ps

Here's the postscipt for the day. We just had Shabbat dinner in the dining room at the King David. The food was great, Israeli merlot was fine, and the service was wonderful. What was even more wonderful was that Jewish families who are Shabbat shomer and away from home (mostly Americans) could have their Shabbat prayers in dinner in a public place without any worries that someone will judge or think it's strange. Another joy of being in Israel is that being Jewish is an unselfconscious act. Despite the risk to this glorious country, I feel safer here than I have felt in my life. Forget the guns, the threat of terrorism, the danger that Israelis sometimes feel as they go through their day to day lives.....this country is a gift to folks like me who have gotten used to hearing anti-Semitic remarks (yes, even in our little Provincetown) and faced judgement just because of our beliefs and heritage.