בס"ד
In Memory
By Shifra Shomron
18 years old
2 Shvat 5766/ 31.1.06
Nitzan Caravilla site
The names "Tiferet, Asaf, Yisrael HY"D" jump boldly out of a large sign fastened to a prefab shul here in the Nitzan Caravilla site. The thick white letters stare down at me from the depths of their engravement.
I didn't even have to think twice. After all, Tiferet Tretner, Asaf Tzafira and Yisrael Lutati are not only engraved in a cold metal sign high up on a prefab shul in temporary Nitzan; they are also engraved deeply in our beating hearts. How can I forget those three vibrant youths severed from our midst so cruelly? Tiferet was killed by a mortar that smashed through the roof of the house; its sharp shrapnel pieces piercing her soft flesh. It was on the eve of Yom Kippur, the holy day when G-d puts the seal on our verdicts, and our government had once again committed the unforgivable sin of standing idly by their brothers' blood. Asaf was shot to death by the Arab workers near the hothouses of Rafiah Yam. In the midst of all the vegetation, a budding Jewish sapling was hewn down. Yisrael was a soldier, "killed in the line of duty". What a blank description that is of a handsome young man shot while protecting a Jewish community from enemy infiltration!
We, the Gush Katif family, honored our fallen – our heroes! Our youth built a wooden shul in their names. And they planted beautiful flowers around it. And they made a path that led from Neve Dekalim to the 'Tiferet Yisrael' shul.
And these wonderful Gush Katif youths found themselves, for the first time in their young lives, confronting Jewish soldiers. Staying up all night – so that the army wouldn't destroy this 'illegal outpost'. It was a rude awakening for the Gush Katif youth who had spent the winter baking cakes and serving soup to the soldiers. Yes, a rude awakening. And also a taste of what they would have to digest in the summer.
Did we digest it? It was forced down our throats.
And once again a shul carries the names of Tiferet, Asaf and Yisrael.
Tiferet means glory.
Asaf means gathered.
Yisrael means the Jewish nation.
May Hashem return the glory that has been gathered from the Jewish nation.
And may their blood be avenged.
Tuesday, January 31, 2006
ENGLISH ORANGE BULLETIN JAN.31, 06, SHVAT 2, 5766
ENGLISH ORANGE BULLETIN JAN.31, 06, SHVAT 2, 5766
Solidarity rallies for the threatened community of Amona are scheduled for various intersections around the country this afternoon. A fax-and-phone protest campaign is also underway.
At 5 PM, rallies will be held at intersections outside Ofakim, Haifa, Raanana, and Shilat. Rallies are also scheduled at that time at the Bar-Ilan Junction, Pisgat Ze'ev in Jerusalem, and the Jerusalem city entrance.
Another protest will be held at 5:30 outside IDF Samaria Headquarters.
The protestors will rally under the theme, "I'm Frustrated! The Terrorists are Building - While Jewish Homes are Being Destroyed!"
INTERSECTIONS:
Tzmatim today (Tuesday) at 5 PM in Jerusalem, Ramat Gan, Haifa, Raanana, Shilat (near Modiin) & Ofakim.
See particulars below. Thank you for participating. You can dress up as a Hamas terrorist with covered face and bring a provocative sign (Hebrew wording above) -- "I'm mad: terrorists' houses are raised - Jews' houses are razed!"
www.amona.org.il - כל הפרטים באשר להגעה לעמונה
All particulars re getting to Amona at their website www.amona.org.il
Susie Dym, spokesperson for the Cities of Israel grassroots organization, said,
"Olmert and Mofaz are trying to keep the settlers busy, so that they won't have time to win over the voters' hearts.
"Olmert knows that if the residents weren't so busy trying to defend their homes, they would go out in a national face-to-face campaign, and grab from under his nose all the Kadima voters and bring them all back to the right-wing camp - just like they did in one month of hard work before the Likud referendum.
"At that time [May 2004], they came from behind and won the referendum by a large margin, to the astonishment of Olmert and Sharon and their people."
A "protest from home" campaign is also underway. Home-bound objectors to the Amona destruction have been asked to phone or fax the following officials and register their opinions:
Police Chief Karadi - 02 5308100 fax 02 530 8118
President Moshe Katzav - phone: 02 6707211, fax 02 5671314
State Comptroller's Office - 02 666 5000, fax 02 666 5204
PM's Spokesman - 02 5666920 fax 02 566 9245
Olmert's personal spokesman - 02 6662301 fax 02 666 4400
Chief Rabbi Metzger 02 5377872
Chief Rabbi Amar 02 5371305
******************************
MEANWHILE OLMERT HAS THE AUDACITY TO PARTY AT BINYANEI HAUMA NATIONAL CONVENTION HALL IN JERUSALEM TONIGHT AS HE ANOUNCES HIS PERSONAL CANDIDATES FOR THE KADIMA PARTY'S KNESSET SEATS.
GET OUT AND PROTEST OR CALL THE PHONE NUMBERS LISTED ABOVE
Solidarity rallies for the threatened community of Amona are scheduled for various intersections around the country this afternoon. A fax-and-phone protest campaign is also underway.
At 5 PM, rallies will be held at intersections outside Ofakim, Haifa, Raanana, and Shilat. Rallies are also scheduled at that time at the Bar-Ilan Junction, Pisgat Ze'ev in Jerusalem, and the Jerusalem city entrance.
Another protest will be held at 5:30 outside IDF Samaria Headquarters.
The protestors will rally under the theme, "I'm Frustrated! The Terrorists are Building - While Jewish Homes are Being Destroyed!"
INTERSECTIONS:
Tzmatim today (Tuesday) at 5 PM in Jerusalem, Ramat Gan, Haifa, Raanana, Shilat (near Modiin) & Ofakim.
See particulars below. Thank you for participating. You can dress up as a Hamas terrorist with covered face and bring a provocative sign (Hebrew wording above) -- "I'm mad: terrorists' houses are raised - Jews' houses are razed!"
www.amona.org.il - כל הפרטים באשר להגעה לעמונה
All particulars re getting to Amona at their website www.amona.org.il
Susie Dym, spokesperson for the Cities of Israel grassroots organization, said,
"Olmert and Mofaz are trying to keep the settlers busy, so that they won't have time to win over the voters' hearts.
"Olmert knows that if the residents weren't so busy trying to defend their homes, they would go out in a national face-to-face campaign, and grab from under his nose all the Kadima voters and bring them all back to the right-wing camp - just like they did in one month of hard work before the Likud referendum.
"At that time [May 2004], they came from behind and won the referendum by a large margin, to the astonishment of Olmert and Sharon and their people."
