Rocks and Rolls

You all win. I cannot let all of November go by without blogging once. Being very busy is no excuse. I mean it kinda is, but if I was more organized I could do this as some of my faithful readers get on me to do. I guess I figure that people have much better things to do than read my blog, so I'm being self fulfillling by letting this die a natural death. Or just looking for an excuse for not keeping up. Whatever.

A good part of my busy-ness is due to my tour guide course which is a lot more time consuming- and a lot more intellectually stimulating- than I thought it would be. We have had incredible lectures on geomorphology (yes, really!) so that I can now explain the chemical process that leads to holes in limestone and stalactite caves, how gorges are formed, that frost can cause landslides and why granite is found in pillars and not layers. Yawn if you must but for me it's fascinating stuff. Even as I broke every nail and bruised both knees on our hike through Wadi Kelt last week I was lovin' it. (Okay, could have done without the mudstains on my new shirt but that was my fault for wearing it.)

Last Friday night there was an earthquake at about midnight. Earl woke me up to ask if I'd felt it (??????) and proceeded to roll his eyes in his head along with the Richter scale, because while still half asleep I told him that the Jews started to rebuild the Third Temple at some point but when an earthquake hit they took it as a sign from God that the time was not ripe and dropped the project. I then got annoyed with myself for forgetting the date this happened. All while not yet fully conscious.

So he's convinced that I'm obsessed and my kids want to know if every Shabbat meal they will be regaled with some little known detail of our nation's history and my friends got glassy eyed at dinner out the other night and I have rediscovered how much I dislike doing homework.

Hmphh. As midlife things go I thought this was cool. Was I wrong?

Maybe I should have gone for the manicures and the vapid 'let's do lunch thing' and the kind of life a lot of other women my age have. I don't think so, just not me.

Although the manicure is sure sounding good right about now.

Three Foreskins

What with my radio show expanding to 2 hours and the first week of my tour guide course (more on that another time; suffice to say that I'm soaking up so much information that my brain hurts) I had a busier than usual few days last week.

I did make time to go to 3 brises (how do you pluralize that?) also known as ritual circumcisions, obviously on newborn boys. Islam does a version on girls, horrendous as that sounds and is, but we Yiddles just whittle away at the males, which apparently protects against a host of nasty diseases like HIV, although that's not why we do it. As with Shabbat and kashrut and the laws of family purity and/and/and..... there's a bunch of modern, scientific support for what we've done simply as a show of faith for a few millennium. I guess Whomever (note the capital W) asked us to comply with all these laws was actually and unbeknown to us doing us some favors, as well.

But, as usual, I digress. The first bris was that of our nephew's son, and they gave him my late father-in-law's name in the hope that he not only live a long life but a very accomplished one. As with so many joyous occasions in this country, it was also a victory of life. The baby's mother lost her cousin and uncle in a terror attack a few years ago, murdered the night before the cousin's wedding. The Spero/Applebaum family will never be the same, and every addition to their family- and our mutual one- is cause for celebration.

The next was the bris of the child whose parents I met a few years ago when the husband and I took a course together on building tolerance in Israeli society. (Great course, we all like each other. Wish we could extrapolate the relationships of the 20 of us of to the rest of the country. Oh, well.) She was in the midst of years of surgeries, including brain, for injuries suffered in a car crash which she barely survived and which cruelly terminated a pregnancy, leaving them with a toddler daughter. Well, despite her complete lack of abdominal muscles (she has mesh holding her body together) a son was born to them, an absolute miracle, even made the papers. That was one bris I was not missing, not a dry eye in the house when the blessings were said.

Last but not least was the bris of my cousin's first grandson. He's the cuz closest to my age and the only one to make aliya, pretty much because his 2 oldest sons came to do army service and refused to return to America. So they're all now here and these 2 boys- I guess to sweeten the move for their parents- married and both had babes this last month, one girl and now the little guy. These are the first children born to their family in Eretz Yisrael- that they know of -in about 2000 years. Pretty big stuff.

Since no less than Avraham Avinu had his bris (see the Torah portion for yesterday) too, I suppose it was an appropriate way to spend the week. I certainly had my fill of bagels and lox.

Now I'm going out to take 12 Christian German pro-Arab women on a tour of the Gush to try to show them a side they're not at all familiar with. This should be interesting. That covenant that the bris implies is the one connecting the Jews to this place promised us so long ago. But something tells me that they may not get it.

Sigh. Wonder what their grandfathers did in WWII, and when I let them know that I would not have been born had my dad gone to Auschwitz as did a good chunk of his family. And all the while wondering how much they even care now. I do so want to believe in the inherent goodness of mankind, a la Ann Frank. Surprise me, please.

To Believe or not to Believe, that is the Question

I just read Debkafile, the website that has sources in Israeli intelligence. According to prevailing wisdom, they are right about 50% of the time, which makes them essentially worthless. I mean, how do you know which 50% is correct and which isn't? So by all rights I shouldn't read it, but just like one is drawn to the slot machine- with a lot lower odds- I find myself checking in every couple of days. Ya never know. More than once I read something there and days later it was validated in the mainstream media. Not that the msm is so reliable, but at least it means that the disinformation is consistent. Or whatever.

Today they are reporting that Syria has called up their reservists and put their hospitals and civilian defense systems on alert. So what am I supposed to do with that tidbit? Clean out the bombshelter? Stock up on water? Say Psalms? Eat cheesecake because what the hell, might as well have a pack it on before the cockroaches munch on what's left after the chemical/biological/nuclear fumes dissipate? All of the above?

So since this added info is not adding to my general state of mental health, I should probably stop reading the site. My problem is that I'm an information junkie. Not necessarily news- I stopped that long ago- but I do like knowing things so that I can make my own mind up about them. That's why I just watched the Ann Coulter interview (I think Donny Deutsch went overboard, she's no anti-Semite, she's just a believing Christian. It's not the same thing, in my mind, anyhow) and read the Bar Rafaeli interview (she clearly has more beauty than brains, what a self centered twit) and am in the middle of a color book (not coloring book). It's so that I'll understand what different colors represent in cultures and tradition before I buy a new bedspread and reupholster my living room chairs. (For example, never do a kitchen in purple; it's the color of royalty and mystics, neither of whom hang out in the scullery. Yellow, however, wakes people up and whets the appetite so go with that.) The color of my room could have far reaching effects so I have to be careful.

Why do I believe the color stuff? Dunno, just makes sense to me. So if that's my guideline, then on reflection Syrian aggression makes sense, too. Sigh. Guess in that case I'll have to buy some H2O sixpacks and recite some 'yea's, 'thou's, 'art's and 'Lord's.

I'll hold off on the dessert, though. Don't want to explain to anyone that I can't fit into my skinny skirts because I thought we were heading for Armegeddon . That's too bizarre. Even for me.

The Irony Age

We spent yesterday afternoon trekking back and forth to the Eitam Hill, one of the 5 new outposts that were established by those who have not yet given up on the idea that Jews should be able to live in all parts of Israel. No one is under any illusions about the viability of these places in the short term. (Meaning, no way this government is going to let some ideologues- nasty word- interfere with their pathetic groveling to our enemy to please, please take our land away from us and establish another terror state there. Excuse the run on sentence; what are the chances that former English teachers of mine are reading this blog, anyhow?)

So we walked, and walked, and I was happy that the sciatica that has plagued me for nigh, over 2 months now, has mellowed into just an occasional tingle and numbness, and that we were collectively doing a little tingle to counter the national numbness that has affected the vast majority of Israelis who despise this government but can't do much about it. For me it's all about my kids and exposing them to the good people who are dedicated to this country in the ways that count. So we went.

Today's news carries a quote from some defense official claiming that our activites distract the security forces from fighting terror. Perhaps he should direct his concerns to the Prime Minister who has, in a "good will gesture to moderate Abbas", agreed to release nearly 90 terrorists from jail today, including the guy who handed Saddam's incentive cash out to families of suicide bombers. Me thinks that may actually be more detrimental to the ongoing battle against terror than some enthusiastic Zionistic teens and young families who go up on vacant hills. Not to mention that the forces out there to either protect us or evacuate us- depending on orders- are not the terror fighting units. But maybe that's just my illogical thinking.

It does makes for good copy to blame settlers once again for everything. Getting kinda stale, though.

Off to take a bus from a tour group through the Gush today. Hope I can sit for a bit.

Whale Watching

On Yom Kippur we read the book of Yonah, the prophet who tried to get out of his celestial 'mission impossible' to travel to Ninveh, an enemy of Israel, to warn the locals to repent so that God wouldn't destroy them. By trying to hide from God he got a 3 day whale of a ride and had to go anyhow. Adding insult to injury, they actually did repent (at least for awhile) and so he had to deal with that, too, along with a lesson in God's mercy to all humankind.

It's obvious why we read this (allegorical?) tale on our own Day of Repentance, coming to a synagogue near you this Shabbat.

It's less obvious but becomes clearer with time (read: age) that there is no hiding from God and it's best to acknowledge Him, even, or maybe especially, when we'd rather He wasn't watching and/or listening.

It's just flat out strange that the name Yonah has been appearing in our local media all week. You see, the day after Rosh Hashana 8 Israelis were killed in a plane crash on the Thai island of Phuket. The entire week has been devoted to the tragedy and the attempts to identify their badly burned bodies. In addition to the sorrow of 8 young lives ended, there was tremendous poignancy regarding 2 honeymooning couples, all friends, who died together. Coverage of their families focused on, yes, Kfar Yonah, a small and little known community where 3 of the 4 grew up and still lived.

What I used to see as coincidences I increasingly interpret as signs. What they mean, though, often eludes me, although since I love to talk to people I get a lot of interesting ideas back when I share my thoughts. I don't know what's right (I'm not young enough to know everything anymore) but lfe is certainly a whole lot more meaningful.

