Greetings from the unbelievably pleasant Jerusalem. The entire city seems to be enveloped in a cloud of the most heavenly scent of jasmine flowers--it has to be the scent of the Garden of Eden. We've survived the nearly-unbearable summer, and the prize is perfect weather these days. However, you'd never know it from the forecast on the nightly news. You know you're in Israel when a forecast of "It's perfect weather out" comes from a meteorologist who looks like she just told you your beloved uncle passed away. The catch, of course, is that we are beyond desperate for rain, and the nation of Israel's prayers for rain over the land of Israel have been answered only very sparingly so far during this "rainy" season.
It's been amazing to be back in Israel after my five-week US trip: back to school (very interesting classes), work (stimulating, challenging, and fulfilling), and regular life (in one word, phenomenal). Monday I successfully donated blood to Magen David Adom for the seventh time since my aliyah!
Please visit the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network's profile of my hero, Dad's story. They cut out "Medical City" before "hospital"--I like to think you know my syntax is better than that. Speaking of syntax, enjoy this phenomenal set of Ron Washington clips (more on the 2010 American League Champion Texas Rangers to come).
For now I must go pray and wish you a שבת שלום!
אריק/Eric
Friday, November 12, 2010
Thursday, September 30, 2010
It's Uncle Time
Here are the highlights from my extended stay in Dallas:
-Having the Blums and their adorable and friendly kids over.
-Lots of laughs with former Jerusalem roommate DT and his very much Texan dad (like father, like son).
-Drinking a Shiner or 6 with the old elementary school-era 3 Amigos: Andrew and Evan.
-Catching Bedford Blues Fest with the awesome Smith family, and catching the legendary Taj Mahal with Eli.
-Wonderful conversation imbued with a lot of meaning with old friend Lauren Eastburn and some amazing commonalities with my religious Christian friends--the Smiths and Lauren.
-An amazing Rosh HaShana long weekend with Amy and the Davidson boys--blue Ben smothered in his 1st bday cake and teaching Jake “On the Road Again” on the way to the pond for tashlich (find link).
-Cheering on the Rangers with Mom as Cliff Lee swept the loathed Yankees out of Texas, and catching another nice Rangers win with Evan.
-Going for a swim with Lexie--dear friends Natalie and Jason’s dog. I better hit the pool--I sadly kept losing in a race with a golden/poodle.
-Good times with all the family/family friends--the Davidsons, Cohens, Kramers, Blums, Browns, Habermans and more.
-Taking the DART light rail downtown for lunch with Stephen and meeting his incredibly good match of a girlfriend.
-Experiencing Jerry Jones-World with the incredibly generous and kind Kamans. The only appropriate word for the place: ridiculous. After being paraded as gods, replete with great balls of fire to welcome them onto the field, the “team” laid an enormous egg and were put in their place by da bears, who played a great game. Most of all, this cast of grossly overpaid characters just made me reminiscent of the good ol’ days when Dad and I had season tickets starting in ’92 to witness Aikman, Emmittt, Jay Novacek, “Moose” Johnston, and some real teams just go out and dominate the NFL for a few years. This place is one giant display of misplaced American values. I did notice that the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are very serious about tzni’ut (modesty)--religious Jewish women generally wear sleeves to their elbows in public. “America’s Sweethearts” take it one step further in covering their entire arms! Wait a second...looks like that’s about all they’re covering. Anyway, I’m glad I made it to the show once, but can’t imagine I’ll return.
-Celebrating with Mom and Dad as the Rangers clinched their first division title and playoff berth in 11 years. What a treat! I implore you boys to keep on winning for my dad!
-The incredible depth of Jewish knowledge and Torah that Rabbi Aryeh Rodin passes on to nearby Ohev Shalom synagogue every day (but in particular over the slew of holidays we’ve just celebrated). Wonderful hosts for Sukkot meals, Shiner in the sukkah (the one time when it’s a mitzvah to simply drink beer--man, I love G-d!), the Sukkah-hop which took us to eight neighborhood sukkot (and had me direct a herd of Members of the Tribe crossing bustling Hillcrest).
-The significant amount of Hebrew I heard (and joined in on) at our local kosher restaurants, and at the Dallas Jewish Film Fest for the fantastic Israeli flick, “A Matter of Size.”
-Watching so much great stuff with Dad--Gershwin biopic “Rhapsody in Blue,” finally seeing “West Side Story,” a great PBS documentary on Jerusalem, a fantastic Fred Hersch documentary, and footage of Ray Charles’ performance in Israel and tour of the country (including a meeting with David Ben-Gurion) shortly before the Yom Kippur War.
-Enjoying with Dad the sublime new Kurt Elling tribute album to John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman--one of our all-time favorite albums rejuvenated by one of our favorite tandems of singer Elling with his pianist and arranger Laurence Hobgood. Oh and of course our old favs such as Mel Lewis-Thad Jones' Central Park North.
-Just sitting back and witnessing the musical genius that is my dad.
Listening to his high school performances and feeling his excitement leading up to the 50th Woodward High reunion this weekend in Cincinnati.
-Catching the fascinating exhibit on Mayan connections to the sea at Fort Worth’s Kimbell Museum.
-Listening to the audio tape of my bris (!) and hearing my sis (age 3 then) say she loved me, as well as a lost track Dad composed for me, which happens to be a fantastic tune!
-Sitting in on several of Dad’s doctor appointments and getting an even better sense of the incredible angels taking care of him and guiding him to recovery.
-Standing next to Dad as the scale finally told him he was gaining some weight back (those 300-calorie servings of Cincinnati’s own Graeter’s ice cream are finally doing the trick).
And now I’m back uncling away in Connecticut for another long weekend before heading back home to Jerusalem early next week.
To catch up on old news, Eilat’s annual Red Sea Jazz Festival cemented its position at the top of my jazz fests list. I had another spiritual moment at Danilo Perez’s show. He fed heavy doses of his infectious energy to his trio, as well as the crowd, and afterwards this pure spirit got on the phone with Dad to wish him a quick and complete recovery (they had met in Dallas in the spring when Dad mentioned that a line from Rhapsody in Blue in Perez’s version of Bright Mississippi sounded awfully familiar). Gary Burton and Jeff “Tain” Watts’ groups killed, and the choir of Chicago at-risk youth, “Soul Children of Chicago” uplifted the crowd like something you’ve never seen before. Then a finale of fest artistic director Avishai Cohen jamming with Danilo (just as when I was first introduced to both with Dad at the 1997 International Association of Jazz Educators convention in Chicago) at the jam session (that went til sunrise) was the absolutely perfect bookend for the perfect festival at the stunning setting in Israel’s port city.
To catch up on politics, here’s a barrage of overdue links:
Barry Rubin on the prospects of a two-state solution. The mother of Sbarro massacre victim Malki Roth writes an impassioned plea to Israel to take the pressure off of Netanyahu to remove Hamas prisoners in exchange for Gilad Shalit. Here's friend Elana Kieffer on the 210 humanitarian aid trucks that entered the Gaza Strip from Israel one Sunday. Here's an interesting Arab look into the Palestinian street's resentment of the PA. David Horovitz urges Israel not to underestimate our enemies here. Here's some great news on strengthening U.S.-Israel military ties.
Here's a great George Will editorial on my Prime Minister Netanyahu's nationalism in a post-nationalist world, another censuring those who urge us to take "risks for peace", plus another on the mirage of the peace process.
Dershowitz says it well here as to the challenges of achieving a peace deal with the Palestinians. Here's Rubin again, on the "Blame Israel" phenomenon.
During my visit, Time managed to add themselves to the “dead to me” list for their pernicious, misleading magazine cover, an article which among other heavier faults depicted the life-blood of my existence, Jerusalem on Shabbat, as a mausoleum, is now off the team. Hats off to Ambassador to the US Michael Oren and David Horovitz for eloquently expressing my sentiments (links to come).
In Israeli music news, a summer of many stellar concerts included this phenomenal Gidi Gov duet with Rona Kinon
“הריקוד המוזר של הלב”
On the way to hear incredible song-writer and one of the torch-bearers of the young generation of Israeli rock, Aviv Geffen, I heard the legendary Jethro Tull. Unbelievable city I live in. Here's "Keren Or" by Achinoam Nini.ומידע אליה בויקיבדיה. Here's a really cool piece about the inclusion of religious texts into Israeli music.
And here's an interesting piece on gerontology demographics and the compounding effects of the economic slowdown
Um, can't say I've run across GloZell until I saw this, but my goodness she and SK are a riot here as they prepare for their maiden voyage to a synagogue.
With that, I wish a festive Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, and a year imbued with Torah learning and values (if that's what you're into, of course)! Much love,
Eric/אריק
-Having the Blums and their adorable and friendly kids over.
-Lots of laughs with former Jerusalem roommate DT and his very much Texan dad (like father, like son).
-Drinking a Shiner or 6 with the old elementary school-era 3 Amigos: Andrew and Evan.
-Catching Bedford Blues Fest with the awesome Smith family, and catching the legendary Taj Mahal with Eli.
-Wonderful conversation imbued with a lot of meaning with old friend Lauren Eastburn and some amazing commonalities with my religious Christian friends--the Smiths and Lauren.
-An amazing Rosh HaShana long weekend with Amy and the Davidson boys--blue Ben smothered in his 1st bday cake and teaching Jake “On the Road Again” on the way to the pond for tashlich (find link).
-Cheering on the Rangers with Mom as Cliff Lee swept the loathed Yankees out of Texas, and catching another nice Rangers win with Evan.
-Going for a swim with Lexie--dear friends Natalie and Jason’s dog. I better hit the pool--I sadly kept losing in a race with a golden/poodle.
-Good times with all the family/family friends--the Davidsons, Cohens, Kramers, Blums, Browns, Habermans and more.
-Taking the DART light rail downtown for lunch with Stephen and meeting his incredibly good match of a girlfriend.
-Experiencing Jerry Jones-World with the incredibly generous and kind Kamans. The only appropriate word for the place: ridiculous. After being paraded as gods, replete with great balls of fire to welcome them onto the field, the “team” laid an enormous egg and were put in their place by da bears, who played a great game. Most of all, this cast of grossly overpaid characters just made me reminiscent of the good ol’ days when Dad and I had season tickets starting in ’92 to witness Aikman, Emmittt, Jay Novacek, “Moose” Johnston, and some real teams just go out and dominate the NFL for a few years. This place is one giant display of misplaced American values. I did notice that the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders are very serious about tzni’ut (modesty)--religious Jewish women generally wear sleeves to their elbows in public. “America’s Sweethearts” take it one step further in covering their entire arms! Wait a second...looks like that’s about all they’re covering. Anyway, I’m glad I made it to the show once, but can’t imagine I’ll return.
-Celebrating with Mom and Dad as the Rangers clinched their first division title and playoff berth in 11 years. What a treat! I implore you boys to keep on winning for my dad!
-The incredible depth of Jewish knowledge and Torah that Rabbi Aryeh Rodin passes on to nearby Ohev Shalom synagogue every day (but in particular over the slew of holidays we’ve just celebrated). Wonderful hosts for Sukkot meals, Shiner in the sukkah (the one time when it’s a mitzvah to simply drink beer--man, I love G-d!), the Sukkah-hop which took us to eight neighborhood sukkot (and had me direct a herd of Members of the Tribe crossing bustling Hillcrest).
-The significant amount of Hebrew I heard (and joined in on) at our local kosher restaurants, and at the Dallas Jewish Film Fest for the fantastic Israeli flick, “A Matter of Size.”
-Watching so much great stuff with Dad--Gershwin biopic “Rhapsody in Blue,” finally seeing “West Side Story,” a great PBS documentary on Jerusalem, a fantastic Fred Hersch documentary, and footage of Ray Charles’ performance in Israel and tour of the country (including a meeting with David Ben-Gurion) shortly before the Yom Kippur War.
-Enjoying with Dad the sublime new Kurt Elling tribute album to John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman--one of our all-time favorite albums rejuvenated by one of our favorite tandems of singer Elling with his pianist and arranger Laurence Hobgood. Oh and of course our old favs such as Mel Lewis-Thad Jones' Central Park North.
-Just sitting back and witnessing the musical genius that is my dad.
Listening to his high school performances and feeling his excitement leading up to the 50th Woodward High reunion this weekend in Cincinnati.
-Catching the fascinating exhibit on Mayan connections to the sea at Fort Worth’s Kimbell Museum.
-Listening to the audio tape of my bris (!) and hearing my sis (age 3 then) say she loved me, as well as a lost track Dad composed for me, which happens to be a fantastic tune!
-Sitting in on several of Dad’s doctor appointments and getting an even better sense of the incredible angels taking care of him and guiding him to recovery.
-Standing next to Dad as the scale finally told him he was gaining some weight back (those 300-calorie servings of Cincinnati’s own Graeter’s ice cream are finally doing the trick).
And now I’m back uncling away in Connecticut for another long weekend before heading back home to Jerusalem early next week.
To catch up on old news, Eilat’s annual Red Sea Jazz Festival cemented its position at the top of my jazz fests list. I had another spiritual moment at Danilo Perez’s show. He fed heavy doses of his infectious energy to his trio, as well as the crowd, and afterwards this pure spirit got on the phone with Dad to wish him a quick and complete recovery (they had met in Dallas in the spring when Dad mentioned that a line from Rhapsody in Blue in Perez’s version of Bright Mississippi sounded awfully familiar). Gary Burton and Jeff “Tain” Watts’ groups killed, and the choir of Chicago at-risk youth, “Soul Children of Chicago” uplifted the crowd like something you’ve never seen before. Then a finale of fest artistic director Avishai Cohen jamming with Danilo (just as when I was first introduced to both with Dad at the 1997 International Association of Jazz Educators convention in Chicago) at the jam session (that went til sunrise) was the absolutely perfect bookend for the perfect festival at the stunning setting in Israel’s port city.
To catch up on politics, here’s a barrage of overdue links:
Barry Rubin on the prospects of a two-state solution. The mother of Sbarro massacre victim Malki Roth writes an impassioned plea to Israel to take the pressure off of Netanyahu to remove Hamas prisoners in exchange for Gilad Shalit. Here's friend Elana Kieffer on the 210 humanitarian aid trucks that entered the Gaza Strip from Israel one Sunday. Here's an interesting Arab look into the Palestinian street's resentment of the PA. David Horovitz urges Israel not to underestimate our enemies here. Here's some great news on strengthening U.S.-Israel military ties.
Here's a great George Will editorial on my Prime Minister Netanyahu's nationalism in a post-nationalist world, another censuring those who urge us to take "risks for peace", plus another on the mirage of the peace process.
Dershowitz says it well here as to the challenges of achieving a peace deal with the Palestinians. Here's Rubin again, on the "Blame Israel" phenomenon.
During my visit, Time managed to add themselves to the “dead to me” list for their pernicious, misleading magazine cover, an article which among other heavier faults depicted the life-blood of my existence, Jerusalem on Shabbat, as a mausoleum, is now off the team. Hats off to Ambassador to the US Michael Oren and David Horovitz for eloquently expressing my sentiments (links to come).