A "protest from home" campaign is also underway. Home-bound objectors to the Amona destruction have been asked to phone or fax the following officials and register their opinions:
Police Chief Karadi - 02 5308100 fax 02 530 8118
President Moshe Katzav - phone: 02 6707211, fax 02 5671314
State Comptroller's Office - 02 666 5000, fax 02 666 5204
PM's Spokesman - 02 5666920 fax 02 566 9245
Olmert's personal spokesman - 02 6662301 fax 02 666 4400
Chief Rabbi Metzger 02 5377872
Chief Rabbi Amar 02 5371305
******************************
MEANWHILE OLMERT HAS THE AUDACITY TO PARTY AT BINYANEI HAUMA NATIONAL CONVENTION HALL IN JERUSALEM TONIGHT AS HE ANOUNCES HIS PERSONAL CANDIDATES FOR THE KADIMA PARTY'S KNESSET SEATS.
GET OUT AND PROTEST OR CALL THE PHONE NUMBERS LISTED ABOVE
Amona update
Amona is a magnet for the kids and adults who are still burning angry about Disengagement.
I just got a call from the yeshiva high school where I teach that almost the entire student population has transferred to Amona, most with parents' permission, which the school required. They are among the many thousands protecting Amona from the army's expected assault.
There are conflicting reports, such as ynet's vs Arutz 7's vs The Jerusalem Post's descriptions of demonstrators attacking an army base.
Big news is the first refusenik, the soldier who refused to obey orders. I'm sure that there will be more.
More news later...
I just got a call from the yeshiva high school where I teach that almost the entire student population has transferred to Amona, most with parents' permission, which the school required. They are among the many thousands protecting Amona from the army's expected assault.
There are conflicting reports, such as ynet's vs Arutz 7's vs The Jerusalem Post's descriptions of demonstrators attacking an army base.
Big news is the first refusenik, the soldier who refused to obey orders. I'm sure that there will be more.
More news later...
Strip the Stripes?
Things are getting stranger and stranger, or is the truth just coming closer to the surface?
The Arab terrorist Hamas Party leader announced:
This makes me wonder. The American flag has lots of stripes, actually thirteen to represent the original thirteen colonies/states. Six are white, and seven are red.
Now, just to take this further according to Hamas leadership. The Israeli flag has only two blue stripes. If the stripes connote or symbolize "occupation," then America with 650% more stripes than Israel must be considered six and a half times more an occupier, or imperialist nation, than little Israel.
And if we want to talk symbols, let's look at the colors. The Israeli flag is sky blue and white, while the American one has a dark, midnight blue and bright red with white. Israeli stripes are blue, the color symbolizing freedom, vigilance, perseverance, justice, prosperity, peace, and/or patriotism. But the American flag has red stripes, the color of war and violence.
Let's put this all together according to the statement of Hamas leader, Zahar, just a little logic, please. Israel's flag, with a dominance of blue on white symbolizes a peaceful, just country, and that's even when if finds itself as an "occupier." While the United States has a flag with seven bright red stripes, which symbolize a violently aggressive imperialist society.
I didn't say it; I just took Zahar's demand a little further...
The Arab terrorist Hamas Party leader announced:
The several conditions Zahar named included a demand that Israel change its flag.Now, most of us just thought that they were like the stripes on the " Tallit." (Thanks, Judith)
"Israel must remove the two blue stripes from its national flag," said Zahar. "The stripes on the flag are symbols of occupation. They signify Israel's borders stretching from the Euphrates River to the Nile River."
This makes me wonder. The American flag has lots of stripes, actually thirteen to represent the original thirteen colonies/states. Six are white, and seven are red.
Now, just to take this further according to Hamas leadership. The Israeli flag has only two blue stripes. If the stripes connote or symbolize "occupation," then America with 650% more stripes than Israel must be considered six and a half times more an occupier, or imperialist nation, than little Israel.
And if we want to talk symbols, let's look at the colors. The Israeli flag is sky blue and white, while the American one has a dark, midnight blue and bright red with white. Israeli stripes are blue, the color symbolizing freedom, vigilance, perseverance, justice, prosperity, peace, and/or patriotism. But the American flag has red stripes, the color of war and violence.
Let's put this all together according to the statement of Hamas leader, Zahar, just a little logic, please. Israel's flag, with a dominance of blue on white symbolizes a peaceful, just country, and that's even when if finds itself as an "occupier." While the United States has a flag with seven bright red stripes, which symbolize a violently aggressive imperialist society.
I didn't say it; I just took Zahar's demand a little further...
Monday, January 30, 2006
Closing up Amona
http://www.idf.il/
January 30th, 2006
IDF SPOKESPERSON UPDATE
Entry of media personnel into the area of Amona
In preparation for the scheduled evacuation of Amona, the IDF Spokesperson Office would like to clarify the following issues to all media personnel planning to enter Amona upon declaration of a closed military zone in the area.
Entry of media personnel into the area of Amona will be conditioned upon prior coordination with the IDF Spokesperson Unit. Media Personnel will be required to present a valid GPO card and sign the attached waiver forms (to be signed by the media company and its representatives).
These forms are to be submitted to the IDF Spokesperson Unit.
Media personnel must maintain a signed copy and present it upon request at crossing points on the routes leading to the area of Amona, along with a valid GPO card and passport/ID card.
Note: In addition to the forms designated specifically for media coverage of the evacuation of Amona, media personnel with an Israeli citizenship or dual citizenship are also requested to verify that their regular documentation for entry into Area A territories is up-to-date.
Due to space constraints, only one broadcasting vehicle will be allowed into the area. The IDF, in coordination with the FPA, has set up a media pool for TV crews wishing to receive filmed footage of the evacuation. The vehicle allowed into the closed area will belong to the AP media company. Press wishing to receive the footage should contact Tzion from APTN at 02-5376660.
Please contact the IDF Spokesperson's News Desk with any further inquiries or problems you may have, 03-6080245/248/308.
Big talk in the Beit El yeshiva high school where I work was about tomorrow, Amona. Over the afternoon students disappeared, and we knew where they were going. They were sneaking off to Amona to try to save it. Places to sleep thousands were being set up in Ofra.
I wonder if I'll be expected to get to work, since the roads will be closed. I have to pass Ofra to get to work. And there probably won't be anybody to teach. Even the kids who are afraid of the possible violence, or whose parents won't give permission, won't be hanging around the school waiting for an English lesson with me.
Will the soldiers allow buses? and private vehicles? There are people who must travel. Some people need to go to work and others to doctors appointments, and others have social and family obligations. No, not everyone, not even all those who are pained and frightened by the government's dictatorial destructive policies will be resisting the soldiers in Amona.
Amona is this peaceful hilltop near Ofra. The government's attitude is inexplicable, unforgivable.
The recent Parshot Shavua, Torah Portion of the Week, Va'era and Bo, mention how Pharoah's heart was hardened, making it more and more difficult to change his mind and free the Jewish People from slavery in Egypt. This just set him up for more and more punishment, more plagues. Is that what's going on here?
Are the politicians dictating all of these disgraceful policies, the destruction of Jewish homes and communities, part of a divine process? Are they being set up so that either their fall will be greater, or if they can overcome the evil and repent, their tshuva, repentance, will be so massive, extraordinarily large, that they will save us all?
