We are nearing the end of this trip! Sometimes we wonder
where the time went, although as you have seen a lot has gone on! We may actually need a vacation from our
vacation!! However, that is not likely to happen when we get back, so let’s
just enjoy reliving the last week in review…
Shabbat was spent in Jerusalem at Nomi and Elan’s home in
the old city. We actually stayed in the German colony, at our friend Diane and
Ed Zeligman’s apartment. It’s really beautiful, in a very central location. On
Shabbat morning really did not know where to go to synagogue, I walked out the front door, and looked lost.
A very nice guy from New York (Living in Jerusalem for the last 12 or so years)
said,”You look like you need a place to go to shul”, so I followed him. This
was a real treat, a beautiful renovated old synagogue on Yael Street. Very friendly
people, lots of singing, and a really heimish (homey) atmosphere. The meals on
Friday night and Saturday at Nomi and Elan’s were great, and we saw Elan in
action as he had students visiting his home to eat and study on Shabbat. It’s
really impressive to see both how much he has accomplished both as a teacher
and mentor!
At the close of Shabbat we lit the first Chanukah candle. We
ushered in the holiday with singing and games with Shoshana and Shlomo. That evening
we met Carol and David Novosellors, ex-Montrealer’s who have moved to Efrat. We
had a great time catching up. On Sunday
we babysat Shoshana and Shlomo and spent the day at the Jerusalem Zoo! I don’t know
who had more fun, the kids or us watching them. That evening, we left Jerusalem
and went to the Tel Aviv area for an amazing museum experience, called Dialogue
in the Dark in Holon with the Goldbergers. The guides are blind and we were led
in pitch darkness through various rooms that provide every day scenarios, like
a home, a forest or a market, using a white cane and our other senses. Our
guide was excellent and we had some interesting discussions with him at the end
about his experience, attitudes and frustrations. Highly recommended!
The rest of the week was almost a blur. Monday started in
Netanya, and ended with dinner in Neve
Daniel with the Gila, Ariel and the Twersky’s. Tuesday was visit ex-Montrealers day, we had
breakfast with the Seal Family overlooking the gorgeous Marina in Herzliya (a
treat if you have never been there), and then a late dinner with the Maliachs
in South Netanya. This was sandwiched by Barbara meeting a group of Israeli OT
researchers and some preparation for the family “invading” the next day. On Wednesday
we met the Jerusalem gang at Monkey Park, a small zoo the features (you guessed
it) Monkeys! The kids had a ball and one sharp eyed monkey almost ran off with
Shlomo’s Chanukah donut! That evening we
celebrated Shlomo’s upcoming 2nd birthday with the Goldberger family.
I wish I could post the whole video of his blowing out the candles. A two year
old can be very serious!
As it is Chanukah, many people were off for the holiday. I
would like to say in passing that being in Israel for Chanukah is most unlike
being in North America for the holidays. First, Chanuka is anything but a commercial
holiday. Gift giving is really a North American tradition, and most things here
are very low key. There are also the different food choices here; in North
America, we eat fried potato latkes (pancakes) and in Israel, sufganiot (deep fried
donuts). The common denominator is the oil, to celebrate the miracle of Chanuka
that occurred in the Temple when a small
flask of pure olive oil burned for eight days. This followed the liberation of
Israel from invading armies by the Macabees. The main sign of the holiday is the
presence of Chanukiot, 8 armed
candelabras, in windows and on porches
and doorways, especially in Jerusalem. Our Montreal weather is not exactly
favorable for outdoor placement. The light and warmth of the holiday is very
unique and very precious. It is really about freedom and there is a very strong
emphasis on the family. 
With the holiday in full swing, every place we went was
mobbed with kids. It’s a great sight, but on Thursday we tried two children’s
museums which were both packed to the rafters before we needed up taking the kids
to play at Ikea! Then Gila and Ariel joined us and we had a great dinner out
together, before coming home to prepare for Shabbat. That included a trip to the Chassidic enclave
nearby which makes the best chopped liver in the country (well, we haven’t
tried that many, but it is really good) and visits to the fruit and vegetable
market and bakery. 
We spent a superb Shabbat with the kids and grandchildren,
talking, singing, playing and just enjoying. We missed having Monty, Daniella
and Tali around, but we got to spend quality time with Gila and Ariel and
excellent time at the park with Shoshana and Shlomo. We lit the 8th Chanukah candle, sang
and danced, then said goodbye to all.
This ends this installment. It’s been over 3 weeks, a wedding,
Chanukah and special time with everyone. We added a new member to the family
and saw the little ones magically grow and change before our eyes. From a
practical point of view by now we can drive the central corridor in Israel
(Highway 1, 4 and 2) with our eyes closed, and can tell you where every traffic
jam usually starts and ends, and what is the best and the worst time to try and
do an errand in that area. We bid farewell to the kids, to Netanya and to
Israel and look forward to coming back soon (hopefully for Passover) and more
special times.
Wishing you a wonderful last day of Chanukah (as we fly
home)
Barbara and Bruce
We wish Danielle Wiesz a Happy Birthday
Refuah Shlema to Zisel bat Bella
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