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

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