Passover review

There is nothing that makes a vacation even better than finding out that you have no flight home. Son #2 is very excited about the prospect of me making aliyah because, well, because I might as well if I am going to be living in Israel for an undetermined amount of time. I had to text the parents of my new surrogate grandchildren to tell them that it is okay if they find someone new for the rest of the year.

I have no answers. But I do have wonderful friends who will let me stay in their apartment when I become homeless. So there is that.

Since I am writing this before the second days of Passover begin, and I have no idea what the future holds, let us do a brief review of where I have been staying.

Welcome to the Neviim Boutique Hotel. During the year, it is used as a place where mothers come with their new babies to rest and recover. During Passover, it is filled with very yeshivish and chassidish folks who only eat the “eidah” hashgacha. Do with that information what you will.

I am here with Husband #1, his mom, Son #2 and DIL #2, and Danish and her two sisters. Thank you Hashem. And though someone wrote me an angry letter the last time I mentioned I was the only person at an Uncle Moishy concert who wasn’t covering her hair, here, too, I am the only person who does not cover her hair. Or speak Yiddish. But no one has called me a shiksa or thrown anything at me, so all is good. For the record, as I have mentioned before, I wear only skirts when I am visiting my yeshivish Oreos in the Land of Cholov Yisroel milk and honey.

Technically, we are on a “program.” When you think Pesach programs, you think 24-hour tea rooms, scrumptious food, incredible entertainment, and what a day camp!! I didn’t see my kids all day!!

Programs in Israel, or at least the one I am on, is not like that. There is a place to sleep, eat breakfast and dinner (except on yom tov), a shul and the winner of the Ramat Eshkol You’ve Got Talent. (I jest, I don’t think the performer won anything.) Personally, my entertainment was my family. For example.

Son #2 and DIL #2 are really, really great parents. When I am with them, I respect their wishes not to give their kids treats (at least when they are looking). One evening, at dinner, Son #2 was trying to convince Danish’s sister (who is his mini-me) to eat some chicken if she wanted dessert.

She wasn’t having it. At all. A few hours later, Husband #1 and Danish were sleeping and mini-son #2 and her parents and I were hanging out. Danish’s sister started pointing to Husband #1’s sponge cake.

Son #2 cut a big piece and handed it to his doppelgänger. I am telling you, she looked at him with a bubble over her head that read, “Wait a second, you are giving me cake and I didn’t have to eat chicken?????” And then proceeded to put the whole piece in her mouth.

I laughed so hard I cried. And I was convinced that she was going to figure out a way to explain to Danish how they really don’t need to eat their chicken, they can go straight to cake. This is how I know they are related to me.

Anyway, I am now writing to you on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Our flights, which had been canceled indefinitely, are now rescheduled to their original times. Again, since I cannot predict the future, I can tell you that we are just taking this amazing trip one day at a time and trying to be present and enjoy every minute.

We are back in Son and DIL #3’s apartment, Husband #1 is learning daf yomi, my mother-in-law is taking a walk, and I am on my computer. Danish and her sisters are back in gan, DIL #2 is working, and I am sure my Oreo #2 is learning somewhere.

Will I be back in America on Tuesday? I am sure you are on the edge of your seats…

Banji Ganchrow of Teaneck is not looking forward to being far away from Danish and her sisters but is looking forward to seeing Strudel and her sisters and celebrating Matza Ball’s first birthday! Baruch Hashem….