Driss-A-Blog

I exited the apartment, and instead of hanging a right like I usually do on HaRav Kook, I turned left. Made another left on Weitzman and walked down for about 7 minutes. The key store was on my left and completed my chore for the day. The guy thought that I was a new aliyah (immigrant), which I got a kick out of, but I explained to him that no, I was visiting a friend of mine who was a new aliyah and I was here for my cousin's wedding on Thursday. He wished me a mazal tov, and I was on my way.

I went back to the Shivat HaKochavim Mall (for those that are interested, it means Seven Stars) and walked around, looking at shoes, sat down for a "red grapefruit" juice, and had a slice of pizza with green olives. YUM.

I got back to the apartment around 4:30pm expecting Hillary to be home, but she didn't show up. Apparently, orientation ran long today, but that was okay because I ended up passing out on the couch again :). Until 6:15pm. haha. I came downstairs when Hillary and the others walked in, and asked her how to get to the restaurant.

I took the train (my first Israeli train!) to Ramat Gan, and took a cab from there. BOY, was that an experience (as it usually is). I hailed a cab, and the guy stopped even though he already had someone in the back seat. That's never happened before, but oh well. I told him where I needed to go and he had no idea where the restaurant was. The lady in the back seat ended up calling information to get the restaurant's number, called them and got directions.

It took a half hour to get to the restaurant (it only took 13 minutes to get from the restaurant all the way back to Herzliyah), and I got there at 8pm.. not too bad, the Henna dinner started at 7:30pm, and I had gotten to Ramat Gan by 7:20pm.

As soon as I arrived, things picked up. It was crazy. All the Gabas were there and all of Auntie Clara's family was there as well. I was introduced to everyone. I only remember a few names, but they all kept asking me if I was Chana's daughter (or Auntie Clara and Uncle Arthur introduced me as Chana's daughter). They kept telling me I reminded them of her, that I looked like her, and later, that I danced like her. Apparently my mom is pretty famous in this family (especially since she is the reason my aunt and uncle met, and had my cousins). I have big shoes to fill :).

I saw all my cousins-in-law (from Auntie Clara's side), met Auntie Clara's parents, sister, brother-in-law Yisrael (who is awesome), her uncle (who is crazy fun), and everyone else, including Tamar from Caesaria. They all wanted me to say hello and send their love. I really have no words for how amazing this was.

They had rented the top floor/room of the restaurant, so I found my seat (next to Julie, a friend of Ilana's) and started on the wine. Gabe and Ilana (Ilana was now in a traditional white gown with gold accents, and a gold fabric 'crown') sat on chairs at the front of the room, and the older Sephardi ladies came in, dancing with a bowl of Henna and sweets. The whole time, there was Sephardi music playing. You couldn't NOT get into it. I loved it!

Everyone took turns shoving the gooey sweets onto each of their fingers and the older women placed henna in the middle of their palms. They then started placing henna on all the girls' palms who were there (it's a symbol for fertility and sweetness, I think) - including myself. They then took gold ribbons with little red hearts and tied them on their hands over the henna - again, myself and others included. It was so unbelievable. Once that ceremony was over, we all took the candies off their fingers and ate them. They were pretty good :).

We all then sat back in our seats and I believe that was when the belly dancer came in. She danced for everyone - it was so fascinating! She danced around for about a half hour, and then everyone joined her on the floor. I was dancing all over the place, sephardi syle, and that's when Ilana said I danced like mom at Auntie Clara and Uncle Arthur's wedding. I need to see that tape. It was cool and bizarre at the same time, hearing all about mom.

Yisrael, Auntie Clara's bro-in-law (married to her sister, Shoshana), apparently was extremely touched. When he saw me and realized who I was, he mentioned to Clara that everything had come full circle. My mom had been in Israel at Clara & Arthur's wedding 30 years ago, and now I was at Ilana & Gabe's. I can't express how great that makes me feel. This is my family.

Between all the sephardi dancing, belly dancing, and dancing that was done by a group of traditionally garbed Sephardi ladies (at some points, they were balancing their baskets of flowers and candles on their heads), we got to eat. And it was great. Couscous, rice, beef, lamb, chicken, eggplant dishes, potatoes, salads, wines, whiskeys, mixed drinks, juices, desserts, turkish coffee....

The party didn't end until midnight. There was dancing the entire time, and I made sure I was dancing the entire night. I had taken my shoes off at the beginning of the evening and didn't put them on til the end. Auntie Clara loved my dancing, and I danced with her uncle and Yisrael and the belly dancer. :D

I took lots of pictures tonight; of Uncle Arthur dancing, Gabe and Ilana, Auntie Clara, Ron, Amira. Ilana and Gabe up on chairs, Auntie Clara and Uncle Arthur up on chairs (he wasn't too keen on that haha), everything. I can't wait to share them.

Auntie Clara and all the Gabas kept saying how wonderful it is that I came here for Ilana's wedding. Why wouldn't I? I love her and all of my family so much. I kept getting approached by different family members, asking if I knew "the story" of how my mom introduced them. I loved it.

What a night. I'd like to keep writing about it so you can all understand how amazing and great a Henna party is, especially when it's for your first cousin, but my writings will never be able to do it justice. Hopefully, I will never forget this wonderful night.

I stayed til the very end, danced more (to the Hora too), sang along to David Melech Yisrael, Hevenu Shalom Aleichem, and Hatikvah (teared up at that one). I gave hugs and double kisses to all the family (as Uncle Arthur taught me to do)... I love them so much. I asked Ilana if I could be sephardi too - she said I was an honorary one because my cousin was one :). And Auntie Clara's father said he'd throw me a henna party if I came to Israel for it... (not sure he was serious but all the same, very very sweet).

I'm so glad i came. SO. GLAD. I wish this night never had to end. But I guess it has to - because tomorrow is Jerusalem, and then more parties and dinners the rest of the week.