tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69347239667139578362024-03-05T13:06:08.488-08:00Pita and Prayer: Sabbatical in Israel 2013/5773Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-65281916413918016222013-06-16T06:38:00.001-07:002013-06-16T06:40:25.983-07:00GratitudeWith a little less than two weeks remaining, we've started to pack up and are getting ready to go home.<br />
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As we begin the process, there are a myriad of emotions that I feel. I am excited to be going home. I miss family, friends and our community and I miss the predictability of our usual lives.<br />
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At the same time, I am feeling sad to be leaving Jerusalem. My family has had an amazing time here. We will all miss our new friends and we will miss the unique experience of living in a place where Judaism is everyone's norm.<br />
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And, I am feeling overwhelmed. You can imagine how much we have acquired in the past six months. How we are going to fit it in the suitcases that will also be filled with everything we brought we do not yet know. And, as wonderful as it will be for life to go back to normal, we will quickly get caught up with the hustle and bustle of our lives at home, losing the flexibility and fluidity we established in these last six months.<br />
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But even with all these emotions, I find that the one closest to the surface is gratitude. I am so grateful for these last six months. We have had so much wonderful family time, allowing for all kinds of adventure and learning together. The fact that we got to spend it in Israel meant that we could experience living a very different kind of Jewish life. We have picked up new traditions and rituals that we are thrilled to continue at home. And, most importantly, our kids have made a strong connection to Israel and to Israelis. The next time they come, they won't be strangers. This will always feel like their home, too.<br />
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I am grateful for my community, for their generosity and immense support. I am grateful that many have contacted me just to say hello and to let me know that I was missed.<br />
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I am grateful for my brothers, brother-in-law, and sisters-in-law who went out of their way to help us with the tasks necessary to maintain our lives at home. I am grateful to neighbors who helped to keep an eye on things. <br />
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I am grateful for my colleagues, who have shouldered far more than their share to allow me to have this time with my family.<br />
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I am grateful for my children's principal and teachers at home, who were so supportive of us taking our kids on this adventure, and who went out of their way to help us with materials and ideas to keep the kids up to date. And, I'm grateful for the parents in our school community who did all they could to reach out to us here to include our kids from a far.<br />
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I am grateful for the schools here in Israel, who embraced our kids and made them a part of the community. I am grateful for the ulpan who allowed our kids to jump into their year even though it was going to be hard. I am grateful for the Tali school, who ensured our kids felt loved and that they belong. I am grateful for the gan, the preschool here, whose love, care and warmth for our child has been overwhelming, and rivaled only by the affection we have from and for our Temple preschool at home. And, we are grateful for all the parents who reached out to us, who made special calls to be sure we knew what was happening, and who invited us to their homes so that we wouldn't feel alone. The goodness that you have given to my family is immeasurable. <br />
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I am grateful for my parents-in-law, for my sister and brother-in-law, my nieces, aunts, uncle, friends and colleagues who came to visit.<br />
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And, I am so grateful for my parents who courageously shared this time with us.<br />
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Most of all, I am grateful for my husband whose sense of adventure allowed him to enthusiastically agree that this would be a wonderful opportunity for our family. And, I am grateful for our children who bravely tried every new thing offered, and always found a way to enjoy it.<br />
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Finally, I am grateful to all of you who have joined in this experience with me through reading this blog. Thank you for helping me to reflect and to express what this time has meant to me. <br />
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I have more blessings in my life than could ever be deserved. Thank you to everyone who made this Sabbatical not only possible, but truly life changing.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-33398279643370861292013-06-07T00:31:00.000-07:002013-06-07T00:31:30.911-07:00Getting a Visa in Israel<div style="margin-bottom: 0.2in; text-align: left;">
<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }A:link { }</style><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">I wrote a few posts ago that we were having trouble renewing our tourist visas. Thankfully, all of the paperwork came through and we are perfectly legal now. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">Upon entry to Israel, we received a three month tourist visa. We tried to obtain a visa for all six months before we left for Israel, but were assured that it is a simple process that can be done from Israel. In our case, not so simple. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ultimately, the big problem was that we didn't know our options. We had two choices: to pay for the extensions on the spot, or take the time to prove that we are Jewish through the Jewish Agency and then the fees would be waived. But, they didn't tell us that. Instead, the Ministry of the Interior clerks looked at us and said that the fact we wanted to stay in Israel for another three months so that our kids could learn Hebrew and build a connection with Israel made no sense whatsoever...unless of course we are Jewish. So, they said, or at least we heard, you don't get your visas until you prove you are Jewish. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">We were clearly upset with this news. Like, yelling upset. One might think that at least one of the three people we spoke with in the office that morning might have mentioned that we could just pay for it and be done. Alas, for some reason, they insisted we prove our Jewish status.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">Proof comes in the form of a letter from a rabbi who lives abroad and who can verify one's Jewishness. Unfortunately, a rabbi cannot vouch for herself. Fortunately, the East Bay Federation Mission to Israel was in town. I called Rabbi Chester to find out that he was at Yad Vashem, but was about to leave. With a half hour to get his signature, we quickly printed a letter and raced to the museum before he left Jerusalem. Thanks, Rabbi Chester, for attesting to our Jewishness! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">As it turns out, once you prove you are Jewish, you actually have some rights. Everything having to do with visas is much easier. That may be why the Ministry bureaucrats assume that everyone would want to go through the process; especially a rabbi. Truth be told, if we had the option, we might well have chosen the "prove you are Jewish route" anyway. Yet, had we chosen it, we wouldn't have had the stress of thinking we had no way of rectifying our illegal presence in Israel. </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnm7gt67kVpx32yJzVfpnsWtfniQVZiWdYQug2s0yweY3Eltx8UXTMSJTi6Py2g0cgs98l2klMoPAW8-epcBx1KJ1bzAvTaLZGMFMUZkS4d_4K-ElkoyInC3agoQaaUli1NkTputCcMjg/s1600/kosher+jackie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWnm7gt67kVpx32yJzVfpnsWtfniQVZiWdYQug2s0yweY3Eltx8UXTMSJTi6Py2g0cgs98l2klMoPAW8-epcBx1KJ1bzAvTaLZGMFMUZkS4d_4K-ElkoyInC3agoQaaUli1NkTputCcMjg/s1600/kosher+jackie.JPG" height="200" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">100% Kosher!</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the end, we are certified Jews, and I have learned enough about the process to help others not go crazy with stress when they deal with the Israeli government. Well, at least not on this issue. Below is a link to the document I put together for <a href="http://www.irac.org/" target="_blank">IRAC</a>. It will be on their website. IRAC, being the social action arm of the Reform Movement in Israel, works on behalf of those for whom obtaining verification of Jewish status can prove difficult. They are fantastic. Though I did not have contact with Nicole Maor, the attorney who handles these cases, until after our process was complete, she was amazingly helpful in putting the puzzle pieces together so we could understand what happened with our process. One more reason to appreciate the institution and the people who work on behalf of Reform Judaism here in Israel. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: small;">If you know anyone planning an extended to trip to Israel any time soon, please feel free to forward this guideline. Hopefully, it will help reduce the stress. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_rk3Afr8wJQNFBqMjN3SUh6SU0/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Visas and Israel.pdf</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-20344747346864792342013-05-21T07:21:00.001-07:002013-05-21T07:21:52.528-07:00Just for FunJust some pictures from the past few weeks activities.<br />
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<b>Bar Kochba Caves at Churvat Madras</b>. There are sites all over Israel that include tunnels carved into the rocks from the time of the Bar Kochba revolt. Some in the middle of nowhere, some under other sites like the palace at Herodium. As you may remember, Bar Kochba was a charismatic figure who attempted to establish Jewish independence in the 130s CE. Rabbi Akiva was said to have called him the messiah. His movement, however, was crushed by the Romans in a horribly bloody war that decimated the Jewish population.<br />
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While we talked a little about the caves and the people who had to hide there, our focus was mostly on the fun of crawling through. The pitch black, narrow tunnel took about fifteen minutes to crawl through. The kids had it somewhat easy, especially the three year old. The adults were lucky when we could crawl on our hands and knees, and once or twice had to squeeze through on our bellies. The first time, all six of us went, then I went with the kids, then my husband went with the kids. When they asked to go through a fourth time, we sent them on their own. <br />
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<b>Ein Gedi </b>is mentioned many times in the Tanach. This is where David hid from Saul. There are numerous waterfalls and pools all along the path.<br />
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<b>Mamshit National Park</b>. Mamshit is a Nabatean city. For hundreds of years, the Nabateans, whose capital is in Petra, Jordan, developed a monopoly over the transport of goods from the Persian Gulf to the Mediterranean Sea. They had very sophisticated water systems that enabled them to thrive in the Negev. Their wealth and success is evident in the cities they left behind, including five that are located in Israel. Mamshit, one of the five, was a particularly wealthy city. There are multiple mansions on the site, including one that is 2000 square meters (>21,000 sq ft). That particular house included an internal stable for twenty or so horses. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the first house build in Mamshit</td></tr>
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Most of the Nabatean cities were resettled over the years. Mamshit includes two churches and evidence of monks who likely used the former market place as living quarters. Under the Roman Empire the Nabateans became Christian and then, later, Muslim. They were thought to have lost their particularity as a people sometime during the early Muslim period and assimilated into the world around them.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Though we were having fun, our oldest was maxed<br />
out on ruins and suggested our next stop have a roof on it.</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1yJ-ePJCBqKK8wSYkAcpcNzKhusOpIglVvQh0QjYTX6Vz1Z2ss3myhzrXkRuB7pAKcuIZoUnM5F2CKljag8FCvnnwSlnLWXqCxebkMjx8VFoNLlVnbjuTkZSorhdtEXuyZH6EfTtL0jB/s1600/DSCN6717.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1yJ-ePJCBqKK8wSYkAcpcNzKhusOpIglVvQh0QjYTX6Vz1Z2ss3myhzrXkRuB7pAKcuIZoUnM5F2CKljag8FCvnnwSlnLWXqCxebkMjx8VFoNLlVnbjuTkZSorhdtEXuyZH6EfTtL0jB/s1600/DSCN6717.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside one of the churches</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypW5fxYcjH7rLBDmO-w9slsiBP1qeZR6cEcJJeDjZG3nb7xd40GRL4rcrc8cMsZDSO3HqsWjgqWlxyzVjowzDzLTa-wE5ooMYgwipOtLb_tH6jDLZnn0_qNKd7S6P0XzAywCbfCOc2Ohc/s1600/DSCN2944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhypW5fxYcjH7rLBDmO-w9slsiBP1qeZR6cEcJJeDjZG3nb7xd40GRL4rcrc8cMsZDSO3HqsWjgqWlxyzVjowzDzLTa-wE5ooMYgwipOtLb_tH6jDLZnn0_qNKd7S6P0XzAywCbfCOc2Ohc/s1600/DSCN2944.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids thought this would be a good place for the flat screen</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA04qTuflmPgePm4MEIUT-UDGMB-hD4yFlNM58Rv3m6K5te5wN1wL-pN8OcPYXUmG4U0pylY9OEn18y3hSVRKoNzs_vwalGelGRUDdqYj8PspIz0uxrtL3LYg0WGb8eTofYBvcxkWXoXd/s1600/DSCN2970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQA04qTuflmPgePm4MEIUT-UDGMB-hD4yFlNM58Rv3m6K5te5wN1wL-pN8OcPYXUmG4U0pylY9OEn18y3hSVRKoNzs_vwalGelGRUDdqYj8PspIz0uxrtL3LYg0WGb8eTofYBvcxkWXoXd/s1600/DSCN2970.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A self portrait from inside a huge cross carved into the stone</td></tr>
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As we left Mamshit, we happened upon the <b>Camel Ranch of the Negev</b>. They give tours all around the area on camels. Sounded like fun, but we opted for twice around the corral.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnLtVKj5zvAyCe2YEN5WlFYaKvP5gPtWmmFZwIVmad1VrmZKgMiPDf6q1i_wdtLbPh2W1Z_xHSu5KGU0nG1qXbBubcQoBYPnLzmxez3nd5hcceYkn5Lp8BUJhpN4Nm0qWrCpcUCh2h2RQ/s1600/DSCN2996.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnLtVKj5zvAyCe2YEN5WlFYaKvP5gPtWmmFZwIVmad1VrmZKgMiPDf6q1i_wdtLbPh2W1Z_xHSu5KGU0nG1qXbBubcQoBYPnLzmxez3nd5hcceYkn5Lp8BUJhpN4Nm0qWrCpcUCh2h2RQ/s1600/DSCN2996.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUywQVxr4q98RdJUV2vN-yuOeqzMdG89v9znANa8umq_0aOY0MacWCBIJ6E3yCf16Yza5dcOTuks00O_Koa6NcoEwlgrmOOhe9kSPq0gRLMTH44mKUkWptMzMYAxIbcF45Q_hwsK4nPHpF/s1600/DSCN3044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUywQVxr4q98RdJUV2vN-yuOeqzMdG89v9znANa8umq_0aOY0MacWCBIJ6E3yCf16Yza5dcOTuks00O_Koa6NcoEwlgrmOOhe9kSPq0gRLMTH44mKUkWptMzMYAxIbcF45Q_hwsK4nPHpF/s1600/DSCN3044.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a><b>Masada</b>, in general, is always a great trip. This was our second visit. We ascended the Snake Path both times. The first time was in the last week of March and we started at eight in the
morning. This time, it was mid-May and we started at nine. Wow, what a
difference a couple of months and an hour makes! It was hot and the climb was much
more difficult. One of the kids suggested that it could also be because
of the excitement of the first time. He had told himself that hiking up the
Snake Path was a once in a lifetime experience. As it turns out, the second time you
have a once in a lifetime experience, it just isn't the same. <br />
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<b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>The Mineral Beach on the Dead Sea</b>. Of all the beaches on the Dead Sea, this one might be our favorite. We have promised at least one more trip to the Dead Sea before we return home. For those of us who love getting slathered up with mud and floating in salty water, we just can't seem to get enough!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnKivvumBgmEbgaWyWA_8w0AOFBsuK_5Ef7VsVAzu28uLhm8g_pmwISVk1xw1xi2W31a6bWDkTN6jLmMqPjxIdQgWxa2BjuRjp_F33_Yv5jEXgRo3dLTij90DJwsw9SOIgcI87hn4UfP2/s1600/DSCN3073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBnKivvumBgmEbgaWyWA_8w0AOFBsuK_5Ef7VsVAzu28uLhm8g_pmwISVk1xw1xi2W31a6bWDkTN6jLmMqPjxIdQgWxa2BjuRjp_F33_Yv5jEXgRo3dLTij90DJwsw9SOIgcI87hn4UfP2/s1600/DSCN3073.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess who?</td></tr>
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<b>In and around Jerusalem.</b> There are a number of new sites that have just opened in honor of long time mayor of Jerusalem, Teddy Kolek. At least one member of the family thinks that Teddy Park right outside the old city and Teddy Stadium near the Malcha Mall were named just perfectly.<br />
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<b>And, just for fun at home</b>. Did you know that Mah Jong is an Israel tradition? Well, at least for my family. This is not the original set that was purchased when my husband and I lived here fifteen years ago. This is a mini travel one we asked my sister to bring because the our set is way to heavy. The luggage weight limit was much higher back then. And, in case you were wondering, my Mom was the big winner.<br />
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We have about five weeks left here in Israel. More adventure to come...<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-37161447221317473252013-05-12T10:57:00.002-07:002013-05-12T11:09:22.874-07:00Women of the Wall: The Next Chapter<style type="text/css">P { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }</style>
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Kotel. 7:00am. Friday May 10, 2013.
