Category Archives: israel

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May 15, 2024

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Entertainment, Israel, Holidays & Feasts, israel, Israel Gaza war, israel lifestyle, israel news, Israeli-Gaza War, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, MidEast, War stories

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The Rollercoaster

Taken in 2015… my first Independence Day, re-posted with greeting for 2024

Life in Israel at this time can be likened to a rollercoaster ride. Not just the extreme and arduous uphill climbs with exhilarating views at the top which last for a microsecond before you come crashing down at breakneck speed, but the stomach punching curves and loop-de-loops as well.

The past few days have been just that: attending a funeral at house of mourning of a young soldier followed by a beautiful spring drive with the scenery of the rolling countryside and visit with friends. The day of Remembrance of Holocaust Victims. Being on a major highway when the two minute alarm sounds nationwide. All the cars come to a stop. The people get out. Everyone bows their head in honor and prayer for all those that were murdered in the Shoah and its Middle Eastern counterpart, the Farhud ( yes. It happened throughout the MidEast as well, just without concentration camps). We do not have a television (cable connection), but all the Israeli stations had memorial services and programs dedicated to that near genocide throughout the day last week.

The week following Yom ha Shaoah continues as normal, with the hustle and bustle of daily routine. The weather has been variable as well: blisteringly hot for a day or two followed by a day of heavy humidity, then surprise wind and thunderstorms, lightning and thunder and a half hour of intense pouring rain followed by sunshine. All to happen again.

On Sunday, the radio stations started playing soft, melancholy music again. Songs of love and loss; patriotic hymns; heartfelt Psalms that are all too real these days; songs of promised return of a loved one. Just after dark there is another two minute national siren and the entire country plunges into silence (well, almost the entire country). There are ceremonies to honor all those that have fallen, both in the military and also victims of terror. All day, the television spotlights those who gave their lives defending the country and its citizens, and of those citizens who were murdered by terrorism.

I had planned to go to a sunrise service in our city. It was a prayer and memorial service for the six soldiers in our community that were killed since 7 October. But just as I was leaving, the floodgates of heaven opened up and a torrential rain started that lasted over 40 minutes. It was as if the heavens were crying. Later that day I heard other news from Be’ersheva in the South – a true miracle. From Batsheva Nagel in Be’ersheva:

rsheva:

Unbelievable! On Friday there was a crazy sandstorm that lasted about five minutes. I was standing outside at the park with my three children and I remember thinking it’s gonna be a very windy Shabbos. We ran inside into our apartment, because sand and paper and leaves were just flying everywhere. But then it just stopped. It was really bizarre. Seemed out of the blue because it was such a nice sunny day and all of the moms were out with their kids taking a break. Be’er Sheva hasn’t had a siren in months and the parks were just full of kids. But this huge gust of wind, sand flying everywhere forced everybody back home. About 10 minutes later the red alert siren sounded. Five rockets launched at Be’er Sheva, one landing in a playground that had been full of children just 10 minutes earlier, causing massive damage. The random (HaShem) gust of wind saved all of our lives. We are surrounded by open miracles and the fact of HaShem’s ahava (love) and rachmones (mercy).

I read this on my WhatsApp group of women and my heart is boosted. It is a true miracle that no one was killed or hurt. A few apartments surrounding the park were mildly damaged by shrapnel. Yet the day is somber. There is no noise except for the booming of Hizbulla missiles landing a few miles to the North and IDF jets strafing the sky. Memorial Day is a national holiday where most people are off work. Everyone visits cemeteries to pay respects to those that have been “unalived.” This afternoon, the streets leading to our local cemetery are so packed and there is no parking, you have to walk for nearly a mile, then stand in line for quite awhile just to get it. People are milling about the front entrance. Reserve duty soldiers, both men and women, with their machine guns strapped to their backs. People carrying Israeli flags, teddy bears and other mementos to adorn the graves of the recently buried. The roller coaster is definitely headed downwards.

Coming back home, I ask friends and neighbors what the citywide schedule is for the next 24 hours. Israel, at sunset of Yom ha Zikkaron, Memorial Day, goes straight into Yom haAtzmaut, Independence Day. It’s the 76th anniversary of the State of Israel. Usually there are huge concerts. The biggest music stars and pop groups tour the country going from one city to the next putting on great performances. We usually enjoy 3-4 really great free shows in our local amphitheater that night. This year, there are no concerts. Especially now. No groups larger than 250 are supposed to be in public. No sitting duck targets. Just too risky.

This night is different from all other Independence Days. Usually we enjoy a rousing fireworks show, but due to PTSD and trauma, fireworks displays are now banned in Israel. There used to be great parties and celebrations. This year the night is still. No music blaring from peoples’ backyard parties. The next day, I again wake up to a silent day. Even though the children are off school, there is no loud laughing and playing as kids ride bikes and are running around outside. Many of our friends have expressed fear that on this day in particular, we will be attacked as it is Nakba Day (the Day of Disgrace) for the Muslim population.

Since 1948-

John and I had planned fun backyard barbecues for friends on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We’ve finally gotten the jungle under control, the flowers are all in bloom, and we’ve uncovered the grill and bought the meats and veg. I was busy making salads when we received the first message. The lovely new couple we just met recently (they’ve just moved here over the past year) are packing up and leaving. Back to the French countryside of Normandy where it is quieter and less risky. They gave their landlord notice, and will be out by this Thursday. Wow. That’s a shock. I hear from our neighbor that most of the regular Yom haAtzmaut activities the city sponsors are not happening. No parades. No block parties with street vendors. No huge activities for the children. Grilling and picnics in the local parks are all that’s going on. The excitement of the day has turned a sharp corner.

The rollercoaster car turns upside down when our friends from the Tel Aviv area decide not to come up. Everyone seems to want to be staying close to home. All people are talking about is the fact that the United States has cut off all arms shipments to Israel. We have been betrayed by our best friends. Individuals around the world are writing in of their support, but it seems to pale in comparison to Israeli’s despair. Will there be enough anti-missile missiles for our Iron Dome? Now that we have been thoroughly isolated, Will other countries perceive Israel as weak and vulnerable and attack us?

Prime Minister Netanyahu makes a speech to the nation saying that although the people of the US have been and will continue to be our friends, we are fully capable of defending ourselves. If we have to, we will go it alone. If the need ever arises we will fight with our fingernails. (Oy vey!) The UN decides to officially recognize Palestine as an official state. This is all a reward to Hamas to keep fighting. Th United States has declared through Gen. Miley and Secretary of State. Of State Blinken that we are not allowed to enter Rafah, the last Hamas stronghold. They say they have intelligence withheld unless there is a ceasefire. The Pentagon knows the whereabouts of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. He is not even in Rafah. The UN comes out with updated count of the number of civilians killed since the war started. It has been adjusted and is less than half of what was originally stated. There is no genocide….but the world no longer cares because they have already heard that over 18,000 children were killed and the rollercoaster lurches ahead faster.

As I am writing this (still excited to see some great friends at tomorrow’s planned barbecue), we can hear bombs falling from Hizbulla rocket launches. I get my red alerts on my phone and about 3 minutes later, there is a loud, low thud and the house rumbles a tiny bit. We go on with what we are doing. I’m writing this blog. My husband is on speaker phone going over financial planning with our son. “Did you hear that? Did you feel that? It was up in Meron. In Sasa. In Zion…that’s where the girl that makes my pottery lived.” We continue with our work.

Speaking with a neighbor yesterday, Gil said that those border towns are pretty much unrecognizable now. He has a son and daughter-in-law and their young family who lived up near Shlomi. He said they haven’t been able to get up to see if the house is even standing or in what condition because it’s an active military zone. They have been displaced for six months now, living at the hotel at Kibbutz Ginosar on Lake Kinneret (Sea of Galilee). Gil told us that about 80% of the homes are uninhabitable. The rocket barrages, anti-tank missiles and RPGs have destroyed the border villages with Lebanon.

