As is typical when I visit my Israeli Family, they always make a special effort to gather and to welcome me back to our collective home land. While they rarely see each other, they always make it a point when They have family from abroad visits to come together around a big giant table of food. Today, was no exception.
In Israel, the start time of synagogue generally at about 7 AM! Very unlike Americans, who would rather between 9 and 10 AM. The early start allows for an early finish, around 11 AM. This allows them to enjoy much more of the day. So of course, upon returning from synagogue, my uncle Mome said kiddish and an appétit of sorts was laid out on the table. I had barely finished my breakfast morning protein shake and was asked to partake in some kiddish wine and spicy Moroccan fish and delve into a meal that lasted til 4 PM.
Once the fish course with completed, my aunt Sylvia arrived, followed by her husband and my uncle Raphy and his daughter Karine and grand daughter Orelle and My uncle Samy and his wife Rivka and a grandson named Liel. So of course meme laid out Dafina and because the first round of kiddish was missed, it was recited again! Dafina is the quintessential one pot Moroccan stew made by Jews every Saturday originating from the need to feed large families utilizing the town center's common oven. So using modern technology - a plata or crock pot - Meme emerged with a hot and Delish Dafina. And that Dafina fed an army - and there were left overs! Arik dthe table, everyone shared stories of my grandfather z"l and those were good to hear. He always had these sayings that held true and clean eating habits that were ahead of their time. The lack of his presence was definitely felt and there was a heavy void around the table.
At the end of the meal Oshrat showed up with her entire family in tow! Rarely do they make their way to her parents house on Shabbat but Mome and Leah were over the moon thrilled to see their grandkids. Within seconds the house was turned upside down and inside out. With a 9 year old, 7 year old, 5 year old and twin 3 year olds in the house, I felt as if I was immersed in some combination of an I Love Lucy episode, mashed up with a Dr. Seuss book mashed up with some hilarious episode of the Three Stooges. Their grandparents, Mome and Leah, who were super calm enjoyed seeing their grandkids - they saw the One who was hanging from the carport, one who was hanging from the railing, another kicking a ball around inside the house and another breaking a squishy ball filled with talc and sand, that showered the house with dust. Luckily, these adorable weapons of mass distraction left within the hour of arriving. Nonetheless, it was good to see them and I was glad and appreciative that my cousin made the effort to come by.
By 4 PM, the shift changed over - my mom's brothers left and my aunt on my dads side, Rachel, came by and spent an hour with me. It was good to see her. In her late 70s, she was dressed in the latest fashions. Cool Embroidered denim jacket and funky jeans, she was the embodiment of the latest fashion trends and was certainly not gonna let her age stop her from enjoying the best of what Fashion had to offer.
Once shabbat was over, And Havdallah was recited, my aunt Leah and I needed to get out of the house a bit. Poor woman was on her feet all day cleaning up, prepping food, organizing the kitchen, and re arranging all of the living and dining room furniture to accommodate all the guests.
Then, my cousin Gahvit called and she was leaving her parents house an hour north of where I was, to head home in Tel Aviv. Thanks to each of our crazy schedules in this next week, tonight was the night we could see each other. So, she joined us at the mall for a quick super short but sweet visit.
Busy day! But loved it all. Now that it's almost midnight, I'm ready for some sleep. Nite nite. Lila Tov.
