A Taste of My Israel
November 15, 2023
It's been 40 days since that horrible day and it's hard to explain how I'm feeling. In Tel Aviv, we hear rocket sirens once or twice a day but we hear the boom of the Iron Dome often, reminding us of the constant barrage of rockets launched at our neighbors down south. I'm feeling lucky.
I continue to be out and about, but with 300,000 Israelis called up for reserve duty, 1,200 residents murdered and 240 being held hostage in Gaza, the streets are feeling empty. As you can imagine, it's not a very busy time for me as a leader of food tours. The markets are not bustling but my wonderful vendors continue to open their shops.
Many of you have asked me what it's like in Tel Aviv. Sad? Confusing? Comforting? What I know is that I don't want to be anywhere else right now.
I walk by Habima Square and I see beds and models of people, representing the hostages. I walk by Dizengoff Square and I see candles lit for those who were murdered and I hear music, as impromptu gatherings seem to happen there most nights. I'm by Levinsky Market when a rocket siren goes off and I run into my favorite Persian restaurant, hug the owner and then we run next door to the safe area connected to the Yemenite restaurant. I walk down Rothschild Boulevard and I see strollers set out on both sides, with a picture of a kidnapped child placed carefully in each one. I grab coffee and a croissant (you've got to keep living, right?) on Friday morning and sitting between me and my friend on a bench is a picture of a man named Eitan who is being held hostage in Gaza. It's devastating.
I walk up Rothschild Boulevard on Friday afternoon and I see volunteers with guitars, playing music for people who are being housed indefinitely at a hotel. I go grocery shopping with friends and bring the bags to the car of a man named Asa, the manager of a hotel that went from hosting business people to housing displaced residents from Kiryat Shmona. Asa tells us that before October 7th, he wore a suit to work everyday but now wears jeans and a T-shirt, better for the cooking and entertaining he's doing. I go to Golda for ice cream with my friend to celebrate her birthday and we sample the 'Am Yisrael' flavor, which tastes like techina and is decorated with blue swirls and a Star of David. I buy flowers that were delivered to Tel Aviv from an Israeli town bordering Gaza, because the farmers don't have anyone to sell to in the south of Israel. They're beautiful.
I feel like I'm constantly being hugged by Am Yisrael (the people of Israel).
I'm sharing this with you because as hard as you think it is for me to be here in Israel right now, I know that it's a different kind of challenge to not be here. You have to watch from afar with a breaking heart, as this place that you love and long for endures a war we never wanted to enter. Meanwhile, I know that many of you are doing your part, whether it's marching, posting or speaking up for Israel. It's not an easy time for any of us.
I look forward to the day when flights are rebooked and you can visit our beautiful Israel once again.
Sending lots of love from Israel,
Ruthie