We have our son’s Dean’s List ceremony next week, a friend’s daughter’s wedding the week after that. Then his graduation. Then a family reunion in Florida. We have a lot to look forward to. No more steep, sudden plunges please. No more unexpected turns. Let me off the rollercoaster for a while and put me on a beautiful carousel…

The Beersheva missile miracle!
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May 9, 2024

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art, culture, Entertainment, Israel, israel, Israel Gaza war, israel news, Israeli-Gaza War, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, MidEast, Music, Uncategorized

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Taking the World by Storm

It’s just the usual yesterday plus a score of missiles from Lebanon

So for today’s post I could write about the constant intrusions and rockets from Hizbulla…. or the way the IDF set up over 450,000 tents and shelters with cots, cookstoves ( no, the innocent Gazans are not reporting to wood and trash fires to cook), water and medical attention. 8 hospitals have been fully staffed with doctors and medical personnel not associated with Hamas. They are for the Gazan civilians in need. There is also a special women’s center set up for maternity and OB/GYN needs. The staff is all women-

I could write about how Israel was not even included in the last round of hostages talks: the one where Hamas accepted a deal. Only they had changed it so radically and by then it was too late as every effort had been made to negotiate. Or how the IDF withdrew troops down to two battalions and put any attempts to enter Rafah on the Egyptian border and clear it of Hamas.

I was going to write about how the IDF did start to invade Rafah on Sunday night with surgical precision; how Hamas responded with rocket barrages into Israel; how in the morning, Hamas rockets landed on the Kerem Shalom Border Crossing. How 5 Israeli soldiers inspecting humanitarian aid shipments were killed, 4 injured, 3 trucks, and over a ton of food marked for entry into Gaza destroyed.

But no. Today I’m writing about a phenomenon that has swept all of Europe…and Israel. When I went to England, everyone was talking about (and my son-in-law’s sister’s husband was a respected commentator) who would win. Here, in Israel it’s reached a fever pitch. And no. It’s not Football/soccer.

It’s Eurovision!!!! Usually, we are not sucked in, but this year. Both my husband and I have been listening to all the entries and the pundits’ and social media influencers’ reviews of the 39 contestants. We listened to all of the first half of the entries Tuesday night. Tonight are the performances of the last 20.

I know Americans have The Voice and American Idol. But this is waaaay bigger. And this year there is major controversy. You see Israel (always a major contender and who has won four times, I believe), was not allowed to join at first because of the Israel-Gaza War. There were protests, petitions and threats to keep Israel out of the competition, but the Eurovision Committee decided at last to let Israel in.

The song to be entered was reviewed by the committee and rejected as being too political and too controversial in the midst of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza. It was titled October Rain. The song was reworked and resubmitted under the name Hurricane, with female vocalist Eden Golan singing. 20 year old Eden has recently immigrated to Israel from Russia, where she had won several vocal competitions. This is her big international debut.

I really was marginally interested until I heard the commentators from other countries’ reactions. Everyone was blown away and moved to absolute tears. Two anti-Israel people completely changed their bias and said they now understand where Israelis are coming from because of 7 October.

“We can bring everything we’re feeling and everything the country is going through in these three minutes,” stated Golan. It is a powerful song of loss and redemption, of strength in tough times. Compared with all the other entries, Eden Golan’s range, her emotion, her dramatic pauses put her in a league way above everyone else. Listen:

https://youtu.be/lJYn09tuPw4?si=pp6vaaUUWpS-NIYU

I’m so deeply moved by this song. We will definitely be watching tonight, hoping the politics are placed aside and that Israel comes across strongly enough to make it to the finals Saturday night. There are a couple countries that give stiff competition, but we shall see how the live performances go. Of course, we will be rooting for Eden Golan!

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May 8, 2024

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culture, Daytrips Israel, food, israel, israel lifestyle, Israel Restaurants, Israeli Breakfasts, MidEast, Recipes

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A Breath of Fresh Air

First: a HUGE thank you to all my readers who have sent in notes of comfort and support to the grieving Aviv family. (See last post). Please keep them coming, as I will present the letters along with the JNF memorial certificates and FIDF donation certificates to them on Memorial Day next Monday. So you have through the weekend. Please don’t delay.

John and I just returned from a few days in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. He had a doctor’s appointment and we really needed a change of scenery. I hadn’t been down to Jerusalem since the pandemic, and once again there are no tourists.All the streets, holy sites, and tourist spots are completely empty. It’s a totally different vibe than when there are thousands of tourist groups, lines to enter a building, crowds jostling. It’s lonely, but also beautiful. To be able to enjoy sacred silence.

We visited King David’s tomb. We went to the Cenacle just upstairs in the same building. We walked the empty cardo, the excavated Roman Main Street that ran the width of the Old City through the marketplace and to the second Holy Temple. There was only the chiseling and hammering sounds of archaeology in progress. The stalls of the vendors were open despite the few customers. The cries in Hebrew, English, Russian, Arabic for tourists to come and buy. Only now there were few visitors. Still, the fragrance of nard and sandalwood hung heavy in the air. The colors of the fabric hanging and the brass and silver gleaming were just as vibrant. John and I went to the Sepulchre. The Orthodox Christians had just celebrated their Easter the day before. The miracle of the Holy Flame, the oldest continual miracle, had occurred the Saturday night previous. And of course, we made our stop at the Kotel, the Western Wall.

It’s rare to get such a clear day. You can see for miles.
Beyond the Arab sector, the Judaean Desert, Dead Sea and Jordan (Edom)
The ramparts of the Old City Walls
Thin slit in wall to shoot arrows
Defensive hole in the Old City Wall. Lookout and arrow/ stone launching
How many battles were fought? How many invading armies? How many victories? Defeats?
Scenes from Jerusalem

Flags were flying half mast for the five soldiers who were killed by missile fire as they unloaded humanitarian aid at the Kerem Shalom crossing on Sunday. It was quiet. Very quiet there. No groups singing, dancing, praying at the Kotel Plaza. No bands of soldiers. Only a few seminary girls in their long skirts and mothers with young children. A few men praying at the wall. It was easy to get a chair and bring it right up against the cold stones.

I really thought the floodgates of my tears would open up. I told John I might be a couple hours. I had a whole pack of tissue and my Scriptures. I’ve been holding space for so many people and so much over the past six months, there is barely enough room to hold any more. Every time I go to the Wall, unexpectedly, I sob until I cannot cry any more. Sometimes, it’s for certain people; other times it’s because I feel such connection with my past (family, ancestors who either visited or long to come to this very spot); sometimes it’s for the state of the world. This time, fully expecting…. again the unexpected. For the first time, I just could not cry. Nothing would come up – or out.

I prayed. I prayed a lot. But I could not grieve. Not yet at least. I gave thanks for the new lives in our family and our circle of friends. For. G-d’s protection. For all the blessings we’ve received just in this past year alone. But I could not cry.

Jerusalem in the spring is a place of incredible beauty. The wisteria is in full bloom and just climbs over the old buildings. The fresh mountain air is still crisp and cold and the surrounding Judaean hills are still green.

Huge fan of the old architecture of Jerusalem
The Judaean Hills outside the city – see the vineyard?
The view across the mountains to the Mediterranean was breathtaking!
Even at night, it is a place of beauty
New high rises are popping up everywhere
Jerusalem side street, night time
Old building with lots of charm at night
Tin shutters and lace
The Mechane Yehuda Market at night
Sunset descends on the city

We really needed this breath of fresh air. In the morning, we headed out for breakfast at a sabich place. Oh my goodness!!!! If you have never had a sabich, are you in for a taste explosion when you come here. I’d never had one of these Middle Eastern delights until I came here, and this place was the absolute best. So what is a sabich (pronounced sah bikh with that gargling sound at the end)? You take a big fluffy as a cloud pita, smear the inside with humus; put in some hot fried potato slices; a sliced hard boiled egg; some pickles, fried eddplant; amba (the most incredible pickled mango sauce); some schkoog (hot!!!!!!) for the adventurous; more eggplant -crispy outside, soft inside- techineh, cucumber, tomato, onions, more amba and humus. It sounds wild and IS WILD!!!! Fairly healthy, incredibly filling. All together delicious and wholly satisfying.

