Angels of Shabbos

Shabbos. There's a certain lightness in the air- a sense of joy, calmness, excitement within the Adamah chevre (group). After our first full week of work at the Isabella Freedman, we acknowledged our challenges and our accomplishments during our weekly wrap-up meeting in the Sadeh, the field where we gather at the end of the week. For me, the biggest accomplishment as a group was discussing some important issues, like Shabbos, Kashrut, and while not necessarily reaching clear solutions, certainly heading in that direction with open minds and open hearts. To me, that's huge, coming from a number of places where we shared so much in religious ritual, yet differed in other practices, ensuing in anger, resentment, and arguments that couldn't be resolved, it fills me with gratitude and amazement that we are making it work. It's like a different world here- where people are... normal? Or abnormal? Whatever it is, it's a world I've been waiting for, for so long. But now, it's here. As we transition into Shabbos, following a week of harvesting, cheesemaking, a sunset hike, and random hangouts, I feel I'm about to experience another 25 hours in the wilderness, within a community of love, smiles, and a truly positive Shabbos experience.