The Best Cheesecake Recipe

and the Sweetest Reason to Use It This Shavuos

by KR

As Shavuos nears, so do the familiar conversations-Torah shiurim, where to learn through the night, holiday meals, and of course, cheesecake. Store-bought or homemade? Bake or no-bake? Fruity, with cookies or plain? What crust and which is most likely to be successful?

While many are exchanging recipes, though, in Israel many others are preoccupied with much heavier concerns. Fathers and sons are being called back into miluim in record numbers, with wives and mothers once again doing their best to hold down the fort (and stay sane!) singlehandedly. Families are struggling with the consequences of the war—including dealing with stress and trauma, and widespread, escalated costs of living. For needy households, the celebration of Shavuos comes with a heavy price tag, and preparing a festive dairy meal feels like a luxury—one that’s out of reach, especially since the costs of dairy products (even under government price control) have recently risen-yet again.

It’s with this in mind that AFYE/B’ezri is pointedly running our annual Shavuos Dairy Distribution, a lifeline for 1,800 divorced mothers raising children alone. Each woman, in 27 cities and communities across Israel, will receive a generous Shavuos package worth hundreds of shekels, filled with essentials and extras: cheeses, sour cream, yogurt, puddings, and more. These are the very products that fill other homes with holiday comfort-but for the mothers we help, they often remain out of reach.

Community coordinators we work with have already begun calling, asking if we’ll be doing the distribution again this year. They know what a meaningful impact it made in the past:
“Wow!
As a single mother, I was so moved to receive such a thoughtful and pampering gift.
A full box with a cooler bag of delicious dairy products in honor of Shavuos.
As a single mother, I carry a lot on my shoulders—a lot of burdens, many expenses, and countless challenges in different areas. Daily life is anything but simple—it’s exhausting, with so many demands, so many tasks, and the constant need for all kinds of resources, while actually having so few. It’s such a difficult combination.
And now, ahead of Shavuos—when my son won’t be able to learn with his father—receiving a gift like this truly warmed our hearts and brought joy to both of us.
The care and thoughtfulness are deeply touching!
We were so happy and moved. Far beyond the delicious and generous contents of the box, we were touched by the thought and dedication behind it. By the understanding that we’re facing a difficult situation. By the kindness.
You truly brought us joy and warmed our hearts!
It’s not something to take for granted, and it’s incredibly moving and uplifting.”

So our answer is, "Absolutely!" And while we're at it, in honor of Shavuos, here are two of our favorite, easiest Israeli cheesecake recipes- posted with the wish that this simple, satisfying classic fills more homes with sweetness this year.

The Best Israeli Cheesecake (That’s Also the Easiest!) - Baked
Ingredients
For the crust:
1½ cups crushed tea biscuits or graham crackers
¼ cup sugar
100g (7 Tbsp) melted butter
For the filling:
500g (about 2 cups) Israeli gvina levana (white cheese 5% or 9%) or quark
250g (1 cup) cream cheese
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp flour
200ml (about ¾ cup) sour cream

Instructions
Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F).
Mix crust ingredients and press into the bottom of a springform pan. Chill for 10 minutes.
In a large bowl, beat the cheeses until smooth. Add sugar, then eggs one at a time. Mix in vanilla, flour, and sour cream.
Pour over the crust and bake for about 50–60 minutes, or until the center is just set.
Let cool, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is best).
Top with fresh berries or a light sour cream glaze if desired.

The Best, Classic Israeli Cheesecake (Even easier!) - No bake
For the base:
250 g tea biscuits
125 g melted butter
Filling:
500 ml whipping cream
120 g milk (about ½ c)
50 g sugar (about 1/4/ c)
lemon zest
instant vanilla pudding
500 g gvina levana 9%

To prepare:
Crush tea biscuits and combine with butter, press into bottom of pan
In a bowl, whip the whipped cream about half a minute.
Add milk, sugar, lemon zest and pudding and beat until stiff peaks form.
Fold in the gvina levana.
Chill at least 6 hours.

We hope you also have success with these recipes this Shavuos, and by donating to this campaign, your support will help a needy mother prepare hers, too.
Each cheesecake, spoonful of dessert or excited child’s laugh will be thanks to you.
Bring joy into needy homes-it's easy!
 

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