Which brings me to a recipe: When we were in England, our daughter made a deconstructed sabich salad for dinner one night. She served it with leftover roasted chicken and it was quite marvellous! So much so, I took pictures, asked her for permission and voila!

Elizabeth’s Sabich Salad

Serves 4. Pareve. (Vegetarian/neither dairy nor meat)

Ingredients:

  • 1 head romaine lettuce, cut up
  • 1 small English cucumber, sliced
  • 4 hard boiled eggs, sliced
  • 1/3 cup sweet pickles (gerkinns), chopped
  • 1 small purple eggplant, sliced
  • 1 small sweet potato, peeled & sliced
  • 1/2 tsp paprika
  • 1/4 cup pomegranate arils
  • Dressing: 1/4 cup olive oil, juice of 1/2 lemon, salt & pepper

Sauté the sliced eggplant and sweet potato in very hot olive oil until soft and golden brown on outside. Let cool. Arrange rest of salad…lettuce, cucumber, pickles, eggs. Add in eggplant and sweet potato. Sprinkle with paprika and pomegranate. Dress with lemon/oil.

After breakfast, we went to Machaneh Yehuda Market, an entire covered square block of vendors and stalls selling produce, fish, meats, candy, baked goods, fresh squeezed juices, teas, spices, flowers, eggs, cheese, halvah, nuts, sweets, herbs, coffees, and everything else edible, gourmet and mundane. I did my shopping for the week, getting fresh figs!!!!! among other great things. (At night the stalls close up and the nightclubs and restaurants take their place… it becomes quite the hopping place for the younger crowd). But this morning, there were the usual rabbis, old ladies and beggars asking for spare change to feed the hungry; the guys playing guitar and hand drum and the Rastafarian dude with the steel marimba and the mime. The beautiful mime with her handmade outfit and props. She was standing there at one of the entrance on her little box platform, with her bird in its cage. Just standing, parasol in hand. Just standing.

Halvah, chocolate halvah, coffee halvah, chile halvah, pecan halvah….
Herbs, roots, spices, rice spice, blends, fish spice, chicken spice, Indian curry, shawarma spice…
Teas, herbal infusions, fruit infusions, medicinal teas, chai
Greens and red plums, grapes, nectarines, cherries just coming into season
Pastries… all dairy… with cheese, chocolate, poppy seed, nuts, fruits, sweet and savory as well
All kinds of olives and pickled veg and spicy pepper
The desert guy selling knaffeh… my favorite
The mime!!!
Can you even believe the detail in her handmade outfit???

On to Tel Aviv. Take in a couple museums. Feel the vibrancy of this bustling city. Marvel at all the gorgeous and innovative high rises continually being constructed. Yet the city, as is typical of most Israeli cities, never loses its greenways and parks. Urban gardens and jungles. Children’s play places. Tree-lined promenades. Delivery guys on motorbikes. Crazy drivers (everywhere here) with horns honking. High fashion alongside black denim and black tee shirts. Lots and lots of people walking dogs. Gun-carrying soldiers. Moms with strollers. Lots of moms. More pregnant women than I could count….and the gorgeous beach with the bikini clad, sunkissed babes and the men playing motkot (paddle ball) on the hard sand.

We met my son and a good friend we hadn’t seen in like forever for dinner. we had planned to spend about two hours, but it quickly turned into five hours. I love so much about Israel, one of which is the restaurant service. You are not expected to vacate your table right after you eat. They expect you to take your time, to sit and talk and enjoy the company. We had decided upon an outdoor table at a Sarona Market restaurant.

The Sarona area of Tel Aviv, like the community in Jerusalem and Haifa, was first settled in the early 1900s by Germans. They were a resurrected Templar group. Messianic Lutherans…. expecting that if they settled the Holy Land it would hasten the coming of the Messiah. It turned out they were Nazis..Really. They became Nazis in league with Hitler and were expelled from the country by the British in the early 1940s. But they built the cutest, quaintest neighborhoods. The houses are all intact, now turned into posh and artsy shops and cafes – surrounded oh all sides by skyscrapers. I love the juxtaposition.

Yet, despite the respite, everywhere were posters of the abducted. Banners and displays to bring home the hostages. Pictures of the faces of young girls, elderly men, and little children. Young concertgoers in their prime. It reminded me of New York after 9/11. All in all, it was a wonderful getaway. Hopefully, it won’t be another three years before we return.

Stonework and geraniums on balcony
Our hotel room had a ritual handwashing station
Sculpture at Mamilla Mall In the Womb I Formed You
Montefiore Windmill
Vibrant corner market
Beautiful banner in a church
Shelter of Peace Street
Prayer books and jelly at ur restaurant
Inside the empty Holy Sepulchre

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May 3, 2024

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A Huge Favor to my Readers

Yesterday afternoon I went to the shivah house, the house of mourning for the family of Ido Aviv. He had fallen in Gaza as a result of friendly fire. Of course, the home was packed with people sitting on the large, tiled patio and inside the home in the living room and the dining area. There were soldiers, young people older folk, Orthodox and secular Jewish people, Christians and Druze.

In the entrance to their home was a huge sail from a surfboard. It was Ido’s. He loved the water and was not only an avid sailer, windsurfer and surfboarder, but a surf instructor. The sail had a huge Magen David…the Israeli flag emblazoned upon it. All of his army buddies and his friends signed the sail. Notes that said how much they’d miss him, how much they love him. “Sail into the horizon, my good friend…” the words of a beautiful Hebrew song. And of course, on an easel, photographs of the fallen soldier.

I waited to speak to Emmi, Ido’s mother. I gave her a huge hug, held her tight, and we both cried together. I had known her as an acquaintance and daughter-in law of a woman in the English Speakers Club and charitable group we were in together. I can’t begin to imagine the pain. I sat down and spoke for quite some time to the father of Ido’s fiancée. Oh my G-d. How incredibly sad. They had grown up together, knowing each other since they were three. Her father told me the Aviv’s were their best friends and Ido was like a son to him. And he said, “Ido was loved by everybody. Just look around at all his friends here. They have been here for three days and just keep pouring in. Can you believe a 28 year old could have spread so much happiness? His heart was always for the other person and what he could do for them.”

Dear faithful readers, whether you leave comments on this particular blog or not; whether you leave me emails or personal messages or not. I am calling upon you right now. Please. We, as Israelis are in a fight not only to keep the enemies that surround us at bay, but in a true fight against terrorists and proxies of terrorists. Many of us feel we are alone in this fight. All the nations seem to be lining up again us. Even the United States. All we see is news of riots, arrest warrants for our administration and cries of genocide, atrocities committed and apartheid…all untrue.

So please. A simple favor. Will you please send me either in the comment section below or any way that you can – your love and thanks and support for this grieving family. I will deliver them in just ten days, our Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers. I just know it would mean so much to this family to know they do not stand alone.

I thank you in advance. The parents’ names are Mark and Emmi. They speak English (Mark is from the former South African country of Rhodesia). The Aviv’s have other younger adult sons, but I do not know their names-

May we all have a peaceful and joyous Shabbat and weekend,

Tamar

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May 1, 2024

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culture, israel, Israel Gaza war, israel lifestyle, israel news, israeli hostages in Gaza, Israeli-Gaza War, Israeli-Palestinian Conflict, MidEast, War stories

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Mourning & Evening. Day 208

Once again, I had plans to write a completely different post. One day soon, I will answer some of the most pressing questions that I have been receiving. But that is not today.

