The Final Countdown

Way back in 1986, Europe released "The Final Countdown".  This was the era of heavy metal bands, huge hair styles, and skin-tight leather pants.  In retrospect, perhaps not the finest period in music history.

But as I think about the end of our time in Israel, a final countdown seems right.  We only have 11 days left until we leave.  We're cramming things in left and right -- 3 trips to Jerusalem, a visit by cousins, dinner with a high school friend, and (eventually) a trip to Masada and the Dead Sea.  It seems like only yesterday that we were waiting in lines at passport control, wondering why the customs officer didn't know what an A1visa was and when we were going to eat.

So to start wrapping up our semester, I asked everyone in the family the same 3 questions:

1. What are 1 or 2 of your favorite things that you've done in Israel?
2. What 1 or 2 things are you going to miss most about Israel?
3. What 1 or 2 things are you most looking forward to about going back to Oberlin?

Here are their answers.

The Don't-Mess-With-Me-Cat (aka Alice)

1.  What are 1 or 2 of your favorite things that you've done in Israel?  See and name all of the cats.  (There are lots of cats living on the street in Ra'anana -- Alice has had fun seeing them and naming them)

2.  What 1 or 2 things are you going to miss most about Israel?  The cats and the rock that she always jumps on.

3.  What 1 or 2 things are you most looking forward to about going back to Oberlin?  Springs in my mattress (her mattress here is pretty bad), a dark bedroom, and seeing my friends.

The Playful Kitten (aka Gabi)

1.  What are 1 or 2 of your favorite things that you've done in Israel?  Having the beach about 15 minutes away.

2.  What 1 or 2 things are you going to miss most about Israel?  Stripey/Sochi/Sushi (one of the cats on the street) and seeing my friends.

3.  What 1 or 2 things are you most looking forward to about going back to Oberlin?  Seeing my friends and sleeping in her real bed.

The Social Butterfly (aka Helen)

1.  What are 1 or 2 of your favorite things that you've done in Israel?  Eating falafel and going to the beach.

2.  What 1 or 2 things are you going to miss most about Israel?  The weather and the fact that school doesn't have hallways; you just walk outside.

3.  What 1 or 2 things are you most looking forward to about going back to Oberlin?  My room and a door that closes totally (the door handle here fell off -- it wasn't put on right to begin with -- and we haven't asked to have it fixed).

The I-Just-Liked-This Wall Crochet in Tel Aviv (Jan)

1.  What are 1 or 2 of your favorite things that you've done in Israel?  Becoming a part of a community through our shul and celebrating the High Holidays in Israel.

2.  What 1 or 2 things are you going to miss most about Israel?  The quality of the meats and produce.  Our tiny dining room table -- it's been fun to be so close to one another when we eat.  The weather in November and December.

3.  What 1 or 2 things are you most looking forward to about going back to Oberlin?  My friends.  My bed.  My shower.

Mr. I-Can't-Walk-By-Sufganiyot-Without-Buying-One (Josh)

1.  What are 1 or 2 of your favorite things that you've done in Israel?  The food has definitely been great -- fluffy pita, challah everywhere on Friday mornings, falafel stands every couple of blocks.  In addition, some of the traveling around the country has allowed me to reconnect to my Judaism -- visiting the Wall in Jerusalem, getting to Masada, seeing how it's a way of life here is something I didn't expect.

2.  What 1 or 2 things are you going to miss most about Israel?  What will I miss?  Small things.  The friendly crossing guard in the mornings.  The fruit and vegetable stand owner who high-fived me one morning.  Whiskey at Shabbat morning services.  Seeing friends from high school and college who I haven't spoken to in a LONG time.

3.  What 1 or 2 things are you most looking forward to about going back to Oberlin?  My bed and comfortable mattress.  A shower with a door.  Our basement and a couch to stretch out on.  Physical books to read (as opposed to an e-reader).  Not having an upstairs neighbor awake before 6am.  You know -- the important things in life.