We got to Jerusalem at 1130PM last night. Our flight left London an hour late, but passport control was a breeze and our luggage was among the first bags on the carousel. We got a sherut (shared taxi) immediately, and in spite of a couple of construction delays and an accident that caused a gapers' block we got to Jerusalem in 40 minutes. This apartment is a big improvement over the one we had last year, which could easily fit into this one's kitchen with space left over. The owner very kindly left us some food - a couple of rolls, cheese, some fruit, and the mandatory tomato and cucumber. We were very thankful because we were hungry and none of the nearby stores or cafes were open. By the time we ate and got the basic necessities out of our suitcases it was after 1AM. I slept well till 8; Sid didn't.
We had a leisurely morning, just trying to get our bearings in this enormous apartment with plenty of storage and closet space, and the ultimate kosher kitchen with not two but three sinks. The owner came over to give us an orientation; I had to take notes.
I then called Batsheva who happened to be in a ceramics class (her one day a week off from her high stress job) near downtown with her friend Clara, so we met for lunch in a wonderful Yemenite restaurant. I had red kubeh soup which was amazing. I had to cut our time short because Dori was on her way to stay overnight with us on a 24 hour leave.
It sort of takes your breath away when you open the door and your almost 20 year old soldier/granddaughter walks in.This was the first time we saw her in uniform. The only thing missing was a weapon, and when she told me she doesn't take it when she leaves the base I was not happy. I prefer that she be armed when she travels around by public transportation, but the army doesn't allow it, and I haven't yet figured a way to overrule the army. But I'm working on it.
We went out for dinner at Roza's, one of the many eclectic restaurants on Emek Refaim, Jerusalem's restaurant row. It's such a pleasure to talk to her about what she does as a drill instructor, her soldiers, commanders, life in the army ... and her boyfriend. She has learned every bit of army slang and all the acronyms, speaks Hebrew beautifully, and her English now has a very slight intonation. I get the sense that she is very grounded, centered, balanced and has her priorities right. We are so proud of her. Not sure when we will see her next; it depends on when she can get time off because she gets a new class of recruits in a few days.
About the title of this post: Chesed shel emet is a genuine act of kindness done for its own sake, which can never be repaid. Readers of this blog may recall that last year I attended a funeral. The deceased was Clara's husband. Today at lunch Clara told me how touched she and her daughters were that I was there and how my words of condolence meant so much. A person does good in this world when a small act of kindness still comforts the mourners a year later.
Lilah tov (good night) from Jerusalem.
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