Rosh Hashanah in the Air...

It was interesting to note that during our early stay in Ramat Gan, it did not really feel like Rosh Hashanah was approaching. The only indication of the upcoming holiday was a billboard that we passed each time we went to Tel Aviv, on which was written "Shanah tovah..." It did not feel like it was the month of Elul or that Rosh Hashanah was in the air. Maybe it was because we were around more of a secular type of Israeli living in our area. Or maybe that we ourselves were living in a bubble, disconnected to the Israelis around us with our limited Hebrew and lack of venue to engage people in conversation. Bottom line, we did not feel the impending holiday until we were having Rosh Hashanah dinner at Bracha's house on the first night - and even those plans were created at the last minute!

Although this was our general feeling about Ramat Gan and Tel Aviv, there definitely was a difference when we traveled to Jerusalem twice during the past two weeks. During our day trips to the holy city, we did feel Rosh Hashanah approaching. We saw shofars everywhere, stacked in boxes in tourist and Judaica shops. We even heard some being blown. Honey dishes in shapes and materials as various as Israelis themselves were being sold on every street, including in the bus station. During our first visit to Jerusalem two weeks ago, Rafi and I were walking out of the Old City when a group of young religious girls walked past. One of the girls came up to me and gave me a small piece of paper with a Sweet New Year message and a drawing on it. It was so sweet and special! Of course I kept it and still have it in my possession - it is souvenirs like this that are the best to hang on to. During Scrabble Club last week in Jerusalem (the night before the first night of Rosh Hashanah), I sat chatting with my friend, Lee. We talked about what she was making for dinner for the holiday and she gave me a lot of good recipe ideas. This also got me in the Rosh Hashanah mood.

Back in our own city of Ramat Gan, a few days before the holiday we heard people wishing each other a "sweet new year" in checkout lines at grocery stores. I began doing this as well and it was a great way to bring in the sense that the holy day was near, as well as to lighten the mood of those around me.

Rafi and I talked a lot about the feeling of Rosh Hashanah here in the Ramat Gan and Tel Aviv area and compared it to the feeling of the advancing holiday back home in Seattle. We probably have a better sense of the holiday back home because we are better used to the ebb and flow of the seasons in our own area where we grew up. This is also coupled with the fact that at home we would have more people to talk to in our native language and we would of course have had many conversations about the upcoming High Holy Days. At home I probably would have taken some Rosh Hashanah and High Holy Days preparation classes.

The holiday of Rosh Hashanah passed and was very enjoyable, regardless of how we felt beforehand. Now we are looking forward to observing many more holy days in Israel, the first of which begins this Shabbat - Yom Kippur.