Good neighbours

pina · Post by **pina** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:43 pm

Last night I had a knock at the door around 10pm. When I answered my next door neighbour was standing holding this large tray with a huge meal for two on it. She gave it to me and said something in Hebrew which I didn't understand and then she repeated in Spanish that it was the Jewish New Year and would I accept this meal. She is a lovely lady and speaks no English.

The meal looked delicous, it was all kosher food, cous cous, chicken, braised beef, roast carrots, peppers, prunes, raisins and almonds. It was all yummy,

Should I pay the compliment back and make a meal for her?

If so what would be the best thing to make?

Or should I just buy a bottle of wine or a bunch of flowers?

lady cop · Post by **lady cop** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:46 pm

what a nice thing to do!! i would say that since it came from her heart that she would not expect you to reciprocate with a meal, but the flowers sound perfect! :-6

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:50 pm

Wow, what a great gesture! Is there some tradition, some protocol that tells you what's expected in return, if anything? I'm wondering if it's a custom of some sort? Maybe someone will come along here and be able to tell us.

Sounds like a teriffic meal!

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:51 pm

Whatever you do, show up with a couple extra pounds on or she might be disappointed.

I don't know what the Jewish tradition would dictate in return.

OpenMind · Post by **OpenMind** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:52 pm

What a superb neighbour. Maybe it's something to do with the Jewish New year festival. Unfortunately, I don't know about their protocols.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:56 pm

I found this here. http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday2.htm

There's quite alot of information.

Another popular observance during this holiday is eating apples dipped in honey, a symbol of our wish for a sweet new year. This was the second Jewish religious practice I was ever exposed to (the first one: lighting Chanukkah candles), and I highly recommend it. It's yummy. We also dip bread in honey (instead of the usual practice of sprinkling salt on it) at this time of year for the same reason.

pina · Post by **pina** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:58 pm

FLOWERS it is... LC

OP....The Jewish New Year is a very private thing, I don't know about the religious side of it, but they stay indoors with the family cooking all day and eating. I must find out more.

BR....It really was a lovely meal.

Acc....yes I did add a couple of pounds I ate everything on the plates, then licked them clean. :wah:

BabyRider · Post by **BabyRider** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 1:59 pm

Here's another link that seems to have quite a bit of info. I never realized there was SO much tradition and custom here.

http://www.everythingjewish.com/RoshH/RH_laws.htm

abbey · Post by **abbey** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 2:02 pm

pina wrote: FLOWERS it is... LC

OP....The Jewish New Year is a very private thing, I don't know about the religious side of it, but they stay indoors with the family cooking all day and eating. I must find out more.

BR....It really was a lovely meal.

Acc....yes I did add a couple of pounds I ate everything on the plates, then licked them clean. :wah:Best sticking to flowers Pina, as they probably only eat Kosher.

Clint's the best person to answer any questions regarding jewish traditions, i note he's not on tonight, he's probably too busy having a feast fit for a king.

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 2:04 pm

I gave up dusting for lint. :-2

pina · Post by **pina** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 2:06 pm

They both look like good sites, I will bookmark them and read through, it would be good to understand it a little better....Thanks.

orangesox1 · Post by **orangesox1** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:25 pm

That was nice of them. I lived in quite a few countries and if some one gave you something on a plate you never return the plate empty, you put a few lollies on or maybe some little flowers.

pina · Post by **pina** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:29 pm

orangesox1 wrote: That was nice of them. I lived in quite a few countries and if some one gave you something on a plate you never return the plate empty, you put a few lollies on or maybe some little flowers.

I like the idea of putting flowers on the plate. Thanks

Rapunzel · Post by **Rapunzel** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:35 pm

Hi Pina,

isn't it the beginning of Ramadan or something? I'm not terribly hot on Jewish traditions but you might find its a bit like Lent where all the rich foods in the house have to be used up before Ramadan starts. Maybe the only way to use them all up was to cook meals for friends and neighbours. Then I believe they either live on unleavened bread or only eat after sunset or somesuch. As I say, I don't know too much about the subject but I think the flowers on a plate sound perfect. Good Luck! :-6

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:36 pm

pina wrote: Last night I had a knock at the door around 10pm. When I answered my next door neighbour was standing holding this large tray with a huge meal for two on it. She gave it to me and said something in Hebrew which I didn't understand and then she repeated in Spanish that it was the Jewish New Year and would I accept this meal. She is a lovely lady and speaks no English.

The meal looked delicous, it was all kosher food, cous cous, chicken, braised beef, roast carrots, peppers, prunes, raisins and almonds. It was all yummy,

Should I pay the compliment back and make a meal for her?

If so what would be the best thing to make?

Or should I just buy a bottle of wine or a bunch of flowers?

My best guess would be its a bribe. Send her a note letting her know you dont come that cheap.

pina · Post by **pina** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 3:56 pm

Nomad wrote: My best guess would be its a bribe. Send her a note letting her know you dont come that cheap.

.....:yh_rotfl.....

orangesox1 · Post by **orangesox1** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 4:02 pm

Rapunzel wrote: Hi Pina,

isn't it the beginning of Ramadan or something? I'm not terribly hot on Jewish traditions but you might find its a bit like Lent where all the rich foods in the house have to be used up before Ramadan starts. Maybe the only way to use them all up was to cook meals for friends and neighbours. Then I believe they either live on unleavened bread or only eat after sunset or somesuch. As I say, I don't know too much about the subject but I think the flowers on a plate sound perfect. Good Luck! :-6

Hi Rapunzel,. I lived in Turkey for a few years. The Muslims always stock up on the best foods, as once the sun goes down they have a big feast.

I din't know about the Jewish though.

Clint · Post by **Clint** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 6:06 pm

abbey wrote: Best sticking to flowers Pina, as they probably only eat Kosher.

Clint's the best person to answer any questions regarding jewish traditions, i note he's not on tonight, he's probably too busy having a feast fit for a king.

We had a nice celebration that included dipping apples in honey.

The neighbor lady would appreciate it if you gain a couple of pounds as suggested. :wah: I'm sure she would also like the flowers.

pina · Post by **pina** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 10:37 am

Thanks everyone...I took the plate back earlier with a few little flowers on the lying on the top, she was so surprised she gave me a big hug, then Pete produced a bunch of flowers for her......well she dragged us indoors to show her husband, he has recently had a stroke and was sitting in the chair but managed to get up and there was more hugs all round......we stayed for a coffee (no milk -yuk) and chatted for a while, they are such a lovely couple.

We have been invited to go with them and the rest of the family which we know most of to Jewish cafe for a meal on Monday. :-4

Accountable · Post by **Accountable** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 10:54 am

pina wrote: Thanks everyone...I took the plate back earlier with a few little flowers on the lying on the top, she was so surprised she gave me a big hug, then Pete produced a bunch of flowers for her......well she dragged us indoors to show her husband, he has recently had a stroke and was sitting in the chair but managed to get up and there was more hugs all round......we stayed for a coffee (no milk -yuk) and chatted for a while, they are such a lovely couple.

We have been invited to go with them and the rest of the family which we know most of to Jewish cafe for a meal on Monday. :-4
And the circle grows. :yh_flower

pina · Post by **pina** » Thu Oct 06, 2005 11:15 am

Far Rider wrote: Pina, what a cool opporunity, IM fascinated by all this, please come back and let us know how it goes.

As a kid I spent three days with an Iraninan family, found it most awesome, the food was great, and they were so very kind to 'guests' i was treated with honor at each meal... it was amazing!

Enjoy it but let us know!

I'll let you know all about it, I'm soo looking forward to going,

Hey Far you got any suggestions on what I should wear....:wah: