Let Them Eat Cheesecake

Anyone ever stop to wonder why all Jewish holidays seem to revolve around food? On Hannukah, we eat latkes. On Pesach, we punish our systems with matza meal and brisket. And on Shavuot, it's all about the dairy. I've reached a profound, highly heretical conclusion to this quandary: Shavuot must be the celebration of the day the Hebrews received Eli's Cheesecake from God on Mount Sinai! Or at the very least, the cheesecake was baked by Moses but inspired by God.....

WHO WANTS THE FIRST SLICE?!?!

But seriously, folks. It's Shavuot and my final Jewish holiday in Israel before heading back to Chicago. It's also the week of my cousin Shahar's fourth birthday. I got to spend the holiday the best way I could imagine here in Haifa, with my family at Karmit and Shani's flat, celebrating with Shahar. Everyone was there: Karmit and Shani with their kids Shai and Shahar, Menachem and Devora, Amir, Prechia, and Karmit's in laws.

Menachem is really just a big teddy bear.

I couldn't find a toy store on the upper part of the mountain, so I ended up getting him a book by Graeme Base, a children's writer who I loved when I was younger (the book is in Hebrew of course.) My gift does not come close to the one his uncle Amir gave him: A huge playset with firetrucks, cars and a garage. Shai is getting big, and she had quite the surprise for me. With a little help to keep her steady on her feet, she is walking. She's also quite talkative now, but very little of it is actual words. Mostly, she babbles in that baby language that precedes learned language.

Devora and Shai go for a stroll.

I nearly lost my composure when I had to say goodbye to Shahar last night. He's just such a sweet little boy and I love playing with him. I will miss him terribly. Just gotta come back to Haifa soon so he doesn't forget me. Chag sameach and happy birthday, Shahar!

He's got a mouthful of birthday cake.