In Israeli music news, a summer of many stellar concerts included this phenomenal Gidi Gov duet with Rona Kinon
“הריקוד המוזר של הלב”
On the way to hear incredible song-writer and one of the torch-bearers of the young generation of Israeli rock, Aviv Geffen, I heard the legendary Jethro Tull. Unbelievable city I live in. Here's "Keren Or" by Achinoam Nini.ומידע אליה בויקיבדיה. Here's a really cool piece about the inclusion of religious texts into Israeli music.
And here's an interesting piece on gerontology demographics and the compounding effects of the economic slowdown
Um, can't say I've run across GloZell until I saw this, but my goodness she and SK are a riot here as they prepare for their maiden voyage to a synagogue.
With that, I wish a festive Shmini Atzeret and Simchat Torah, and a year imbued with Torah learning and values (if that's what you're into, of course)! Much love,
Eric/אריק
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Almost there!
I just have to wrap up a paper here to close out spring semester at Ben-Gurion University. Doesn't feel much like spring here in the baking oven that is Israel in August. I made it through exams in one piece. Room for improvement? Absolutely. But I'm feeling incredible to have these doozies: epidemiology, budget management & planning, & pathophysiology-all in Hebrew-in my rearview mirror.
I'll have to throw a bunch of links for your reading pleasure (ok, maybe most of this isn't the most leisurely reading), and then get back to work...
I'll start with friend Elana Kieffer's article on behalf of the Israel Defense Forces' Spokesperson's Unit about last week's Lebanese attack across our northern border, killing one soldier and seriously wounding another. This Jerusalem Post editorial urges a new approach to Lebanon from the US. I'd urge as I regularly do that you follow AIPAC's latest action items. Barry Rubin answers who's to blame for. Here's a column about Shimon Peres versus the Brits. You probably see all about Israel oppressing Palestinians if you read, say, the New York Times. Less likely that you've seen measures that the Palestinian Authority’s security forces are taking against those connected to Hamas. I did find this Times op-ed enlightening on Arab views towards the Palestinians. Also interesting are a David Horovitz interview with Arab-Israeli relations.
In lighter news, it's always fun watching coverage of the latest Nefesh B'Nefesh flight full of new olim to Israel. And if you managed to miss clown Amare Stoudemire's interview on an Israeli sports channel, and feel like a laugh, check it out. Interesting that he hasn't had his bat mitzvah yet.
I'm afraid the only thing I'll be writing for now is that essay. See you back here after I get that bad boy off the to-do list. For now, let's go Texas Rangers!
שבוע טוב, וחודש טוב,
אריק/Eric
I'll have to throw a bunch of links for your reading pleasure (ok, maybe most of this isn't the most leisurely reading), and then get back to work...
I'll start with friend Elana Kieffer's article on behalf of the Israel Defense Forces' Spokesperson's Unit about last week's Lebanese attack across our northern border, killing one soldier and seriously wounding another. This Jerusalem Post editorial urges a new approach to Lebanon from the US. I'd urge as I regularly do that you follow AIPAC's latest action items. Barry Rubin answers who's to blame for. Here's a column about Shimon Peres versus the Brits. You probably see all about Israel oppressing Palestinians if you read, say, the New York Times. Less likely that you've seen measures that the Palestinian Authority’s security forces are taking against those connected to Hamas. I did find this Times op-ed enlightening on Arab views towards the Palestinians. Also interesting are a David Horovitz interview with Arab-Israeli relations.
In lighter news, it's always fun watching coverage of the latest Nefesh B'Nefesh flight full of new olim to Israel. And if you managed to miss clown Amare Stoudemire's interview on an Israeli sports channel, and feel like a laugh, check it out. Interesting that he hasn't had his bat mitzvah yet.
I'm afraid the only thing I'll be writing for now is that essay. See you back here after I get that bad boy off the to-do list. For now, let's go Texas Rangers!
שבוע טוב, וחודש טוב,
אריק/Eric
Sunday, July 11, 2010
2 incredible years
A reflection on two incredible years as an Israeli since my July 10, 2008 aliyah (it is still the 10th back in the US...). Video of the once-in-a-lifetime landing here...
The immediate first thought while reflecting on the last two years is how incredible the friends I have encountered are. I've lucked out with some of the coolest roommates I've ever had--the kind of guys who tell the jokes that you think of the next day and then just start busting out laughing on the street. I have been blessed with so many incredible people who pray for my dad's recovery without having met him (If you like, please keep posted on Dad's fight with cancer at his CaringBridge site. Mentioning those friends wasn't a hint, but your prayers for Jerry/ידידיה בן נעמי are greatly appreciated). I feel so fortunate to be studying for a Master's in Gerontology at Ben-Gurion University with an incredible cohort that includes the director of an elderly day center for the last 14 years, and her boss, as well as a whole slew of others who look out for the only new immigrant in the program (one friend has taught me some priceless slang). I think of how technology such as the latest find, Rebtel (where I pay $.015/minute to call the US), makes it so much easier to be across the world than it was for olim decades ago. Easier, but certainly not easy.
For those of you who are Six Feet Under fans, this goosebump-arousing final scene of the series may help you to understand my feelings upon moving east, like Clare. The excitement of my journey and enormous move doesn't negate the reality that everything will come to an end, and that I won't always be able to be where/with whom I want to be.
For all the political frustrations, the war in Gaza, and the daily struggles, I am still full of hope and optimism for my future here and my ability to continue climbing even higher towards the over-arching goal of improving life for the elderly in Israel.
In totally different news, I'm all smiles about the great news out of Texas of a pitcher's arrival that could really make for a promising season (for once) for my Rangers!
As for July 4th, already a week back: I, like Ray Charles, love America! On the 4th, though, I took in the beauty of Israel on work, from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv to gorgeous Kibbutz Hamadia in the Beit She'an Valley. Hamadia is surrounded by hills and mountains, the Jordan River Valley to the east, and the mountains of Jordan across the valley. We arrived shortly before sunset, and the beauty was quite simply stunning.
Here's to some US-style freedom for Gilad Shalit, Israeli kids in the Gaza belt who still visit their bomb shelters too often (139 rockets were fired during the 1st 6 months of 2010; 5 dead, 243 hurt from Palestinian terrorism over that time), and my neighbors who are guided by hatred and rejection. Break those shackles, let a little love into your heart, and let's all build a future here.
Last Thursday, I caught only the flow of participants out of Jerusalem's Independence Park after the rally for Shalit led by his parents. The event capped their 11-day march from their home, all the way in Israel's North, to Jerusalem, accompanied by thousands of supporters. (I actually encountered the march twice: on the way up to Hamadia, and then on the return from Beer Sheva to Jerusalem). An interesting dichotomy was seen in the counter-protesters, saying "Free Gilad, but not at any price", many of whom were religious, in contrast with the overwhelmingly secular attendees of the main rally. We are a too-divided people, trying to make impossible decisions which weigh the freedom everyone wants for one young twenty-something against the safety of the entire country's citizens.
Here's Barry Rubin on misinformation in reporting on the Middle East, Daniel Pipes questioning whether it's wise to take the Palestinian Authority's proclamations in English seriously, and another awful terrorist attack that thankfully went awry.
As for last week's markedly improved (at least in appearance) Obama-Netanyahu meeting, David Horovitz comments on Obama's Channel 2 interview and asks whether the relationship really is now on better footing.
In gerontology news, this EU initiative for a Europe-wide public debate on pension systems looks very interesting.
With that I must go to bed. שבוע טוב!
אריק/Eric
The immediate first thought while reflecting on the last two years is how incredible the friends I have encountered are. I've lucked out with some of the coolest roommates I've ever had--the kind of guys who tell the jokes that you think of the next day and then just start busting out laughing on the street. I have been blessed with so many incredible people who pray for my dad's recovery without having met him (If you like, please keep posted on Dad's fight with cancer at his CaringBridge site. Mentioning those friends wasn't a hint, but your prayers for Jerry/ידידיה בן נעמי are greatly appreciated). I feel so fortunate to be studying for a Master's in Gerontology at Ben-Gurion University with an incredible cohort that includes the director of an elderly day center for the last 14 years, and her boss, as well as a whole slew of others who look out for the only new immigrant in the program (one friend has taught me some priceless slang). I think of how technology such as the latest find, Rebtel (where I pay $.015/minute to call the US), makes it so much easier to be across the world than it was for olim decades ago. Easier, but certainly not easy.
For those of you who are Six Feet Under fans, this goosebump-arousing final scene of the series may help you to understand my feelings upon moving east, like Clare. The excitement of my journey and enormous move doesn't negate the reality that everything will come to an end, and that I won't always be able to be where/with whom I want to be.
For all the political frustrations, the war in Gaza, and the daily struggles, I am still full of hope and optimism for my future here and my ability to continue climbing even higher towards the over-arching goal of improving life for the elderly in Israel.
In totally different news, I'm all smiles about the great news out of Texas of a pitcher's arrival that could really make for a promising season (for once) for my Rangers!
As for July 4th, already a week back: I, like Ray Charles, love America! On the 4th, though, I took in the beauty of Israel on work, from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv to gorgeous Kibbutz Hamadia in the Beit She'an Valley. Hamadia is surrounded by hills and mountains, the Jordan River Valley to the east, and the mountains of Jordan across the valley. We arrived shortly before sunset, and the beauty was quite simply stunning.
Here's to some US-style freedom for Gilad Shalit, Israeli kids in the Gaza belt who still visit their bomb shelters too often (139 rockets were fired during the 1st 6 months of 2010; 5 dead, 243 hurt from Palestinian terrorism over that time), and my neighbors who are guided by hatred and rejection. Break those shackles, let a little love into your heart, and let's all build a future here.
Last Thursday, I caught only the flow of participants out of Jerusalem's Independence Park after the rally for Shalit led by his parents. The event capped their 11-day march from their home, all the way in Israel's North, to Jerusalem, accompanied by thousands of supporters. (I actually encountered the march twice: on the way up to Hamadia, and then on the return from Beer Sheva to Jerusalem). An interesting dichotomy was seen in the counter-protesters, saying "Free Gilad, but not at any price", many of whom were religious, in contrast with the overwhelmingly secular attendees of the main rally. We are a too-divided people, trying to make impossible decisions which weigh the freedom everyone wants for one young twenty-something against the safety of the entire country's citizens.
Here's Barry Rubin on misinformation in reporting on the Middle East, Daniel Pipes questioning whether it's wise to take the Palestinian Authority's proclamations in English seriously, and another awful terrorist attack that thankfully went awry.
As for last week's markedly improved (at least in appearance) Obama-Netanyahu meeting, David Horovitz comments on Obama's Channel 2 interview and asks whether the relationship really is now on better footing.
In gerontology news, this EU initiative for a Europe-wide public debate on pension systems looks very interesting.
With that I must go to bed. שבוע טוב!
אריק/Eric
Friday, July 2, 2010
4 years...+ another week
...since Gilad Shalit was kidnapped inside Israel and taken into Gaza in captivity by Hamas. Last week's fourth anniversary was commemorated around the world. I think this Jerusalem Post editorial voices a level-headed approach to the debate. As for whom we're dealing with in Hamas, here's their charter, translated by the wonderful Middle East Media Research Institute. Take a look at the insanity that is Hamas.
Here's the latest barrage of links...Important info on the humanitarian situation in Gaza from: Arutz Sheva, the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.
If only it would be so easy to create 5 states as Daniel Gordis devised here. Here's a Wall Street Journal column on "world opinion" and Israel. Here's Barry Rubin on the repercussions of Israel easing the blockade of Gaza, and then dissecting Obama's White House statement on Gaza. Here's an interesting David Horovitz-Tony Blair interview. Daniel Pipes voices his always strong opinions about the Jihadi terrorism debate here. Will Islam ever accept Israel? Take a look here.
In domestic news--we seem to be paying for the Israel Water Authority's incompetence, and the traditionally outstanding Israeli health care system needs an inordinant amount of work to stay strong.
I admittedly didn't get to check out Richard L. Rubenstein aside from the bio provided here, but he has nothing nice to say about President Obama. I certainly like to hope he's way off. However, the way that, in my eyes, Obama has time and again said and done the wrong thing when presented with the opportunity to do like Spike Lee did, "Do the Right Thing," I am concerned.
For something completely different, check out this cool Herbie Hancock interview about his musical globalization efforts.
Here's my letter to Anat Dotan-Amar's son:
Dear Rotem Yair,
Your mother Anat epitomized everything I have come to love about our country, Israel. She radiated light, joy, and celebration through her incredible smile and love for this place and for her fellow Jewish people. That light that she brought into the world will shine on. Your middle name Yair could not be more appropriate--you, please G-d, will illuminate the world just like your mom did.
I’ll never forget Anat’s contributions to our OTZMA year: from passionately organizing our Partnership 2000 groups' visits to see countless volunteer opportunities (for us Chicagoans, in Kiryat Gat), to impeccably leading our tour of the Kotel Tunnels (as she had while an IDF tour guide), to conveying to us how influential the poet Rachel and Naomi Shemer were to her while we visited their graves at the Kinneret Cemetery, to a hundred laughs over a falafel in the mall...the range of Anat’s impact is unfathomable.
A simple thing will stick with me and keep me smiling, optimistic, and more energized than ever to emulate Anat and make a positive impact on Israeli society--your mother’s smile. It could melt all the seemingly endless tension here in the Middle East, and around the world.
As for me, two exams down, which makes me halfway there. They went well, as dad last night's Hebrew placement exam. Here's hoping I can get the Hebrew exemption, which is required to receive a degree from an Israeli university, with as few semesters of extra Hebrew Ulpan as possible.
Gotta throw together a dish for lunch tomorrow and get my Shabbat rest on! Love from Jerusalem,
אריק/Eric
Here's the latest barrage of links...Important info on the humanitarian situation in Gaza from: Arutz Sheva, the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.
If only it would be so easy to create 5 states as Daniel Gordis devised here. Here's a Wall Street Journal column on "world opinion" and Israel. Here's Barry Rubin on the repercussions of Israel easing the blockade of Gaza, and then dissecting Obama's White House statement on Gaza. Here's an interesting David Horovitz-Tony Blair interview. Daniel Pipes voices his always strong opinions about the Jihadi terrorism debate here. Will Islam ever accept Israel? Take a look here.
In domestic news--we seem to be paying for the Israel Water Authority's incompetence, and the traditionally outstanding Israeli health care system needs an inordinant amount of work to stay strong.
I admittedly didn't get to check out Richard L. Rubenstein aside from the bio provided here, but he has nothing nice to say about President Obama. I certainly like to hope he's way off. However, the way that, in my eyes, Obama has time and again said and done the wrong thing when presented with the opportunity to do like Spike Lee did, "Do the Right Thing," I am concerned.
For something completely different, check out this cool Herbie Hancock interview about his musical globalization efforts.
Here's my letter to Anat Dotan-Amar's son:
Dear Rotem Yair,
Your mother Anat epitomized everything I have come to love about our country, Israel. She radiated light, joy, and celebration through her incredible smile and love for this place and for her fellow Jewish people. That light that she brought into the world will shine on. Your middle name Yair could not be more appropriate--you, please G-d, will illuminate the world just like your mom did.
