By Debbi K. Levy

Richard was easy to talk to. These two had closed down restaurants while courting. They loved to recall that “They were fascinated with each other.” No matter if the topic was sports, their large family or bumps in marital bliss, Dawn and Richard could untangle the strands and stay deeply connected to each other. She counted on that just now.

“Richard, please hear me out, fully,” she prepped him. “This is coming from my heart and soul and has only recently been something I can say out loud.”

“I’m here,” was his simple and kind response.

“I want us to consider making aliyah,” she said, barely in a whisper.

Richard’s facial expression did not give Dawn a clue this time. He gazed at her and then downward, quite unlike him.

“Understandable,” she almost spoke aloud. She had just asked her husband to consider leaving everything just when he was at the finish line of his productive career.

And what of their closely-knit family ties and deep friendships? Perhaps his facial expression was blank because this question was simply too much to process in moments.

“Why don’t we take a step back and use the High Holy Days for contemplation?” was Richard’s response following a lengthy pause. Dawn was proud of herself for listening and nodding without an interruption. She recognized the gravity of her subject matter that had never entered any of their conversations prior to marriage. Texas was always going to be home and everywhere else, even Israel, was a vacation or an important mission trip.

The following days were full of the joyful tasks that usher in the Jewish holidays. This morning, Dawn was tending to challah dough, shaping the braids into a round loaf and pushing in raisins for a sweet new year. Shiny red apples and golden honey were purchased in large quantity to delight their grandchildren. Dawn couldn’t help but wonder what it was like for Israelis this year. One full year of grief and hope for the return of the hostages commingled. Could they make their way through the holiday rituals?

Finally, Dawn and Richard were in their same seats in the section they had chosen since they had stood together under their chuppah, prayerbooks in hand, kippot on their heads. The visual of white flowers, white Torah covers and the worshippers dressed in white whispered about the opportunity to seek renewal and forgiveness. The quiet tones and warm welcoming by the rabbis and cantors were the very invitation Richard had offered Dawn.

They smiled at the congregants when guided for greeting, they stood in prayer, they gently tapped their hearts and they appreciated dwelling in this space they hoped God would see as good. And in the pauses and the rising on their toes to get physically closer to the heavens, they asked themselves if making aliyah was right for them. There were so many layers to contemplate. If they rejoined their people, would it strengthen the Land of Israel? Would this great mitzvah strengthen their marriage? Could their family endure the separation or even come to thrive as they all spent more time together in their homeland?

The break-fast was the best Dawn and Richard had ever experienced. The dull headaches swiftly disappeared with hydration and the apples and honey were never sweeter. They were feeling the effects of being nourished both physically and mentally. Smiles were beginning to show on their faces. From the eyes of an observer, it was as if they both knew a secret and were about to confess it.

Richard went first. “I’ve been researching dual citizenship over these past weeks,” he offered with those kind eyes, looking straight into Dawn’s.

“We could find a small place in Tel Aviv,” Dawn chimed in.

“I want to spend more time in Israel not only because we are on a mission trip,” Richard added.

“We can become part of the fabric of our homeland,” Dawn envisioned.

“I knew when we came together a little later in life that our Jewish lives would be a cornerstone, but I never could have imagined that we could be a part of the healing in Israel,” Richard acknowledged.

A prayer formed that they took turns adding the words to: “In 5785 may we be part of the dancing and celebration when our hostages are returned home and Israel can begin to heal. Amen.”

Kohenet Debbi K Levy joins her community in the prayers of the Jewish people that our hostages may be freed and the families in Israel be free from harm under the sheltering wings of the Creator.