Particularly in times like these, with the world in a chaotic state, with what is going on between Israel and Hamas, Ukraine and Russia, with crazy climate swings, economic insecurity, electoral interference, polarization of extremist views and bastions of academia apparently in turmoil, it’s important to focus on core values. I think most would agree that there is nothing more central to our well-being than family and so it’s perhaps even more important in these times to focus on special times in our families.
And so, two weeks ago I wrote about the amazing events in Cleveland celebrating Tali’s Bat Mitzvah, and last week talked about the pre-Bar Mitzvah events and preparation for Shlomo. So, we pick up on Friday evening, as family and friends descended on Nomi and Elan’s home in Efrat. Nomi’s parents Karen and Robert Goldberger were there as well as her sister Dini and family and her two brothers Eli and Daniel who have both recently gotten engaged to be married! We were represented by Barbara and I, Gila, Ariel, Elisha, Ora and Adi, and our niece Jenna from Alberta. And of course, Shoshana, Nadav, Aryeh and Eytan to round out the gang! We of course missed having Daniella, Monty, Tali and Ezra, and my mother and sister who all had planned to come, but with the war and the cutting back of flights to Israel were unable to make it for this simcha.
We started off Friday night at synagogue, where Shlomo led the congregation on Kabbalat Shabbat, the special Friday night service. After that, the group consisting of family and out of town friends had dinner together in the synagogue, expertly arranged and prepared by Nomi (with a little help from Elan, Shlomo and Shoshana and us). It was great to be all together, and especially to watch all the cousins and the children from other families click together and have a great time. They decided on their own that there would be a special kids table to be able to all sit together! The meal went on till late on Friday night, but of course the main event was to be on Shabbat morning. A Jewish male becomes Bar Mitzvah (literally Son of the Commandments) at age 13; a Jewish Female achieves Bat Mitzvah at age 12 (which says something about the difference between teen boys and girls; I think some boys don’t hit the same maturity as 12 year old girls until their 30’s…). The Bar/Bat Mitzvah designation means two things: the individual is now responsible for taking on and carrying out the mitzvot or 613 “commandments” that make up Jewish practice. In addition, boys can lead services and read the Torah for public readings on Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Last week we highlighted Shlomo reading Torah in School. That is a short reading, only the opening section of the 7 he would read on Shabbat. Shabbat morning, Shlomo read the entire Torah portion of Shemot for which he has been practicing for almost a year. In short, he was great! He read with confidence and was error-free. We were all very proud of his hard work and the main event did not disappoint!
Just a few words about Shlomo. It’s very apropos that he and Tali celebrated in the same time period. Like Tali, he always goes out his way to help people. He has had challenges that he has overcome, and always is positive and never lets health issues get in his way. It was awesome to see his group of friends; watching them at the party on Saturday night was a treat as they really celebrated the event and were tremendously respectful (very unlike most 12- and 13-year old boys!). I had the pleasure of helping to teach Shlomo his Torah portion (mainly on Zoom) and it was a very memorable experience that will be cherished. We wish that the happiness and pride that Shlomo had for his accomplishments this past weekend will always stay with him.
Where did we leave off? After the services on Saturday, all those in synagogue were treated to a “Kiddush” (best defined as a celebratory snack after the services) which was sponsored by Nomi and Elan. There was fruit, vegetable, herring, ‘kugels’ (if you never had kugel, Google it or email me), snack food and cake, and of course a bit of whiskey to wash it down. This was followed by lunch for the same group who spent Friday night dinner together. Again, the food was prepared by Nomi and Co and was superb. After a brief afternoon rest and the conclusion of Shabbat, friends from all over Israel, family and 40 or 50 of Shlomo’s classmates from junior high got together for a party! Music, dancing, more food, lots of pictures, a speech by Shlomo, and as noted above, a great time was had by all.
So, what does one do for an encore? Well, we spent the next few days trying to organize things in our apartment. I mentioned last week that we had done some renovations. This was pretty painless, but it seemed like for everything that was brand new and repaired, some of the things that had not been replaced decided to go on strike (or break). I could regale you with semi-amusing stories about Israeli repair people (perhaps only amusing after the fact), but we literally had to fix our washer, our heating/air conditioning unit, one of the new ovens, the cabinet holding the dishwasher….you get the picture. But those are minor inconveniences and things are in really good shape at the moment!
Some other highlights include picking up our friend Gail (from Toronto) in Petach Tikvah and spending time with her, including a very nice dinner in the centre square of Netanya. On Wednesday night, we celebrated Ariel’s birthday with Gila and the kids at a cool new place in Petach Tikvah! And last night, our friends Lori and Alvan Small suggested we go shopping for our Shabbat food at a new take out place (called take away in Israel) in the Galei Sanz Hotel, about 1 KM north of us in the Hassidic community of Sanz. I once wrote about the Galei Sanz hotel, way back when Shoshana was a baby; we had meals there and the place looked like it should be condemned! So, in the end, it was, and in its place is a brand-new beautiful hotel with a restaurant and a store open Thursday and Friday for take-out food. Very impressive selection, and we will be doing pot-luck from this store with Lori and Alvan and perhaps taking a break from our frenetic pace.
We wish everyone a relaxing Shabbat Shalom!
Please be careful of snow and freezing rain!!!
Barbara and Bruce
Happy Birthday to Ariel!
Happy Birthday to Uncle Paul!
Happy Birthday Zev!
Happy Birthday Jeff!
Happy Birthday Sheldon!
Happy Anniversary Roanne and David!
Refuah Shelema to Paltiel Refael ben Esther
Refuah Shelema to Aliza bat Chaya
And may all those held hostage or displaced from their homes be able to return safely.
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