2012

This year gets off to a great start...

"Home"

After arriving at JFK, I rented a car and drove to Locustwood Cemetery to visit my Mom.  There I was able to journal and remember how we went to college together, how she typed my papers with her 'one finger' style late at night while I slept, how she put together holiday dinners, how she touched so many student's lives as an English teacher, how beautiful she was as a teenager, how she always had music on in our home which is why I know the words to every show song and standard, how she especially loved "My Ship," how she cared for her mother, how she wrote letters and poems and loved to draw, how she made sure I got a guitar, and how she made me feel very special and loved.  I know she is a happy, free butterfly somewhere....

Then I went to visit my Dad which was wonderful.  I am so proud of his routine, how much he has learned on the computer, how he is loved by so many where he lives, how he keeps my mom's memory alive in his home, how he exercises, how he keeps up with the news and his strong opinions, and how kind he is.  We had a lovely dinner with my sweet brother Gary and Donna.

And then the flight 'home' to San Diego.  Where my true home is I still have yet to discover.


I awakened to the sad news of the bus bombing in Jerusalem.  

Breakfast of Champions

We say that Avraham and Sarah are our models for hospitality, as they rushed to greet guests from their tent.  I  want to thank Necha Golda and Mendel who were my "Sarah and Abraham."  Their generosity, warmth, and kindness is a model that I will treasure.  Their peaceful home was filled with learning, Torah, humor, and delicious food.  Thank you so much! 

G-d Is In This Place...and I Know It...

l'hitraot...

The Hurva Synagogue

The Hurva Synagogue has a long history in Jerusalem.  It was first built by the Ramban in the 1200's.  It was destroyed many times.  Finally, it was rebuilt in 1867.  Our guide's father, a 3rd generation Jerusalemite, remembers singing in this magnificent, rich Shul with the large, established Jewish population.

During the War of Independence in 1948, it was demolished with the promise that all traces of a Jewish presence in the City would also be gone forever.

My last visit to Israel, I visited the Arch Memorial to the Hurva Synagogue...

The Hurva Synagogue has once again been restored!  The Aron Kodesh is an exact replica of the old synagogue.

Notice the old wall incorporated into the new structure...

I look forward to watching the sun come through the windows, bringing golden light onto the ark this Shabbat.  What a privilege to hear the story of this synagogue...

Machane Yehuda

"And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and gather in the increase thereof; but the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of thy people may eat; and what they leave the beast of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy olive yard."

Shabbat in Jerusalem

"Yerushalaim all of gold, Yerushalaim, bronze and light, 

Within my heart I shall treasure, 

Your song and sight."

Shabbat in Jerusalem.  Walking to the Kotel.  Dancing circles of American teens.  Religious men rushing by.  Weeping women by the wall.  Laughing children.  Babies in strollers. Soldiers having a ceremony.  Tour guides speaking to groups. People gathering for conversation.  Prayers.  Songs.  Peace.  

Our GEM group went to the home of Rabbi Efim Svirsky for a wonderful dinner.  He is the Education director of the Russian Program at Aish Ha Torah and also the Director of the Institute of Jewish Spiritual Therapy.  His wife teaches classes to young women ready for marriage.  Delicious food infused with words of Torah and questions about family life in Jerusalem.  Then we went to the home of the Cohen's who welcome guests every Friday evening to their home.

On Saturday we were invited to the Chernin's for a delicious meal.  Renee has a website www.thekosherchannel.com where she has recipes mixed with torah insights.  Her wonderful guests shared their stories of moving to Jerusalem and life in Israel.

Back at Necha Golda's we continued to learn how to elevate the mundane into the spiritual realms, got a lesson in burning wicks in olive oil (very valuable!!) had our third meal, more fascinating study, and bid farewell to Shabbat with the blessings over sweet-smelling spices, candles, and wine for Havdalah.

Then our wonderful Esther took us to Ben Yehuda Street to see the happiness of 'motzi shabbat'...the after Shabbat joy of shopping on the best street in Jerusalem!