Shabbos in Har Nof!

Shalom, folks! We just got back from a lovely Shabbos weekend in Har Nof. Before leaving for Shabbos, we had a walking tour around the shuk (market) by the famous Basha. Throughout this tour we got to see different courtyards and neighborhoods from the turn of the century. You could picture how people used to live in those times and what kinds of families lived there. Some of the courtyards we visited were Even Yisroel and Ohel Moshe. The tour ended at the shuk and we were given time to walk around and shop for food. After finding a delicious falafel stand and buying some treats from the shuk, we went back to the apartment for a quick shluff before leaving for Har Nof.

It was finally Shabbos! Candle lighting began around 4, right when it started to rain, at Datei Leumei Synagogue. Before Kabbalat Shabbat we listened to Rabbi Gershenfeld (the director of MEOR) talk to us about the first commandment, which involves eating from every tree in the Garden of Eden. The class gave us meaning to eating and drinking on Shabbos. Of course Kabbalat Shabbat was filled with tons of beautiful women praying, singing, and dancing. That was just the beginning of an amazing Shabbos to come. We were given the pleasure and opportunity to spend the first meal at the original Rabbi Burnham's house. Putting faces and names to Rabbi Ozzie's family after hearing so many stories about them was indescribable. Everyone adds something special to the family. After being blown away by the Burnham family, we made our way back to Datei Leumei Synagogue for Oneg with MEOR 2, PERI, some young men from Machon Yaakov (a yeshiva), and some young women from Neve Yerushaliyim (the seminary we attend). Even though our little group was scattered around the room, we were still able to entertain each other by making funny faces. After l'chaims (toasts to life) and more eating, we went back to our host families for a long night of sleep.

Our group was split up for the second meal on Saturday and got back together for the third meal. The third meal was located at Rabbi Gershenfeld's daughter's (Michal Levy) home. Her two youngest children were quite enjoyable to play with before, during, and after the meal. Once her husband and two other children came home, we started havdallah. By the time we finished everyone was tired and ready to go back to the apartment for some noshing and sleep. Even though Shabbos can take a lot out of us (from major shmoozing and eating), we cannot wait for next Shabbos!

Miss and love all of you!
<3 Jenna Bishop