End of Week Rundown (Answer to Some Questions). 24 October, 2025

In an ironic twist, what we call the ultimate hippukh, or flip/inversion, France asked for Israel intelligence and the Mossad to help recover the Crown Jewels stolen from the Louvre earlier this week. Why irony? For the past two weeks (actually much longer) Macron and France have done nothing but rail against Palestinian mass starvation and genocide at the hands of Israel. We have cut their food, their power, their medicine, their aid and are ethnically cleansing and colonizing. To add insult to injury, two weeks ago Macron at the UN called for the recognition of an official Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. Now they seek our help. Go figure-

“What do you feel about and what are Israelis saying about the Peace Deal?”

Very good question. With many answers. It’s all pretty complicated and everyone has their own idea of what is actually going on behind the scenes. First, we were more than hesitant that the Hamasniks would ever give back all the hostages. We are absolutely rejoicing and celebrating the return of the 20 who made it out alive. We are not surprised that those bodies, some of which have been held since 2014 (Hadar Goldin, whose photo is still on my fridge), are slow in coming. But they are being returned every few days by ones and twos, so that gives closure. Two more bodies expected tonight.

As for that great Peace Deal: The Trump plan is horrific for Israel on so many levels. It’s great the hostages are back, but again, at what cost and when will we ever learn our lesson? These convicted Hamas and Palestinian Authority convicted terrorists who have planned and executed mass murdered and attacks are now released by Israel. All 2000 are now free back into Gaza, Judaea, Samaria and Jerusalem, and many have vowed to finish their job and commit mass murders and attacks against Israelis. So that is pretty darned evil.

There are 20 points in the plan that must be followed for it to truly work. We are now on Part 2. Hamas needs to completely disarm and for all those terrorists aligned with any of the several terror groups – to leave Gaza. Like that will ever happen. Hamas is publicly executing those they felt were spies, those from tribes that didn’t outwardly support them, PIJ, PA sympathizers, “dhimmi,” and others they deem undesireable. Trump has commanded them to stop “or else.” In the meantime rockets from Gaza continue to be launched into the Israeli border communities (this morning 1:12 am and 1:23 am).

In another phase, an international “security group” aka overseeing military, is supposed to enforce the ‘ceasefire’ as the IDF retreats to their demarcated territory. The group includes soldiers from Egypt, Turkey, UK, France, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE. All nations that really love Israel (NOT!!) and who will see to a fair disarmament (not gonna happen, folks. For one Turkey wants nothing more than for Jews and Israel to disappear and establish a Caliphate with them as head). U.S. troops are supposed to remain in Israel overseeing the entire operation. There will be no US boots on the ground in Gaza.

Hamas is rebranding themselves. They no longer want to be called Hamas (which actually translates to “violence” in Hebrew, Aramaic and Arabic). They are calling themselves “The Security Forces of Gaza.” They are still Hamas, guys. They have said they will only hand over their weapons to the Palestinian state authorities. Mohammad Nazal, a senior Hamas official in Qatar stated: ”Hamas will not disarm. We will maintain control over Gaza’s security. The ceasefire is only a temporary ’hudna’ a pause to rebuild our strength and regain some breathing room.”

While the US is extolling the victories, peace and the strength of the Trump Admin, unless Trump and his cabinet are playing 4-D chess, I cannot see how these “allies” can be believed or trusted or this plan to work. It’s just naïveté. Israeli news Kan Reshet Bet reported deeply alarming developments this week. Hamas, with the knowledge of their mediators, is quietly taking part in reshaping the new technocratic government that will run Gaza. This, as Rubio, just reiterated ten minutes ago, will not be allowed to happen. (How can they stop it?)

Around half the ministers that were selected to govern the Gaza territory were people who backed the Hamas agenda. They want Israel Judenrein, cleared of Jews and will not even recognize the existence of Israel, a legitimate Jewish state. Egypt and other mediators are sharing their full list of candidates with Hamas to gain their approval. So there will be Hamas sympathizers running Gaza. Great. In the meantime, the Palestinian Authority is selecting the other security team candidates, insuring that Hamas will remain behind the scenes exerting its influence, i.e. indirect control.

I, personally, believe this Peace Deal is a complete misreading of the Middle East. You see it in the way they are speaking about this deal and Trump’s response to the violations by Hamas of the ceasefire (as stated above). We have released all of our terrorists/prisoners even before all our hostages have returned. Hamas has continued attacking IDF troops, murdering their own people, and firing rockets into Israel. Thee have been coordinated attacks on the same day in different locations. This is not peace by any means. Hamas has and will in no way disarm. The Trump administration continues to make excuses for them and give them threats, yet nothing is done positively to control them. The Administration are insisting ‘We have a peace deal.’ And ‘This is the new Middle East.’ We see things as otherwise.

President Trump has done more for Israel than any other President in history. His Abraham Accords and moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem were phenomenally good for Israel and the MidEast. But his 20 point Peace Plan is unfortunately, dangerous for us. It completely ignores Qatar (and Turkey), the real source of radical Islamic jihadist ideology, and as a result, their funding of terror and exportation of Islam, throughout the Western world. By continuing to legitimize Qatar, it strengthens global Islamization (through propaganda, education, true colonization/immigration and jihad, if necessary). The plan is a pie-in-the-sky solution to what I fear is a short term peace, if at all. The Turkey-Qatar relationship continues to grow as Hamas continues to refuse to comply….

I am opposed to Whitcoff and Kushner. Both have financial ties and have business deals in and with the Qataris and Saudi Arabians. Not that it’s a bad thing. They can have business with anyone they want, but that does not make them impartial. I feel they have been compromised. President Trump last summer went on a whirlwind tour of the Arab nations, making business deals. This was enriching for the United States and for Trump. But does his accepting an ‘unconditional gift’ of a $4million dollar Boeing aircraft to be used as the new Air Force One put him at a disadvantage? Do gifts make him beholden to the givers in any way?

Which brings me to the next question:

What’s going on with this annexation and why did JD Vance say it was stupid and an insult?

So This is a big misunderstanding of what is actually happening. Complete misreading and making huge international deal out of a small matter, in my opinion.

First, since the Oslo Accords came out in 19 , parts of Judaea and Samaria, then renamed the West Bank, were divided up into a jigsaw puzzle of pieces labeled Area A (under complete Palestinian Arab control. Legally. Security forces wise. Population wise. No Israeli citizens allowed. Enter at your own risk.) Area B (joint control. Both Palestinian and Israeli. IDF and Israeli police can enter and settlements can be both.) Area C (belonging exclusively to Israel in governance -regional councils; security -Israeli police and IDF; population -mostly Jewish). It’s a horrible division.

Even though Israel maintains full control of Area C, under international law, they are not allowed to expand or build ‘settlements.’ This goes so far as to if a person living in one of the larger suburban cities wants to put an addition to their house (second story, expanded covered terrace), it is verboten. This, in my opinion, is ridiculous, since I believe it is part of our indigenous, ancient and ancestral lands.

On Thursday, there was a narrowly approved vote of 25-24 in the 120 member parliament, the Knesset. It would theoretically apply Israeli civil law to settlements in Area C, a move widely described as “annexation of the West Bank.” According to the Algemeiner (News): “Experts have noted that annexation in international law means taking the territory of a foreign sovereign country, explaining hat since the territory in question does not belong to another country, the bill would apply Israeli sovereignty to the area (which it already possesses). The bill faces several rounds in Knesset before it is even passes ok to law, which can take years. This was more of a symbolic act, not an immediately binding takeover.

So for JD Vance to say, “If it was a political stunt, it was a very stupid one, and I personally take insult to it,” was a jump on the gun reaction without knowing or understanding any of the facts. His response was just enough to make international headlines again – against a “colonial aggressor, Israel.” Further bombastic statements were made by both Vance and then Trump, and now Secretary of State Rubio is in Israel to oversee the entire kerfluffle.

Netanyahu was quick to rebuke the “far right” calling it a deliberate provocation. The opposition party voted for it, in order for any talk of annexation to make international headlines and embarrass Netanyahu, which it did. All in all, it is a big mess of a nothing-burger. Everyone handled it badly, even if, for many reasons Israel has a right to govern and settle in its own lands.

Finally, in other news: two of our personal friends have been called back up for reserve duty on the Lebanese front, leaving behind wives, small children and jobs. Hizbulla, despite what the Lebanese president is saying, is continuing to rearm and regroup along the Northern border. Receiving fresh weapons and fresh IRGC groups smuggled in from Iran, they are trying to entrench and fortify in the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon and along the Litani River. The Israeli Air Force has had to do surgical strikes on new weapons depots and storage warehouses. They are uncovering and dismantling new bunkers, so technically, they are in violation of their ceasefire agreements, and Israel must defend itself from attack by taking the offensive and eliminating any threat they can find.

That’s it for me. It’s getting close to Shabbat and I must finish cooking for tonight (sweet potato ravioli in a sage butter sauce; roasted red, yellow and white beet salad with feta and blush wine vinaigrette; and a Swiss chard side dish with caramelized onions in a Stilton Bechamel sauce. Tomorrow we’ll have egg Canada and mixed berries for breakfast and an amazing salad with smoked duck, raisins, chickpeas, and pickled onions on Little Gem lettuce with homemade garlic croutons and a vinaigrette dressing. I hope to go back to sharing photos and echoes sometime in the near future.)

In the meantime, May we be rejuvenated by a completely peaceful and restful Shabbat/weekend. Until next time….

