Fast day

I have had the honor of being in Israel for the past two Tisha B’Avs.

I am not sure if honor is the correct word. Privilege? Last year when I was here, the threat of the Iran war was looming large. In fact, I am not sure that I was even supposed to be in Israel for Tisha B’Av, but my exit from this amazing country had been postponed for two weeks.

On my way to Babka-sit for Danish and her sister, so their mom could go to Eichah, Husband #1 had said, “If anything happens, just stay there so I will know where you are.” Then I popped a Klonopin, and off I went. Funny what can happen in a year. Well, not funny ha ha, but, well, you know.

There have been two sirens since I have been here, and no one even bats an eye. Not sure if that is good or bad. And then I find out that there was an earthquake back home in New Jersey and then, once again, you realize that you are in control of nothing. Except maybe how many bags of kosher crunchy Cheetos you eat. And even that is questionable.

The first time I went to Israel, it was for my brother’s bar mitzvah. My parents took us on this amazing trip with a tour guide, and we saw all the places that you visit on your first trip to the Holy Land. Seeing things that you learn about in Chumash class takes on a whole new meaning. Those places really exist. It’s truly mind-boggling.

And a bagel and lox cost about $25 at the King David Hotel in 1987. Ahh, the things that you remember.

But being here on the day that was the “beginning of the end” feels much different than fasting back at home. This is where it happened. Husband #1 wanted to go to the Kotel last year, but he was recovering from a kidney stone and a torn ligament. He wanted to go again this year, but Son #2 isn’t feeling well. But at least he is closer to it than he would be if we were home.

The one thing that is the same? The line for bagels at the only open bagel store in the neighborhood. It’s good to know that there are always some things that you can count on.

Thank heavens they still had plain bagels, or Husband #1 would have been very sad.

Since I am writing this on Tisha B’Av, I want to keep this more somber than usual. Last week, a young man who worked at the Biblical Zoo was attacked and killed by a leopard. As of this morning’s news, they still are not sure how the leopard was able to get out of his enclosure. I went on the young man’s Facebook page to see if I could learn a little about him.

Turns out, almost exactly a year ago, his sister had passed away. From the pictures, it looked like she was born with many physical obstacles — being wheelchair-bound was just one of them. The videos of him and his sister were so beautiful. The videos he had made about his work at the zoo also were beautiful. I just felt so sad for his parents. So sad for this young man and for his sister.

Sadness and loss is what this fast is all about. And, unfortunately, we have been subject to so much of that over the past few years. We continue to pray for the safe return of the hostages, the end of war, the safety of our soldiers. And then pray for our families and friends. There is always something to pray for.

And on a day like Tisha B’Av, we have the time and headspace to really concentrate on those prayers.

On a lighter note, when I asked Danish about Tisha B’Av, she looked at me with her big blue eyes and said, “Tissue box? You vant tissue box?”

Hope you all had an easy and meaningful fast.

Banji Ganchrow of Teaneck was walking back to her apartment when a young boy started shouting “shiksa” at her. She took that as a compliment.