Yummm

Kanafeh is delicious! When we visited my Seeds of Peace friend Raya and her husband Mymoon in their Druze village, Isifya, yesterday, we were in for a real treat. Raya and Mymoon's families have lived in Isifya for generations. They toured us all around the village, with a stop at the shuk, the Old Village, and at Raya's parent's home for some tea and chatting. They were so warm and welcoming. I'm always amazed by how people here whip up food and snacks for whomever and however many enter into their homes. Raya's mom was no exception. Afterward, we returned to Raya's beautiful home (it's traditional for the husband's parents to build the young couple a new home) where we had a Druze feast followed by still warm kanafeh. YUM!

Ethan and Ana (Hilla's mom) eat Kanafeh

The Druze are a really interesting, special people. One of the things I find most interesting is how fiercely Raya and Mymoon respect and cherish their roots. The Druze serve in the IDF (The Druze fought for Israel in the War of Independence in 1948 but conscription wasn't required until Raya's grandfather signed this agreement with Israel in 1953.) They spoke about how many Druze lose a sense of identity when they serve in the IDF and so they have started an organization to help young Druze retain their identity and reconcile it with living and serving in the IDF. Mymoon served in the IDF for 9 years so he is a great role model. Retaining a sense of Druze identity is especially important because it is essentially forbidden to intermarry and any Druze who does is cast out of the village. Plus, a Druze child must be born to two Druze parents and since there is no conversion in the religion, it would be very hard for the Druze to survive if young Druze lost their connection to their religion.


Me, Raya, Mymoom, my mom, and Ana

We had a wonderful weekend up north with the Mellers and Azmis!! We are so lucky to have friends we can visit in Israel.


At the Bahai gardens in Haifa the day before our Druze feast

Only in Israel

Wow! Two HR people just came into my office passing out gifts for Passover!! They walked the hall like little elves with big boxes for every single person saying "Chag Sameach." Not only is that just amazing as an experience and totally unique to Israel (or maybe it happens in Jewish organizations in the other countries?) but let me tell you, the gift boxes are from Sabon--this completely fancy soap/body shop style store. They have stores in Israel, New York, London, Tokyo--you get the idea. Their products are gorgeous and I have resisted buying anything from there since I've arrived in Israel (a true feat since one shop opened on Emek Refaim a few months ago, meaning I walk by it almost daily). Wow wow wow! An early Chag Sameach!

PS. I know my blogging has been lax. I am going to try to do better!