Where else, other than Israel, does a country take a day off for introspection? And where on this planet does an entire nation stop what they are doing to contemplate their deeds? Which other country asks forgiveness for their wrongdoings, and prepares to make amends?In this fast-paced world, life has become a complex mesh of… Continue reading Sublime and Sacred: Yom Kippur in Israel
Year: 2009
Under The Weather in Zefat
Yet another ‘moment’ in Israel. I am sick and I need a prescription. I am not in my familiar home town in Israel, the place where I have a friendly English speaking doctor. She is a former Australian who works out of her house, and who has a large waiting room painted in a calm… Continue reading Under The Weather in Zefat
Lag B’Omer in Meron
What causes 250,000 Jews from all over Israel (and the world) to congregate on the same day in one small moshav outside one ancient cave? What is it that inspires many of them to camp nearby in tents, to stay up all night singing, dancing and learning and to pour out their hearts reciting tehillim… Continue reading Lag B’Omer in Meron
Yom Haatzmaut in Nahal Oz
Wednesday April 29It was hard to wake up early on Yom Haatzmaut day, but the sweet wafting of Amir’s pancakes always does wonders for the kids. By 9:30 we were on the road, our picnic hamper strapped to the roof of our car. This time, we were not heading to Israel’s Vegas (Eilat), or to… Continue reading Yom Haatzmaut in Nahal Oz
Yom Haatzmaut 2009
Tuesday April 28Happy 61st Israel! We go from the sadness of a remembrance day for our fallen soldiers to the exuberance of Independence Day. In Ra'anana, people throng to Park Ra’anana in the tens of thousands. Three stages were set up in the park with non-stop entertainment. Vendors were selling flashing, glow-in-the-dark trinkets, and, of… Continue reading Yom Haatzmaut 2009
From Mountains to Sea- Our Last Day In Eilat
April 20 - Hiking Har ShlomoWhat is a trip to Eilat without a hike in the mountains? Amir and I had regained our strength, bought a hiking map and some seriously large water bottles. We asked Donna and Alan to join us, and by 5:00 the next morning, we were ready to go. We drove… Continue reading From Mountains to Sea- Our Last Day In Eilat
Our Encore In Eilat
April 17“I want to swim with the dolphins!” Pesach ended with yet more feasting. And then it was time to turn our kitchen over and return to our chametzy lives, having hopefully changed in some way. I always find it hard to bite into that first piece of bread after spending so much time diligently… Continue reading Our Encore In Eilat
Splitting of the Sea
April 15 - Splitting of the SeaThe downside of chol hamoed: you finally get a taste of sunshine and freedom and then it’s back to the kitchen, cooking for yet another yom tov! This Pesach, we were a team of many cooks, so we got the job done fast. The Yom Tov that marks the… Continue reading Splitting of the Sea
Hiking Nahal Amud
April 14 - Hiking Nahal AmudOne day during chol hamoed we hiked Nachal Amud with the thousands. We usually have these beautiful trails to ourselves but chol hamoed Pesach is prime hiking time for Israelis. They turn out with their babies wrapped in bundles or peeking out of back packs, teetering toddlers who have just… Continue reading Hiking Nahal Amud
Chol Hamoed and Etti Ankri
April 13 - Etti Ankri On StageThe first evening of Chol Hamoed, we went to the Yigal Alon Centre for a women’s only concert. I love events for women as I find them very empowering. The centre holds around 700 people and I think they crammed in many more than this. I had never been… Continue reading Chol Hamoed and Etti Ankri
Life in Israel 