Today I had the honour of interviewing another family: Eli Bashvili, 23; his wife Shira, 24; and Yair David, 2 months old. Eli comes from a Chasidic background in London, of a family from Georgia and Persia (like Queen Esther). Shira made Aliyah from Richmond, Virginia, from a Litvish (non-Chasidic) background. They shared the story of how they met at Torah Cafe and got married within 4 months, after a rooftop conversation at a Shefa concert.
Eli explained what it’s like to be blind, why he uses the same vocabulary as sighted people, and how Israel compares to London for people with disabilities. (In sum: people are more empathetic and supportive in Israel. The UK encourages independence, while Israel provides people with disabilities enough money to not have to work.) Shira shared what it’s like to be married to a blind man. (In sum: people expect her to be responsible for her husband. She gets more privacy at home when her husband can’t see things she doesn’t want him to.)
Eli runs a group for entrepreneurs. His goal is to create a way for people to book time with their favourite Torah influencers/educators.
We mentioned Baba Sali, a miracle-working Morrocan Rabbi who was born in 1889, made Aliyah in 1951, and died on 4 Shvat, 1984.
Share this post