Shabbat with Family and volunteering

Sherut to the Ramla Bus Station, Bus to Jerusalem, Bus to my family.

They live right outside of Jerusalem, in a small beautiful community of mostly orthodox jews.  They have a beautiful temple, and amazing views of valleys and fields, and in the distance - Jerusalem.

I arrived a bit before sundown, and was treated to a quick tour around the community, and a brief history lesson - then back to the house to prepare for shabbat.

Lights set, dinner set, everything prepared and we headed to the Shul to davon.  The sermon was in Hebrew, so my oldest cousin (we tried to figure out exactly the number of removals and what type of cousins, but eventually I was just introduced as "Jonathan - He's Family") Avi and I went outside, and talked for a while about life in Israel, the army, etc.

I can't imagine a more wonderful shabbat or more wonderful company to share it with in a more beautiful place.

After services, we went back to the house where we sat down and had a feast.  Each dish was more spectacular than the preceding course.  Conversation was stimulating, and towards the end my Uncle shared his thoughts on this week's portion.

Avi invited me to join him after and we called on a few of his friends, which to me is the second half of Shabbat.  The first of course is family, a time to reconnect (everyone thinks it's about disconnecting with the world, and it can be as you turn off electronics, but it also is about reconnecting with the people who are right there, in the immediate present), but the second is community - perhaps why shabbat is so hard to keep in America when geographically Jewish families are spread out all over town instead of in small clumps.  We walked from house to house, always eating and drinking water or coca cola, I met parents and siblings and friends.

I slept deeply through the night, waking up to my youngest cousin shaking Avi awake, with whom I shared a room.  My youngest cousin is five and is adorable; in preparation of Purim she spent most of shabbat changing back into her costume, a precious blue dress.  When the family sang, she danced in the living room, the whole experience was quite magical.  I decided to sleep through services.  It's a beautiful shul, but with a service entirely in Hebrew, I still find it hard to connect, even with a Siddur that is translated.  I hope as I learn more hebrew, that changes.

For shabbat lunch, Moshe came, my uncle's brother.  Another amazing meal and then some backgammon.  I didn't play well the first game, I ended up with pieces in his board at the end of the first game.  I think it is called a double backgammon.  The next game, however, I won, without him getting any pieces off the board.

Havdallah, the closing service of Shabbat, was an awesome finish to my weekend.  Guitars came out, voices sang, and dancing ensued.  Then, Avi was going to Holon and his friends offered me a ride with them.  I had a little trouble finding my way, but eventually made it back home.  Hungry, I went out searching for food only to discover the place that I like was closed.

Yehoshua, my uncle, before I left, gave me two books to read - one written by Phillip Goodman, our shared ancestor (we think), his great great grandfather - don't quote me on the number of greats - and another for my own edification.  I need more time to study, to read, to experience... maybe I will just have to sleep less!

I ended up in bed around 3AM this morning and woke up for volunteering, but missed Nir's calls and knocking, so I went a few minutes late after coming back and checking my phone, and seeing missed calls.  Volunteering was with Jackie and Lindsay, at the retirement home for Alzheimers patients.  It's very sad, I spoke with one woman over and over again, her memory lasted maybe 30 - 45 seconds on average, sometimes up to a minute or two, and then we would have the same conversation over and over again.  Then we danced with them - though it was mostly for them.  It was an interesting experience.  I have Arab Kadima today, and then Jewish Kadima tomorrow, which is new for me.

For a perfect ending, as I was on the way to Jerusalem, I got another email from more family that Fani sent a letter to telling them of me being here in Israel.  I am very excited to continue meeting everyone.