Pessach

This will be an interesting Passover. The kind where worldwide, everyone will be making lemonade from lemons.

But we've been through trying times before. Walking around the kitchen today, it dawned on us that in 2008 we witnessed similar stresses with a market crash thanks to Bear Stearns. Going to work at the time in New York City was uncertain if you'd come back home employed. Although no one was dying, employment was shaky. It took well over a year to feel in the clear. And when we moved to Israel, we dealt with the measles outbreak, unsure how to care for our then 3-month-old on the aircraft. It was a risk that we took, and thankfully, we made it to the other side.

The Coronavirus has added unexpected challenges, especially in Israel. Eggs are not found now at stores (it is unclear as to why). A carton with 30 will cost us a whopping 35 shekel. Disinfectant wipes are also missing in action (welcome back paper towels and spray). We've decided not to rent cars for the time being or use public transportation in fear of anyone who might have been careless. In fact, we have been in the house since March 12. This has given us a lot of time to think, which can be good...or bad.

Last Friday, we decided to stock up on Passover items. We originally were supposed to go to a hotel, to finally enjoy some vacation over holiday fun (in Israel, the kids are always in school and it's hard to find a retreat to shut down all work and not have them miss lessons). That plan clearly was canceled, but that's ok. The kids enjoyed unloading 3 more boxes from our aliyah lift. Sadly in the process, we somehow lost 3 platters that we've had since we lived in New York City, a water pitcher that my mom made a great effort to give us a year ago and a corning ware dish that also came from home. Perhaps it will still show up, though unclear as to which box it could possibly be in.  We also have to find our cup of Elijah. Not sure where that went.

There are some surprises when going on holiday shopping.

In Israel, a lot of food is kitniyot. And when we say a lot, we mean a lot, such as, your traditional macaroon and chocolate bar. It is thereby advised to not do online grocery shopping, though I'm sure long-time olim have figured out where to get the items that they like. Oil is also a challenge, with the majority being Canola and local Rabanim saying that it is OK.

We have been unable to find Temp Tee cream cheese, Pessach cake mixes, jellied orange slices and Kedem raspberry syrup. Whatever shall we do?! On the flip, it is amazing that you can buy milk here throughout the holiday as is because the cows and such are not given chametz products over the holiday. We also can buy real chocolate milk and not a powder (bye bye hot water urn to melt it all down).

This will be our second time making seder and this time without a bris on the second day.

To reduce stress, we ordered catered food from Simcha's Catering here in Beit Shemesh. A neighbor was also giving away a Keter storage cabinet for free and this has been a tremendous help.

We will continue to learn new customs and create new traditions.

And we really love doing that.

The greatest thrill is crossing the second seder off the Google doc menu organizer but still catching yourself asking others "so what are you making for seders...erm seder....?"

It's also nice to see that there are yogurts that its recipes don't change from throughout the year where taste buds, throughout the holiday, don't have to be as compromised.

We're excited to sit, G-d willing, the five of us, in good health this year and not have to say "next year in Jerusalem" from 6,000 miles away. It would be a lie for us not to say that we have not wondered how we made the cut -- being here when the world is tricking lockdowns and restrictions in a variety of ways. It is unclear when Israel will reopen its borders and the psychological impact this will have to live for today and not tomorrow.

We are so glad to be here, despite the differences that we may see, because there's so much on the flip that really still blows our mind. As of April 8th, it will be 9 months for our being here and we still look out to the mountains from our patio and can't believe our eyes.

Here's to hoping that even with Corona at the helm, that you find the best way to make the holiday meaningful -- and hope that we can all be here together, with the help of Gd, speedily and with love.

-- Book Recommendation:

Polio An American Story

-- What We Are Watching:

Suits

-- Best Craft:

Playdough

-- Failed Craft:

Massive Jenga set

-- Love:

Chatting with our Israeli (born) neighbor from our kitchen. Or when she calls my name from our office window.

-- How We Are Feeling:

Both slightly restless but hopeful.

-- Amazed By:

Kosher for Pessach Ben and Jerry's