I’ll never forget Anat’s contributions to our OTZMA year: from passionately organizing our Partnership 2000 groups' visits to see countless volunteer opportunities (for us Chicagoans, in Kiryat Gat), to impeccably leading our tour of the Kotel Tunnels (as she had while an IDF tour guide), to conveying to us how influential the poet Rachel and Naomi Shemer were to her while we visited their graves at the Kinneret Cemetery, to a hundred laughs over a falafel in the mall...the range of Anat’s impact is unfathomable.
A simple thing will stick with me and keep me smiling, optimistic, and more energized than ever to emulate Anat and make a positive impact on Israeli society--your mother’s smile. It could melt all the seemingly endless tension here in the Middle East, and around the world.
As for me, two exams down, which makes me halfway there. They went well, as dad last night's Hebrew placement exam. Here's hoping I can get the Hebrew exemption, which is required to receive a degree from an Israeli university, with as few semesters of extra Hebrew Ulpan as possible.
Gotta throw together a dish for lunch tomorrow and get my Shabbat rest on! Love from Jerusalem,
אריק/Eric
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Think we can't win? You've got another thing coming
No, that's not for the Hawks, although I will be up with Chicagoan Noah and the other roomies tomorrow for the 3 am face-off here, as the Blackhawks and Michigan alum John Madden try to bring Chicago its first Cup in almost 50 years...
Last week's flotilla was merely the latest in a relentless string of can't-win situations for Israel. And we lost quite a bit in the face of a clueless world, giant swaths of which has been brainwashed by their leaders to be violently anti-Semitic.
Our enemies may believe (and are saying) that Israel can't win. They're dead wrong. We will defeat them. Don't mess with me--I've been working out :) That's me on a bike that powers the laundry machine at uber-green Kibbutz Lotan down south in the Arava.
Last week was one of those weeks. When I came to Israel on OTZMA, I experienced the bitter divisiveness that displayed itself with Prime Minister Sharon's plan to disengage from Gaza (which went through three months after I left). One afternoon, I saw a sign at a rally at Jerusalem's Paris Square against the disengagement reading, "If the IDF leaves Gaza, the rockets falling on Sderot will arrive in Ashdod and Beer Sheva." Despite my support at the time for Sharon's plan, that sign of course made me stop and ask myself whether the protestors could be proven correct. And, sure enough, Ashdod and Beer Sheva were attacked a few short years later. Long before I had decided to make aliyah, it became very clear to me that afternoon that living here means moments like that which provide you with a gray hair or three. So let's just say it feels that I got a whole bunch last week. You can't say I didn't know what I was getting myself into, but I decided to take my new country for everything that comes with her. I still believe very strongly that I made the correct decision for a more meaningful life.
So last Shabbat provided me with the great opportunity it always does to take 25 hours worth of a deep breath. It was especially sorely needed last Friday to tone down after an emotional week. Saturday and Sunday nights' continuation of the free concert party with Holland's OhnO! Jazzband and Israel's Tabachnik jazz combo also helped immensely. During the Tabachnik show, I got an opportunity to say hi to jazz giant Joe Lovano, who had just headlined the festival's jazz series. He couldn't have been kinder, and was on a high from a great show (guess I'll have to catch the next one).
I'll provide one more barrage of what I feel are important reads. I'd love to hear what you're reading as well. We'll see how long I can hold out, but exams are approaching rather quickly--so don't hold your breath for the next post.
As for concerts, here's a Jerusalem Post Editorial about how best to respond to the latest additions to the concert cancellation list.
Here's Horovitz's Friday column about the flotilla. Krauthammer wonders aloud how the world would like Israel to defend herself here. Yaakov Katz gets into the IDF intelligence failures here. Gil Hoffman details the latest version of Israel v. the world here. Meet the martyrdom seekers onboard here. This Jerusalem Post editorial points out the enormity of the Israeli Supreme Court's legal support of the IDF. Another begs the US to respond fair-mindedly. Details about the anti-Israel hackers, mostly from Turkey, here. Jonathan Spyer decries the world's misplaced condemnation here. Barry Rubin wants the world to think a little deeper before crying for Hamas. David Harris calls out the Free Gaza Movement for what it truly is, namely the official Hamas Fan Club. Tough questions about the affair from an Israeli business paper here. It's at times like these that Caroline Glick's farther-right-from-center-than-my-liking analysis makes sense to me (here she defends Israel's strategic value to the US). This advisor to President Shimon Peres lets buffoon Helen Thomas hear it here. Here, The Israel Project founder and president calls for a wholly new brand of Israel advocacy.
As for the Turkish side of this snafu, Robert Pollock looks into the decline of Turkey here. Here's a wake-up call about the Kurdish victims of Turkey. Harvard Law alum Joel Pollak calls for a legal offensive against Turkey here. This Washington Post editorial surprised me by laying responsibility on Turkey's Erdogan. Here's a long one from Turkey expert Rubin.
If you prefer watching videos to reading (that's cool, go ahead and own that), this depiction is very well done. And I couldn't post without including this satirical video, We Con the World, which my friend Shlomo put together (he and Glick also got singing gigs). Not gonna lie--I personally would've made it a couple minutes shorter, but it's pretty freakin brilliant. Watch out--my roommates and I can't stop singing this catchy ditty to ourselves.
And here's The Israel Project's latest list of Pro-Israel Rallies/Events, as well as AIPAC's Take Action Page. I'd humbly suggest you both Back Israel's Right to Self-Defense, and equally importantly Back Crippling Sanctions on Iran. Thanks so much for getting Israel's back!
אריק/Eric
Last week's flotilla was merely the latest in a relentless string of can't-win situations for Israel. And we lost quite a bit in the face of a clueless world, giant swaths of which has been brainwashed by their leaders to be violently anti-Semitic.
Our enemies may believe (and are saying) that Israel can't win. They're dead wrong. We will defeat them. Don't mess with me--I've been working out :) That's me on a bike that powers the laundry machine at uber-green Kibbutz Lotan down south in the Arava.Last week was one of those weeks. When I came to Israel on OTZMA, I experienced the bitter divisiveness that displayed itself with Prime Minister Sharon's plan to disengage from Gaza (which went through three months after I left). One afternoon, I saw a sign at a rally at Jerusalem's Paris Square against the disengagement reading, "If the IDF leaves Gaza, the rockets falling on Sderot will arrive in Ashdod and Beer Sheva." Despite my support at the time for Sharon's plan, that sign of course made me stop and ask myself whether the protestors could be proven correct. And, sure enough, Ashdod and Beer Sheva were attacked a few short years later. Long before I had decided to make aliyah, it became very clear to me that afternoon that living here means moments like that which provide you with a gray hair or three. So let's just say it feels that I got a whole bunch last week. You can't say I didn't know what I was getting myself into, but I decided to take my new country for everything that comes with her. I still believe very strongly that I made the correct decision for a more meaningful life.
So last Shabbat provided me with the great opportunity it always does to take 25 hours worth of a deep breath. It was especially sorely needed last Friday to tone down after an emotional week. Saturday and Sunday nights' continuation of the free concert party with Holland's OhnO! Jazzband and Israel's Tabachnik jazz combo also helped immensely. During the Tabachnik show, I got an opportunity to say hi to jazz giant Joe Lovano, who had just headlined the festival's jazz series. He couldn't have been kinder, and was on a high from a great show (guess I'll have to catch the next one).
I'll provide one more barrage of what I feel are important reads. I'd love to hear what you're reading as well. We'll see how long I can hold out, but exams are approaching rather quickly--so don't hold your breath for the next post.
As for concerts, here's a Jerusalem Post Editorial about how best to respond to the latest additions to the concert cancellation list.
Here's Horovitz's Friday column about the flotilla. Krauthammer wonders aloud how the world would like Israel to defend herself here. Yaakov Katz gets into the IDF intelligence failures here. Gil Hoffman details the latest version of Israel v. the world here. Meet the martyrdom seekers onboard here. This Jerusalem Post editorial points out the enormity of the Israeli Supreme Court's legal support of the IDF. Another begs the US to respond fair-mindedly. Details about the anti-Israel hackers, mostly from Turkey, here. Jonathan Spyer decries the world's misplaced condemnation here. Barry Rubin wants the world to think a little deeper before crying for Hamas. David Harris calls out the Free Gaza Movement for what it truly is, namely the official Hamas Fan Club. Tough questions about the affair from an Israeli business paper here. It's at times like these that Caroline Glick's farther-right-from-center-than-my-liking analysis makes sense to me (here she defends Israel's strategic value to the US). This advisor to President Shimon Peres lets buffoon Helen Thomas hear it here. Here, The Israel Project founder and president calls for a wholly new brand of Israel advocacy.
As for the Turkish side of this snafu, Robert Pollock looks into the decline of Turkey here. Here's a wake-up call about the Kurdish victims of Turkey. Harvard Law alum Joel Pollak calls for a legal offensive against Turkey here. This Washington Post editorial surprised me by laying responsibility on Turkey's Erdogan. Here's a long one from Turkey expert Rubin.
If you prefer watching videos to reading (that's cool, go ahead and own that), this depiction is very well done. And I couldn't post without including this satirical video, We Con the World, which my friend Shlomo put together (he and Glick also got singing gigs). Not gonna lie--I personally would've made it a couple minutes shorter, but it's pretty freakin brilliant. Watch out--my roommates and I can't stop singing this catchy ditty to ourselves.
And here's The Israel Project's latest list of Pro-Israel Rallies/Events, as well as AIPAC's Take Action Page. I'd humbly suggest you both Back Israel's Right to Self-Defense, and equally importantly Back Crippling Sanctions on Iran. Thanks so much for getting Israel's back!
With all that, I must wish y'all adieu. Much love from Beer Sheva, gray hairs be damned!
אריק/Eric
Friday, June 4, 2010
I LOVE ISRAEL/אני אוהב את ישראל
This has been a rough week. I heard Sunday night of the passing of Anat Dotan, who staffed my incredible year on OTZMA five years ago. Her smile and the light that she brought into the world will shine on. But it will take some time to come to terms with the tragedy of her passing at the age of 33, one week after the birth of her first son, Rotem Yair (Yair means to illuminate, as he, please G-d, will illuminate the world like his mom did), and two hours before Rotem's brit.
Shortly before heading to her funeral in Kfar Saba, I got news of the flotilla/משט incident. It goes without saying that I regret the deaths of nine passengers of the flotilla. As for the outrageous condemnation that has been showered on Israel since Monday morning...
MY ISRAEL
My Israel is the incredible place where I have, since last Thursday night alone, seen the following:
At the annual Israel Festival, free concerts at the Jerusalem Theater by Kabako (African jazz and dance), Vitaly Podolsky and the Gypsy Drive (always good to hear some accordion on a Saturday night), a celebration of the 200th Argentinian Independence Day featuring Argentinian olah (immigrant to Israel) singer Perla Malkus, and tonight's 40th anniversary of Woodstock celebration of classic rock. Last night's Jerusalem celebration concert (also free) featured the reggae, etc.-influenced Mosh Ben-Ari, as well as pop singers Moshe Peretz and Harel Skat. On the way out, we caught a killer fireworks show at just the right time--with the Knesset spectacularly placed in the background. And in between, I caught a Beer Sheva fundraiser for children with cancer featuring my favorite hip-hop band Hadag Nachash, singers Efrat Gosh and Dudu Tasa, goofy cover band Groove Redemption, and a few others.
My Israel is the country that is providing me with an incredible education: a Master's in Gerontology, studying alongside a passionate, well-seasoned in the field, serious cohort who diligently soak up as much learning as they can for the benefit of Israel's elderly.
My Israel is home to this week's Shavua Ha'Sefer Ha'Ivri/Hebrew Book Week, with all of Israel's major cities celebrating the nerdiness of the bookwormy Jewish people.
My Israel is host to the two rocking weddings of friends I attended over the last two weeks, overflowing with happiness and celebration. There is absolutely nothing to compare to celebrating the beginning of two marriages in Jerusalem, the epicenter of Judaism over the millenia.
My Israel (specifically in my diverse but predominantly national-religious area of Jerusalem) is a place where you can't possibly miss the schedule of the Jewish calendar.
My Israel is home t
o the world's only Stage for the Deaf-Blind, the NaLag'at Center in Yafo. Well then. I just tried to link to their website (nalagaat.org.il), which has been hacked as a virtual protest for Palestine (as was a friend's company's website). You have to be kidding me. Simply pathetic. If they only realized the beauty of this incredible center that they try to silence. About a month and a half ago, we dined at Cafe Kappish, staffed by hearing-impaired waiters (who taught us lots of sign language), then attended the purely magical "Not From Bread Alone" play. This photo is of the posse with our waiter. My Israel empowers its weak. Let's hear whether there's a theater employing and giving a voice to the deaf and blind in Gaza.
My Israel was the home to tonight's one-of-a-kind evening of a medley of Nelly rap songs over sushi dinner--hand-rolled by my roommates, some of the coolest cats on earth.
An addition with kudos to friend Sara Hirschhorn for calling me out (everyone, please do make this a conversation): My Israel is where I learn from classmate Mohammed about the fascinating family and cultural structure of the Muslim and Bedouin family with regards to its elderly. (Side note: Mohammed is a Social Work student, not in my Gerontology program. As far as I know, there are no Arab students in my program. The word is that this field does not attract them. On my campus, however, there is a very significant Arab student population, seemingly mostly in the nursing program). Admittedly, that is my only regular significant interaction with an Arab, I have no interaction with Palestinians, and I would like to change that. There's simply not enough time in the day to do everything though.
All of my vibrant Israel and more could have been possible of a neighboring Palestine, starting back in 1948 and even earlier, and time and time again since. But all this won't be part of a neighboring Palestine until those of our neighbors who are rejectionist will stop rejecting me, stop hating me, and stop working to kill me for being here, being Jewish, and living out my dream--the dream of my grandparents who never made it to Israel and countless generations before them. Until you stop rejecting, hating, and working to kill me, there is no real conversation to be conducted here. And if you try to kill one of my brothers in the IDF, so he's going to kill you first.
As for the news, I'll start with the work of dear friends from Ulpan Etzion who made aliyah roughly when I did--Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson reporter Elana Kieffer and photographer Arielle Yahalom. These women are like my sisters. I just saw Elana at an engagement party (the parties truly never end). We were lucky that she jumped out to celebrate another Ulpan friend's engagement, as she stayed in the office for two days straight this week, working her tucchus off to get the truth out to the world. She believes strongly that as more and more footage continues to be released, we continue to look better and better. Here's one of many articles on which Elana has worked (check them all out at idf.il). The Spokesperson's Unit's YouTube channel is also a great resource.
I'd suggest you read the following analysis, and throw the anti-Israel slander into the recycling bin, where it belongs. Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, tells it how it is here. Here's Daniel Gordis, on top of his game as always. Take a look at UN Watch's Hillel Neuer attacking the "humanitarian" credentials of the flotilla. Shmuel Rosner doesn't beat around the bush here. A fellow OTZMA participant's brother Joel lauds the IDF's courageous restraint here. Do you feel that the world has gone mad? So does this guy. Here's some context to Monday's firestorm. David Horovitz frustratingly tears a new one into whoever withheld critical film coverage of the mission for whatever cynical reasons.