Rosh Chodesh Sivan 5773.</div>
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The events of the morning were simultaneously amazing, crazy,
scary and unbelievable.</div>
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The first clue that this <a href="http://womenofthewall.org.il/" target="_blank">Woman of the Wall</a> service would be different from others I attended was the
huge numbers of orthodox teenage girls who passed as we descended from the Jaffa gate toward the Kotel. We knew that
there were several rabbis who had put a call out to the girls'
yeshivot in order to get huge numbers of Haredim to come out to
protest the ruling in favor of Women of the Wall, but that knowledge
did not prepare us for what we were about to experience.</div>
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There were thousands upon thousands of
people at the wall and its adjacent plaza. The massive numbers of people meant that the Women of the Wall could not meet at its usual spot on the women's side, rather, we met on the plaza that morning. The added bonus was that men and women were able to pray together. As soon as we found the group, we
pulled out our tallitot, now totally legal, and we joined in the
service. We were encircled by police.<br />
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But, who could pray? We sang and
participated, yet, it is hard to concentrate when just steps away are
police officers linked arm and arm to prevent people who might hurt
you from getting too close. Because we were on the side of the plaza
closest to the women's section, we were surrounded mostly by the
yeshiva girls. Many of them had their prayerbooks out and were trying
to go through the morning service. They were crowding in, giving
curious or sometimes strange looks. Some engaged in critical
conversation, but it wasn't until we were toward the end of the
service that we had some spit balls and then a water bottle thrown
our way. On the men's side, the incitement started much earlier, with
people throwing coffee grounds and at one point, someone threw a
chair.
</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyI5AM_JfKrUqbyd8p-lZxhit26Ke5-d-7V-4PxqYaQA0yTXVBTimQ0zCrC20IcUur0DfTO23ba_aTRVwU08F24V25UQQ3qOSmxYSEds6auMBmUAH02Q0KRMhHyAguI8OM012KQ4PBMly7/s1600/photo-3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyI5AM_JfKrUqbyd8p-lZxhit26Ke5-d-7V-4PxqYaQA0yTXVBTimQ0zCrC20IcUur0DfTO23ba_aTRVwU08F24V25UQQ3qOSmxYSEds6auMBmUAH02Q0KRMhHyAguI8OM012KQ4PBMly7/s1600/photo-3.jpeg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dad and me. First time we prayed at the Kotel together.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
As the service wore on, the crowd made
us more and more nervous. At one point, the police had pushed the
teens way back, but then a crowd of men in black hats came rushing
forward. Cheers from the crowds that had gathered on the balconies of
nearby buildings hinted that the protesters were giving police a hard
time. By the end of the service, it was clear to everyone that the
only safe way we were leaving was in a pack.
</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNB9pQ_zub-gjnMX84PcMMN6KQblBKpu6xdrGhL86gvBhi6r7oH09ObJfTzqyWv4pWoz_UtTqz60POjtO9_YE6plHMWI84wZ-vG04mrUU3Wo_Z_Inbr9V4mrCYGEwqSlkj95A9WIiccer/s1600/DSCN4312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNB9pQ_zub-gjnMX84PcMMN6KQblBKpu6xdrGhL86gvBhi6r7oH09ObJfTzqyWv4pWoz_UtTqz60POjtO9_YE6plHMWI84wZ-vG04mrUU3Wo_Z_Inbr9V4mrCYGEwqSlkj95A9WIiccer/s1600/DSCN4312.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People gathered on balconies and on top of buildings to watch.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Anat
Hoffman reminded us to stay as close together as possible. The police
made two lines to hold back the protesters and then more officers
walked alongside us as we left the old city through the Dung Gate.
People shouted at us, people threw water bottles and hard candy. And
the scariest part was that they kept coming. Once we were through
security, I thought we would be past the danger, but protesters were
lined up through the exit and all along the street outside. A public bus
pulled up and we boarded. As we drove away, the spitting
started, and then people started to hit the side of the bus with
their hands. Once we gained speed, they started throwing rocks.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYfH_RWR_Mlan8Gf7x0R1VHPX_Qb9XI29OGvvpG9yK6y955vw0T9UjSpSpOtKW900UJR0CIoPukpTPMBtj2qe_UPVgRQTiTR7JqTWEQMhcoxZ9Qoc8cJ5dzlsDZdJtzQDHl-LyLywzsRC/s1600/IMG_20130510_085259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgYfH_RWR_Mlan8Gf7x0R1VHPX_Qb9XI29OGvvpG9yK6y955vw0T9UjSpSpOtKW900UJR0CIoPukpTPMBtj2qe_UPVgRQTiTR7JqTWEQMhcoxZ9Qoc8cJ5dzlsDZdJtzQDHl-LyLywzsRC/s1600/IMG_20130510_085259.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Police insisting protesters stay behind the barricade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvdPcR4utHDoJCf84n0GkDxMz9gMvlJ_Ua_GCSsax3P9ZogJXmi1kLFtvaBF7LccFB_eJnTv1rY3UC-GfW-M8QY5la4FdKRIBiTWvLgUBIMy2Dkj_mHmIv6x9YrIJf_l9J0vHCVwmQ-q2/s1600/IMG_20130510_085528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDvdPcR4utHDoJCf84n0GkDxMz9gMvlJ_Ua_GCSsax3P9ZogJXmi1kLFtvaBF7LccFB_eJnTv1rY3UC-GfW-M8QY5la4FdKRIBiTWvLgUBIMy2Dkj_mHmIv6x9YrIJf_l9J0vHCVwmQ-q2/s1600/IMG_20130510_085528.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I snapped this picture right after the man in the middle spit at the bus.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9yr6DUysQ7y4vukyVCNQAS9eOooLhNeOjR_U0TW_u6_gTqQSI6gDsJhSJM4cpQaKveF_6YD4QUcJYJ2mPxP-MWwC9MyaVDygH0IVlpNqt38KCl8aG75OTmYVhw3d2b6p1REZ3g3AuQbW/s1600/IMG_20130510_085559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge9yr6DUysQ7y4vukyVCNQAS9eOooLhNeOjR_U0TW_u6_gTqQSI6gDsJhSJM4cpQaKveF_6YD4QUcJYJ2mPxP-MWwC9MyaVDygH0IVlpNqt38KCl8aG75OTmYVhw3d2b6p1REZ3g3AuQbW/s1600/IMG_20130510_085559.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the bus picked up speed, several protesters ran alongside hitting the bus and throwing rocks.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvAUqiuGbik-logZDAvROZwTA5_COJZ8t555LOdpeL4fCk5xO7L-_Hn126g0z-Ag43mlXe1E-F3_5l69c0ecogozuKxZVEG-s3X72B-zlSNRoK6841ExSe0uNjhbveDIN7tDypsqpSJ4f/s1600/DSCN4280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpvAUqiuGbik-logZDAvROZwTA5_COJZ8t555LOdpeL4fCk5xO7L-_Hn126g0z-Ag43mlXe1E-F3_5l69c0ecogozuKxZVEG-s3X72B-zlSNRoK6841ExSe0uNjhbveDIN7tDypsqpSJ4f/s1600/DSCN4280.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
It was amazing to feel the protection
of the police. It was amazing to be there with the men and women who
support Jewish pluralism in Israel. It was amazing to know that after
twenty five years, the State of Israel is beginning to recognize the
rights of women and of progressive Jews.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was crazy to see the number of
people gathered to protest the presence of Jews in prayer. And even
crazier to know that they themselves were all Jews.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
It was scary to be witness to a mob
scene. It was scary to see the disgust on people's faces. It is scary
to know the power that the leadership of any group has to incite
violence and hate.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
The whole experience and the whole
situation is just unbelievable.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
In the past few days, I've heard a lot
of talk about what happened and how people feel about it. Some are
still very critical about the Women of the Wall and the way they have
taken up this fight. Some have said that they should keep to the
courts; that their splashy tactics to attract the media cheapen the
message. Others complain that it is just an American movement and Israelis don't really care. Others say that they should leave the Wall alone and concentrate on more pressing issues like non-Orthodox weddings and divorces.</div>
<br />
Yet, the strategy of Women of the Wall necessarily helped to get the entire Jewish world involved with the issue of women's
rights and the rights of progressive Jews in Israel. Being able to
pray at the Wall in the way in which you are accustomed to praying
may not seem like a big deal to most people, but the
inequality is symbolic of other ways in which women's rights are
being subverted.
<br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
Segregation between men and women in Israel began only in 1999. Now, it happens on streets and on buses.
