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The Dream

For most of the fifty six years that they have lived in Israel people have been asking her what made them come; she always pointed towards him and said "He did". "He made you come?" the shocked question... "No" was her quick answer. "He didn't really make me come here, but... he had a dream and I didn't, so... And the story usually spills out of her.

When he graduated from college, his parents gave him a gift of a visit to Israel. That was in 1951. He arrived with two suitcases full of salamis because there was very little meat in the new country. He took one sandy, dusty, hot breath and promptly fell in love with the country and its people. When his six week-old love-affair was coming to an end, he wanted very much to make his future right here, in this place which made him feel was his own country. But when he communicated those thoughts to his parents back in NYC, they refused to listen. "Get back here" was their command. "Finish your education and then go and do what you want. But at this time in your life, you are better off back here...". Being an only child and a good one at that, back he went and continued his studies.

When they got married, he told her about his visit to Israel and his feeling about the place. His dream was to go there one day and live there,

She listened politely, but had no great interest in the country or its people. She was very proud of the fact that the Israelis had their own country, remembered the excitement staying up all night listening to the radio when the very crucial vote of partition took place, but it had nothing to do with her or her life. They married in America, were going to build their home and life in America and would eventually have American children. That was her dream.

The first year of their married life they lived in NYC, but for the next four they moved to a small community outside of Boston. They knew it was temporary and knew that their life would eventually move back to NYC. So when his job was completed, they started making plans. This was going to be a major move. He was looking for a new job and she had to look for a place for them to live. They needed a school for their 5-year-old and help with their 1-year-old. The lists grew longer and longer each day.

One day said she to him: "What about that dream of yours, the dream of living in Israel?" He was speechless. He just looked at her. Only his eyes spoke to her. After quite some time, she said to him: "What do you think? Is this not a perfect time to move there? Once we move back to NYC that will be that. I shall not move again. But now, we are the right age and the children certainly are the right age! We need a home, we need a job..."... He found his voice. "LETS DO IT!" he said, beside himself with joy! "You really mean it? Really???"

Well, she really did not have much of a dream, no dream at all. Peace and security was her ideal dream, while his dream had substance to it! Nations depended upon it, maybe. So, why not make his dream come true? How many dreams do come true in actual fact, she thought to herself. May as well try this one and see. They looked at each other and decided. "Right! We go!".

When they told their families about their decision, everybody without exception laughed. A joke! A really funny joke! They would move to where? Israel? Ha...ha...ha! Two spoiled New Yorkers moving to the Middle East. Funny to the extreme.

He suddenly got cold feet. She had never been to Israel, maybe they should go and see it first? They discussed it for a while and she agreed, but with the understanding that they will keep to their decision and go and live there. Right? He looked at her and decided: "Absolutely!".

They reserved a two-week-trip on El-Al the Israeli national airline, wanting to 'taste' the country immediately through their flight. They parked the kids in Canada with her mother and off they went chasing his dream.

The trip on that proud national airline was a nightmare. It took forever and when they finally landed she was so thrilled and relieved to be back on terra firma that the heat which hit them when they de-planed did not register at first; nor did the swarm of instant relatives who came to welcome them. She had no idea they had so many 'close' relatives living in the country. Because they all immediately told them how very close they all were with their parents. Yes. Should have rung some bells right there, but they were both too tired and too hot.

The senior of the lot finally was given the honour of bringing them to their hotel and they were eventually allowed to go to their room, but had to promise to come for dinner the very next night. They agreed, because she could no longer stand on her legs and thankfully everybody kissed and hugged and they said "lehitraot". She found out later that it meant "be seeing you again".

They arranged to go touring the next day and were gone all day. When they returned, they were tired and hungry, but had time only for a quick shower and change before rushing off to the dinner they promised to attend. When they arrived they were met by quiet. Total quiet. How delightful, she thought. But the host asked them to follow him onto the terrace, where in a very small space sat twenty very expectant looking people. All invited to meet the young couple that were coming to live with them in the Promised Land. It was hot and it was tight. She was dressed for dinner New York-style. Her dress stuck to her. It made her very uncomfortable and very cross. Dinner consisted of a sliced tomato, a slice of egg, another of cucumber and a slice of bread. Two cakes were divided equally into as many as were needed and instant powdered coffee, she was told, was on the table... Hungry and over-tired utterly miserable, she cried herself to sleep that night.

And that's how the first ten days of their stay went. Every day - all day - they toured the country and every night they were invited to some relative for what-they-called "dinner" and every night she cried herself to sleep. The noise, the heat and the constant 'relatives' drove her into the pits. Every relative wanted to show them off to their friends and as they did not want to hurt any one of them they complied. They really were all very sweet and very nice, but every night finished with the same dreadful results; hot, crowded little balconies, where dozens of strange people sat squashed together, wanting to meet the crazy American young couple who were really coming to live in Israel...

He was having the time of his life! Loved every one of his, or for that matter her relatives, loved the heat, the noise, the incredible bedlam which surrounded them every minute of the day and night.

Towards the end of their stay, they had to take out somebody for dinner. She phoned one of the cousins and asked: 'Isn't there one place in this city which is cool and quiet?" There was a silence. Finally, the cousin said that she didn't know, but would check. Will phone back. And she did. She was told, that The Grill Room at the Dan Hotel might suit the bill. They made a reservation and when that evening they walked in, she could not believe her eyes. It was quiet and it was cool. A charming dignified man in a suit, a real suit! She nearly kissed him! His pleasure at seeing her made her weak. He bowed his welcomes and graciously sat them at a beautifully laid table. A drink was offered. A drink! She was convinced there was a law against drinking in the country! NOBODY drank and therefore no drinks were ever offered! Never! A piano player was tinkling away... It was heaven! Utter glorious heaven. "You know" said she to him, looking around and taking her first delicious ice-cold sip "This place does have possibilities".

The day before they were due to go home, she said to him: "You know, I think we should buy a flat. If we buy one, when we come back with the children, we will come home. Do let's go and see if it is possible".

Everybody decided that this was typical behaviour of those crazy Americans one read about, but it did become possible and they did buy a flat that day and did come back with the children two months later and made it into a home which has lasted for nearly sixty years.

Send your questions to The Wacky Cook: email: debbiemorgenshtern@gmail.com

Debbie Morgenstern is the author of "My Life in Israel" and other short stories.
"My Life in Israel" can be purchased by accessing this link: "My Life in Israel"