Shabbat on Moshav Nov is a unique experience. Almost everyone is Shomer Shabbat (keeper of the Sabbath) and spends Friday cooking and cleaning. Just as the sun is setting, groups of people start walking to the (only) synagoge for the evening service. No one drives, no music or TV can be heard. Just the quiet of Shabbat.
After services, we returned home to a dinner that was already prepared. Along with severeal guests, we enjoyed a leisurely meal which didn't end until after midnight! After a late clean-up, it was early to rise for the morning service. By 10:15, the service was over and we met our hosts, the Friedman family, after some time to schmooze -- virtually everyone who lives here is either in the shul or on the adjacent playground watching dozens of children play. Lunch at the Friedmans included dozens of salads, several meats and sidedishes, cakes and brownies, sorbet, and fresh nectarines from the family farm. We also heard stories of what it was like for Michal and Menachem Friedmans, some of the first settlers of the moshav, to make their way here as young adults. They were describing a desolate land with no roads, water, or electricity. Yet here they made their home, worked the land, raised a family of 7 children, and built a family farming business (and just renovated their home). Michal also lamented about why it was so hard to assure peace in this region -- and that one of the first things Israelis can do is learn Arabic so we can all communicate with one another. It was a stunning comment and it seemed like a very simple first step in a very complicated process.
The day continued with naps, playtime, and a lovely late afternoon garden party to celebrate the birth a little girl born to friends of Ariele and Avrami. After Havdalah, some of us went to yet another gathering to listen to music of Shlomo Carlebach played by the family of the Moshav Band, who played at Ariele and Avrami's wedding (almost 8 years ago)! A complete experience!
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