There have been segregated health clinics and water fountains. On
certain Israeli radio stations, women's voices are not allowed. When
Kenesset sessions are aired, the voices of female ministers are
bleeped out. There are communities where women are made to wear
clothing akin to the burkas under the Taliban. There are signs in
front of synagogues that tell women that they have to hide behind
cars if they are waiting for their husbands so as not to disrupt the
study of Torah through their very presence. The<a href="http://www.irac.org/" target="_blank"> Israeli ReligiousAction Center</a> (IRAC) has been successful in combating segregation in many
of these areas, and they are winning new cases all the time. However,
even in areas where segregation has been deemed illegal, social
pressures have women seemingly volunteering to sit at the back of the
bus, quite literally.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
On Jerusalem bus #56, a bus that starts in an
Ultra-Orthodox community, goes through an Ultra-Orthodox community
and then ends in an Ultra-Orthodox community, the buses continue to
be gender segregated. IRAC has started a “Freedom Ride”
wherein a group of people get on the bus at the first stop and all
the women sit in the front bus with an empty seat beside them.
This enables the Orthodox women to sit in the front next to another
woman. They can take advantage of the situation and not be scorned
for sitting next to a man or stealing a seat from a man. Sue Bojdak
and I participated last week during the WUPJ (World Union for
Progressive Judaism) convention last week.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigKnC11W-JMWRkxMXVE-TVWHolGOc6xiN8L4B8KYNMVp0Jl-7swIHXXJbVef6W-QMkCYdRlhDHRosOpMT5wVXxh_EF2eqwXzNmkl7JASYjvk7pHD4SlLsQNMvEiYIfxk9mxmO5GtOu2ow/s1600/IMG_20130505_153546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhigKnC11W-JMWRkxMXVE-TVWHolGOc6xiN8L4B8KYNMVp0Jl-7swIHXXJbVef6W-QMkCYdRlhDHRosOpMT5wVXxh_EF2eqwXzNmkl7JASYjvk7pHD4SlLsQNMvEiYIfxk9mxmO5GtOu2ow/s1600/IMG_20130505_153546.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
It was a very interesting experience. I
sat in the very front. Many of the women who came on the bus walked
straight past me without a second look. But, I got many surprised
glances from men as the bus slowly filled. At one point, an
Ultra-Orthodox man put the two bags he was carrying on the seat next
to me and then balanced on the armrest. When he got off the bus, a
secular man smiled at me, sat down and said, “<i>Ani lo dati</i>" (I'm not
religious). Another member of our party overheard a young girl
saying, “Uch! Are they here again?” There was nothing subtle
about the situation. We were disrupting the usual practice of men up front and women in the back of the
bus. A practice that serves to emphasize the restriction of women's
freedom and rights in some parts of the Ultra-Orthodox world.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUJQDOhQ4yBtXPAdVj8mni_-8pS8PR8xJQ9Z92PG_ZmxbwESk3K_M3TnV8yQYVZA5F3GRruB36K6YakNGetGvvtlItpv4PiqoaaJE5hKNM8oW85m4q_RpMilCjtwwVetQBfNxMsmC5oKV/s1600/IMG_20130510_071212.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGUJQDOhQ4yBtXPAdVj8mni_-8pS8PR8xJQ9Z92PG_ZmxbwESk3K_M3TnV8yQYVZA5F3GRruB36K6YakNGetGvvtlItpv4PiqoaaJE5hKNM8oW85m4q_RpMilCjtwwVetQBfNxMsmC5oKV/s1600/IMG_20130510_071212.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My mom and me in our tallitot. Glasses broke prior to event.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
So, this is not just about whether or
not women can pray at the wall wearing a tallit. It is a small piece
of a much larger issue of extremism within Judaism, where the basic
rights of women are being violated. Why such virulence? In general,
it is an extreme reaction to the threat they feel from the outside
world. It looks like Haredim will begin to be drafted into the
military. There are no Ultra-Orthodox parties in Natenyahu's
government. The money usually earmarked for Haredi yeshivot is being
reallocated. While the Ultra-Orthodox are still very powerful in
Israel, that power is waning. And, when people begin to lose their
power, they clamp down on whatever and whoever is still under their
control. Because of the way that literal Jewish tradition is set up, women are most susceptible. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
As you might imagine, however, the influence of the contemporary world has the potential to better the situation of the women.
Haredi girls learn the national curriculum that includes math and
science. They are the ones who learn how to pay mortgages and open
bank accounts. They are the ones who find work to support the family.
A minimum wage job earns more that a stipend for studying in the
yeshiva. It sets up a system wherein the men have to rely on the
women in their lives. Thus, the threat is not only from the outside,
but it is also coming from inside their communities as well. The women are thus in the perfect position to be the victims of the attacks brought on by fear.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
So, yes, the Women of the Wall are
about the freedom of prayer. And they are about protecting the
rights of progressive Jews who are not equal in the State of Israel.
And they are about protecting women, whether they agree with the
ideology and strategy of Women of the Wall or not. And they are
absolutely about breaking down the stronghold of power and authority
that allows for a few individuals to subjugate and control others.
This is what Jews have always struggled against; those who would
mistake themselves for God and thus design the world according to
their will and benefit. It is a struggle incumbent upon all Jews, through time, space, and denomination. Even when it is with each other that we must battle.</div>
<br />
For a short video with highlights of the morning, check out <a href="http://www.timesofisrael.com/watch-police-safeguard-prayers-for-women-of-the-wall/?utm_source=The+Times+of+Israel+Daily+Edition&utm_campaign=667187d299-2013_05_11&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_adb46cec92-667187d299-54471321" target="_blank">The Times of Israel</a>. And for additional photos, go to <a href="http://noamrf.blogspot.co.il/2013/05/blog-post_10.html" target="_blank">this site</a>. <br />
<br />
Taking part in the monthly Rosh Chodesh services has been a real highlight of my time in Israel. Even with all the varied emotions, I am grateful to have the opportunity to be a part of positive change in the Jewish State.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-80952600248419648752013-05-01T01:07:00.000-07:002013-05-01T13:15:03.787-07:00Only in IsraelA handful of things you would likely only see or experience in Israel:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaqA-eX1MoL9I0ifLhREMgS8_dv3xgdA9_9_MUU7AGCG27CUBGlA58rJYCAcZxWCCjtvTBVQTyU8gU2F4ZbXDWM5g__Nq30xI-y3-g0vMwlknp-ftUBVfQBLa75kNIX8zc4hI4FGStAPF/s1600/IMG_20130409_113555.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaqA-eX1MoL9I0ifLhREMgS8_dv3xgdA9_9_MUU7AGCG27CUBGlA58rJYCAcZxWCCjtvTBVQTyU8gU2F4ZbXDWM5g__Nq30xI-y3-g0vMwlknp-ftUBVfQBLa75kNIX8zc4hI4FGStAPF/s1600/IMG_20130409_113555.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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The first ten times I walked past this, I thought someone had decorated the neighborhood recycle bin. Then, one day, I looked closer and read the sign.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nQBlhMjQvBuGpYHjhG9j1JRRx7E-Sw1dGLAoxuaWuUIoud26fSVSo7Aho2OarfLyVbD7VnHIR4RUvH6W5BY0b5eQjb6a-QLf6g-wtL742GvVGu_Wa-CCC8EOxD6s0D_u42XfjeVbAZTT/s1600/IMG_20130409_113747.jpg" height="150" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
It's a genizah for tefillin and mezzuzot. A genizah right there in the middle of the alley! The same alley, by the way, where people kasher dishes and burn chametz before Passover.<br />
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These are pictures of corner stores in Jerusalem. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEROWvfG5H3tF9Cwg5UOJgAawLVsNw95W9OHYc4aE1g03rbCIQCCqXy14S3XT2h4wVRgXwyR60XJNh8_OiZzmZeP8v0p_znWIY0BANU2G37yH6p0JpGWGyKv0GXqBxbflVXtgY4tOh2u6I/s1600/IMG_20130423_091118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEROWvfG5H3tF9Cwg5UOJgAawLVsNw95W9OHYc4aE1g03rbCIQCCqXy14S3XT2h4wVRgXwyR60XJNh8_OiZzmZeP8v0p_znWIY0BANU2G37yH6p0JpGWGyKv0GXqBxbflVXtgY4tOh2u6I/s1600/IMG_20130423_091118.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspPjht1Uwl32oxWj0_K94YUajMfyVr9GSGtOVcMFfd_s06grp8Z3wTdiJllMe9gtS69rlQ6tfMbT2zz4vx3SWGRfmCphr7rKuBKaQnjS7Uv5y_YbECHo4IZS6foAoylTe_OhY0OuCDVfE/s1600/IMG_20130423_102026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhspPjht1Uwl32oxWj0_K94YUajMfyVr9GSGtOVcMFfd_s06grp8Z3wTdiJllMe9gtS69rlQ6tfMbT2zz4vx3SWGRfmCphr7rKuBKaQnjS7Uv5y_YbECHo4IZS6foAoylTe_OhY0OuCDVfE/s1600/IMG_20130423_102026.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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Not all 24 hour places even bother to include the 6, it is just assumed that everyone would know that open all the time, 24 hours a day, never closes, would not include being open on Shabbat. It is just one example of the many things in Israel that are always, always, always the same...except for the times they are not. Another example that comes to mind is parking. Red and white curbs mean no parking, all the time, except, apparently, when you can park there. Just like on Shabbat when everyone parks in bus stops because the buses do not run. Otherwise, we aren't totally sure. It could also be that Israeli's ignore the rules or don't care if they get citations. Just more of the basics of socialization that we all take for granted until we go and live somewhere else and are at a loss for the rules that no one bothers to write down because they are so obvious to everyone.<br />
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There was an amazing sight last Friday at Machne Yehudah, the open air market. Unfortunately, I was too overloaded with groceries to be able to reach a camera. It was of the man who sits in the same part of the market every single day and asks for money. On Friday morning, there was literally a line of people waiting to drop a few shekels into his cup. It is good to give tzedakah in preparation for Shabbat, but, a unique sight to have people lining up to do it. Only in Israel. <br />
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This, I suppose, you might see in and around New York, and perhaps even in parts of Los Angeles.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNX4MRmLwRySFUR6hBzZ3EUvhpUkPSrez4bkBx8esfW9UzuJWaOxDzRW6p8zstY4OWu5b7PO3A7oXI-llg_K2O5Bs4TeD0sHP438q9d_beyR3I3WanxhBbuQ-g83UbcocKpiJeBp5KnJtp/s1600/IMG_20130425_082743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNX4MRmLwRySFUR6hBzZ3EUvhpUkPSrez4bkBx8esfW9UzuJWaOxDzRW6p8zstY4OWu5b7PO3A7oXI-llg_K2O5Bs4TeD0sHP438q9d_beyR3I3WanxhBbuQ-g83UbcocKpiJeBp5KnJtp/s1600/IMG_20130425_082743.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a>It is a salon, and in fact, the place where I got a haircut just a few days ago. It's a very nice place and very busy. Sometimes, you will walk by and see the stylists inside with round brushes and hairdryers, intently working on styling someone's hair. If you look closer, you will see that the hair is not always connected to someone's head, rather, it is sometimes sitting on a plastic head that is attached to the chair with a wire stand. There is a very large ultra Orthodox population in this neighborhood, and many of the women cover their hair with wigs rather than scarves or hats. The wigs are very high quality and some of them really beautiful. And, it makes sense, that, just as you take your clothes to the cleaner, you would take your wigs to be washed and restyled. But, I still did a double take the first time I saw it. While I am not going the way of the wig, truth be told, it would be a huge time saver to drop your hair off at the salon and pick it up later looking clean and fresh.<br />
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Here's a good one from the Old City: <br />
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Self explanatory. Though for the next few images, you need a little background.<br />
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When we first rented our car, the woman with the rental car company went through all of the various things that were covered under the extra insurance we purchased. Broken windows was not one of them. We asked, then, what happens if someone breaks a window to steal something out of the car? She looked at me as if I had asked what would happen if aliens landed on top of the car and made a dent in the roof with their spaceship. I guess that kind of thing doesn't happen so much in Israel. Then, her coworker explained that, actually, the windows would be covered if a Palestinian threw a rock at the car and broke a window. Thinking that the comment was another example of the lack of political correctness here, we left vowing to steer clear of anything that might damage the windshield.<br />
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And then, lo and behold, a few weeks ago, my husband, my in-laws and two of the kids were driving home from the Mt. of Olives and had a rock thrown at one of the back windows, shattering it completely. Luckily, no one was hurt. It was just a group of kids in East Jerusalem. One of them cheered when they got the window. Though the practice may be rooted in politics, this was really just malicious mischief.<br />
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When they went to the police station to file a report, the officer said it happens all the time. All the time. They got the paperwork done, and then the officer gave them a tour of the building, including the roof that has a view of the Dome of the Rock.<br />
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The rock, the tour, the view...only in Israel.<br />
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This is less "only in Israel" and more "never in the US".<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHCCUwIYklrnmbbjryx8QRgPipmGKcQu80Be_orXas6R0syBElP4BiO7tAn9-K0JA7mAW1B6Jjb8qjFQxVlh5Q248cSdDS95xnZUo5dq4oy6Y34zExNrw_ewYrxz8WucrHpnSu3WFNyFO/s1600/IMG_20130425_173944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJHCCUwIYklrnmbbjryx8QRgPipmGKcQu80Be_orXas6R0syBElP4BiO7tAn9-K0JA7mAW1B6Jjb8qjFQxVlh5Q248cSdDS95xnZUo5dq4oy6Y34zExNrw_ewYrxz8WucrHpnSu3WFNyFO/s1600/IMG_20130425_173944.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
A few days ago, we celebrated <a href="http://www.myjewishlearning.com/holidays/Jewish_Holidays/Shavuot/In_the_Community/Counting_the_Omer/Lag_BaOmer.shtml" target="_blank">Lag B'Omer</a>. In the days leading up to it, all of our kids had bonfires and picnics with their classes. There were bonfires everywhere. This one was for our daughter's first grade class. We were struck by the proximity of this raging fire to the play structure where all of our kids were climbing.<br />
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The fire was so hot, the kids could not get close enough to roast the marshmallows we had brought. Fortunately, they are not so insistent about the need for roasting.<br />