Yesterday morning, I received news from a friend who first saw it on a Facebook post. The city had also sent out text messages to the residents. Of course, it was announced in the news and spread throughout the army. The family was notified and then the relatives and friends. Another solder had fallen from our city. A 28 year old reservist in the tank division in Gaza.

In the Jewish religion, a body is supposed to be buried within 24 hours. Ido Aviv had been killed on Sunday night, but it was a holiday (last day of Passover/day of complete rest like Shabbat) , so the funeral was set for 3pm Tuesday. My friends and I showed up over an hour early. This was the fifth or sixth funeral since 7October. Forgive me for losing count.

The streets leading up to the cemetery were already lined with people holding Israeli flags, some singing softly in unison. This is typical here. Citizens form a patriotic display on both sides of the streets for the family in honor of the fallen. An hour early and there were already scores of groups gathered in the parking lot, at the entrance to the cemetery and throughout the cemetery itself. I’ve never seen so many soldiers, both regular and reservists, gathered in one place. Young and middle aged men and women.

The tent had been erected graveside, covered with Israeli and battalion flags. Chairs set up for the family. Seven soldiers stood at attention at each end of the gravesite. Within minutes of our getting there, hundreds of people were gathered round. It is so truly moving. I’m on crutches, so a soldier insisted people make room for our party at one side of the barrier just outside the mourning tent. He insisted that I sit down, finding me an extra chair, and made sure I had a bottle of water. Soldiers hand out water bottles to all the people at any kind of event. It’s pretty crazy how considerate these people are.

A large crowd had already gathered 45 minutes before the funeral began.

We stood next to two sisters. I asked them if they knew Ido. They had just heard the news as well from the town. They did not know him personally. Their parents were around somewhere with the two younger siblings, but the girls wanted a front row view. One was 14, the other 17. The older sister was hugging the younger and both were visibly crying. Then their 16 year old brother joined them. It brought back memories of my teenage years and how emotional I became during the Yom Kippur War upon hearing the news of all the fallen soldiers. Soon they, too, will be called up to defend the State of Israel. An older soldier, came over to hug the younger sister and just be there to comfort her. There was absolutely no ulterior motive as he put his arm around her and gave her a packet of tissue.

A group of reservists from Ido’s battalion

Of course the mayor and mayor emeritus showed up along with the head of the regional council and other government officials. Because there were higher ranking military and so many soldiers gathered, the drones in the sky and circling helicopters were incessant. I’m still not used to any of this. I don’t think I’ll ever get accustomed to it.

As the family arrived, I realized I knew them. They are Anglos, and members of our local English Speakers club. I recognized the parents, and know the grandparents. They are also our neighbors, living three streets down from us. This makes the fourth soldier in our neighborhood who has been killed. It is not getting any easier. On the contrary.

The opening Psalms were read. Then the Kaddish prayer, or Mourners’ Prayer, praising, glorifying and extolling G-d above all, for eternity. It is probably the last thing a mourner wants to do, but essential to keep the tie with faith in the Eternal this time.

I did not know Ido Aviv, but he looks like a Biblical hero

The father spoke first. A beautiful eulogy to an oldest son. Incredibly moving. Incredibly tragic. Each member of the family spoke: the grandfathers, the teenage brothers, and then the mother. It is always the eulogy of the mother to her beloved child, a part of her soul that has been ripped away, the hugs she will no longer give or receive, her futile attempt to reconcile that fact that her beloved son sacrificed his own life – her life – for the country. Hearts rip out at this point in the service. To hear the anguish of a mourning mother.

Soldiers, grown men weep. They hug and hold one another. They tenderly wiper the tears from their face, and holding the face of their brother in arms, wipe the tears from his face. I really can’t take it. I push it all deep deep deep down inside me. The bottle of my soul seems like it will soon spill out. His fiancée speaks. They have been together for six years and were planning their wedding, their home, their family. She will not wear the dress she picked out. She will not be escorted to the marriage canopy. There is not a dry eye.

Ido’s friends and army buddies give short eulogies. He loves the sea. He loves to surf. He is a surf instructor. Ido and Dasha had plans to travel to Sri Lanka. His smile. He helped everyone. He was a leader and commander of his troop and everyone loved and respected him. He had an amazing spirit. He loved his country….

Members of his battalion laid floral wreaths at the grave. So many flowers. The grave is completely covered. More Psalms and ElMalay Rakhamim…a prayer to the most merciful G-d was chanted. Kaddish said again. And it was over. We estimated that, as usual there were about 2000 or more present.

Later that night, long after I’ve been sitting up in bed catching up on the days’ news, we read that Ido and another soldier were killed by friendly fire, it seems. The worst news of all. From my (rough) translation of the Hebrew: on the evening of the holiday, following two-sided shooting by our forces and Hamas terrorists in a corridor near the Turkish hospital in the center of the Strip. A tank mounted a charge and was hit by an anti tank missile. Another tank came out of a secure area and returned fire at a building that was outside the boundaries of its sector, where our forces were stationed. Ido and Kalkidan (another IDF soldier) fell, and another fighter was seriously wounded.

This morning eight friends and my son sent me the same post. Tomorrow, my friend and I will go to the house of the mourning family to pay our respects. In Judaism, the family mourns for seven days, sitting on the floor or on low chairs receiving guests. The army sets up a large tent outside on the street and provides chairs and tables of refreshments. There will be photographs from the life of the fallen soldier. People arrive with foods a which will be set up for those coming to pay their respects. Usually, when a soldiers dies, hundreds and hundreds of people come each night to pay their respects to the family. They come from all over the country. Not just Jewish people, but Druze and Christians and others who are there to comfort and offer support. I’ve never ever seen anything like this anywhere else. Living in Israel has been the most beautiful, most connected experience. And the most heartbreaking-

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April 28, 2024

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Day 205 Hippuch

Let me introduce those of you who might not know to a new word in Hebrew. “Hippuch”, pronounced Hee POOKH’ with that guttural sound at the end, is a very common word here. It means flipped. Upside down in an ironic sort of way that you’d never expect. Like the ending of that movie, it was totally hippuch. It’s a great way to describe the world right now.

Good is evil. Evil is good. Genders are completely interchangeable at any given instant and if you don’t acknowledge how a person feels or labels itself, then you are the one with huge problems. What is legal for some is totally against the law for others if certain acts are committed. It’s all about freedom and tolerance unless, of course, you are the one that needs to be cancelled. A person has autonomy over their own body except when it’s mandated that a certain treatment must be given. My friends, we are living in a world of absolute hippuch.

It has been pretty evident by the past few weeks’ display on university campuses across the U.S. What started out as a “grassroots” movement has turned out to be incredibly well funded and incredibly well organized. Yes. I write of the pro-Palestine ceasefire/peace movement. They are all for peace except “Long live the Intifada.” Or as we say, “the infants.” To be clear, an intifada is an armed, Islamic movement that wishes to rid the world of infidels (Jews, Christians, LGBTQBiPOC+++, and other undesirables). As in eradication. Intifada is to bring the whole world under domination of Allah. A peaceful movement for sure.

These are not just young college kids involved in the resistance movement, but professors and outside organizers. These are the people that are fighting injustice and oppression of the Palestinians. Yet Hamas are the ones who have oppressed the people of Gaza (73% of Arabs living in the West Bank of Israel still support Hamas… that’s hippuch). We hear nothing of that.

The people that screamed “Believe ALL women” just two years back are the ones who demand proof, yet still deny rape, torture and sexual abuse of the Israeli women, men and children at the hands of Hamas and the Gazans. The demands that the Red Cross or Red Crescent be given access to the captured Hamas terrorists are the same people who have denied the captive Israelis humanitarian visits and delivery of/access to their lifesaving medicines.

