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
Hallel During Chol Hamoed
April 12 - Chol HamoedWith the combination of the special Birkat Hachama festival, the spring weather and the incredible choices of tiyulim in the north, there was too much choice of things to do during chol hamoed! We wanted to do everything, yet we only had a few days to fit it all in. Each… Continue reading Hallel During Chol Hamoed
Erev Pesach
Erev Pesach - April 8My mid morning, our kitchen was full of energetic cooks. We had a team of champion gefilte fish makers chopping up mounds of onions and reviving an ancient family secret in a huge pot. Our daughters were chopping vegetables and baking delicious cakes and squares. Soup was simmering, vegetables were roasting,… Continue reading Erev Pesach
The Power of Bircat Hachama
April 8 - The Power of Bircat HachamaThis special blessing is recited once every 28 years, when the sun completes a cycle and returns to the same position as it was on the day of creation. And this year, it fell on erev Pesach. This day is very significant as historically, the sun was in… Continue reading The Power of Bircat Hachama
Pesach In Tzfat
I’m just trying to get back to earth after experiencing an incredible Pesach. The day to day life is so ‘normal’ and strange after our wildly busy but fulfilling Pesach vacation. It all started with the regular pre-Pesach preparations, but this time with a twist. We were spending our first Passover in our home in… Continue reading Pesach In Tzfat
Preparing for Pesach Tzfati-style
I’m just trying to get back to earth after experiencing an incredible Pesach in Tzfat. Our day-to-day life seems so ‘normal’ and strange after our wildly busy but fulfilling Pesach vacation. It all started with the regular pre-Pesach preparations, but this time with a twist. We were spending our first Passover in our home in… Continue reading Preparing for Pesach Tzfati-style
Purim has come and gone.
Purim has come and gone. It budded just after Tu B’Shvat in February with the appearance of costumes and candy, then sent out tendrils that quickly gathered momentum, smothering everything in site. Candy baskets spilled from stores out onto the streets, children started celebrating in school, all day, every day. And Purim was still one… Continue reading Purim has come and gone.
Hiking the Golan and the Talmudic Town of Devorah
Even though this was written during Pesach, 2007, the trails are still there, beckoning hikers. Chol HaMoed Pesach is a special time for all Israelis. The children are off school and most parents take time off work to be with their families and to tour this magnificent country. We headed to the Golan. After a… Continue reading Hiking the Golan and the Talmudic Town of Devorah
Life in Israel 