Observations about life in Israel from a Canadian immigrant's perspective.
Rosh Chodesh Nissan. As the sliver of a new moon appears in the night sky, Israelis gather en masse to protest against the government. In their anger, frustration, and despair, they are fighting against fellow Israelis, threatening to shut down the country. Leaders in the opposition parties are fueling the fight, rubbing salt into already… Continue reading The Power of Kindness
A pair of barn swallows decided our back porch would be a place to call home. They set to work without losing a moment. We sat outside with our morning coffee as they pirouetted in flight, a dizzying full-time job of gathering twigs, dirt, and grass. Soon enough they had a nest complete with eggs and before… Continue reading Homeless
Here in Israel, life hangs on a thread. Everything that is deemed normal or routine has come to a standstill. Each morning, feeling grateful after a night’s sleep in a bed and not in a bomb shelter, I awaken to a reality of unknown, untouchable fear. When I am asleep (unless I am woken up… Continue reading Planting For Hope
I take a break to sit outside on this brilliant November afternoon. Feeling the warm sun tickle my face, I look way up to a cloudless, deep blue sky. Birds perch in treetops and sing. It all feels so tranquil - idyllic for a former Canadian who knows about November sleet and snow all too… Continue reading What's Next?
I recently read an article in ynetnews.com entitled “Tourists have stopped coming to Israel.” It reported that tourism to Israel has seen a 28% drop in the first quarter. I was a little shocked. To date, there is no war like there was last summer. I actually feel as if it is peaceful here these… Continue reading The Evil Spies
It is Wednesday afternoon and we are at the tekes siyum (graduation ceremony) of our son Ariel’s 32 soldiers. This exciting moment marks the end of their six months’ basic training. Proud parents, grandparents, siblings and cousins come out. Some hold up large signs, others wear matching T-shirts printed with their soldier’s picture on them. Everyone… Continue reading An Officer (and a Gentleman)
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Beach near Rosh HaNikra Life in Israel seems to be back to routine, whatever that means around here. My son’s best friends are safely back from Gaza for now. The parents of his friend Gedaliah held a beautiful Kiddush after shul a week ago to celebrate their oldest son’s safe return. With so many young… Continue reading Nurturing Nature
Soldiers bearing Oded's casket in Nir Etzion's military cemetery. When a soldier dies, the entire country mourns. On Monday night at 11 pm, lone soldier Sgt. Sean Carmeli was buried in Haifa’s military cemetery. Some 20,000 people flocked from all parts of Israel, standing united in the dark night to mourn a solider from Texas… Continue reading A Nation Weeps
Marriage proposal on the Gazan border. Hamas has been firing rockets at the Israeli civilian population for eleven days now. Over 1,000 rockets have been launched into Israel to date. The sirens blare and people run for their lives. Sderot, Ashdod, Ashkelon, Be'er Sheva and many other communities in southern Israel are on constant alert… Continue reading Miracles
Life in Israel 