Off to scarf some food, since it's considered as big a mitzva to eat on the day before YK as it is to fast on YK itself. (Ya gotta love this religion).

A meaningful fast to all. May our sins be forgiven and forgotten, and may all of mankind merit the mercy of our Maker for the coming year.

The Eve of Rosh Hashana

Yes, 'tis the season of soul searching and repentance, the anniversary of the creation of mankind.
With that I ask forgiveness from you, my loyal readers, for this month long break in my postings. There are a few good reasons and more than a few so-so ones, but my Jewish New Year resolution list includes breaking my bloggers block and getting back to business here. This post will be short and to the point. (Mainly since there is still much to do before this 3 day holiday commences.)

I just heard yesterday that as the astrological sign for this month is Libra, symbolized by scales for justice, it's clearly not only the tribe of Israel that saw this time of year as one for reflecting on one's own life and vowing to do better in the future. Would that we all will succeed in doing some tinkering, since being a better person is inherent in becoming a better Jew.

Ah, Dani is home from the base. I hope that means the tension has lessened and war is not imminent. If it is, may our leaders make the right decisions and for the right reasons, and may it end quickly with no casualties and in a decisive victory over those who wish to destroy us. Please G-d. So now you know what is on the top of my wish list, ahead of blogging regularly. Just.

Shana Tova to all Am Yisrael. May Hashem grant us peace in our Land, whether we deserve it or not. Hopefully, though, because we do.

California Dreaming

We're in San Francisco for a few days, leaving tomorrow back to LA to finish our trip before we head home next week. It has been very busy hence the non-posts. I know, no excuse. ('Resistance to blogging.' Is that a new psych term, like resistance to therapy?)

Anyhow, we're having a great time, even Earl who runs to shul 3 times a day to say kaddish. The only Orthodox minyan here is a 45 minute bus ride away so he gets up at 5:30 and is away from us in the evening for 2-3 hours as well. I feel badly for him but am amazed at his devotion. Tonight is "Jewish Heritage Night' at the baseball game; he probably should have gone and would have had an easier- and better- time praying there. Last night he rounded up 9 guys at the kosher deli downtown which was quite a feat. The Vancouver rabbi was very happy and the other Israeli- Americans were pleased, too. Came for pastrami on rye and got G-d. The missionary outside in the plaza under the 'Open your heart to Jesus' sign wailing 'Knock, knock, knock on Heaven's Door' completed the scene. Guess you had to be there.

Today we walked around Nob Hill, hit the aquarium, the sourdough bakery tour, the cable car museum, Chinatown and the wharf to see the sea lions who have mysteriously taken up residence there. It has been cold- 15 C, 60 F, but while we shivered the sea lions looked happy. We think. For some reason we seem to be findiing the Northern hemisphere cool zone this summer, very odd. I know, it's hot in the Holy Land, we'll be sweating soon enough. The first night we hit the 3 story Old Navy store- now that was exciting. Luckily I had a 20% discount so while Earl wasn't as happy as a sea lion he could have been more miserable. And there are still some shopping days left in LA.

Yesterday was the Golden Gate bridge, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Alcatraz. The latter was really terrific. There's a ferry out to the island- sold out 2 weeks in advance but since I was warned we bought tickets last week-and an excellent audio guide walk through tour of the prison that makes the whole place come alive with what it was like in it's 'heydey'. Pretty scary. Of course Mickey Cohen was an inmate (what makes us Yids look for members of the tribe- no matter where we are?) as was Al Capone before he died of syphillis. Yech. The big debate was if the 3 prisoners who escaped survived the frigid Pacific waters, murderous currents and occasional shark, since they were never heard from again. I think they drowned, that water is mean, but who knows. Really a great tour, though. Wish we had some place like that now for some of the murderers in our part of the world.

Lots of bikers here, too, but they wear helmets and have mountain bikes so they lean unlike in Holland. Suddenly I'm an international biking expert. Makes me miss my spinning. I'm gonna pay for this trip but good.

Dutch Treat

I'm writing this from Amsterdam, where Earl and I are spending 5 days with the 3 youngest on our way to LA to visit my dad. We're not away from Israel for too long because with Dani in the army I don't like leaving for an extended period, even if Assad is behaving for now. Poo poo. We chose to come here because we needed to go somewhere that Earl can pray 3 times a day with a minyan since he's saying Kaddish for his father so we looked for a place with members of the tribe, and because London is expensive and Paris is full of French people.



The affiliated Jews here don't live in the city center anymore but a bit out, in the Dutch 'burbs, so we tram it in every morning and back at night. Or what should be night; it's 10 PM and still light out. (That's why we came here after the fast of 9 Av.) Shabbat should be interesting, we're eating with an (Israeli, of course) family who does this for extra cash. I had falafel (really did, don't laugh, I'm not a big carnivore) for dinner at the Israeli run meat restaurant. (They're very homesick, I had a long shmooze with the owners. We hit the Israeli owned pizza place last night; he was closed but made us pies anyhow since we looked so pathetic. Did wonders for the chat I was having with the kids about Jewish hospitality to Jewish travelers over the centuries. Nothing like a real time 'chessed' to drive a point home.)



This place is so fascinating, canals, cool architecture and incredible museums- we all know lots about Rembrandt and Van Gogh and the stunning dollhouses that wealthy Amsterdam woman had built in the 1700's with money their husbands made importing spices and other goodies from far away. Tomorrow we take a walking tour in the afternoon of the old Jewish area which should be fun considering that at times today it poured and more is coming. Yesterday we went through Anne Frank's house and the Annex; it's extremely moving, even to the majority of visitors who are not Jewish. How can you not tear up at the site of the pencil marks on the wall marking the children's growth during their 2 years of hiding? There are a few commemorations to WWII and the Holocaust around, 90% of Dutch Jews went to the camps. We'll learn more tomorrow, but we already know that a big reason for the Dutch being a marine superpower in the 1600's was the influx of Portuguese Yiddin after the Expulsion from the Iberian peninsula, due to the relative freedom of religion here. We make things happen, that we do. Then they kill us. Is that stupid, or what?



I got a nice feeling telling the kidlets that the royal family was called....the House of Orange. Gush Katif notwithstanding.



The rest of Europe- and back home- is sizzling but here we wore jackets, and got sprinkled, as did all the cyclists whizzing by, talking on phones, with dogs and or toddlers in baskets. Maybe we'll rent some on Sunday and ride around. Be nice if my spinning muscles got a workout before they atrophy. But we'll stick to one of the beautiful parks and not the trafficky areas, not sure I want Nili dashing through a light on 2 wheels with 3 trams, 4 buses, 5 motorcycles and a bunch of pedestrians all vying for space.



Feeling lousy that I missed the Efrat attempt to settle the Eitam yesterday but just watched the YouTube clip and read all the updates. And there's more to come; I have a feeling that there will still be room for me to do something besides a housewarming party on the hill when I return.



So far we managed to avoid anything overtly red light, although what some people wear (and judging from some whiffs, smoke) on the streets comes as no surprise after what we've heard about the city. Not too bad, though, and certainly not a reason to skip a visit. We won't have time to do everything on the list, it's an amazingly diverse place. And we haven't even sampled the chocolate yet.....

The End Game

Last Shabbat was very nice and most importantly, we didn't run out of food. (Or sand either, for that matter.) Thanks to all who asked and my deepest apologies for not posting sooner and keeping you in such a high state of suspense. We also did not get hit by Kassams, although a helicopter did spend many hours hovering over the beach. Maybe the pilots like bikinis.

Since this week has rapidly moved right along, I found myself shopping today for, you guessed it, this coming Shabbat. Grocery shopping is one of my least favorite things to do and actually, given how many hours of my life have spent doing it, it probably ranks #1 on my personal ratio chart of time:disliked activity. I mean, labor was no fun but the sum total for 7 kids was maybe 50 hours so I've gotten over it. Especially since they became teens and I had new horrors to deal with. But shopping for food is still with me.

One of these days I'm going to sit with an industrial designer and redo the damn carts. The whole shopping thing is incredibly inefficient and stressful (unless you enjoy ice cream melting onto your your nectarines, meticulously culled from the pile only to end up bruised anyhow.) I know the issue is money- these carts are cheap- and the need to provide storage for homeless people, but really, in 2007 I think we can do better.

We were low on toilet paper so I moseyed down the corresponding aisle. I wanted cream color, but the only brand they had in that color smelled like vanilla. I don't know about you, but in my humble opinion vanilla is a flavor for food, not for bathrooms. Not flagging, I spied a package of rolls that looked yellowish and could have passed for cream. Getting closer I saw that this wonder smelled like.....pineapple. Pineapple? Who is doing the marketing research around here- some Fijian? Has anyone bothered to check out what the, er, end user would like? Now maybe I'm all alone on this one, but does anyone really want their privates smelling like a fruit basket? I live in such an olfactory sensitive environment that I haven't even changed my perfume (Obsession, if you must know) for years because no one liked me wearing anything else, even Paloma Picasso, which I adored on my aunt. (My good friend Marilyn innocentlyly asked me why I was slathered in mosquito repellent. I know, I know, body chemistry. And $54 down the tubes.)

Most of the other choices had dog or ducks or hearts on them. I finally found a nice, soft package of plain white, 3 ply, now on the shelf awaiting use. No cream, guess we'll dim the lights.

So proud of myself that I can do apolitical posts now and again. Except ya know what, that joke about diapers and politicians needing to be changed often and for the same reason just crept into my head. Darn, so close.

Beach Boys

We're in Ashkelon for Shabbat at the beach apartment of a nephew who not only has a good business head but is generous about sharing his largess. Doesn't always go together, fortunately for us in his case it does. Earl just went down to the beach with the girls so I have a few minutes. (That makes 2 posts this week, I'm so proud.) Guys heading here on their own steam.

