EL AL Israel Airlines Celebrates The New Year
Special Honey Cake Recipe to Sweeten the Holidays

New York, NY – September 18, 2008 – EL AL, Israel’s national airline, prepares for the holiday season, beginning with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year.  In celebration of the holiday, more than 300 pounds of apples and 70 pounds of honey are served on board every EL AL flight departing JFK and Newark the day before the holiday as well as the day after.  And, more than 1,300 pieces of honey cake (more than 250 pounds) will be served both days on the JFK and Newark flights during this holiday period.  The same festive treats will be served to all passengers departing on flights from Ben Gurion Airport in Israel. 

In the First and Business Class Lounges at JFK, Newark and Ben Gurion International Airports, these traditional holiday goodies will also be served, in addition to the regular menu.  In observance of the holiday, EL AL is the only airline not flying on the days of Rosh Hashanah or Yom Kippur, the holiest day of the Jewish year (ten days later).

 “As the national airline of Israel, it is a tradition of EL AL to share the holiday spirit with our passengers and staff.  We are delighted that anyone traveling to Israel to celebrate the holidays will experience the sweet flavor of the New Year on board EL AL,” stated Offer Gat, CEO, EL AL Israel Airlines, North and Central America.

Chef Steven Weintraub, Executive Chef of Borenstein Caterers, has worked with some of New York’s finest chefs including Wolfgang Puck, Bob Spiegel and Jean-Georges Vongerichten before joining Borenstein Caterers in September of 2007.   

“Borenstein Caterers is dedicated to offering healthy in-flight meal options that are freshly prepared with the finest ingredients.  In addition to combining authentic Israeli cuisine with our regular menu, we are delighted to prepare this traditional festive dessert  and hope our passengers will be inspired to create it at home,” said Chef Steven Weintraub.

HOLIDAY HONEY CAKE
(YIELD: 20-4oz. pieces)

Ingredients

1 cup of honey
½  cup of sugar                                                                       
4 whole eggs
1 cup of coffee, black and room temperature                                           
¾ cup of vegetable oil
1 fresh orange, grated fine (include juice, pulp & skin)                              
4-4 ½ cups of flour (adjust flour amount to ensure mixture is moderately loose/pasty but not too loose)
2 teaspoons of baking powder                                                          
1 teaspoon of baking soda                                                                     
A pinch (1/8 tsp) salt                                                                      
1 cup of raisins                                                                       

Instructions

Mix honey, sugar, eggs, coffee, oil & orange thoroughly.  In a separate bowl, sift  flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Slowly add dry mixture into liquid mixture. Blend well.  Fold in raisins.  Pour mixture into a 9 X 13 greased baking pan or into a 36 muffin tin.  Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 1 hour.  After 45 minutes of cooking, check  periodically. Let cool on wire rack. 

About EL AL

Celebrating 60 years of service, EL AL, Israel's national airline, offers the most nonstop flights between New York (JFK/Newark) and Israel as well as the only nonstop service from Los Angeles.  Worldwide, EL AL flies to more than 40 destinations from Israel. Only EL AL has First Class service on nonstop flights between the U.S.A. and Israel.  The new EL AL code share agreement with American Airlines provides passengers from 25 additional cities in North America more convenient travel to Israel.  The airline has annual revenues of about $1.93 billion and carries more than 1.8 million passengers annually. 

EL AL embodies Israel’s values of innovation and caring and the promise of a genuine Israeli welcome.  Your Israel experience begins with EL AL and warm Israeli hospitality. Israeli flight attendants will make you feel at home, the best trained Israeli pilots will take you to and from Israel and passengers enjoy enhanced in-flight dining with freshly prepared healthy meals.

For updated daily departure and arrival flight information, travelers can call (800) EL AL-747, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  For reservations, call EL AL at (800) 223-6700 or any travel agent or visit www.elal.com, where travelers now also have the option of convenient, time saving online check-in for flights departing EL AL gateway cities in North America.  EL AL. It’s not just an airline. It’s Israel.