We all enjoy hosting the occasional meal, and Shabbos sleepover guests are not uncommon, either. But even the most organized balabusta can quail at the thought of long-term houseguests when the hosting is longer term, hospitality muscles get stretched. Whether for medical reasons, kiruv purposes, or for out-of-town shidduchim, there are times when people open their homes — and their hearts — and welcome others in for the long haul.
The eldest of several sisters Robyn grew up in England. She married an American boy and settled in Chicago. When each of her sisters entered shidduchim they made their way to America to try their luck in the wider playing field. Robyn hosted her single sisters for months and now that two of them married and are raising their families in New York she hosts their families every Succos and Pesach for two weeks at a time.
Robyn invests a lot of effort in giving her sisters’ families a comfortable welcome. She sets the tone of the trip by arriving at the airport armed with Slurpees and doughnuts for the kids. “I have the beds made before they come and the entire basement is clean. I put fresh towels on their beds and make sure the guest bathroom is stocked with shampoo spare toothbrushes and other necessities.”
Robyn’s guests feel like they’ve arrived at a luxury hotel — with a friendly maitre d’ thrown into the deal. But just how important are the physical accoutrements of hospitality?
Yaeli has spent a lot of time in other people’s homes. As a newcomer to Yiddishkeit she relied on the hospitality of many religious families some for Shabbos and some for long-term board. For Yaeli the physical environment takes second priority.
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