I believe that man must take responsibility for the evil he creates. We can't expect G-d to just keep fixing everything.
We all must find a role and do something to save our Land.
January 30th, 2006
IDF SPOKESPERSON UPDATE
Entry of media personnel into the area of Amona
In preparation for the scheduled evacuation of Amona, the IDF Spokesperson Office would like to clarify the following issues to all media personnel planning to enter Amona upon declaration of a closed military zone in the area.
Entry of media personnel into the area of Amona will be conditioned upon prior coordination with the IDF Spokesperson Unit. Media Personnel will be required to present a valid GPO card and sign the attached waiver forms (to be signed by the media company and its representatives).
These forms are to be submitted to the IDF Spokesperson Unit.
Media personnel must maintain a signed copy and present it upon request at crossing points on the routes leading to the area of Amona, along with a valid GPO card and passport/ID card.
Note: In addition to the forms designated specifically for media coverage of the evacuation of Amona, media personnel with an Israeli citizenship or dual citizenship are also requested to verify that their regular documentation for entry into Area A territories is up-to-date.
Due to space constraints, only one broadcasting vehicle will be allowed into the area. The IDF, in coordination with the FPA, has set up a media pool for TV crews wishing to receive filmed footage of the evacuation. The vehicle allowed into the closed area will belong to the AP media company. Press wishing to receive the footage should contact Tzion from APTN at 02-5376660.
Please contact the IDF Spokesperson's News Desk with any further inquiries or problems you may have, 03-6080245/248/308.
Big talk in the Beit El yeshiva high school where I work was about tomorrow, Amona. Over the afternoon students disappeared, and we knew where they were going. They were sneaking off to Amona to try to save it. Places to sleep thousands were being set up in Ofra.
I wonder if I'll be expected to get to work, since the roads will be closed. I have to pass Ofra to get to work. And there probably won't be anybody to teach. Even the kids who are afraid of the possible violence, or whose parents won't give permission, won't be hanging around the school waiting for an English lesson with me.
Will the soldiers allow buses? and private vehicles? There are people who must travel. Some people need to go to work and others to doctors appointments, and others have social and family obligations. No, not everyone, not even all those who are pained and frightened by the government's dictatorial destructive policies will be resisting the soldiers in Amona.
Amona is this peaceful hilltop near Ofra. The government's attitude is inexplicable, unforgivable.
The recent Parshot Shavua, Torah Portion of the Week, Va'era and Bo, mention how Pharoah's heart was hardened, making it more and more difficult to change his mind and free the Jewish People from slavery in Egypt. This just set him up for more and more punishment, more plagues. Is that what's going on here?
Are the politicians dictating all of these disgraceful policies, the destruction of Jewish homes and communities, part of a divine process? Are they being set up so that either their fall will be greater, or if they can overcome the evil and repent, their tshuva, repentance, will be so massive, extraordinarily large, that they will save us all?
I believe that man must take responsibility for the evil he creates. We can't expect G-d to just keep fixing everything.
We all must find a role and do something to save our Land.
Whose Land?
Last night, while I was mellowing in the spa and talking to friends about the importance of voting in the upcoming elections, the more dedicated political activists were at an Election Forum in Jerusalem. Even the Jerusalem Post was impressed by Moledet's Uri Bank, but the quotation that concerned me was from Naomi Blumental, who's probably the best in Likud:
I don't like her use of the verb "give back." It means that the Land was, or even is, really owned by the Arabs. We have to use the verb "give away." It's our Land according to history, tradition and G-d. By relinquishing sovereignty, throwing out loyal, peaceful citizens, we are giving it away, G-d forbid.
Attacking last summer's unilateral withdrawal from Gaza and northern Samaria, Blumenthal called the pullout "a disaster" and asked "what logic was there in giving back land to terror?"
I don't like her use of the verb "give back." It means that the Land was, or even is, really owned by the Arabs. We have to use the verb "give away." It's our Land according to history, tradition and G-d. By relinquishing sovereignty, throwing out loyal, peaceful citizens, we are giving it away, G-d forbid.
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Hamas comparison
Nathan's post about Hamas reminds me of one of the times I embarrassed my husband. We used to entertain journalists and embassy staff a lot. We were definitely on the list of "must visit," but that's more in the past. Nowadays he doesn't usually take them home, or he tells me that I'm not "needed."
This happened almost fifteen years ago. We were hosting an official of the American consulate, and my husband brought up the sensitive subject:
"Why do you invite local Arabs to various official events, but you don't invite Jews from the yishuvim?"
His answer: "But we don't invite Hamas terrorists either."
Well, I blew up: "Are you comparing us with the terrorists who murdered my friend Rachella Druk, who's buried just past that house in our cemetery?!"
They started inviting us to the annual 4th of July event, where the most kosher of the food is the Hagen Daz ice cream. And I don't speak to too many journalists, especially since the time I refused to pose for the camera serving my family food. The consulate/embassy people don't meet me much either. And some years I don't go to the 4th of July event, since it falls during the "three weeks" between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av when attending festive events is forbidden.
This happened almost fifteen years ago. We were hosting an official of the American consulate, and my husband brought up the sensitive subject:
"Why do you invite local Arabs to various official events, but you don't invite Jews from the yishuvim?"
His answer: "But we don't invite Hamas terrorists either."
Well, I blew up: "Are you comparing us with the terrorists who murdered my friend Rachella Druk, who's buried just past that house in our cemetery?!"
They started inviting us to the annual 4th of July event, where the most kosher of the food is the Hagen Daz ice cream. And I don't speak to too many journalists, especially since the time I refused to pose for the camera serving my family food. The consulate/embassy people don't meet me much either. And some years I don't go to the 4th of July event, since it falls during the "three weeks" between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av when attending festive events is forbidden.
Churchill vs Olmert
I can't take credit for this; it's being passed around via email. But it's great, definitely food for thought.
"We shall not flag nor fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France and on the seas and oceans; we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island whatever the cost may be; we shall fight on beaches, landing grounds, in fields, in streets and on the hills. We shall never surrender and even if, which I do not for the moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, will carry on the struggle until in God's good time the New World with all its power and might, sets forth to the liberation and rescue of the Old."
Winston Churchill, June 4, 1940, speech before the House of Commons
"We are tired of fighting, we are tired of being courageous, we are tired of winning, we are tired of defeating our enemies, we want that we will be able to live in an entirely different environment of relations with our enemies."
-- Ehud Olmert, June 9, 2005, speech to Israel Policy Forum in New York.
"We shall not flag nor fail. We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France and on the seas and oceans; we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air. We shall defend our island whatever the cost may be; we shall fight on beaches, landing grounds, in fields, in streets and on the hills. We shall never surrender and even if, which I do not for the moment believe, this island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, will carry on the struggle until in God's good time the New World with all its power and might, sets forth to the liberation and rescue of the Old."
