Written January 11, 2011
Hello to all my dearest children, grandchildren, family, neighbor, friends.
Yes, I miss you all, I am
coming back within two (2) weeks. My time,here, in Israel went fast. I
Had a wonderful time full of "cultural" events, many trips &
tours in the country & out, visiting family & friends, cooking,
knitting, reading and just doing NOTHING.
Last evening I went to to the
Mann Auditorium - the Heichal-Hatarbut (culture center) in Tel-Aviv to
hear the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra "playing" the Opera: The Barber
Of Seville. What a concert / opera was that. The actors/ singers all
wore black, mingled with the orchestra players, & aside from
singing, they really acted. Acts like the the housekeeper, Berta, who
sang her aria holding a feather duster, ended up her act, going between
the orchestra musicians dusting their instruments. Or Figaro himself,
went down to the conductor (Roberto Abbado) to hand him a paper note to
safe keep for Rosina. As the actors sang, on a large screen above the
stage, the translation in the MODERN every day Hebrew was printed. I
called it A Opera with a twist. Three (3) hrs of fun & enjoyment.
And p.s. 3000 + seats full to capacity.
During the time I stayed in
Israel, I was in Eilat, the most southern city, on the tip of the red
sea, and to the Galilee mountains in the north. I went down to the
Jordan Valley, visiting Tiberius and the sea of Galilee,having Brunch
in a Glatt Kosher Eatery called Oogata, in Kibbutz Kineret ,a non
observant Kibbutz. One of the main industry of Kibbutz Kineret
is dates. The entire area is covered with Palm trees. I think they are
so powerful in their beauty, just to see them one must like dates. I
shopped in the factory store -a beautiful establishment. I never knew we
have that much kind of dates. ( Gastronomically speaking, one can not
taste more then 4 or 5 at a time). Aside from dates, there was Silan
(Honey made from dates), date spread, date wine, date liquor, date
candies, date cakes, dates , dates, dates.
My last memorable part in
Israel is my neighbor Bertha. Although, may be only 5 or 6 years my
senior, she acts like a mother to me. When one morning I did not knacked
on her door to greet her good morning, she called her daughter Nechama
to check on me. When I told Bertha, that I am a "big girl"familiar with
the ways of this world and no need to check after me, she answered " I
am responsible for you" . I was thinking of her answer and
I do appreciate the sentiment, for there is much to say about the
Israelis. With all the political bickering, the religious differences,
we are responsible to each other.
It is late. I will be in Jerusalem tomorrow, visiting (and shopping) in the famous Machane Yehuda Market.
Again, I miss you all. see you soon. To you, living in NYC, I wish a "easy snow storm".
Love, Ima, Savta, The Shvig, Estherika, Ludmilla, me Esther.
