a little Israeli & a Happy KITSCHY Succah!

Tunie B. my little Israeli

first thing off the plane…

got to her Savta’s (grandmothers) house

jumped on the couch in her self styled head to toe stripes

and wanted to know…

when she can go to Israel?

now Tunie B. is one lucky girl

been to Israel every year (sometimes twice) since she was 3 months old

I think she thinks it is one big restaurant

because from the moment we get off the plane

it’s an eating marathon

put a Yom Tov in the mix

and well…

it is really a tri-athalon.

nothing like being with family…

the good and the insane

for some reason

things here in Israel just seem…

With experiences like these:

Yom Kippur…in the Great Synagogue of Jerusalem

the pure beauty of the chazan’s voice

in the most majestic of surroundings

the simpleness of every type of jew

sitting …reciting the same words in prayer

no differences…just the same hope for a good, healthy successful new year.

the streets quiet…

not a car in sight on the busiest street in Jerusalem

even the few bicycles & skateboarders

some how made it feel

as if the whole world

knew….today is Yom Kippur

To be here for a major holiday

is to experience Israel in whole different slew of ways

from the streets filled with Succas

to the sheer busy energy that you can literally taste

of everyone  - really everyone it seems

preparing for the Yom Tov to come.

Sure in Lakewood, my friends and neighbors are just a hustle and bustle

but here…different

from the local cab driver to the banks..

the ENTIRE country

is celebrating

and to experience a SIMCHAT HA -CHAG (the joy of the holiday)

with literally everyone who is surrounding you

well…

what can I say

it makes me &  my Tunie B.

glad to be

a little Israeli….

I really wanted to post some great themes of Succots that were decorated

here in Israel. And as I got to my sister’s beautiful house in Ramat Bet Shemesh I was excited to see what she had done.

But this year…with the craziness of the holiday schedule.. it seems that my sister had the smartest and really the greatest “theme” idea of all.

GOOD OLD SCHOOL KITSCHY – and decorate the way we did when we were kids with every gaudy glittery succah decoration she could get her hands on!

Oh and let us not forget the MUST HAVE of fake fruit and trees!

I love a beautiful Succah and I am always impressed and envious of some of my friends who use their incredible talents to make some absolutely unique and creatively gorgeous ones.

 However, sometimes the pressure to have a “themed” Succah makes the hustle and bustle that is already a yom tov…all the more intense.

So, this year I envy my sister and her brilliance.. because not only did the kids get involved and enjoy the process…it was as simple as going to the store and having fun buying the most glittery of confections that the stores had to offer.

I love my sister …but I LOVE THIS Succah more…it’s simply… perfect.

(love her …even though she does NOT let me cook in her kitchen – can you BELIEVE THAT? so I am left to posting this pic of Miriam in her cooking finery…instead of something yummy I made