Winston Churchill, June 4, 1940, speech before the House of Commons
"We are tired of fighting, we are tired of being courageous, we are tired of winning, we are tired of defeating our enemies, we want that we will be able to live in an entirely different environment of relations with our enemies."
-- Ehud Olmert, June 9, 2005, speech to Israel Policy Forum in New York.
Saturday, January 28, 2006
news expected
According to Ynet, the local Arabs (PA sic) are doing some internal "cleaning." They should just continue, until there aren't any more of them left.
Baruch Dayan Ha'emet, the Kabbalist, HaRav Kaduri passed away. Here's a very nice article about him. Jerusalem streets and traffic are going to be a mess tomorrow as people go to the funeral.
It seems like MK Dr. Aryeh Eldad is running a one-man campaign against Olmert. We're two months before elections; why isn't more going on?
Baruch Dayan Ha'emet, the Kabbalist, HaRav Kaduri passed away. Here's a very nice article about him. Jerusalem streets and traffic are going to be a mess tomorrow as people go to the funeral.
It seems like MK Dr. Aryeh Eldad is running a one-man campaign against Olmert. We're two months before elections; why isn't more going on?
Friday, January 27, 2006
Amonah
Amona is a hilltop neighborhood of Ofra. Ofra is the first yishuv in the Shomron, north of Jerusalem. The perpetual head of the Binyamin Regional Council, who is also the head of Moetzet YESHA lives in Ofra.
Amona is different from the rest of Ofra. All of the homes in Ofra are built by the "Ofra building company." In Amona people are allowed to build privately. There are businesses in Amona, including a goats dairy, which makes yogurts and cheeses.
Forty Israeli families live in Amona. There are no Arabs in the area at all. Arabs never lived there. Jews bought the land from the Arabs, but the land wasn't transferred in Tabu, since Arabs who sell land to Jews get murdered by their fellow Arabs. The contracts exist.
For some strange reason, Amona is one of the big targets of Olmert. Olmert wants to destroy Amona.
The residents of Amona have appealed to the Supreme Court to cancel the destruction order. While waiting for the decision, the Binyamin Regional Council inexplicably sealed some of the homes.
My husband just came in to tell me that the High Court agreed to Amona's request to delay destruction.
Which side is the council on?
Amona is different from the rest of Ofra. All of the homes in Ofra are built by the "Ofra building company." In Amona people are allowed to build privately. There are businesses in Amona, including a goats dairy, which makes yogurts and cheeses.
Forty Israeli families live in Amona. There are no Arabs in the area at all. Arabs never lived there. Jews bought the land from the Arabs, but the land wasn't transferred in Tabu, since Arabs who sell land to Jews get murdered by their fellow Arabs. The contracts exist.
For some strange reason, Amona is one of the big targets of Olmert. Olmert wants to destroy Amona.
The residents of Amona have appealed to the Supreme Court to cancel the destruction order. While waiting for the decision, the Binyamin Regional Council inexplicably sealed some of the homes.
My husband just came in to tell me that the High Court agreed to Amona's request to delay destruction.
Which side is the council on?
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Democracy and Destiny
Democracy is supposed to be a measure of public opinion, and that's what we see in the local Arab elections. The only difference between the Fatah and Hamas is that one is honest and the other is hiding behind good tailoring, and the Arabs are pro-terrorism; they voted for Hamas.
The fact that people like U.S. President Bush and other world leaders are surprised that Hamas won just shows how little they understand. Too bad they're not given articles to read by Arlene Kushner, who has a better grasp of the reality here than all the big shots.
Israeli politicians are no better. They didn't understand the situation before, and they certainly don't understand it now.
Not only don't we have "partners for peace" among the Arab politicians, but your ordinary man-in-the-street Arab is not interested, and peace cannot be legislated. It must come from the heart, and the Arabs have terror in theirs.
The fact that people like U.S. President Bush and other world leaders are surprised that Hamas won just shows how little they understand. Too bad they're not given articles to read by Arlene Kushner, who has a better grasp of the reality here than all the big shots.
Israeli politicians are no better. They didn't understand the situation before, and they certainly don't understand it now.
Not only don't we have "partners for peace" among the Arab politicians, but your ordinary man-in-the-street Arab is not interested, and peace cannot be legislated. It must come from the heart, and the Arabs have terror in theirs.
Former U.S. President Carter thinks that the PA (sic) deserves to be funded, since they're "poverty stricken." He thinks that they just need more money. He has no idea what they really want, and doesn't care. He hasn't investigated what happened to all the billions given so far.
In two months we have elections here in Israel. They are very important elections. Our country is in danger, and most Israelis are ignoring reality.
I can see more and more clearly how easily six million Jews were murdered. Even the Jews who had a chance to leave stayed. The world was silent. The official Jewish leaders made the wrong decisions. They led the people in the wrong direction and condemned those, like Jabotinsky who kept warning of impending doom.
The Israeli establishment keeps repeating that we have a state because of the Holocaust and takes foreign visitors to Yad Veshem, which successfully raises more money than any other Jewish institution. This is all so wrong. That's why we are in such serious trouble right now.
We, the Jews, are a noble and ancient people. We had a state long before any of the modern ones. We have always mourned the loss of our Land, and now we are back. We don't need European history, nor the UN to give us legitimacy.
The Arabs around us voted for terrorism. They're not fooling, unlike all those fooling themselves into believing that money and a state will make them want peace.
And whatever happens to our "State of Israel," someday there will be a true Jewish State here. I have no idea what will be in between.
Someday the Third Holy Temple will stand in Jerusalem, G-d willing.
Shabbat Shalom
Big deal!?
Israel's media has been filled with "PA" (sic) election news. Sorry, maybe I'm stupid, but I can't see the difference between all the factions, candidates, parties etc. Just like "a rose by any other word" still has thorns, to me whether you call them Fatah, Hamas, Bin Laden, Abu Mazen or Arafat, they're still just plain unrepentant terrorists.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
more on Munich
Meryl Yourish publishes an interview with a widow of one of the murdered athletes. It's an excellent post. It says it all.
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
The "nebich" line
A couple of hours ago, on my way home from work, I heard a radio "interview." The "Galei Tzahal" reporter was interrogating the head of the Amona neighborhood of Ofra. She was more aggressive than the toughest TV cop trying to get a confession out of a serial child molester.
...and similar accusations and demands.
The poor guy just didn't have the answers. He spoke very calmly and politely, pointing out that...
She didn't listen and kept hounding at him, accusing them of breaking the law.
Then he tried a different tack.
ad nauseum
I'm not exaggerating. I found it embarrassing. I found it depressing. He must have had been coached by Moetzet YESHA.
"Your settlement's illegal, right!"
"Prove that you're not breaking the law!"
"Can you show that every piece of land there is 100% legally yours, above board?!"
...and similar accusations and demands.