What was supposed to be an easy, quiet Shabbat turned a bit, well, noisier. Nili is the only one home these days and she wanted to join us but bring a friend. Fine, actually better since we don't have to entertain her; throw a noodle or 2 in their general direction and all is fine and dandy. Then Dani came home from the army for the weekend and decided that instead of having the house to himself he would come as well, with 2 friends also out for Shabbat (the other 3 that he invited couldn't make it).

Actually, I'm happy to spend time with him (he's a great kid, always was, and his friends are terrific as well, what a coincidence, that) so it's a pleasure. Still didn't spend the day in the kitchen, but did hit 4 places up this morning to load up on prepared food for these very hungry boy/men. And am not so sure that it's enough. (The bane of Jewish mothers everywhere- jostling for prime worry time with our concerns for everyone we love is the niggling fear that we may- gasp- run out of food for our guests.)

On the way here we heard the national radio news, the usual reports accompanied by our usual disgust at the time our public figures spend covering their you know whats. But then after the weather update (cooler for a coupla days) I heard what reminds me of why I live here, in the only Jewish country in the world. The times Shabbat begins in the different cities in Israel, and the name of the parsha (weekly Torah reading). On the main radio station. Those little things make up for a lot.

Boys just came in and left for the sand, grabbing the bag of my homemade chocolate chip banana muffins (snatched by me from the deep freeze on the way out the house door at the last minute in case the bakery stuff went). Managed to rescue 2 for Nili and Co., but that's the end of that. Oh, no, do I have enough chicken?

Oblivious to the Obvious

The 4th of July found me at the American consulate reception in Jerusalem. I have been there before and they didn't disappoint and served Ben and Jerry's, which I ate in embarrassingly copious amounts. They also had a nice kosher table (dairy this year, so I could eat real food AND ice cream) for those of us who couldn't avail ourselves of the shrimps and other delectables that were being passed around by the Arab waiters. Listen, I still pay taxes to Uncle Sam so I felt okay with the birthday gorge. At least on the fiscal level.

It was quite a Jerusalem mix; former MK Menachem Porush was there in a wheelchair, some nuns and men in cassocks, a very colorful crew and medley of languages. I decided to stand far away from arch terrorist Jibril Rajoub and even further from Salem Fayyad, the new Pal PM. Didn't see anyone selling him life insurance either, but I guess it wasn't the forum for that kind of thing. I did see some friends of ours from the medical profession including a psychiatrist, though. Hmmm. Nah, he must have been there for other reasons. The bar, perhaps.

I really wonder if anyone believes in this whole road map/Oslo/peace process anymore or if a lot of people are just too invested to admit the failures and the mess. The consul's speech was very telling. He spoke about the American Civil war and how horrible it had been, till everyone realized that all Americans needed to unite for the common good. (He neglected to mention how Arab slave traders set up that war by kidnapping Africans and bringing them to North America, causing black slavery and the controversy that came from it. Not too politically correct, I suppose.) Anyhow, initially I was confused. Was he referring to Israelis and Arabs? After double checking with the guy from Bnai Brith who was listening, too, I concluded that he was talking to the various 'factions' within Pal society. Did he think, though, this quite intelligent man, that quoting the Gettysburg Address re all men being created equal, and the American mandate for 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness" was in any way going to get these guys to knock off their death culture? Can the government of the world's superpower still be so oblivious to the obvious?

Not possible. I guess they're going through the motions, letting people get tanked so that others can fill their tanks, and hoping for the best.

With my own PM letting terrorists out of jail I can't exactly complain that the Americans are entertaining some. They really can't be more Catholic than the Pope. And speaking of the Wholly C, he's now allowing an anti-Jewish liturgy back in their prayers. What a great idea. Now we know who Avrum Burg is advising.

I hope that next year I'll still see cassocks, not Cossacks. But the way things are going I wouldn't bet on it.

Clueless

I have been busy with groups coming through in the past few days. Of all the challenges that I face in getting them to understand that the 'settlers' are not the cause of the problems here- or anywhere- there is one thing that stands out time and again:

Westerners have absolutely no clue how the Middle East works. They think that if we're nice to Arabs that Arabs will stop believing what they believe. It is an incredibly naive, arrogant and patronizing attitude. Like it's all about how we act to them, not about how they feel the world should run and the obligations they have, religious and otherwise, to make that happen.

8 doctors, privileged and educated are implicated in the British terrorism plots. The West's fault?

And as for here. One woman yesterday told me that she 'read an article' that Jewish and Moslem medical staff that work together really hate each other. When I told her that I know from personal experience that it's just not true, she demanded to know why there was little socializing. I tried to explain that while the Jews can have the Arabs over we have been told by the Arabs that live in Judea and Samaria that they can't return the favor for fear of being killed by their neighbors and that they can't guarantee our safety. Tends to put a damper on the wine and cheese side of things. But she repeated that she 'read the article'.

Just call me a liar and be done with it, lady. I mean, why let facts bother your notions. The hypocrisy of the liberal left, when pointed out to them, makes them squirm. Why isn't anyone screaming about the internecine violence in Gaza? To only harp on Israel doesn't really fit what is supposed to be honest policies.

Another one repeated that she just won't accept that there is no solution. I guess the dissonance is too hard for them to overcome so they prefer to blame us rather than have to deal with the idea that the solution to this is not what we'd like it to be, and not because of us but because of them.

That's 2 serious posts in a row. Well, fasting today put me in a lousy mood. Having my soldier son tell me that his last week was spent learning to identify dead bodies didn't help, either. And trying to get through to people who are sure they know it all- from their comfy Beverly Hills digs, just adds to my malaise.

So frustrating. I'll try for lighthearted next time.

2 Philadelphias

Begin rant:

Just in over the news wire that quite a few soldiers were hurt today tracking down terrorists in Schem, including 2 officers severely wounded. Our boys are out there risking their lives to stop them and in the end the murderers are let out of jail because their terror organization demands it before they'll release an Israeli hostage. And we're fighting Fatah, while we prop up Abbas and feed the collaborators with Fatah terror in Gaza.

Something here is so wrong. How can the world not see it? Or actually, why even expect the world to see it when my own government is following such a policy. Let Egypt deal with the crisis in Gaza, maybe fill the trucks coming over the Philadelphi corridor with food instead of weapons. Why is that demand not made? Because we know that it bothers Israelis more- even righties like me-to see Arabs hurting, than it bothers other Arabs. Maybe the biggest dirty little secret of the Arab world, how little they care about each other.

Where are the humanitarian liberal lefties? Why are they not publicly skewering Hamas and the Pal civil war? Or do they only yell at Israel? That would mean that they are-gasp- say it ain't so, hypocrites. Shocking. Well, not really. To follow their behavior over the years is to realize that they only criticize Israel, because, after all, we won't kill them if they do, while their Arab friends don't take too kindly to that sort of thing.

Intimidated false liberalism. How sweet.

I met with a group a few days ago, university students from the States. 4 hours with me, 4 with Dror Etkes from Peace Now. I didn't- but maybe should have- told them that many Israelis consider him a traitor for going to European governments to fund their overflights over Judea and Samaria to track settlement expansion. (They don't track illegal Arab building, of course, although the vast majority of building out here is exactly that.) What I definitely should have mentioned is that the PN report that was released to great fanfare a few months ago turned out to be a major falsification of facts, although that correction was barely noted in the press, as usual.

Maybe at some point I subconsciously decided not to waste my breath. Most of these kids are so brainwashed by the Pal line, that they're the poor victims of Israeli aggression who have no choice but to explode everything around them. The 'cycle of violence' I heard ad naseum, the extremists on both sides. Like one Baruch Goldstein equals 500 terrorists. Seth Mandell spoke with them about the help he and his wife Sherri give to terror and violence victims as far afield as Philadelphia, Penn. Did they get that? That one can make a choice in their grief, to choose life or death. And that free choice is for the Jews one that seeks to improve the world and help others, while for the Arabs it's an excuse to deepen their death cult worship.

While assuring me that they believe there should be a sovereign Jewish state (thanks so awfully much guys) they espouse opinions that will lead to our demise or at best a war that will claim many victims.

Nice kids, all of them. Just typical examples of college campuses and the huge gap there is between the facts and the what they believe to be true. A vacuum that to my growing frustration the Israeli establishment is unwilling to deal with in the way it should be done.

Anyone out there want to fund an Al 'Jew'zeera? I will work my butt off for you if you do, and I'm not alone. (Yes, have a gym near the studio, that, would work, too.) But seriously, we're not just fighting the game badly. We're not even in the frickin' ring.

End rant. For now.

Sun Stroke

There is a heat wave in the country now, tomorrow is supposed to be 50 degrees Celsius (122 F) in the Jordan Valley.

I think our 'leadership' was outside without a collective hat on. The perfect opportunity presented itself last week to show the world what we have been dealing with vis a vis the brutality of the Pals. But no, they're running around asking for help for Fatah. The 'moderates'. Like Goebbels was a moderate compared to Stalin, or Pol Pot compared to Genghis Khan. This is insane.

I had an argument a few days ago with someone who thinks we should let them all rot. I disagreed, we should provide medical care to those who were shot, and let food through. I'm of 2 minds on the water and electricity that we supply. On the one hand it's the accepted way to get a civilian population to surrender, but we don't want them surrendering, we want them throwing off Hamas. But they voted in Hamas so why on Earth would they fight them? They're not happy with the brutality but, heck, Hitler was elected, too and brought on a mess for Germany. Sometimes you get what you asked for. So I'm holding off on that for now.

But risk Israeli lives to help any of them? Remove roadblocks to strengthen Fatah in Judea and Samaria? Have we completely lost it? Like they will only use the newfound mobility to track down Islamofascists and not target buses in Jerusalem or schools in Netanya. Give me a break.

Actually, give me a few days at the helm of the Information desk for the state of Israel. We might actually then broadcast something that makes sense for a change. If I do say so myself. Hey, this is my blog.

Shabbat Shalom. More after the peace of the Sabbath day has gone.

