The trip to Israel was a bit more hectic than usual. Last
week began with Bruce going to a conference in San Diego, and Barbara going to
a conference in Toronto. After speaking
on Wednesday afternoon, I flew on the ‘red eye’ to meet Barbara at Pearson
Airport in Toronto. We had an 11 AM flight to Newark with a 3 hour connection for
our flight to Israel. Sounds OK so far? At the gate for the Newark flight, the
ground crew were frantically trying to find people for the afternoon Newark
flights to put on our plane. Seems that there were a few rain and thunder storms
in the Newark area. We took off on time, but circled Newark for an hour before
we started to run out of fuel. The plane was diverted to beautiful downtown
Albany, where we got fuel for the plane (but none for the passengers), and we
took off again after waiting an hour for clearance. Although we were a bit
antsy, things looks OK for a 4 PM flight to Israel as we descended and landed
at 3:30 (Only 2 and a half hours late…) BUT, with all the chaos, we had no gate,
which meant that we had to wait and see when we could dock the plane. Thank G-d
for the guy in the next seat who had an iphone allowing us to check the United
Airlines web site…our Israel flight was also delayed….! So we got off the
plane, and got over to our next gate in plenty of time. In fact, a bit too
much. We boarded well after 6 PM, and then they discovered that one of the exit
signs in the plane was loose. This didn’t really seem like essential flying
equipment, but not according to the ground crew! It took almost 2 hours and up
to 6 guys to figure out how to insert a small pin to affix the sign (This is no
joke! See the pictures!). It looked like City of Montreal Pot-hole repair crews!
(How many United Employees does it take to change a light bulb?). Finally we
took off, but instead of a 9:45 arrival, we landed at 3 PM on Friday afternoon!
Fortunately, we were not personally making the preparations
for Shabbat. We went directly to Jerusalem, where we were staying in our friend’s
the Zeligman’s apartment (thanks Diane and Ed! Great place!) with Ariel and
Gilah. Friday night dinner was at the Inbal with the whole Mazer clan and
Daniella’s parents Chuck and Rochel, and Shabbat lunch was at Elan and Nomi’s. We
had a great time with everyone, especially all the little ones.
Jerusalem has just renovated the area around the old train
station in the triangle between Emek Refaim, Derech Bet Lechem and David Remez
streets. There is a long bike/walking path, shops, carts with artsy things to
buy and of course, restaurants. It is about half way done and promises to be
really nice. We passed by there on Saturday night (but the restaurant we wanted
to try was packed) and returned Monday for lunch. It’s another really nice
touch to a city that is already amazing to walk in. Saturday night we got to “hang
out” on Emek Refaim, and have a late night snack with some of our kids as well
as Steven Lerner and Dan Illuouz, Montrealers living in Israel. We even bumped
into Elie and Joel Moss.
Sunday was spent at the Israel Museum with Monty, Daniella,
Tali and the Wagners, then in the later afternoon we went to the old city for another
real treat: we baby sat Shoshana and Shlomo! Talk about good times. Barbara got
to see Shoshana’s ballet recital practice, and Bruce got to play ball with
Shlomo in the central square of the old city (and this is on You Tube!). This
was a rare pleasure that we enjoyed so much we “stole” the kids Wednesday night
for two days with us in Netanya. However, I am getting ahead of the chronology…..Monday
included a trip to the Jerusalem Zoo, lunch at the train station, dinner in the
Old City, and finally a trip to our apartment in Netanya to set up shop for a
few days.
The pinnacle of the week of course was graduation at
Technion, which was the central event that brought us back to Israel. The American
program is now 30 years old, but has seen many changes. Monty and a couple of
his classmates pushed for 
some important changes to bring the schedule to
correspond more with US schools, to do better North American Board preparation,
and other things to improve the chance of matching. To say that Monty had a
positive influence on the program is an understatement. Firstly, he graduated
Cum Laude (“With Distinction” for non-Latin speakers). Second, his classmates
recognized him for being class rep for all 4 years, and for being the go-to guy
if someone had a beef, a problem, or just needed someone to talk to. This,
better than anything, shows what kind of physician he will make: positive,
helpful, willing to put in the effort to make changes, and having enough
insight to deal with individuals to bring everyone together on issues. Really
doing great academically is the icing on the cake. Yasher Koach, Monty, we look
forward to more of the same in Buffalo and everywhere else you go!!
Wednesday was a catch up day; a trip to Jerusalem, some
shopping, a quick visit to Hebrew U and the lab, a visit with cousin Linda, and
then a farewell dinner at Herzl in Mamilla Mall with Monty and Clan, Elan and
Co and the Wagner’s along with Rochel’s cousin Moti. Monty, Daniella and Tali
flew back to Toronto on Thursday AM with the Wagers; all have arrived safe and
sound!
We left the restaurant on Wednesday with a very important
parcel in tow…Shoshana and Shlomo! They fell asleep in the car and awoke Thursday
AM ready to roll. The day was a dream day for an almost 5 year old and a 2 ½ year
old: Breakfast, time on the beach to play in the sand and splash in the waves; then
Shoshana helped me make eggs for everyone (just like with Abba!), naps, Ice
cream at city center, jumping on the inflatable Panda, the playground on the
boardwalk and finally Pizza! When we got home, I am not sure who was more
tired, them or us, but they did go to bed earlier!
Friday included more quality time with the kids, some Roller
blading and time at an air conditioned mall, as well as shopping to prepare for
Shabbat. We are now awaiting the arrival of Elan, Nomi, Ariel and Gilah, all
coming together. Strange to think that after 4 years, this is the last week we
will all be together in Israel for quite a while.
At last Friday night’s dinner, I reflected on the Torah
Portion for that week, which begins with the lighting of the Sacred Candelabra
(Menorah) in the desert Tabernacle (Mishkan). This task was given to Aaron the Cohen
or high priest. The high priest had many important tasks such as sacrifices and
other Temple worship. However, most of these tasks were lost following the destruction
of the Temple. However, we are taught that lighting of candles will go on forever.
Which candles? Chanukka Candles, and Shabbat Candles. We also learn from this
that when preparing Shabbat Candles, the responsibility is on the man of the
home to prepare for his wife to light. This is a poignant example of how a home
should be run: with all important, sacred tasks being shared by husband and
wife. As we looked around the table and saw the wonderful families our three sons
are building, the wonderful women they married and the way that they interact
and share, it is clear that they embody this concept beautifully. It is a sure
sign of good things to come, as they continue in life together, through exciting
(and maybe stressful) challenges and events. As Barbara and I have learned, as
long as you work together good things come of it, and we are super proud that
our children appear to be following that lesson and path.
We wish you all an amazing Shabbat Shalom!
We wish a very Happy Birthday to Aviva Weisz and to Gabriel Nisker!
Refuah Shlema to Zisel Bat Bella and To HaRav Reuven David
Ben Chana