The poor guy just didn't have the answers. He spoke very calmly and politely, pointing out that...
"...the forty families in Amona are simple law-abiding citizens, professionals, businessmen and civil servants. The neighborhood is ten years old. It has been supported and recognized by all of the government bodies including Bezek (phones), Mekorot (water) and the electric company. Nothing was ever done without approval."
She didn't listen and kept hounding at him, accusing them of breaking the law.
Then he tried a different tack.
"You know, we're part of the national religious sector. Just a few months ago we suffered a major trauma. We're still licking our wounds. It's not nice to hit us when we're down."
"So, will it be OK to remove you in a few months?"
"We're going to the Supreme Court to argue our case. Just give us more time. Olmert shouldn't be threatening us right before elections. It's bad timing."
"So, he should remove you after the elections?"
ad nauseum
I'm not exaggerating. I found it embarrassing. I found it depressing. He must have had been coached by Moetzet YESHA.
- Where is the vision?
- Where is the confidence?
- Where are the historical and national importance of settling our Land?
Nebich! Why don't we have leaders? Our people are rudderless. Even in Judea and Samaria people in power have no idea why we're here. And they have no idea how to defend themselves. Why are we constantly on the defensive?
I feel so powerless, not against my enemies, but against my friends, the public officials who should be leading us, helping us, defending us. But they seem to be our greatest problems.
G-d willing, very, very soon,
Geula Shleimah, Bimhairah Biyameinu!
Complete Redemption, Quickly in Our Time
Doctoring Pictures
This NY Times article discusses the scientific fraud as a possible result of the technological advances in digital photography, which make "doctoring" or changing pictures child's play.
My worry is how easy it now is to manipulate "news" facts by publishing "falsified" pictures.
My worry is how easy it now is to manipulate "news" facts by publishing "falsified" pictures.
Appel, Olmert, Sharon
Yesterday, the Olmert, Sharon and Appel connection just came up without planning, so today I decided to take a better look. It is news.
Ha'aretz had written about Olmert getting bribes from Appel, so Olmert was suing it. That's when Olmert was considered "right wing." Now that he has put up his Teflon-left-wing shield, he feels safe enough to drop charges. Notice that I'm not linking Arutz 7 news articles on this. Left-wing Ha'aretz has enough dirt on the Kadima founders and standard-bearers.
Here are some quotations from the bribery indictment against Appel:
2. Starting in the 1990s, Accused #1 began to be active part in various party affairs, including those relating to appointments to political and public positions and became known as someone with power and influence in this regard.
1. During the periods relevant to this charge sheet, Ariel Sharon served as an MK as well as in the following public positions: from July 8, 1996 to July 6, 1999 he was minister of national infrastructure and responsible for the ILA; foreign minister, acting chairman of the Likud Party, chairman of the Likud Party and a candidate for prime minister. On February 7, 2001, he was elected prime minister and on March 7, 2001, he was sworn into office. Therefore, while serving in all of the above positions, Ariel Sharon was a public servant as defined by law.
2. During the periods relevant to this charge sheet, the following public servants served in the following positions: a. Ehud Olmert was the mayor of Jerusalem (and therefore a public servant). b. Shula Zaken was the senior adviser to the mayor of Jerusalem and his office director. c. Amos Radian was the political adviser of the mayor of Jerusalem, on loan to the Jerusalem municipality from the Foreign Ministry. d. Ruchama Avraham was employed on the project as the material coordinator.
Corruption seems to be rampant. Note that Ruchama Avraham is one of those "unknowns" who suddenly became high up on the Likud election list for Knesset Members. Her Appel connection explains it.
Now, who is David Appel? According to some, he's a "right wing" businessman, but I find that description rather suspect, since his influence has moved them all drastically leftward.
And to make it even easier for you to research more on the Appel, Sharon, Olmert connection, here's the Google site/link.
Ha'aretz had written about Olmert getting bribes from Appel, so Olmert was suing it. That's when Olmert was considered "right wing." Now that he has put up his Teflon-left-wing shield, he feels safe enough to drop charges. Notice that I'm not linking Arutz 7 news articles on this. Left-wing Ha'aretz has enough dirt on the Kadima founders and standard-bearers.
Here are some quotations from the bribery indictment against Appel:
2. Starting in the 1990s, Accused #1 began to be active part in various party affairs, including those relating to appointments to political and public positions and became known as someone with power and influence in this regard.
1. During the periods relevant to this charge sheet, Ariel Sharon served as an MK as well as in the following public positions: from July 8, 1996 to July 6, 1999 he was minister of national infrastructure and responsible for the ILA; foreign minister, acting chairman of the Likud Party, chairman of the Likud Party and a candidate for prime minister. On February 7, 2001, he was elected prime minister and on March 7, 2001, he was sworn into office. Therefore, while serving in all of the above positions, Ariel Sharon was a public servant as defined by law.
2. During the periods relevant to this charge sheet, the following public servants served in the following positions: a. Ehud Olmert was the mayor of Jerusalem (and therefore a public servant). b. Shula Zaken was the senior adviser to the mayor of Jerusalem and his office director. c. Amos Radian was the political adviser of the mayor of Jerusalem, on loan to the Jerusalem municipality from the Foreign Ministry. d. Ruchama Avraham was employed on the project as the material coordinator.
Corruption seems to be rampant. Note that Ruchama Avraham is one of those "unknowns" who suddenly became high up on the Likud election list for Knesset Members. Her Appel connection explains it.
Now, who is David Appel? According to some, he's a "right wing" businessman, but I find that description rather suspect, since his influence has moved them all drastically leftward.
And to make it even easier for you to research more on the Appel, Sharon, Olmert connection, here's the Google site/link.
Monday, January 23, 2006
Powerful and Corrupt, food for thought....
It's not very encouraging that the two most powerful people in ruling Kadima Party and that means the country are corrupt. I no longer count Ariel Sharon, since he's by all accounts seriously brain damaged. Rumors that he died a couple of weeks ago are probably true, but the doctors apparently got his heart beating again in order to be able have his name at the top of the Kadima list for the Knesset.
I'm referring to Sharon's son Omri, who has already been convicted and is now trying to find a way to stay out of jail.
Our acting Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, is also being investigated for corruption. His partner in crime is none other than David Appel, who is involved in other bribery cases, including Ariel Sharon.
Now, think about it...
Until fairly recently Sharon and Olmert did not get along in any sense of the word. Political pundits were more than surprised when suddenly Olmert usurped Bibi Netanyahu's place as Sharon's "number two."
Could Mr. Appel have been the one behind Olmert's sudden rise and promotion?
I'm referring to Sharon's son Omri, who has already been convicted and is now trying to find a way to stay out of jail.
Our acting Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, is also being investigated for corruption. His partner in crime is none other than David Appel, who is involved in other bribery cases, including Ariel Sharon.
Now, think about it...
