Get Sleepy: "A Sleepy Evening of Latkes"

Host: Thomas (Slumber Studios)
Story Read by: Vanessa
Date: December 8, 2025

Episode Overview

This calming episode of Get Sleepy blends gentle meditative techniques with a heartwarming Hanukkah story, perfect for relaxation and bedtime. Listeners are invited into a cozy kitchen as young Adina prepares latkes with her grandmother, Baba Yehudit. Together, they explore the sensory joys and rich history behind this quintessential Hanukkah treat, tracing the latke’s evolution from ancient cheese pancakes to the modern potato version, all while fostering family tradition and comfort.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Mindful Relaxation and Winding Down

• [03:07–06:00] Host Thomas gently guides listeners into a state of relaxation, encouraging them to let go of the day and focus on the present.
  • Quote: "Though it may still feel fresh in your mind. The events of the day are now in the past. You are living in the present. And the present moment is all we really have." — Thomas, [05:07]
• Listeners are prompted to acknowledge thoughts and emotions without judgment and let them drift away.

2. Introduction to the Latke Story

• [06:32–07:27] The scene is set with Adina and her grandmother preparing latke batter together, evoking warm sensory details: the sting of chopping onions, the roughness of grating potatoes, and the anticipation of crispy treats frying in oil.

• [07:27–08:29] Adina asks why latkes are special for Hanukkah, leading into the story of the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil lamp.

  • Quote: "We eat foods fried in oil on Hanukkah to remember the miracle of the oil lamp...miraculously, the oil lasted for eight whole nights." — Baba Yehudit, [07:38–08:29]

3. The Layered History of Latkes

• [09:13–17:32] Baba Yehudit explains the origins of their latke recipe and its generational nature.

  • The tale begins with Judith, who saved her people in ancient Israel, possibly inspiring the tradition of cheese latkes.

  • Discussions about food traditions changing due to migration, local crops, and historical events.

  • Quote: "Potatoes wouldn't make their way to that part of the world until many years later. But perhaps it was there that the idea for cheese latkes was first born." — Baba Yehudit, [11:27–11:44]

• The significance of cheese in ancient Mediterranean and Middle Eastern Jewish diets is discussed. Archaeological evidence of cheese making is shared, connecting food history to family tradition.

  • Quote: “Traces of the cheese making process were found in ancient pottery on the coast of Croatia. The pottery is thought to be over 7,000 years old." — Baba Yehudit, [16:15–16:26]

4. The Arrival and Impact of the Potato

• [14:04–17:07] Potatoes are traced back to Peru and Bolivia, revealing their late arrival in Europe and Jewish tradition.

  • They became a staple during times of hardship for their affordability and ability to grow under various conditions.

  • Quote: "When famine struck, the people of Europe found that the potato was a hardy crop and often grew even when nothing else did." — Baba Yehudit, [23:09–23:23]

• The story explores how Jewish communities across Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean adapted their Hanukkah recipes based on available ingredients.

5. Latke-Making Process: A Sensory Meditation

• [18:07–24:13] The story details each step in making latkes, from shaping the raw mixture to frying and flipping, immersing listeners in cozy, familiar sights and smells.

  • Quote: "Adina can smell the mixture of garlic and onion filling up the kitchen." — Narration, [24:13]

• Baba Yehudit shares personal touches and "secrets" to her recipe, highlighting the variety found in different families' Hanukkah meals.

  • Quote: "My secret is garlic." — Baba Yehudit, [24:06]

6. Latke Traditions and Toppings

• [25:54–28:19] Discussion turns to oil choices and the evolution of the dish.

  • Earlier, cooking fat varied by region (olive oil, schmaltz, or shortening) and affected whether cheese could be included due to kosher dietary rules.

  • Toppings are hotly debated: applesauce, sour cream, or none.

  • Quote: "Some people use applesauce as a garnish for latkes, while others prefer sour cream, perhaps a nod to the latke's dairy-based origins." — Baba Yehudit, [28:19]

• The family enjoys tasting their work before serving the meal, each with their preferred topping.

  • Quote: "I like both," says Adina, [28:45] referencing applesauce and sour cream.

7. Lighting the Hanukkah Candles & Sharing Stories

• [32:14–33:29] As the guests arrive, the family gathers to light the hanukkiah.

  • Baba Yehudit passes the shamash (the lighting candle) to Adina, marking a passage of tradition.

  • Quote: "She's old enough now to take on the tradition." — Narration, [32:46]

• Everyone joins in prayer and song before sharing the meal.

8. The Communal Meal and Reflections

• [33:35–36:11] The family and guests enjoy their latkes together, choosing toppings and sharing compliments.

  • Adina considers the rich history of the dish and imagines herself sharing the story in future celebrations.

  • Quote: "Adina wonders how many of them know about the fascinating history of the food they're eating." — Narration, [34:22]

9. Winding Down: Nighttime Peace

• [36:22–38:13] After the festivities, Adina goes to bed, cozy in her pajamas and comforted by the memories and the spirit of family and tradition.

  • She reflects on the journey of the latke and looks forward to future celebrations.

  • Quote: "As Idina drifts off to sleep, she remembers the feel of the gooey latke mixture in her hands, the sizzle of the pancakes as they hit the pan, and the warm, hearty tastes of the food." — Narration, [37:00–37:29]

  • Quote: "For now, she can only slip away into sleep and dream about it." — Narration, [38:13]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Though it may still feel fresh in your mind. The events of the day are now in the past. You are living in the present. And the present moment is all we really have." — Thomas, [05:07]
• "We eat foods fried in oil on Hanukkah to remember the miracle of the oil lamp…miraculously, the oil lasted for eight whole nights." — Baba Yehudit, [07:38–08:29]
• "Traces of the cheese making process were found in ancient pottery on the coast of Croatia. The pottery is thought to be over 7,000 years old." — Baba Yehudit, [16:15–16:26]
• "When famine struck, the people of Europe found that the potato was a hardy crop and often grew even when nothing else did." — Baba Yehudit, [23:09–23:23]
• "My secret is garlic." — Baba Yehudit, [24:06]
• "Some people use applesauce as a garnish for latkes, while others prefer sour cream, perhaps a nod to the latke's dairy-based origins." — Baba Yehudit, [28:19]
• "She's old enough now to take on the tradition." — Narration, [32:46]
• "For now, she can only slip away into sleep and dream about it." — Narration, [38:13]

Timeline of Important Segments

• [03:07–06:00] — Guided relaxation with Thomas
• [06:32] — Story begins: Adina and Baba Yehudit in the kitchen
• [07:38–08:29] — Miracle of the oil lamp explained
• [09:13–17:07] — History of latkes, cheese, and potatoes
• [18:07–24:13] — Latke preparation; family traditions
• [25:54–28:19] — Debate over latke toppings and cooking methods
• [32:14–33:29] — Lighting Hanukkah candles, passing down tradition
• [33:35–36:11] — The family meal and reflection
• [36:22–38:13] — Nighttime peace; Adina drifts off to sleep

Tone and Atmosphere

Gentle, nurturing, and full of sensory detail. The tone is rooted in warmth, familial love, and cultural tradition. The peaceful storytelling, complete with vivid kitchen sounds and inviting descriptions, creates a bedtime environment ideal for relaxation and feeling at home.

For New Listeners

You don’t need to be familiar with Hanukkah or Jewish culture to appreciate the richness and comfort of this episode. Through the universal themes of family, tradition, and storytelling, "A Sleepy Evening of Latkes" guides you toward a restful sleep and perhaps leaves you a little hungry for crispy, golden latkes—and the stories they tell.