Chapter 23, Shavuot Pilgrimage

“In three days, we will be celebrating Shavuot,” announced Hagit, “The school will be closed but on the day after tomorrow we will celebrate it with our main school in Avihayil.” 

“Are we going to have classes in Avihayil?” Asked Shlomo Yarhi.

“No dear,” she answered, “after school you will be going home to change, and we will meet here, for the parade.”

 

“Mom!” I need your help; I need to get ready for the parade.”

“What parade?”

“Look at the note,” I said.

“What Note? You know I can’t read Hebrew, what does it say?”

“We have a parade today at 5:00 to Avihayil. We need to dress in white and we need a wreath on our head. Oh, we also need some fruit and vegetables to donate. I will put them in the basket we made during arts and craft class. They will be selling them in an auction to raise money for our school.” 

At 5:00PM all the kids lined up in pairs. All of us dressed in white I stood with Shlomo Yarhi, right behind Avi Dagan and Dafna. We all had our wreath on our head, each from different flowers or branch, even the 4^th graders. Mine was made out of an olive branch with a thin strip of the palm tree. My basket was full, with oranges, apples, tomatoes, and cucumbers. 2 of each.

“Where is your drink?” Asked Shlomo Yarhi.

“I didn’t bring any.”

“Did you forget?”

“No, my mom said I shouldn’t drink, she thinks I will sweat and catch a cold.”

“That’s stupid!” He proclaimed.

“Don’t call me stupid!”

“I didn’t, it was your mom who told you…”

I didn’t want to answer him. I was getting thirsty already. The walk to Avihayil was about 2 miles and it would have taken us almost an hour to get there. Except the incident on the way with Rachel from the second grade. Apparently, her Mom also thought it was a bad Idea to drink water. We were singing all the way up the long hill leading to Avihayil Songs for Shavuot, songs about our school, about shabbat and just popular songs. Rina Margarina was the best singer.

The first group leading our parade were the 4^th grade all carrying their baskets on their shoulders, singing; “Saleinu Al Kteifeinu,” – our baskets are on our shoulders. Behind them walked proudly the 3^rd grade and they were carrying a little smaller basket. The second grade were loud and rowdy. Their teacher had a hard time keeping them in order. It took the school principal a few times to ride back and forth on his “Vespa” and yell at them for them to line up and shut up. We were the last group trying not to follow in the second grade’s mischief. But then we heard yells and screams. Rachel collapsed. The principal rode back and asked for water from the teacher. And poured it on Rachel’s head. After a short while she got up and someone had to walk her back home. She was dehydrated and needed to drink a lot of water before going home.

At Avihayil we were very excited when we walked under their famous big oak tree that shaded the whole with of the entrance, over the road and the sidewalk. It felt like we were walking into a dark refrigerator. The difference in the temperature was very noticeable. At the school ground we sat on the grass facing the big wooden stage. It was decorated with piles of hay and big tractors pulling carts full of produce drove in front of the stage just before the performance. The choral was singing summer songs and even an Israeli folk dance company came to perform for us. Despite the incident with Rachel, we were all in a good mood. Right at the front of the stage where we placed our offerings, we saw some big baskets with all kinds of goodies. When we finally started the auction, our teacher signaled us to start gathering and walk back home.

Dad was waiting for me at the school when we finally arrived. I was exhausted so Dad put me on his shoulder.

“Dad” I said.

“What”

“Can I have water next time we go on a march like today?” I am very thirsty, and Rachel fainted. She dried up.”

“Sure.”

 

***

 

Pasta Broccoli Salad

 

Easy and perfect summer salad. Served cold but must be eaten the same day. Mayonnaise doesn’t last long once mixed in a salad.

 

Ingredients:

1 Box Elbow Pasta

1 Broccoli Branch

1 Cup Green Grapes cut in halves

4 TBSP Mayonnaise

1 tsp Soy Sauce

 

Preparation:

   Cut the broccoli to small branches and put in a Ziplock bag with a little soy sauce. Microwave for 2 minutes (other option is to blanch the broccoli in boiling water). Let it cool in ice. Cook the pasta in saltwater (according to the box directions, drain and let it cool. Mix all and serve.

 

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