Sukkot 2025
Imagine if your week went like this — Friday, Saturday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Saturday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday. Imagine if every Thursday felt like a Sunday and every Monday felt like and erev Shabbos.
Well, for those of you not on vacation in wherever it is one vacations for this happy holiday time of year, this is what the past few weeks have basically felt like. Add jet lag to it, and you really have no idea what day or time it is or what you are supposed to be cooking for who — or is it whom? Whom cares?? Ha ha, I am so funny.
This trip to Israel has been amazing. I am so blessed and so grateful to God for all that he has given me. But really, I would like to thank myself, because it really is all about me. I have been to the local supermarket, Maayan, so many times that I have developed meaningful relationships with the cashiers. So meaningful in fact that I am happy to announce that I will be adopting one of them and bringing them home with me. Granted he is in his 30s and probably has his own family, but the thought is definitely there.
On this trip, I paid a visit to a meat store, or butcher, that advertises as American prices and American customer service. I don’t care how hard you try, you cannot get good customer service when some of the people who patronize your store think I am so skinny that they cannot see me and they cut me in line. But I just laugh because I am in Israel. And people are nuts everywhere, and that always makes me feel better.
As for the meat? Considering it cost half a year’s tuition at TABC, it was pretty good!
I also have become friends with the owner of the bagel store who now only addresses me as “rebbetzin,” which, I guess, is better than being called a shiksa by 10 screaming 11-year-olds. And the guy at the candy store lets me know when my crunchy Cheetos are in. It is a great country.
Spending time with Danish and her sister and Matzo Ball and his parents has been so lovely and meaningful I try to do as much as I can for them to make things a little easier. And they all know not to mention the cost of food to Husband #1 because that might not go over very well. We are just going to wait until we get the credit card bill to cross that bridge. Hopefully, there will be a defibrillator nearby.
As I am writing this, we are all waiting for the release of the hostages. I am humbled to be in Israel at such a historic and meaningful time. Hopefully, it will come to pass, families will be reunited, and the healing process can begin.
Who am I to complain about the cost of anything when there have been people living in deplorable conditions under circumstances we cannot even fathom? I was having a whole discussion about this with DIL #3 — you cannot even let your mind go to where they are because it is just not possible. So we talk about other things.
And that is just human nature.
So we will go back to a lighter note and have me inform you that Julio’s fruit store in Teaneck has a sister store in Ramat Eshkol. It’s 20 shekels a slice for lettuce, and I don’t even think that I am exaggerating, but my kids keep using a phrase about how it is in honor of Shabbos or the holiday, so God pays you back.
My question is, do I give him my Venmo or Zelle? Perhaps I should ask my local rabbi.
I tell Husband #1 that I am supporting the Israeli economy, but I am not sure that works.
In any event, it is time to finish cooking for the last round of festive holiday meals before it is Shabbos…because that is going to happen, again….
And that is okay! Hope you all have good helpers to make this holiday a little easier. I have delicious Pastries to help make everything sweeter. Thank you Hashem!
Banji Ganchrow of Teaneck is wondering how a box of Life cereal can be 4.99 in America and 104.99 in Israel!!!!! (OK, maybe it’s not exactly 104.99…but close!)