Did you know: Well over a million tons of humanitarian supplies entered Gaza from Israel from January 2009 - May 2010, equaling nearly a ton of aid for every man, woman and child in Gaza. A ton. Get more information on humanitarian aid from Israel to Gaza on this Ministry of Foreign Affairs page.
So...if you stand with Israel and believe in her right to defend herself, please take it to the streets! That's all I could ask of those of you who live in the cities on this list of pro-Israel rallies. Thanks so much in advance.
In non-flotilla news, here's a nice video presentation of Israel's critical security needs. Here's a Jerusalem Post editorial on Obama dropping yet another ball, this time with his colossal failure on the NPT. More on Obama's foreign policy cluelessness here from Martin Kramer.
With that, I'll wish farewell to a less-than-perfect week and re-visit the high I left you with last Friday--standing on top of the world Van Halen-style. I'm smiling as I go to bed while dear friends and family celebrate my Dad's birthday back in Dallas. Rare is the party which has nearly everyone invited in attendance. Mom and Dad are truly special people--love you guys and happy bday Dad!
With love for you and for Israel in every fiber of my being,
אריק/Eric
Shortly before heading to her funeral in Kfar Saba, I got news of the flotilla/משט incident. It goes without saying that I regret the deaths of nine passengers of the flotilla. As for the outrageous condemnation that has been showered on Israel since Monday morning...
MY ISRAEL
My Israel is the incredible place where I have, since last Thursday night alone, seen the following:
At the annual Israel Festival, free concerts at the Jerusalem Theater by Kabako (African jazz and dance), Vitaly Podolsky and the Gypsy Drive (always good to hear some accordion on a Saturday night), a celebration of the 200th Argentinian Independence Day featuring Argentinian olah (immigrant to Israel) singer Perla Malkus, and tonight's 40th anniversary of Woodstock celebration of classic rock. Last night's Jerusalem celebration concert (also free) featured the reggae, etc.-influenced Mosh Ben-Ari, as well as pop singers Moshe Peretz and Harel Skat. On the way out, we caught a killer fireworks show at just the right time--with the Knesset spectacularly placed in the background. And in between, I caught a Beer Sheva fundraiser for children with cancer featuring my favorite hip-hop band Hadag Nachash, singers Efrat Gosh and Dudu Tasa, goofy cover band Groove Redemption, and a few others.
My Israel is the country that is providing me with an incredible education: a Master's in Gerontology, studying alongside a passionate, well-seasoned in the field, serious cohort who diligently soak up as much learning as they can for the benefit of Israel's elderly.
My Israel is home to this week's Shavua Ha'Sefer Ha'Ivri/Hebrew Book Week, with all of Israel's major cities celebrating the nerdiness of the bookwormy Jewish people.
My Israel is host to the two rocking weddings of friends I attended over the last two weeks, overflowing with happiness and celebration. There is absolutely nothing to compare to celebrating the beginning of two marriages in Jerusalem, the epicenter of Judaism over the millenia.
My Israel (specifically in my diverse but predominantly national-religious area of Jerusalem) is a place where you can't possibly miss the schedule of the Jewish calendar.
My Israel is home t
o the world's only Stage for the Deaf-Blind, the NaLag'at Center in Yafo. Well then. I just tried to link to their website (nalagaat.org.il), which has been hacked as a virtual protest for Palestine (as was a friend's company's website). You have to be kidding me. Simply pathetic. If they only realized the beauty of this incredible center that they try to silence. About a month and a half ago, we dined at Cafe Kappish, staffed by hearing-impaired waiters (who taught us lots of sign language), then attended the purely magical "Not From Bread Alone" play. This photo is of the posse with our waiter. My Israel empowers its weak. Let's hear whether there's a theater employing and giving a voice to the deaf and blind in Gaza.My Israel was the home to tonight's one-of-a-kind evening of a medley of Nelly rap songs over sushi dinner--hand-rolled by my roommates, some of the coolest cats on earth.
An addition with kudos to friend Sara Hirschhorn for calling me out (everyone, please do make this a conversation): My Israel is where I learn from classmate Mohammed about the fascinating family and cultural structure of the Muslim and Bedouin family with regards to its elderly. (Side note: Mohammed is a Social Work student, not in my Gerontology program. As far as I know, there are no Arab students in my program. The word is that this field does not attract them. On my campus, however, there is a very significant Arab student population, seemingly mostly in the nursing program). Admittedly, that is my only regular significant interaction with an Arab, I have no interaction with Palestinians, and I would like to change that. There's simply not enough time in the day to do everything though.
All of my vibrant Israel and more could have been possible of a neighboring Palestine, starting back in 1948 and even earlier, and time and time again since. But all this won't be part of a neighboring Palestine until those of our neighbors who are rejectionist will stop rejecting me, stop hating me, and stop working to kill me for being here, being Jewish, and living out my dream--the dream of my grandparents who never made it to Israel and countless generations before them. Until you stop rejecting, hating, and working to kill me, there is no real conversation to be conducted here. And if you try to kill one of my brothers in the IDF, so he's going to kill you first.
As for the news, I'll start with the work of dear friends from Ulpan Etzion who made aliyah roughly when I did--Israel Defense Forces Spokesperson reporter Elana Kieffer and photographer Arielle Yahalom. These women are like my sisters. I just saw Elana at an engagement party (the parties truly never end). We were lucky that she jumped out to celebrate another Ulpan friend's engagement, as she stayed in the office for two days straight this week, working her tucchus off to get the truth out to the world. She believes strongly that as more and more footage continues to be released, we continue to look better and better. Here's one of many articles on which Elana has worked (check them all out at idf.il). The Spokesperson's Unit's YouTube channel is also a great resource.
I'd suggest you read the following analysis, and throw the anti-Israel slander into the recycling bin, where it belongs. Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador to the United States, tells it how it is here. Here's Daniel Gordis, on top of his game as always. Take a look at UN Watch's Hillel Neuer attacking the "humanitarian" credentials of the flotilla. Shmuel Rosner doesn't beat around the bush here. A fellow OTZMA participant's brother Joel lauds the IDF's courageous restraint here. Do you feel that the world has gone mad? So does this guy. Here's some context to Monday's firestorm. David Horovitz frustratingly tears a new one into whoever withheld critical film coverage of the mission for whatever cynical reasons.
Did you know: Well over a million tons of humanitarian supplies entered Gaza from Israel from January 2009 - May 2010, equaling nearly a ton of aid for every man, woman and child in Gaza. A ton. Get more information on humanitarian aid from Israel to Gaza on this Ministry of Foreign Affairs page.
So...if you stand with Israel and believe in her right to defend herself, please take it to the streets! That's all I could ask of those of you who live in the cities on this list of pro-Israel rallies. Thanks so much in advance.
In non-flotilla news, here's a nice video presentation of Israel's critical security needs. Here's a Jerusalem Post editorial on Obama dropping yet another ball, this time with his colossal failure on the NPT. More on Obama's foreign policy cluelessness here from Martin Kramer.
With that, I'll wish farewell to a less-than-perfect week and re-visit the high I left you with last Friday--standing on top of the world Van Halen-style. I'm smiling as I go to bed while dear friends and family celebrate my Dad's birthday back in Dallas. Rare is the party which has nearly everyone invited in attendance. Mom and Dad are truly special people--love you guys and happy bday Dad!
With love for you and for Israel in every fiber of my being,
אריק/Eric
Friday, May 28, 2010
שבת שלום/Shabbat Shalom!
Hi all,
From way back on Yom Ha'atzma'ut (Independence Day), here's friend and fellow J.J. Pearce alum Benji Lovitt's annual list of things he loves about Israel.
What in the world is going on on the Mount of Olives Cemetery?
Here's an insightful interview with minister Silvan Shalom.
As for Michigan news, here Drew Henson expresses regret for leaving Michigan early. Wonder if that has anything to do with the earful I gave him after Rick's let out on a Saturday night...
I caught a great May 13 concert, the first time I saw the Israel Philharmonic (in Israel anyway, may have seen them in Ann Arbor), backing legendary singer Yehudit Ravitz. At bottom is the song list from the less-festive Memorial Day event.
Since the last post, it feels like we've commemorated/celebrated a million holidays (plus two joyous weddings of friends), all of which I'll have to come back and cover. Never a dull moment!
For now, recent articles of note...
From way back on Yom Ha'atzma'ut (Independence Day), here's friend and fellow J.J. Pearce alum Benji Lovitt's annual list of things he loves about Israel.
What in the world is going on on the Mount of Olives Cemetery?
Here's an insightful interview with minister Silvan Shalom.
As of his decision to cancel his planned Israel performance, Elvis Costello is dead to me (as much as I enjoyed his show in Grant Park at Taste of Chicago some seven years ago). David Horovitz could not have expressed my opinion better.
Here, Daniel Gordis spells out the challenges of re-connecting Jewish youth to Israel. I do my best to portray my Israel to all you loyal readers in the hope that you'll connect to this incredibly powerful place as I have.
Here, Ed Koch spells out how Obama is a giant sieve of a President with regards to foreign policy (sieve was my choice). Charles Krauthammer echoes those sentiments here.
As the Palestinian Authority continues to incite against Israel, recently by boycotting products made in Israeli communities in Judea and Samaria (in blatant violation of the Oslo agreements), I for one will seek out and buy those very products (listed in this Arutz Sheva article). As for Gaza, this Jerusalem Post editorial shows what Hamas is doing to its constituents.
Here's a fiery Dershowitz interview.
For those who foolishly claim that mere Israeli withdrawal from Judea and Samaria (a.k.a. the West Bank) would usher in a new dawn of peace across the Middle East, Horovitz spells out the very real strategic threats Israel faces (and yes, I also took part in the national drill on Wednesday, going down to our shelter).
As for Michigan news, here Drew Henson expresses regret for leaving Michigan early. Wonder if that has anything to do with the earful I gave him after Rick's let out on a Saturday night...
I caught a great May 13 concert, the first time I saw the Israel Philharmonic (in Israel anyway, may have seen them in Ann Arbor), backing legendary singer Yehudit Ravitz. At bottom is the song list from the less-festive Memorial Day event.
And for a little bit about me, life is phenomenal--school and two new jobs (research with the head of my Gerontology department and marketing Masa programs to birthright groups in Israel) are great. I feel this good!
Much love,
אריק/Eric
יורם
מה אברך
החול יזכור
באב אל וואד, שלד
הנסיך הקטן
הרעות
אחי הצעיר יהודה
זה מכבר
מכתב קטן
אנחנו מאותו הכפר
דמעות של מלאכים, זלג
עוד חוזר הניגון
מקום לדאגה
שיר למעלות
אריק/Eric
יורם
מה אברך
החול יזכור
באב אל וואד, שלד
הנסיך הקטן
הרעות
אחי הצעיר יהודה
זה מכבר
מכתב קטן
אנחנו מאותו הכפר
דמעות של מלאכים, זלג
עוד חוזר הניגון
מקום לדאגה
שיר למעלות
Monday, April 12, 2010
In Search of Meaning
This time of year, back in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood, I'd be making it to my first Cubs game of the year to cheer on a bunch of overpaid athletes and overpay for a beer. As one big step in part of a lifetime search for meaning, I made aliyah a year and 9+ months ago.
This evening, I attended an event that easily trumps some ballgame--the state opening ceremony for Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day 2010/יום הזיכרון לשואה ולגבורה תש"ע/Yom Ha'Zicaron La'Shoah U'la'gvura.
About a month and a half back, I took part in the phenomenal Melabev's Institute for the Study of Aging Geriatric Study Tour (full, belated re-cap of the tour to come soon). The tour commenced at Yad VaShem, where we had the incredible honor to hear from a remarkable, pure-hearted survivor named Eliezer Ayalon, among other speakers. He lit the first of six torches at this year's ceremony. Thanks to Eliezer, I was able to take part in this powerful event, along with dear friend and roommate Josh (the picture above is outside of Yad VaShem). Here is Eliezer's story from Yad VaShem's feature on the torch lighters, and here is video coverage of the torch lighters and their stories. What wasn't included in the video was that Eliezer was totally silent about his heartbreaking Shoah experiences for 37 years before opening up. A significant factor in that decision was his attendance of the first worldwide gathering of survivors in Jerusalem in 1981, at which Elie Wiesel urged survivors to bear witness to the horrors of the Shoah. As you can see from his energy, he never lost hope, and yearning for Zion played a large part--Jerusalem was always on his parents' lips. I don't know about you, but his book "A Cup of Honey" is now a must-read on my book list.
My heart didn't just sink, but rather crashed, as the fifth torch lighter, Baruch Shub, fell to the ground before lighting his torch. The immediate thought, especially in light of Gerontology courses I'm taking such as Pathophysiology of the elderly, was of future such ceremonies. Shub and all of the survivors had to stand for quite a long time during this portion of the ceremony. At some point (hopefully not for decades), as the survivors continue to age, Yad VaShem won't be able to find any who will be able to spend that much time out of a wheelchair. Shub sat down momentarily, but very quickly and proudly stood back up. This physical piece is just another aspect of the fact that we hear time and again--we must hear survivors' stories before all the witnesses of Nazi horror have passed.
Here is more video coverage of the event. The way he exposed his heart for all to see, you would never in a million years be able to guess that Cantor Asher Hainowitz (from 6:06) sings El Maleh Rahamim every year at this event.
To take part in an event and sing Ha'Tikvah (the national anthem) along with Israel's Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and President Shimon Peres (both of whom gave stellar speeches), Defense Minister Ehud Barak, Governor of the Bank of Israel Stanley Fischer and countless others was simply incredible. To add to the gravity of the event, Josh was to my right, but I was surrounded on all three other sides by Israel Defense Forces soldiers. Rabbi Israel Meir Lau lit the separate, tall memorial torch 65 years to the day after his liberation from Buchenwald. Netanyahu recalled attending the anniversary of the liberation of Auchwitz in -15 Celsius weather, which didn't come close to the 1944-1945 winter and its incomprehensibly low temperatures of -30 to -35. His three lessons of the Holocaust: בצע את כוחך, חנך לטוב, ויילחם ברע: Use your strength, educate for the greater good and fight evil. As usual, his eloquence came through when he labeled anti-Semitism as אש השנאה החדשה הישנה: the new-old flame of hatred. And my new Hebrew word for the night: נחוש/nachush/determined. Whatever my challenges are, if I face them with 1/100th the determination of survivors who escaped the clutches of death, only to give their all in the War of Independence and founding of the State of Israel, I can and will conquer the world!
On the Jerusalem Post's home page, there are three great minutes of coverage--click on the video "Holocaust Memorial focus...", but watch it soon, as it will get cycled out of the top videos soon. Included is a look at Hannah Gofrit's book, "I Wanted to Fly Like a Butterfly," in addition to highlights of Netanyahu's and Peres's speeches. And if the video's not working for you, here's the Post's article on the ceremony.
Here's a nice piece about a collection of 1.5 million buttons for Yom Ha'Shoah.
