Where has the time gone? It seems like two weeks has just flown by and we have not had a chance to let you know what has transpired in Israel. To be honest, Pesach was a busy time, but communication is still important, right? So, let’s share some highlights as we head into Shabbat this week.
The Passover Seder, the festive meal that is the central experience of the holiday, is an opportunity to discuss the root origin of the Jewish people, relationship with G-d, approach to freedom, and many other very intricate and challenging concepts. The most important concept is that of engaging the participants, particularly the children. We were with Elan and his family and Elan and Nomi created a masterful combination of discussions and fun debates, games like Passover Jeopardy, acting out parts of the story and lots of songs and action. Everyone (except maybe baby Eitan!) contributed, participated, and really was caught up in the moment. Of course there was amazing food (thanks to Nomi and Elan with a little help from the other adults) and we continued late into the night. It was a great experience and if you need tricks to keep the crowd moving, feel free to ask!
By Sunday. people were ready to get out of the house, which led to a hike in the hills around the Gush Etzyon area, to a Wadi (stream) which everyone waded through; it was a very hot day, so the cool water was appreciated! That evening, Barbara and I left Efrat with Shlomo, Nadav and Aryeh in tow to spend some time in Netanya. That meant, of course, a beach day on Monday, and the rest of the gang joined us Monday evening. Tuesday’s main activity was a very Canadian thing to do; skating at the arena built in Kfar Yonah, a small town about 12-minute drive from Netanya. There is no doubt our crew (Shoshana and Shlomo for sure, not to mention Elan) were the best skaters on the ice. Unfortunately for Aryeh, the skating is restricted to kids over 5, so he got some one-on-one time with Sabi in a huge new park recently built near our home. No problem getting rid of excess energy there!
On Wednesday we participated in a very moving ceremony in Elan’s community. The development is only a few years old, and their neighborhood synagogue is under construction. The community was in need of a Torah Scroll and Mizrachi Canada, the organization that Elan directs, developed a program whereby Torah Scrolls which were no longer being used in synagogues because they needed repair, were donated, fixed and then given to communities that needed Torah Scrolls. We decided to donate one to the new Efrat synagogue being built in the Tamar community that our kids live in. The Torah was donated in honor of our dear departed parents, Michael and Molly Samuel, Sid Mazer and Barbara’s brother Mark Samuel. Dozens of community members participated (it seemed like hundreds of children!) and there was music and snacks. A major “naches” (great pride) moment was watching our grandsons Shlomo and Nadav reading from the Torah! I would just like to share a few of the concepts that I spoke about at the dedication. All of our parents were born in Canada, as their parents had left the ravages of Europe either pre or post first World War. Although they did not directly experience the Holocaust, life in Canada was not easy for the Jewish Community, due to poverty but specifically due to not so hidden Anti-Semitism. Quotas in schools, restricted clubs and parks, job discrimination; life was difficult. Yet, both families stuck with it, and made sure their children were educated in Jewish Schools and participated in activities. This gave both Barbara and I strong roots, and we are blessed to carry on this important tradition through our children and wonderful grandchildren. The Torah, bearing the names of our four family member on its cover, now can serve as an educational centerpiece of a new community. As we see the turmoil and polarization in our world today, it’s doubly important that we all work together to have strong roots in our own cultures and traditions and respect and help celebrate the cultures of those around us.
Passover quickly came to a close which was followed by more time with Ariel, Gila, Elisha, Ora and Adi. First, as Gila was away on a trip organized by the high school she works at, we had two afternoons of school pickups in Petach Tikvah, playtime in the park and dinner with the kids, who appeared to enjoy the grandparent time! Then, Bruce took off (sadly) to return to Montreal, but Barbara ‘ran off’ with Elisha and Ora for a day of trampolining, bumper cars and playing in the park. This Shabbat the Petach Tikvah gang is in Netanya for some fun in the sand and then Shabbat together.
We wish you an amazing Shabbat Shalom!
Happy Birthday to Chuck Wagner!
Happy Birthday to Joshua
Happy Birthday to Jessica
Happy Birthday to Bobby Shaul
We wish a speedy recovery / Refuah Shlema to Shmuel Zev ben Rochel Eta
We wish a speedy recovery / Refuah Shlema to Fruma Menucha bat Chaya
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