Home Sweet Home

I don’t know what it is about this place that gets me every time.

Partially, it’s the food. There’s hot, sweet challah in the oven right now, some really beautiful fruit on the counter, and onions and garlic browning on the stove.

It’s also the scenery. It’s 65 degrees, there’s not a cloud in the sky, and the view from our window is enough to make anyone swoon.

It all boils down to this: I’m only here once a year or so, but for some inexplicable reason, Jerusalem feels like a second home. I don’t make itineraries like I do when I’m in other countries; I don’t plan to see special exhibits or even make reservations at fancy restaurants. What’s important to me here is seeing the people I love, soaking in the beautiful weather, eating as much fruit and vegetables as I can get my hands on, and walking around my old neighborhood for as long as my feet will stand. And of course, I’ve got my camera here with me, so I’ll do my best to document my time here and share it with you.

I can promise some really, truly good eats — the kind of local food whose recipes involve measurements by the handful and simply can’t be matched. If I’m lucky, I’ll even have some recipes to share. So tune in, enjoy, and to those of you celebrating today, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!