It's a tough pill to swallow that at this ceremony, as we have been saying for too many years, the threat of a new Holocaust borne by Iran was central to the speeches and thoughts of all in attendance. Here's an extremely harsh call for more immediate action.
As for a personal update, my third Pesach in and around Jerusalem was just incredible yet again. I made it to the beautiful new Hurva synagogue for mincha/afternoon services on the first day of Pesach.
Last Thursday night, a great group of my incredible friends came out to celebrate my Hebrew birthday.
Friday night I was thrilled to play honorary uncle at Chicago friends' the Burstyns' beautiful baby boy's shalom zachar.
Here's yet another look at Palestinian incitement. And here's some interesting analysis of media coverage of the recent State Department denunciation of the Palestinian Authority.
Here's a great interview with my Rabbi Asher Lopatin about his plans for aliyah and building a new community of olim in Israel.
And to end on a humorous note, if you haven't seen the Simpsons go to Israel episode, it's a must--an absolute riot!
Time to crash now and keep working away for school tomorrow. Have a meaningful Yom Ha'Shoah. Love,
אריק/Eric
Monday, March 29, 2010
חג פשח שמח/Happy Passover!
Hi all,
Jerusalem, and much of Israel, is cleaning up her act, emptying a winter's worth of all sorts of collections that simply have to go. Her recycling bins are filling, and apparently being emptied by the city on a supplemental pre-Pesach schedule (a lovely surprise of initiative from the Municipality).
The delightful scents of those blooming spring flowers (the fragrant honeysuckle is particularly heavenly these days) are replaced the day before Pesach starts with another smell...
Much to my respiratory system's dismay, I have planned poorly and timed errand runs each of the last two years during the peak time of sreifat chametz: burning of leavened goods, as a funky cloud rises over town. The problem, as I've mentioned before, is that plastic ends up sneaking into the mini-bonfires of sorts.
I see the idea of cleaning like a madman and getting rid of leavened products as a great opportunity to also remove the "chametz" of sorts from my life. Keeping that in mind helps me to clarify my priorities, and check the right things off the to-do list, while letting the unimportant go.
On the way back home from delivering the beautiful flowers to my seder hosts (including tziporei gan eden/birds of paradise: an amazing exotic flower), I heard a high-pitched scream from across the street. I discerned that it was a foreign caretaker for an elderly man, yelling, "Saba/grandpa." Turns out the foreign worker wasn't the foreign one here, but rather our odd tradition of burning bread, etc. I helped the men out a bit and got a bit of pita burning for them.
Sadly, chag/holiday isn't chag without the pre-chag visit to Miriam's. Miriam, zichrona livracha and I became very close when I helped her get to Beit Frankforter Elderly Day Center while volunteering on OTZMA five years ago. I got the horrible news from her daughter that she passed away ten days ago. She gave me a great deal of joy--always crocheting scarves for my parents and proud of my life as an oleh chadash.
As dear friend and loyal blog reader Caroline Musin just wished me: "I hope your Pesach is lovely and that any maror (bitterness) that comes your way is matched by plenty of charoset (sweetness, not a direct translation but you'll just have to google it as I must run)." The great news about Dad's recovery of course qualifies and then some! I'll be celebrating at friends' tonight (sadly missing all the family in Dallas), and then at a colleague's tomorrow in the Old City, with a planned visit for morning prayers to the rebuilt Hurva synagogue.
Here's a wonderful Israel version of the Haggada's Dayenu, by Rabbis Steven Greenberg and David Nelson:
"Dayenu/It would have been enough..."
Had G-d upheld us throughout two thousand years of Dispersion
But not preserved our hope for return
-Dayenu!
Had G-d preserved our hope for return
But not sent us leaders to make the dream a reality
-Dayenu!
Had G-d sent us leaders to make the dream a reality
But not given us success in the U.N. vote
-Dayenu!
Had G-d given us success in the U.N. vote
But not defeated our attackers in 1948
-Dayenu!
Had G-d defeated our attackers in 1948
But not unified Jerusalem
-Dayenu!
Had G-d unified Jerusalem
But not led us toward peace with Egypt
-Dayenu!
Had G-d returned us to the land of our ancestors
But not filled it with our children
-Dayenu!
Had G-d filled it with our children
But not caused the desert to bloom
-Dayenu!
Had G-d caused the desert to bloom
But not built for us cities and towns
-Dayenu!
Had G-d rescued our remnants from the Holocaust's flames
But not brought our brothers from Arab lands
-Dayenu!
Had G-d brought our brothers from Arab lands
But not opened the gate for Russia's Jews
-Dayenu!
Had G-d opened the gate for Russia's Jews
But not redeemed our people from Ethiopia
-Dayenu!
Had G-d redeemed our people from Ethiopia
But not strengthened our hands throughout 62 years of statehood
-Dayenu!
Had G-d strengthened our hands throughout 62 years of statehood
But not planted in our hearts a covenant of one people
-Dayenu!
Had G-d planted in our hearts a covenant of one people
But not sustained in our souls a vision of a perfected world
-Dayenu!
דיינו
אלו קימנו שנות אלפים בגלות ולא שמר בנו את תקות שובנו
דיינו
אלו שמר בנו את תקות שובנו ולא שלח לנו מנהיגים להגשימה
דיינו
אלו שלח לנו מנהיגים להגשימה ולא זכנו בהצבעת האו"ם
דיינו
אלו זכנו בהצבעת האו"ם ולא נצח את רודפינו בתש"ח
דיינו
אלו נצח את רודפינו בתש"ח ולא אחד את ירושלים
דיינו
אלו אחד את ירושלים ולא הוליכנו לקראת שלום עם מצרים
דיינו
אלו החזירנו לארץ אבותינו ולא הרבה בה ילדנו וטפנו
דיינו
אלו הרבה בה ילדנו וטפנו ולא הפריח את המדבר
דיינו
אלו הפריח את המדבר ולא בנה לנו עיר וכפר
דיינו
אלו הציל את שרידינו מאש השואה ולא קבץ את אחינו מתפוצות ערב
דיינו
אלו קבץ את אחינו מתפוצות ערב ולא פתח שער ליהודי רוסיה
דיינו
אלו פתח שער ליהודי רוסיה ולא גאל את אחינו מארץ כוש
דיינו
אלו גאל את אחינו מארץ כוש ולא החזיק את ידינו במדינה שישים ושתיים שנה
דיינו
אלו החזיק את ידינו במדינה שישים ושתיים שנה ולא נטע בלבנו ברית עם אחד
דיינו
אלו נטע בלבנו ברית עם אחד ולא קים בנפשנו חזון תקון עולם
דיינו
And in the obligatory political corner: Horovitz's take on the root cause of the US-Israel rift, Dershowitz's fiery AIPAC speech, Barry Rubin's take on the Obama administration's Mideast policy, advice to Netanyahu to scout out his visits in advance, and back to the issue of Haredim (Ultra-Orthodox) gone wild vis-a-vis modern Israel.
I wish all of Am Yisrael (the people of Israel) a liberating Pesach. Gilad Shalit will mark his fourth Pesach in captivity. While his liberation will have to (most definitely) wait for another day, I wish freedom and Jewish pride to everyone from Sderot (where please, no rockets will fall this Pesach) to Raida, Yemen. For a great laugh, check out Colbert's report on the Journal article I linked to last time and Passover commercialism.
לשנה הבאה בירושלים/Next year in Jerusalem!
אריק/Eric
Jerusalem, and much of Israel, is cleaning up her act, emptying a winter's worth of all sorts of collections that simply have to go. Her recycling bins are filling, and apparently being emptied by the city on a supplemental pre-Pesach schedule (a lovely surprise of initiative from the Municipality).
The delightful scents of those blooming spring flowers (the fragrant honeysuckle is particularly heavenly these days) are replaced the day before Pesach starts with another smell...
Much to my respiratory system's dismay, I have planned poorly and timed errand runs each of the last two years during the peak time of sreifat chametz: burning of leavened goods, as a funky cloud rises over town. The problem, as I've mentioned before, is that plastic ends up sneaking into the mini-bonfires of sorts.
I see the idea of cleaning like a madman and getting rid of leavened products as a great opportunity to also remove the "chametz" of sorts from my life. Keeping that in mind helps me to clarify my priorities, and check the right things off the to-do list, while letting the unimportant go.
On the way back home from delivering the beautiful flowers to my seder hosts (including tziporei gan eden/birds of paradise: an amazing exotic flower), I heard a high-pitched scream from across the street. I discerned that it was a foreign caretaker for an elderly man, yelling, "Saba/grandpa." Turns out the foreign worker wasn't the foreign one here, but rather our odd tradition of burning bread, etc. I helped the men out a bit and got a bit of pita burning for them.
Sadly, chag/holiday isn't chag without the pre-chag visit to Miriam's. Miriam, zichrona livracha and I became very close when I helped her get to Beit Frankforter Elderly Day Center while volunteering on OTZMA five years ago. I got the horrible news from her daughter that she passed away ten days ago. She gave me a great deal of joy--always crocheting scarves for my parents and proud of my life as an oleh chadash.
As dear friend and loyal blog reader Caroline Musin just wished me: "I hope your Pesach is lovely and that any maror (bitterness) that comes your way is matched by plenty of charoset (sweetness, not a direct translation but you'll just have to google it as I must run)." The great news about Dad's recovery of course qualifies and then some! I'll be celebrating at friends' tonight (sadly missing all the family in Dallas), and then at a colleague's tomorrow in the Old City, with a planned visit for morning prayers to the rebuilt Hurva synagogue.
Here's a wonderful Israel version of the Haggada's Dayenu, by Rabbis Steven Greenberg and David Nelson:
"Dayenu/It would have been enough..."
Had G-d upheld us throughout two thousand years of Dispersion
But not preserved our hope for return
-Dayenu!
Had G-d preserved our hope for return
But not sent us leaders to make the dream a reality
-Dayenu!
Had G-d sent us leaders to make the dream a reality
But not given us success in the U.N. vote
-Dayenu!
Had G-d given us success in the U.N. vote
But not defeated our attackers in 1948
-Dayenu!
Had G-d defeated our attackers in 1948
But not unified Jerusalem
-Dayenu!
Had G-d unified Jerusalem
But not led us toward peace with Egypt
-Dayenu!
Had G-d returned us to the land of our ancestors
But not filled it with our children
-Dayenu!
Had G-d filled it with our children
But not caused the desert to bloom
-Dayenu!
Had G-d caused the desert to bloom
But not built for us cities and towns
-Dayenu!
Had G-d rescued our remnants from the Holocaust's flames
But not brought our brothers from Arab lands
-Dayenu!
Had G-d brought our brothers from Arab lands
But not opened the gate for Russia's Jews
-Dayenu!
Had G-d opened the gate for Russia's Jews
But not redeemed our people from Ethiopia
-Dayenu!
Had G-d redeemed our people from Ethiopia
But not strengthened our hands throughout 62 years of statehood
-Dayenu!
Had G-d strengthened our hands throughout 62 years of statehood
But not planted in our hearts a covenant of one people
-Dayenu!
Had G-d planted in our hearts a covenant of one people
But not sustained in our souls a vision of a perfected world
-Dayenu!
דיינו
אלו קימנו שנות אלפים בגלות ולא שמר בנו את תקות שובנו
דיינו
אלו שמר בנו את תקות שובנו ולא שלח לנו מנהיגים להגשימה
דיינו
אלו שלח לנו מנהיגים להגשימה ולא זכנו בהצבעת האו"ם
דיינו
אלו זכנו בהצבעת האו"ם ולא נצח את רודפינו בתש"ח
דיינו
אלו נצח את רודפינו בתש"ח ולא אחד את ירושלים
דיינו
אלו אחד את ירושלים ולא הוליכנו לקראת שלום עם מצרים
דיינו
אלו החזירנו לארץ אבותינו ולא הרבה בה ילדנו וטפנו
דיינו
אלו הרבה בה ילדנו וטפנו ולא הפריח את המדבר
דיינו
אלו הפריח את המדבר ולא בנה לנו עיר וכפר
דיינו
אלו הציל את שרידינו מאש השואה ולא קבץ את אחינו מתפוצות ערב
דיינו
אלו קבץ את אחינו מתפוצות ערב ולא פתח שער ליהודי רוסיה
דיינו
אלו פתח שער ליהודי רוסיה ולא גאל את אחינו מארץ כוש
דיינו
אלו גאל את אחינו מארץ כוש ולא החזיק את ידינו במדינה שישים ושתיים שנה
דיינו
אלו החזיק את ידינו במדינה שישים ושתיים שנה ולא נטע בלבנו ברית עם אחד
דיינו
אלו נטע בלבנו ברית עם אחד ולא קים בנפשנו חזון תקון עולם
דיינו
And in the obligatory political corner: Horovitz's take on the root cause of the US-Israel rift, Dershowitz's fiery AIPAC speech, Barry Rubin's take on the Obama administration's Mideast policy, advice to Netanyahu to scout out his visits in advance, and back to the issue of Haredim (Ultra-Orthodox) gone wild vis-a-vis modern Israel.
I wish all of Am Yisrael (the people of Israel) a liberating Pesach. Gilad Shalit will mark his fourth Pesach in captivity. While his liberation will have to (most definitely) wait for another day, I wish freedom and Jewish pride to everyone from Sderot (where please, no rockets will fall this Pesach) to Raida, Yemen. For a great laugh, check out Colbert's report on the Journal article I linked to last time and Passover commercialism.
לשנה הבאה בירושלים/Next year in Jerusalem!
אריק/Eric
Friday, March 26, 2010
Great news!
Thank G-d for the great news out of Dallas--Dad has no more chemo for the foreseeable future after 8 months of treatment! To everyone who's been praying for him--with all the gratitude to you and to G-d imaginable, you can go ahead and stop for the time being!
I wrapped up my first month of graduate school on Wednesday. Budget Management and Planning and Pathophysiology of the Elderly aren't getting any easier, but grad school's not supposed to be easy. As this is my first experience of a holiday break at university in Israel (2 weeks off for Pesach), I'm still grinning my head off after having all my professors say "Chag sameach/Happy holiday" to all of the students on the way out of class. G-d bless this country.
It's raining again in Jerusalem...most likely the last time for this winter. The country is exploding with spring color, from university in the Negev to my beautiful Baka neighborhood up to Tzfat. Everything is about as green as it gets all year, with plenty of yellow mustard plants for good measure. Shabbat in Tzfat was beyond peaceful. It was great to also pray on Shabbat at the Ari synagogue, which feels more like a museum when visiting it on tour groups. It was full of life, song, and joy.