Until fairly recently Sharon and Olmert did not get along in any sense of the word. Political pundits were more than surprised when suddenly Olmert usurped Bibi Netanyahu's place as Sharon's "number two."
Could Mr. Appel have been the one behind Olmert's sudden rise and promotion?
HH, bigger and bigger
Heval Hevalim is getting bigger and bigger, no joke. Jack has done a wonderful job this week.
And I'd like to remind you to get your kosher recipe posts to shilohmuse@yahoo.com for the first ever Kosher Cooking Carnival! Anything, as long as it's kosher! G-d willing, bli neder, the carnival will be monthly. And put a blurb on your blog inviting one and all to send in recipes. Thanks
And I'd like to remind you to get your kosher recipe posts to shilohmuse@yahoo.com for the first ever Kosher Cooking Carnival! Anything, as long as it's kosher! G-d willing, bli neder, the carnival will be monthly. And put a blurb on your blog inviting one and all to send in recipes. Thanks
Sunday, January 22, 2006
What next?
There was a time when we thought of our politicians as leaders, as moral and patriotic standard bearers. Now, gevalt, is about the nicest I can think of. I was never one for cursing.
A shockingly large percentage of Israeli Knesset Members are criminals, and I'm not referring to the "founding fathers" who were considered "rebels" and "terrorists" by the British sixty years ago. I'm referring to bribery and all sorts of financial crimes. Of course the really big ones seem immune from punishment, but many societies seem to think that there are different laws for the powerful.
Today while riding home to Shiloh from Jerusalem I was amazed at the fantastically gorgeous, enormous mansions being built by the Arabs. They're allowed to expand their settlements without anybody showing concern or threatening them with expulsion. There are no UN resolutions or statements by Bush and Rice calling them obstacles to peace. They can build and plant to their hearts' desire, and not only doesn't anyone think it's bad, they're encouraged. People come from all over the world, even Jews, to help them. Today I spoke to an old friend who said that a Jewish relative of theirs came to help the Arabs pick olives, to make up for the "crimes" the Israelis have done. Duh? What crimes? We're the victims here!
A short distance from the Arab mansions we passed Givat Asaf, a small Jewish community of young Jewish families living in old decrepit caravans, mobile homes. They're at the junction that leads to Beit El. It's the spot where Asaf Hershkowitz, of Ofra, was murdered by Arab terrorists, just a couple of months after the terrorists murdered his father nearby. This is one of the neighborhoods being threatened by Sharon and now Olmert, even though the land isn't owned by Arabs. The only land owners in the area are Jewish.
It has finally been revealed that anti-Disengagement demonstrators did not throw acid onto the police. Here we are a half a year later, and really do you think that the police and the media will apologize for depicting the young, teenage demonstrators as willfully injuring and endangering the big burly police?
Israel's recent Nobel Prize winner for Economics, Prof. Yisrael Aumann of Hebrew University , spoke at the opening of the 6th Annual Herzliya Conference , calling the treatment of the Disengagement evictees, "a national disgrace." He spoke well, but I'm afraid to hear what great announcement Olmert is planning.
I can't forget that Sharon announced his Disengagement Plan to expel thousands of peaceful Jews from their homes in Gush Katif and Northern Samaria two years ago at the 4th Herzliya Conference. Olmert seems to be in a hyper rush to make his mark and mutilate our Land as fast as he can.
We failed in our attempt to stop Disengagement, and now more and more Jews, thousands more are in danger. Olmert is planning on making our main road Judenrein. That's the road we take to Jerusalem. That's the road to Ofra, where my daughter lives with her husband and children. That's the road I travel to get to work. That is the central access road for most people in Shiloh, Eli, Maale Levona, Shvut Rachel and many in the Shomron.
Our basic civil rights are in danger.
If he, G-d forbid, succeeds in closing the road:
A shockingly large percentage of Israeli Knesset Members are criminals, and I'm not referring to the "founding fathers" who were considered "rebels" and "terrorists" by the British sixty years ago. I'm referring to bribery and all sorts of financial crimes. Of course the really big ones seem immune from punishment, but many societies seem to think that there are different laws for the powerful.
Today while riding home to Shiloh from Jerusalem I was amazed at the fantastically gorgeous, enormous mansions being built by the Arabs. They're allowed to expand their settlements without anybody showing concern or threatening them with expulsion. There are no UN resolutions or statements by Bush and Rice calling them obstacles to peace. They can build and plant to their hearts' desire, and not only doesn't anyone think it's bad, they're encouraged. People come from all over the world, even Jews, to help them. Today I spoke to an old friend who said that a Jewish relative of theirs came to help the Arabs pick olives, to make up for the "crimes" the Israelis have done. Duh? What crimes? We're the victims here!
A short distance from the Arab mansions we passed Givat Asaf, a small Jewish community of young Jewish families living in old decrepit caravans, mobile homes. They're at the junction that leads to Beit El. It's the spot where Asaf Hershkowitz, of Ofra, was murdered by Arab terrorists, just a couple of months after the terrorists murdered his father nearby. This is one of the neighborhoods being threatened by Sharon and now Olmert, even though the land isn't owned by Arabs. The only land owners in the area are Jewish.
It has finally been revealed that anti-Disengagement demonstrators did not throw acid onto the police. Here we are a half a year later, and really do you think that the police and the media will apologize for depicting the young, teenage demonstrators as willfully injuring and endangering the big burly police?
Israel's recent Nobel Prize winner for Economics, Prof. Yisrael Aumann of Hebrew University , spoke at the opening of the 6th Annual Herzliya Conference , calling the treatment of the Disengagement evictees, "a national disgrace." He spoke well, but I'm afraid to hear what great announcement Olmert is planning.
I can't forget that Sharon announced his Disengagement Plan to expel thousands of peaceful Jews from their homes in Gush Katif and Northern Samaria two years ago at the 4th Herzliya Conference. Olmert seems to be in a hyper rush to make his mark and mutilate our Land as fast as he can.
We failed in our attempt to stop Disengagement, and now more and more Jews, thousands more are in danger. Olmert is planning on making our main road Judenrein. That's the road we take to Jerusalem. That's the road to Ofra, where my daughter lives with her husband and children. That's the road I travel to get to work. That is the central access road for most people in Shiloh, Eli, Maale Levona, Shvut Rachel and many in the Shomron.
Our basic civil rights are in danger.
If he, G-d forbid, succeeds in closing the road:
- we will not be able to get to work
- we will not be able to visit family and friends
- we will be deprived of our regular commercial and cultural connections
Where are all the "peace loving" "human rights" activists?
Saturday, January 21, 2006
news and movies
I get the NY Times internet "digest," and today there was an article about the terror attack in Tel Aviv. If you click this link, what do you think you will read about? Innocent Israelis injured? Jewish business and buildings damaged? OK, try, click it. I bet that isn't the aticle you wanted or expected. But this is what they featured, what they offered to subscribers all over the world. Nebich, the poor terrorist and his family. Here's an the article from the Times about the Arab terror attack, and here's another from another source. Compare, please.
