Shabbat morning I was home with the kids when someone banged loudly on the door. I asked who was there and the answer came "A neighbour".
I opened the door to find an elderly bearded man I vaguely recognised from my street, but I couldn't tell you his name. "I heard that someone in the family is unwell, they made an announcement in shul this morning, I want to help. I live a few doors down. What can I do?" He asked in heavily Russian accented Hebrew. "My kitchen or yours?"
I was at a loss for words He scrunched up his brow, thinking.
"Borscht? Borscht could be good. I will bring some tomorrow."
My husband emerged from changing a nappy and tried to thank him, but he sort of pooh poohed him, made some comment about him being from Ukraine and knowing how to make a good borscht, so that is what he would do.
And with that he wished us Shabbat Shalom, refuah sheleimah and took his leave. This morning there was again a rapping at the door.
Our Ukrainian neighbour was on our doorstep again, this time holding a tray and on it a piping hot pan of potato-vegetable kugel.
"I thought about borscht but then I wondered if maybe children don't like that so much, they don't know what it is, they don't have the same associations. But kigel, I know everyone loves kigel"
As he went to stash it in my fridge he again turned to practical matters. "So what else? Do you have any chicken or meat in the freezer? Some fresh or frozen veg? Onions, carrots, peppers? Make sure the meat or poultry is defrosted overnight in your fridge, I'll come in the morning after davening and make sure your family has something good for lunch. I used to work as a cook, this is what I know how to do, how I know to help."
As I heard his footfalls leaving the building I realised that I still didn't know his name.
1 comment:
Incredible! I had a similar experience after surgery 5 years ago. I was new to the building and didn't know the neighbours. Between them, they found out I was recuperating and for 4 Fridays in a row, baked Yemenite goods appeared for Shabbat! One family each week! I didn't even know their names.
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