Observations about life in Israel from a Canadian immigrant's perspective.
We lost a good friend last month. We mourn our comforting, cozy, loyal and affectionate friend TJ. Our golden retriever, who turned 16 in January, was part of our family since he was a tiny pup.Our kids still remember the day we came home with this tiny white fluff ball. We were in Tzfat and… Continue reading Missing TJ
It feels like we have all just completed an ultramarathon – 23 days of holidays. It all begins on the first of Tishrei with Rosh Hashana, then rolls into Yom Kippur and speeds up like an avalanche coming down a mountain gathering force. We barely eat after the fast before we take out our hammers… Continue reading After The Chagim Syndrome
‘After the chagim’ is the Jewish form of ‘mañana.’ When we are busied with the holidays – Rosh Hashana, Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Simchat Torah – not much else gets done. Business meetings? After the chagim. Looking for a handyman? After the chagim? Need something at the health food store? Wait till it opens after… Continue reading After the Chagim
“Give ear, O heavens, and I will speak; and may the earth hear the words of my mouth.” Devarim (Deuteronomy) 32:1 Erev Yom Kippur. It is now late morning as I sit in my garden to reflect. There is a waft of sweet guava. A bird sings. A gate creaks. The roads are sleepy quiet… Continue reading Simply Being
Picture on Etrog Box Wednesday felt a bit like a marathon. It was erev Sukkot, the holiday that takes place five days after Yom Kippur. Also known as the Festival of Booths, the holiday is centered around a Sukkah. Most people traditionally start building their sukkahs right after the Yom Kippur fast. This was not… Continue reading We are not in Oz
The days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are called the Aseret Yomei Teshuvah, the ten days of repentance. This sounds very heavy and it actually is. In the Midrash Tanchumah, it is written that G-d says, “The gates of Heaven are open, and I will listen to your prayers.” During these days, we feel… Continue reading A Meaningful Life
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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
Life in Israel 