“What do we want? Ceasefire! When do we want it? NOW!” Sounds nice. We all want an end to this horrible situation. Truly. Yet why did these same people at Columbia, NYU, Yale, Harvard and other schools cheer when Iran launched over 300 intercontinental ballistic missiles and suicide drones laden with explosives at Israel??? Total hippuch. Last week the chant was “Bomb, bomb Tel Aviv!”

A beautiful, young, Jewish university student- a senior now- who really has a soft heart for the underprivileged and the victim… someone who we are very, very close with…has recently joined up with the pro-Palestine resistance movement. She is now sending my husband and me regular messages, articles, posts about her most recent cause. The ultimate hippuch.

Even though she was raised in a Jewish home, I don’t believe she understands the definition of “Zionist.” She has informed us that as a Jew, she is not antiSemitic, but anti Zionist. She knows we live in Israel.

Zionism is the belief that the Jewish people have the right to live autonomously and sovereignly in their own ancestral and ancient homeland, Israel. That’s all. Nothing more. To colonize one’s own home, a home that as Mark Twain put it in his travel diary, The Innocents Abroad, in 1885, “…it was a vast wasteland. An uninhabitable wilderness of rock and bleak and barren landscape. Nary a tree or shrub for miles and no one except the occasional Bedouin seeking bakshish.” To colonize one’s own land, keeping the same language spoken for over 3000 years, the same religion, the old cities, is not the definition of colonization.

“An apartheid state” she writes continually. We’ve invited her several times to come see for herself. Take a Birthright tour. She would see a land where all citizens whether, brown, white, black or yellow; whether Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Jew or Baha’i are given the exact same rights and opportunities. Where the LGBT community has Pride ingparades and civil rights. Where true Democracy is happening.

Ms. M (she/her) attended an Interfaith Intersectional Passover Seder last week at the Liberated Zone on her campus. Instead of a commemoration of the Children of Israel’s exodus from slavery under Pharaoh in Egypt, it was a modern day representation of social injustice. The traditional Seder plate was replaced by a large hand-drawn-canvas plate. The evening/night event was held in the morning for brunch. Instead of unleavened matzah, there was a generic Middle Eastern pita and humus, which was ‘culturally appropriated by the Israelis from the Palestinians.’ The Muslims respected the Jews and it was a big loving peace fest. If only the real world was more like this-

Canvas “Seder plate” for the Liberation Seder

She gave us a Podcast to listen to of her Columbia University compatriots. Three Jewish girls demanding the university divest from Israel in all ways: research, exchange programs, funding, products received that are Israeli manufactured. They speak eloquently of the love they have received from the Muslim students. The food shared. The peace movement. And how they have been kicked off campus, arrested, and their tents taken down They have no support- The podcast is called ‘On the Nose’ on open. Spotify and is sponsored by Jewish Currents.

I did my own sleuthing and what do you know? Hippuch! This grassroots movement was well in the planning for months by Jewish Voice for Peace, a radical leftist progressive Jewish organization funded by the Open Society and ultimately George Soros and Peter Beinart. Green and green and white two person tents were distributed by the thousands to campuses all across America over the past three weeks. Leaders were brought in to train the student organizers. Food has been delivered… halal and vegan, of course. Sound systems supplied. Posters and placards handed out. Chants taught. Ultimate hippuch? The podcasters are paid and the interviewees were given honorariums as well as relocation options after dorms were closed to them. The arrests lasted all of 3-5 hours for process and release/no bail/no charges.

The three girls on the podcast decried the fact that Conservative politicians were allowed onto their closed campus as a publicity and propaganda stunt. They said nothing about Ilhan Omar’s visit.

Even though it’s all about peace and tolerance, at Columbia, lead activist Khymani James, has called for the outright murder, eradication and killing of all Zionists “They should not have the right to live. They shouldn’t be allowed to exist.” At USC today, a Hamas supporter graffitied “Say no to genocide” in red paint onto the Tommy Trojan mascot. At UCLA, a journalist was denied entry into the enclave (university square) as it was a student- proclaimed media free zone. Protesting the ‘Open air prisons of Gaza’ the students locked arms, completely encircled the reporter, and refused movement to him unless he surrender his camera. Now that is the definition of hippuch.

To complain they are not being fairly treated by letting the students and professors have their encampments, yet when the Columbia U CEO locks Professor (Shai Davidai) out of the school and fires him is hippuch. To vandalaze the dorm rooms and doors of Jewish students on campuses (spray painting ‘Jew here’ ‘Jew go home’ Zionist sympathizer’ and swastikas and Stars of David). For the campus rabbis, chaplains and Jewish Student Organization heads to call up the students and tell them to leave campus and return to their homes for their own safety….isnt just hippuch anymore. It’s 1939 again. Germany. Nazi regime.Jewish kids are now afraid to live in their once- safe communities. Barred from classes. Barred from businesses.

The war here in Israel has been on delay for the past six weeks as hostage negotiations and US/UN/ICJ appeasements and deals are being made. The Biden administration is supporting the prosecution of Israeli officials for war crimes at the International Criminal Court, which means all of our top democratically elected officials here in Israel including Netanyahu, President Herzi, Defense Minister Gallant, Head of the IDF Herzi Halevi counts face potential extradition and areest (if they leave Israel).

The invasion of Rafah, the last Hamas stronghold is on hold. Awaiting a hostage deal. Awaiting Secretary of State Blinken to arrive in Israel Tuesday, his tenth visit since 7 October. Awaiting an appeasement- an ultimatum by the Biden admin: give up on Rafah and accept a peace deal with Saudi Arabia. Of course this is to cement Biden re-election. A probable Nobel Peace Prize for bringing peace to the Middle East. Hippuch.

Putting pressure on Israel like this, they know, is sure to topple our current administration. It’s by design. The White House wants Bibi gone. If the Rafah operation does not happen after scores of promises and assurances Hamas would be brought down in its entirety and the hostages liberated by force, if necessary, members of the IDF have stated they would personally take off their uniforms, take the government, and finish the war.

And the last example of hippuch: in a meeting between US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the military and Israel’s Secretary of Defense…the US is now expecting a “zero civilian casualty report” in any further stage of the war in Gaza against Hamas. It’s a war. There, unfortunately, will be casualties. It goes above and beyond upside down.

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April 25, 2024

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Passover 2024: Why This Night Was Different From Other Nights

Our Passover Seder has taken many different forms over the past decades. It has swelled and shrunk in number of guests. Some years it has been entirely Jewish, other years, we have had a mixture of Evangelical, Catholic, Mormon and Secular Atheists. A few years (after we made Aliyah to Israel), we had tables full of Lone Soldiers who had no other family here to celebrate with. We have had Teaching Seders, Broadway Seders, Beatles Seders, Children’s Seders and Family Seders. A couple years past, we had our lonely but meaningful COVID Seder, where we were convinced the plagues had begun descending – and now the ‘Thus Far, the Ultimate Seder.’

The Passover Seder is the yearly meal where Jews throughout the world, in a set order of liturgy (Seder means order), remember the first Passover. We remember how G-d, through Moses and Aaron, led the Israelites out of slavery under Pharaoh in Egypt to freedom. We recall the plagues, the crossing of the Red Sea, the gifts of protection, water in the desert, manna in the wilderness, and the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai. There are symbolic foods. And prayers. And songs. Despite years where we were super creative, the liturgy is set and the story remains the same. We experience it as best we can as if we had personally been delivered through the waters from slavery to liberation. As a people. As a nation. As a religion.

During the Seder, the youngest present recites the Four Questions: Why is this night different from all other nights? Our family celebrations have shrunk in size. We used to have four daughters around the table. They now have their own families in different parts of the world. This year my son was present for the last time. Next year he will be getting his Masters Degree in the UK. He had just returned home from his current job at university and from another tour of reserve duty on a Northern front of Israel. So that, in and of itself, added an additional layer of poignancy. Our son recited the Four Questions, possibly for the last time for us.