At What Cost? The Great Trade-Off

All of the nation of Israel is rejoicing in the return of the captives. We’ve endured two long years of their separation from us. Even though we may not know them all personally, we have their names etched into our souls. We know their stories. We’ve seen their faces ever present before us on posters, on bumper stickers, at bus stops and train stations. In our post offices. And stores. They are all a part of this one big extended family we have in Israel. We are all connected.

We are beginning to take off our yellow ribbons. Upon our arrival at Ben Gurion Airport, people were already working to take down the posters and shrines to each of the hostages that had lined the long entrance to the main terminal. Despite the joy, we are asking at what price has this deal been made? Yes. Every singly life is like a universe and every single hostage taken by these terrorists is special and important, but let’s look at the deal: this trade.

251 people were taken captive by Hamas, both alive and already dead (7 October, 2023). The last of the living were returned last week, just 20 men in all. 29 corpses remained, held hostage still in Gaza. Hamas claims through the Red Cross, that it still cannot locate all of the remains of bodies. The Red Cross (who never once made contact with any of the living) said “the recovery of all the bodies will be a massive challenge and some may never be found.”

On Wednesday the bodies of Tamir Nimrodi, Uriel Baruch, Eitan Levi ware returned. The fourth body was also examined by DNA and found to be a Gazan. It was not a hostage at all. Since then four more have been found and returned.

Tamir Nimrodi, taken at age 18 from the Erez Border Crossing

Tamir’s mother was “still hanging on to hope” that her son was among those still alive. There had been no sign of life from him, but that did not mean he had been killed. An IDF education officer (training soldiers on moral conduct) was last seen on an AlJazeera/TikTok upload barefoot and without his glasses being taken on motorcycle by Gazan civilians.

Uriel Baruch, 35, taken from the Nova music festival

The father of two was described as a “man of joy, happiness and eternal smile,” according to his father-in-law. He was a construction worker who loved to dance to techno music. He loved going to festivals and concerts, where he met his wife. His sons are aged 5 and 8.

Eitan Levi, 53 taken from Route 232

Eitan Levi was a taxi driver. He was murdered in cold blood by Hamas gunmen on Route 232 before his body was abducted into Gaza. He was trying to rescue trapped festival goers to bring them to safety.He had called his son, Shankar, to tell him of the Hams ambush and missiles flying overhead. While on the phone, Shahar heard Arabic shouting and shooting before the call was disconnected. So-called innocent civilians were seen on video upload kicking and beating his dead body as it was dragged through the streets of Gaza City on 7 October. He is described as a “devoted father and quiet, gentle family man.” The highlight of his week was Friday night Shabbat dinner with his family.

Yossi Sharabi, 53 taken from Kibbutz Be’eri

On the morning of 7 October, 2023 the sleepy kibbutz of Be’eri was awakened to the unreal nightmare of a full scale Hamas terrorist invasion. Homes were broken into and burned, with people still alive in them. Women and young girls were brutally gang raped and dragged outside to be mutilated and shot. Families were separated. Many were kidnapped. Eli and Yossi Sharabi, brothers and neighbors, were both taken as captives. Eli’s wife and two daughters were killed (unbeknownst to him). Eli was released this past February, skin and bones. He was told his family was waiting for him. His brother, Yossi, had died of untreated wounds while in captivity, reported the IDF in January, 2024. He was finally brought home and laid to rest in the family plot at Be’eri.

Bipin Joshi, 23

Young Bipin Joshi was from Nepal. He was not Jewish or Israeli, but Hindu. Let that sink in. He had only been in Israel for about a month, to study agricultural techniques on Kibbutz Alumim. He was one of 17 Nepalese students on the kibbutz. Bipin valiantly defended the kibbutz residents from the Hamas attack by throwing back the grenades that had been thrown inside the shelter. He was injured and somehow caught and taken into Gaza. Reports are still unclear as to his exact capture and death. His mother and younger sister, Pushpa, traveled multiple times to Kathmandu, Israel and the United States to advocate for his release. Ten other Nepalese students were killed that day, their bodies returned to Nepal for burial.

Israel still awaits the discovery and return of 19 other bodies. In return for both the 20 live and all bodies held captive, Israel agreed to the release of 2000 hardened prisoners. Let us learn about a few of those who were released back into Gaza, Judaea and Samaria, and East Jerusalem. They have been tried and convicted. 250 were serving life sentences.

At least 160 of the newly freed prisoners leave not only as heroes, but as “terrorist millionaires.” Under the Palestinian Authority (Mahmoud Abbas/Abu Magen) and the Pay to Slay program, a terrorist and his family are awarded huge sums of money for each person they kill. If a jihadist becomes a shahid, or is killed during an attack or capture, their family is awarded a lifetime martyr’s salary. Abbas never ended the payment of terrorists and their families, although he has promised multiple times to do so. To date, over $70 million has been funneled to the PA from the EU, UK, and UN Humanitarian programs. The US under the Obama and Biden administrations also sent millions to the Palestinian Authority, which was sanctioned as a terrorist sponsor under Trump.

Iyad Abu Al-Rub

Al-Rub served as an Islamic Jihad commander in Jenin, Samaria (West Bank). He planned and helped execute several deadly attacks: a June, 2003 grocery store suicide bombing in which a 12 year old wearing a suicide vest was detonated in a busy shopping site. The Sting Club bombing in Tel Aviv in February, 2004 and the Hadera Market suicide attack in2005.

Al- Rub left prison with at least 1,067,600 NIS/shekels. Equivalent to $323,800. His family has also received at least the equivalent of $801,323 from the PA.

Riyad Al-Amor

Member of the Bethlehem jihadist terror cell responsible for multiple attacks during the Second Intifada. Killed 9 Israelis, 3 Arab Christians. Serving 11 life sentences. He leaves prison with nearly 1,300,000 NIS/shekels. That translates to almost $400,000. He was also tried and sentenced for the kidnapping and murder of 72 year old Avi Boaz, from Samaria.

Ahmad Jamal Ahmad Qanba

Palestinian Authority police officer who participated in the 2000 Ramallah lynching , leaves Israeli prison with $478,362 in his bank account. Direct deposit. His family has been collecting over $250,000.

Ahmad Kaabneh

Murdered two women in14997, Hagit Zawitsky from Kfar Adumim and Liat Kastiel from Holon. Serving two life sentences.

Mohammad Shmasneh

Hamas commander serving life for murdering four. He leaves with nearly 2 million NIS/shekels – roughly $555,500. Kidnapped two Israeli teenagers and a taxi driver in 1990 and an IDF soldier in 2001. His family has been paid over a million dollars by the PA over the past two decades.

Mahmoud Moussa Issa

Hamas leader.Sentenced to 30 years behind bars. Kidnapped and murdered Border Police officer Nissan Toledano, 29, in 1992. A former member of the PA, he joined Hamas in the late 90s. Helped establish “military cells in Jerusalem” according to the Palestinian Information Center. Helped plan and take part in the Al Qassam Brigades 7October attacks. He leaves prison a rich man, receiving over $600,000 from the PA.

Imad Salah Abd Al-Fattah Qawasmeh

Senior Hamas terrorist responsible for several deadly attacks against Israelis. One such killed 16 and injured more than 100. Serving 16 life sentences on charges ranging from weapons trafficking to murder. He has earned more than 1,135,000 NIS or $345,250. His family has received $922,431.

Jihad a-Karin Aziz

Participated in lynching of IDF reservists, Vadim Norzitch and Yosef Avrahami (2000) and the abduction/murder of Yuri Gushchin (2001).

Baher Badr

Responsible for 2004 Tzirfin bombing planned with Al-Rub (see above). Sentenced to 11 life sentences.

Jihad Rum

Murdered teenager, Yuri Goshtsin from Piaget Zeev in 2001.

Ayham Kamamgi

Al Aqsa Brigade commander in Jenin, Samaria. Sentenced to two life sentences for kidnapping and murder of Eliyahu Oshri.

Many of the released prisoners have received heroes’ welcomes when they returned to Gaza, Judaea and Samaria. Sweets and candies were handed out in celebration of their return. NBC, BBC, and CNN reported on “joyous scenes inside the Palestinian Territories.” As the bus loads of prisoners made their way into the area, they were met with parades and the shooting off of guns into the air.

A Concealment Within a Concealment

One of my absolute favorite Hebrew songs is “V’Afilu b’Hastarah” or “A Concealment Within a Concealment.” I play it in the darkest of my trials to remind me that G-d is present always – even when I can neither see nor feel Him. He is there standing beside me… within me… even in the most hidden, dark parts of my mind and emotions. The song is often sung at funerals here. And it has sustained many during the hostage crisis.

https://youtu.be/9vJH1r8_d3U?si=Jq3CHfv0WtmrvWa4

I had been praying (along with much of Israel and many others throughout the world) that the hostages in Gaza would lean on G-d to sustain them. That He would be a source of hope and strength to them. The stories that are beginning to emerge this week from those who were held in captivity for two years are a testimony to the answer to prayers and the faithfulness of the Holy One and Merciful Father.

“They were starved. A piece of bread in the morning and a spoonful of rice at noon, if they were lucky. That was it. They faced punishments, including physical abuse. No light. No water. No showers. Constant mental stress and fear. Every time the negotiations failed, their treatment would become more extreme. They were dealing with psychopaths.” – Rom Braslavski’s uncle

These are some of their stories:

Rom Braslavski

Rom was held alone by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. He endured both extreme physical and psychological torture. He was offered extra food if he would convert to Islam, or at least fast on Ramadan (they withheld food anyway), or read the Koran. He was abused each time he refused. “it’s important for ROM to maintain his Jewish identity because they tried to force him to convert,” his mother reported. “They tried to tempt him with food and small gifts. He didn’t break down and did in’s do it.”

