Hanukka in the Holy Land

Faina is back in Israel visiting with family and friends. She is still somewhat surrounded by physicians. Some of her classmates from the Leningrad Pediatric Medical Institute made aliyah and continued their careers in our historic homeland. She also has friends from her years at the Technion.

Above all, though, is family time. Mom is the main reason for going; brother and sister, of course; nephew Noam, no doubt; and two freshly minted nieces, the family's contribution to Israel's continued population growth, a new reason to visit.

Faina got to spend time with a branch of the family tree she rarely sees, adding another unique dimension to this visit. Faina, Igor, and Maya make for a fascinating set of siblings. Looking at today's map, the three were born in different countries. Maya, the oldest, was born in Siberia, Russia. Igor, the middle child, was born in the Soviet Zone of Berlin. Faina celebrated her first April Fools Day in Babrusk, Belorussia (White Russia). Maya also has a different father then her brother and sister. Maya's father gave his country the last full measure in the opening days of "The Great Patriotic War." Faina tagged along with Maya for a family event in the Tel Aviv area breaking bread with relatives she has not seen in decades.

Faina spent Shabbat in Tzfat. For most people, that holy "city" conjures associations with the Kabbalah, an historic battle in the War for Independence, a few historically significant synagogues, or the artists' colony. For Faina it is Fima and Olya, friends she thought she would never see again when she left the USSR and delights in checking in with when the opportunity presents itself. Their home has a spectacilar view of the Upper Galilee from which you can see the Golan and the northernmost tip of Lake Kinneret. Fima is not only a physician, but is also a TV personality known for his remarkable, insightful sense of humor. Despite the 24 hours of clouds, cold, and rain, Faina sounded as pleased as if she was sipping margaritas on a sun drenched Caribbean beach. Fima is a one man festival of lights and Olya is hardly a lesser light.

The trip has been restorative, a welcome break. Return flight, Saturday night 11:15 pm arriving 5:10 am in Philadelphia.

Looking Good and Feeling Stronger

The latest word from Dr. Schulick is that the percolating fistula has closed. That is pretty much the last of the post-surgical concerns. The next big date is December 22nd when Faina will have a CT scan. It will roughly mark the four month point since her surgery.

Faina is certainly gaining strength and expanding her culinary options. Other than spicy foods and sugar almost anything is fair game. On the other hand almost anything is like a spin of the roulette wheel. Will it make its way through the intestines dropping off vital nutrients along the way or not? Today yogurt is a good choice, tomorrow less agreeable. Keeping an eye on portions is also a challenge. Eating too much, or something more challenging to process and she becomes like a python, crawling into a quiet place and lying still until she has finished digesting.

She is not yet ready to go to work, so that will still be a few months off. We have resumed some of our social life. The first big public event we attended was the Gala at the synagogue, a great experience for both of us. Last Friday, Faina sat through a Shabbat service for the first time in almost a year. We also attended another BSO concert, conducted by the extraordinary maestra Marin Alsop.

About 24 hours ago Faina arrived in Israel. She missed her mother's 90th birthday anniversary in the summer and wanted to get to Haifa as soon as possible. Now looked like the best opportunity. She is looking good, feeling strong, and has a window of opportunity.