Cheddar Cheese And Beer Dip, Marcia Greenberg Hoffman

Halfway through February of 1958, the daily temperature had rarely been above freezing. The 11th started the morning at 5 degrees. Icebreaking boats made their way through the harbor, smashing paths to free ice-locked boats.

When the possibility of snow was reported on Valentine’s Day, “the Weather Bureau said it could give no estimated snow depths until the storm’s path assume[d] a more definite pattern.”

Despite the oppressive weather, Marcia Greenberg, a 21-year-old UMBC student, went on a blind date with Gerald Hoffman, a young dentist. Gerald’s dental school fraternity, which he would remain involved in for the rest of his life, held a dance at the Lord Baltimore Hotel.

As Marcia and Gerald danced and got to know one another, it snowed 19 inches. They ended the night with Marcia sleeping in a bathroom for propriety’s sake. They married in June of that year.

After getting her degree in social work, Marcia was heavily involved with the Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society of Baltimore. The organization followed in a long tradition of Jewish organizations helping newly emigrated families to get established and accustomed, and this iteration was primarily focused on people leaving the Soviet Union. Marcia edited The News Exchange, a newsletter that was published in English and Russian. In 1980 she wrote about her work: “The American Holidays, such as Halloween and Valentine’s Day, in particular, must be dealt with tactfully since these holidays have definite Christian roots, are celebrated by many Jews, and are not known in the Soviet Union.” The newsletter also printed recipes.

The Hoffmans stayed busy outside of work. Jerry participates 18 bicycle century rides. He painted and did needlepoint and crewel embroidery. Marcia knitted over 1000 hats for the newborn babies of Sinai Hospital. She played Mahjong and Canasta weekly.

Although Marcia had originally been born in Brooklyn NY, and didn’t end up in Baltimore until high school, she must have stayed loyal to her graduating alma mater. In 1964, she contributed five recipes to The Park School Cook Book: Brisket, Cheddar Cheese And Beer Dip, Cherries Jubilee, Chocolate Mousse, and Orange-Bleu Cheese Salad.

I made the dip. As for judging the recipe, its going to come down to, well, the cheese and the beer. I happened to have a nonalcoholic one that was maybe not the best choice for this. I liked it better heated.

Marcia died in August 2020, and Gerald five years later. Their obituaries are filled with expressions of kindness and vivacity, hard work and meaningful connection throughout the different stages of their lives. Jerry “was known for his warm smile and calming presence.” Marcia “had a witty sense of humor and was a wonderful storyteller, especially when it came to telling others the tale of how she and Jerry met.”

Recipe:

• 8 ounces cream cheese
• 1.5 pounds sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 0.75 Cups beer
• 0.5 Teaspoons Tabasco sauce
• 1 Tablespoon sesame seeds

Combine cheeses, beer and Tabasco in blender until smooth. Stir in sesame seeds.

SOURCE: The Park School Cook Book by Park School Parents Association (1964)