When I was in NY last week, the big topic of conversation was Spielberg's "Munich." Couples fought over it. Was it good, or bad? One person I spoke to insisted that it really was OK. He felt that the Jewish-Israeli issue was sympathetic.
I haven't seen the movie, and I have no idea when I will. It's a movie made for Hollywood. It wasn't made to be a documentary. It's not a news article, which is supposed to be objective and free of emotion. When the NY Times features a sympathetic story of an Arab terrorist as "news," what can you expect from Hollywood? Even if the movie was from one of the "prouder" Jews in the business...
When I was in NY last week, the big topic of conversation was Spielberg's "Munich." Couples fought over it. Was it good, or bad? One person I spoke to insisted that it really was OK. He felt that the Jewish-Israeli issue was sympathetic.
I haven't seen the movie, and I have no idea when I will. It's a movie made for Hollywood. It wasn't made to be a documentary. It's not a news article, which is supposed to be objective and free of emotion. When the NY Times features a sympathetic story of an Arab terrorist as "news," what can you expect from Hollywood? Even if the movie was from one of the "prouder" Jews in the business...
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Are you confused? You're not alone. But...
The latest election polls, for the upcoming Israeli elections show that half the citizens will vote for....
...well, honestly, they don't know!
It makes you wonder, doesn't it. Actually, it's the best results I've seen so far. Sure gives me some hope, G-d willing, that maybe my fellow Israelis will get some "seichel," common sense.
The various TV stations are competing for viewers, trying to make the elections more exciting. For us it's just academic, since we get only one channel, Channel One. Last night they compared the "three top teams," Likud, Labor and Kadima by comparing the chosen candidates, number by number. (It could have had just been Labor and Likud.)
They said that the elections should be seen as a sports event. Line up the opening fives and see how they compare. And they went on until about twenty. The Jerusalem Post has a poll asking readers to vote which top ten, Labor or Likud, is better. The results at this moment are strongly for the Likud. I guess The Jerusalem Post readership doesn't watch Channel One.
Ha'aretz's poll asks what we think of Olmert's "war" on the outposts. I didn't like the choices, and not too many voted for what I chose.
The "poll" that has me the most worried is my own private one. It's the conversations I've had with people who tell me that they aren't planning on voting at all. What's terrifying is that we agree on all of the issues. They should be voting for the same party I will vote for. The problem is that they just don't see the point in voting. They don't trust the system; they don't trust the politicians, even "ours;" they don't trust the judicial. They are seriously depressed about the state of our nation. I also agree with all of that.
The difference is that I think that we still have to vote. I will not abandon my country to the people who want to destroy it. That's the aim of all that has been going on. The media, the Left, the self-hating Jews cheered on by anti-Semites all over the world all want us to give up, fade away, shuffle off and disappear. They want us to DISENGAGE from our Land and history, from our restored country.
I'm not "...tired of fighting... " Mr. Olmert. You'd be surprised. I know what you've been trying to do to us, demoralize us, exhaust us. We're the David to your Goliath. We're the David to your Saul. And we're the Maccabee to your Hellenist.
I realize that the most important campaign is to convince my friends and neighbors to vote against you in Kadima and against your supporters in Labor and Likud and even Mafdal, because you're all the same. You all believe that parts of our Holy Land should be Judenrein, empty of Jews. As far as I'm concerned, there's no, absolutely no reason for us to abandon our Land and hand it over to terrorists. Neither praise nor prizes could ever tempt me.
Money can't buy me love and Land won't buy peace.
No, I'm not confused, Baruch Hashem, Thank G-d.
...well, honestly, they don't know!
It makes you wonder, doesn't it. Actually, it's the best results I've seen so far. Sure gives me some hope, G-d willing, that maybe my fellow Israelis will get some "seichel," common sense.
The various TV stations are competing for viewers, trying to make the elections more exciting. For us it's just academic, since we get only one channel, Channel One. Last night they compared the "three top teams," Likud, Labor and Kadima by comparing the chosen candidates, number by number. (It could have had just been Labor and Likud.)
They said that the elections should be seen as a sports event. Line up the opening fives and see how they compare. And they went on until about twenty. The Jerusalem Post has a poll asking readers to vote which top ten, Labor or Likud, is better. The results at this moment are strongly for the Likud. I guess The Jerusalem Post readership doesn't watch Channel One.
Ha'aretz's poll asks what we think of Olmert's "war" on the outposts. I didn't like the choices, and not too many voted for what I chose.
The "poll" that has me the most worried is my own private one. It's the conversations I've had with people who tell me that they aren't planning on voting at all. What's terrifying is that we agree on all of the issues. They should be voting for the same party I will vote for. The problem is that they just don't see the point in voting. They don't trust the system; they don't trust the politicians, even "ours;" they don't trust the judicial. They are seriously depressed about the state of our nation. I also agree with all of that.
The difference is that I think that we still have to vote. I will not abandon my country to the people who want to destroy it. That's the aim of all that has been going on. The media, the Left, the self-hating Jews cheered on by anti-Semites all over the world all want us to give up, fade away, shuffle off and disappear. They want us to DISENGAGE from our Land and history, from our restored country.
I'm not "...tired of fighting... " Mr. Olmert. You'd be surprised. I know what you've been trying to do to us, demoralize us, exhaust us. We're the David to your Goliath. We're the David to your Saul. And we're the Maccabee to your Hellenist.
I realize that the most important campaign is to convince my friends and neighbors to vote against you in Kadima and against your supporters in Labor and Likud and even Mafdal, because you're all the same. You all believe that parts of our Holy Land should be Judenrein, empty of Jews. As far as I'm concerned, there's no, absolutely no reason for us to abandon our Land and hand it over to terrorists. Neither praise nor prizes could ever tempt me.
Money can't buy me love and Land won't buy peace.
No, I'm not confused, Baruch Hashem, Thank G-d.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Meet Kadima!
The mask is off! The guy in charge wasn't that old, rolly, polly grandpa type with the big smile and ready laugh. OK, until he announced he was throwing thousands of Jews out of their homes, destroying synagogues, schools and businesses just to give it all to the Arabs, he couldn't have won a popularity contest anywhere in the world, except YESHA--Judea, Samaria and Gaza.
It was only when Ariel Sharon turned on his friends that the Israeli media, the "tzfonim," (Israeli elite,) the UN and international movers and shakers decided that he was Santa without the red hat. And now, when he's in that "living death" in Hadassa Hospital, we see that the disengaged from Jewish values, tradition and Land policies are continuing with Ehud Olmert, as Prime Minister.
Actually, it's becoming very clear that Ehud Olmert was directing things all along. Now, even though he's technically just a "substitute" Prime Minister, he's making real policy, dangerous policy. He has "declared war" on what he terms "illegal Jewish settlements," even neighborhoods that have gotten government support. He has been sending dozens of riot police to terrorize Jewish families living in Chevron. Any complaint by Arabs against Jews is taken more than seriously, while Jews are punished for defending themselves against Arab aggression.