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And, the final picture for this entry is me, pulling my hair out.<br />
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Because, only in Israel does a Reform rabbi have to prove that she is Jewish in order to extend her tourist visa. More on that another time.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-19740922899483169962013-04-16T07:52:00.000-07:002013-04-16T07:52:25.080-07:00Yom HaZikaron and Yom HaAtzmautIn Israel, it's personal.<br />
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There is nothing remote or symbolic about Yom HaZikaron, Israel's Memorial Day, for Israelis. It is the day when you remember specific people in your family, or your friends or in your friends' families. It is a day to remember the people who graduated from the same school you go to, or those who were members of the same communities to which you belong. Everyone is touched by the death of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to defend and protect Israel and those civilians killed in terrorist attacks. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The memorial at the Kotel</td></tr>
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At my children's elementary school, memorials of alumni and students can be found at the main entrance. Each has a picture and a story. Some have books that were put together about the young person's life; something that has become common practice when a soldier dies. There are a dozen young smiling faces. Equally as powerful as their pictures is to see the gathering of people reading the stories and leafing through the memorial books. They were the children, the students. These people who died stood where they stood not too long ago, carrying their backpacks, playing football with their friends and learning from the very same teachers. For these first through sixth graders, the reality of life in Israel, at all levels, is already a part of their consciousness. I imagine it makes Israelis have to grow up faster than other kids.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The memorial at my kids' elementary school</td></tr>
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I remember the last time I was in Israel for Yom HaZikaron. I went to Sultan's Pool outside the old city walls for a gathering. There was a big screen and the stories of those who had died that year were being told. I sat there with hundreds of Israels listening to the story of a settlement family of five, including a newborn baby, who had been murdered by terrorists just days before. Hundreds of somber faces sat and mourned together. <br />
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At the same time, Yom HaZikaron brings up different emotions for others who live in Israel. This year, we went to the bridge that leads to the Jaffa Gate to be with people there when the sirens rang for two minutes of silence. Now, every other time I have been in Israel when the siren sounded, I've been in the heart of Jewish Jerusalem: Ben Yehudah, King David Street, King George Street. And, when the sirens sounded, everyone stood still, creating an overwhelming sense of shared loss. Today, right on the boarder between east and west Jerusalem, half the cars didn't even stop. Others blasted their horn and tried to drive around those who had gotten out of their cars. People walking ignored what was happening and kept right on going. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">During the siren right outside the Jaffa Gate</td></tr>
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Not everyone in Jerusalem mourns the loss of fallen Israeli soldiers. Palestinians call the Israeli Day of Independence the Nakba, the Day of Catastrophe. When Israelis celebrate their independence, others mourn their losses of people, of their homes and their land. People's reactions to Yom HaZikaron certainly stand out as an example of how Jerusalem is terribly divided. Far from being comforting, the scene today was painful and disturbing. <br />
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The complexity of life in Israel continues, for as soon as the sun sets on Yom HaZikaron, the music and dancing for Yom HaAzmaut begin. The losses are terrible, but going from mourning to celebration helps remind everyone of what the sacrifices were for. The only time I have ever experienced people to taking to the street and celebrating the way Israelis celebrate Yom HaAzmaut is when one of the local sports teams won a national championship. There is folk dancing at Kikar Safra, Jerusalem's Civic Center, fireworks over Independence Park a little past midnight, and thousands of people walking the streets with inflatable toys decorated with Israeli flags and wearing light up headbands. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing in Kikar Safra</td></tr>
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It is unbridled joy, the likes of which I could barely fathom on any
given Fourth of July. On the other hand, it never once crossed my mind
on a Forth of July that there is a chance that the United States might
not exist to celebrate at the same time next year. Of course, it is
highly unlikely that would be the case for Israel, but no one knows for
sure what the future will bring. Enjoy what is now.<br />
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In Israel, it's personal. The losses are personal losses. The joys are about individual freedom. Perhaps that is why it is so intense as well.
The intensity of both the sadness and the happiness are powerful and
moving, and so telling of the reality of life in Israel. If you want to
really know this place, come to experience Yom HaZikaron and Yom
HaAtzmaut one year. It is an amazing time to be in Israel.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shaving cream graffiti of Star of David in downtown Jerusalem</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-82675237532485134502013-04-08T07:29:00.002-07:002013-04-08T07:29:54.079-07:00Yom HaShoahToday at 10:00am, the sirens rang and all of Israel stopped what we were doing. For two minutes, Israel stood still in memory of the six million who were killed in the Holocaust.<br />
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Words cannot describe the power and beauty of those two minutes of communal and personal remembrance. It is a ritual unique to Israel that is a symbol of our unity as a people. No matter what our battles between each other at all other times, in our mourning, we stand in silence together.<br />
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May the memories of the six million, some of whose stories we know and others we do not, lead each of us to live lives of righteousness. May kindness, compassion and a love for all humanity guide our every action. May we have the strength to protect each other and to comfort each other no matter what befalls us. May we have the wisdom to learn from the terrible mistakes of humanity in order to create a world more kind and more just than we have ever known. May we use the blessing of our very lives to bring blessing to all people.<br />
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May this be God's will.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-42811775595116085772013-04-07T04:03:00.002-07:002013-04-07T04:03:07.941-07:00Pesach in Israel<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Shalom!<br />
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Passover is a very special time to be in Israel. While it can be a tough week at home, both because there is bread everywhere and most other people are eating it, and because that fact offers a constant reminder that we are a tiny minority, in Israel, as you can imagine, it is totally different. Everyone is celebrating Passover in one way or another. Many restaurants serve kosher for Passover food or at least have matzah as an alternative to bread. And, everyone says Chag Sameach to each other. Of course, that is how we greet each other in the synagogue, but to have the store clerks, and the security guards and the random people walking down the street say it is a fantastic experience. It feels really good to be a part of the whole instead of feeling like you are outside it.<br />
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Maybe it is a little taste of what it is like to celebrate Christmas in the States and to hear everyone saying Merry Christmas. It used to really frustrate me that people would fight to say Merry Christmas instead of Happy Holidays. I wondered why people would work so hard to intentionally ignore all the minorities in the country. But, maybe now I can see it from others' perspective. It isn't ignoring us as much as it is wanting to feel that sense of wholeness and connection with other members of society. There were plenty of Christians and Muslims in Jerusalem who said Chag Sameach to me and I to them, and it felt good. So, at least for today, I intend not to begrudge anyone that positive feeling of saying Merry Christmas and having others say it in return. Especially if people can promise that by saying Merry Christmas, they are not denying my existence, just celebrating their holiday.<br />
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We'll see how I feel next December.<br />
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The one draw back to being in Israel rather than the US is obtaining a shank bone. I've never paid for a shank bone at home. Here, one butcher wanted me to pay 50 shekels for it and two others would only sell me the whole leg of lamb. Luckily, we have an aquaintence who was making lamb and had an extra bone. <br />
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Here are some things that you can see on the streets of Jerusalem before and during Pesach.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSi8EWgXKAnV0VIlz1fmpECSEWYF2QTBw_XT1vfkJSZHl6VrrsqnNdkRpq0483ZRkZJ8wo2hRS8O-OQ8x1D7qF_x3_yGcUsQDt9Yt_cOY7XJQTJCySZBdoYLt9057Km_fekN3cgzlbNw9A/s1600/SAM_1235.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSi8EWgXKAnV0VIlz1fmpECSEWYF2QTBw_XT1vfkJSZHl6VrrsqnNdkRpq0483ZRkZJ8wo2hRS8O-OQ8x1D7qF_x3_yGcUsQDt9Yt_cOY7XJQTJCySZBdoYLt9057Km_fekN3cgzlbNw9A/s1600/SAM_1235.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People bringing pots and pans to be kashered for Passover</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Cd5OTcCg5juLMjydm8OlNJIyV-Fh6IJLAMhqEook_CDQ4uUxZvqidFbFBRmHaFmLS7USt0W2T9u-GU3U8PYDFyL7FrWVXzFTqn0mRW4MQvSwF9TAJzWG0Vd3cwwY5eb2y4EIfrnZ2qAU/s1600/SAM_1236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Cd5OTcCg5juLMjydm8OlNJIyV-Fh6IJLAMhqEook_CDQ4uUxZvqidFbFBRmHaFmLS7USt0W2T9u-GU3U8PYDFyL7FrWVXzFTqn0mRW4MQvSwF9TAJzWG0Vd3cwwY5eb2y4EIfrnZ2qAU/s1600/SAM_1236.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Pots, pans and utensils dipped in the boiling water so they are kosher for Passover</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4Gvq7QQo4pVYvaEUm4ZiU_JTl9yiLjJoXfCoD9fc8TZSGGQSIxq-8hjCpbL9DBZOflo6jlTTk6vYu4ii6zPWgHuxH9TDGo0dRweIq1V042H-bllEkWFvJhbW96tz0vbJG9WCGJxrT4hw/s1600/SAM_1693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix4Gvq7QQo4pVYvaEUm4ZiU_JTl9yiLjJoXfCoD9fc8TZSGGQSIxq-8hjCpbL9DBZOflo6jlTTk6vYu4ii6zPWgHuxH9TDGo0dRweIq1V042H-bllEkWFvJhbW96tz0vbJG9WCGJxrT4hw/s1600/SAM_1693.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJt-qtiwmLPj5l0tNsQaskOCt4ut_ZTzfEdp7HiAczl9_vNYJ3F9lHGijvoaMZz6An_hAva7DlEIDx9jpJ-z_dmDfxjxdkcfOEqrrjPqXsZWin-zkMjpLrJAOetEAL7MvvpOw5O7xM5BpX/s1600/IMG_20130325_093034.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJt-qtiwmLPj5l0tNsQaskOCt4ut_ZTzfEdp7HiAczl9_vNYJ3F9lHGijvoaMZz6An_hAva7DlEIDx9jpJ-z_dmDfxjxdkcfOEqrrjPqXsZWin-zkMjpLrJAOetEAL7MvvpOw5O7xM5BpX/s1600/IMG_20130325_093034.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burning chametz</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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In the picture above, you can see that someone brought a lulav from Sukkot to burn with their chametz. Some believe that, because the lulav was used to fulfill and mitzvah, you should not just throw it away. Rather, you should use it for another mitzvah if possible. Thus the tradition is to use the lulav to start the fire in which you burn your chametz. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9mY6wIZ9FjuHXSgePivac6iR79U9i3nEO6PxOYe2P1PLAcNjqUzphHLg1l1i5yVH9xD0m2n6vAuT3RUIF6aD-oUcu2Pl7DwXKRHr7iPGiN2tbXML9_TT4Y25-1BY47qr9V-JGUotT6wK/s1600/IMG_20130325_144517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR9mY6wIZ9FjuHXSgePivac6iR79U9i3nEO6PxOYe2P1PLAcNjqUzphHLg1l1i5yVH9xD0m2n6vAuT3RUIF6aD-oUcu2Pl7DwXKRHr7iPGiN2tbXML9_TT4Y25-1BY47qr9V-JGUotT6wK/s1600/IMG_20130325_144517.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making Yemenite matzah</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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Yemenite matzah is soft like pita. And, very expensive. 90 shekels (almost $25) for three pieces.<br />
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And this is a small grocery store a few blocks from where we live. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7uM4Yg7qMNDrlldGJspCJY-o1P407D9UBkB1FmMWx7r2DsxwRPq34MCojxFFhwLi5PyZgyK5uOQ86_cPm5PX6HXH70kVv6qyETcuWAejsb0iqUKaz_WnwmKKv65kg1UULuaCPYkb92uZ/s1600/IMG_20130331_135223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7uM4Yg7qMNDrlldGJspCJY-o1P407D9UBkB1FmMWx7r2DsxwRPq34MCojxFFhwLi5PyZgyK5uOQ86_cPm5PX6HXH70kVv6qyETcuWAejsb0iqUKaz_WnwmKKv65kg1UULuaCPYkb92uZ/s1600/IMG_20130331_135223.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chametz covered and unsaleable during Pesach</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXXc-Kl9EerEpQvoCCbKuW7h9OAp8SAKoF9qVLmC07N0KNP0P8MhyphenhyphenzlKiup0Av4KW3_Y88Rkp3c1DSpva3hkTBpKPv2fFHgJtHCH_uJu08c24NPWkzs-ppNmQyky_UrdeDFHX75MMJrCa/s1600/IMG_20130331_135215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbXXc-Kl9EerEpQvoCCbKuW7h9OAp8SAKoF9qVLmC07N0KNP0P8MhyphenhyphenzlKiup0Av4KW3_Y88Rkp3c1DSpva3hkTBpKPv2fFHgJtHCH_uJu08c24NPWkzs-ppNmQyky_UrdeDFHX75MMJrCa/s1600/IMG_20130331_135215.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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And on a completely different topic, here are a few images from Obama's visit last month.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7l2mMKwFhHSvjhelEmoSS_r66Sba60yn2qnzs1RtERRlgvmOVv1Ugj0ItXMc52wA62aNG_MG0VObJledGbppLhZdPLHHydoF30qNONgnrgUwK60JQ8kv5SyAoXvRHGGaYteAdQpTZAvqN/s1600/DSCN6071.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7l2mMKwFhHSvjhelEmoSS_r66Sba60yn2qnzs1RtERRlgvmOVv1Ugj0ItXMc52wA62aNG_MG0VObJledGbppLhZdPLHHydoF30qNONgnrgUwK60JQ8kv5SyAoXvRHGGaYteAdQpTZAvqN/s1600/DSCN6071.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Motorcade a block from our apartment</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kn0M9KXReV6neurcgMuTWyCkFyfkz_LDJBpaM5_2x9RBnImHM9hlAU8c0gW20dTlAvqIw7r0Zh8thLTXDMKLE7fpx_B6F3kcYGlhwcZdPH10NbD6eNp7aIwYI6MaAPdhZvNDXuKQJnV-/s1600/Greenpeace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7kn0M9KXReV6neurcgMuTWyCkFyfkz_LDJBpaM5_2x9RBnImHM9hlAU8c0gW20dTlAvqIw7r0Zh8thLTXDMKLE7fpx_B6F3kcYGlhwcZdPH10NbD6eNp7aIwYI6MaAPdhZvNDXuKQJnV-/s1600/Greenpeace.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenpeace activists climbed the cables of this bridge early in the morning and were too high for authorities to reach.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaedgcoVD4iIP5QwHMGdx478WGKEyZg_pf6SszNhB9ccFoPSuzWzUZGZS1SGR61gc5cHyJViTxMmRgZoMrHwkugmIqEmsW_Yp9TujIIUj8wUdvFZ9gj5QsvIGHpKQYySPHjzP6Peo5vM2/s1600/DSCN6083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoaedgcoVD4iIP5QwHMGdx478WGKEyZg_pf6SszNhB9ccFoPSuzWzUZGZS1SGR61gc5cHyJViTxMmRgZoMrHwkugmIqEmsW_Yp9TujIIUj8wUdvFZ9gj5QsvIGHpKQYySPHjzP6Peo5vM2/s1600/DSCN6083.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They would not let us stand within a few hundred meters of the entrance to the President's house where Obama was visiting so he never got this message, but the kids had fun making the signs anyway. </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<br />Belated Chag Sameach!<br /><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-30315300957851192372013-03-18T11:32:00.001-07:002013-03-18T11:32:13.335-07:00The New Israeli Government and Obama Ba! (Obama comes!) It is an exciting week with the new Knesset being sworn in and Obama coming for his first presidential visit to Israel.<br />