The Graduate

We're invited to my sister for lunch tomorrow so I actually have time to write some more now. I admit that it's also an excuse to avoid the laundry room, where it's like a squid has gotten loose in the washing machine. You see, when Dani requested that I wash his (very filthy and stinky) uniforms before he returns to base on Sunday he neglected to take a pen out of the pocket.....

I'll deal with the ink later. Maybe Peretz as his last act as Defense Minister will change the traditional khaki to blue? He's done stupider things, so one never knows.

Yesterday was a big day around here. It was Earl's and my 26th Hebrew anniversary. Yup, doesn't seem that long but it must be. After all, Elisheva is over 24 and as she mentioned once, we've been married longer than she's been alive. (Old fashioned, aren't we? She was blond then when she said that.) Anyhow, Sivan 28 it is. We went all out and celebrated by..... going to Amiad's high school graduation. (Guess we peaked at 25). That was after I came home early from a bar mitzva party in the Maon forest in the South Chevron Hills. That family is definitely not in Teaneck anymore and gets major points on originality.

I was 7 weeks pregnant with Amiad exactly 19 years ago when we made aliya from LA on June 14th, 1988. The morning sickness has thankfully passed, although I sobbed my way through a nice chunk of the ceremony. Earl didn't understand why. (Sigh. You'd think after all this time he would get it.) Fortunately, sitting on my other side was another Jewish mother (read: person who is sensitive, emotional, on-line with the Creator with regards to our children at all times) who completely understood, and she's the school counselor, not even a mom of grad. (She's also the wife of Rav Yaakov Meidan, Rosh Yeshiva of Har Etzion in Alon Shvut. Wonderful, warm, unpretentious, a delightful person. He's also great.)

I mean, how can you not cry? Thirty two 18 year old man/boys, all going to serve in the army within the next year or so depending on what programs they attend now. What are the odds of all of them getting to a wedding canopy unharmed? It's makes us, kids and parents, all really appreciate the good times, and delight in their joy at being done with school, and the strong bonds they have made and experiences they have shared. These boys hugged their rabbis and teachers with such affection. Whether out of relief to be finished or not, it was really special to witness the tremendous caring there.

In the hope and prayer that they will remain safe and strong in the faith and knowledge that they worked so hard to attain. And that their parents (me, for starters) will find the strength to help them through.

Kinda puts the morning sickness and sleepless nights of yore into perspective.

Gastronomic Ideology

Have to run out in a few minutes to get the Shabbat challot and cookies just in from the Sderot bakery (where the Kassams get shot to from Gaza so we're trying to give them some income); the cherries from Amona orchards (where 200 people got beaten up last year trying to prevent 9 houses from being destroyed); the blueberries we ordered from Kedumim (in the Shomron, thankfully quiet right now but happy for the encouragement in their new venture) not to mention the dates from the Jordan Valley that I picked up this week, too. We seem to do a lot of ideological eating, or what you can call committed consumerism. This is in addition to the usual purchases we make in our area to make an effort to support local businesses, and I still go out of my way to find Gush Katif lettuce and herbs as they build new hothouses and attempt to re-establish their markets.

The highest level of charity is actually to help someone earn an honest and respectful living, so this is win-win. It's just lucky that I live in the land of milk and honey, imagine if I was in England. Boiled beef would probably make a renegade leftist out of me.

While on the the subject of milk and honey: I was advised a few weeks ago by a naturopath to eat goat's milk products instead of cow, good for the blood and digestion. I happen to love dairy food (in general cows have nothing to fear from me, I'm not a big meat eater) so I figured I wouldn't cut out the moo-moo completely but add something of the Bill Broagin (sp?) variety to my day. I found a brand of yogurt- with lots of fruit- from G'vaot Olam, a ranch in the Northern Shomron (natch, see above) that I can stomach, but it's definitely an acquired taste. I had some for breakfast today about an hour before a 50 minute spinning class. Let's just say that I won't be following that time frame again, since I ended up, er, reacquiring the taste during class. Live and learn.

Concerning honey, wouldn't it be nice if Israeli scientists figured out why so many bees are going to their celestial hives. Seems that 10 billion (!) have died in the US alone recently and the ramifications for crops they pollinate- nothing important, just wheat, for starters- are potentially devastating. I know, I know, the biblical honey associated with the Land of Israel is actually from dates, but I already mentioned them in another context. Sheesh, some people are such pedants.

Hot in Judea on this erev Shabbat and beginning of new month of Tammuz. Hotter in Gaza, though. More on that another time, me thinks the subject is not flash in the pan. Speaking of which , off to put up the soup, will try to post again later.

The Guns of August

It's really hard to plan vacation around the possibility of war.

That sounds bizarre, but it's what many Israelis are going through now. The tour companies and bed and breakfast places are in a tizzy. Every August we head north -or occasionally to the coast- with a few other families, close friends all, to enjoy the Golan and Galilee as the summer wanes. Thousands of others do the same and the area is usually packed with kayakers, hikers, jeep riders and just plain lazing on the beach types. (We do all of the above. One of the group breaks a sweat popping open beers. Since I break a nail doing the same I hang with the more active side of the crowd. And anyhow, I dislike beer.)

But- what if the threatened war with Syria breaks out? If Hizbollah renews their attacks, as reports of their replenishing their bunkers with even longer range missiles are mentioned daily in the press. Gaza is always ready to explode, but the Western Negev desert is not a (vacation) hot spot, anyhow. How on earth are we supposed to do summer? And has anyone ever noticed how most of the wars are in the summer months? Does the Mid Eastern heat and haze give our enemies sunstroke or something?

So we plan and hope for the best. Last summer we hosted northerners in Judea in July and then went to a B & B in the Lower Galilee just after the war ended and the Katyushas stopped. The area was eerily empty. Burnt forests and fields, shattered buildings, bombed out tourist attractions and morose shopkeepers were part of the tour. We not only had a great time, though, (no lines anywhere!) but felt good about leaving our shekels where they were clearly needed.

This year a war will, sadly, not come as a surprise, since last year's one was not really concluded. With a son in the army it's a constant worry. We plan on going north, booked a lovely place on the Kinneret with our gang and even reserved a place for him in the hopes that he can get a few days off and join us for some R & R. Depending of course, on quiet.

But you can't live here always waiting for the worst. In 1991, during the First Gulf War, we planned a Purim party and set a side a room for everyone to leave their coats....and gas masks. That day everything ended and we joyfully yanked the plastic protective sheeting off the windows. So, too, we'll send in the deposit now, load up on sunscreen and check the rafts for leaks, and hope for the best.

I'm sure we'll get a full refund if if if. What, that's not a consideration?

In this land of miracles and madness, though, ya just never know. Boring it never is.

A Lot of Eilat

Earl and I were in Eilat for the weekend, a 4 hour drive each way for 48 hours in a 5 star hotel. It was worth it.

One of the health funds that Earl works with had their convention there so it was subsidized, a perk (just about the only one), for being a physician in the Holy Land. The food was amazing; I'm sure that I temporarily lost the battle to keep my weight and cholesterol lower than my IQ, so now I'm back on track, left with just memories and jiggles. Yum. And Aargh.

Eilat is the closest you come to leaving Israel without taking your passport. As you drive south on the long highway from the Dead Sea there's a palpable sense of getting away to some peace and quiet. The odd thing is that from the North Beach you can see 3 Arab countries, Egypt, Saudia Arabia, and Jordan. I know we have a peace treaty with 2 of them of them but at least concerning Egypt......nothing to rely on. The Saudis are responsible for the Wahhabi plague of global radical Islam so nothing to discuss on that front. I guess one day it could get noisy there and they did have a terror attack a couple months ago, but we all like our illusions and this one comes with a pool and air conditioning.

Every time we pass the huge Dead Sea Works factory I wonder at how it can be that a private company is allowed to mine a national treasure, nay, an international one, for profits in potash and magnesium. Just one more coin in the cache of corruption that has so hurt this place and that I hope one day will end, with leaders of a different caliber. I know every country is like this but I can't help but feel that we deserve better. Too many people sacrificed too much for this to be what it is now.

On Shabbat we struck up a conversation with a British young couple who want to move here within the next year. They are both newly religious and feel that this is the place to be. I agree (surprised you there, didn't I?) and we talked about how despite it all, there is no place like home. With apologies to Dorothy and Oz.

Tonight there are bridal showers all over Gush Etzion and other Jewish communities for the Gush Katif brides of this summer. It's a huge act of kindness/chessed, an example of what my friend Anita Tucker, of the destroyed community of Netzer Hazani, wrote to me is the only thing that will save us all. Everyone is bringing gifts to help them get started in their new lives. It's an honor to be a part of it. Now they certainly don't think hotels are fun after spending months living in them after their communities were wrecked.

It's all in your perspective. Hot and getting hotter in Judea.

(Fall into) The Generation Gap

As I was reading Megillat Ruth on Shavuot (and yes, the carrot cake with cream cheese frosting was a hit) I noticed something I'd never realized before. The lineage of King David listed at the end includes Nachshon ben Aminadav, the intrepid guy from the tribe of Judah who waded into the Sea of Reeds up to his nose till it parted for the Israelites leaving Egypt. It doesn't surprise me that he's in there; there was clearly a leadership gene in that family. (Guess who Olmert and crew are NOT descended from.) But I digress.

What struck me was that he was Boaz's grandfather. (Boaz is the elderly Judge who marries the Moabite convert Ruth and is great-grandfather to David.) That means that he would have heard from his own grandfather and/or father about was it was like to be a slave in Egypt, the aforementioned parting of the Sea, the giving of the Torah at Sinai, the 40 years in the desert, and Joshua's conquest of the Land of Israel. If Nachshon was over 20 when the spies came back with a negative report on Israel then he didn't make it out of the desert (all men over 20 died in the desert as punishment for believing not nice things about the Land) but then his son must have already been born and borne witness to the rest. So far, fine.