During a three month period last spring, the abused increased. “Several times a day, thy would beat ROM with a whip and with things that I will not even mention. He absorbed it. He told me, ‘Mom, I always knew G-d was with me and that it would come to an end.”

At some point, after being given just half a pita in the evening every day, and living with hands and feet handcuffed, Braslavski managed to wiggle out of his chains due to weight loss. He found a terrorist’s uniform and a lighter in the pocket. He tried to cook some pasta he found by lighting a book and the uniform inside the tunnel. However, the smoke attracted the attention of civilians outside. He was whisked away by his captor before he could be lynched. Every night he would say the “Shemah” prayer. Before his release, ROM was held with the bodies of slain hostages. He never gave up his faith.

Segev Kalfon

The first thing they do now each morning is to put on their prayer shawls and tfillin (phylacteries) and say morning prayers.

Segev Kalfon, 27, was kidnapped while fleeing from the Nova music festival. He said that he managed to fast the two Yom Kippur holy days that he was in captivity. He counted down the days, weeks and months to the best of his ability. While a hostage he was held shackled hands and feet to a cage in an underground tunnel without light or hygiene. He endured physical and psychological terror, yet held fast to his Judaism which gave him the strength to endure. “I dreamed of crying out ‘Shemah Yisrael’ to the terrorists. In the darkest place, I succeeded in seeing the light.” When asked what message he wants to convey to the public, he responded ‘Emunah, Emunah, Emunah (faith): strengthen your Emunah.”

Matan Angrest

Matan Angrest, now 22 years old, was kidnapped from his home in Kibbutz Nahal Oz. He suffers from acute asthma. Matan asked his captors for a Jewish prayer book. They found one for him after several months of asking. He used it to pray three times a day while in captivity under horrid conditions. He suffered from severe burns in his hands and underwent a medical procedure without anesthesia or follow up care. He was beaten so badly he sometimes lost consciousness. He still bears many injuries from the severe torture. This past Friday, he left the hospital to attend the funeral of his commander, Cpt. Daniel Perez.

His strong ties to his Jewish roots kept him sane. Simple prayers were uttered in darkness. With faith and unity Israel will always succeed was his comment. He desires to go back into Gaza to recover the body of his friend, Itai Chen.

Evyatar David

Evyatar came to the forefront of the world’s attention just a little over two months ago. Hamas released photos and videos of him in a deep underground tunnel, visibly starving to death and forced to dig his own grave. After releasing false photos of “malnourished Gazan children” who we found out had other severe conditions or who were Ir@qi children from 2016, this footage marked the beginning of the end for the terrorist group.

The relaxed musician received phone calls from his favorite musicians, and on Thursday was invited to join the popular Israeli group Hatikcah 6 onstage to sing “V’yehi Ohr,” “Let There be Light,” a reference to the week’s Scripture passage in Genesis 1.

https://youtube.com/shorts/8DQjhLJT_GU?si=7io2Au2zdv3Pr7Y4

Omer Shem Tov

Omer was in the hostage group returned last February. Taken from the music festival, he was often submitted to extreme abuse, starvation, and psychological torture. He stated that Hamas ordered him to carry out an attack against IDF soldiers. “They put booby traps in the house that was above the tunnel. Then they said to me: “Omer, when the soldiers arrive at this house you blow it up like this.” “I told then,”no.” ‘And they told me ‘You won’t do it, we’ll shoot you in the head.’ I told them: ‘Then shoot me in the head.”

He has spoken throughout the world of the faith that held him through captivity. At the beginning of his captivity, Omer was above ground for 54 days with hostage Itai Regev. “One day a bomb fell fifty meters from us. It was a dud. That was the first time I met HaShem (G-d).”

While held 40 meters underground in total darkness, Omer recalls how he began speaking to G-d each night – not to ask for anything, but to just have a conversation. He would ask the Creatir of the Univese how He was? What was He busy doing? In a pitch dark tunnel, with no space to stand, Omer found his way through prayer. He thanked G-d for each breath he was able to take. For every crumb of food he was given. Eventually, he says he could feel G-d’s presence so strongly, it made him smile- even in the darkness. “I could feel Him. Really, really feel Him standing there with me.” In the last five days the battery of his one flashlight finally ran out. “ I prayed that G-d would get me out of the tunnel. Two hours later, his captors arrived and took him out of the tunnel. After two days, the Hamas commander demanded that he be put back into the tunnel, to return him in the morning. That night, the IDF bombed that tunnel. “It was the second time I met HaShem.” Omer stated. He was protecting me from certain death.

There are many more stories of faith and light to share. Even in the concealment within the concealment, He is there. Horrible things may happen around us and to us, but He is there with us. He suffers with us. He comforts us. He strengthens us and He picks us up.

From one of my favorite prayers:

“Your love sustains the living. Your great mercies support the falling, heal the ailing, free the captives. You keep your faith with those who sleep in the dust. Whose power compares with Yours? You are Master of Life, Death and Deliverance. Holy is Your name. And holy are those that praise You each day.

The greatest miracle is the “hottest trend of secular youth in Israel today.” It was reported on Channel 14 news last night. It is truly a phenomenon what is happening. The youth are keeping the Sabbath fully. Since 7 October, more people are reading Scripture and attending services regularly. “Tens of thousands of Jewish youth in Israel, raised without any religious upbringing, after October 7, they started to see the hostages return speaking of a newfound faith. There’s a thing where people return from Gaza tunnels speaking of G-d. And it’s affecting everyone. They’re experiencing a religious event. Not all of them, but most. Take Omer Shem Tov. Every time I hear him, I say, ‘Wow! This guy is incredible! These people are now on such a high spiritual level. The things they are saying. (Cut to clip: Former hostage: “The thing to remember is gratitude to HaShem. For all things. For small things. Say thank you.Blessed be G-d. When you just say, ‘Blessed be G-d for everything that comes to you, in the end, you…HaShem will be there with you and He will help you.’ ) Host: These words were from the stoner at the rave. He was taken from Nova, long dreadlocks and beads. Look at him now!” (Screen flashes to a before and after photo …. This is a seen miracle. Blessed be HaShem.

Tears of Sorrow; Tears of Joy 17 October, 2025

It’s been a long couple months, but we are back safe and fairly sound (still recuperating) from our adventures in England and Amsterdam. My son graduated university with a masters in Public Policy and is now looking for employment in the E.U. His fiancé lives in the Netherlands, so we took a short trip to visit with he family there.

After a most glorious and incredibly jam-packed stay in London, most of our time was spent in the gorgeous English Derbyshire countryside (they pronounce it ‘Darbysher’) with our daughter, her husband and two small children. They’ve requested not to post photos of names of the kids, so….the newborn granddaughter was teeny, tiny, soft and gentle. Holding a baby again – well, there’s absolutely nothing like it! The grandson turned two last week. An incredibly smart and inquisitive and fast as lightening adorable little imp who is both a bundle of joy and a mischievous imp into everything. He thinks he can cook, make a pot of tea, and drive a car…. all very dangerous. But he is amazing and we love them all so much.

We were able to take quite a few long weekend trips together: Chatsworth Estate where Pride and Prejudice was filmed; the Medieval estate, Haddon Hall; quaint villages and hamlets. Small artisanal dairies (Red Leicester, Stilton, Cheddars), charity shops and antique shops emptied our wallets. I had to buy two more huge suitcases!

Rosh haShannah was the start of the Jewish fall festivals. I decided to attend synagogue in Leicester. It was a large, stately red brick building, quite historical from the 1800s. They used to have a school and community center across the street, but it was sold several years ago as the Jewish population had dwindled and the upkeep of the properties too costly. Now the buildings are an Islamic center and a mosque. The once upscale neighborhood of large brick townhouses are now marked by trash outside and Palestinian flags flying from every home. Burkas and hijabs are standard fare. I was more than shocked that there was no police presence outside. Not a good feeling. It was actually quite terrifying as I was scouting out the place for unsavory suspects. In addition, there was no armed quart at the doors (a given in California, unheard of in Israel). Services were absolutely lovely, but not terribly well attended.

I had decided that we would go to synagogue for Yom Kippur in Manchester, a much larger city. Except every single one of us including the kids came down with the flu. That was the day an armed Arab terrorist ran into a group of synagogue-goers before shooting and stabbing his way through the crowd. He claimed to have explosives tied to his body. Thankfully police were close by and he was neutralized. I’d had an ominous feeling that something awful would happen.

Since then, in world news, the flotilla to Gaza with Greta Thunberg, Susan Sarandon and other notables made their way to Israel supposedly carrying lots of aid for the residents of Gaza. Only, they were stopped by the IDF navy before they could enter war zone. The boats carried absolutely no humanitarian aid. About 100 activists had abandoned the flotilla and decided to reach Gaza through the Israeli border by foot. They were promptly arrested. The BBC only reported Thunberg’s statements of “dehumanization and torture in the Israeli dungeon.” They had to sleep on hard mattresses on the floor and the sandwiches given them were very dry. A guard pulled Greta’s hair at one point, which was her version of torture.

All of the BBC news was absolutely antithetical to Israel. Every report spoke of genocide and forced starvation of the Palestinians. Israel, the colonial aggressor, was indiscriminately bombing and leveling civilian areas according to BBC. And Prime Minister Kier Starmer publicly recognized Palestine as a state at the UN. Also, while we were in the UK, there was a march in London led by Tommy Robinson. A few days after Charlie Kirk was assassinated, the rally was anti immigration, pro Israel, standing for taking back Western civilization and culture which is disappearing in Britain. The BBC reported about 60,000 participants but aerial footage estimated the rally neared 800,00 people.