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If you are already in the loop on the ins and outs of the new government, pardon all the details.<br />
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From the start, many anticipated that <a href="http://likud-beiteinu.info/" target="_blank">Likud-Beiteinu</a>, Netanyahu's party, would partner with <a href="http://en.yeshatid.org.il/Our-Agenda" target="_blank">Yesh Atid</a>, Yair Lapid's party, and<a href="http://baityehudi.org.il/englp/our.htm" target="_blank"> Habayit Hayehudi</a>, Naftali Bennett's party. Yesh Atid is in the left-center and Habayit Hayehudi claims it is solidly on the right. They heavily disagree when it comes to issues of settlements and the peace process. Yesh Atid actually didn't focus on these issues too much on the election, but Bennett is the one who said that he fully supports the creation of a Palestinian State, just not in the middle of the Jewish one. Yet, they agree about the economy and reforming the government. Bennett and Lapid's biggest similarity, however, is that they both believe it is time to end the Ultra-Orthodox stronghold on all issues of religion, that some of the wealth that has thus far been directed solely to Ultra-Orthodox schools and institutions be shared and that the Ultra-Orthodox must be obligated to national military service. This last similarity was enough for them to tell Netanyahu that they would only join the government together. And, together, they have 30 seats.<br />
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But, the partnership potential looked a little shaky for a while. Israeli media reported that Lapid had some outrageous demands, in particular that Yesh Atid get the Ministry of the Interior and Education and that the number of ministers shrink from 30 to 18. In addition, he refused to be in a government with any Ultra-Orthodox parties; a significant demand as <a href="http://translate.google.co.il/translate?hl=en&sl=iw&u=http://shas.org.il/&prev=/search%3Fq%3DShas%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26hs%3DgTc%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official&sa=X&ei=6CRHUYmgMuWA4gTkw4CgCg&ved=0CGAQ7gEwBg" target="_blank">Shas</a>, and Ultra-Orthodox party, had been a part of Netanyahu's last coalition. Those issues lead Netanyahu to try to form a majority with some of the Ultra-Orthodox parties.<br />
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And then, almost as an aside, the first deal was struck between Likud-Beiteinu and Tzipi Livni's party, <a href="http://www.hatnua.org.il/#!hatnua-english/ckla" target="_blank">Hatnua</a>. She wound up with two departments, Justice and the Environment, the latter of which is most fitting as she ran as the "green party." Following that announcement, there were reports that Shas was to join Netanyahu's government any day.<br />
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Then, late last week, it was announced that the government had been formed with Likud-Beiteinu, Yesh Atid, Habayit Hayehudi and Hatnua (68 seats). After going back and forth, both Netanyahu and Lapid compromised on a number of things and the coalition was formed. Yesh Atid got the Ministries of Finance and Education among others. A key assignment for Lapid's party was the Ministry of Education which controls the money that goes to all educational institutions, including the Ultra-Orthodox ones. They did not get the Ministry of the Interior and the government did not shrink to 18 ministers as Lapid wanted, but, apparently it was enough. In addition, Lapid got a majority with no Ultra-Orthodox party, and the agreement states that new legislation on enlistment of Haredim will come before the Knesset within 45 days.<br />
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The biggest victor in all this, however, may well be Habayit Hayehudi and Naftali Bennett, who somehow made himself indispensable to both Netanyahu and Lapid. Bennett is credited with being the bridge between the two. It was reported in the papers that he told Lapid that if he didn't take this deal, he would go into negotiations with Netanyahu and the Ultra-Orthodox parties. The same sources said that he told Netanyahu that if Netanyahu didn't agree to this, Bennett would maintain his agreement with Lapid and stay out of Netanyahu's government.<br />
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Habayit Hayehudi will head five ministries: Economy and Trade, Diaspora and Jerusalem, Religious Affairs, Housing, and Pension Affairs. As head of Religious Affairs, they could bring about reform to laws of conversion and could create civil marriages, which would take control from the Ultra-Orthodox. As head of the Housing Ministry, Bennett's party oversees construction of new settlements and, as you can read in Habayit Hayehudi's platform, they wish to make settling in the entire current State of Israel a national priority.<br />
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That Naftali Bennett is quite a politician.<br />
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As you can imagine, the Ultra-Orthodox parties are not happy. Shas in particular is furious. The media reports that they now vow to form a solid bond with <a href="http://www.havoda.org.il/" target="_blank">Labor</a> as a part of the opposition to bring this new government down.<br />
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Yet in many other parts of Israeli society, there is definitely a sense of excitement that there is a real possibility for change. If nothing else, not having a single Ultra-Orthodox party in the coalition will seriously alter the conversations. And for us, that has the potential to change the status of all non-Orthodox religious movements in Israel, which is, of course, a very big deal.<br />
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For those of us on the outside, it feels like the topic of peace should be the most crucial issue facing Israel. Yet, for Israelis, their biggest concerns are those of their daily lives, just like other "normal" countries. To help understand that, Anat Wilf, a former member of Parliment, stated that the real issue with the peace process is not identifying the borders, but the fact that there is no one on the other side who is really willing to negotiate any kind of peace. When that opportunity comes, she said, it doesn't matter who is in power, they will take the opportunity to make peace. Left, right or center, Israel will make peace when peace is an actual option. However, that opportunity has not come. Thus, the government will focus on its internal issues to better the lives and affairs of its people. <br />
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All this happens just days before President Obama arrives in Israel. Jerusalem is covered in American, Israeli and Jerusalem flags. The official logo of the visit "Unbreakable Alliance, Obama in Israel 2013" is displayed on posters throughout the city. Whole sections of the city will shut down for security purposes. Different organizations have all kinds of activities planned, some about the relationship between the countries and others just for entertainment. It is similar to a holiday celebration. Being here, you know how important the United States is to Israelis. It feels like the king is coming to visit our small village.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyRlbmDVuWdBbXi5Eehv8twF9Wf8ARThLoYW5dgTwVCIpUD-6iYCC1H373Ai4v-27xwKtf7GWzeQK9BzV3vNlcU2Xmq5XsIG-b3_cHnSFPMPS9uu8n-ZPBRo-9uoGvRy1wY_akZDdJ14k/s1600/unbreakable+alliance.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDyRlbmDVuWdBbXi5Eehv8twF9Wf8ARThLoYW5dgTwVCIpUD-6iYCC1H373Ai4v-27xwKtf7GWzeQK9BzV3vNlcU2Xmq5XsIG-b3_cHnSFPMPS9uu8n-ZPBRo-9uoGvRy1wY_akZDdJ14k/s400/unbreakable+alliance.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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I must say that I have never been so excited for the President to visit the city where I live. I never once considered standing in line for hours just to get a glimpse of him when he has visited the Bay Area in the past. However, here, we are watching his schedule closely and hope to be a part of the excitement. He will visit the residences of both President Shimon Peres and Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday the 20th, and both of those locations are within a ten minute walk from where we live. So, if you happen to be looking for us on that day, we will be walking the streets of Jerusalem waving our American and Israeli flags with pride.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-87860551218065385132013-03-12T14:15:00.000-07:002013-03-12T14:15:30.432-07:00More with The Women of the WallHappy Nisan!<br />
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The participants of the <a href="http://www.wrj.org/default.aspx" target="_blank">WRJ</a> Convention and three <a href="http://www.timesofisrael.com/female-mks-join-women-of-the-wall-for-prayer-service/" target="_blank">Ministers of the Knesset</a> joined the <a href="http://womenofthewall.org.il/" target="_blank">Woman of the Wall</a> for the <i>Rosh Chodesh</i> service this morning. The number of women wearing tallitot seemed to have quadrupled since last month. There were also at least two women wearing tefillin.<br />
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The vibe, starting from the approach to the Wall, was very different from last month. There were four soldiers standing on the plaza in front of the women's side. When we (my mom and I; my dad stayed in the plaza and peered over the back wall with the other male supporters) joined the group, it looked like the police, who were warning people that they would be arrested last month, had gathered in a protective circle around the women. I looked over the <i>machitza</i> (the separator between the men's and women's sections) and saw soldiers lined up along the barrier facing the men on the men's side. Last month, there was a feeling of being vulnerable. This time, I felt very protected.<br />
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And yet, there was far more protest this time. There was a woman who was yelling almost throughout the entire service, reading passages from her prayerbook as evidence that we were doing something wrong. Another woman yelled that we should be ashamed of ourselves. Another, I imagine at a loss for words in her discomfort, just yelled.<br />
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The men's side had even more "excitement." There was a man blowing shofar to drown out the sounds of the women (and men who were with us) praying. Others were shouting that we weren't really Jewish. Others who said that we didn't know what we were doing and should have the men teach us the real way to pray. At one point, a number of older haredi men joined hands and together tried to approach the mechitza and were stopped from getting too close by the soldiers and police.<br />
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It was during <i>Hallel</i>, the special prayers in praise of God that you say on <i>Rosh Chodesh</i> (as well as other holidays), that the biggest group of men seemed to join together to sing as loudly as possible in an attempt to overpower the singing from the women's side.<br />
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But, none of the protesters could stop us from praying in the way we wanted. <br />
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I found I was less distracted today and was more able to actually pray. The service was very moving. And so, I sang my heart out. I sang my heart out to proclaim my legitimacy as a human being and as a Jew. I sang my heart out in support of all people who feel oppressed and constrained by others who wish to impose a particular lifestyle on them. I sang my heart out today because it felt so good, and I am positive that the universe was affected by the sounds of our prayer. <br />
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And, in all honesty, I sang my heart out to sing louder than the Jews on the other side. Jews who live differently, but who cherish our tradition as much as I do. It was us against them. All of us using the sacred words of our people as weapons of our protest. <br />
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Singing <i>Oseh Shalom</i> this morning was a new experience for me. The words of the song are magnificent (May the one who makes peace above, make peace for us and for all Israel, and let us say: Amen) but I admit that I have wished at times that our ancestors were a bit more inclusive and added the whole world into this prayer for peace. But, today, looking at everything that was happening, I understood why the prayer is written the way that it is. Within our people, we need a prayer that urges us recognize each other, understand each other and accept each other. <br />
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Please, please God, make peace within Israel.<br />
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There were no arrests made today. We were told that the morning started as it usually does, with tallitot being confiscated and people being warned that they are breaking the law of holy sites and they could be arrested and serve up to six months in prison. However, then one of the officers got a call from the chief of police who said no arrests today. Why? The group suggested that maybe it was because of Obama's visit. Anat Hoffman fantasized that Michael Oren called the chief and asked him, as a favor, not to arrest anyone because he's had it with all the irate American Jews on his back for this. Someone else thought maybe it was because the government is trying desperately to build its coalition. Others suggested it might have because of the three MKs (members of the Knesset), all of whom were wearing tallitot, who could not be arrested. Ultimately, we don't know why. But, it meant that we had a lovely Torah service near Robinson's Arch (the Southern Wall). My mom even had an aliyah. Everyone departed feeling good.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">M<span style="font-size: xx-small;">e and Anat Hoffman after the Torah service <span style="font-size: xx-small;">near Robinson's Arch</span></span></span></div>
