We returned to Tel Aviv to our hotel briefly before going to visit Erika again. We promised to take her out for "Gliddah" (ice cream). When we arrived, she greeted us in one of her new dresses to which she added a belt and sweater. She looked very cute, hardly almost 80 years old. She said that she wanted to go to Dizengoff Street and walk around, as this was a place she had spent much time with her deceased husband and later a friend. We found a place for ice cream quickly and she enjoyed this very much. Many of the stores were still closed for the holiday which had ended at sunset. She wanted to walk to a particular location, which had housed a performance center where she had danced and listened to concerts. She said that the building had been torn down but she wanted to see how the new building was progressing. We walked quite a way, but she was very determined to find this location. We finally reached the spot and found an unfinished building. Erika seemed to be mourning the loss of the time she spent here with family and friends. Following this we found a taxi and returned Erika home, satisfied again with the day's activities, but I think sad knowing that we were leaving the next day.
After this we returned to the hotel and prepared to go to my cousin Ruth's. She was very enthusiastic about my being here and the potential for me to see everyone in her family that evening. It took us longer than expected to arrive there as our first taxi driver dropped us off on a street of the same name in a different town. Once Ruth and I realized this, she called for another taxi for us to take us to her location.
We arrived and were greeted by a clan of people including my Aunt Sara; Ruth, her husband Rafi; three children: Micki, Cobi and Liron, now adults and their significant others. Also, Rafi's brother and his family were there as well as some friends of his. Ruth said that they all lived in the house or nearby except for Cobi, who lived in Tel Aviv.
Ruth had prepared a wonderful feast of Israel food and looked so in her element as the matriarch of this family. When I saw her 28 years ago, she was a young woman with a husband and small child. Also, I knew her mostly as a child in New Jersey before her family returned to Israel and it was fascinating seeing her now as an adult, but still seeing the child within.
It was so good to connect with this side of my family and I had a sense of missing these relationships.
Again, this evening Marty brought his computer and patiently showed photos of our family, Vermont and Rachel's artwork to entertain all.
We enjoyed our visit and left saying that I would remain in contact with Ruth and Sara and would plan to return with my family next year and spend more time together.
Before we came, I had a totally different idea of our visit in Tel Aviv and had not committed to seeing anyone but Izzy and Erika. However, I believe this was my destiny during this visit and I am very happy that I have reconnected with these members of my family. I look forward to our return visit, to spending more time with them and introducing them to my family as well.
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