Second trip to Israel for the first time.


feb 29, 2020
I have returned to Israel ten years since my first visit.   Then, traveling with my beloved Stu, we saw the country-important cities, historical sites ( some hysterical sites, particularly all manner of religious attire like fur hats on the hottest days), inspired sites, amazingly blooming deserts.).  This trip I am here to visit friends, to note how Israelis live in their homes, and prayer at the motel.  The inspiration is volunteering with Sar-el on a military base.   
Abbie and Ner live on a moshav in the outskirts of Tel-Aviv, about 15 minutes from Ben guiro now airport.   Their apt-house is small, old, and could benefit from upgrades, but it is warm, they are gracious, generous, welcoming, family.  I am blessed to be their guest and feel comfortable here.
How to explain a Moshav.   Think kibbutz that is no longer a kibbutz.  Very small town with a town center consisting of a community building that is not in the center as the moshav doesn’t really have a center.   Years ago the State gave settlers land to develop and that land remains with the family.  The family , upon death, may leave the land and its buildings to only one child.   In a strongly connected family the inheriting child will share the wealth derived from the land with the siblings, but sometimes not.  Development of ones parcel may include a few homes, some agriculture, converted buildings (Abbi, Nir, and daughter Sunshine rent a converted chicken coop-not as strange as it may seem, and a common Moshav edifice.  First impression, you are not in the states.  Streets are irregular and mostly not paved, weeds abound, broken cinder blocks are frequent. Cars park relatively haphazardly.   But there are playgrounds well equipped, bomb shelters underground, and free preschools and kindergartens for everyone.   Children are valued, not coddled, go to school as early as 7:30 until 4:30 or later, even at age 3.   Perhaps this is left over from kibbutz days and communal raising of children.  
Not like in the states of whole towns of cookie cutter houses, million dollar houses are across the street from converted chicken coops.  And it all works.  The kids are together in the free schools, play in the community playgrounds.   

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