The week following, a woman was arrested for waving the Union Jack in public, and scores of elderly and disabled people throughout the country were arrested for social media postings that were deemed “upsetting” because they came against the government or were anti immigrant, flags of England and of the UK started popping up everywhere. Soon every town had flags and banners hanging. Houses were proudly hailing their red, white and blue, and the Union Jacks were waving from most highway overpasses. It seems the Brits are beginning to wake up.

Everyone now knows about the Trump MidEast deal and all the fanfare that went with it. I’ll write more about that deal in another post, but we are crying tears of joy that 20 hostages were released alive after exactly two years of living hell. Hamas was supposed to release all live hostages and return the 29 dead bodies they were keeping within 72 hours of the signing of the deal.

Israel set free 195 Jihadi prisoners serving life sentences for mass murders, planning massacres of Israelis, car rammings, multiple stabbings, and detonating bombs in grocery stores, nightclubs and on busses. They also released 2000 additional prisoners, most were terrorists caught in Gaza for committing the 7 October atrocities and for fighting as “civilian” Hamas militants.

We were all glued to the internet crying tears of joy as our prayers were answered. Thank you HaShem! 20 live hostages were brought back to their border. All Israel was blazing with joy as the grief of exactly 2 years finally seemed to be ending. The returning men were welcome,ed with tears, hugs and kisses by their families. And the entire country was dancing and singing. Such a part, the likes that Israel had never seen. Thousands of people were rejoicing at the Western Wall. Also thousands dancing in praise to G-d at the Nova music festival site.

As expected, Hamas has delayed and has not returned the promised bodies they are holding. At first, 4 people were brought back. Then four more, one of whom was identified as a Gazan, not an Israeli. Two more were returned after extreme threats and pressure by Trump, Israel and several Arab countries. The other 20 cannot be located, or so they say. As far as John and I are concerned, the agreement has been violated and now is the time to disarm them completely. No questions asked. No more time given. No more excuses accepted.

Footage is being shown from inside Gaza that Hamas is publicly executing hundreds of Gazan civilians in the streets in order to to reassert their control. It seems that families are fighting families, with different clans trying to gain dominance. It’s being reported that Khan Younis and Gaza City are experiencing all-out chaos. And those openly associated with Hamas are unwilling to disarm or give up power. So much for Phase 2.

It’s nearing Shabbat prep time, and I still have loads of laundry and unpacking to do. We’re still fighting nasty coughs and the creeping crud, and both John and I are more than a bit exhausted. So much other stuff happened while we were away (deaths in the family; infighting within a group I was in…I was on the Board of Directors of an Inter-religious Dialogue group. The “Israelis” (me included) were invited to retire due to political unease. This has dragged on for weeks now and I’m drained.) Being with my kids and grandkids was a tremendous blessing and source of joy, but it is so wonderful to be back home in Israel. There is no other country like this one on earth. Shabbat shalom.

International Edition. 18 September, 2025

We’re on a much needed six week vacation from Israel to the UK. John and I spent the first week touring as much of London as possible in a few days. I’d never been before, and have vowed to return as there is just so much to see and do. Our son just finished up at uni in London, so we were there to move his belongings out and to the Midlands where his sister lives.

This past week has gone by like a blur. We are staying in a teeny tiny hobbit hole of an English cottage as our daughter’s teeny tiny cottage is overflowing. Exactly three years ago, we were moving her in before her wedding. Both her house and her life are now full with an amazing husband and two children. Little baby, ‘Flick’ is six weeks and adorable: getting lots of cuddle time with a baby is a dream. Her big brother will be 2 years old next month and he is sharp with and remembers everything. Keeping up with him (lightening quick and into absolutely everything) is more than challenging. We now know why the younger set has the children!

Last weekend, we were blessed to be able to spend a very quiet, autumnal weekend on the Chatsworth Estate in the Peak District. It was something I’ve always wanted to do… it was the backdrop of the latest movie version of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice (Darcy’s Pemberley). From the gardens to the mansion; from the art to the grandeur, it did not disappoint. Plus there was the farm and grounds with plenty of space for toddlers to run.

Even with all of our busyness, we are managing to keep abreast of all that is going on both in England and the world. The news cycle has been even more dizzying than our whirlwind tour. So shall we have a quick rundown?

Israel continues its press into Gaza to clear the area in targeted strikes of Hamas terrorists. Two bodies of hostages were recovered and returned to their homeland. A building in Doha, Qatar was bombed by the Israeli Air Force. There was intelligence that all of the Hamas higher ups (the seven billionaires who had been ‘hiding’ safely in Qatar, directing the war and the negotiations) were having a meeting there. We still await confirmation that they were eliminated, but it sends the signal to them and the world that Israel will go after its terror targets wherever they might be in the world.

Two weeks ago in Venice, there was another incident against visibly Jewish tourists. A group of Arabic men with a Rottweiler unleashed their dog on a U.S. couple, biting both and seriously injuring the 5 months pregnant woman. The attackers stole their phones and wallets before fleeing. They are still at large. Last weekend in Greece, 5 Palestinian men attacked a brother and sister whom they overheard speaking Hebrew. The man was beaten with sticks and plastic rods. Police were called and all arrested, including the Israeli tourists. When the father in Israel heard and tried to intervene, his son was put into solitary confinement, reportedly without food or water, in order to ‘protect his personal interests’ from the Palestinian men he was confined with.

The German voters in Westphalia are headed to the polls on 14 September. Ahead of the municipal elections, 7 of the 16 candidates from the AfD (Right Wing, Conservative) party have mysteriously died over the past two weeks. 5 have had heart attacks. The other 2 have fallen ill and died suddenly. All were anti-globalist.

Sri Lanka’s entire economy imploded overnight last week. There are food riots, fuel riots and chaos in the street. Their governmental leadership has resigned and the royal palace burned. Myanmar’s military staged a complete coup, shooting its way into power. Bangladesh saw its leaders hunted down and thrown out by Gen Z uprisings. All seem generated by social media. Mobs are clashing with police in Pakistan, banks have been torched over the country’s massive debt. Nepal went totally off line as a 27 minute internet kill switch affected that nation and now it seems India is in the crosshairs for upheaval.

Israeli academic, Elizabeth Tsurkov was released from her captivity in Iraq. President Trump negotiated for her after she’d been held since 2023 by the pro-Iranian Kaleb Hezbollah terror group. She is in very bad condition at Sheba Medical Center in Israel, suffering from severe back pain and cannot walk without assistance. However, the American-Israeli woman is home, back in Israel.

Just days after Spain’s prime minister said he would use a nuclear weapon against Israel to stop the genocide in Gaza, he applauded the pro-Palestine mob that interrupted Spain’s Vuelta. The Vuelta is a prestigious bicycle race, much like the Tour de France. It is an international competition broken into stages over several days. The finish line was completely mobbed and blocked, with the racers knocked off their bikes by people protesting the war in Gaza. Because of this, the race could not claim any winners and had to be negated. There were no arrests. Four bicycles were wounded in the fracas.

After Ireland,Slovenia and the Netherlands threatened to pull out of next year’s Eurovision music competition if Israel was represented, the organizers held a meeting. It was decided, in the name of fairness and in order to keep peace, that Israel would be given two options: participation under a neutral flag or temporary withdrawal from the contest for one year. This would allow the Israeli participants “to avoid humiliating removal by European countries.”

Two Saturdays ago, Max and I went to Shabbat services in London. Due to security interests, it was a “secret synagogue” where Max knew the rabbi and told him in advance we would be coming. There was a secret code on a keypad to get in. It’s all very unfortunate.

Later in the morning, John, Max and I were strolling London when we encountered road blocks on many streets. We had heard there would be a pro-life march which was to attract over 10,000 participants. There was also a pro-Israel rally scheduled. Both were way overshadowed by pro-Palestinian jihadist protesters with their flags and smoke bombs. It was really confusing.

It seems that Great Britain is at a breaking point. We are staying in a little air B&B as the local hotel in the village of 780 was turned into a government sponsored migrant refuge. All men ranging in ages from 16-47, I was told. (rapes, child abuse, grooming gangs preying upon young white girls, roaming gangs of thieves) In the larger cities, there are entire no-go zones operating under Sharia law. There is no free speech. People are being arrested for posting pro-British sentiments on social media and for silently praying in the vicinity of abortion facilities. The government passed a law several weeks ago saying a woman can abort her unborn baby up to the time of delivery. A national assisted suicide law also passed with no restrictions on age or reason.

The government here in England is in a shambles. After several major scandals, Prime Minister Kier Starmer has rearranged his entire cabinet. Because a woman was arrested three weeks prior for waving a British flag in protest of the immigration, jihadist rallies and government corruption…and because a man was arrested for taking down Palestinian flags and putting up the Union Jack 🇬🇧, now all over the country the British flags are waving. Over every M1 overpass. From buildings and homes. In all the small villages and along almost every street both the UK flag and the flag of England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 are waving on proud display. It is just one act of defiance.

Last Saturday in London, right wing activist organized the Unite Britain march. It was reported that over 400,000 were in attendance, however drone photos and rough estimates put the count at well over one million people thronging the streets of London. Many of us, both in the United States and abroad are mourning the political assassination of Charlie Kirk. This was the trigger in Britain also to wake up and participate nationally. The London rally to unite Britain and to preserve British heritage was also in response to Charlie’s death and now enduring legacy.