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I will remember this morning, from now on, every time I sing <i>Oseh Shalom</i>. It expresses for me two truths. The first is the uplifting power and thrill of praying with the Women of the Wall. The second, is the heartache of praying with the Women of the Wall, for its monthly service highlights the ongoing strife Jews have with each other. Those truths must be held together. On the one hand, I am so grateful to Anat Hoffman and all those who, for over twenty years, have led this struggle on my behalf and on the behalf of all Jews around the world who live and pray in ways that are not respected by other Jews. I am grateful to the Women of the Wall for allowing me to be a part of one of the most moving services in which I have ever participated. And, I am desperately grieved by the fact that the Women of the Wall needs to exist to fight for my rights against other Jews who would deny them.<br />
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And so, for all people, for my people and for myself, I pray for peace. May the ordering principle of the universe, the One that guides the very flow of existence that extends far beyond us on earth, help us find peace; peace within us, peace between us and peace in the world around us.<br />
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Kein yihi ratzon, may this be God's will.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-22319951316737198162013-03-11T13:46:00.000-07:002013-03-11T13:46:43.898-07:00The Negev and the Kibbutzim of the AravaShalom!<br />
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I have always loved the desert. I love the landscape, the terrain, the mountains, the shapes and colors of the rocks; I even like the weather. So, of course, time in the desert was guaranteed to be a part of our Israel adventure. <br />
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We began our trip to the Negev on a Friday afternoon, right after we had participated in the 4.2 km public race of the Jerusalem Marathon. We spent time in/at Machtesh Ramon, or the Ramon crater, the biggest crater in the world (formed through natural geological processes rather than through an impact).<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Overlooking the Ramon Crater</span></div>
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We visited Avdat, a Nabatean city along the ancient spice route.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Standing at the ancient wine press in Avdat</span></div>
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We went to Timna National Park which, along with being a beautiful part of the desert, is the site of of the oldest mine in the world. 6,000 years ago, Egyptians mined copper there and, today, you can crawl in and out of those ancient shafts and tunnels.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">One of he 6000 year old <span style="font-size: xx-small;">copper <span style="font-size: xx-small;">mine shafts</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">In front of Soloman's Pill<span style="font-size: xx-small;">ars in Timna National Park</span></span></div>
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We experienced the natural wildlife in the coral of the Red
Sea at the Underwater Observatory in Eilat and we dipped our feet into
the Red Sea (still too chilly to swim).<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">In E<span style="font-size: xx-small;">ilat with<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> the Red Sea and the Jordanian city of Aqaba in the background</span></span></span></div>
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We drove along the Dead Sea, reaching the lowest point on earth. Naturally, we floated in the Sea as well. It was the first time that the kids had been to the Dead Sea. We have two who love it, one who is a little lukewarm and one who may never go into any body of water that contains salt ever again.<br />
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Worth special mention are the kibbutzim we visited in the Arava Valley, <a href="http://www.ketura.org.il/" target="_blank">Kibbutz Ketura</a>, in whose guest house we stayed, and <a href="http://translate.google.co.il/translate?hl=en&sl=iw&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.yotvata.org.il%2F" target="_blank">Kibbutz Yotvata</a>. Today's kibbutzim are different from the equalized cooperatives of the past. Most of them are privatized, which means their members receive a salary for their work and they are paid according to their position rather than according to their need. Then, there are the kibbutzim that are called "integrated" wherein people are given the usual stipend and then some percentage of their salary depending on their position. Only around a quarter of the kibbutzim work on the hundred year old model of the Israeli commune. Ketura and Yotvata are two of the few that are essentially traditional kibbutzim.<br />
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I say essentially because there still are changes from the original ways kibbutzim did things. For instance, the original model had children in children's houses, whereas the general practice today is for children to reside with their parents. It used to be that you didn't own anything individually. Now, if you own real estate when you join, you would be allowed to keep it. If you are left an inheritance, it is yours, not the property of the kibbutz. It is still the case that anything you make while you are a member belongs to the whole community. The differences in the stipends is entirely based on the number of children you have in your household and not at all on the work you do in the community. If you want to work outside the kibbutz, you would be allowed to do so only if you received a certain salary and then, of course, it would go to the collective rather than to you as an individual.<br />
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Ketura's businesses include a dairy, date groves, a solar field, an industrial plant for producing a red algae called astaxanthin, an early childhood education program, and is the location for the the <a href="http://www.arava.org/" target="_blank">Arava Institute for Environmental Studies</a>. They don't independently own all of the operations functioning on their property, but some of the members of the kibbutz work in the various programs. Interestingly, when it comes to the businesses that are entirely theirs, like the date groves, they hire outside employees to do the some of the work (like tree climbing) freeing members who can then choose to work as professionals or on non-Kibbutz businesses instead. <br />
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At Ketura, you can also visit a date tree name Methusela. It was sprouted from a nineteen hundred year old seed that was found during excavations at Masada. The botanist (Dr. Elaine Solowey) who sprouted and nurtured it is a member of Kibbutz Ketura.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Methus<span style="font-size: xx-small;">ela</span></span></div>
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Yotvata's businesses include a highly successful dairy, date groves, onions, and they house the elementary, middle and high schools for the entire region. Their most successful operation is their dairy which brings in about seventy percent of their annual income. If you have visited Israel in the last few decades, you may know the name Yotvata for its many delicious dairy products. They actually don't produce enough milk to meet their needs and therefore buy the milk from the surrounding kibbutzim. In general, the kibbutzim in the area seem to put a lot of effort into collaboration and working together for the benefit of them all. Unlike Ketura, we got the feeling that most of the members were still encouraged to work for the kibbutz's businesses rather than in outside positions. <br />
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What was particularly impressive about these institutions was their innovation, both in the realm of environmental stewardship and in building relationships with people and communities from other countries in the region.<br />
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The solar fields at Ketura are becoming the standard that others are looking toward, kibbutzim as well as other cities and institutions in Israel and throughout the world. The Arava Institute is the premier environmental education and research program in the Middle East, bringing Jordanians, Palestinians and Israelis together to work cooperatively in addressing the environmental challenges in the region. <br />
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Yotvata collects all of the water and waste from the dairy and turns it into methane gas that then powers the operation. Forty percent of the power used by Yotvata's dairy comes from this recycling method. They, too, have been involved in cooperative relationships with other countries. <br />
A few years ago, Yotvata was approached by members of a Jordanian village just across the border who were interested in learning about agriculture, specifically growing dates and onions. A few Jordanians joined the kibbutz for a time, learning what they could from Yotvata's knowledge and experience. That village has now become quite successful in their own agricultural pursuits and that success has given its people many new opportunities. <br />
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In many ways, the kibbutzim of today are not the same institutions that they were, yet they are still challenging the rest of the world to take a good look at the way we do things and question whether or not there might be something better. Whether that is pushing ourselves to be more community rather than individually oriented, or to be more mindful about our environment, or to find ways to build partnerships with people who might otherwise be our enemies, the kibbutzim continue to put forth ideals to inspire us all.<br />
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All in all, a great desert trip.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-21400083437473560482013-02-22T12:42:00.000-08:002013-02-24T00:10:08.279-08:00Purim SameachIn the JPS Esther Commentary, Adele Berlin explains that the holiday of Purim most likely came before the book of Esther. Many peoples celebrate the spring equinox with some kind of festival that includes parties and masquerading. Jews likely took part as well. At some point, a Jewish story was written to justify the celebration. So, most of the time, there is an event and then a holiday to commemorate it. In the case of Purim, we first have the celebration and then the creation of the event. The perfect roots for this topsy turvy time of year.<br />
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Purim in Israel is a lot like what I imagine Mardis Gras is in New Orleans, only without the beads and all that entails. It isn't a one day thing, it is a week long celebration. And not just for kids. Adult Jerusalemites have been sporting crowns and funny hats all week. A big trend among teenage males is to shave words, pictures or designs into their heads and to actually dye their hair, not just temporarily spray paint it, all different colors.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Our oldest took part in th<span style="font-size: x-small;">e Purim ha<span style="font-size: x-small;">ir<span style="font-size: x-small;"> trend</span></span></span></span></div>
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The costumes are lavish and elaborate and it is clear that everyone takes a lot of care to choose the right costume and make the most out of it. And all communities participate. Our Haredi scribal arts teacher explained that in his community, it is common for people to dress up in the clothing typical of a different ultra-Orthodox sect. Or, they wear their summer coats though it is technically still winter. Or they wear huge hats, poking fun at themselves. Everyone finds their own way of turning their world upside down for this one week of the year.<br />
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Now, when we were packing for six months and reweighing our suitcases after the addition of every t-shirt and pair of socks, we weren't thinking about Purim. We didn't think that choosing a few of the costumes out of the literally dozens we have acquired over the years could save us a lot of time and money once we got here. Three weeks ago, you can imagine how we were kicking ourselves. Needless to say, we wound up spending a few hours in the costume shop.<br />
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Similar to the Holloween stores that crop up all over as we get close to the end of October, costume shops seem to have appeared out of nowhere. The major difference is the lack of haunted houses and the gruesome costumes we have at home. Otherwise, there is every kind of costume, mask and prop that you might want. It is hard to narrow it down actually. In the end, we settled on a Broadway dancer for our oldest, a weird guy for child #2, Princess Esther for #3 ("It just doesn't feel right to be called Queen") and a blue ninja turtle for the youngest.<br />
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Though it may not be immediately obvious to you, the first two costumes apparently require canes as props. As a matter of fact, those canes, one wooden and the other one that squeaks, turned out to be the sun around which all other possibilities must orbit. The youngest was the same, only his central artifact was a plastic blue samurai sword. As we contemplated what to get, those three items in particular gave me pause. Every school to which my kids have ever gone have had a strict rule against weapons or things that could be used as weapons. I clearly explained to the kids that it was possible that they would not be able to take their canes and sword to school because there may be a rule against such things. Though they understood, they had their hearts and imaginations set and we brought them home.<br />
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As we walked to school today, all of my concerns were allayed. We ran into literally dozens of swords, nun-chucks, plastic hand guns and even a plastic Uzi. One of the preschool teachers said, very sweetly, to our youngest that it was great that he, the other ninja turtle and the young knight in the class all had swords so that they could help defend the class today. Apparently, I had nothing to worry about.<br />
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The irony, of course, is that in Jerusalem, where guns, fake and real, are everywhere, violent crime is relatively low. On the other hand, in Oakland, where all costume weapons are expressly forbidden...well, you know. A reminder that it isn't just the accessibility of weapons that produces off the charts rates of violent crime. <br />
