This October has been filled with Jewish holidays. And when I say holidays, I mean vacation days! I've had the luxury of a series of four day weekends, and overall a month of productive laziness.
The festivities started with Rosh Hashana which literally translates to "Head of the Year" or New Years. It was quite funny when a neighbor greeted Jana with "happy new year," and only then did Jana realized the Rosh Hashana holiday was New Years.
We were invited to a traditional New Year's BBQ at our friend's parents' place. The mother is Moroccan, and like most Moroccan mothers, kept the food coming and coming. At one point, Jana was being served like a queen. Atom, on the other hand, warmed up to the hosts and formed an impromptu band.
The day after, the Vinegars joined us on a hike through the Kula forest. We started at the Alexandroni monument commemorating one of the many battles between the Israelis and Arabs in 1948. The Israelis won this one. The hike then lead through the Kula forest and to a 2000 year old Roman tomb that is still standing. A hike that I expected to be short ended up lasting 2.5 hours and also brought us views of motocross bikers and horseback riders. Israel is indeed quite diverse. More photos of Rosh Hashana can be viewed on our Picasa web album.
Rosh Hashan was followed by Yom Kippor or Day of Atonement. It is preceded by a week of asking for forgiveness, both my God and by the people you have somehow crossed. I was waiting for a host of apologies, but they never came. I tried reminding Jana, but she ignored me. Yom Kippor itself is a solemn day where Jews fast and do not drive among other rituals. That means the streets rather than being filled with crazy and wild Israelis drivers are filled with crazy and wild Israeli kids on bikes. Atom and his little bike joined the festivities.
The morning of Yom Kippor, we took our bikes and headed towards the major highway cutting through Tel Aviv. It's amazing that a bustling city of over 3 million people can seem so deserted except for the random biker looking to enjoy the once in a year day of peace and quiet. More photos of Yom Kippor can be found seen here.
And for the past week, we've been celebrating Sukkot or Feast of the Tabernacles. The holiday commemorates the Israelite's 40 year journey through the desert back to the homeland by erecting tents to represent the Tabernacles used during the journey. Today's Sukkots are draped with cloth and palm leaves and decorated with shiny ornaments. It's like a Jewish version of decorating a Christmas tree! Once again we went to our friend's place for Sukkot dinner, but this time it was served inside the tent. Atom was entralled with all the decorations however did not want to take part in wearing a yamaka like his dad.
Sadly, work starts again on Sunday.
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