Shabbat Shalom and Swiss Miss

My friend Barbara Sofer from Jerusalem----actually met her once for only an hour, but we consider each other friends--- posts a brief lesson on her Facebook wall each Friday, topping it off with "Shabbat Shalom." 

Here is today's:

In this week's Torah portion Vayairah Avraham and Sarah model the sometimes difficult mitzvah of extending hospitality, opening our private domain to others. We have to help the guest overcome the awkwardness of being in someone else's home and to feel comfortable. 

 Abraham ran to greet them--talk about outreach--and Sarah made the finest bread/cake. The visitors had news: soon Abraham and Sarah would welcome a child into their household. Shabbat Shalom from Jerusalem, standing strong in the face of all challenges and continuing our prayers and work for peace.

Several of her friends from around the world generally respond short comments and reciprocate with their own message of "Peace."

So far today,  the responses have come from Florida, the UK, Baltimore, South Dakota, Raleigh, N.C., Houston, Irvine, Calif., Philadelphia and, of course, Sandpoint, ID. 

In wishing peace to my friend Barb---the journalist, PR person and general shaker and mover in Jerusalem----I asked if homemade applesauce would be good for making the guests feel welcome.

After all, that's the most recent tasty treat which has been added to the winter homegrown food supply. 

I'll bet Barb would like my applesauce, and I hope she makes it back to Sandpoint some day.  We met while I was advising the Cedar Post at Sandpoint High School and when she was in town for a few days researching a feature story for a notable national magazine.  

We learned quickly that we share many commonalities---especially the love of journalism and horses.  Just a year apart in age, we had both served as editors of our high school newspapers-----she, in Connecticut and me, in Sandpoint.  

Those similarities built a friendship which has continued for nearly 20 years via email and Facebook. 

I love Barb's Friday messages and do try to think of how nice it would be if we could achieve peace in this world and within our own surroundings.  A lofty goal but always worth envisioning and definitely worth trying to achieve one small step at a time.

One of the ways we do achieve more peace and understanding in our diverse world is by attempting to understand those cultures that differ from ours and getting to know firsthand people within those cultures.

Am I headed toward a transition? Yes! 

I want to discuss "Swiss Miss" this morning.  With luck, she's sleeping soundly on her second day off from classes at Sandpoint High.  This has been parent-conference week, so the school schedules for students have been abbreviated.

Still, Swiss Miss aka Laura has had to go to school each day, and, after sleeping soundly for maybe a little extra time, she'll go again today at 11 a.m.

Laura has decided to turn out for girls' basketball at Sandpoint High. Her American host father (and contestant for next week's local Dancing with the Stars) Willie is helping girls' varsity coach Duane Ward as his assistant.

So, it should work out well for Laura to get to and from practice.  

This week Laura's host mom Debbie has been attending an Idaho Commission for the Arts workshop in Boise, and with parent conferences going from late afternoon into the evening, Laura has needed outside transportation to and from practice.

That has meant some time for me to visit with her while on the road to and from the high school.  I must report that she seems to be adjusting extremely well in all facets of her stay here in Sandpoint. 

Last night, when I walked into the high school to take her home from practice, Willie proudly showed me her report card.

It's safe to say that both Willie and I would have been beyond ecstatic had we ever achieved the set of grades Laura has earned through the first nine weeks in a foreign setting.  

Good job, Laura, and pretty amazing!

When I asked her how she liked basketball, she responded that she had a lot to learn, especially about the fouls.  Then, she mentioned something about a possible foul committed one day in practice on her nose. 

"Yeah," I said, "the basic strategy is to keep your hands off from other players."  I think she's figuring that out. 

It's been neat to observe numerous faces automatically light up in and around the school when they see Laura.  Seems that she's left a very positive impression with both teachers and students.  

Last night her art teacher told me she's a very good artist, and her PE instructor indicated that she is thrilled with Laura's progress with the "cardios" they've been doing lately in class.  Good prep for basketball, the teacher said. 

And, back to that Friday reminder from my Jewish friend Barb:  opening our private domain to others and helping the guest overcome the awkwardness of being in someone else's home and feeling comfortable." 

I think Laura's experience here in Sandpoint has been a testament to that guidance as her American parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents and even the Border Collie Nation have welcomed her warmly, teased her mercilessly in fun, kidded with her and continually extended themselves in positive ways.   

And, Laura has answered back with some zingers and an obvious appreciation that she feels very much at home. 

Small steps in spreading peace to the world, but, oh so, satisfying and fun.  We're all proud of Laura and thrilled that we've each had the opportunity to get to know this talented, bright and interesting young woman. 

So, Barb's message from Jerusalem is a work in progress here among our extended family, and I'm sure it has been multiplied numerous times over in similar fashion in other homes where young people from other countries are feeling welcome in their homes away from home. 

Shabbat Shalom. 

On another note, I just saw that my former student and Spokesman journalist Erica is standing this morning at the fence around the White House, entertaining thoughts on how to jump the fence.

I so worry that if she does, Erica might not receive a warm welcome.  Someone on Facebook suggested that she offer to massage those attack dogs AFTER they wrestle her to the ground.  

I do hope Erica behaves!