This year, our Pesach Seder was remarkably different. We sat at the table, trying to celebrate our collective freedom. Yet there was an empty place setting among us. It was representative of the 130+ hostages still being held by Hamas in captivity in some cell or tunnel. We don’t know their fate: how many are still alive or what condition they are in? We’ve had “news” that some of the girls are now visibly pregnant; that others being held have died or were killed; that some who were kidnapped are just lost. The empty place setting represents all those Israelis who were brutally massacred by the terrorists on 7 October – Jewish, Christian, Muslim, Druze. It made no difference. Age made no difference. Nationality made no difference. Over 1250 people now not among us. The empty place setting also represented the IDF soldiers who have given their lives fighting terror these past six months. Over 600 men and women. The empty place setting also represented those who are serving in active duty who could not be home with their families, because they are protecting this nation from further attack.

There is one part of the Passover liturgy, actually a beautiful song, Vehi sh’amda…” for it was not just one enemy who attempted to annihilate us, but in every generation there are those who have risen up to destroy us.” As we sang this (listen to the song by Yonatan Razel), pro-Hamas demonstrators had taken over the campuses of Columbia University, NYU, Yale, Berkeley, Harvard and others. Jewish students are in fear of their personal safety and are being told to go to their homes and return to classes via Zoom. Israeli American professor of Business at Columbia, Shai Davidai (my hero and modern day Maccabee) had just been fired from his position at the university. A visibly Jewish man in London was arrested for being openly Jewish while crossing the street. He would be too provocative in the mostly Islamist crowd, therefore instigating violence.

Sunday, right before Passover began, US Secretary of State announced that for the first time ever, the United States would be sanctioning an entire IDF unit. There is an Orthodox Jewish (Haredi) brigade that have been fighting terror cells in Judaea Samaria (the West Bank) since the outbreak of the war. They have been uncovering tunnels, smuggled weapons and explosives – RPG parts, grenades, machine guns – and stockpiles of cash. They have found drugs and weapons manufacturing factories hidden under mosques and near schools inside the West Bank. The IDF soldiers have arrested hundreds of terrorists and stopped scores of attempted acts of violence against Israelis at bus stops, driving on the roads, and infiltrating the Israeli towns and villages. They have demolished the homes of terrorists. And now they are being denied any joint military assistance or training. They are being labeled as terrorists and could face arrest should they enter the U.S.

Last Friday a 14 year-old shepherd boy, an Orthodox Jewish ‘settler’ in Samaria went missing. Groups from the village where he lived, along with search and rescue, set out to find him. They were accosted by rock- throwing and bullet-firing Palestinians from a neighboring village. The boy’s tortured and lifeless, mutilated and desecrated body was found just before Passover. And the US is sanctioning IDF in Samaria.

Just before the start of the Seder this year, another blood libel against the Jews (IDF) started and went viral. It was helped along by the likes of US Congresspeople, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. Supposedly, in Khan Yunis, a mass grave of over 2000 (then scaled back to just over 200) innocent Gazans was found. It was more than implied that this was the work of the IDF. In fact, there was a video of Gazan men in February, digging a large trench to bury “martyrs” from inside Nasser Hospital. It was for 38 injured Gazans who had succumbed to their wounds as a result of the war.

The world is crying genocide over the Palestinians. I posted to my social media on Friday a video of thousands of men and children in Gaza on the beach enjoying the beautiful weather and the waters of the Mediterranean on the Gaza beaches. The world is once again calling for a divestment from buying any goods made in Israel, and that all Israeli imports need to be labeled as such. The world is calling for violence against Jewish houses of worship and Jewish businesses in Europe, in Australia, in South Africa, Canada and the United States. The world is calling for Jews to “go home.” And on the other side of the coin, the world is calling for a free Palestine, an Israel free of any Jewish (or Christian) presence.

In the morning, as I was preparing the special foods for our Pesach Seder, to celebrate our freedom and our return to our ancient and ancestral homeland as a fulfillment of Biblical prophecy, I received this lovely reminder in the form of a text from the Homefront Command:

A stark reminder of the times in which we live. Yet just last week, we witnessed the protection of the L-rd. Whether it was in the form of an advance warning so we could prepare; or the coordination of international military; or effectiveness of our multi-layered missile defense systems, the end result was nothing short of miraculous. Last Sunday, Iran fired over 300 intercontinental ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and over 180 suicide drones laden with explosives at Israel. Not one reached its target. Only one little Bedouin girl was injured by a piece of falling shrapnel because the desert-dwelling Bedouin have no access to bomb shelters. We pray she makes a complete and speedy recovery. But it was a miracle nonetheless of G-d’s power to save. The number one google search in Israel after Iran announced its attack was “Tehillim,” Psalms. And ‘prayers and Psalms against missiles.’ This data proved that Israel is united in prayer and in faith in G-d.

I invite you, whether Jew, Christian or Other; whether living in the Land of Israel or abroad; whether an Israeli citizen or not, to pray for us. Pray for G-d’s protection and favor. Pray that you be given the Gift of Courage to stand up and speak the Truth against real persecution. Pray for eyes to see which side is truly disruptive and violent. When you hear calls for violence, report it. Write and petition your elected officials. Vote. Speak out in your homes, your neighborhoods and communities. Be firm, but always act peacefully and in love. And if you are Jewish, don’t delay in making the move to Israel while you still can.

As we say at the end of the Seder, “May we all celebrate next year in Jerusalem!” May those words be taken to heart. I know from experience, moving to a new place, a new life, a new job and culture with a new language is difficult. But it will be the most rewarding experience you can make. We eagerly await your return home and welcome you with open arms.

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April 18, 2024

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Day 170 and All is Mostly Well

Thank you t9 all those who reached out the past few days with your emails, phone calls and direct replies to my blogposts. Thank you for your readership and support.

The past few days have been quite interesting to say the least. To recap, my husband and I came home on a full flight to Israel last Thursday knowing the “threat level” from Iran Anna her proxies was extremely high. My son had been called up to reserve duty again for the last week. Friday, he was released from duty as they were way over staffed in his unit. We spent the day unpacking, shopping, cooking and doing chores (out of control jungle of a garden).

It was really a lovely welcomed Shabbat. We rested. Just slugged around all day, talked about our trip and my son’s plans for being a madrikh/ counselor at a US summer camp and his future plans for grad school next year – he’s trying to decide between two UK universities for the fall. In the evening we got the news from the home front command to stay near our safe rooms/shelters. We decided to watch the last part of the AppleTV series we’d been enjoying. At around 11 pm, we got the news that Iran had launched their suicide drones, but it would take 3-4 hours to reach Israeli airspace.

Max and John thought it was pretty funny that they would have alerted the US and conferred with Turkey days before, basically giving away any element of surprise. That’s not how wars are fought or won. And they were hysterical and cracking jokes about how it would give the airforce time to pick them off one by one. Drones are easily spotted, and very slow. Also not able to maneuver out of the way, so are easily shot down. They said it was a political stunt for the ayatollahs to save face and appeared tough and for ratings boosts in the upcoming US elections.

We heard the IAF jets take off, scores of them overhead as we are in a major flight path. Missiles had been launched. But we have Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and a slew of o the defense capabilities. I made sure all the necessaries were near the saferoom. We prayed and recited our Psalms of protection, and because we were all so exhausted and besides, what else were we going to do? Any missile would take a couple hours to arrive anyway? We put our trust firmly in the L-rd to protect us and went to sleep….missing all the action!!!

After speaking with many Israelis over the past few days, this is the takeaway: only 3 of the 30 or so people I spoke to were concerned or shaken. One has just arrived as a new immigrant from Mexico. She truly thought there would be a war, stayed up and heard loud booms in the sky around 3:30am. She thought it was the beginning (or the end: I couldn’t figure out which). Another friend has two very special needs children. They live in an apartment building in Modi’in in the center of the country between Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. Julia’s husband is in the reserves in Judaea/Samaria, which is a hotbed right now). Julia and the children all spent the night in the saferoom (Odaliya’s bedroom) and were scared when they heard multiple sirens and multiple loud booms in the middle of the night.