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But I digress.<br />
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In most places in the world, the actual day of Purim is Sunday February 24th, the 14th of Adar. However, since the fighting continued in the walled city of Shushan, all ancient walled cities, like Jerusalem, celebrate on the 15th of Adar. However, in practice, on both the 14th and the 15th there will be some serious celebrating here in Jerusalem. We have two spiels, two megillah readings and a party to attend on Sunday, our third carnival on Monday
morning and then a big party in Kikar Safra, the Civic Center Square. Something tells me that, by the end of this week, we will have had the Purim experience of a lifetime.<br />
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Chag Purim Sameach.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-68699763898526687032013-02-12T12:23:00.001-08:002013-02-20T12:06:16.428-08:00Praying with Women of the WallPraying with the <a href="http://womenofthewall.org.il/" target="_blank">Women of the Wall</a> is a very unique experience. On Rosh Chodesh Adar, Elaya Jenkins-Adelberg and I joined 200 other people packed into the very back part of the women's section. A dozen or so men stood on chairs on the men's side in order to participate in the service. Most of it was done silently with a few prayers sung all together. During Hallel, the part of the service where we sing special praises on Rosh Chodesh and other holidays, half of the woman joined in a circle and started to dance.<br />
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A little unusual, maybe, but one might just think it was a slightly different ritual than one to which we are accustomed. The really unique part was the constant feeling that I had no idea what might happen next. An Orthodox woman behind us started yelling and walked away clearly annoyed. There were reporters and photographers everywhere. Police officers were wandering through the crowd. At one point, the male officer tapped three women on the shoulder, all of whom were wearing tallitot, and asked them to come with him. They promptly sat down where they were and wouldn't budge. He and the female officer who was filming the whole thing walked away. Reporters from above would yell Anat Hoffman's name so they could capture her face for a picture. I kept losing my place in the service because, quite frankly, the prayer piece was entirely secondary to everything else that was going on.<br />
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At the end of the service, everyone moved toward Robinson's Arch, the Southern Wall (less well known but equally as significant), to commence the Torah service. Multiple people remarked to me that it was the first time in over a year that no one was arrested. On our way out, Elaya and I heard singing in the far corner of the plaza and saw a few of the women, including Anat Hoffman, linked arm and arm with a number of police escorts. It turns out, they were being detained, the police had just decided not to interrupt the service. <br />
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It was strange, really. I had imagined that the power of the arrests was to do it in full view of everyone, but this was almost on the sly. The service was over. No riot to contain. Ten women in all were detained. Six were released when they signed a document that said they were barred from coming to the wall for fifteen days. Two weeks short of the next Rosh Chodesh when the Women of the Wall will be back praying with tallitot once again. The other four refused to sign and insisted on talking to a judge. The police refused their request and then, apparently, simply let them go.<br />
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That it all is a little ridiculous is, to me, a good sign. It is still illegal to go against the ruling of the rabbi who has dominion over the wall, thus, the police need to make their arrests. But, they were caught on record saying some pretty ridiculous things, like, they are only going to arrest the women in masculine tallitot, the big ones with the blue or black stripes, not the ones that just wrap around the shoulders and are colorful and clearly feminine tallitot. Never mind that Anat Hoffman was on the front page of the paper in her purple and pink tallit, being detained. The reasons for having to arrest women are becoming harder and harder to find. And, the fact that it has such good press suggests that Israelis are starting to find the story more and more interesting. In fact, the paratroopers who liberated the Kotel, some of whom are in the famous picture from 1967, joined the Women of the Wall yesterday to protest the ultra-orthodox stronghold.<br />
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Bit by bit, the Women of the Wall are pecking away at this ongoing injustice, and I think it is working. 200 people gathered in support, the front page of multiple newspapers, Jews irate all over the world. Sounds like the makings for change.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-56764330570241524852013-02-10T01:28:00.000-08:002013-02-10T07:45:08.686-08:00Looking Destiny in the FaceLast week, I had the opportunity to travel around Israel with other members of the Northern California Rabbis. I got a glimpse of aspects of the country I wouldn't have otherwise seen. As are so many things in Israel, it was at times difficult and upsetting, and other times, uplifting and inspirational.<br />
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We visited Bina, an organization geared toward social action grounded in Jewish text; a wonderful alternative for text study that is not Orthodox. After study with them, they took us on a tour of their neighborhood. Bina is located right next to the Central Bus Station in Tel Aviv, which is a neighborhood inhabited by the largest illegal worker and asylum seeker population in Israel. Like every democratic nation in the world, Israel struggles with whether and how these people can be incorporated into Israeli society. And, just like every other democratic nation, there are those that have an issue with the fact that they are here, and there are those who have an issue with how they are treated and the conditions under which they live now that they are here. Organizations such as the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, whose executive director also met with us, are working to improve their situation and address other basic civil rights issues in Israel as well.<br />
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We heard from a field director at "Iggy", a Gay Youth Organization in Tel Aviv. He is a gay Orthodox Jew. He told us his story of growing up in a settlement in Sumeria, of how he came to terms with his sexual orientation, of coming out during his army service, and of five years ago, helping to found "The Proud Minyan", a halachic egalitarian minyan at the Gay Center in Gan Meir. <br />
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In Haifa, we went to the Golda Meir Mount Carmel International Training Center, which is a part of MASHAV-Israel's Agency for International Development Cooperation, a branch of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They have led hundreds of training courses to promote women's leadership, poverty eradication and socio-economic development throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, Eastern Europe and the Mediteranean.<br />
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We went to the Beit Hagafen Center, and heard from leaders from the Jewish and Arab communities on ways in which the communities in Haifa are leading the way toward peaceful coexistence. <br />
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We had dinner with a member of the Jerusalem City Council; an Orthodox woman who has been instrumental in enforcing the illegality of gender segregation on public buses. As she explains it, when the country was being formed, the secular Jews gave in to the religious Jews figuring that they wouldn't last very long in Israel, and the religious Jews gave into the secular Jews figuring they wouldn't last very long in Israel. Now, as the country is about to turn 65, everyone is realizing that they are stuck with each other. Israel is still a young country, she said, struggling with who it is going to be.<br />
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She relayed one story to us that I must share. In her work on gender segregation on buses, she said she spoke with a woman who belongs to a very conservative Haredi sect. The woman told her that sometimes, she thinks that God created non-Orthodox women to help protect the Orthodox ones. <br />
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We had a political briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They gave us a detailed overview of the situation here in the Middle East. However, the one question that was really on everyone's mind at that time, whether or not Israel had actually bombed Syria, they could not answer.<br />
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We went to Hebron and heard from settlers about their dedication and commitment to keeping a Jewish presence there, as it has been a home for Jews since the days of Abraham. While in Hebron, we went to the cave of Machpelah, the burial place for six of the seven matriarchs and patriarchs. For hundreds of thousands of Jews who make pilgrimage there every year, it is one of holiest sites in all of Israel.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Me a</span>t the outer<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> wall of the shrine above the <span style="font-size: xx-small;">Cave<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> of Machpelah. </span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">These w<span style="font-size: xx-small;">alls <span style="font-size: xx-small;">were built at the same time as the Kotel.</span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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We heard from the IDF commander for the region who, when asked if the Jewish presence in Hebron comes at too high a price, said absolutely not. He said that this is a piece of our history as a people and Jews must be able to live there. <br />
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We were also supposed to hear from a local Sheikh but the army insisted we cancel, explaining that protecting him as he speaks with more and more groups has become increasingly difficult.<br />
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We had a tour of East Jerusalem with an organization called Ir Amim. They are concerned with the continued building of Jewish neighborhoods in East Jerusalem and of the discrepancies between the standard of living in Jewish versus Arab neighborhoods. They showed us how parts of the security fence had cut neighborhoods in half and made life in those areas extremely difficult. As you might imagine, Ir Amim is a controversial organization. This tour juxtaposed with our visit to Hebron made for a very powerful day. <br />
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We heard a talk by a sociologist who explained that Israel is moving into a post ideological phase. Today, people are more concerned with values. What is the distinction? He gave, for example, the recent elections. Yesh Atid, the party that said almost nothing about the peace process and focused almost entirely on domestic issues of socieo-economics, civil rights, and engaging the entire population in societal participation was far more popular than was expected. Whereas Labor, whose roots are in socialism and who would have dramatically changed the course of the government on many levels had they been in the position to do so, was less popular. People are working within the societal structure, not looking to revamp it according to a specific ideology.<br />
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We learned Chassidic teachings from a Chabad scholar. <br />
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And lastly, our trip wrapped up with a conversation with Anat Hoffman, head of the Israeli Religious Action Center and leader of Women of the Wall. She reported that IRAC has made some huge strides recently on issues dealing with gender equality, though of course there are more battles to be won. However, she expressed concern that they have yet to really make a dent in the growing racism, particularly when it comes to rabbis making racist comments about Arabs. Such comments are entirely illegal, she explained, as Israeli law is quite sophisticated when it comes to this kind of thing. The struggle is in getting everyone to enforce the law.<br />
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We saw Israel from all different perspectives: religious, secular, secular traditional, liberal religious, Jewish, Arab, diplomatic, political, legal and scholarly. We got an in depth understanding of the multiple ways people are trying wrestle with what Israel is, who Israel is, and how Israel should move forward.<br />
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There was at least some merit to what every single person had to say to us. And nearly everyone recognized that theirs was not the only perspective. For the most part, they were clear that their perspective was not absolute, but they had to address the issues from where they stood and through the values they hold. I was struck by the honesty and humility of so many of the people here. <br />
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We all know that Israel is complicated, but this trip was provided an insight for me as to how vast those complexities are. However, I also left the week feeling optimistic about the future of the State of Israel, and the future for the Jewish people. True, we have profound issues. Yet every where we look, people are jumping right into the fray, addressing the problems, seeking out solutions, and working with others. They are taking hold of the future, and making it something of which they can be proud.<br />
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As a people, we haven't always been like this. When Moses lead the Israelites into the desert, they stood at the foot of the mountain and God spoke the ten commandments to each one of them. They reacted with fear, asking Moses to go up the mountain and receive the law for them. Everything that had happened in our people's history had led to this moment, and when they got there, they couldn't handle it. They needed a buffer, a go between to protect them from their own potential and their own capabilities. What we see in Israel today is evidence of how far we have come from that fear. We, too, have waited a long time to be a sovereign nation, and now that the time has come, no one is shying away. While everyone knows what lies ahead will be difficult, we are looking destiny in the face and creating a future for ourselves.<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-74925519834034216522013-01-28T00:46:00.003-08:002013-01-28T00:46:35.711-08:00The Realities of Living in JerusalemThe city is rapidly growing. There are high rise (well, high rise for