As for the other picture most of you are getting of Israel (conflict, obstinacy, violence), I will address that with the writing that has most spoken to me this week. Horovitz says it very well as always. Here's a sort of addendum to that. Barry Rubin, back to my issue of the Obama administration swerving in my lane. Charles Krauthammer's take on the incident. Even more Horovitz. And a Jerusalem Post editorial. And even more on the ramifications of the drama. Giving Hillary Clinton an E for her misplaced effort in condemning Palestinian glorification of terrorist Dalal Mughrabi (who killed and wounded scores of Israeli civilians) are leaders of Palestinian Media Watch. Douglas Bloomfield with more on the Obama administration's under-emphasis on Palestinian incitement. Michigan alumni doing things: Lee Rosenberg is now president of AIPAC. Here, the key to Netanyahu's AIPAC speech was an emphatic point of Israel saving American lives. On that topic, Petraeus set his words straight here (with video). Arutz Sheva toots its own horn here, saying it already caught that over a week ago. Friend and former co-OTZMA-nik's brother Joel Pollak gets his voice out on the issue here. Some more important facts on the issues, courtesy American Thinker here. Within the context of this report, I love my Prime Minister right now. Daniel Gordis is troubled, as we all should be, by these developments.
And if all the diplomatic issues aren't enough, in Israeli Health Care news, a terribly sad assessment of our ultra-Orthodox and utterly feckless and reckless Deputy Health Minister.
Gotta go clean for Pesach. Shabbat Shalom!
אריק/Eric
I wrapped up my first month of graduate school on Wednesday. Budget Management and Planning and Pathophysiology of the Elderly aren't getting any easier, but grad school's not supposed to be easy. As this is my first experience of a holiday break at university in Israel (2 weeks off for Pesach), I'm still grinning my head off after having all my professors say "Chag sameach/Happy holiday" to all of the students on the way out of class. G-d bless this country.
It's raining again in Jerusalem...most likely the last time for this winter. The country is exploding with spring color, from university in the Negev to my beautiful Baka neighborhood up to Tzfat. Everything is about as green as it gets all year, with plenty of yellow mustard plants for good measure. Shabbat in Tzfat was beyond peaceful. It was great to also pray on Shabbat at the Ari synagogue, which feels more like a museum when visiting it on tour groups. It was full of life, song, and joy.
As for the other picture most of you are getting of Israel (conflict, obstinacy, violence), I will address that with the writing that has most spoken to me this week. Horovitz says it very well as always. Here's a sort of addendum to that. Barry Rubin, back to my issue of the Obama administration swerving in my lane. Charles Krauthammer's take on the incident. Even more Horovitz. And a Jerusalem Post editorial. And even more on the ramifications of the drama. Giving Hillary Clinton an E for her misplaced effort in condemning Palestinian glorification of terrorist Dalal Mughrabi (who killed and wounded scores of Israeli civilians) are leaders of Palestinian Media Watch. Douglas Bloomfield with more on the Obama administration's under-emphasis on Palestinian incitement. Michigan alumni doing things: Lee Rosenberg is now president of AIPAC. Here, the key to Netanyahu's AIPAC speech was an emphatic point of Israel saving American lives. On that topic, Petraeus set his words straight here (with video). Arutz Sheva toots its own horn here, saying it already caught that over a week ago. Friend and former co-OTZMA-nik's brother Joel Pollak gets his voice out on the issue here. Some more important facts on the issues, courtesy American Thinker here. Within the context of this report, I love my Prime Minister right now. Daniel Gordis is troubled, as we all should be, by these developments.
And if all the diplomatic issues aren't enough, in Israeli Health Care news, a terribly sad assessment of our ultra-Orthodox and utterly feckless and reckless Deputy Health Minister.
Gotta go clean for Pesach. Shabbat Shalom!
אריק/Eric
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Back to school
As of two weeks ago, after just about eight years out of university, I've been driving south weekly to Beer Sheva for a Master's in Gerontology at Ben-Gurion University (in the management track). Classes are Tuesdays and Wednesdays, so I stay in town Tuesday nights, and the rest of the week I'm still in Jerusalem. I'm learning a ton from both the wonderful professors and the well-versed students, and really enjoying the campus life. One student was so friendly in welcoming me to campus that when I asked her where I could find a jewelry store to replace the clamp on my chain, she just put in a spare clamp she had at home and brought it back to me. That gesture, a totally random favor for some dude looking for a jewelry store, really blew me away. And as Beer Sheva doesn't draw students the way that say Tel Aviv and her beaches do, the university supports events such as the Mashina concert I saw last week. They're one of my favorite rock bands, and probably the penultimate Israeli rock band out there. This year they're celebrating 25 years since they got together. For 40 shekels (about 10 bucks), I saw them tear the roof off the Forum, and that included a free beer to boot! Tell me if you can get just a beer that cheap at a stateside Springsteen show. Playlist at bottom...
At the end of February, I took part in the 2010 Melabev Geriatric Study Tour, which was back to normal--incredibly informative and educational. With another impressive participant base, the conversations between sessions again brought great added value to the overall experience.
The tour commenced at Yad Vashem, where Ephraim Kaye taught us that Israel's Holocaust museum's name (translated as "everlasting memorial") comes from Isaiah Chapter 56. Cynthia Wroclawski, head of the Names Collection Project, helped to spread the word on this amazing project, which has connected survivors who thought that each other had perished (we saw a video about such siblings). We then heard from the amazing survivor Eliezer Ayalon, who had been totally silent about his experiences in the Holocaust for 37 years before opening up. How incredible to meet Eliezer in Jerusalem, the city which was always on his parents' lips.
Our next stop was the Juabeh Hospital in Beit Hanina (the only geriatric hospital in Arab East Jerusalem). We learned that the title of the home carries a lot of meaning--"hospital" is culturally acceptable in the Arab sector, but "nursing home" is taboo, and seen as a sign of embarrassment to adult children, who are expected to care for their aging parents. Along those lines of the importance of children, we learned another interesting cultural tidbit--both men and women will go by a translation of "Ellen Em Eric" (my mom would be Ellen, the mother of Eric. Sorry sis--they go by the name of the first-born son).
Later that day, we heard from consecutive non-profits connected to the mega-non-profit Yad Sarah: Dvora Corn from Tishkofet (meaning "perspective)-Life's Door, which supports patients at the end of life and their families. Tishkofet coordinates its volunteer training with Yad Sarah; and the next speaker, Elisheva HaCohen from Mosaica (a center for conflict resolution by agreement), informed us that they are based in Yad Sarah.
We then took a tour of Melabev's state-of-the-art new Talpiot Center from Melabev Director Motti Zelikowitz. The center daily serves about 70 clients with dementia.
Day two started at San Simon's Neve Horim nursing home, which has been operating in Jerusalem (at various locations) for 130 years. We saw a thought-provoking movie that was produced by and featured actors who are residents of the home. The group lounged in style during a relaxing visit to the Snoezelaan Room, a multi-sensory therapy technique.
Then we heard from a municipality social worker who is responsible for neighborhood centers which serve as a first response in emergencies (helping low-income seniors to avoid having to pay for an ambulance) and in providing long-term services. An Ethiopian social worker educated us on her culture's take on elder care. "Shmagileh" is the Amharic word for elder, meaning one who has knowledge and wisdom. She said that nursing homes are not in any way in the picture at this time. In order to get participation from Ethiopian elderly, it is crucial that they come together in a group. We saw Ethiopian culture firsthand during our tour of Yad LaKashish (Lifeline for the Aged)'s creative workshop, where elders of countless backgrounds were creating beautiful works. Participants receive a salary for their work, allowing them to continue to contribute and function successfully in Israeli society. We subsequently helped pay those salaries and supported the cause in the adjacent gift shop.
From there we headed to Eshel, where Cindie Klein informed us that 96% of Israelis live in the community; the main focus within elder care is on aging in place (particularly at Eshel). Then Naomi Chanochi discussed her area, Health Promotion. Eshel develops services, and then municipalities run them. The programs are not typically expensive, and they are self-sufficient early on. A new program, French bowling (like bocce ball) has been a hit among elderly men, a demographic which had proven difficult to engage in physical activity.
We then headed to Shaare Zedek Hospital's cardiac rehabilitation department, where we heard from a geriatrician and took a look at the gym (whose director was familiar with Dad's gym's founder, Dr. Kenneth Cooper). After a quick tour of state-of-the-art assisted living facility Ahuzat Beit Ha'Kerem, I jotted back across the street to catch a minyan for mincha (afternoon prayers) back at Shaare Zedek's synagogue (these were my first services at a hospital). It was pretty powerful, and humbling, to pray for G-d to heal the sick (among the rest of the prayers) along with patients in wheelchairs and others with IVs and other treatment connected to them. Next was a lecture on swallowing problems by Sharon Ron, director of Maytav-Jerusalem center for speech and swallowing disorders. She taught us that dysphagia is the term for swallowing disorder; aspiration is when food enters the airway; aspiration pneumonia is the #1 cause of death for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients; and that there is a pinch test to check for dehydration--when the skin is pinched, a sign of dehydration is that it does not return quickly to its natural form.
The tour's final day started at Mevasseret Zion's elderly day center, which serves 80 local older adults and has been in operation officially since 1988. A nice touch to break through language barriers among this center's mostly illiterate participants is a pantomimist--everyone understands!
We then saw how Kibbutz Maale HaChamisha cares for elderly in its small-scale skilled nursing home. Geriatrician Dr. Zvi Buckman shed a great deal of light on Israel's preventive medical care for older adults. Within geriatrics, he said you must look a the function of the person, not the diagnosis; there should be a multi-disciplinary approach, with assessments by the doctor, nurse, and social worker; and you should look at typical geriatric syndromes--such as dementia, depression, sleep disorders, and incontinence. As such, it is preferable for a 50-year-old with dementia to visit a geriatrician. 50 to 75-year-old women should proactively have mammograms (ideally every two years). 50% of those who break a hip do not regain function within one year, and one-third end up in nursing homes. Improving vision (i.e. cataract surgery) actually increases the risk of fall; bifocals can also interfere. The only exercise that helps is balance exercise, such as tai chi. Blood pressure above 140/90 can increase the risk of stroke. It is not so clear how helpful vitamin D is for bones, but as one ages, their vitamin D absorption from the sun decreases. Glaucoma is the #1 cause of blindness in the world; anyone with diabetes should get their vision checked. At any age, stopping smoking will result in decreased health risks one year later. Medications aiming to lower cholesterol also lower good cholesterol. Niacin is the only known way to raise HDL. Mild forgetfullness and high blood pressure together are a risk factor for dementia. Vitamin B12, found in red meat and eggs, clearly prevents cognitive problems and gait disorders. Dr. Buckman disproved the myth that Israel's health care system is public--rather, it is government-subsidized. Health care takes up about 8% of Israel's GDP, nowhere near the roughly 17% in the US. Doctor salaries are roughly one-third less in Israel, but malpractice insurance is relatively microscopic. 90% of back pain goes away within three months. Whew-he was a wealth of information!
We finished the tour at Beit Ha'Ela, a 103-resident nursing home (with a Russian-speaking majority), which has been in operation since 1986, then wrapped up over a delicious dinner at a phenomenal restaurant with its own enormous greenhouse, on the outskirts of Beit Shemesh. Three jam-packed days...A great picture of Israel's diverse world of elder care...Fantastic connections...So much elder-care knowledge!
I have to get up early to head in the other direction, up north to Tzfat for a weekend with fellow OTZMA alumni (my volunteer program five years ago) along with the current participants.
The sad news of the day is that of the murder of a Thai greenhouse worker by a rocket launched over the border fence from Gaza.
Ever since an Israeli bureaucratic snafu led to unprecedented condemnation from the Obama administration, I have been swimming in websites covering the dispute. Please bear with me and my million links:
I'd start by asking those of you who are up for it to compose and send AIPAC's note re-affirming the Israel-US alliance to your senators and representatives.
Here's a good look at Biden's Tel Aviv University speech from American Thinker. I suggest you also follow the link to the speech, much of which was very good. I appreciated this line: "Every time progress is made, it’s made when the rest of the world knows there is absolutely no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to security, none. No space." Sadly, it doesn't seem that Biden's statement contrasting Obama's words to American Jewish leaders last July holds much weight in light of the latest crisis. Barry Rubin tells it as it is here on the American-Israeli relations snafu. Isi Leibler takes a look through Obama's tenure into his relations towards Israel. The Jerusalem Post covered Anti-Defamation League National Chairman Abe Foxman and others' denunciation of the Obama administration's assertion that apartments on the other side of the Green Line in Jerusalem endanger the lives of US soldiers. Here's some history on US legislation with regards to Israel's Jerusalem policy. An American Thinker columnist expresses her deep concern over the relations here. That website's chief political correspondent Richard Baehr puts it bluntly here (with his own great list of informational links). Here's the Israel Project's general response to the crisis. And here's an Arutz Sheva piece with some helpful info about Jerusalem neighborhoods.
As for some columnist for the Times named Tom (whose writing I once enjoyed), I would counter that Israel is driving straight. The US, on the other hand, seems to be swerving in my lane, distracted with all the wrong issues as Iran defies deadline after pathetic deadline on its push for nuclear weaponry. (Friedman also conveniently ignored that terrorists based in Hamas-controlled Gaza have fired more than 25 rockets and mortars into Israel in 2010.)
Here's the good news on the arrest of the terrorist who murdered many Israelis at the closest cafe to my apartment, a two minute walk away, back in 2003. Here we have news of a firebomb attack on a father and his baby son. If anyone heard the Obama administration condemn that one, please let me know. Here is the Israel Project's look at the Palestinian attempts to destabilize Jerusalem.
Lest we think Abbas and Fayyad's Palestinian Authority are genuine partners for peace, here's an interview with Itamar Marcus, head of Palestinian Media Watch on the countless examples of Palestinian demonization of Israelis and Jews. More of that here from the Jerusalem Post.
Hopefully next week I'll make it to the re-built Hurva synagogue since its Monday dedication. This Arutz Sheva piece includes a couple amateurish videos, but they're still cool to see. I vividly remember visiting the ruins of the Hurva as the first stop on our way into the Old City towards the Western Wall back on my high school teen tour in 1996. Check out the history of the Hurva synagogue going all the way back to 1700. Here's a look at the battle for the character of the newly rebuilt synagogue. A Jerusalem Post editorial ties this synagogue to Israel's general theme of redemption.
Here's a nice uplifting look at Israel's hi-tech success story as told by Saul Singer, co-author of Startup Nation. The interviewer gets a generous two stars, but Singer is definitely worth hearing (and I'll have to read the book at some point as well).
And with Pesach a week and a half away, Rabbi Oren Hayon from my parents' synagogue in Dallas is working on the remix of the Haggada on twitter.
Shabbat Shalom,
Eric/אריק
I missed a few of the Mashina songs, but here's most of the playlist:
At the end of February, I took part in the 2010 Melabev Geriatric Study Tour, which was back to normal--incredibly informative and educational. With another impressive participant base, the conversations between sessions again brought great added value to the overall experience.
The tour commenced at Yad Vashem, where Ephraim Kaye taught us that Israel's Holocaust museum's name (translated as "everlasting memorial") comes from Isaiah Chapter 56. Cynthia Wroclawski, head of the Names Collection Project, helped to spread the word on this amazing project, which has connected survivors who thought that each other had perished (we saw a video about such siblings). We then heard from the amazing survivor Eliezer Ayalon, who had been totally silent about his experiences in the Holocaust for 37 years before opening up. How incredible to meet Eliezer in Jerusalem, the city which was always on his parents' lips.
