You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies
… my cup overflows. ~ Psalm 23:5

SHABBAT

In Kfar Vradim, Maya’s table for the three of us
Overflowed with Shabbat dinner
Olives and hummus and challah and
Fish and beef stew (her Polish grandmother’s recipe) and
Fruit and wine and
Babka and chocolate cake
And cool water.

She’s my Hebrew teacher and
Pours her love and language into me
With every lesson.
Even at dinner
She corrects my halting speech
So that I can speak Hebrew like an Israeli
And gain strength from that connection.

But being in the North
We’re mere miles from Hezbollah
And enemies who want to kill us.
We enjoy Shabbat together
Though not quite relaxing fully
Because you never know when the next drone
Or missile attack will happen
Like sleeping with one eye open.
So very Jewish.

BIMAH

The Torah is unfurled before me
On the bimah* of HaMinyan HaMishpachti HaMasorti
One of the few egalitarian synagogues in Israel
And it’s right in Maya’s neighborhood.

I’m wrapped in her friend Susan’s exquisite tallit
Hand-embroidered with
Flowers and birds and pomegranates
And a matriarch in each corner
Reminding me I do have the strength
To accept this honor and perform this mitzvah.

Children whine and run about
Adults chatter oblivious to the service
As they crinkle candy wrappers
To toss at the Bar Mitzvah boy.
Enemies to my concentration, making me
Stumble over a few words.
The rabbah corrects me
So that every word is – ultimately—pronounced correctly.

My heart is full, knowing I have
Read my people’s sacred text
In the presence of a woman rabbi
While standing on Israeli soil.

* A bimah (“BEE-muh”) is an elevated platform in a synagogue from which worship services are led and the Torah is read.

RESTAURANT

Sigal chose a kosher restaurant
Right in the old city of Caesarea
Our outdoor table overlooks sea and sunset
Embraced by modern Israel
Ancient Roman ruins
And timeless landscapes created by God.
So much good, clean food
Not the processed crap I normally eat
Reminding me of the blessing of how we met
–at Sigal and Omri’s dinner table last year
The food as abundant as our conversation
Exploring contradiction and connection.

Enemies are at a distance
Statistically, Hadera is one of the safest areas in Israel, we’re told
Even though we did have to get to shelter the next night
Because Iranian missiles have a long trajectory.

The friendship of good people
Becomes an antidote to fear and
Strengthens my connection to Israel.

You have prepared many tables for me, יהוה
My cup runneth over.