Thursday morning I attended a Bar Mitzvah at the Davidson Archeological Garden, under Robinson's Arch (named for the Archeologist who discovered it) near the (or more accurately, near the SW corner of the) Kotel. About 25 years ago, while working as USY advisors, Judy and I became friendly with Ken (and later hs wife Tzipi) Krupat. ken is from Toronto, Tzipi from Kiriyat Ekron, daughter of a 5th generation Yemenite silversmith. It was their son Oren's Bar Mitzvah (part 1, I wasn't available for part II on shabbat in Kfar Saba). It was a very nice service, led by Rabbi Feder and was followed by breakfast at the Te'anim Restaurant behind the King David Hotel. I had a nice time, especially with Tzipi's mother, uncle and brothers, and Ken's family, who I hadn't seen in many years.
After packing to leave Jerusalem in the early afternoon, I drove first to Har Homa and then to Sho'eva to pick up my friend Rinat Hugi so we could go to Holon for the Children's Museum exhibit Dialog BaChashaicha (Dialog in Darkness). It is a 75 minute blindness simulation, where in groups of 10 with a blind guide, you expereince a variety of simulated experiences, shopping in the shuk, walking in a forest, taking a boat ride, visiting an apartment, walking on the street. There is absolute darkness, and you can go through with or without a cane (I went with). You have to remove any light source, your watch, cell phone, anything and lock it in a locker before you go in. It is amazing. Our guide Meir, a 41 year old former English teacher (the tour is in Hebrew) was amazing, Meir learned our names and voices in seconds and it is something to put on your definite to do list when you come to Israel.
Then I went with Orit and Rinat (I was driving) to the Port of Tel Aviv for a great Fish dinner. It was packed on a Thursday night, with kids arriving at midnight and later. Parents behave very differently here than in the US.
It was a late night and a long drive back to Jerusalem. Friday, after an early farewell lunch with Danny at Burgers Bar, I stopped to see my friend and winemaker, Avital Goldner at his home-based, Katamon winery. I tasted a bunch of great wines in the barrrel, a Johannesburg Riesling, a Merlot (2010 - still sweet) a dessert wine, a cabernet franc - all very delicious. I'm hoping to find a role for Avital in my planning for the JEA conference in February - his personal story is very interesting - he is a scribe - a sofer stam, and teaches Gemara and makes terrific wines. He is also a terrific person.
Then it was off to Herzliya for Daniel David's Bar Mitzvah.
We interrupt this blog for an important announcement. While I am sitting outside, in the shade, with a breeze blowing in the center of Jerusalem, the light rail just went by on Jaffa Road with passengers on Board - I'm waiting for the shofar blast to announce that the Mashiach has come.
I had a lovely shabbat with the David-Hayoun families whom I have know for over 30 years, Amy and her sons (I hadn't seen Yonatan or Noam for a few years) and grandaughter - it was a great service at the conservative Torat Chayim congregation in Herzliya. President Ruth Ritterband, with whom I have many colleagues in common was most welcoming and it was a terrific shabbat.
After shabbat I drove Amy's cousin Kayla to Pardess Hanna and I was able to visit Micha Balf, who served as Washington's Education Shaliach for 3 years (2006-2009 I think). It was great visiting at his home at Maagan Michael, and as always I learned a lot from our exchange that will help me with the planning of the JEA conference in February.
Amazing how your horizon expands when you have a car in Israel. I loved having the independence it provided, and it was a great deal. In fact I may have spent more on gas than on the rental itself.
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