The long haul

September 29, 2008 - 9:15 AM by

roshhasanah.jpgIsraelis are getting ready for Rosh Hashana they only way we know how – by shopping.

Most people at work are still coming to terms with the length of the holiday – the only two day religious holiday celebrated here.

“You mean, we don’t go back to work until Thursday? I might as well take a trip abroad,” said one colleague.

Not having any close family here, Rosh Hashana – like every other holiday – has always been bittersweet for my family. We get together with friends and other families for some meals, hang out by ourselves for some, but without the mishpacha around, there’s always something missing.

Herb Keinon in The Jerusalem Post, put it very aptly:

As the son of a Holocaust survivor, I grew up with a very small extended family – no relatives on my mother’s side; grandparents, two aunts and three cousins on my father’s. My childhood table never brimmed over with relatives. But I didn’t know the difference; it’s what I knew.
But my kids have a different reference point. They see friends with relatives spilling out the windows, and want some too.

“Why can’t we have relatives,” the youngest son asked once, using the same tone he uses when asking for more ice cream. Indeed, the lack of a large clan is hardest on him, something that has to do with his bar mitzva in six months.

Here’s hoping that all Israelity readers – even David Joe – whether in the bosom of their families, or enjoying the holiday with friends old and new, have a meaningful Rosh Hashana, and that next year will bring peace and tranquility to all.

Tags: , , , , , • Category: General, Holidays, Israeliness 

Comments

One Comment on The long haul

  1. David-Joe on Tue, Sep 30th 2008 12:52 AM

    2. I realize that I have very different. perhaps radical views but then so did Moses when he announced that God was to lead Israel out of Egypt and to the Jewish homeland of Israel – the worlds first liberation movement.

    Since then Jews have always been at the forefront of so many things espcecially political and scientific.

    As a Jew and my most proud ID, an Israeli, I wish all a healthy and peaceful new year. Israel remains our primary concern and security is the most vital.

    My grandmother when she arrived in Israel used to wash her teeth with ash being one of the chalutzim of my kibbutz.

    Israeli armor declares “Never Again!” atop Masada.

    The modern Haman is in the form of Iran and we have no choice but to defeat them – but I worry that the Israel of my youth and early manhood is no longer present. If that is the case we are in dire straits because the world has not changed – they still prefer the Jew of the diaspora [the victim] to the Jew of Israel [the warrior and a person without apology].

    God bless all and may this coming year see the threat from Iran ended.

    Thanks for the blog and for putting up with me.

    Shalom
    :-]

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