An Opportunity to Disconnect

Day 6

Shabbat! Shabbat night created an opportunity to disconnect. We started the day with a class on parenting. Nili offered ten tips on how to be a better parent. I can use some help in increasing my patience and thought about the personalities and strengths of my kids. I want to revisit her tips when I return home.

We then had a circle where we processed our feelings about the trip so far. Many of us shared personal stories. I shared the story of three summers ago when I lost my brother, two summers ago when I went through treatment and surgeries for thyroid cancer and last summer when I had a car accident and totaled my car. I circled back to the ladder Parsha where we can’t always control what happens to us can keep looking up and try to keep a positive attitude. If tears are our souls overflowing, we certainly have all grown a lot this week.

Shabbat lunch was amazing. The Shore family hosted an amazing and welcoming lunch filled with Shabbat prayers, conversation, and great food! We then had a class by Lori Palatnik talking about different personality styles.

After this, we enjoyed meeting some Israeli Soldiers. They were patient and answered many of our questions. Following this, we had a Havdala service on the rooftop of the Clayman house. It was action-packed and full of excitement!

It was nice to disconnect this Shabbat. I lost track of time and lived in the moment.

Michele Mizrachy
AISH South Florida