On the heels of all this, President Trump is currently making his second tour of the UK since his inauguration this past January. The media have very little good to say about his trip, whether it’s criticism of Melania’s fashion choices (raincoat too long and to Inspector Gadget; hat brim too wide; color choices inappropriate) or Trump’s need to be there and be “reined in -strictly confined to Windsor Castle and 10 Downing Street.” After being escorted to the castle in fine royal carriage regalia (pomp and circumstance too much says the press), the Trumps were toasted by King Charles at a huge, amazingly elegant and formal state dinner at the castle (a waste of money, but at least it softens Trump up ahead of his power meeting with the Prime Minister, reported the media). I must say, Kate Middleton looked absolutely stunning and regal wearing Princess Diana’s tiara which once belonged to Queen Mary. Prince William at her side made the couple look like a Disney Princess and Prince Charming.

I’m sure I’m leaving out a ton. I will end this now as I really want to head off to my daughter’s house. I promised to make a Shepherds’ Pie for dinner tonight, and we are preparing to leave for the weekend in Amsterdam tomorrow. We are meeting Max’s fiancée’s family (he proposed this week. She said yes). It should be interesting, to say the least. We will fly back to England early Monday morning, just in time for Rosh haShannah, the Jewish New Year and start of the High Holy Days.

In the meantime, we’ve received text and email from the Israeli State Department. It’s a travel advisory for those spending the holidays abroad:

May the year ahead be peaceful and more uneventful than the last year. May it be healthy and fruitful in every good thing.

Addendum: At the request of my daughter and her husband I have removed video and most photos of them and their children for their privacy. Thank you for your understanding-

On. A Positive Note. War Stories. Day 695. 31 August, 2025

I thought I’d leave things on a positive note. This will be my last post for awhile (unless something major happens, which I pray it does not) as we will be leaving for 6 weeks in the UK and Netherlands visiting family and friends.

Israel sends humanitarian aid to Sudan. Israel has been sending humanitarian aid to Sudan as they face a severe shortage of resources needed to combat the cholera epidemic they are experiencing. Included in the pallets of aid are gloves, masks, sanitizing liquid, water purification systems, medicine, hygiene kits and food.

Israeli resilience. A fighter in the Netzach Yehuda battalion, Sagi D., had his leg ripped off when 3 RPGs were fired at his unit. His best friend was killed. Sagi was medivac’ed to Sheba Medical Center in critical condition where he was placed in a temporary coma. He survived his injury. He survived the coma and sedation. He survived the deadly infection that attacked his body. Yet he never broke. At Sheba’s shikum (rehab center) he continues to train…with one leg and the heart of a lion. He won’t give up. He never stops. He is the Israeli definition of a hero.

Answered prayers. Exactly one year ago, at the beginning of the Hebrew month of Elul, Agam Berger’s mother and sister (Agam was one of the 7 female soldiers abducted by Hamas terrorists into Gaza) prayed at the tomb of a famous rabbi for her release. Last Tuesday, Agam, her sister and her mother all gathered together at that same place to give thanks to G-d for her homecoming. They prayed for the safety and quick release of the remaining 50 hostages.

A True Nes/Neis (a nes is a miracle in Hebrew.

Another nes. Soldiers escape kidnapping attempt. A couple weeks ago, a squad of Hamas terrorists surfaced from two separate terror tunnels. They were dressed as civilians but carried guns and a portable missile launcher. It was all captured by Israeli drone footage. They were attempting to surprise and kidnap 15 IDF soldiers, but the group was alerted by intelligence and managed to to stave off their attackers. 12 terrorists were killed. 3 managed to run back to their tunnel. The plan to kidnap was foiled. One IDF soldier was lightly wounded.

Innovations in Medicine. There was a medical breakthrough at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv. On 21 July, surgeons performed the first ever minimally invasive brain surgery through the eye socket. They removed a rare skull base tumor without opening the skull. Thanks to the teamwork of neurosurgery, oculoplastics and ENT specialists, the young patient regained her health with minimal disruption to vision and appearance. (Credits, Jonny Daniel’s) It was a milestone in patient centered neurosurgery.

Prayerful and Powerful Beginning. Elul is the month where Jewish people examine their consciences and repent of their sins before the L-rd as a way to prepare for the upcoming High Holy Days. Israeli super superstar Omer Adam held a sold out concert last Wednesday. He began the concert by leading the entire audience in the Slichot prayers of repentance. That’s my country for you. Welcome to Israel. Absolutely everyone joined in.

Amazing announcement from an Israeli kid…. Get the hankies out. So eloquent!!!!

Long Awaited Wedding! American-Israeli citizens living on Kibbutz Kfar Aza were kidnapped on 7 October, 2023. Aviva was returned in December of 2023, but Keith lingered in the terror tunnels until this past April. Their daughter, Shifa, who was engaged at the time, vowed not to get married until both parents could be there to celebrate by her side. Last Monday, her dream was realized.

A Prayer for the Children. Some pop stars in other countries sing about breakups. About body shaming. About fast cars and drug use. There are cute songs and dance songs. In some cultures, they sing of war and death. But in Israel it’s quite different, poignant and refreshing, in fact. We went to a concert a couple weeks ago. Hanan Ben Ari. I wish I had recorded it, but I was able to find this piece with English subtitles. This YouTube upload is 3 years old, but Amen – For the Children remains a popular song today.

https://youtu.be/gkmUhUw30Yg?si=oO0ef7uhRBV0179Dw

Two beautiful videos. Every Friday, Israeli singer, Omri Goren, sings with his little nine year old daughter. The first song in Hebrew is about waiting for (the hostages) to return home to their loved ones and the waiting arms

https://youtube.com/shorts/Dbd_xrybLg4?si=YEhzsl8gAfRTzDjs

Here, Omri (also an IDF reservist) sings to his newborn son before the Shabbat starts. He sings Psalm , my favorite…I look towards the mountains from whence comes my help….

https://youtube.com/shorts/RVQGGXuKAGU?si=_4bChWfcsfWwsnIN

And one last absolutely adorable video. I just can’t stop watching it. It’s sooooo cute. My grandson was playing in my daughter’s garden. He took one of the mesh vegetable protectors as a knight’s helmet. He’s 16 months and trying so hard to speak. Enjoy…

The Good, the Evil and the Ugly. War Stories. Day 690. 26 August, 2025.

To strive for accuracy in reporting. To write with moral clarity. To try to have empathy and to be able to see different sides of a story. To know history and to try to see a path forward. To be relevant and to “entertain” to a point. And to try to present hope and encouragement in a darkened world. It’s not always easy to bring it all together and to keep the proper perspective.

My parents lived (as first generation, full Americans) at the time of the Holocaust. My dad served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. My two uncles who spoke Yiddish helped liberate the death camps. My grandparents on both sides were able to escape the pogroms of Eastern Europe/Russia and the gas chambers and concentration camps of the Nazis in time. Many of my relatives “didn’t make it” and only their pictures remain. The older generation had firsthand stories to tell.

It was always “us” (the Jewish people) and “them” (everyone else). I don’t think it helped that I grew up in the South at the time of segregation, both racial and religious. I vividly remember signs on hotels and restaurants and on the gates of the country club/golf course/swimming pool that said “No Negroes. No Jews. No dogs.” True fact. Often I was the only Jewish kid in my class. Our was the one house in the neighborhood without Christmas lights. It was an area in the country where the KKK was present and active. Outwardly, we did not show any signs of Judaism for our own personal safety.

I grew up with a fear of Christians. They were the ‘other.’ I knew all the atrocities committed throughout history at the hands of the Christians. It wasn’t pretty. Forced exclusions. Blood libels. Ghettoes. Killings. Inquisitions. Expulsions and Holocausts. We were different. We were Jewish. We ate different foods and stayed away from certain foods altogether. We celebrated different holidays. Even spoke a different language (my parents, although well educated professionals, spoke mostly Yiddish at home).

As I grew older, left home and entered university and later the world, most of my friends were various denominations of Christian. The older I became the more I realized that not all Jews are good and not all Christians are bad. We are all human. We are all fallible. We have a good inclination and an evil inclination and are faced with temptation to do the wrong things every single day.

That said, and to be fair, I do not approve of the actions of all Jewish Israelis here. I understand many of the ultra Orthodox still carry a fear and dislike of the “other,” but this past week’s defacement of signage is wrong. Groups of Jewish teens spray painted in black over the highway signs pointing to churches like Capernaum and Tabgha here in the Galilee. The signs for the Mount of Beatitudes were defaced. As were other Christian holy sites signage. It is disrespectful. It is wrong.

I find it repugnant when some of the extremely religious Jewish youth spit on Christians or heckle priests and monks in Jerusalem. It is unacceptable behavior. Fear or no fear. Bad history or none. It does nothing to advance dialogue, community-building or peaceful living.

Many Bible believing Christians are the greatest friends and supporters of Israel. We share the same foundation. The same values, and many of the same Scriptures, prayers and roots. We cooperate in work to preserve the same freedoms, work ethics, education, culture and ideals that form Western civilization.

Here in the Holy Land all Israeli citizens have full rights according to the law. It matters not if one is Jewish, Christian, Druze, Muslim or Baha’i. We share the same benefits – access to health care and education and freedom to worship in the way we choose. Yet age old tensions exist and are very real.

I cannot begin to imagine the Catholic parishioners’ plight in Gaza at this time. At the very beginning of the conflict, the IDF encouraged them to leave for safer places. Several countries and parishes abroad offered to take them in, but for some reason, they decided to stay in their homes and their church. Even the women and children. In the middle of a war zone.