The thing is, the time period of the Judges was 400 years. They were incidentally, the time period seen as very socially fair and egalitarian as evinced by archaeological evidence of similar sized homes, too, but that's another story. Boaz was likely one of the earlier ones, which my sources tell me he was and which makes sense since his granddaddy was an adult at Sinai and you have the 40 years and those of conquest so even if he was old with Ruth he was one of the openers. Now, only Oved and Yishai came between him and David according to the Megilla, so sure as heck not only did these men not smoke but they lived and procreated, er, begat, till very ripe old ages. You have to cover a few hundred years in just a couple of generations because we know that David is born at the time of the Kings, after Judges (see Book of Samuel).

I never had put all this together and was excited and thought I'd share. If anyone out there has anything to add please do so. When you read a fairly short book every year you start assuming you know the story; it's so cool to figure out something new. At least for me.

Off to cook for Shabbat, the kids have friends over so chickens will be consumed. Maybe I'll get Amiad to barbeque when he gets back from the pool and has thighs and breasts on his mind anyhow......

It's hot here in Judea, my impatiens flowers will suffer on a waterless Shabbat morning. Oh, well. Have a good one.

Shavuot

Shavuot starts in just a few minutes, hence the brevity of this post.

It's far and away my favorite holiday. One day, no cleaning or building or lighting anything special. We fill the house with flowers, our tummies with cheesecake and blintzes, and our minds with Torah. It's the holiday that celebrates the harvest of the first fruits of the Land of Israel and the giving of the Torah, 2 things that are bound up with the Jewish people for eternity. Living just south of Bet Lechem (House of Bread) where the story of the Book of Ruth, read tomorrow, happened, just makes it more poignant and relevant.

And has me once again so very thankful to be living in this time and place.

Wishing for peace for all of Israel and especially the brave souls on Sderot and the south who are paying the price for the misguided leadership of today.

Back after chag. I'll let you know how my carrot cake with cream cheese frosting went over. (Yes, I used 5% cream cheese. That way I can have a bigger piece).

A Wet Jerusalem Day

As I sat in traffic today- it took me almost 2 hours to get to Beit El to tape my show for Arutz 7- I realized that there was an upside to the mess on greater Jerusalem's roads. There were a lot of people on their way to our capital. How wonderful that is. The rain was a bit bizarre; I can't remember it raining on Yom Yerushalayim/Jerusalem Day before and it wreaked havoc with some festivities, but the sons have returned to their borders for real and that is great.

Yesterday we went to Ir David with some other families from the 'hood. I hadn't been there for a few years and it was fascinating. Archaeologist Eilat Mazar thinks she found David's palace there (looks palatial to me), there's a fabulous 3D presentation of how Jerusalem looked pre, during and post First Temple times, and the whole thing must be seen to be appreciated. Of course it's in the eastern part of the City, what's often called 'traditionally Arab East Jerusalem'. All part of the Big Lie.

You can understand, though, why the Arabs are so afraid of our taking out the shovels. The more we dig the more our ties to here, our history, our narrative comes to life. 51 stamps for wax seals were found just in one place, one with the name of a buddy of Jeremiah mentioned in the book of said prophet. The location of finds also makes sense in view of the topography- the Temple was above this area. Across the valley is the Mount of Olives cemetery, so much of it still a wreck thanks to the Jordanians who, during their 19 year occupation, used the gravestones to build roads and latrines.

I had a thought after the tour based on what we learned. Life and renewal usually arrives accompanied by water; Creation, the Flood, birth, the mikva ritual laws, the parting of the Red Sea in which slaves went in and a nation came out, etc. Jerusalem was conquered from the Jebusites by David to become the eternal capital of the Jewish people, and his soldiers came in through ----you guessed it, the water cistern system. As I was ruminating on this (you can do lots of thinking while stuck on the road) it began to absolutely pour.

Very weird.

A look at the headlines without any archaeological input at all will show that the sons of Ishmael are still living by the sword. When will the world get it?

It's 40 Years after the liberation of Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and the Golan, too. Gosh, it's nice to be home.

Turkey

Shabbat preparations are winding down, the house is, well, if not neat then at least clean (kind of) and the turkey smells great. I'm not sure why I made turkey even although a whole fresh turkey is a find here so I grabbed it. Maybe I'm subconsciously thinking about our prime and defense and foreign ministers. That actually makes more sense. They're getting cooked, too, but not fast enough for most Israelis.

We had a demonstration this morning at the site of the rock attack that severely injured my former neighbor. She's on a respirator with head injuries and a daughter getting married in 2 weeks. I know that I'm not a security expert but it seems to me that we have lost our deterrence ability. I would have gone to the house where the rock was thrown from and very politely told the possible homeowner/probable squatter that if he doesn't find the terrorist then his house comes down. Let's see them start wanting to stop attacks- not for love of Jews, I'm not that stupid- but because if they don't then they pay a price. It's ridiculous how Israelis have to be afraid. These are people who use Mickey Mouse to teach hate to their kids and the world wants to give them a state and blames us for what's happening? A missile almost hit the Ashkelon power plant today, it's just a matter of time before a huge tragedy happens in Sderot, and Jewish blood is cheap.

Insanity. The historians will have a field day. Hope I'm alive to read the books. The forwards will have to be written by psychologists, though.

Speaking of Turkey, maybe, just maybe it won't fall to radicalism. They had some million people demonstrate against the mullahs and their moollas so who knows, they just may wake up in time. Wouldn't count on importing their water for a parched Israel, though. See above for turkeys and their brilliant policies.

Shabbat Shalom from Judea, where it may rain. The weather is as crazy as everything else.

Voiceless in Judea

The week of mourning for my father-in-law is over; for some reason I'm left with no voice. I think Earl feels that's my unconscious attempt at making him better after his loss. (Although I'm no longer serving him and being as considerate as I was during the 'shiva'-and I was really, really, REALLY nice- at least he's spared having to listen to me. A gradual return to reality. Come to think of it, the kids are not complaining either. Hmphh).

As difficult as the week was for the family there's no question that the shiva was a celebration of my father-in-law's life and legacy. People who we haven't been in touch with in years came to his house, some called, many ex-LAers shared their own memories of him. In that way it was so nice to be together and have the siblings hear things they didn't know and be reassured that his memory will linger not just with the family.

The prize for incredibly stupid comment went to one visitor who said to them that the next time they would be together for shiva one of them would be missing because the shiva would be for that one. Got a moment of silence on that one. Sheesh.

The brit was very, very moving. It wasn't at all clear that they could use the name because Saba was alive when the baby was born and Ashkenazi Jews don't name for the living but in the end they got the okay. So just about 93 hours after Saba died -at 93-a great-grandson was given his first name in his living room - downstairs from where he died-so they could all be there. Let's just say that if you had bought Kleenex futures you would have done okay that day.

One of my nephews gave a beautiful 'dvar Torah' at the meal that we had in the synagogue about the connection of brit and Israel. It's too long to write but I will probably share it with my listeners on Wednesday on my radio show, live from 4-5 Israel time. Assuming that I regain my ability to speak. Awfully hard to do radio with laryngitis. Anyhow, if you go here and hit Judean Eve (ignore the pic, I must change it) you'll find me. I hope.

Very hot in Judea today. The weather in this country is so extreme. Shocking.

Rest in Peace, Saba Harow

We buried my father-in-law yesterday. He was 93 years old and left behind 6 living children, 35 grandchildren and over 60 great-grandchildren with a few 'on the way'. While a terrible loss for the family it is not a tragedy; the family knows tragedy. The first member of the extended Harow clan to be buried in Israel was 5 month old Yehuda Shoham, our niece's baby, killed by terrorists 6 years ago. Her new son will have his brit on Thursday at the house of mourning and will presumably be given his great-grandfather's name. May he merit his long life as well.

While my father-in-law was many things- physician, Jewish community builder, Torah scholar and not a bad softball pitcher- his lasting legacy is the family that he and his wife (who died at 89 over 2 years ago) established, the vast majority of whom are living in Israel and devoted to Judaism. At the end of the day I know that's what the 2 of them cared about the most. In a world where more and more people judge 'success' by how much money you have and how famous you are, he was happy that a lot of people called him 'Saba' and that he had enough to treat us all to Pesach together for a few years. Those priorities have trickled their way down and we all hope that everyone stays close despite the loss of the patriarchal glue.

My husband's oldest sister had to warn the rest of them today that they'd have to be serious this afternoon because she had friends coming to pay a condolence call who would be shocked at the laughter emanating from the house. Everyone was sharing memories and the vast majority were so pleasant and funny (even if they hadn't been at the time, like the one about being caught speeding in Idaho) that there was not the gloomy atmosphere one would expect.

It's a really special thing, the Jewish mourning process. When I was in psych grad school and we learned the stages of grief I was floored at how sensible and sensitive our religion is at this traumatic time, in comparison to other religions and cultures. An intense week, followed by a slightly less intense month and then a year spent refraining from joyous events. This week the mourners are being coddled and served (Earl is really enjoying this part, I'll have to slowly ease him back into our reality next week) as they accept visits from people, some of whom they haven't seen for years, who come to console and share their own stories. By Friday they'll all be fidgeting from sitting so much and not exercising, not to mention the strain of talking so much. For now they're okay, in the Shomron right where the land of Ephraim meets Menashe, surrounded by caring relatives and friends.

I'm in Efrat for the night getting the kids squared away, we'll go back tomorrow after I do my radio show in Beit El for Israel National News. My nephew Ari, who heads Anglo Likud, will be my guest and we'll do some politics and some personal. (Nepotism rocks.) It's a bit busy (!) but I'll manage and my nieces, nephews and sisters-in-law are great so no one will starve over there without me.

Right now Caroline Glick is at a neighbor giving a talk; maybe I'll mosey over after I put the little ones to sleep on this beautiful Judean evening. Wonder what she thinks will happen after Winograd. Shocked she ain't.

