Shabbat was spent with Russel, Miriam, Gershy and Yehuda in Alon Shvut. The weekend started off well as we got on bus 164, which was vacated by hordes of post-High school Yeshiva students coming to Jerusalem for an 'out' Shabbat, then filled up again with an equal number of teens leaving their Jerusalem-based programs to spend Saturday with their rabbis in the Gush. Hurray for bus rides that remind us of being in youth groups! The screaming, flirting, and giggling was very entertaining. Oh, and did you know that the laws of Negi'ah and Seminary are suspended when you have to fight through the crowds for a spot on the bus?
Once at the town, we made our way to our hosts' apartment, then visited with RMGY until it was time for shul. Jon opted to go to the city's actual synagogue, while Russel went to services at the Yeshiva, both to hear Rav Lichtenstein and to pick up some more guests. Once everyone was home we had a fantastic dinner, full of Miriam's famous cooking (according to one of the boys there, and we don't doubt him, she makes the best challah in Alon Shvut), good discussions, and no awkwardness at all with one of Jon's ex-students at the table (no, really!).
Saturday began at the Yeshiva for davanning, where we got to meet more students. Then we spent some time visiting with Yael Berdugo, a friend of Jon's from Buffalo, as well as her family. After another gut-busting (in a good way) meal at the Levy's we took a stroller-paced tour of the area. Alon Shvut is far bigger than Neve Daniel, our other Gush destination, and because it is also much older feels much more established. The streets, homes, and yards have all developed character and have lost the feeling of newness and intentional-landscaping. Also, because we weren't on the tippy-top of a hill we couldn't see the emptiness and borders all around us. We felt like we were in a suburb rather than an outpost. Still, the total lack of cars on the street was a little disconcerting.
The rest of the day was spent just hanging out and chatting (and yes, Raquel, eating), and of course playing with the cute kids.
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4 comments:
nice, a shout-out! but you have to admit, this blog is disproportionately about food.
I don't think "disproportionate" is an accurate word - the proportions seem just fine! The gastronomic adventures are an important part of any vacation or cultural experience. Certainly more important than the religious, political, social, or religious elements. Those thingies are just silly.
I miss RMGY
and of course, you guys ... ahem ...
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