I have been asked why we chose to stay in Israel despite the war. John and I discussed our situation, which was completely different than the families in Gaza. We were not near a front or in a war zone. Israel has spent their money on multiple layers of defense to protect their citizens. Everyone has a fortified room in their home or apartment or nearby. There are concrete bunkers everywhere. Early warning systems and sirens alerting us of the trajectory of any incoming missile. Plus, John and I have extreme faith in G-d and have never once felt our lives were in danger. We do not have children or other family here.

The Holy Family Parish has been well stocked with all the supplies they need. They have received material help from Medical Mission Board, Aid to the Church in Need, Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Near East Welfare Association, Catholic Charities, the Vatican, and individual church donations. In addition to UN and international aid, there are warehouses in Jordan chock full of everything from dry goods to hygiene products, medicines to generators, water and fuel.

Yes. It is a war zone. Yes. They have made the choice to stay and not evacuate. Yes. They have been hit by an accidental IDF tank shelling which unfortunately and sadly killed three people and did minor damage to the outside roofing structure of the church. At the beginning of the conflict two women were shot just outside the church (despite what was originally reported) by snipers. That is a true tragedy. But if you look at their church services posted to social media and YouTube, the people are clean and fed. There is electricity. There is always incense and candles and fresh floral arrangements on the altar. That is a good thing. I am glad they have their immediate needs met.

I understand the need to be a light and to be strong in the face of adversity. Partially for this reason, and partially because they had supplies and protection, Holy Family Church has taken in hundreds of their non-Christian neighbors seeking sanctuary or shelter. The church offers a small bastion of security for these people because the IDF neither targets Christians nor their holy sites, despite what you might hear. I have received verifiable information from four separate and trustworthy sources, and I cannot reveal their names at this time for obvious reasons, that Hamas has not booby trapped or targeted this building because they have “protektzia.”

Living in the Middle East, I have learned the term “protektzia.” It is a known fact that there are Russian Mafia who control some of the Russian Israeli population and Muslim/Bedouin Mafia. If a targeted business or family refuses to pay the ‘protektzia money’ they can expect damage and harm to building, home and family…even leading to death. A prime example of this is in Bethlehem (and now Nazareth). Palestinian Muslim thugs demand high payment/graft from the Christian business owners in return for not having physical harm done. As a result, the Christian population has dwindled as they move to safer countries providing refuge.

One of the reasons the church in Gaza has not been hit is that they are paying large sums of money directly to Hamas for protection – the money they get from charitable donations. So, I’m hoping it is inadvertently, at least at first, that terrorism is supported. Also, I have heard directly from priests who have visited that their fresh fruits and vegetables and meat come at an exorbitant monetary price and from those who have been hoarding the stolen food to sell at Black Market cost. Directly from the terrorists. It’s a tangled web.

There is one particular Catholic aid organization run by an American man, that on the surface is slick and glossy and uses some great deception tactics to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars. The founder is extremely anti Israel and anti semitic to a degree I have not seen before. He has appeared on EWTN and many podcasts and religious sites making a plea for money. And he has disseminated blood libels like nothing I’ve ever witnessed from a Christian. Absolute dangerous falsehoods. I will not mention his name, but if you are Catholic, you have probably seen his appeal. I have no doubt his original intentions were to be an aid and lifeline for suffering humanity. But something is just not right.

He claims that “Israel had dropped a 2000 pound bomb on the oldest church in Gaza founded by James himself. These were the original believers and the church has stood for over 2000 years.” This is completely false. The IDF does not have a 2000 pound bomb (that’s why they called I the US to help with Iran’s nuclear sites) and they have not targeted and destroyed a Gaza church. He states that “Israel is purposely starving and targeting the poor Christians of Gaza.” Another falsehood. On his presentations he shows the horrific and absolutely pathetic (arousing pity and emotion) photos of the sick children that he says are starving. These are the photos that the BBC and New York Times among other outlets have had to recant as not telling the whole story. The children had preexisting medical conditions. He displays the photos of children lined up with pots and pans begging for food through a metal fence. That entire video has been proven to be a ‘Pallywood’ staged event. The videos and pictures are heart wrenching.

This man talks about the sordid living conditions. Not having fuel or access to clean water. He has reported that just last week Israel bombed two warehouses of diapers and cans of formula and baby supplies. Another falsehood. The warehouses in question were proven upon investigation to be weapons storage units for the Hamas terrorists. Lastly, he says that over 50 of his men were shot and killed while trying to deliver the aid trucks.

I have heard from my four sources who know this man that he has paid tens of thousands of US dollars and European euros to hire Hamas operatives, and sometimes these armed escorts have been shot by other Hamas terrorists who attempt to subvert the deliveries. His libels about the Israeli army have been picked up by Catholic outlets and podcasters and are leading to vast hatred of Zionists, Israel, Jews…and also Christian Zionists, who he also badmouths. His language is incendiary and he always ends his pitch with a plea for monetary donations.

At present the parish is in a vey precarious position. Last Thursday, the IDF started mass evacuations of Gaza City. They handed out tents, yoga mats, sleeping bags, food and hygiene boxes, water and had medics to care for any minor medical problems. The priest, Fr. Gabriel Romanelli, reported that they had received tents and directives and were preparing to leave against their will. They do not know what will be left when they return. It is war and it is not pretty.

The next day, the priest said he had not received any word of evacuation. They had not been given tents or supplies or any direction whatsoever. They were staying put. The IDF has plans to move in and completely clear out the area of terrorists. Because of the dignity and value of innocent civilian life, evacuations of women, children and elderly has already begun. It is mandatory. Yesterday Fr. Romanelli said they were evacuating. It is all quite confusing.

There is strong reason to believe that these poor parishioners are being used as human shields, as pawns by Hamas. That is their modus operendi. If any of these poor people, G-d forbid, is hurt, the onus will be on the evil Israelis (Jews). The church is most likely going to be booby trapped by Hamas or brought down by the IDF as the neighborhood will be an active military zone. I pray that is not the case. I ask you to pray for the protection of these people. They are in an awful place.

The Catholic Church has called for a complete ceasefire and “end to the barbarity in Gaza.” There is no mention of the release of hostages or of the complete disarmament of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Daesh. They have also called for the establishment of a Palestinian state, which has rewarded Hamas and caused them to cease all negotiations. In their eyes, they have won international support and therefore are victorious.

It is the blood libel of targeted attacks, intentional starvation, genocide that have the power to incite violence and antisemitism. Three weeks ago I received an email from a subscriber who follows some of these well-meaning, but vitriolic religious pundits. I was shaken to my core. It was a picture of Crusaders with his message below:

Do you not think it is time for another Crusade? It is time to rid the Holy Land of the Jews and the Muslims. Deus veult. You cannot be both American and Israeli. It is time to make your choice.

I still have lots and lots of Christian friends and supporters from all denominations. I cherish them deeply. But this. THIS. It scares the hell out of me. This is why some Jewish people are still wary and have a fear of the other…..

In this photo, the child had leukemia and was flown on a special transport to Jesu Bambino Pediatric Hospital in Italy. Hassan died last week.

Weimar 1935. War Stories. Day 689. 25 August, 2025.

These next two features will be my last postings for the next couple months…unless something happens, which I pray it does not. John and I are going to England to be with our son as he graduates (I’ve never been to London!!). Then the three of us will head up to the beautiful English countryside to spend time with our daughter, son-in-law and their two little ones. We shall make day trips, a weekend in the Netherlands and an excursion to the Peak District in England. It should be fun. I can’t wait. Castles. Manor homes. Antique stores, charity shops, local farms. potteries and museums, tiny villages and giggling children whose tiny little hands fit into yours. And British accents. And afternoon tea. Hopefully, it will be a peaceful and welcomed respite from the troubles of the world.

For me and for my fellow Jews, it’s beginning to feel like history is in repeat mode. It’s 1935/36 Weimar (Germany) all over again. We have all heard the slogan, “Never again.” Never again to the antisemitism. To the exclusion from restaurants, hotels, shops. Never again will our jobs be restricted. Will our properties be defaced. Will our children and our own bodies be beaten up. Will we be hunted down. But it is happening all over again. Friends from California, New York and New Jersey and Boston are writing me that they no longer feel safe. My neighbor’s family has just made Aliyah to Israel from South Africa. Even in Praetoria they were beginning to feel the unsettling. The storm clouds are gathering. And history seems to be repeating itself with very few people standing up for the Jews.

Antisemitism is reaching a point of no return. Hundreds of thousands of haters are marching through the streets of Sydney, Melbourne, Berlin, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Vienna, Malmo, Bruges, Madrid, Barcelona, Manchester, Leicester, Dublin, Montreal, Los Angeles, New York, Minneapolis and Detroit…disguising themselves as human rights activists who just care about the plight of the poor Palestinians in Gaza. It seems to be becoming a daily occurrence.

In the grandest of all ironies, the media is pushing the line that the Jews have become the modern day Nazis. They feed the world lines about how Israel intentionally starves little children and drops 2000 pound bombs on the oldest church in existence. The IDF shoots civilians lined up for aid indiscriminately, as for sport. They burn down churches. The Jews target Christians.

They are all pedophiles. Like Epstein and Weinstein. As the Rothschilds, they control the world’s banks and they run Hollywood. It was the Jews that were responsible for 9/11….and they control your life. The Jews are behind the random canceling of certain news pundits, musicians and artists.

Netanyahu is Hitler. He is a Fascistic dictator who is prolonging the war. He does not seek compromise or negotiation. He just wants to hold onto power. He dictates to Washington. He will lead us into World War III. The Jews are bent on taking over the world in a grand cabal. Just look at their flag. The Jewish star is actually a satanic hexagram and it was invented in 1886.