So life goes on, trying to make Israel a bit better. Saba would have approved, especially since he knew I can't hit all that well and ya gotta do what you can do. Or at least try.

Tanuach b'shalom.

The Pity of it All

In a literal and literary version of "Honor Thy Father" I am now finishing reading 'The Pity of it All' by Amos Elon. I had bought the book for my dad since it's a history of German Jewry and I thought he would enjoy learning more about his roots (he did); I didn't anticipate his asking me to read it, too, so that I would understand him better. Not exactly Jodi Picoult or even Azure magazine but it moves along in it's own way.

What's interesting is that I know how it ends so it's like watching a train speeding, about to go off a cliff, but not being able to stop it. In 1896 a physician named Bernard Cohn wrote a pamphlet warning German Jews that devastation was around the corner. No one paid any attention. So many brilliant Jews, so loyal to Germany, really patriotic to the point that not a few killed themselves during WWII, they just couldn't live with the betrayal of the Fatherland. A message for today? I wonder.

It really could have been Germany's century. They had brains, an incredible work ethic, organization and loyal citizens. They took it all and turned it to evil and destruction. Talk about free choice, so sad. My son Amiad is going to the States to work in camp for the summer and there was a Lufthansa flight open. I know, I know, it's silly. We owned a VW for awhile and other German products but I just couldn't see sending him alone on a plane with German signs and German announcements, (to me it's the language of death) and a stopover in Berlin. (Although I'm sure it would be on time.) So it's costing more but El Al it is.

Maybe I'll get over this one day. The again, my mother's cousin was killed at Pearl Harbor and she still dislikes the Japanese. So maybe not.

It's a crisp and cool Judean evening. And the language I'm hearing my kids prattle to their friends on the phone is Hebrew. Alive and well.

48 Hours Off

I spend much of my time involved in 'hasbara', that ubiquitous term for explaining Israel's position to the world, or at least to the people in the room with me at the time. As part of debates and appearances it is necessary and also correct to feel and express understanding for the other side, for their narrative, for their aspirations and grievances.

Well, guys, I'm taking 48 hours off from political correctness and empathy.

Today, Memorial Day for the Fallen, in Wars and Terror Acts, I am wallowing in the pain of my people and only my people. I wept through the 2 minute siren this morning through eyes still puffy from last night's tears, a result of long hours spent in front of the television watching shows about soldiers who were killed last summer in Lebanon. Heroes, every one. They lived for their nation, who I am blessed to be a part of. They sacrificed everything to protect our homeland from those who would throw us into the sea and finish what Hitler began. Those killed by terrorists died because they had the temerity to live in Israel and the nerve to be on a bus or drinking coffee when a hate filled, deranged monster imposed his death cult wishes on those who love life.

My nation is a "Light Unto the Nations". Others, and we know who they are, are a "Blight Unto the Nations". What a difference a letter makes.

Those who died did so so that the rest of us might live. And so we will continue to do so, to build and create and laugh. And grieve for those who are no more with those for whom every day is memorial day.

Tomorrow is Independence Day. The juxtaposition of these 2 days is brilliant, we are not independent only by the grace of G-d but by the sacrifices of so many of His people. One does not exist without the other. Grief tinged with pride, joy muted by sorrow.

I live in Gush Etzion, where the battle that was lost in 1948 saved Jerusalem from falling entirely to the enemy and gave the country this date as a memorial day, that's how important the fight here was to the fledgling state. I am overwhelmed by gratitude that I was born to the Jewish people in a time when we came home, and that I am privileged to be a part of the renewal of life in these ancient hills where it all began.

If I cut myself tomorrow I daresay I will bleed blue and white. To those who bled red and died as a result, I have no words, other than a pathetic and heartfelt thank you. For everything. It was not in vain.

A Face Made for Radio

Is what a (still) good friend said to me once. He's lucky I'm so good natured. Anyhow, I just wanted to let you, the masses, know that as of last week I have an internet radio show on Arutz 7 in English. It's live on Wednesdays from 5-6 PM Israel summer time (7 hours ahead of Eastern US) and they have it on the site for a few days as well so you can listen at your convenience. What a world. The site is israelnationalradio.com and the link to last week's pilot show is here.

I hope. Sometimes I think my hi-tech skills are on par with those of the original Judeans.

I'm always happy to hear your feedback (try to minimize those 4 letter nasties) and since I record at the studio in Bet El (and not in my pajamas on the phone from my room as I did a few years ago when I had a show) you can call in real time, too, and we can talk.

Making your life easy the name is.......Judean Eve. Natch.

Shark Attack

The Israeli press had reports over the weekend that the 5th grade teacher of Gilad Shalit (the kidnapped soldier held in Gaza since last summer) gave his parents an essay written when he was 10. In it he describes a dolphin who meets a shark who wants to kill him, but the dolphin convinces him to be friends even though their mothers aren't so happy with the arrangement.

Isn't that just so prescient, cooed one female newscaster, given what happened to him. Would that his childhood dream would come true and we could all live together.

For the millionth time I marvel at the naivete (or stupidity) of the Israel press. I mean, the dolphin is not the problem here. Co-existence with dolphins (who are known for intelligence and loyalty) is easy. The threat comes from the sharks, known for sniffing blood and killing without mercy. It doesn't appear to me that the aquatic version of the lion lying down with the lamb is going to happen any time soon in the Middle East or anywhere, for that matter.

And it's not because of the Jews, lambs and dolphins, either. Or Gilad Shalit. (May he and the other 2 kidnapped soldiers, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev, be reunited with their families in the very near future, healthy and whole. Without endangering any more lives by releasing more sharks, er, terrorists, to prey on innocents.)

Perhaps it's time we learned from nature.

Older and Weiser

One of my closest friends and neighbors, a mother of 6, is the youngest of 4 daughters of Holocaust survivors. Her parents and a sister live in Israel and the other 2 sisters, who live in the US, came here with their families so they could all spend Pesach together. I heard a van pull up to the house on Saturday night and realized that the Americans were leaving, so I went over to say goodbye since we've also become quite friendly over the years.

It was a tearful scene, sisters, cousins and aunts clinging to each other, promising that they would see one another soon- maybe a wedding (there is some serious dating going on), maybe during the summer. I stood at the side with Siggy Weiser, the patriarch of this little clan, a wonderful, kind man whose greatest joy is to see his offspring- 4 children, 17 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, poo, poo, poo- together. As we watched the partings he told me of his last days in Buchenwald. Of the Death March at the end, when the Germans realized the war was lost, where almost all the 80,000 forced to walk and walk and walk didn't survive. Of him and 5000 other Jews left in the camp with 15,000 prisoners of other nationalities. Of watching representatives of other countries coming to take their people home after the war. And of the dawning realization that no one was coming for the Jews. And that home was no more, and neither was his family.

He ended up in France, hoping for a visa to Palestine, where the Jews were proud and strong. (In those days, before the Big Lie was disseminated, Palestinian meant Jew.) There were only 200 distributed and he was not on the list, so he went to the States. He couldn't return to Satmar. He met Shirley, who had miraculously survived Auschwitz although left for dead in a pile of bodies. She had no one left at all. Together, he told me, they hoped to at least have someone. And so they began anew.

A survivor is so much more than someone who physically made it. That was only the beginning. It's someone who didn't give up hope and love of life. Who despite destitution and loss and grief and memories of horrors that most of us in our worst nightmares could not conjure up, chose life. Not anger and revenge, not suicide bombings for sure or the path of hatred, but the tremendous will to rebuild a home and a life. To help mankind in any way possible. And to recreate our independent country, so that this will never happen again.

Today is Holocaust Remembrance Day. 6 million stories that we will not hear and 6 million contributions to mankind that we will not receive; it's just unfathomable that this happened, the older I get the less I comprehend. But we will not forget. We still mourn the destruction of our Temple 2000 later; we will not forget what happened in Europe 65 years ago.

As for Marilyn, nee Weiser, and her extended- what a beautiful word- family. I can laugh with her when she packs a sandwich for her young son when they go to the store (you never know when the Nazis may come) because she inherited the strength and optimism her survivor parents have. I can cry with her when I see her older son in his IDF uniform, a paramedic in an elite unit of the Jewish army, a miracle her father cannot believe he lived to see. May the survivors, who already went through hell on earth, and all of Am Yisrael know only peace in the future.

But barring that, may we have the wisdom to act, along with protection from on High, to ensure that no one ever, ever tries to destroy the Jewish people again.

Am Yisrael Chai. Despite it all, the Jewish Nation lives on. How privileged I am to be one, and to be home in Judea. For good.

Stuck in the System

Back home to half dead plants, myriad loads of laundry, and a lonely dog. I did, however, add an extra kilo of me. (Love that metric system, 1 kilo sounds so much better than 2+ pounds). Off to work it off between chores before it discovers my hip heaven and gets permanently stuck. (Yes, women relate to fat as a living thing with a mind of its own. If you don't believe ask the other female 48-52% of the planet, depending on the age.)

I spent a good part of last night at the Schneller army hospital with Dani, who threw his back out lifting up a not-so-little cousin. The kid can't walk which is why I drove him in, but they actually told him to report back to base this morning after a 3 hour wait to see the army doctor. I can't believe it, he's in agony, I don't know how he even managed to carry his bag on the train. This is the last time we do this, I'll take him privately to a hospital next time. It's one thing to trust his life to the army; I'm not trusting his health, too, to the system. That sounds absurd, I know, but that's how it is. And I'm just one Jewish mama of many. (The word is that the Israeli Merkava 4 tank was designed by aforementioned mommies, the only tank in the world with the engine in front to better protect the soldiers inside. I can think of worse things to be accused of than doing what we can to protect our children. Wish the rest of the 'hood' of the Mid East felt the same.)

