More Romes Join us for Some Roaming!

Lucy Rome
Lucy Rome
Nov 3 · 6 min read

This is becoming a habit: starting another blog post with an apology….

Sorry it’s been a (long) while. A few excuses but mostly Chagim (Jewish festivals), more Chagim and even more Chagim interspersed with Shabbat (OK, so those only come around once a week, but even so…). Oh and everyday life has gotten in the way too.

As it’s been so long since my last blog post, I’m going to write this a little differently. Rather than working forwards chronologically, I’m going to put our experiences under headings; since I can’t remember where we left off last time and I’m hoping that will jog my memory about the events of previous days and weeks… so please bear with me!

Loving Life…mostly!

We have generally got into the swing of things around here. That is good (mostly) but a bit sad too as we no longer feel like we’re in holiday mode. OK, so the sun is still shining (sorry to gloat!) and the views are still to die for, but life is now more routine and I don’t feel like we have to do holiday-type activities every day. Most days are becoming a little more familiar: cooking, cleaning, sorting, washing…and nagging, all feature in my day!

Rob is the UK every few weeks and, rather than panicking that I won’t manage without him, I get annoyed with him disturbing my routine when he gets home…Sorry Rob, I love you really!

Happy Hikers

We have discovered more exciting hiking routes from our front door. These are generally made more interesting by pools, waterfalls and rock formations and last week’s excursion was no exception. We followed the Zavitan path out of Katzrin and soon realised that the first rain of the season (a 30 minute deluge) had already changed the landscape. The previously dusty ground was rich and black; the air sweet smelling and the atmosphere fresh. We also soon realised that in parts the paths were extremely muddy and waterlogged. I came home covered in mud, while Rob seemed to be relatively mud-free!

Wildlife on our Zavitan walk

We have also loved sharing our hiking trips with other people. I have started walking with my friend Moriel on a Shabbat morning (ok so we’ve only managed it one time so far, but it’s a start!). Also we were recently joined by Rob’s parents, along with Nik and Gabby and the kids! That was an amazing morning and we enjoyed a steep hike down to the Meshushim pool where the cliff surrounding the stream leading to the pool are made up of incredible hexagonal basalt pillars similar to the Giant’s Causeway in Ireland, which we were lucky enough to visit last year.

Cousin re-united at Meshushim. Note the amazing rocks behind.

I have taken to walking rather than driving round town and my morning stroll to drop Deena off at school is sometimes extended to include taking in some local sights via the local cafe for an iced coffee. This weeks I noticed an interesting (and rather enterprising) sight: a fully-stocked vending machine installed in someone’s front garden — only in Israel!

The best of Israeli enterprise: a front garden vending machine :-)

Family Fun

Over the last weeks we had our first visit from family, with Roz and John (Rob’s parents) joining us at the fantastic Ramot Resort near the Kinneret. It was so lovely to see them and the kids were so excited to get to spend time with their Grandma and Grandpa, whom they had missed so much…not to mentioned all the goodies bought over with them from the UK! Thanks for my magazines Roz and John!

Ramot proved to be a super-fun place to stay and Rob and I got to have our own hotel room whilst the kids had their own room in the Grandparent’s chalet. Win win! The facilities — including the pool, the succah and the breakfast— were top notch!

The view at sunset from the chalet at Ramot

Much family fun was had: hiking to the Banias Waterfall; speed boating around the Kinneret; biking through the Hula valley and jeeping around the Golan. Oh, and of course more eating!

Family fun: hiking jeeping and boating...and eating!

The highlight of the trip was our reunion with Nik, Gabby and kids at the Merom Golan restaurant. It was delightful to see all the cousin together again and as I said before, we loved our hike!

Yippee for Yom Tov!

We enjoyed putting up our first Israeli Succah, which was purchased for a bargain price at Max store in Tiberias. The kids decorated it with paper garlands and homemade decorations and Lesley’s tie-dyed creations.

Taking down our succah…until next year!

Whilst we all really missed being with Rob’s family (as has been our tradition for the past 15 or more years) we found the High Holy Days in Katzrin inspiring and up-lifting.

In the shul everyone was dressed in simple white outfits. I was sat next to a lovely Israeli lady who was well-prepared with tissues for her increasingly emotional bouts of davening and fervent soul-searching. I found myself hugely uplifted by the service, feeling part of something very real and authentic.

Yom Kippur seemed to be not so much a somber day to contemplate the wrongs of the year, or a count down of the hours and minutes to the end of the fast, but rather the collective experience of a community coming together to celebrate.

On a Sad Note

Rob’s Grandfather Dr Lewis Clein died on the 22nd October aged 93. Over the last few years his once amazing mind had succumbed to the ravages of Alzheimers. It was a very loss for the whole family, for whom Lewis has been a cherished Step-Father, Grandfather, brother-in-law and friend, but it is relief to know that he at peace now, with his beloved Daphne.

Dr Lewis Clein. He will be sorely missed.

In Other News…

Rob has found a buddy to watch football with: Chelsea fan Elad. Even thought he doesn’t support Arsenal, Rob has cheered up no end since he’s been about to sneak out for footy and beer nights, in addition to his Thursday ‘learning’ nights. Whilst Rob’s dad was here they even managed to all watch a game together.

Rob and Elad enjoy Football, and whiskey!

To add to our list of friends who have ventured to Katsrin we can now include Howard and Lara Josephs, who made a very welcome impromptu visit over Succot.

Please help us to that list and come and visit us soon!

The Rome’s Move to Israel

The Rome Family Aliyah adventure. Follow our journey to Katzrin in The Golan!

Lucy Rome

Written by

Lucy Rome

The Rome’s Move to Israel

The Rome Family Aliyah adventure. Follow our journey to Katzrin in The Golan!

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