Israel is merely a political state founded in 1948 by the British with no actual legitimacy. It has no right to exist. Israel is a colonial and apartheid state. The Jews claim Biblical basis for settling in ‘Isreal’, but actually the Church holds the claim since Christianity replaced Judaism when the Jews rejected and killed the Messiah. They lost their claim to land or people. They are the perfidious synagogue of satan.

These are all 100% claims I’ve been keeping track of. I seriously have them in files. Written files and video files. The articles and voices come from high up government and church officials. Prime Ministers. Ambassadors. Patriarchs and priests. World renowned pastors and evangelists. Pundits and news commentators. Rock stars and celebrities. Authors. Mayors. And then comments from the masses. I have thousands of them. Literally. It’s a documentation of history.

I spend a lot of my time paying close attention to politics and what is being said. I’m a watcher. Things are reaching a critical point. Jews are being openly assaulted with impunity in the streets. New York, London, Los Angeles, and throughout Europe. What we are seeing now is Germany, 1937. From Palestinians supporters. The pro-Gaza people. Not just Muslims and Islamist fanatics but progressively woke Europeans and Americans. Regular folk. University professors. School teachers. Even the LGBT2spirit+ crowd.

Last week, in Paris, an olive tree planted to commemorate the life of Ilan Halimi, was cut down. It was planted 14 years ago to remind the world of the Jewish man, kidnapped and tortured for 24 days in Paris. He was found naked, handcuffed to a railroad track and died on the way to the hospital. His body gave out. Now his tree is no longer.

Also, just this past week, the Jewish Community Center, Temple, and walls just off the Woodland Hills/Reseda, California (my old neighborhood!!!!) were spray-painted with swastikas, anti Israel and anti Jewish graffiti. Parents are afraid to walk their children to school. It’s in the Wilbur area, for those of you who are familiar…also, in Seattle, a synagogue was vandalized with swastikas and the word ‘gas’ in red spray paint.

Earlier this month, 50 Jewish children coming home from two weeks at summer camp were kicked off a Veuling Airlines plane for quietly singing. Their 22 year old counselor was handcuffed, thrown to the ground, kicked and arrested.

In Chatel, France, vacationing Jewish families awoke to find their cars graffitied with the words “Free Palestine” and other slurs painted across their vehicles. When the person who rented the 4 families their vacation homes found out that a Jewish group was “congregating” in one of the homes (there were 9 adults and 13 children having a Shabbat service), she evicted them all from the properties immediately, refusing a refund.

Just this week, a woman in Leeds, England was accused of striking a Jewish man with a metal pole and throwing hot coffee in his face. “This is because you killed babies in Gaza,” she was heard screaming.

My son was going to take his girlfriend to Athens in two weeks to propose to her. They have, thankfully, cancelled that trip. You see, in just the past weeks Israeli families have been forced out of their hotels for being Israeli. Young Jewish men wearing kippas (yarmulkes) have been severely beaten. Greece is no longer a safe vacation spot for Israelis or Jews. In several countries, soldiers who served in the IDF are being doxxed and ejected. A couple of former soldiers on vacation have been arrested for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Greece, Brazil and Malaysia.

So long as the Free Palestine movement refuses to denounce their violent tactics, and so long as government officials and peoples of the world stay silent, Jews will continue to be open targets of violence and hatred. Hamas, Hizbulla, ISIS and others are truly terrorist organizations. Praising these groups incites more violence against Jewish people.

This past Saturday, a Jewish man and his friend sat in a local pub in Manchester, England. discussing politics. The man was not visibly a Jewish, but was overheard defending Israel. Another man came up and spat on him. He then proceeded to punch the Jewish man in the face, leaving him with a black eye and two broken teeth. Also in Manchester, two men drove around “shooting” visibly Jewish families with a water gun. This is not just playful sport. It is targeting people because of their religion. The videos went viral online. Authorities interviewed the two and called it a “harmless joke.”

Six days ago, a London hospital was plastered with posters reading “Zionism is Poison.” They were only removed after one patient’s complaint. This was at University Hospital, and spokespeople say they acted quickly to dismantle the inflammatory protests in order to ensure the safety and feelings of well being for all patients. UK Lawyers for Israel are demanding a full investigation. UCLH Chief Executive, David Probert issued a swift apology, reaffirming the hospital’s dedication to inclusivity for all. Security personnel were instructed to remain vigilant in order to provide a safe atmosphere.

In Vienna, Austria, an Uber driver attacked a Jewish family last week. The occupants were the two parents and their children, ages 10 and 13, and their 76 year old grandparents. They were en route to a birthday party. When the driver heard their Israeli accents and found out they were, in fact, visiting from Israel, he began shouting “murderers” and “child killers!” He refused on the spot “to transport child killers,” forced the family out and physically beat the father. Uber temporarily suspended the driver and the family is filing criminal charges. “ If decisive action is not taken against this, by politicians and the rule of law, as well as by civil society, by individual activists on the streets or in social media, in editorial offices and by cultural workers, by teachers and others in our society, then there will soon be no place left for Jews in Europe,” Oskar Deutsch, president of the Jewish Community of Vienna wrote on Facebook.

On 8 August (this video has gone viral), Montreal multiple onlookers stood idle and filmed the incident as a Jewish man was severely beaten in broad daylight in front of his children. He was pushed into a fountain and his kippa kicked beyond reach. Antisemitism in Canada is out of control. For some, the anti Israel, anti Zionist rhetoric has spilled over into anti Jewish vitriol. In Canada, even the very conservative, Catholic author and podcaster, Mark Mallet, has fallen into this. I will address this particular case later in the week.

Three firebombs were thrown at a synagogue in Obninsk, Russia, just over a year after it was targeted in another arson attack. That was 12 August. Last month, a Melbourne, Australia synagogue was firebombed with 22 .families inside. Thank goodness the fire was contained at the door. It could easily have become deadly. Only over a mile away, that same evening, an Israeli restaurant was attacked as protestors stormed in, overturning tables and shouting “Death, death, to the IDF.”

Saturday, a 65 year old man wearing a kippa was brutally beaten by three men in Paris. He was on his was to synagogue at 10am when a car stopped in front of him. Two passengers got out pretending to ask for directions and began brutally beating him with kicks and punches and metal rods. His Star of David necklace was torn off his neck and he was doubled up on the sidewalk. The attackers are still at large.

Two months ago in Alexandria Egypt, a Canadian/Israeli dual citizen was gunned down as he was touring the land. Egyptian authorities claim it was a robbery gone wrong, but a militant group claimed responsibility. They claimed they “killed the Jewish man in retaliation for Gaza” and posted images of the shooting as proof (way too graphic to display here).

Yesterday, German activists were doused with red paint as they held up posters of Israeli hostages in a Frankfurt park. Sasha Stawski, a 55 year old real estate agent, and president of the antisemitism league was hosting a public demonstration to raise awareness of the 50 captives still being held by Hamas. 20-30 people, some wearing Friedrich Merz masks over their faces, pushed the germ up aside violently. Anti Jew and anti Israel chants erupted and four women doused the activists with cans of red paint. Frankfurt police were called in to disassemble the crowds. They said they would be increasing their presence in the area. No arrests were made. The Jewish community in Frankfurt and throughout Germany has been seeing an uptick in anti Jewish violence since 7 October.

Last Saturday in Cologne, Germany the wheel chair basketball championship was underway. The team from Great Britain all turned their wheelchairs around in protest of the Israeli team. One of the Israeli players stated, “It felt like they were humiliating us and bringing unrelated issues onto the sport court.” Antisemitic slurs are being hurled at football games across Europe. German Düsseldorf football league unsigned Jewish athlete Shon Weissman after fan backlash over his hiring. That was August 9 of this year.

These are merely a few of the hundreds of reports I’ve been keeping track of. All are downloaded or perinted out and filed away for safekeeping and documentation.

Qatar is funding the educational systems and universities (yes, along with China) in the U.S., across Europe, Canada, and the Middle East. Mufti Hamid Patel, head of the Office for Standards is the Chief Education Minister in Great Britain.

In New York, a new police patrol system has gone into effect complete with official squad cars and uniformed officers. It is the Salaam Aleikum Patrol of Muslim police. Mamdani, an anti Israel, anti Jewish, Communist Islamist is in the lead for New York mayor. Most of the mayors and regional council officials in England, France, Belgium and Sweden are Islamists. In the Belgian city of Antwerp, 26 Jewish homes were marked with red paint, red handprints and triangles. Just last week, a Muslim woman went out in the hot weather with her shoulders uncovered. A group of ‘Muslim brothers’ passing by, surrounded and brutally beat her. Many parts of London and Paris are now “no-go zones.” Enter at your own risk. Sharia laws strictly enforced. And it is coming to cities like Dearborn, Michigan.

So few people throughout the world are taking this seriously. Jews are being targeted globally. it is being proclaimed by protestors, political figures, pastors and pundits that Jews are genocidal thriving colonizing pedos with no claim to a homeland or history, who are hell bent on controlling the world. Then people cannot seem to figure out why in the world Jewish property is being defaced and Jews are being beaten and disembarked and refused service on the streets of Europe and America? The crimes are being ignored and normalized and the Jewish people are downright scared.

In my next posting on Wednesday or Thursday, I will be discussing modern day blood libels. These are actual complete fabrications, made-up stories against Jews in order to promote violence and eventual extermination of that ‘pernicious race.’ It is an article that traces the history from the early 400’s to modern times. It has resurfaced today through modern outlets and is a warning sign of things to come-

Tomorrow we are traveling down to the Gaza Envelope for a story I’ve been commissioned to write on the 3rd anniversary of 7 October. I will be also visiting one of the kibbutzim that was attacked as well as shelters and the Nova Festival site. We will conclude the trip by spending time at “Hostage Square” in Tel Aviv. I have four interviews set up and will do one special remembrance blog post on this. I will interview a member of the regional council, an IDF soldier in the reserves who has served five tours in Gaza, a resident of Nahal Oz Kibbutz, and a paramedic.

