January 2-9

Several Israelis said to me over the last few weeks, as we bemoaned the lack of rain and the fact that the Sea of Galilee (Kinneret) has been at very low levels, “I guess we won’t get any rain this year; the winter is almost over”. What were they saying??! For a Canadian, the end of December and the beginning of January are just the BEGINNING of winter. Last week in Jerusalem was really chilly, with temperatures around 0º C and two or three days of much needed rain. This week, Monday morning came without much of a chill in the air, and the ski jackets that were prevalent on the buses and in the streets were much fewer and farer between. I guess winter really is that short here. Of course, we should all be reminded that the snow in Israel in 2008 hit in the last week of January, so you never know.

As would be expected, people are clearly preoccupied by what is going on in Gaza. Although the battle is clearly in Israel’s favor, and the shelling is less (but not stopped), this is not a nation of warriors, no matter how battle hardened the average Israeli is. At a Tehillin and Tefilla program I went to last night sponsored by Emunah, Young Israel and the OU, one of the speakers started by saying that you don’t ask someone how long he’s lived here, you ask how many wars he’s lived through. That’s another thing that really makes this country unique, although I think most people would trade that aspect in, thank you. Everyone knows someone who has a son in Gaza (a rabbi who spoke last night has 2 sons there) and even though thank G-d the number of casualties have been modest, this is such a small country that someone you know is related to or is neighbors with a wounded soldier. Please give Rabbi Mark and Joanne Freedman a hug for us, as Ezra is stationed in Gaza at present. One thing is clear though, at least in the circles that I travel; we are very proud of those that are trying to protect us from those who would (and do) harm innocent people trying to create a better and more productive world.

This week we sadly said good bye to friends who had visited and most of all to a chunk of the Mazer Family who went back. We had a marvelous Shabbat, including dinner at the Inbal )Mazer, Fiter and Wagner) and lunch on Saturday at our apartment.
Shabbat was amazing, but what was most beautiful was the thousands of people who decended on the old city to pray at the Western Wall Friday night. It was inspiring to see the large numbers and the spirit. Also note that the only protests in Israel have been to accelerate the end of fighting, with no "celebrations" of our victories or "Death to the Enemy"rallies, unlike elsewhere in the world. I am always amazed that in spite of this, this country gets such bad press. Mi Kamcha Yisrael!

Everyone had a great time on Shabbat, and it was amazing to be together in this setting, Monty and Daniella left on Sunday AM after we had a farewell dinner at Anna Ticho House, a beautiful restaurant and museum owned by Dr. and Mrs. Ticho from pre-48 days, Dr. Ticho was an ophthalmologist who ran a clinic in the large home, and Anna was an artist. She willed the mansion to the municipality of Jerusalem in the 60’s. The gardens are lovely (although hard to appreciate in the cold) and we have promised ourselves to eventually come back to see the collection of paintings and drawings. Sunday was Barbara’s last day, and we wandered around, picked up a few last minute things and joined our children in the old city in the evening for a quick dinner before packing up and trying to get a few minutes of sleep before the trip to the airport, Of course, travelling in the winter is nothing if not complex…Everything was fine till the transfer in Paris, when a snowstorm in a completely unprepared CGD airport cancelled multiple flights. Something about only one de-icer (an old guy with a hose, apparently). This lead to a 28 hour ordeal for Barbara overnight in a subzero airport (with all the planes cancelled, there were no hotel rooms and masses of people). Thank G-d for Ne-eman Rogelah and cookies and some dry fruit that we packed her. I think she was pretty happy to be home!

Back here in Jerusalem, I spent Monday evening on the computer and phone trying to track Barbara’s whereabouts, which spilled into Tuesday and our weekly family dinner. It was smaller than usual, even though it was right after the fast. Ariel went with the yeshiva to the funeral of one of the soldiers killed on Monday night. A sobering moment, but very important. Tuesday night I said goodbye to the Fiters (just how did you blow the power, Steve?) after what seemed like a really successful (re)-introduction to Israel. Come back soon! Of course the late night goodbye allowed me to call Montreal after Monty and Daniella were re-united with Barbara so I got to greet everyone at home.

Otherwise, it will be a lot of work for me as I now will be wrapping up the time here over the next few weeks. Of course, there will be time for some fun (we are going to hear Yaacov Motzen at the Great Synagogue tomorrow) and lots of Shoshanna stories (and a picture or two). In fact, this morning I met Ariel in Mea Shearim; I was looking for a particular set of books and he said he knew the best and cheapest place (he was right: I paid 10-30 shekels less than other stores). We also went to his favorite rogele store (bakery); there is now a competition between that place and Yitzhak Zocher’s favorite (Amichai); both are much cheaper than Marzipan and the pastries are much less gooey. Ariel introduced me to a chocolate fudge boureka (don’t ask, but it was very good). He is joining me at the Great Synagogue and for lunch tomorrow.

Let’s hope the music and spirit of Shabbat brings lasting peace to all.

Refuah Shlema to Gilad Hillel ben Bracha Mirel, Naama Bracha bat Devorah and Tamar Dina bat Smadar

Shabbat Shalom!