Almost Eden

If I hadn't received e-mail and Facebook notes from people in the US, I honestly would have forgotten about Thanksgiving. In Israel, unless you make a serious effort, the day is no different than most others; Michael went to ulpan, Yisrael went to school, I did housework, planned Shabbat meals and blogged.

Last night I phoned my mother in New York, the house was buzzing with the sounds of Mom, Vincent & Valerie, and maybe Philip in the kitchen preparing the feast... two or three kinds of stuffing, artichokes, mashed potatoes, stuffed mushrooms, homemade cranberry sauce, candied yams, and a large turkey whose drippings would later serve as the base for a delicious gravy. Mmmm! My mouth was watering. I'm thankful for the strength of the wonderful memories of previous Thanksgiving meals with family that are still with me (despite the Lipitor in my cholesterol medicine).

I had the pleasure of speaking with my sister, Lisa for about an hour - truly a treasure since she is at the height of her career managing events for a popular Queens catering company (they cater the U.S. Open Tennis Tournament, Major League Ball events, business conferences, and even find time for Bar/Bat mitzvahs!) I'm very proud of her. I'm thankful for my family who loves me despite the distance I've placed between them and I.

Checking the clock to confirm it was after noon in Tennessee,

Follow up:

I phoned my daughter Jessica and found her in the kitchen preparing a small turkey. She's been working a lot of hours lately and asked a neighbor to pick up a box of turkey stuffing mix - the neighbor bought cornbread stuffing... Jessica hates cornbread. She's spending this Thanksgiving alone because her husband Tom is on tour (he does lighting for musical events) in Canada, and her work schedule didn't permit enough time to travel to be with family. But, she's excited about going to New York next week for a visit between the holidays. I'm proud of her ability to look on the bright side and miss her terribly. I'm thankful for such a beautiful (inside and out) daughter.

It's late when I check in on Yisrael before finally getting myself to bed. He's snoring quietly and sleeping in his comforter cocoon-style. I smile as I kiss his forehead and think of how smart and resilient he is. He has assimilated into his new school and made friends while enthusiastically tackling Hebrew in an environment that was completely foreign just four months ago. I'm thankful to be blessed with such a special son.

We haven't turned the heat on yet because we really didn't need it, but it was a bit chilly so I grabbed a cuddly blanket as I snuggled up next to my husband. While we talked about business prospects, I smiled inside thinking how fortunate I am that God has given me a perfect match in Michael. I'm very thankful for my brilliant and loving husband.

At 6 a.m. I was awakened by Yisrael's Modeh Ani alarm clock. It was one of those mornings I would have liked to stay cuddled up in the covers. Emerging like a cat, I didn't feel like getting wet but dragged myself into the bathroom for the morning routine. And as Yisrael and I left the house we witnessed one of those signs that God promised us - a rainbow!

We recite the bracha and rush the rest of the way to school.

Background for those who don't know about the Rainbow
After witnessing the devastation of his world, Noach is just a little shaken. After all, it is one thing to tell people to repent, but once God has opted for all out destruction, what's to stop Him from pulling the plug again?

God assures Noach that He will never again destroy the whole world with a flood. As a sign, Hashem paints a rainbow across the sky. This is the sign of the treaty between God and Noach.

Whenever you see a rainbow in the sky, it is there to remind you that the world deserves to be destroyed. It is only the covenant between God and Noach that holds back the flood gates. When you see a rainbow, you recite the following Bracha:

Baruch Atah Hashem Elokainu Melech Haolam Zocheir Habrit V'ne'eman Bivrito Vkayam B'ma'a'moro.
That means: Blessed are You, Hashem, our G-d, Who remembers the treaty, is trustworthy in His treaty, and fulfills His word.

The rain has left a clean smell in the air and I feel refreshed. I'm not even annoyed this morning over the bus being stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic heading toward the mall.

I say "Boker Tov" (good morning) to the security guard as he inspects my bag and gives me a hearty "Shabbat Shalom" while waving me into the mall. I'm thankful for a constant feeling of security, safety.

And then I smell it, the scent of my childhood, the brick oven firing the dough into mouth-watering bread.

Off to the side I spot some interesting breads while waiting for the whole wheat challah, that Michael loves, to be wheeled out from the back. My eyes begin to fill with tears as I'm transported back to my father's bakery where I'd play with the dough while he'd throw a pizza in the oven as a reward for us waiting for hours as the racks and racks of dough were formed and baked for the satisfaction of customers. I'm thankful that my childhood memories are strong enough to be evoked by the scent of fresh-baked bread.

Across the hall the fish monger is opening his shop.

And next door is the deli, the aroma of recently deep-fried Shabbat delicacies filling the air.

Around the corner and down the hall is my favorite sweets bakery and they've just rolled out the sweet challah that Yisrael and I are addicted to! I'm thankful for simple things like this weekly treat.

With my treasures in hand I walk to the bus stop in front of the library and wonder if there's something I may have forgotten. I decide not to wait for the bus, but instead head into Kikar Yaalom to see if the cheese and spice shop is open yet - it's not. As I approach the flower shop I remember that I had seen and smelled herbs the last time I came through with my hands too full to make another purchase. So I stop and buy basil and sage plants...

And a bouquet of delicate 15 shekel ($3.82) white and red roses for the Shabbat table.

It was there that I ran into Ezra. He and Shoshana had completed their Friday morning ritual of breakfast together at the mall. As she headed home with the groceries, he was on his way to get a haircut.

I decide to take the pedestrian path home because the sun is out and it is truly a beautiful day - about 62 degrees. And I meet up with Shlomo, who is on his way to open his father's Judaica/wood-working shop in Kikar Yaalom. He's recently lost his grandfather, but greets me with a hearty smile and "Shabbat Shalom!"

And I think to myself I'm so thankful for our new friends.

There's music playing and the sounds of children singing. I walk in their direction and find a schoolyard with children happily enjoying their Shabbat party. I am thankful to be living in this Jewish country.

Along the path home I pass couples having breakfast on picnic tables in the park and stop to snap some shots of the pretty gardens to share with you.

And as I approach the house I realize that the rainbow has been replaced by a pure blue sky.

I am thankful for the privilege of living in this HOLY LAND where evidence of God's omnipresence abounds!

I'm also thankful that we're invited to the home of Tzvi and Anita Feignbaum down in Mitzpe Nevo for lunch tomorrow. They made Aliyah in September and Anita is already inviting guests I'll need to start doing that soon too, but for tonight I've decided on an oriental menu, what do you think?

Challah
Salad
Sweet & Sour Fish
Egg Drop Soup
Spring Rolls
Stir Fry Vegetables in Plum Sauce
Vegetable Fried Rice
Sweet LoMein Noodles

Desert:
Ginger Cookies
Raspberry Sorbet

I know, it's not the conventional Eastern European cuisine so many of you are dedicated to. But I think I'll go with it. Yup, need to head to the kitchen now.

Shabbat Shalom!