Friday night Shabat in Seminyak Bali

Friday night’s Shabat was very enjoyable and a positive experience. I picked up some red wine at Bali Deli, and rode over to the house in Seminyak with my friend. Long tables were set up, and about 30 people were there, from all parts of the world.

I talked to people from Sweden, the UK, France, Australia and Israel. Actually half the people there were Israeli’s, which surprised me. Indonesia does not have diplomatic relations with Israel, and Israeli’s cannot get tourist visas. One guy told me there are agents in Israel, who can file paperwork for a Business visa, you then fly to Bangkok, wait 3 days, then fly on to Bali.

Back to the Shabat. Many bottles of wine lined the tables. There was a stack of the little round skull caps, and I was invited to wear one. My first choice was small and kept sliding off. So I picked out a larger one and stretched it across the back of my big head. Heck, I’ve worn a Muslim ‘pecis‘, so might as well give the skull cap a try. After a couple of candles were lit and something was said in Hebrew, 2 of the Israeli guys sang traditional songs for a little while. Large loaves of bread were broken, and passed around. Soon after came plate of hummus and other Mediterranean type dips and appetizers. Then came the main course, a huge bowl of fish steaks, in a lovely sauce. Rice was served, as well as about 6 different vegetables, including roast potatoes. I take my that off to the host, a damn good time!

Chatting with some of the people from Israel, they seemed very positive about their country, and said they got used to the violence. One guy smiled and said you have more chance of getting hit by a car, or having a heart attack, than being in a terrorist bombing. Another fellow around 40, told me that this was his first time in Bali. He said he wished he was born here.

Going into this Shabat I was expecting a more straight laced, sombre atmosphere, like you might find at a Christian event. None of it, this was more like a large Meditereanaen family meal. Fantastic. Shabat in Seminyak happens every week and I’d like to attend again sometime. Its at a private house and I don’t really know the host so I can’t just invite anyone.

Talking to a friend of mine, I wondered if Ika might enjoy a gathering like this. He pointed out that this was very much a cosmopolitan party, Israeli’s themselves coming from all over the world. Telling Ika about it later she asked if there were many Jewish prayers, and I told her there were not, after the intial welcoming. Maybe stepping into another religious scene might be threatening for her, but with the warmth of the people, she’d soon get over it.