A massive winter storm expected to affect nearly half the country is set to hit the Cincinnati area on Sunday with an estimated 8-12 inches of snow. The storm, which has yet to arrive, has already caused school and work closures on Monday. Update: Hamilton County is under a level 3 Snow Emergency until Monday Afternoon. According to meteroligists Cincinnati received 10.2 inches of snow.
You’ve braved the grocery stores, which haven’t been this chaotic since right before the covid lockdown. You’ve got your supplies, so you’re ready for the storm.
But now you need something to keep boredom at bay. Fear not, we’ve got a few suggestions to keep you from going stir-crazy while you’re potentially snowed in.
Watch a Show or Movie
There are quite a few “Jewishy” TV shows and films available on streaming services. Here are a few that seem like a fun binge.
Mel Brooks: The 99-Year-Old Man, a two-part documentary directed by another famous Jewish director, Jud Apatow, is about the life and work of legendary comic genius Mel Brooks.
Tehran is an Israeli-produced spy thriller about a deep-cover Mossad agent in the Iranian capital. The third season recently debuted on Apple TV.
Long Story Short is an animated series from BoJack Horseman creator Raphael Bob-Waksberg about the tight-knit lives of an American Jewish family.
Prep a Tu B’Shvat Seder
Tu B’Shvat begins next Sunday, February 2, so why not prepare for yours while you’re snowed in? Read our how-to by our food writer, Gayle Levine Schindler
Make a cold-weather recipe
Cooking can be a great cure for boredom and can be fun if you’re alone, or can engage the whole family, at least for a little while. Try out one of these great recipes that are great anytime of year.
Fire up an indoor grill or use a frying pan to make Arayes
Baking bread can be meditative. Try out this Challah recipe.
Winter is theperfect time to make Soup. Fire up the cauldron and see what sort of creation you can make.
Get a head start on Purim and test-run some Hamantaschen
Why not try making your own pita?
Listen to a Jewish Podcast
Why not use some of the downtime to catch up on the first season of Who the Folk?! Cincinnati, before the premiere of the second season.
Check out the Kibbitz, a podcast hosted by Cincinnatians Andrea Beck and Melissa W. Hunter.
Check out Chutzpod, hosted by Rabbi Shira Stutman, who will be speaking at the Jewish Federations Impact Breakfast, and Journalist Hanna Rosin. They dive into Jewish questions submitted by listeners.
Tell us your favorite way to pass the time while snowed in in the comments. Stay Warm, Cincinnati.