Shabbat Shalom from Netanya: Shabbat Shalom Week three: Hitchhikers take a break in Netanya!

Some weeks have lots of twists and turns, and some just seem to fly by. This one flew by. Perhaps it’s because we did a bit less driving and stayed in one place for most of the week. Perhaps it’s the fact that we are living in two time zones, covering beach and kids in the morning and early afternoon, then doing student presentations, meetings, and monitoring our projects from afar, but things are non-stop, in a fun but fairly exhausting way. Without a doubt, the positives outweigh the negatives.

Just for some perspective in case you forgot, our home base in Israel is Netanya, a medium sized city of 200,000 about 25 minutes north of Tel Aviv. It’s right on the coast, built up on a cliff. So, easy access to beaches, if you don’t mind climbing stairs (154, I think!) This is an attraction to say the least, and can keep the kids busy for hours. Of course, it is August, so the usual approach is to take them out early in the AM before the sun is straight overhead, lots of sunscreen and lots of time in the water. It’s very warm at this time of year, and perhaps another sign of climate change is the tides are much higher than when we first started coming here 10 years ago. The waves and wake are super fun for jumping in and can entertain anyone who likes to get splashed on; just make sure you have a buddy as some of the crashing waves can pull you along!

The week started on Sunday at the Jerusalem Zoo with Shlomo, Nadav and Aryeh. The zoo is very spread out and they have made ticket purchases on-line only, to monitor reservations and keep the place much less crowded than usual. Still, there were a lot of people, and the day was warm, in the low 30’s, so hydration and shade was important to be able to see the lions, gorillas, and especially the elephants. Everyone enjoyed and despite Corona there were lots of families, although people appeared to be mindful of keeping near their own groups.

Overall, it appears Israel’s population is adapting to the current wave of the pandemic. We walked along the pedestrian mall that makes up the center of Netanya, and there are lots of people in the streets. Due to the travel restrictions that have been imposed, there are probably a lot less tourists than normal, but by sunset the restaurants are packed on their terraces, with few people in doors, and people are enjoying the last days of freedom prior to the start of school which is September 1st. Or perhaps the freedom starts when the kids go back to school? A good question for debate.

Back home, I understand there will be an election. (Don’t act so surprised). We registered for voting by mail this week, and hopefully the ballot will arrive and return on time. Watching the polls, it’s interesting to see the polarization: Jagmeet Singh is the most popular leader, yet his party is firmly third; Justin Trudeau is the incumbent who called the election to solidify a majority based on his Pandemic performance, and is slipping in the polls daily; no one seems to know Eric O’Toole and yet the Conservative party is now neck and neck in the polls with the Liberals. We won’t have the sidesplitting entertainment of a Trump-Biden debate (Trump made Don Rickles look like a pussycat), but I suspect there will be a few good stories in the political sphere over the next 3 weeks before the vote.

So what else is there to do in Netanya? As I mentioned, the city center is a pedestrian mall with large fountains in the middle. One morning, the activity for Elisha, Ora and Adi was to play on the fountains with a few dozen other children. Then dry up and lunch on the beach. In the evening, there are street vendors and rides, bouncing equipment and even a motorized bike track which Elisha thought was the most fun thing he has ever done! So, yes, lots to do; yet as we walk into the house, Ora, age 4 yells “everyone wash their hands!!” and Elisha told me that 7 is the age you have to wear masks in stores, and since he is 7, he brings a mask with him whenever he goes out. The pandemic has definitely been an education for all and made kids grow up and see the world a little less innocently than before.

But, there is nothing quite like a big bunch of cousins getting together, which is what is happening here this Shabbat; both our Israeli families are here in Netanya for Shabbat so we will have a lot of action. We spoke to Daniella, Tali and Ezra this morning and can think about having us all join together very soon!

We wish you a fun and rewarding Shabbat Shalom!