poppy project 2023.org (English)

The Poppy Project

In these difficult times, there is nothing more hopeful than community. It is more important than ever that we strengthen each other and stand with the families of the hostages.

I’m Avital Schwartz, an Israeli-American baker, living in Tel Aviv. To raise awareness and bring people together, I started the “Poppy Project” - where we will bake and decorate sugar cookies in the shape of red flowers, representing Israel’s national flower and an international symbol for hope- the anemone.

Anemones grow all over the country, and their largest and most beautiful bloom occurs in the area surrounding the Gaza Strip. The region is famous for its annual festival - “Darom Adom” where hundreds of thousands of Israelis come to see the beautiful fields turn red during peak season.

Each decorated cookie will be dedicated to a hostage. Our goal is to reach as many communities and schools around the world, to raise awareness, or even to sell the cookies to help fund the hostage campaign.

It’s easy to ignore the uniqueness and beauty of one flower standing alone in a large field. However, when seen growing together, they are bright and strong and impossible to miss which is the secret weapon of our nation.

Just like “Darom Adom”, we hope to fill the world with beautiful poppies as we continue to pray for our loved ones to come home.

How Can I Participate?

If you would like to host a cookie baking/decorating event in your school, synagogue, youth group, JCC or at home with friends and/or family, we encourage you to arrange a time that is best for you and your community.

Continue to read all the instructions below and you will have everything you need to host an event. Each decorated cookie will be dedicated to a hostage. Our goal is to reach as many communities and schools around the world, to raise awareness, or even to sell the cookies to help fund the hostage campaign.

We would love it if you could send us pictures and videos of you baking, decorating, and distributing/selling the cookies so we can share them with the families of the hostages.

Please email your images to poppyproject2023@gmail.com and don’t forget to add the name of your organization /school, State/Country you’re located in and who participated.

If you choose to upload to social media, please add the following hashtags:

#bringthemhomenow

#thepoppyproject

#poppiesofhope

As part of the Poppy Project, we ask that each decorated cookie will be dedicated to a hostage. Here is an updated list of hostages:

https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/?889d2eef_page=2

For this project, selling the cookies to raise money for the hostage campaign is optional. Donations for the hostage campaign are directed towards advancing all necessary efforts through diplomatic, medical and legal channels and towards raising public awareness to the hostage crisis.

Below you will find some links to a few organizations that are supporting the hostage campaign.

https://stories.bringthemhomenow.net/donate

https://www.jgive.com/new/en/usd/donation-targets/110680

https://giveback.co.il/project/75048

https://www.jewcer.org/project/bringthemhomenow/

LET’S GET YOU STARTED

1.Recruit your baking team and organize all the supplies.

2. Bake the cookies (remember to let them cool completely before decorating).

3. Decorate your cookies (see video demonstration).

4. While the icing dries (must be completely dried before packaging), prepare your dedication by choosing the name of a hostage and writing or drawing blessing, wish etc.

5. Package the cookies using yellow ribbon and cellophane bags and attach the card and nameplate of the hostage.

6. Distribute

Sugar Cookie Recipe

Makes about 30 cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup of unsalted butter (softened) (226 grams)
1 cup of granulated sugar (200 grams)
1 tsp of vanilla extract
2 large eggs
4 cups of all purpose flour (480 grams)
3/4 tsp of salt

Instructions

In a large bowl, sift together the flour and salt and mix

In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on medium speed until light and fluffy

Add the eggs, one at a time, while mixing. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add in the vanilla.

On low speed, gradually add the flour mixture and mix until combined.

Divide the dough into smaller pieces so it’s easier to work with. Wrap them in plastic wrap until ready to use.

preheat the oven to 375F.

Roll the dough on a lightly floured surface to ¼-inch-thickness. (If the dough is too dry-gradually add egg, and if the dough is too sticky, gradually add flour until its easy to work with).

Cut out circles using a cookie cutter or a cup. Re-roll as needed for more cookies.

Place the cookies on a baking sheet with parchment paper at least 1 inch apart.

Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until the bottom edges start to turn brown.

Let cool for a few minutes on the pan, then transfer to a wire rack and cool completely before decorating or wrapping.

Save in air-tight container or ziploc bag until ready to decorate (up to 2 weeks at room temperature, 1 month in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer).