IT is not uncommon for Israelis to have stranger guests for Shabbat. It is a very Jewish, hospitable thing to do. Lone soldiers who are young enlisted people who come to Israel,usually from the States, to serve in the IDF ,often ask to be hosted. And
families who have too many people coming for Shabbat dinner , often ask friends if the have room at their table for another Shabbat guest. And so it happened that my daughter was asked to host a friend of friend along with a courting couple ,who we think might
be related to us,and are their friends.What a table. The friend of a friend is from South Africa and works for the UN. One member of the courting couple( more on this as it develops) is from Germany by way of New Orleans, the courting guy is from Sweden and
lives in Tzvat, us and our daughter and son in law by way of Oak Park, Illinois and Chicago. We served left over turkey , including canned cranberry sauce. It was a new experience for many at the table and along with the home made schnapps that the guy made
and brought, it was a rocking evening that lasted until the timer on the Shabbat setting went off early and left us in semi darkness at 9:30. I hope to come back for a wedding. But no more schnapps,please.