Yom haShabbat - Saturday with the Ohannas
Days 7 & 8 Thursday & Friday, 3/17 & 3/18/05 (Part 4)
Someone asked me for a little more information about how and why I was visiting the Ohannas and Iri Kassel. Regarding Iri, I had met him a few years ago. Although MetroWest does fund projects and synagogues that are part of his institution, the IMPJ, we developed a nice non-business relationship. He offered his hospitality and I accepted. We talked very little about the Movement during the 26 hours we were together. It was really an effort on my part to learn about Israel and to build personal relationships with Israelis.
As to the Ohannas, when I took my family and a group of friends to Israel last May, Amir Shacham, the director of the MetroWest Jerusalem office recommended “home hospitality”. The hotels in the south are not great but more importantly Amir believes strongly, as do I, that there is a great need to develop strong connections between Israeli and Diaspora Jews. My wife and two of my kids were guests of the Ohannas in May and really hit it off. Susan urged me to visit them and with Amir’s help I did.
When I woke up early on Shabbat morning I got dressed and headed out for a long walk. I walked to the edge of the Ma’aboim development and saw the new homes under construction. Most of the housing was attractive middle class single family homes. In the area where the new construction was, there were several very large homes; one actually took up two lots and was quite impressive.
I walked through an empty lot to the field beyond. The development is bordered on three sides by farmland. I took the tractor path along the edge of the field and headed west. I stopped from time to time to take pictures of flowers and the view. Again there were lots of yellows with some reds and purples. Further on I turned on a tractor path that headed into the fields and found myself in the midst of a lemon orchard.
The trees had both ripened fruit and new blossoms and I stayed busy with my camera. As I started my return I sighted white birds with long necks walking in the fields. I tried to get close enough to take pictures but I didn’t do a very good job. I caught a few shots of the birds in flight but I can’t say they are keepers.
Looking at the fields reminded me of part of my conversations with Iri just two days before. He talked about settling the land and the intensive work it took. When we were at Sde Boker he mentioned Ben Gurion University and its focus on finding ways to make the desert productive. At Avdat we looked down from the Roman and Nabatean ruins to see an experimental farm where they were trying to learn the secrets of agriculture in this region as it was farmed over the millenniums. Even the walk through the drip irrigation factory showed the focus on making the land bloom while conserving precious resources.
The mythology (in its denotative and not connotative meaning) of the Negev is that of pioneers taking arid desert and miraculously turning it green. The image is large in the mind of both Israeli and Diaspora Jews and along with the images of draining the swamps and images of strong, handsome and beautiful soldiers plays a role in the romantic perception of Israel. I try hard not to be a romantic but the facts are that a portion of our people has performed miracles. Iri, a couple of days prior, reminded me that for all the conflict and problems facing Israel has truly accomplished great achievements. My early morning walk confirmed the reality of miracles.
I returned to the Ohannas’ home to find Yakov sitting on the porch playing with the puppy, Slash and drinking Middle East coffee from a glass.
On Yakov’s feet were slippers in the shape of puppies so Slash was having a good time playing with pretend friends.
Raya joined us and offered me food and drink. I accepted coffee and we sat outside enjoying the morning. I went in and took a quick shower. Later the boys were up and we went in for breakfast. Every meal thus far had included small bowls and plates in the center of the table. In the plates were various salads, tehina, babaganouch, cucumbers, peppers, etc. For breakfast I was served a cross between a pita looking bread and pastry that was rolled up. It was sweet and I think it had soft cream cheese baked into it. I was given its name but I failed to retain it. (The name is Jachnoon) All I can say is that it was delicious but a steady diet of it will kill you.
.
After breakfast we got ready to visit Eshkol Park which is just outside of Ofakim, about a 20 minute drive. Meni had read that there would be a shuk, market, there with food and crafts for sale. First we had to borrow a second car since there were six of us going and the family car was not large enough. We walked around the corner to Meni’s maternal grandmother and grandfather’s home. I met the grandparents, a cousin, an aunt and assorted other relatives. Everyone was very warm. Meni borrowed the car and we met up with his family.
Meni has had his license for only a few months but he is a good but perhaps overly cautious driver (but better overly cautious than hurt). We stopped for gas (no female attendants…pump your own) and then headed to the park. It was busy as it was a beautiful day, not too hot with a light breeze. The park reminded me of county parks in New Jersey, pleasant but nothing special. The shuk was small with modest crafts, some toys and clothes and some food items. In one corner some Bedouins had set up a tent and were baking Bedouin pita. There were rugs and pillows in the tent and people were lounging and eating. I got a pita which was rolled up with spices and soft cheese inside. Very good.
The Ohannas set up in an area near a pond. They had a cooler with drinks and food. Oz had a fishing pole and fished in the pond. I took a walk around the park. It was much larger than I expected and I found myself walking quite away. I heard talking and laughter and decided to investigate. I discovered that there were adults and kids standing along a stream which had been hidden from view.
I don’t know if the steam runs year round or if it is a wadi that dries out but the kids were wading in it while the parents watched and talked. As I got closer to the stream I looked into the distance. Far off there was a desert mountain range, a surprising view in what I had discounted as a run of the mill park.
Returning to the Ohannas I observed families picnicking all around the park. They were cooking al ha-aish (barbeque) and enjoying the day. There were Arabs and Israelis throughout the grounds.
Upon my return I was given some water and sat for awhile just watching the crowd. We decided to leave the park. Meni had made inquiry and had learned that there was a nearby dirt road that followed the river I had found. The stream is called the Nahal Besor. The road winds around the backcountry. It has beautiful views of the desert, fields of flowers and the stream below.
So this is the desert!!!
There is an ancient quarry which we looked at (sorry but it just looked like rocks to me) and at the end there is a narrow rope-style bridge over the small gorge created by the steam.
It is a popular local attraction because it’s hard to keep your footing when you cross it. After driving and walking the length of the road we headed back to the Ohannas.
The Ohanna Men
Just a little more later…
Gary
Someone asked me for a little more information about how and why I was visiting the Ohannas and Iri Kassel. Regarding Iri, I had met him a few years ago. Although MetroWest does fund projects and synagogues that are part of his institution, the IMPJ, we developed a nice non-business relationship. He offered his hospitality and I accepted. We talked very little about the Movement during the 26 hours we were together. It was really an effort on my part to learn about Israel and to build personal relationships with Israelis.
As to the Ohannas, when I took my family and a group of friends to Israel last May, Amir Shacham, the director of the MetroWest Jerusalem office recommended “home hospitality”. The hotels in the south are not great but more importantly Amir believes strongly, as do I, that there is a great need to develop strong connections between Israeli and Diaspora Jews. My wife and two of my kids were guests of the Ohannas in May and really hit it off. Susan urged me to visit them and with Amir’s help I did.
When I woke up early on Shabbat morning I got dressed and headed out for a long walk. I walked to the edge of the Ma’aboim development and saw the new homes under construction. Most of the housing was attractive middle class single family homes. In the area where the new construction was, there were several very large homes; one actually took up two lots and was quite impressive.
I walked through an empty lot to the field beyond. The development is bordered on three sides by farmland. I took the tractor path along the edge of the field and headed west. I stopped from time to time to take pictures of flowers and the view. Again there were lots of yellows with some reds and purples. Further on I turned on a tractor path that headed into the fields and found myself in the midst of a lemon orchard.
The trees had both ripened fruit and new blossoms and I stayed busy with my camera. As I started my return I sighted white birds with long necks walking in the fields. I tried to get close enough to take pictures but I didn’t do a very good job. I caught a few shots of the birds in flight but I can’t say they are keepers.
Looking at the fields reminded me of part of my conversations with Iri just two days before. He talked about settling the land and the intensive work it took. When we were at Sde Boker he mentioned Ben Gurion University and its focus on finding ways to make the desert productive. At Avdat we looked down from the Roman and Nabatean ruins to see an experimental farm where they were trying to learn the secrets of agriculture in this region as it was farmed over the millenniums. Even the walk through the drip irrigation factory showed the focus on making the land bloom while conserving precious resources.
