Jordan Meets Tobias

 Loosening her seatbelt as the 747 reached its cruising altitude, Jordan looked out the window. The scene below was cloud-covered. Even if it wasn't, she knew Tel Aviv would be out of view. Her vision blurred as tears filled her eyes. She closed them, promising herself she would be back and her newfound friends would be waiting.
   The trip to Israel had been a long-time dream for Jordan. Her Jewish heritage is a vital part of who she is. She embraces her Hebrew faith with pride. She is also Irish, English, and Hungarian from her mother's side. Jordan likes to think of herself as a mixture of Old World heritage and Ancient religious tradition.
    So many moments of her trip flashed through her mind. Which ones did she want to capture to tell the family waiting in Florida? Her brother Jake would want to know all about the Kibbutz experience how she relished that time. She not only felt welcome, but she also became a part of the community as if she had been raised there.
   She and her brother Jake knew the history of European Jews settling in Israel in the early 1900s, developing a place where each would give to each other according to their means. Those early years were farming and building. Today, living in a communal style atmosphere, residents contribute to the good of the whole, helping those in need and sharing in whatever way they can.
   Dad would want to know about the politics, how young people feel about serving in the military, and the Temples' Hebrew services. He would listen intently to everything she had to say about the religion of his father,
   Mom would want to know everything, from the food they cooked to the Geographical landmarks like the Dead Sea, the Western Wall, and the historic Temples.
Pulling away from her thoughts as the flight attendants offered headsets for the movie. Jordan declined; she had her own set of films in her mind.
Jordan was impressed with the diversity of the living areas of Israel. As small a country as it is, each city from Haifa, Jerusalem, and Tel Aviv has its own flavor distinguishing them from each other. From the pastoral north to the desert and the beaches, each area has distinctive life offerings in an ancient yet newborn country.
As the meals were served, Jordan's seatmate, an elderly well-dressed gentleman, passed the meal tray to her, nodded, and smiled.
"You are American, yes?" He slowly unwrapped the plastic from his utensils, unfolded his napkin, and raised his glass of wine in a toast.
  Jordan smiled, returned the toast gesture, and opened the salt and pepper packages.
"I noticed you in the airport. Is this your first trip to my country?"
"Yes."
"And did you like it?" He turned his head to her. Jordan noticed the smile in his rheumy eyes.
"I liked it very much," she responded.
They ate quietly for a few minutes. Airplane food is not usually the best, but Jordan thought her salad was fresh, the chicken tender, and the roasted vegetables nicely seasoned.
Laying down his plastic knife and fork, the gentleman spoke again, this time without looking at her. "My name is Tobias," He paused. "You are Jordan?"
Surprised, Jordan looked at him with raised eyebrows.
"I heard your friends say your name. We have good Hebrew names, you and me. Tobias is from the word Toviyah, it means the goodness of God." He took a sip of wine.
Jordan wasn't sure what to say. She smiled as he continued.
"I hardly remember coming to Israel. I was very young. It would be my new home." He folded his napkin, laying it across the half-eaten food. "I was scared." He looked at her and sadly shook his head. "My parents sent me to live with an Aunt and Uncle. We were from Germany during the bad time. That terrible, terrible time." His eyes lost the smile.
Jordan's thoughts immediately centered on stories of the Holocaust. So many millions were killed.
"I never saw my parents again."
Jordan whispered that she was sorry. He nodded. "Thank you."
Nothing more was said, and soon Jordan heard the soft breathing; her new friend was asleep. Not wanting to think about the terrors of wars past and unrest today, she glanced up at the movie screen. She blinked, and her thoughts returned to the country she had come to love. How many of the young people she met had parents and most likely grandparents who escaped the onslaught of terror?
Tears again filled her eyes. She must have dozed. When she awakened, Tobias was talking with one of the other passengers in the row. Jordan pulled a notebook from her tote bag. She thumbed through many of the pages, stopping to read notes about the places she visited. It caught Tobias' attention.
"You are awake. I hope you slept well. It is a long flight." Tobias was sipping coffee.
Laying the notebook on her lap, she asked him how long he would be in the States.
He didn't answer immediately. She went back to scanning the pages.
"I am not going back to Israel. My son brings me to America to die."
Jordan stiffened.
"I am old and I am ill. I want to die in my country, but I have no family left there. My son does not want me to die alone."
Jordan didn't know what to say. It was very sad.
"He is my source of income. I do what he says."
Instinctively Jordan reached out her hand and touched his. "It will be okay."
He patted her hand. "Yes, they say Miami has many Jews, but they are not Israeli Jews."
"I don't understand."
"Israeli Jews have suffered much disruption and tension throughout history. American Jews have lived different, easier lives." He paused, adjusting his body.
"Now I will sleep again. When we get to Florida perhaps you can meet my son."
The rest of the flight was uneventful. Jordan slept some more, ate the breakfast served, and spent some time tidying up her notes. She said some prayers for Tobias that his health would be better and life with his son would be good.
During her visit to Israel, she had been mostly with young people about her age. This was the first time she had an in-depth conversation with someone from the older generation. She felt empathy for the people who had gone through so much to build their country. Jordan knew she would always feel the pride of her Jewish heritage, she would have loving thoughts of her friends in Israel, and she would never forget Tobias, the goodness of God.

This is a work of fiction written by M. Bradley McCauley for her Granddaughter, Jordan.
Granddaughter

©2013