Most people went to bed, stayed up to watch the news, or sat on the balcony waiting to see the sky show. Some in the Jerusalem area were not disappointed as they got to see several missiles being taken down. That’s Israeli’s for ya. Fearless. Wanting to see the action. And thankful to G-d for His miraculous protection.

Whether it was the fact the United States, the UK, France, Cypress, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Jordan!!!all teamed up to help by letting Israel use their airspace, coordinating strikes, or keeping communication direct and accurate…it was all miraculous that 99% of all that was thrown at us was shot down. It was miraculous that there was little to no structural damage. We are sad that only one little Bedouin girl in the Negev was injured by falling shrapnel (tents, no shelters), and we pray for her full recovery. But look:

This missile is huge!! It fell near the Dead Sea.
This one fell closer to us in open space in the Golan. Notice the people upper right for scale.

It’s amazing that more damage wasn’t done. Everything was back on and open for business as usual early Sunday morning. We picked the dog up at the kennel. There was Tai Chi in the park. Kids were horseback riding in the mountains nearest our house at spring day camp. Because the weather was absolutely glorious, we went on a nature hike. Then we took Max back down to the Tel Aviv area. There were tons of people on the beach and out doing Israeli things: sitting at cafés and shopping and working.

The air was redolent with lavender, sage,Spanish broom and rosemary!
Can you see the hyrax sunning on the rock?

Last night the rumors began floating in and by this morning it was all substantiated by various articles I trust. The Biden admin and Iran had been in close communication throughout last week. The Pentagon knew there would be an attack on Israel. It was all well coordinated. I will try to post one or two links or articles on this or a follow-up blogpost. It’s from Memri news outlet. I’m not sure of the accuracy, but I will try to find more direct source info. The other is from Arutz 12.

The jets have been flying around nonstop. We are keeping busy gardening – I harvested my lettuces and carrots and beets. I’ve planted my spring veg garden mostly. Cleaning out the cabinets and oven to remove any products with leaven or grains before Passover. This morning John made lactose-fermented pickles…two kinds: garlic dill and one with spice.

Last night he grilled up our Little Gem lettuces and we drizzled techineh on top. Marvelous. I served it with schnitzel (using up the breadcrumbs) and humus (chickpeas are Passover verboten in an Ashkenazi household) with chopped Israeli salad. And rice (also not Kosher for Pesach). It was delicious. Tonight I’ll use up the pasta and we’ll see what else we can consume to clear out the house.

Grilled Baby Gem lettuce and schnitzel

I still haven’t finished unpacking… or mailing off birthday boxes to my daughters… or cleaning… or finishing off two other articles for publication. We are not scared. We live life to the fullest and face what comes squarely (or sleep and miss it all). We put our trust in our amazing military and in our G-d. We are Israelis.

I hope to get in another post before Passover this Monday. There will be an empty place setting at our table in remembrance of the hostages, still held in Hamas captivity in some Gazan hell hole. If anything exciting happens, I shall let you know, but am praying for quiet days. Hopefully we’ll visit friends in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Ashdod over the holiday. It’s supposed to be very hot and sunny.

May we have a peaceful Passover holiday.

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April 16, 2024

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A Tale of Two Countries

We spent a month the countryside of England. It was cold and continually rainy, but everything was so green. I’ve never seen so many daffodils!! And tulips! And primroses! And muscari!!! The thatched cottages were so quaint. Antiques shopping amazing (I brought back a whole suitcase full of treasures!). And my daughter and her family… incredible.

She and her husband are the perfect match. And the new baby!!! Just when I thought they couldn’t get any get any cuter or brighter- along came the littlest Bean, Ian Emmet. And Tristan’s family are all just wonderful, kind, big hearted people.

I wish I could have said that about all of England. I was told beforehand: hide any signs of Judaism or Israeli nationality. I begrudgingly obliged. The first day we spent time in Cambridge- old, historical, beautiful university town. Lots of Palestinian flags hanging from windows.

We love the British charity shops. Upscale thrift at great prices. Clothes. Antiques. Cards & stationary. But this time there were signs in the windows that are against the “genocide in Gaza caused by the Zionist military regime.” And “we will donate 10% of proceeds to UNRWA to help the innocent victims of Gaza.” Hello….did you not get the news that UNWRA is complicit with Hamas in terror education, support, and military cover-ups? But it was a university town after all.

When we were introduced by my daughter to her neighbors, friends, coworkers as her “parents from Israel,” there was always the immediate barrage of questions. I found myself in in-depth conversations with people who were misinformed but meant well.

It was no wonder. Every time one turns on the BBC – whether radio or telly – one seems to be bombarded with pro-Palestinian rallies and chanting. Videos of bombed buildings and bloodied children. Starving people. It’s always one sided and decidedly anti-Israel. No Douglas Murray or Nate Buzolic to state the truth on the ground with the voice of reason.

I went to synagogue on Saturday mornings- a stately brick building standing proudly in a once-beautiful, once-upscale neighborhood of brick Victorian townhomes. I was usually the only woman (besides he rabbi’s wife) there, about 15-20 older men carrying on services downstairs. The “younger set” had all moved to Israel or stopped attending long ago.

During COVID, the synagogue board had to make the difficult decision to sell off their large social hall and school to stay fiscally above water. Shortly after the sale, within months, the property was turned around again. It is now the Islamic Center. The entire neighborhood is now Muslim. Kosher markets are now halal. The beautiful Anglican Church down the street (active since the late 1600s) now sits empty. It’s all very sad.

We managed to keep up with all the news from both Israel and the States. Biden continually calling for complete ceasefire; Hamas vetoing 3 separate hostage negotiations; the insistence for more humanitarian aid to be let into Gaza.

In the month we were gone, the IDF, acting on accurate intel, raided the Shifa Hospital Medical Complex in Northern Israel. It was being used as a terrorist command and control center for Hamas. Thousands of weapons were found including RPGs, grenades and guns and ammo. IDF killed hundreds of active terrorists and captured thousands. Important intelligence was retrieved.

Still, the world was decidedly turning against Israel for not ending the war. It became about deposing Netanyahu. The demonstrations (stoked by White House and US State Department officials- I have copies of the leaked documents and messages if you want me to post them – the demonstrations in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem restarted. Oust Bibi. Bring home the hostages by any means necessary. Ceasefire now. It was a very small but vocal minority.

US Senator Chuck Schumer actually called for Prime Minister Netanyahu to resign immediately and for new elections to be held. John and I were appalled at the audacity for a foreign government member to do this to a sovereign nation in the midst of an existential war for its survival.

In the meantime…Death to Israel rallies were the latest English fashion. We tried to stay above t all. We watched the airdrops of aid. We watched as many meals were being thrown away because they were not fast enough. We were saddened by the tragic killing (accidental) of the aid workers to the Gazans by the IDF. And horrified at the world’s reaction in blasting the Israeli army and administration.

At the end of March, the IDF blew up IRGC targets in Syria including cargo shipments of weapons being transferred between Iran and Hizbulla. 14 targeted hits were launched including top Iranian intel and communications experts who were eliminated. Then two weeks ago, Israel took down the Iranian consulate in Damascus, killing top level commandos.

As for me, I realized I have a slight case of PTSD. Our daughter lives in the flight path of an active airport. We’d hear the jets during the day and at night. I’d hear, look for and think of IAF jets. Every time I’d look at my red headed baby grandson I’d think of baby, Kfir Bibas who was captured at 9 months. They look so much alike. Is Kfir and his 4 year old brother, the mom and dad (all taken by Hamas) still alive???? My grandson was born that horrific morning… Every time I’d have to explain, re-interpret misinformation, or hear more bad news I’d get anxious.