During Pesach we took the kids to the sand dunes of Nitzanim, south of Ashdod. It's an absolutely beautiful nature reserve so close to everything yet once you're there it's the middle of nowhere. I love that about this country; so small - too small- but with a smattering of just about everything except for tropical rain forests. And they're over-rated anyhow. Who needs enormous alligators? The Dead Sea and Ramon Crater are unique of their type in the world, not to mention Jerusalem and other man made places. (Including, now that I think about it, the Schneller hospital. Place looks ancient, not even sure it has running water. Just kidding about that, but it is quite decrepit.) So back to Israel, not bad for a country that a jet can cross in 90 seconds. But how brilliant for the Foreign Ministry to advertise us as a spot with great gay bars and beaches.

On the way back from said great beaches- we skipped the gay bars- of the dune hike, we came across the detritus - there is no other word- of the music festival on the beach. 3 days of young people sleeping and eating in the sand. Gross. The clean up crew had their work cut out for them. There needs to be a public campaign about strewing garbage here, it worked for wildflowers years back, no one picks them now. I just don't get it. People whose homes are spotless think nothing of dropping bags wherever they feel like it.

When I think about the 'Ingathering of the Exiles'- as I occasionally do, like every day - I figure that if we combined all the positives attributes of each culture coming back we'd have a pretty damn amazing country.

And Pesach I could eat popcorn and humus. Let's do it. I'll give you one American style littering campaign for the annulment of the Ashkenazi ban on legumes and a Sephardi type Pesach instead. Anyone care to raise me a Russian mathematics level? French pastries? Which reminds me....my Judean gym awaits. Later, y'all.

Pesach Prayers

We are in Ashkelon now, had Seder last night with about 100 people in my husband's family. His 93 year old father was there, although he has not been well. He was so happy to see us all together, that's why he and my late mother-in-law arranged for us to do this every year. I tried not to think of the terrorists who would like nothing better than to attack another hotel on Pesach night- a la Netanya 5 years ago- and the damage they would inflict on this extended family. I don't try to figure out why anyone would consider that a good thing to do, it's beyond my capabilities as a Jew and human being. While Israel sends medics into Gaza to treat an Arab woman for a heart attack I can only be thankful yet again that we are who we are, despite the evil around us.

Our blessed soldiers are working so hard to keep us secure; they had their Seder on tin trays in guard posts and bases all over the country so that we could be safe with our families. And then there are the 119 families whose sons (and one daughter) were killed in Lebanon last summer, the 3 families of our captives, the civilian casualties, so many people for whom the sacrifice of keeping our freedom has come at great cost. There are no words to express the gratitude I feel to all of them, I can only do my little part to make this a better place so that it will have been worth it. Maybe.

It is a joy to see our niece Batsheva in advanced pregnancy, patiently taking care of her 3 little ones. Her firstborn son, Yehuda Shoham, lies in his tiny grave in Shilo, a 5 month old victim of the terror that has plagued us for so long. Life goes on, but it's never the same. All our children and our granddaughter are with us, something Earl and I did not take for granted and which made my night complete -even before I had 4 cups of wine.

We are long out of Egypt, a great nation chosen by God to be a light unto other nations. The road is a long one and sometimes I think that our problems with some Jews are no less a burden than our issues with our enemies. But what a privilege to belong to this people, to be living in our homeland and remembering our humble beginnings and the continuing miracles wrought for us on the way. Parting the Reed Sea was only the most dramatic one.

Instead of having a Judean evening I am listening to the surf outside my window (and hopefully not a Kassam exploding nearby). We are out of Exile but still have to get the Diaspora and appeasement mindset out of us. May this holiday of redemption herald the final one and a world at peace.

Happy Pesach to the House of Israel.

The Last Supper

The kids and Earl are downstairs playing 'Settler's' as we all take a pre-Pesach break from cleaning. It's a great game, has nothing to do with us, was invented by a German, no less, in the '90's. Guess the name hasn't hurt sales. I just brought home an expansion pack so they're busy and since the chair I collapsed into is in front of my computer you guys lucked out. They're eating whatever is left (peanut butter on tortilla wraps, cereal, stale granola bars) so I don't have to do dinner.

I had a brief but emotional phone conversation today with Vivienne from Ramle. When I was in LA her son, whom I'll call Saul, was our driver when Arieh Eldad and I went to Fresno (raisin capital of the world, yessiree) to see Victor Davis Hanson. Google him, he's amazing. Very pro-Israel, brilliant, Stanford prof, farmer, advisor to the White House, but so unassuming and modest. He didn't meet any Jews till he was an adult, which may account for why he likes my kind of Israel. See Clinton for what happens when you know Jews in college, the liberal kind. Oy.

Back to 'Saul'. He's been in LA for 3 years and is very bitter and sad about Israel. He felt he had to leave, that things were not the way he needed them to be. Under the anger you could hear so much pain, though. He and Arieh had a rather, um, lively discussion. Arieh said that he agreed with him that things needed to be changed, but that can only be done by living in Israel, and that the chances of Saul's grandchildren being Jewish if he stayed in the US were really not so high. Jews can't afford to stop struggling and let the indecent and incompetent people run the show; we have too much at stake. Anyhow, I took his mother's number to wish her a happy Pesach and tell her what a nice son she has raised, and that I hope he and his wife and daughter come home one day. He had told me how he once called her on the way south with 40 other soldiers and asked her to get some pitot and humus for them, only to walk in the door to a barbeque feast. She was so touched that he had shared that with me. I didn't tell her the sadder story of when he saw 10 American servicemen get off a plane in LA to a standing ovation and salutes from everyone in the terminal, and that he had to go to the restroom till he stopped crying from grief that he never felt that appreciation at home. As he should have.

My Dani came home in uniform on Friday for the first time. It was a huge mix of feelings; pride, fear, sorrow that it's 70 years too late for 6 million of my people, wonder at where the time has gone so that my little curly top boy now towers over me. And carries a gun.

May he and all soldiers fighting for the free world be safe, loved, supported. And most of all, successful.

Happy Pesach on a cool and rainy Judean eve.

You can take the girl out of California....

I'm back!

That's literal and figurative. I was in Los Angeles till yesterday and I know, I know, they have internet access in Lalaland but I was busy and also in a different head space. And hey, without Bezeq it just ain't fun. I had actually started to post a couple of times but kept getting interrupted so I gave up. Need the Judean air to inspire, I suppose.

So why was I on the West Coast? Glad you asked. I got to see my dad, which was a nice side benefit. It was not to shop- although I did hit Loehmann's for a couple of hours, an experience that deserves it's own post if I have the time. I was actually there for a few days with a Member of Knesset from the National Union, Arieh Eldad. How that came about is that there are some terrific people in the States, both members of the tribe and non, who are quite upset with the type of leadership we are suffering from in Israel today (no other way to put it) and would like to help politicians who are honest and decent with vision and integrity to perhaps get a bit ahead. (It's a short list.) Some of them care tremendously about Israel, some are extremely concerned that if the Saturday people get whacked the Friday people will then go after the Sunday people and they would like to prevent that. It's about saving the free world and maybe also a bit about not looking attractive in burkas. Different strokes for different folks.

I will elaborate another time, my fingers are cracked from scrubbing out the fridge, Matanya has 12 friends here for a sleepover birthday party (what you get when you give birth just before Pesach; wait till his bar mitzva next year) and they want pizza, homemade, natch. Melted cheese on the last of the pitot will have to do.

So this is a quickie just to reassure all you - both of you-worried readers that I'm still here in this insane reality. My Dani went into the army this week and hopefully will come home for Shabbat so I want to make some of his favorite food now, too. Enough excuses, will be back soon. I hope. We change the clocks tonight (Shinui arranged that so that Seder would start late and the kids would be crabby, they did anything to stick it to the religious, so sad) but I hope to have some extra time before Shabbat. Yeah, right. I can hear the laughter of many Jewish women at that one.

Till then. It's a beautiful crisp spring Judean evening. So good to be home.

Soaps go Native

The bag near my desk smells delicious, but it's nothing edible. (Well, only if I say a bad word).

I'm due to go to the States later this week, unless there's a public sector strike on Wednesday that will ground planes, which will upset me greatly since it's an important trip that people have planned for awhile. Looking for a unique gift to take I decided upon some soaps, introduced to me by my daughter and son-in-law last month as their birthday gift. (I'm 39. Again). They're made by a small company named noveya (www.noveya.com) as a way of combining the natural properties of the Biblical 7 species of the Land of Israel with beauty and health products. So a box contains 7 soaps made of olives, pomegranates, dates, wheat, figs, grapes and barley. They look too nice to use but I will open mine any day now. Really.

Meanwhile I hope it will be a good gift for those who have pretty much everything. And not break in my luggage, either. I figured it was a way of introducing an understanding of how agrarian Judaism is, how tied to the land, this land where these grains and native fruits grow as they have for millenia and the part they played in the development of our rituals.

Last year I was reading 'Guns, Germs and Steel' by Jared Diamond about how and why certain civilizations succeeded and others failed. (Think Tutenkhamen for starters). Some were more susceptible to disease (smallpox, for example), others had weapons or technology before the rest. Knowledge tended to flow latitudinally , not longitudinally, a desert could really mess things up. And other very cool facts, like who made fatal mistakes so you'll read about Incas but not meet any. The book speaks at length about how wheat and barley were the significant grains in getting people to go from a nomadic, hunter lifestyle to a farmer role, settled in villages near fields. And the first 5 things harvested after these grains were--drumroll--pomegranates, olives, grapes, dates and figs. This area has had people since there were people, and our Torah highlights how Judaism's roots are here so deeply, you can see that by what grew and continues to grow here. (Israeli wines, olive oil and fruit still amaze.)

A few months ago some ancient emmer wheat seeds were discovered in the area of the South Chevron Hills, a type which need very little water to grow. There are now some very excited people in Israel hoping that they can germinate this type of wheat in arid regions such as in Africa to feed the many starving people there. So typical for Israeli Jews- to make an exciting discovery and then try to help others, too, from the knowledge gleaned.