Our next stop was the Juabeh Hospital in Beit Hanina (the only geriatric hospital in Arab East Jerusalem). We learned that the title of the home carries a lot of meaning--"hospital" is culturally acceptable in the Arab sector, but "nursing home" is taboo, and seen as a sign of embarrassment to adult children, who are expected to care for their aging parents. Along those lines of the importance of children, we learned another interesting cultural tidbit--both men and women will go by a translation of "Ellen Em Eric" (my mom would be Ellen, the mother of Eric. Sorry sis--they go by the name of the first-born son).
Later that day, we heard from consecutive non-profits connected to the mega-non-profit Yad Sarah: Dvora Corn from Tishkofet (meaning "perspective)-Life's Door, which supports patients at the end of life and their families. Tishkofet coordinates its volunteer training with Yad Sarah; and the next speaker, Elisheva HaCohen from Mosaica (a center for conflict resolution by agreement), informed us that they are based in Yad Sarah.
We then took a tour of Melabev's state-of-the-art new Talpiot Center from Melabev Director Motti Zelikowitz. The center daily serves about 70 clients with dementia.
Day two started at San Simon's Neve Horim nursing home, which has been operating in Jerusalem (at various locations) for 130 years. We saw a thought-provoking movie that was produced by and featured actors who are residents of the home. The group lounged in style during a relaxing visit to the Snoezelaan Room, a multi-sensory therapy technique.
Then we heard from a municipality social worker who is responsible for neighborhood centers which serve as a first response in emergencies (helping low-income seniors to avoid having to pay for an ambulance) and in providing long-term services. An Ethiopian social worker educated us on her culture's take on elder care. "Shmagileh" is the Amharic word for elder, meaning one who has knowledge and wisdom. She said that nursing homes are not in any way in the picture at this time. In order to get participation from Ethiopian elderly, it is crucial that they come together in a group. We saw Ethiopian culture firsthand during our tour of Yad LaKashish (Lifeline for the Aged)'s creative workshop, where elders of countless backgrounds were creating beautiful works. Participants receive a salary for their work, allowing them to continue to contribute and function successfully in Israeli society. We subsequently helped pay those salaries and supported the cause in the adjacent gift shop.
From there we headed to Eshel, where Cindie Klein informed us that 96% of Israelis live in the community; the main focus within elder care is on aging in place (particularly at Eshel). Then Naomi Chanochi discussed her area, Health Promotion. Eshel develops services, and then municipalities run them. The programs are not typically expensive, and they are self-sufficient early on. A new program, French bowling (like bocce ball) has been a hit among elderly men, a demographic which had proven difficult to engage in physical activity.
We then headed to Shaare Zedek Hospital's cardiac rehabilitation department, where we heard from a geriatrician and took a look at the gym (whose director was familiar with Dad's gym's founder, Dr. Kenneth Cooper). After a quick tour of state-of-the-art assisted living facility Ahuzat Beit Ha'Kerem, I jotted back across the street to catch a minyan for mincha (afternoon prayers) back at Shaare Zedek's synagogue (these were my first services at a hospital). It was pretty powerful, and humbling, to pray for G-d to heal the sick (among the rest of the prayers) along with patients in wheelchairs and others with IVs and other treatment connected to them. Next was a lecture on swallowing problems by Sharon Ron, director of Maytav-Jerusalem center for speech and swallowing disorders. She taught us that dysphagia is the term for swallowing disorder; aspiration is when food enters the airway; aspiration pneumonia is the #1 cause of death for Alzheimer's and Parkinson's patients; and that there is a pinch test to check for dehydration--when the skin is pinched, a sign of dehydration is that it does not return quickly to its natural form.
The tour's final day started at Mevasseret Zion's elderly day center, which serves 80 local older adults and has been in operation officially since 1988. A nice touch to break through language barriers among this center's mostly illiterate participants is a pantomimist--everyone understands!
We then saw how Kibbutz Maale HaChamisha cares for elderly in its small-scale skilled nursing home. Geriatrician Dr. Zvi Buckman shed a great deal of light on Israel's preventive medical care for older adults. Within geriatrics, he said you must look a the function of the person, not the diagnosis; there should be a multi-disciplinary approach, with assessments by the doctor, nurse, and social worker; and you should look at typical geriatric syndromes--such as dementia, depression, sleep disorders, and incontinence. As such, it is preferable for a 50-year-old with dementia to visit a geriatrician. 50 to 75-year-old women should proactively have mammograms (ideally every two years). 50% of those who break a hip do not regain function within one year, and one-third end up in nursing homes. Improving vision (i.e. cataract surgery) actually increases the risk of fall; bifocals can also interfere. The only exercise that helps is balance exercise, such as tai chi. Blood pressure above 140/90 can increase the risk of stroke. It is not so clear how helpful vitamin D is for bones, but as one ages, their vitamin D absorption from the sun decreases. Glaucoma is the #1 cause of blindness in the world; anyone with diabetes should get their vision checked. At any age, stopping smoking will result in decreased health risks one year later. Medications aiming to lower cholesterol also lower good cholesterol. Niacin is the only known way to raise HDL. Mild forgetfullness and high blood pressure together are a risk factor for dementia. Vitamin B12, found in red meat and eggs, clearly prevents cognitive problems and gait disorders. Dr. Buckman disproved the myth that Israel's health care system is public--rather, it is government-subsidized. Health care takes up about 8% of Israel's GDP, nowhere near the roughly 17% in the US. Doctor salaries are roughly one-third less in Israel, but malpractice insurance is relatively microscopic. 90% of back pain goes away within three months. Whew-he was a wealth of information!
We finished the tour at Beit Ha'Ela, a 103-resident nursing home (with a Russian-speaking majority), which has been in operation since 1986, then wrapped up over a delicious dinner at a phenomenal restaurant with its own enormous greenhouse, on the outskirts of Beit Shemesh. Three jam-packed days...A great picture of Israel's diverse world of elder care...Fantastic connections...So much elder-care knowledge!
I have to get up early to head in the other direction, up north to Tzfat for a weekend with fellow OTZMA alumni (my volunteer program five years ago) along with the current participants.
The sad news of the day is that of the murder of a Thai greenhouse worker by a rocket launched over the border fence from Gaza.
Ever since an Israeli bureaucratic snafu led to unprecedented condemnation from the Obama administration, I have been swimming in websites covering the dispute. Please bear with me and my million links:
I'd start by asking those of you who are up for it to compose and send AIPAC's note re-affirming the Israel-US alliance to your senators and representatives.
Here's a good look at Biden's Tel Aviv University speech from American Thinker. I suggest you also follow the link to the speech, much of which was very good. I appreciated this line: "Every time progress is made, it’s made when the rest of the world knows there is absolutely no space between the United States and Israel when it comes to security, none. No space." Sadly, it doesn't seem that Biden's statement contrasting Obama's words to American Jewish leaders last July holds much weight in light of the latest crisis. Barry Rubin tells it as it is here on the American-Israeli relations snafu. Isi Leibler takes a look through Obama's tenure into his relations towards Israel. The Jerusalem Post covered Anti-Defamation League National Chairman Abe Foxman and others' denunciation of the Obama administration's assertion that apartments on the other side of the Green Line in Jerusalem endanger the lives of US soldiers. Here's some history on US legislation with regards to Israel's Jerusalem policy. An American Thinker columnist expresses her deep concern over the relations here. That website's chief political correspondent Richard Baehr puts it bluntly here (with his own great list of informational links). Here's the Israel Project's general response to the crisis. And here's an Arutz Sheva piece with some helpful info about Jerusalem neighborhoods.
As for some columnist for the Times named Tom (whose writing I once enjoyed), I would counter that Israel is driving straight. The US, on the other hand, seems to be swerving in my lane, distracted with all the wrong issues as Iran defies deadline after pathetic deadline on its push for nuclear weaponry. (Friedman also conveniently ignored that terrorists based in Hamas-controlled Gaza have fired more than 25 rockets and mortars into Israel in 2010.)
Here's the good news on the arrest of the terrorist who murdered many Israelis at the closest cafe to my apartment, a two minute walk away, back in 2003. Here we have news of a firebomb attack on a father and his baby son. If anyone heard the Obama administration condemn that one, please let me know. Here is the Israel Project's look at the Palestinian attempts to destabilize Jerusalem.
Lest we think Abbas and Fayyad's Palestinian Authority are genuine partners for peace, here's an interview with Itamar Marcus, head of Palestinian Media Watch on the countless examples of Palestinian demonization of Israelis and Jews. More of that here from the Jerusalem Post.
Hopefully next week I'll make it to the re-built Hurva synagogue since its Monday dedication. This Arutz Sheva piece includes a couple amateurish videos, but they're still cool to see. I vividly remember visiting the ruins of the Hurva as the first stop on our way into the Old City towards the Western Wall back on my high school teen tour in 1996. Check out the history of the Hurva synagogue going all the way back to 1700. Here's a look at the battle for the character of the newly rebuilt synagogue. A Jerusalem Post editorial ties this synagogue to Israel's general theme of redemption.
Here's a nice uplifting look at Israel's hi-tech success story as told by Saul Singer, co-author of Startup Nation. The interviewer gets a generous two stars, but Singer is definitely worth hearing (and I'll have to read the book at some point as well).
And with Pesach a week and a half away, Rabbi Oren Hayon from my parents' synagogue in Dallas is working on the remix of the Haggada on twitter.
Shabbat Shalom,
Eric/אריק
I missed a few of the Mashina songs, but here's most of the playlist:
- להתראות נעורים שלום אהבה
- את לא כמו כולם
- בנות הים
- התשובה
- אז למה לי פוליטיקה עכשיו
- אחכה לך בשדות
- רני בפריז
- ברחובות שלנו
- תחזור תחזור: גיטרה אקוסטית ופסנתר, נהיה מין שירה בציבור, פשוט יפה
- הכוכבים דולקים על אש קטנה
- רכבת לילה
- אין מקום אחר
Friday, February 12, 2010
Shabbat Shalom!
Quick post to get out the following:
Last Friday on my third try I made it to Tel Aviv's annual Jazz Festival, and caught a great show by Israeli group Swing de Gitanes.
My old Rabbi Lopatin is basically too cool for shul.
Barry Rubin says why Salam Fayyad isn't the guy here.
Here's the latest on that Shabaneh PA corruption story from last post.
And this ditty, with my favorite blues guitarist Buddy Guy, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk will tide me over in blues-less Israel for quite awhile.
Enjoying the warm spring-like Jerusalem weather for everyone out there who's snowed in, including even my folks in Big D! Love,
אריק/Eric
Last Friday on my third try I made it to Tel Aviv's annual Jazz Festival, and caught a great show by Israeli group Swing de Gitanes.
My old Rabbi Lopatin is basically too cool for shul.
Barry Rubin says why Salam Fayyad isn't the guy here.
Here's the latest on that Shabaneh PA corruption story from last post.
And this ditty, with my favorite blues guitarist Buddy Guy, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk will tide me over in blues-less Israel for quite awhile.
Enjoying the warm spring-like Jerusalem weather for everyone out there who's snowed in, including even my folks in Big D! Love,
אריק/Eric
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Acting on Dreams
It's after midnight here, but on Feb. 3 last year, I picked up my new pair of tefillin from dear friend Mordechai. A year later, after the "new tefillin smell" has faded, what was at that point still a foreign ritual has become an intrinsic part of each day. Now I'll just have to make sure to get up extra early if I have a morning US flight to avoid a re-routed flight and a security scare. That absurd story is yet another reason it's great to be in Israel--tefillin are normal here, and our flight security is, thank G-d, as good (and rational) as it gets.
Last week, and the week before, I commemorated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s memory by celebrating his holiday over a 10 day stretch. Mother nature forced a re-scheduled 2nd Annual clean-up of his Jerusalem street. I proudly represented Michigan, where I first volunteered on King Day as part of Project SERVE's Acting on the Dream day of service.
As proud as I still am of the IDF Medical Corps' incredible service in Haiti, I am almost as embarrassed by the giant pile of trash that was once again awaiting me this year. Roommate Louis joined in on the fun this time. He was a huge help in amassing quite a collection of trash and recycling. I continued the work on a giant pile of trash at the train tracks right by my apartment. Sadly, the municipality street cleaners completely abandon areas off the main streets--we'll have to get on their case. Of course the piles of trash wouldn't be there but for the sad treatment of the Holy Land as a garbage can by its residents. Environmental education simply must be prioritized. But in the meantime, it sure felt good to clean up not only Dr. King's street, as it well deserves, but also the abhorrent eyesore by the train tracks that I walk by almost every day. (Not to worry, I washed my hands afterwards like nobody's business).
As Stevie Wonder sang in "Happy Birthday," his anthem for the movement to create a King Day:
Why has there never been a holiday where peace is celebrated all throughout the world?
I'm in, Stevie. (And if you're reading out there, I think you'll be impressed that, as you can see in the picture above, "Martin Luther King St." is also written in Arabic.)
My Tuesdays with the incredible participants (who are Holocaust survivors) at Cafe Europa continue to be out of this world. This has quite simply been one of the most beautiful things in which I've ever been involved. By dancing to the best of my (non-existent) abilities, singing, warming up the crowd with my piano repertoire, learning a weekly Yiddish lesson from Ada, and just being there to get to know these amazing people, I'm contributing to a project that returns the youth that was brutally stolen from them by the Nazis. The positive, beautiful spirit emanating from these participants exudes Dr. King's vision: these people, who more than anyone I know of could so easily become embittered and filled with hatred, pour out nothing but love to each other in creating this community that warms the cool Jerusalem winter.
Last Wednesday was International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Please read President Shimon Peres' extremely powerful speech in Germany (just watch out for some less-than-stellar translations from the Hebrew).
I had a lovely Tu B'Shvat/Shabbat Dinner at friends the Bambergers, celebrating the new year of the trees with all sorts of amazing Israeli fruit + good times with old friends.
Khaled Abu Toameh picked up a story enormous even for his high standards about corruption in the Palestinian Authority. PA politics don't usually end well for those who expose that kind of corruption.
I found Bret Stephens' list of Iran myths quite interesting.
And in totally different news, my dad and I are celebrating not only his great news as the chemo continues to go extremely well, but also the remarkable recovery of one of our favorite jazz pianists, (like my dad a Cincinnati native) Fred Hersch. Fred was always so nice to me when I told him "hi from Jerry" after his shows. Maybe he'll come to Israel for one of the jazz fests.
That's all from me for now--it's so late! Take good care my people. Sweet dreams. Love,
אריק/Eric
Last week, and the week before, I commemorated Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s memory by celebrating his holiday over a 10 day stretch. Mother nature forced a re-scheduled 2nd Annual clean-up of his Jerusalem street. I proudly represented Michigan, where I first volunteered on King Day as part of Project SERVE's Acting on the Dream day of service.
As proud as I still am of the IDF Medical Corps' incredible service in Haiti, I am almost as embarrassed by the giant pile of trash that was once again awaiting me this year. Roommate Louis joined in on the fun this time. He was a huge help in amassing quite a collection of trash and recycling. I continued the work on a giant pile of trash at the train tracks right by my apartment. Sadly, the municipality street cleaners completely abandon areas off the main streets--we'll have to get on their case. Of course the piles of trash wouldn't be there but for the sad treatment of the Holy Land as a garbage can by its residents. Environmental education simply must be prioritized. But in the meantime, it sure felt good to clean up not only Dr. King's street, as it well deserves, but also the abhorrent eyesore by the train tracks that I walk by almost every day. (Not to worry, I washed my hands afterwards like nobody's business).