We Witness Miracles War Stories. Day 695. 21 August, 2025.

A friend recently reminded me of the goodness of the L-rd. Living here in Israel, John and I are a believing and praying people. We have seen so many prayers answered from large to small almost on a daily basis (We are still waiting for some to be answered. For some of you Special Ones who read this blog, know that your prayers are being lifted up by us on a daily basis.)

It’s really hard for us to be in a state of unbelief or disbelief as we encounter archaeological sites that absolutely prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that the words in the Scriptures are at the very least historically accurate. We have visited the oldest city gate in the world that has been uncovered. It’s from pre-Canaanite times and is the place where Abraham met with the kings to discuss the ransom of his nephew, Lot, who was taken captive. You can read the exciting story in Genesis 13. It’s in Dan, on the Lebanese Border. We׳ve visited so many places that attest to the veracity of the Bible, so…..

Anyway, one of our daily prayers is for the protection of all the IDF soldiers, wherever they are stationed. We pray this in the morning and at dinner. But we have added: protect them from every booby trap and every kidnapping attempt. We have received multiple answers to prayer on this one…

In yesterday’s news –

Yesterday in Khan Younis, Gaza, more than 20 Hamas terror operatives emerged from a tunnel in an ambush attempt on an IDF encampment. They approached firing machine guns and RPGs. Some terrorists actually breached the encampment, engaging in close combat with the Kfir Brigade troops. The IDF radioed for backup and airstrikes killed 15 operatives while 8 escaped back into the tunnel. A kidnapping attempt of 4 soldiers was narrowly averted. The IDF is actively pursuing the remaining operatives. An extensive investigation is underway to draw all necessary conclusions. Hamas has continuously tried to kidnap soldiers throughout the conflict. So far, all their attempts have proved unsuccessful. 3 Israeli soldiers were wounded and medivac’ed to local hospitals in Israel. – Hamal News

In other news, we all keep hearing about “settler violence.” It’s big news. “Settler violence” is the grossly over exaggerated stories of the Jewish families living in Judaea and Samaria (West Bank). Many are farmers and shepherds. The farmers have extensive vineyards and orchards. They grow dates, pomegranates, grapes, olives, and herbs and spices among other things. Many are artisans, making food, wine, ales, cosmetic products, candles, crafts and spice blends. Many are shepherds, grazing their herds of sheep and goats…and cows…across the fields to graze.

I’ve spoken with residents in Tekoa, Itamar, and Efrat. I have read police reports and incidents reports from the Binyamin and Yesha Regional Counsels. There are thousands of incidents of Arab gangs who pull up the plantings of the Israelis, who lie in wait for them in ambush. There are videos of gangs ambushing settlers, throwing large rocks at them and the livestock. There are videos of these marauding gangs setting fire to the grazing pastures of the Israelis. Yet all you hear about is settler violence.

These gangs are not ignorant. They stage attacks and wait for the shepherds to defend themselves, filming everything so that it looks like the settlers are the instigators, not the defenders. And it makes international news.

Today marks the one year yarzeit (memorial of a death) of the murder of Yonatan Deutch, a Maglan Unit soldier who was on his way to Ofra (community in Samaria) to see his fiancée, Emunah. At Mehola Junction on Route 90, just south of the West Bank border line, his car was ambushed and shot at by West Bank terrorists. His car veered off the road and he was shot multiple times.

In the exact spot where his life was cut short, his family and friends chose to respond not with despair, but with hope and strength. They opened a pop-up coffee shop, ‘Cafe Jonni.’ Here travelers can stop for refreshment and remembrance. It is a sign of Israeli resilience. It is a statement to the Arabs and to all the world that “Am Yisrael chai,” the People of Israel live.

As of this morning, the Magen David Adom paramedics were called to the scene of another Arab attack on Israeli shepherds (settlers). One was injured very lightly by a bullet that strafed his head. The other shepherd was shot and is in fair condition in a regional hospital. They were driving in a semi protected ATV, called a Ranger, which overturned while herding their cattle. The pair were ambushed. This is the story from i24 News:

Because i was informed that my blogposts are just way too long, i shall end it here on a positive note.

In other news, just in time for the new school season and the fall holidays, a Nefesh b’Nefesh sponsored plane load of 225 new olim (immigrants) landed at Ben Gurion Airport yesterday morning. These families from the United States have decided to make the exciting journey to live in Israel. The youngest is 9 months old and the oldest is 82. There were also several Lone Soldiers, coming by themselves to enlist in the army. May their absorption and Aliyah experience be easy, joyful and smooth as they transition to their new lives as full Israeli citizens.

They were met at the airport with bands, balloons and crowds of well wishers

We Do Have a Life…

So yes. To answer several of your many questions: I am seeking counsel. I am seeking a trustworthy confidential, nonbiased clergy in the U.S. to speak with about touches of PTSD and to discuss information I have uncovered (to publish or keep hidden? That is the dilemma).

And yes. John and I do have lives. Besides researching and writing (news and features articles as well as articles on religion for other media outlets), we do have other things we do. I love to garden and grow my own heirloom, organic vegetables. We both try to spend at least an hour a day keeping up with the yard and garden.

Also, I study both Tanya and Scripture with the wife of the chief rebbe of Tsfat every Monday and Thursday morning. It gives me perspective on life, and I love to study. I lead a Torah study on Thursday nights through Partners in Torah. It deepens my faith and I love to share all the interesting and relevant tidbits from the Hebrew. My partner is amazing and she challenges me to do better in my life as well. John and I have another group on Tuesday evenings and once a month we facilitate a couples group (international group). This next meeting we will be discussing combatting antisemitism. So that takes care of some of our spiritual life.

Every Monday-Thursday I try to spend 60-90 minutes in the pool to keep mobile and flexible. Every community in Israel has its own community swimming pool. Most have Olympic sized swimming pools. Because we live in a larger city, the municipality has built the “Country Club” (Jews allowed) with tennis courts, workout/fitness rooms, sauna, steam room, indoor Olympic pool, huge outdoor pool, jacuzzis, spa/massage rooms and classroom for Pilates, Yoga, Feldencrais, Karate, Spinning, and other classes. Classes are offered throughout the day and evening. Membership is a nominal fee. All classes included. Lockers and spa treatments are extra.

We just ended the worst heat wave of the year (I hope), so our activities were quite limited all last week-

But when the weather is good, we like to go for hikes in nature. Another great thing about living in Israel is the appreciation and love for nature. The JNF has planted so many forests, which are always within a few minutes drive. There are hiking trails everywhere. Mountains, gentle hills, forests, lake trails, beach trails and trails that follow wadis (canyons), streams and rivers. We have our favorite places, and love to find new trails close by where we can walk the dog. We especially love the trails leading to spectacular views! And those are abundant!!

Our latest project has been another fun one. Back in the States, I had an antiques shop for over 25 years. I sold mostly China, crystal, silver, jewelry and smalls, but also had furniture and art. It was a fun and productive outlet. I would occasionally find or buy old furniture, refinish and then resell it. Just a couple weeks ago, John found a mid century modern china cabinet on the side of the street. People throw away some amazing things here. He rescued it and shlepped it home. Nice piece, but it had a huge and ugly bright orange base that had to go. We decided to paint the entire piece white and replace the door knobs. I’ve ordered some gorgeous blue and white toile wallpaper to go on the back wall. Can’t wait for it to arrive!

So those are just a few of the things we do. There’s lots more. There are always new things to see and new places to discover here. Especially in the archaeological community. We try to keep abreast of the new digs with exciting findings in our area. The locations are usually within an hour drive. We have nearby wineries and local farms where we can get honey and produce. Artisanal dairies are a popular place to visit here for different cheeses, yogurts and other dairy products.

Plus cooking. Unlike in America, where there is plenty of pre-prepared food (everything from elaborate salad mixes to side dishes and entrees), in Israel – at least up here in the periphery- it’s much harder to find. There are a couple places that offer pre-cooked meals to pick up on Friday morning for the Shabbat. That’s about it. So I do all my cooking from scratch, which takes longer, but is fresher and healthier.

I’m always learning new ethnic recipes from the many cultures that are here. The Israeli palate is entirely different that the Western palate, the spices are very different. It took me awhile to get used to cinnamon andcloves to be used with meat; turmeric in everything; pickled everything; sumac and zata’ar. But I’ve learned to incorporate flavors of the Middle East into much of my cooking. I’m really hoping to get some Ethiopian recipes in the near future, as I’ve just made friends with some lovely Ethiopian women.

Another benefit of living here is that it has proven to be the perfect launch for trips to Europe. For us, flying to Europe from Los Angeles was cost prohibitive. In Israel there are flights and cruises across the Mediterranean. Since moving here, we have traveled to Italy, Czech Republic, Hungary, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France, England and Scotland. We try to get to the U.S. once a year to visit family. In September we are going to England, Amsterdam and maybe a stopover in Italy before we return. Our son in London graduates and we have that adorable new grandbaby to visit with our daughter’s family in the Midlands. We will be gone for almost two months.

So for the curious, and for those who have urged me to “get a life,” we have one here. Whether getting together with friends or volunteering to pick vegetables and fruits or just driving to discover new places, it’s all been part of this wonderful adventure.