After 4 days of rain, a clear, cold Judean evening.

Of Vineyards and Kings

The Bezeq guy just left on this rainy Judean afternoon; hopefully now all will be okay in cyberland. Ran my new 'convergence plan' theory by him but he reassured me that Bezeq is not the enemy so we have nothing to worry about. We did agree that sometimes it's hard to know who the enemy is, though, so I'll hold the thought.

Meanwhile I will post 2 days running just in case he's wrong.

The usual disarray that passes for the norm in Israeli public life is with us this morning, looks like Olmert and Peretz are still proclaiming their greatness even after commissions find them culpable for last summer's failures. And all this reminds me of the brilliance and timelessness of Bible stories. (I am far from a scholar but like to relate what little I do know to current events. Keep things in perspective. Good word, that.)

So what does the news have to do with the Bible? A few months ago I had the rare opportunity to visit Northern Samaria, an area usually off limits to civilians because of the proliferation of terror cells, specifically Islamic Jihad. I had organized a bus as part of my former job and we had the requisite permits and security. We visited the city of Shomron (Samaria) which gave the area its name, built by King Omri long, long ago. There's an area there that was once an altar for idol worship. Our guide took the opportunity to say a prayer for the successful eradication of idol worship from the land of Israel, which got me thinking. You can say a lot about Islam and their, well, unusual take on the sanctity of human life, among other things, but one thing they are definitely not and that is idol worshippers. (I'm an optimistic kind of person, like to give credit where I can). So when we were promised that idol worship, which gave our prophets major headaches in the days when there was real prophecy, would be removed from here, it was. Oh, we're still not having an easy time reclaiming the homeland, but idol worship isn't one of the problems.

Hurray for progress.

What was even more fascinating that day was the discussion comparing the 2 Israelite kings, Ahab and Saul. On the face of it Saul was the better guy; Ahab was married to Jezebel (the original, so I'll say no more) who among other things had him kill Navot and take his vineyard in a version of 'eminent domain' right near Shomron, which is why the topic came up. Elijah the Prophet then sought him out, asking "have you murdered and also inherited", (a sentence that the people of Gush Katif justifiably cried last year to Hamas when they took over Gaza). But Ahab, instead of blaming the wife, which would have been par for the course (think Adam and the Tree way, way back in the Garden) accepted responsibility for his actions. Compare this to Saul who blames the people for his not killing Amalek (see Haman, Purim story) instead of doing the mea culpa thing to Samuel, that era's gloom and doomer.

Getting to the point: Saul loses the kingship then and there, his royal line ends with him. Yet Ahab's descendents, like Omri, continue to rule. That's how seriously God himself takes the standards of leadership. We don't expect perfection, but we do need responsibility and accountability.

Neither of which do we have in this generation. But certain messages stay very relevent through time. Kudos to the author.

Now how we solve this sans overt divine guidance is something else entirely. Ideas?

On line again, naturally

I have finally figured out the government's plan to drive the Jews out of Judea and Samaria.

Lousy ADSL internet service.

I have been trying to post here for 3 days and am having a ridiculously difficult time getting on line. I am not alone- many of my neighbors are also suffering and of course Bezeq, the national phone line provider, denies any problem. Yesterday I had an important document to e-mail to a public official and it took hours and many phone calls (through Bezeq lines, of course. Hmmm. The plot thickens). How are professionals -or amateurs for that matter- supposed to get any work done when each page times out repeatedly?

So you heard it here first. The aptly named 'Convergence Plan' is insidious but brilliant. We will be unable to do what we need to do from our home computers and it will lead to us 'converging' on internet cafes within Little Israel in order to function. Yup. Go with the simple. It's not about Mecca proposals and King Abdullah-Bush tete a tetes. It's the so called 'Convergence Plan' all right and it's all in the details.

(I'm not sure when you'll be reading this since I'm writing it off line and will cut and paste later, when I can finally get onto my blogger site. So if you hear of a diversionary tactic- like the IDF finally going into Gaza to dismantle the terror infrastructure- you know who was behind it. The hilltop blog youth, and some middle aged ones, too.)

When I first started the blog a friend dropped me a note and said that she hoped I "stayed regular". Initially I thought she was concerned about the known systemic side effects of matza, with Passover approaching. Then I realized what she meant. Well, D., I'm trying.

We're not down for the count quite yet.

Wildflowers and Wild People

Earlier this week we took the 2 younger kids on a hike (okay, okay, meandering walk) in the area of the Adullam Forest about a half hour drive west of our home. The wildflowers are in bloom- narcissi, cyclamen, poppies and lupines are rioting everywhere, a delightful change to the usual rioting we hear about. In a country not known for disciplined behavior there is an astonishing consensus about not picking wildflowers. Few laws are so strictly adhered to (think of someone smoking under a 'no smoking' sign and you have an idea of what passes for usual behavioral mores here) so the profusion of color, smell and texture is enjoyed by all. Nature rocks.

It was a beautiful day and we wandered through what had once been an area of settlement for millenia. The area is rife with caves as it transits from the hard limestone of the Judean Hills to the chalky earth of the foothills. One large cave appears to be a columbaria, or dovecote, although it's far from certain. In Temple times the pigeon/turtle dove was a common sacrifice and so the niches in the walls could have been for the birds, although it's a bit far from Jerusalem. One of my favorite guides (Era Rapoport) related to me when I was here with him that he was once in the cave with a world expert on columbaria who was pompously declaring that this was not one, as he could not envision any birds entering. Just then 2 pigeons flew in and sat in the niches.

So much for experts. Had some, er, egg on his face, me thinks.

As with so much archeology one looks for clues as to the meaning of the remains that we find. I was explaining to the kids (as we examined pottery shards) how it was like detective work, painstaking but so rewarding when it falls into place, and how the history belongs to all mankind and teaches us about times past. Just then we came upon what has once been a burial cave with a fancy lintel and sections of ossuaries strewn about. The sign told us that 15 years ago the cave had been vandalized so there was no entry. It's all too common all over Israel that Arabs go to caves and sites, digging up even graves looking for antiquities to sell on the black market. The theft of coins and other valuables is bad enough, but it's the wanton destruction of what has no price that is worse- wrecking the evidence that remained of the people who lived and died here. All that is destroyed during the robbery. If the layers are messed up we don't know when, for example, the ash is from - ie. when the fire was, or who ate the seeds that were found, or who traded with the Greeks because a pot has clay that is from the isles, not local. Etc. That knowledge is priceless and the damage irreversible. Some of our ancestors hid there to escape Romans and other enemies, others stored food and water or used natural pools for ritual baths. And of course many other people came through and have left clues for us to piece together. There may be no other land in the world with such a variety of historical remains due to our sitting on the crossroads of Africa, Europe and Asia, as well as part of the ancient Spice Route and with ports to the Mediterranean, too.

Seems like some nations only leaving their mark by trying to erase others. So sad. For everyone. Remember the ancient Buddhist statues in Afghanistan that were destroyed a few years ago? Same idea.

It's another lovely evening in Judea after an unusually warm day that hinted at the coming spring. No wonder the flowers are blooming- they've got the rain soaked ground below and the warm sun above. Lovin' it.

Purim is over. Isn't it?

Someone should tell the Jerusalem Post that Purim is over and they can stop running all those satire pieces. Like the article about the guy masquerading as Defense Minister who lost it in the Cabinet meeting yesterday. I mean, really, who would believe that this Mexican bandito look alike union hack would have that kind of responsibility with so many threats facing Israel? Even for Purim it's more pathetic than funny. It's almost on the level of having the most corrrupt and least popular pol in the country be Prime Minister. Get outta here.

And the one about China asking Iran to please, please open their nuclear facility for inspection; the accompanying sidebar has the Iranian FM denying that they've even temporarily halted uranium enrichment. Guess all that oil just isn't meeting their energy needs. Like, they wouldn't be doing all this for anything other than peaceful reasons, right? Which leads to the 3rd article on the page reporting on the meeting between Hamas' Mashaal and Ahmadinejad saying that "Israel will eventually disappear from the map and Palestinians (sic) should prepare for that". Yup, no point in procrastinating. Plan must be to kill us with kindness.

We have our own FM, Tzippi Livni, peeved because the latest blood libel type claim, that Israel massacred POWs in the '60's (they just happened to be battling Israeli troops at the time and not captured) is riling up Egyptians and putting a crimp in her visit with the Egyptian FM. "Right now the relations between Israel and Egypt are based on peace and understanding......" says she. Wow, there are 2 Egypts. How cool is that?

Moving right along, German (German!) senior bishops compared conditions in today's Ramallah to the Warsaw Ghetto. (I have found in my many years of Israel advocacy work that Europeans love to compare Israel to the Nazis, it relieves them of any guilt they may have over what they did during the war- or at least didn't stop others from doing. I mean, if we treat the Pals like we were treated then WWII is nothing to feel so bad about, whoever is in power kicks the little guy. We were getting it from them in the 40's so we trundled over here and did the same to the innocent Arabs who didn't know what hit them. I had that argument thrown at me by a Pal in a debate; that they were the ultimate victims of the Holocaust. I'd heard it before but usually not accompanied by Holocaust denial arguments, it's traditionally one or the other. I politely asked him to make up his mind what tack he was taking because you can't claim to be the victim of something that never happened. He was nonplussed, I was delighted. Knockouts are rare in this business, I have savoured that one for a long time now.)

Wrapping up what must be the Purim spoof section is of course the report of the Kassams falling outside a 'strategic facility' south of Ashkelon, shot from the Gaza Strip. I mean, no sane country would allow nearly daily barrages at not only their cities and civilians but at power plants and other critical infrastructure. No wonder (Ashkenazi, at least) Jews are the funniest people in the world, according to academic research published last year.

Maybe we have it all wrong and it's really Purim every day. I'll drink to that.