I was invited to join my friend Shaindee R. and her family
for lunch last Shabbos. As we were waiting for the men to
return from shul, Shaindee's stepmother-in-law, Savta
Patty, started telling me about the husband of one of her
married daughters. Living in Israel is always full of
surprises, but this story really "takes the cake," or,
rather, the kugel and the cholent.
One of Savta Patty's sons-in-law is employed by the
Mercantile Bank in Jerusalem. Up until recently, he worked in
their Givat Shaul branch. But several months ago, he was
transferred to their branch in Meah She'arim. Though one might
assume that there wouldn't be too much of a difference in the
banking procedures between one bank and another —
especially if they are branches of the same bank and both in
religious neighborhoods — the Meah She'arim branch held
a few surprises for Savta Patty's son-in-law.
The first surprise came that first Friday morning. In Israel,
stores, offices, and banks operate only half-day on Fridays,
so one would assume that there really isn't that much time in
the day for things to happen.
But at the Mercantile Bank branch in Meah She'arim, this
isn't the case.
Much to the surprise of Savta Patty's son-in-law, on Friday
morning an old woman suddenly entered the bank and started
handing out a full plate of hot cholent to each and
every member of the bank's work force. Yes, I said
cholent. And, yes, though Savta Patty's son-in-law was
quite amazed, everyone else working in the bank seemed to be
quite used to this.
About twenty minutes later, a different old woman entered the
bank. This elderly woman started giving out a large piece of
kugel to each and every bank employee. Again, none of
the workers seemed surprised at this, except for the new
employee. And, please do remember, that, concurrently, all of
the usual Friday morning banking activities are also going on
in the bank at the same time!
But, no, this wasn't all. Unbelievable as it sounds, a little
while later, a third elderly woman came into the bank. What
was she giving out? Bowls of piping hot chicken soup to each
of the bank employees!
I was flabbergasted. But Savta Patty confirmed that it wasn't
only on one Friday morning that all of this had happened.
According to the employee, this goes on every single Friday
morning — as attested to by her son-in-law from the
time he was first transferred to this bank branch.
And, kindly remember, the bank branch closes by noon on
Fridays!
