O my Luve is like a red, red rose That’s newly sprung in June; O my Luve is like the melody That’s sweetly played in tune. Today marks the birthday of Robert Burns, Scotland’s favourite poet and national bard, affectionately known as Rabbie Burns. His birthday, January 25th, is celebrated as the biggest night of… Continue reading Rabbi (Rabbie) Burns
Author: Nicole Nathan Bem
Sir Edmund Hillary
Here I go again. Writing about hiking. You may wonder if I ever do anything else. Well, I do. But hiking opens my eyes and heart in such an incredible way, I become inspired to share these experiences. And the darker our world becomes, the more drawn I am to the simple life of the… Continue reading Sir Edmund Hillary
Trail Magic
Trail Angels. Anyone met one? According to a few trekking websites, this is a trail angel: Definition A Trail Angel: a townie or other person who provides unexpected and much-appreciated assistance to a hiker. Definition B Trail Angel: a person, or persons, who practice trail magic; (see: 'Trail Magic') Trail Magic: an act of seemingly random kindness by… Continue reading Trail Magic
Out in the Wild (part 2)
“It had nothing to do with getting from point A to point B. It had to do with how it felt to be in the wild. With what it was like to walk for miles with no reason other than to witness the accumulation of trees and meadows, mountains and deserts, streams and rocks, rivers and… Continue reading Out in the Wild (part 2)
Wildness in the Negev
“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.” John Muir, 1923. Our desert adventure of three weeks past was calling to us. We just had to go back. We have been hiking the Israel Trail (the Shvil Israel) in small… Continue reading Wildness in the Negev
Chanukah adventure
Lighting the eighth and last candle of Chanukah, Jews are bringing more light to the world. Here in Israel, this Chanukah holiday has been filled with light in the form of inspiration and togetherness, a sure sign that Israelis are united and strong. It started at the hairdresser when my daughter donated her long locks… Continue reading Chanukah adventure
'Lightly' Injured. Indefinable.
Perhaps you heard about the terror attack at a bus stop last Friday? Or maybe, if you live outside Israel, you did not even hear about this attack. So much horror and terror happen in the world daily, especially in the Middle East, that not all stories are reported. During this attack, two soldiers were… Continue reading 'Lightly' Injured. Indefinable.
We will bring the joy back
Sarah Techiya and Ariel under the chuppa tonight. Here in Israel, there is tragedy almost every day. I do not need to echo the news stories, the deep sorrow, the intense loss of beautiful lives and the insanity. We are living through horrific times and there is no solution in sight. We are glued to… Continue reading We will bring the joy back
A Family for Life
V’shavu banim l’gvulam….and the sons have returned home. We must have belted out this song dozens of times in the last few months when we hosted my daughter’s newest ‘family’ for meals. Shlomo Katz singing this song. Our rendition is more boisterous and involves lots of clapping and cheering! In August, Aviva left her beloved… Continue reading A Family for Life
Middle East or Middle Ages?
Anyone have a snorkel mask? My street after the storm. It’s been one of those days when I am reminded that I live in the Middle East, or perhaps some third-world country. It all starts with wind and rain. In fact, it always starts with wind and rain. Every winter, there is wind, rain, often… Continue reading Middle East or Middle Ages?