Look at 7. What do we know about the twins four brothers?
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CHRISTMAS MIDEAST STYLE MEMORIES OF LEBANON FLAVOR THE HOLIDAY FOR THE KHAWAM FAMILY. NOW THEY’RE SHARING THEIR RECIPES AND THEIR HERITAGE.
Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) - Sunday, December 18, 1988
Author: Gerald Etter, Inquirer Food Writer
When Marcelle Khawam recalls her childhood Christmases in the small seaport of Jounieh, in northern Lebanon, she sees gentle visions.
There are little girls in dresses of burgundy velvet trimmed in gold. Food simmers through the night, filling the house with scents of spice. Men sip Turkish coffee, play backgammon and tell stories of Christmases past. All is in a hush.
Marcelle’s daughter, Caroline, 19, has similar recollections, but hers are more contemporary.
A helicopter throbs loudly overhead and drops candy for the children. Papa Noel barrels into Jounieh on a motorbike, shouting goodwill to all who can hear over the roar of the motor. The bike’s luggage racks are laden with brightly wrapped gifts.
Jounieh, the old Khawam homestead, is, historically, a resort town just north of Tyre. It is also about 150 miles north of Bethlehem, which makes it part of the cradle in which Christianity was swaddled. The Khawams belong to the Maronite Catholic Church, one of the oldest denominations of Christianity.
“I think the nearness to the birth of Jesus gives special meaning to Christmas in the Middle East,” Marcelle Khawam said. “And even though we are now in the States, our traditions are still with us.”
The family came here in the mid-1970s. John Khawam is a musician and was considered one of the leading organists in Lebanon. Marcelle was an accomplished cook who spent a good deal of her time entertaining people involved in the arts and politics.
They have four children - Caroline, David (who was born shortly after midnight on Christmas Day 17 years ago), and twins Natalie and Jill, 13. The family resides in Northeast Philadelphia and operates a small Middle Eastern restaurant, Sahara, at 114 White Horse Rd. in Voorhees.
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