As Stevie Wonder sang in "Happy Birthday," his anthem for the movement to create a King Day:
Why has there never been a holiday where peace is celebrated all throughout the world?
I'm in, Stevie. (And if you're reading out there, I think you'll be impressed that, as you can see in the picture above, "Martin Luther King St." is also written in Arabic.)
My Tuesdays with the incredible participants (who are Holocaust survivors) at Cafe Europa continue to be out of this world. This has quite simply been one of the most beautiful things in which I've ever been involved. By dancing to the best of my (non-existent) abilities, singing, warming up the crowd with my piano repertoire, learning a weekly Yiddish lesson from Ada, and just being there to get to know these amazing people, I'm contributing to a project that returns the youth that was brutally stolen from them by the Nazis. The positive, beautiful spirit emanating from these participants exudes Dr. King's vision: these people, who more than anyone I know of could so easily become embittered and filled with hatred, pour out nothing but love to each other in creating this community that warms the cool Jerusalem winter.
Last Wednesday was International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Please read President Shimon Peres' extremely powerful speech in Germany (just watch out for some less-than-stellar translations from the Hebrew).
I had a lovely Tu B'Shvat/Shabbat Dinner at friends the Bambergers, celebrating the new year of the trees with all sorts of amazing Israeli fruit + good times with old friends.
Khaled Abu Toameh picked up a story enormous even for his high standards about corruption in the Palestinian Authority. PA politics don't usually end well for those who expose that kind of corruption.
I found Bret Stephens' list of Iran myths quite interesting.
And in totally different news, my dad and I are celebrating not only his great news as the chemo continues to go extremely well, but also the remarkable recovery of one of our favorite jazz pianists, (like my dad a Cincinnati native) Fred Hersch. Fred was always so nice to me when I told him "hi from Jerry" after his shows. Maybe he'll come to Israel for one of the jazz fests.
That's all from me for now--it's so late! Take good care my people. Sweet dreams. Love,
אריק/Eric
Monday, January 11, 2010
?מה הקטע
I reiterate, I voted against this buffoon. I am thoroughly entertained by the Israeli newspaper's translation of "What the (expletive)?" to "מה הקטע? Ma Ha'Keta" = what's the deal? לקוראי עברית, תמצאו את המאמר השלם כאן. As for Blago getting a TV role out of being a criminal, all I have to say is, I'm quite happy to be in Israel and out of range of such grossly misplaced values.
Yesterday, Senator Lieberman came to town with a delegation of Senators (Arutz Sheva has the full video of the press conference here), making this Lieberman's second visit here since I met him back in September in Stamford, CT after baby nephew Ben's brit milah/bris. Sadly, I didn't get to meet up with him either time he was in Jerusalem, but I must say here (a few months overdue) how incredible Senator and Mrs. Lieberman were in welcoming me to their Modern Orthodox synagogue. Our paths lined up on the walk to Shabbat/Saturday morning services. They were both so genuinely excited to hear that I was in from Israel and asked me a million questions about my life here and my religious development (Hadassah commented on how my move towards Orthodox Judaism is representative of a generation of more committed Jews, within Orthodoxy anyway). I could barely get a word in to them, but when I said the same thing to Senator Lieberman that I had said a year and a half earlier to my Congressman (at the time) Rahm Emanuel, "Thank you for everything you do to support Israel and prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons," instead of ditching the joint like Emanuel did at Anshe Sholom synagogue, Lieberman told me that it was his honor to do so. The Liebermans proceeded to introduce me to everyone and their aunt after services--they were the epitome of the warm synagogue members who welcome the stranger to town. I wrote the Senator a message soon after, and he replied with a hand-signed note!
I won't get into Lieberman's politics with regards to the health care bill, but to all those who vitriolically criticize him, I am proud to say that I can personally attest to his genuine warmth.
Here's an interesting (and terribly troubling) look into the Obama administration's Middle East policy.
And here's Jerusalem Post Editor-in-Chief David Horovitz's take on the calls around the world to "Israelify" flight security in the aftermath of the underwear bomber's attempted attack. To all those flying these days, my heart goes out to you. Good luck dealing with that logistical nightmare...just travel safe.
I attended a lecture Saturday night by the always insightful Daniel Gordis. After seeing him a few years back at an Anshe Sholom Israel lunch, Gordis followed up with another great lecture, but he was a bit limited in his time--it seemed he didn't have the opportunity to dig deep in backing up his points. He mostly covered the new battle against Israel that dominated the last decade--de-legitimization of Israel spearheaded by the Arab world. Here are my notes:
-There is a universal, deep and abiding piece of human nature: the drive להיות עם חופשי בארצינו/lihiyot am chofshi b'artseinu = to be a free people in our own land.
-Across the world, in political science departments and the like, people claim that the nation state is a passe concept.
-Quite ironically, the incredible success of Zionism (despite some obvious and severe problems in Israel) inspired Palestinian nationalism.
-People can be mobile and universal, but at a great loss.
-Contrary to popular opinion, imperialism, not the nation state, starts wars.
-We as Israelis and olim are calling the world's bluff--we are to say, "No, international community, this is how people should live." This little country says "Human Difference matters." By living here, we say, "We think you're wrong, we think we're right."
-Judaism has been refashioned in the US as a take on Protestant Christianity: "My personal Judaism."
(Re. the issue of the increasingly disenchanted Jewish community vis-a-vis Israel): -Every time US Jews see Israel depicted in the media, they see endless bloodshed and say, "I don't have a dog in this fight."
-US Judaism is a spiritual odyssey, not a national journey.
-Denominational diversity in the US all answers to the profound question: How will we survive in a culture that embraces us?
-Israel is one answer--we believe in Jewish nationalism. We are in a sense breathing life into humankind.
With that I will leave US/Israeli politics in the rear view mirror for the time being. After the lecture, I caught a phenomenal jazz show at Beit Avi Chai by saxophonist Erez Barnoy and his quartet, part of a series of original Israeli music put together by Sha’anan Street, hip-hop group Hadag Nachash's MC. Barnoy and the gang were all incredibly solid players and soloists. They played several numbers from his new (and first) album AT LAST. And so that I won't forget the personnel of the band, here it is:
ארז בר נוי - סקסופון טנור / הוד מושונוב - פסנתר / אסף חכימי - קונטרבאס / יונתן אולייסקי - תופים
I'll surely mess some of those up if I try to transliterate, and I need to get back to work, so I'll have to wrap up.
Yesterday marked another big milestone: a year and a half since my aliyah--unbelievable! I celebrated by picking up a couple of base hits in my weekly softball game. Ok, not the most Israeli way to celebrate being an Israeli for 18 months, but a lot of fun all the same! The part of that tidbit where Israel comes in is of course the fact that I play softball all winter long here, at night no less! Last night it was even too warm out for my long-sleeve t-shirt. Here's praying it'll cool off and start raining again soon though.
Hope everyone has a great week, and GO COWBOYS! I'll be pulling for the upset over the Vikes with a few fellow Texans, after having to catch the last two big late night (here in Israel that is) wins solo at home. I've been watching and/or listening online to Brad Sham (fellow member of my parents' synagogue Temple Emanu-El)'s radio calls. The world is indeed flat. Take care for now,
אריק/Eric
Yesterday, Senator Lieberman came to town with a delegation of Senators (Arutz Sheva has the full video of the press conference here), making this Lieberman's second visit here since I met him back in September in Stamford, CT after baby nephew Ben's brit milah/bris. Sadly, I didn't get to meet up with him either time he was in Jerusalem, but I must say here (a few months overdue) how incredible Senator and Mrs. Lieberman were in welcoming me to their Modern Orthodox synagogue. Our paths lined up on the walk to Shabbat/Saturday morning services. They were both so genuinely excited to hear that I was in from Israel and asked me a million questions about my life here and my religious development (Hadassah commented on how my move towards Orthodox Judaism is representative of a generation of more committed Jews, within Orthodoxy anyway). I could barely get a word in to them, but when I said the same thing to Senator Lieberman that I had said a year and a half earlier to my Congressman (at the time) Rahm Emanuel, "Thank you for everything you do to support Israel and prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons," instead of ditching the joint like Emanuel did at Anshe Sholom synagogue, Lieberman told me that it was his honor to do so. The Liebermans proceeded to introduce me to everyone and their aunt after services--they were the epitome of the warm synagogue members who welcome the stranger to town. I wrote the Senator a message soon after, and he replied with a hand-signed note!
I won't get into Lieberman's politics with regards to the health care bill, but to all those who vitriolically criticize him, I am proud to say that I can personally attest to his genuine warmth.
Here's an interesting (and terribly troubling) look into the Obama administration's Middle East policy.
And here's Jerusalem Post Editor-in-Chief David Horovitz's take on the calls around the world to "Israelify" flight security in the aftermath of the underwear bomber's attempted attack. To all those flying these days, my heart goes out to you. Good luck dealing with that logistical nightmare...just travel safe.
I attended a lecture Saturday night by the always insightful Daniel Gordis. After seeing him a few years back at an Anshe Sholom Israel lunch, Gordis followed up with another great lecture, but he was a bit limited in his time--it seemed he didn't have the opportunity to dig deep in backing up his points. He mostly covered the new battle against Israel that dominated the last decade--de-legitimization of Israel spearheaded by the Arab world. Here are my notes:
-There is a universal, deep and abiding piece of human nature: the drive להיות עם חופשי בארצינו/lihiyot am chofshi b'artseinu = to be a free people in our own land.
-Across the world, in political science departments and the like, people claim that the nation state is a passe concept.
-Quite ironically, the incredible success of Zionism (despite some obvious and severe problems in Israel) inspired Palestinian nationalism.
-People can be mobile and universal, but at a great loss.
-Contrary to popular opinion, imperialism, not the nation state, starts wars.
-We as Israelis and olim are calling the world's bluff--we are to say, "No, international community, this is how people should live." This little country says "Human Difference matters." By living here, we say, "We think you're wrong, we think we're right."
-Judaism has been refashioned in the US as a take on Protestant Christianity: "My personal Judaism."
(Re. the issue of the increasingly disenchanted Jewish community vis-a-vis Israel): -Every time US Jews see Israel depicted in the media, they see endless bloodshed and say, "I don't have a dog in this fight."
-US Judaism is a spiritual odyssey, not a national journey.
-Denominational diversity in the US all answers to the profound question: How will we survive in a culture that embraces us?
-Israel is one answer--we believe in Jewish nationalism. We are in a sense breathing life into humankind.
With that I will leave US/Israeli politics in the rear view mirror for the time being. After the lecture, I caught a phenomenal jazz show at Beit Avi Chai by saxophonist Erez Barnoy and his quartet, part of a series of original Israeli music put together by Sha’anan Street, hip-hop group Hadag Nachash's MC. Barnoy and the gang were all incredibly solid players and soloists. They played several numbers from his new (and first) album AT LAST. And so that I won't forget the personnel of the band, here it is:
ארז בר נוי - סקסופון טנור / הוד מושונוב - פסנתר / אסף חכימי - קונטרבאס / יונתן אולייסקי - תופים
I'll surely mess some of those up if I try to transliterate, and I need to get back to work, so I'll have to wrap up.
Yesterday marked another big milestone: a year and a half since my aliyah--unbelievable! I celebrated by picking up a couple of base hits in my weekly softball game. Ok, not the most Israeli way to celebrate being an Israeli for 18 months, but a lot of fun all the same! The part of that tidbit where Israel comes in is of course the fact that I play softball all winter long here, at night no less! Last night it was even too warm out for my long-sleeve t-shirt. Here's praying it'll cool off and start raining again soon though.
Hope everyone has a great week, and GO COWBOYS! I'll be pulling for the upset over the Vikes with a few fellow Texans, after having to catch the last two big late night (here in Israel that is) wins solo at home. I've been watching and/or listening online to Brad Sham (fellow member of my parents' synagogue Temple Emanu-El)'s radio calls. The world is indeed flat. Take care for now,
אריק/Eric
Monday, January 4, 2010
My Dad is way cooler than the Cowboys' defense
As proud as I am of the resilient Dallas Cowboys, who after being written off as DOA in December, stormed back to win the NFC East, I am so much prouder of my dad for his continued fight--kicking cancer's butt every day! Please do keep up the prayers for Jerry/Yedidya ben Naomi though, as he recently found out that his chemotherapy will continue through March. We all thank you so much!
It goes without saying that my mom is also way cooler than a group of overpaid athletes. She has been such an incredible support for Dad through these many difficult months.
And as wired as I still am way past my bedtime by a thrilling Cowboys win, the highlight of the night was undoubtedly hearing Dad play his amazing new composition for baby Ben! Oh, and a Michigan hoops win over osu made for quite a sports day!
Speaking of babies, a couple weeks back, a Jewish life cycle of sorts was completed...I was thrilled to celebrate the brit milah/bris of my colleague Rakel's first grandson. It was especially joyous for me to celebrate with her family, after having attended her late father's funeral (my first in Israel) in Beit Shemesh early in 2009.
I've been working with Rakel and other staff from Shaare Zedek Hospital & Melabev in the field of elder care in Israel on this amazing Geriatric Study Tour, coming up Feb. 23-25. If any of my wonderful blog-readers could forward the link about the tour (http://www.melabev.org/posts/109?locale=en) to anyone you know in your communities (outside, as well as in Israel) who you think would be interested in participating, I would be enormously grateful. The tour has traditionally drawn a very diverse group of professionals in the field; this diversity is one of the keys to the program's success.
לילה טוב לכולם/Lila tov l'kulam/good night everyone!
אריק/Eric
It goes without saying that my mom is also way cooler than a group of overpaid athletes. She has been such an incredible support for Dad through these many difficult months.
And as wired as I still am way past my bedtime by a thrilling Cowboys win, the highlight of the night was undoubtedly hearing Dad play his amazing new composition for baby Ben! Oh, and a Michigan hoops win over osu made for quite a sports day!
Speaking of babies, a couple weeks back, a Jewish life cycle of sorts was completed...I was thrilled to celebrate the brit milah/bris of my colleague Rakel's first grandson. It was especially joyous for me to celebrate with her family, after having attended her late father's funeral (my first in Israel) in Beit Shemesh early in 2009.
I've been working with Rakel and other staff from Shaare Zedek Hospital & Melabev in the field of elder care in Israel on this amazing Geriatric Study Tour, coming up Feb. 23-25. If any of my wonderful blog-readers could forward the link about the tour (http://www.melabev.org/posts/109?locale=en) to anyone you know in your communities (outside, as well as in Israel) who you think would be interested in participating, I would be enormously grateful. The tour has traditionally drawn a very diverse group of professionals in the field; this diversity is one of the keys to the program's success.
לילה טוב לכולם/Lila tov l'kulam/good night everyone!
אריק/Eric
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