s a wonderful place to sit quietly, sip tea from fine bone china and ponder what you must do for the next week or enjoy different teas with your friends as you take a taste trip around the world in a single afternoon. The scones are to die for and the variety of soups salads and finger sandwiches brings you from Africa to India and many other delicious destinations. Children?s tea parties are available in the Enchanted Garden party room. The Princess Tea Birthday includes fabulous costumes for each child and a photo memento. At the Scone Baking Party your child bakes scones and takes them home for the family, and at the Chocolate Tea Party, children make chocolate covered goodies. The reservation-only live music brunch is served the on third Sunday of every month. Call for more information.

Jeanette Friedman, EIC
The Wordsmithy
201-986-0647

Source: http://jeanettefriedman.com/2011/05/630/unedited-the-jewish-standard-celebrations-tea-party-revolution/

green valerie jarrett monk manny pacquiao vs shane mosley dragon ball gt michelle williams desert