Wine, sun...and Shlomo Artzi too...

Of course I knew what a busy “break” we were in for, after all I was responsible for organizing the details of our jam-packed itinerary. For the last few weeks we’ve been traveling the land of Israel, modern-day wandering Jews exploring this place we call home, rolling our bags beside us. We arrive at each relative eager to reconnect after two years’ absence. At each spot we lighten our load by dispensing gifts and light up our spirits with warm human interaction. Not virtually, but in person, the way it should be.

We joined our daughter in Baka, the charming Jerusalem neighborhood where she’s living. Together we went to Neve Zedek, the oldest part of Tel Aviv, where we rendezvoused with my Cuban cousin Eduardo who lives near Sderot. We were hosted for Shabbat dinner by Sarit, my friend since high school, our husbands and children becoming ever closer these last three decades despite geographical distance. Then we moved to Raanana for a sumptuous Sukkot at Carmen and Yossi, ex-neighbors from Woodmere’s “tree streets” who relocated to Raanana’s “bird streets” where the natural and landscaped beauty rivals that of our area.

Post-Yom Tov we all took a stroll to walk off heavy holiday meals. We’d heard enticing music coming from nearby Park Raanana and realized a big concert was beginning. Taking a shortcut to the entrance, we found out Shlomo Artzi was headlining. The venue was sold out and there was no convincing the guards to let my husband, a huge fan, pay for the lawn seating. Instead, with many others, we listened, watching the giant video screen, enjoying free entertainment.

Next morning, we were picked up by David’s Hod Hasharon cousins. That town borders Raanana and Kfar Saba. In the old days, there was land between these central cities, but today, the skyline is filled with cranes balanced atop buildings, the air filled with constant construction sounds. Moshavim still dot the area, allowing for a respite from the urban sprawl.