So what have we been up to? I guess I'll start where I left off. On Yom Kippur, as I walked with my children to shul right down the center of the street completely devoid of cars, Shailee de
clared to me, "Yom Kippur is so peaceful in Israel!" Her statement, so simple and so true, really underscored to me why I love to live here.Celebrating Jewish holidays in the US is so labor intensive, and in the end, often not so fun. I sometimes feel like a member of a freakish cult as we walk in packs to the synagogue dressed in our finest clothes, ready for the intense rituals and lengthy services of our holiest days, while the rest of the world passes by for an ordinary Tuesday.
At least most Americans in large cities have heard of the major holidays and hold some sympathy, or at least familiarity with, our taditions. But then, try explaining to your neighbors exactly what that little hut is that you are building in your backyard for Succot. And then explain to your boss why you will be missing 7 days of work every fall but still need a vaccation.
Here, the holidays are so festive and natural. Starting with Rosh Hashannah, everyone down to the mailman wishes everyone a Happy New Year.
On Yom Kippur, our most intense and introspective day, the nation is transformed. Not a single car was on the road, so the children all come out on bicycles! It is truly the most amazing sight. Of course the surreal quality is enhanced by the effects of fasting, but in an entirely pleasant way. Peaceful, as Shailee put it.
Then, onto Sukkot. Hugh arrived in town the afternoon before Sukkot began, so the building of the Sukkah was up to me this year. Not a small task for the mechanically challenged me. I started by asking my neighbor for a drill. As is typical in Israel, rather than the drill I asked for, I got advice. But the advice was quite (atypically) useful and came with a custom drawn sketch of what I should do. So Shailee, Namir and I set to work (Maira headed out to Bnei Akiva).
I admit, that the task was not easy for me. Two steps forward, one and a half back. At each impasse Shailee would exclaim, "Ima, why don't you ask for help?!" But every time we worked our trouble out she would hoot and clap and Namir would break out into a full soccer 'ole' cheer that kept me going.
The neighbors, of course, didn't mind and fully understood the reasons behind the hammering that went on late into the night. Everyone builds sukkot, religious or not. They are beautiful and fun, why not? My next door neighbor, Phillipe, heard the hammering and called out that if for some reason our scheme didn't work out, we were welcome in his. Not so much faith in me, I guess. But we were successful! You can see the process on the Flckr link. What a surprise Hugh got to have it all ready when he arrived. Sitting in or sukkah was especially sweet this year, and we we were even luck to host guests from Maryland the Sultan/Reichlers.
I was in the locker room after swim practice the other day, chatting with the ladies about a very deep topic: the weather. The rain has started, and the air is a bit cooler. One friend, who I know to be completely and totally non-religious/secular made the simple comment that she turns over her closets for the winter/summer wardrobe change every year at Hanukah and Shavuot.
I thought to myself, that's why I love it here. Only in Israel, is it natural for Jews to live a Jewish life. It's our rhythm. We don't need to revolve our lives around Judaism in order to maintain it, it's just the natural framework in which our lives fit. That's why I am a Zionist. Inside Israel Jews thrive, though the nation and it's institutions flounder and head for failure. Outside Israel, being Jewish is an uphill struggle. Jews need a nation or this beautiful culture will whither away. I think Judaism is worth preserving. But I am afraid that the Israeli government is in the process of dooming it.
