This Shabbat was our first home in Maale Adumim in 3 weeks. I loved being away and I am also very grateful to be home for Shabbat. We were fortunate enough to be invited out for all three meals this week, which enabled Andy to get more non-kitchen-related items done. I commented to someone in Shul on Friday night that I am 100% certain that we chose the right community. He asked me what I meant by this statement. As I listened to the magnificent melodies being sung by about 200 people in unison for Kabbalat Shabbat and could FEEL the beginning of the kedusha of Shabbat, I told him that I had "landed" in a place that truly understood the holiness of the day of Shabbat and that we had found EVERY aspect of the community special in one way or another. Words can not begin to describe how peaceful and tranquil I felt singing along with everyone on Friday night. (ONLY 6 MORE DAYS TILL SHABBAT!)
Shabbat day, I had intended on sleeping until the later (8:00am) minyan but got up early and went to the first one (at 6:30am). For the second time, I had the chance to daven as Chazzan for Shacharit. Normally, that would not be reason for something noteworthy. But on a personal level, it means I am feeling VERY comfortable here and in the Shul, as I would NEVER daven for the amud otherwise!
While I have not officially begun my job, I have already been very busy trying to contact as many people as I can to tell them what I do and look for recommendaitons/referrals etc. REMEMBER: if you want to come to Israel with just your family and need someone to take care of something as "small" as hotel reservations and/or a guide...or...if you want a full blown tour over many days/weeks, I am more than happy to take care of all the arrangements through Tlalim. If you do not plan to be coming in the near future, but you DO know of someone who says they MAY be interested, please feel free to contact me and let me know. Incidentally, I am looking for contacts in other countries besides the USA, such as in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, etc. if you have any suggestions, PLEASE contact me and let me know.
Finally. we have been having SIGNIFICANT issues with our internet service which has made my VopIP phone and online time almost ZERO. We have a tech coming on Wednesday moring. Hopefully, all will be resolved by then.