Jerusalem) apartment buildings going up all over the city. And, at the
same time, there is a clearly concerted effort to make the city very
livable. There is a new Train Track Park that extends the length of
Emek Refaim and follows the old train tracks. It is a beautiful
walking and bike path that really takes you away from the hustle and
bustle of the city streets. People have compared it Highline in New York,
both in purpose and in form.<br />
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No one flinches when you say you have four children.<br />
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The bus drivers are amazing...a little terrifying all at the same time. Everyone of them can enter necessary information into their machine, count and give change, usually to more than one person at a time, and drive along the curvy and narrow streets of Jerusalem. I saw one who read a map for a passenger while making a sharp right turn. <br />
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The lines in the supermarkets can be pretty long. My
parents spoke to one woman who was frustrated and explained that it is
something she is still having trouble getting used to. When asked how
long she had lived here, she replied, "60 years."<br />
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The schools are incredibly nurturing and caring. They work hard to ensure our children feel included and that they teach them from where they are, even though we are disrupting things by coming in the middle of the year, and even though we are only staying a short while. We are very grateful.<br />
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When people say fifteen minutes, plan for an hour and a half. When people say that something will be done within the hour, you might want to specify to which hour they are referring.<br />
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Don't walk and text. Israelis have not yet embraced the practice of picking up after their dogs.<br />
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The juxtaposition of old and new. Yesterday, we walked to a 2000 year old catacomb, now a park in the middle of the Northern part of the city. It is surrounded by cars and buses on busy streets and has a playground build right above it.<br />
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Today, we saw a bus driver honk at someone in the crosswalk as opposed to stopping to allow the person to cross. Yesterday, we were on a bus where the driver made a special stop to allow the elderly passengers to disembark right at the open air market, rather than making them walk the block and a half from the scheduled stop.<br />
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Everywhere we go, people are willing and eager to assist us; by walking way out of their way to show us the building for which we are looking, by stopping in the street to see if we are lost and need help and by deciphering the special labels in the market so we can figure out which products are on sale.<br />
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On Fridays, people say Shabbat Shalom on the street. There
will be parades on Purim. And, on Passover, restaurants will serve
kosher for Passover meals.<br />
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Every morning we get to wake up in this 3000 year old city, the symbolic heart of our people. Life here sometimes makes you crazy, and sometimes overwhelms you with beauty, kindness and tradition. What a blessing it is to experience it all. <br /><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-24462653121578646212013-01-18T14:20:00.000-08:002013-01-18T14:20:04.822-08:00Israeli ElectionsShalom! Hope everyone is doing well. <br />
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A few nights ago, I attended a debate on the election. It opened with the President of the Great Synagogue (our host) welcoming everyone to the evening. He began, "Welcome Friends and Foes..." In every respect, that set the appropriate tone for the rest of the night.<br />
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(Before you keep reading, check this out if you want an overview of the <a href="http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/Government/Branches+of+Government/Executive/Israeli+Democracy+-+How+does+it+work.htm" target="_blank">Israeli Government</a> structure.)<br />
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There were 8 ministers. More than half of them had immigrated to Israel, mostly from the United States, and chosen most likely because it was an all English speaking crowd. Only three of them were in suits: the minister from Yesh Atid (There is a Future), a rabbi originally from the US; the representative from SHAS, the Ultra-Orthodox party; and the minister representing Likud, a Refusnik from the former Soviet Union. The attire was the first clear sign that this was going to be unlike American political debates. No, actually, the first sign was that it was in a synagogue.<br />
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Many of the issues that were the big topics in our most recent election were also the focus of this discussion. Economic inequalities came up a number of times. Some parties specifically talked about wanting to take the burden off of the middle class. Another argued that the money to bridge the economic gaps ought to come from the big companies who received billions of shekels in tax relief last year. People brought up environmental issues and the need to become more energy independent. The minister from Meretz (Energy) let everyone know that her party was the only one that did not have anyone who had ever been investigated. One mentioned education. <br />
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And then there were the issues specific to Israel. There was a debate as to how many Palestinians live in the West Bank; one said 1.8 million, others said it was more like 3.5 million. The minister from Otzma Leyisrael (Strong Israel) said that the Palestinians already have a country; it is called Jordan. That got a lot of applause. Then the Labor minister reminded the audience that this is being televised and they should be careful not to make such a rukus over things they know nothing about. <br />
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Can you imagine if an American politician turned to the crowd and told them they don't know what they are talking about? Only in Israel!<br />
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Bayit Yehudi, the only party to have a top minister (Naftali Bennett) attend, was interesting. Very liberal on social issues, including civil rights for Israeli Arabs, and very clear that they oppose a "Palestinian State in the Land of Israel." <span style="background-color: #f3f3f3;"><span style="background-color: white;">An interesting combination.</span> </span>He was quite popular with this particular crowd.<br />
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Religious pluralism came up many times. The Green Party's minister is Mesorti (Israeli Conservative Movement) and talked about how terrible it was when his daughter was harassed for wearing a tallit at the Wall. He also explained that Tzippy Livni, the head of his party, is Mesorti, and thus very sensitive to these issues. Yesh Atid said it was awful that the people who came from the former Soviet Union and Ethiopia had so much trouble<span style="background-color: white;"> convincing </span>the Israeli Rabbinate of th<span style="background-color: white;">eir Jewish status. They were punished in their countries of birth for being Jewish, and they are punished here for "not"</span> being Jewish. <br />
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The minister from Yesh Atid is an Orthodox rabbi with a Haredi background. <span style="background-color: white;">He is in favor of religious pluralism, and works against the extremists in places like Beit Shemesh.</span> It was very powerful to hear an Orthodox rabbi lobbying for religious pluralism. When I lived in Israel 15 years ago, this was the topic of conversation amongst the liberal movements, but I had never heard an argument for pluralism from the Orthodox side. I imagine his ideal still might look a little different from mine, but he felt like someone who was ready to work on this together. That's pretty exciting.<br />
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He also brought up the fact that, last year, 50% of the first graders were either Haredi or Israeli Arab. Neither group is routinely conscripted into the military. His conclusion was that the Haredim should have to start serving in the military. And, the military would have to ensure that it was inclusive. As an example, all the food should be kosher.<br />
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The evening continued with some highly entertaining cheap shots and snide remarks. At one point, the moderator had asked a member of the audience to take his seat because there was no time for more questions. The audience member did not want to sit down. After yelling at each other for a few moments, the moderator came to the edge of the stage and threatened to have the man removed from the room. The man sat down. As the moderator walked back to his podium he said, "It always helps in Israel just to shout louder than the other person."<br />
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The evening ended in a very surprising way. As each of the parties was summing up, many stated that they believed Natanyahu was going to be prime minister again. There was no question in their minds. For many of them, the real issue being settled in this election is how many seats the smaller parties will get. When Natanyahu is building his coalition, will he need his numbers from left or right leaning parties?<br />
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Of course, they could also be wrong. If Labor were to unseat Likud as the dominant party, they would build a very different looking coalition and likely move things in a very different direction. Now, is that a real possibility? Well, it depends on who you ask. Labor, certainly, thinks it is.<br />
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At the end of a thought provoking and entertaining evening, I was still left with the question of what will come out of this election. The answer is, of course, we won't know until it is done. But, what we do know is that the democratic process promises that whatever happens, it will be a reflection of the hearts and minds of the Israeli people. That leaves us, as American Jews, in our strange and unique situation; we are, on the one hand, mere observers in this process, and yet at the same time, so very invested in the outcome. <br />
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I cannot predict what will be. I only hope, as do millions of other Jews in Israel and around the world, that this 19th Knesset will move the State of Israel forward in its continuing pursuit of justice, prosperity and peace. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6934723966713957836.post-83543143361130577172013-01-10T00:19:00.001-08:002013-01-10T00:37:25.518-08:00The first weekWe've survived!<br />
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The trip was long yet relatively smooth. Our apartment is great and we unpacked quickly. The jet lag is finally wearing off. I believe everyone is now sleeping about 8 hours in a row...during the night even, which is great. We ventured to Ben Yehuda, Mahaneh Yehuda twice, Mamilla Mall and we strolled down memory lane with a walk by Hebrew Union College (my seminary) and the apartment on Rachov Washington where we lived 15 years ago.<br />
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This past Shabbat, we went to services at <a href="http://www.navatehila.org/site/index.asp?depart_id=35897&lat=en">Nava Tehila</a>, a relatively new community that
rents space in other buildings at the moment, but seems to be gaining a
following. Beautiful music. Cantor Keys has incorporated their version of Oseh Shalom into our services, as a matter of fact. After services, we came back to our apartment for Shabbat dinner. I asked the kids what they had enjoyed about Israel so far. We got two votes for Ben Yehudah, one for the shuk, and then the three year old said one of his favorite things so far was sleeping through services.<br />
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Shabbat afternoon, we met Sinai's own Cantorial student, Elaya Jenkins-Adelberg, and her parents Jody and Luanne for lunch. A real treat.<br />
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We are figuring out the kids' schools. The older two are attending an ulpan for students from 2nd through 12th grades. They go there four days a week, and then go to a "regular" school for Sunday and Friday. I think we have settled on a Tali school (Israeli public schools associated with the Reform Movement in Israel) for our first grader and for the boys' other two days. It is far, but it feels like such a nurturing place to be. The principal told me that her biggest concern is making our child really feel that she belongs. I suppose it is no wonder that we feel like it is such a good fit. Narrowing down options for the youngest and should have everyone straightened out in the next week.<br />
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I am looking to sign up for a class in scribal arts beginning in a few weeks. Only a few sessions, but with the Torah project starting up at Sinai, I thought it would be fun to delve into the topic and learn from other scribes.<br />
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But, the biggest excitement of all is the storm. For most of the week, super cold and rainy. Way more rain than usual. Our ceiling sprung a leak three days ago, and now we are up to about six. Pots and towels all over the floor. Good thing we rented an apartment with a kosher kitchen. Twice the number of pots! Nearly every building we have visited in the last few days has a least one leak. Actually, what was even worse was a piece of sheet metal on the roof that was attached to the top of the elevator shaft. Problem was that it extended about two feet beyond the shaft on every side. Every time the wind blew, the metal would flap back and forth creating a sound like thunder right over our heads. Our landlord climbed up to the roof and tied it down the other day with extension cords (because he didn't have any rope).<br />
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Today, lots and lots of snow. Trees branches are snapping under the weight of it. The kids are running in and out of the apartment. They love to play in the snow, but alas, we are barely prepared for all the rain. So, they come inside, warm up, and head right back out. Just like all the other Israeli children in Jerusalem! <br />
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Looking forward to lots of exciting adventures.<br />
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