You really get to know a person
When you make something together
With your hands

At the Ha’ogen Center,
An anchor for the families of reservists
Who need a moment of normalcy
And peace
While their lives have been ripped apart
By October 7th

Our workshop choices were to make bread or soap
I chose soap
Because – when have I ever?

Scrape glycerin blocks
Melt the shards in a pot
Later, you add color and fragrance
And pour into pretty mold-shapes

But while you stir
And wait
For the glycerin to melt
You hear and share stories
Of life and love
And terror and pain

In making soap
Together
We wash each other’s souls