My First Seder

Table Set for the Seder

No one lets a stranger be alone on Passover.  This is the event of events in which the Jews celebrate their freedom from slavery and retell their history. In retelling this ancient story, the history becomes better etched in memory and it is as if everyone around the table retelling the story (as read from the Haggadah since no one at my table knew it by heart) actually experienced the events.  My lab mate (Amit) said I was not to be alone and MUST join his family for Passover. His family = mom and day and a sister and 2 brothers 3 nieces and nephews, one fiance and 5 family friends.  Only one  (maybe 2) of the group was religeous but we ate all traditional foods and remained mostly kosher through the evening.  I brought flowers and a bottle of kosher wine but they said that kosher was really not necessary...they were not strict. Amit has a wonderful family; warm and welcoming.  His father who was previosly a comedian/singer and not thoroughly enamered by the annual ritual was a great host. Lots of laughter.

3 generations of Savavy girls (Orr, Adi, and Dalia)

During Passover (Pasach) one cannot buy bread, beer or anything containing yeast.  Matze is the carbohydrate of choice and they make a lot of food items out of Matza.  I stocked up on bread and beer (I know Bob will be here soon) and am set for the week.

A beautiful day on the beach

The following day Nava (family friend and film producer from LA) Dalia and I escaped the house and went walking on the beach north of Tel Aviv (Helsyria).  Looked for shells and enjoyed the sunny day.  These women together have enough crazy stories to fill volumes.  They have been friends for over 40 years.

I explored the streets around their house and found a tree in the middle of a the bike route, a very cool children's park and a dog park complete with agility trainiing loop.

The next day Dalia and I went into Tel Aviv; she had to worked and I spent the day in Yafo and on the beach.  After getting a bit lost, I got on the bus to the train station and headed home to Beer Sheva. Trains are the BEST way to travel here. 

That's it for now...for more pictures from the weekend CLICK HERE