Debbie Havusha’s Blog: Healing and Happiness

Healing and Happiness

By Debbie Havusha

“Happy people make happiness-producing choices of focus.  They realize that they always have a choice.  The spiritual awareness that –YOU have what you need is a foundation for happiness.  And when you truly need more to fulfill your life’s mission, you will get it.” (Happiness: Formulas, Stories and Insights by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin)

When I was experiencing 25 radiation treatments and then 5 weeks later had surgery to resect a rare type of Sarcoma below my knee, I did not focus on the question  ‘Why me?’  I chose to accept this new journey that was indeed very challenging.  Most of the time I chose to think positive thoughts to foster my spiritual and physical healing.  I was delighted when my doctors at BC Cancer Agency gave me their blessings that I can go ahead with my plans to be in Israel for a couple of months.

So, I got busy planning a trip to a country that brings me much joy along with a good dose of dynamic aggravation.  For several weeks I patiently surfed the internet looking for Airbnb sites in Tel-Aviv.   In the beginning I wanted to be close to one of our twin daughters and to be close to the ocean.  I had a specific budget and wanted something simple, sweet and clean.  I was determined to find ‘The Place of Choice’.  I spent many nights searching but mostly in vain.  However, one evening as my date of departure was approaching, a new posting popped onto the screen!  A single room was featured and it was called “Blue Moon”.   The room was featured with a very high ceiling which I gathered was close to the moon.  The room was accented with soothing tones of blue and some very funky pieces of art.  I scrolled down to read about the Host.  Erez, a carpenter and artist who stated that the ‘Blue Moon’ room is suited for those who appreciate what they have, and don’t want what they don’t have.  Perfect I thought; that is for me!

My uncle Avi picked me up from Ben Gurion Airport on November 16^th, 2016,  With the helpful guidance of Waze (an app every Israeli uses), we  found the mystery location among the meandering one way cobble stone streets of the old and gentrifying Yemenite Quarter located behind the Carmel Market.   Erez, a nice looking man in his early 40`s greeted me with a warm smile and said “Shalom Debra`.   His beautiful Yemenite brown eyes twinkled with sincerity.  Erez used to work in high tech travelling the world, and after 10 years felt dismayed with this fast pace workstyle and embarked on a new project to use his talents of carpentry and design to build 4 Airbnb units with a vision to create a sense of community.

I quickly felt at home in this quiet and welcoming  environment yet minutes from the hustle and bustle of the Shuk (Carmel Market) and  close to our daughter Sivan`s apartment and only 5 minutes from the stunning shoreline of Tel-Aviv and Jaffa.

My unit did not have a kitchen but I could access a communal area where a kitchen facility was shared. Across from my bedroom plus bathroom unit was a stylish one bedroom apartment called `Chanting`.  Kitty corner to me was a shabby chique unit, called `Shalom’.  Right beside me was a sweet one bedroom apartment that did not yet have a name.  I shared a wall with this nameless unit which shared a wall with a Kurdish synagogue.  One could often hear the beautiful melodies from morning prayers lofting over to my Blue Moon oasis.

In the center of the 4 unique ensembles was a courtyard area with artificial grass, tables and plastic chairs, a hammock and a clothes line strewn with clothes.  A radio was always on, playing Hebrew songs and reporting hourly of the ever changing status of Middle East affairs as guests and locals came to  mingle in this courtyard of community including the house and stray cats of the neighborhood.

I had found my footing here.  Upon rising I recited daily the `Modeh Ani“- a profound 12 word prayer thanking god for merging the soul back with the body.   Meditation and morning prayers of `Birchat Ha-Shachar` were my daily reminders of gratitude and mindfulness.   Long morning walks along the Tel-Aviv beach were always amusing as I got to know the interesting regulars and to note and sometimes guess – who was a tourist and who was a local.  And of course, above all, feeling the sand between my toes continued to heal me from ground up.

During my two month stay I was able to reside in all the 4 units as I dispersed these treats of respite between wonderful stays with family and friends.  When my trip was coming to an end I booked my last two nights back in the ‘Blue Moon’ where I had started.  Erez and I had become friends and I had told him that before I depart I will give a name to the unit that is sharing a wall with the humble synagogue.

I thought long and hard during the last few days of my ‘Healing and Happiness’ journey, of what name I would give that space.

Finally…..it came to me.  I will call it `Blessings’.  Erez liked it!

You are all invited to the upcoming ‘Healing and Happiness’ monthly series on Tuesday, March 28^th 7:30-9:00 at the Centre for Jewish Life located at 4310 Fraser.

https://yossilinks.com/event/healing-happiness-dreams-art-cancer/