One of our grandsons wrote to us yesterday and asked us if we were going to write our weekly article for The Jewish Link on the ground, reporting from the Gaza border while watching the rockets being directed at Israeli cities as far away as 50 miles. Sorry, Hillel.
Instead, we have been walking, inhaling, absorbing as much as we can of this amazing country that we call home. There is no way to describe it as anything but pure bliss. Even when it rains people are happy—because everyone knows the country needs as much rain as it can get.
Our journey began with the Jerusalem Marathon where Nina chaperoned a group of participants for Shalva. Anyone who has been to Israel with their families and not visited the Shalva Center in Jerusalem is denying their entire family the opportunity to see a miracle. There, children from every denomination receive services for their special needs requirements. The cafe at Shalva is serviced by young adults with various disabilities and the food is delicious. Many adults and families visit there regularly. Semachot are accommodated at Shalva, and bnei mitzvah donate their gifts to the organization.
Once Nina’s duties with Shalva were over, we looked at each other excitedly and lovingly, as our “vacation” and adventures were to begin. Two whole entire weeks to explore, participate in two Purims, to watch as buses passed by with “Purim Sameach” lit up after the sign displayed the destination of the bus. We saw so many different cultures blending together, and mainly feel totally at home.
We know that many of us feel the comfort of walking through the streets of our communities on Shabbat and enjoy seeing so many others walking with kippot leisurely enjoying the day, but there is no way we can compare that feeling to what is felt here. How strange and wonderful it is to see Asian people engaged in speaking Hebrew, black-skinned people wearing tichels and the men kippot with peiyot, and young children playing with each other regardless of their origins.
There is so much to say, but as we have no access to a computer, Nina is typing this article on her phone. We have seen so much that excites us and at the same time causes us wonder. Observing children not more than 6 years old jumping on and off the buses as seasoned commuters is startling to us. Here is a country that many outside of Israel think is “scary” because of unpleasant incidents, and children are doing what no one in our communities would allow.
The funniest in that regard was when Nina and our granddaughter Shira were walking along the street in Mea Shearim when two young boys were walking toward us. It was obviously the older brother that was caring for and holding the hand of his younger brother. The older of the two could not have been more than 6. Suddenly, the older of the two took his phone out of his pocket to receive a call. We observed it shockingly. Upon finishing his call he snapped the phone closed and put it safely in his pocket. He then retrieved the hand of his little brother and continued on. In Geula/Mea Shearim, a smartphone is a non-entity.
A maze of people scurry across Kikar Shabbat in every direction, many not even looking up. This is the Israel that we love. In fact, there doesn’t seem to be a corner we aren’t enthralled by: spending Purim in Alon Shvut with our old friends the Houminers and having the opportunity to walk on Derech Avot; driving through the streets of Efrat and Neve Daniel, whose land we remember before it was developed so spectacularly; driving through the tunnel to the Gush when we remember years ago driving beside Dehaisha, a simmering refugee camp, and driving next to an impressive wall give us reason to respect and share amazement at the awesome miracles of this country that should not be taken for granted.
We will continue this story from the comfort of a room with a real computer next week, but it will also be paired with some discomfort in the knowledge that we are living on the wrong side of the ocean in a country that has been good to us but that we can only pretend is our real home.
In closing, we have to say quite seriously to our grandson Hillel: No, we are not at the Gazan front reporting on rockets. This country moves on each day while dealing with military threats from their neighbors, and continues to shine. Every soldier in this country needs to be honored for being there for all of us throughout the world. We are honored to be here in Yerushalayim. We will continue our story next week.
By Rabbi Mordechai and Nina Glick
Rabbi Mordechai and Nina Glick are living in Bergenfield after many years of service to the Montreal Jewish community. Rabbi Glick was the rav of Congregation Ahavat Yisroel as well as a practicing clinical psychologist in private practice. He also taught at Champlain Regional College. The Glicks were frequent speakers at the OU marriage retreats. Nina coordinated all Yachad activities in Montreal and was a co/founder of Maison Shalom, a group home for young adults with special needs. They can be reached at [email protected].