Every day my red alert sirens would sound. When people would ask, “What is that? What’s that siren? What’s happening?” I’d tell them “Oh, it’s Hamas still launching rockets into Israeli civilian territory. It’s Hizbulla firing missiles at the Northern Israeli border communities. It tells you to immediately get into a bomb shelter if in the area.” No one had a clue this was gong on. Every. Single.Day-

Despite it all, we had a wonderful time. The Cotswolds and Blenheim Palace were beyond breathtaking. Cambridge, Oxford, the Cathedrals, Estate Homes. Seeing family was the best. We actually spent much of our time helping with home improvements, organizing, cooking meals, and of course, enjoying the baby. Such a delight!!!! Grandparenting is way underrated. We look forward to the time hey visit us.

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April 14, 2024

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Welcome Home!!!

Thank you to all those readers out there who expressed concern over my absence.

John & I spent a gloriously cool and wet month in England visiting my daughter, son-in-law and their first child who was born 7 October. Everything is grand with them. Two people completely perfectly matched. A new baby, whose problems and concerns are gone despite his rocky start. I think they’ll be a lovely family -and we get a grandkid with a British accent.

Beginning with the last 24 hours and moving backwards in time, a small recap: We arrived home in Israel Thursday night. It was the last night of the Ramadan festivities and at 6pm every Israeli of the Muslim faith must have gotten into a car to celebrate ‘somewhere else.’ The highways were all gridlocked for hours. It was worse than trying to leave downtown LA on the 5 at rush hour.

We were asked if we were afraid to return to Israel by myriad Britains. No. We are not afraid: slightly nervous as to the course of events, but not afraid. Tensions in the Middle East had been rising exponentially over the past weeks. After Israel made a targeted surgical strike on the Iranian Consulate in Damascus killing some top level IRGC commanders, Iran vowed to soon retaliate.

As we were flying, intelligence reported that there would be a massive Iranian attack on Israel within the next 24 hours. Friday morning brought us an early morning shopping to replace everything in our empty fridge. John has taxes to file. My son, who had been called back to reserves, was given leave for the weekend as his unit was way over staffed. I dove into cooking meals for Friday & Saturday. Unpacking. Cleaning.

We welcomed a day of complete rest on Saturday. Saturday night, after Sabbath, we received messages – notice from Home Front Command that all schools would be closed. Large gatherings prohibited. Stay close to a bomb shelter. We decided to relax and watch a movie and get to bed really early. We were supposed to be at the kennel to pick up our dog first thing in the morning. The text messages started to flow around 11 and a further announcement and reassessment of the current situation would be made at 6am.

Shortly after 11:30, we heard the jets mobilized, screeeeeling overhead. Strafing the sky. Lots of them. Flying low, directly overhead. Iran had launched 50 UAVs. Then 80 suicide drones were launched. And more to come. They would take 3-4 hours to get here. Then we got word of multiple cruise and ballistic missiles launched and headed our way. It was a matter of a couple hours all told. So… our safe room was fully ready. How would we react?

Of course, we prayed. Especially Psalms 27, 83, 91 & 121. We prayed specifically for our leaders, our soldiers, our citizens, our borders. John and Max discussed scenarios – the what, when, why and how. And possible outcomes. Prime Minister Netanyahu and the War Cabinet’s plane was in the air. Israel closed airspace almost immediately. Planes en route to Israel were turned around. Iraq and Jordan soon followed, closing their airspace.

We were completely exhausted. What could we do? We decided to trust whole heartedly in G-d for protection. None of us felt any real anxiety at all. If there was a siren, we’d hear it and move downstairs. We went to bed around one. So much for an early bedtime. And because John & my batteries were low on phones and iPads ((John & I were sharing a power cord that gave up the ghost Saturday sometime), our phones were silenced and powered off.

We woke up at 6 am to a huge amount of texts from news outlets, home front, family and friends. The rundown:

331 drones and missiles were launched around 11:30 by Iran at Israel. 185 out of 185 explosives laden suicide drones were shot down by Israeli, US, UK and Jordanian forces before they could even reach Israeli territory. Of 110 ballistic missiles, 103 were downed. 36 out of 36 Cruise Missiles were shot down. 7 ballistic missiles were shot down or fell over Israel, mostly landing in fields and vacant areas. There was quite a bit of activity in the Golan Heights. Miraculously, only 1 person was injured- a young Bedouin girl in the Negev (no shelter) who underwent immediate surgery for a head trauma. She remains in serious but stable condition and I pray she recovers quickly and fully.

Yes, it was a miracle. Truly G-d’s hand was at work protecting the land, the defenders and the people. He deserves great thanks. As does our magnificent IAF, Iron Dome, David’s Sling and all other defense operators.

This morning, the people at the kennel and several folks we encountered today told us they heard hugely loud booms around 2am. Alarms sounded numerous times in Jerusalem, Beersheva (in the South) and Tel Aviv areas. The Houthis had also fired to the south- one aim was to take out Dimona nuclear reactor in the desert. However, very few people experienced fear or terror. Most folk had put their trust in the L-rd and the IDF and stayed calm.

But- hear me out. This is just my personal theory and opinion not news. Just things to think about:

1) Acting on intelligence, Israel did eliminate top IRGC leaders. So Iran had to retaliate in order to save face. It’s always a tit-for-tat volley of getting even here. In order to stay in the power game, Iran had to have a show of strength.

2) The Iranian terror regime, verified by US and Israeli intelligence, promised a massive retaliatory strike within 48 hours on Thursday night. If you want to do real harm, do a surprise act. Do not announce plans in advance. That’s just idiotic. And strange-

3) It gave Israel time to reinforce, suit up and have allies in place (unannounced). Defensively, all was in order.

4) Iran had moved missiles and troops in advance as recorded by satellite imagery. They announced the launches within minutes of their happening, giving our planes time to scramble.

Coincidentally, simultaneously happening pro-Hamas cease-fire rallies throughout the world (Toronto, London, New York) quickly turned into a “full fire” Death to Israel and Death to America mob scenes…

5) Everything airborne from Iran was shot down by 2:50 am and an all-over/all-clear was sounded in Israel. Air space was reopened by 6am. Coast clear. This attack didn’t last long-

6) Biden declares joint US and Israeli victory. He instructs the Israeli War Cabinet to just “take the win” and not retaliate. Despite an ultimate act of war (or Iranian propaganda), Israel is to move on. Nothing to see here. Nothing doing. Now can you increase Gaza aid?

7) Biden touts his ironclad relationship with Israel and his role in minimizing escalation and maximizing protection- just defensively, not offensively. He wins with both pro-Israel crowds by US air support and with pro- Islamist crowds for calling for an end and vowing not to support an offensive stance. Fair enough. We do appreciate US help. The UK, France, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain and UAE also assisted as well as Cypress.

8) Iran begins televising the total destruction of Israel completely engulfed in flames on their national programming. The celebration is also picked up by Memri TV. Except they turn out to be film from past Texas and California wildfires. Iran declares victory over Israel.

9)Sec Gen of UN, Gutierres, condemns Iranian attack

10) China, while not calling it an act of terror or act of war, calls for restraint.

So…. Was it all political posturing and wrangling? A test of iDF readiness and resolve? An invitation to escalation? An attempt to for Iran to show itself a global powerhouse? Just things to think about.

The Israeli War Cabinet meets this evening in a couple hours. They will discuss the next steps in all of this. We pray for them to make right, just and g-dly decisions.

Because events de-escalated rather rapidly ( we slept through the action!!!), our son was released from active reserves. Classes resumed this afternoon and he had a debate team to coach tonight and class to teach tomorrow at Uni. We drove him down to the TelAviv area and came back up North this afternoon. Still have tons to do and I’m still completely wiped, so we are calling another early night.

I shall write more tomorrow. Until then, May we have peace and quiet.