The mythology (in its denotative and not connotative meaning) of the Negev is that of pioneers taking arid desert and miraculously turning it green. The image is large in the mind of both Israeli and Diaspora Jews and along with the images of draining the swamps and images of strong, handsome and beautiful soldiers plays a role in the romantic perception of Israel. I try hard not to be a romantic but the facts are that a portion of our people has performed miracles. Iri, a couple of days prior, reminded me that for all the conflict and problems facing Israel has truly accomplished great achievements. My early morning walk confirmed the reality of miracles.
I returned to the Ohannas’ home to find Yakov sitting on the porch playing with the puppy, Slash and drinking Middle East coffee from a glass.
On Yakov’s feet were slippers in the shape of puppies so Slash was having a good time playing with pretend friends.
Raya joined us and offered me food and drink. I accepted coffee and we sat outside enjoying the morning. I went in and took a quick shower. Later the boys were up and we went in for breakfast. Every meal thus far had included small bowls and plates in the center of the table. In the plates were various salads, tehina, babaganouch, cucumbers, peppers, etc. For breakfast I was served a cross between a pita looking bread and pastry that was rolled up. It was sweet and I think it had soft cream cheese baked into it. I was given its name but I failed to retain it. (The name is Jachnoon) All I can say is that it was delicious but a steady diet of it will kill you.
.After breakfast we got ready to visit Eshkol Park which is just outside of Ofakim, about a 20 minute drive. Meni had read that there would be a shuk, market, there with food and crafts for sale. First we had to borrow a second car since there were six of us going and the family car was not large enough. We walked around the corner to Meni’s maternal grandmother and grandfather’s home. I met the grandparents, a cousin, an aunt and assorted other relatives. Everyone was very warm. Meni borrowed the car and we met up with his family.
Meni has had his license for only a few months but he is a good but perhaps overly cautious driver (but better overly cautious than hurt). We stopped for gas (no female attendants…pump your own) and then headed to the park. It was busy as it was a beautiful day, not too hot with a light breeze. The park reminded me of county parks in New Jersey, pleasant but nothing special. The shuk was small with modest crafts, some toys and clothes and some food items. In one corner some Bedouins had set up a tent and were baking Bedouin pita. There were rugs and pillows in the tent and people were lounging and eating. I got a pita which was rolled up with spices and soft cheese inside. Very good.
The Ohannas set up in an area near a pond. They had a cooler with drinks and food. Oz had a fishing pole and fished in the pond. I took a walk around the park. It was much larger than I expected and I found myself walking quite away. I heard talking and laughter and decided to investigate. I discovered that there were adults and kids standing along a stream which had been hidden from view.
I don’t know if the steam runs year round or if it is a wadi that dries out but the kids were wading in it while the parents watched and talked. As I got closer to the stream I looked into the distance. Far off there was a desert mountain range, a surprising view in what I had discounted as a run of the mill park.
Returning to the Ohannas I observed families picnicking all around the park. They were cooking al ha-aish (barbeque) and enjoying the day. There were Arabs and Israelis throughout the grounds.
Upon my return I was given some water and sat for awhile just watching the crowd. We decided to leave the park. Meni had made inquiry and had learned that there was a nearby dirt road that followed the river I had found. The stream is called the Nahal Besor. The road winds around the backcountry. It has beautiful views of the desert, fields of flowers and the stream below.
So this is the desert!!!
There is an ancient quarry which we looked at (sorry but it just looked like rocks to me) and at the end there is a narrow rope-style bridge over the small gorge created by the steam.
It is a popular local attraction because it’s hard to keep your footing when you cross it. After driving and walking the length of the road we headed back to the Ohannas.
The Ohanna Men
Just a little more later…
Gary
posted by Gary A at 3:38 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home