Rosh Hashanah with the Nisells
After seven years in Australia, JNF education shaliach Yigal Nisell and his family have returned to Israel.
After seven years in Australia, JNF education shaliach Yigal Nisell and his family have returned to Israel. Rosh Hashanah 2022 will be very different for them.
The Jewish community is always welcoming to a family on shlichut with many a Shabbat invitation extended, but chagim, especially Rosh Hashanah, tend to be more of a family celebration. Each family has their own traditions, songs, food and rituals.
Shlichut means that you are sent to give something from you to others. When Yigal and his wife Noa arrived in Australia, they began the tradition of inviting guests who didn’t have family with whom to celebrate.
Year after year, chag after chag, their house was filled with guests, a constant hub of comings and goings. They have decided to continue this tradition on their return to Israel by opening their Ra’anana home to Australian lone soldiers and others who have recently made aliyah.
“When you are sitting with your family this year think about opening your home,” said Yigal. “It may not be a tradition, but it is such a mitzvah. I promise you that the invited family will be always grateful and, while you give something from yourself, you will be rewarded with new friendships, stories, and flavours from your guests. I also want to take this opportunity to wish you a Happy New Year, Shanah Tova Umetuka and from the bottom of my heart, on behalf of my family, I thank you for the hospitality and kindness you have shared with us.”
On returning to Israel, Yigal and Noa will go back to their traditional pre-chag conflict and beautiful dilemma of which side of the family they get to spend their first chag with.
Maybe for the sake of Shalom Bait they should have stayed in Australia for longer!
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