Meaty Conversations: August 20, 2014

We have been listening a lot during our week in Israel. Up until yesterday night the country was enjoying a silence from the booms of missiles being caught, for the most part, in the Iron Dome. The ceasefire ended just last night and rockets began to fall again, many in the south close to my friend Susan’s moshav. Lucky for us we were able to see her during the day, but as she reached her home she was more concerned about us and called to make sure we were aware of the new dangers.

Susan and I were roommates during my year in Israel from 1979-80. As the year ended I left for home and Susan began to make her home here with her soon-to-be husband Moshe, living down south, close to the border, growing flowers, raising three kids. Still they remain in their home and even with a constant barrage of missiles falling nearby they can’t seem to move away. She loves the country but like many, doesn’t see a leader she can believe in even though she, like me looks left.

Edna and Mandy joined us for dinner in Neve Tzedek at one of our favorite spots. They also live in the south, born and raised here. Three kids grown with grandchildren. They travel a lot but always find their way home. They are not happy with the situation but like Susan can’t see where this is going and have no faith in the present group of politicians.

Tzahi and his family joined us from Haifa. We are Facebook friends even though up until last night we had never met. He has both a family connection to Tuvia and one to me as well. So funny but a wonderful surprise to sit with his family and talk politics. His son is well versed in Israel’s political history and with a younger persecutive feels he leans left but he is presently in the minority. He will continue to believe in Israel but like his parents wonder where this is going.

And so it continues. We met with Lee, Tuvia’s grand niece, Ruti her mom and her 3 month-old baby and each (not the baby) expressed the same frustration.

Tuvia’s group of old friends that we just met for dinner again left us with more more questions. Questions that none of us can answer, but what seems to be a constant is that no one is jumping ship, not yet anyway. So far the path forward seems dark, but it’s wonderful to be here, to share in the calm and the tense times.