The transition between Sharon and Olmert is too smooth for Sharon to have had been calling the shots.
Tonight I made a point of watching some news on TV. I had been away for a week and needed to get a handle of what was really going on, the "mood" of the country and all that.
I was surprised to see an unusually animated Tzachi Hanegbi explaining how Kadima's internal structure, where a small elite, even one person, will choose the list of Kenesset candidates, is perfectly fine.
He went on voicing a cynicism that saddened me for two reasons. One is that it's still hard for me to see Geula Cohen's son as a cold, unprincipled cynic and also, because it's probably true. It really hurts that so many Israelis support what Sharon did in Disengagement.
Why are people attracted to bullies? Is it related to the Stockholm Syndrome? That's the phenomena in which victims become emotionally attached to the abuser, even defending him and being fearful of leaving him.
I was just in New York for a week, and I couldn't get over the concern for Sharon's health. People keep hoping that he'll recover. I keep seeing the Disengagement victims before my eyes, and I'm more concerned about them. But it was rare to hear anybody voicing concern over the people Arik Sharon "disengaged" from their homes.
Now I'm back, and see that Ehud Olmert is very comfortable in the role of Prime Minister. Tzachi was trying to paint a picture of a lovely "supermarket of opinions," within the leadership of Kadima. He considers it one of the strong points of his new party. Olmert to the left and him to the right; that's what he's selling. But remember, you had the same spread in the Likud. It just had a different reputation. It was considered "right wing."
But Kadima's modern, up-to-date. Within a couple of days of opening membership, thousands signed up by internet. I can't answer "why?" None of it attracts me. I want a political party with ideals and faith.
It was only when Ariel Sharon turned on his friends that the Israeli media, the "tzfonim," (Israeli elite,) the UN and international movers and shakers decided that he was Santa without the red hat. And now, when he's in that "living death" in Hadassa Hospital, we see that the disengaged from Jewish values, tradition and Land policies are continuing with Ehud Olmert, as Prime Minister.
Actually, it's becoming very clear that Ehud Olmert was directing things all along. Now, even though he's technically just a "substitute" Prime Minister, he's making real policy, dangerous policy. He has "declared war" on what he terms "illegal Jewish settlements," even neighborhoods that have gotten government support. He has been sending dozens of riot police to terrorize Jewish families living in Chevron. Any complaint by Arabs against Jews is taken more than seriously, while Jews are punished for defending themselves against Arab aggression.
The transition between Sharon and Olmert is too smooth for Sharon to have had been calling the shots.
Tonight I made a point of watching some news on TV. I had been away for a week and needed to get a handle of what was really going on, the "mood" of the country and all that.
I was surprised to see an unusually animated Tzachi Hanegbi explaining how Kadima's internal structure, where a small elite, even one person, will choose the list of Kenesset candidates, is perfectly fine.
"In actuality, the people don't really care if it's a committee of a few dozen, hundred, thousands or just one."
He went on voicing a cynicism that saddened me for two reasons. One is that it's still hard for me to see Geula Cohen's son as a cold, unprincipled cynic and also, because it's probably true. It really hurts that so many Israelis support what Sharon did in Disengagement.
Why are people attracted to bullies? Is it related to the Stockholm Syndrome? That's the phenomena in which victims become emotionally attached to the abuser, even defending him and being fearful of leaving him.
I was just in New York for a week, and I couldn't get over the concern for Sharon's health. People keep hoping that he'll recover. I keep seeing the Disengagement victims before my eyes, and I'm more concerned about them. But it was rare to hear anybody voicing concern over the people Arik Sharon "disengaged" from their homes.
Now I'm back, and see that Ehud Olmert is very comfortable in the role of Prime Minister. Tzachi was trying to paint a picture of a lovely "supermarket of opinions," within the leadership of Kadima. He considers it one of the strong points of his new party. Olmert to the left and him to the right; that's what he's selling. But remember, you had the same spread in the Likud. It just had a different reputation. It was considered "right wing."
But Kadima's modern, up-to-date. Within a couple of days of opening membership, thousands signed up by internet. I can't answer "why?" None of it attracts me. I want a political party with ideals and faith.
Friday, January 13, 2006
NY, Yes, I'm Here
You've probably noticed that I havent' been blogging. I"m in NY, and just have a few minutes on this. So, sorry for the typos and no graphics, for whatever reason?
*politics*
When I checked in with my family this morining, I heard that cynics are having a field day in Israel. The Shinui Party is "imploding" in my husband's words. It's not enough that the polls have been predicting/reporting that the voters are disenchanted, it seems like its politicians are also giving up on it.
And the Likud? Bibi and ? The experienced Likudniks, those who didn't Kadima! have been given very low, possibly too low to be MK's numbers. But if the polls are right, then Kadima! is searching for more opportunists, so they may as well...
and bad news for the anti-Disengagement crowd, the politician/MK who did the most was not given a better spot. MK Dr. Arye Eldad is only #6 in Moledet. He's #1 with me!
And is Sharon alive or dead? Philosophical question as much as medical. At this point it doesn't matter, as far as the State of Israel. Olmert is the prince, and ....
In the States people are spending more time judging a judge than a president. There have been lots of news aboaut hostage situations. And I think I'll me-ander on it all...
*politics*
When I checked in with my family this morining, I heard that cynics are having a field day in Israel. The Shinui Party is "imploding" in my husband's words. It's not enough that the polls have been predicting/reporting that the voters are disenchanted, it seems like its politicians are also giving up on it.
And the Likud? Bibi and ? The experienced Likudniks, those who didn't Kadima! have been given very low, possibly too low to be MK's numbers. But if the polls are right, then Kadima! is searching for more opportunists, so they may as well...
and bad news for the anti-Disengagement crowd, the politician/MK who did the most was not given a better spot. MK Dr. Arye Eldad is only #6 in Moledet. He's #1 with me!
And is Sharon alive or dead? Philosophical question as much as medical. At this point it doesn't matter, as far as the State of Israel. Olmert is the prince, and ....
In the States people are spending more time judging a judge than a president. There have been lots of news aboaut hostage situations. And I think I'll me-ander on it all...
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
But he's not yet dead, or is he?
The big, famous international Newsweek Magazine has decided to consider Arik Sharon dead, for editorial purposes, and you can read a slew of obituaries. It's so ironic. For decades he was an international pariah. Actually, here, in Israel, too, he was constantly condemned and hated. He was considered the Israeli who had no chance of ever being elected Prime Minister.
They hated him for supporting settlement in the Land of Israel. They hated him for being the bulldozer who cleaned terrrorists out of Gaza, the City of Gaza. They hated him for his role in defeating Egypt in the Yom Kippur War.
Then he was elected Prime Minister, and the still hated him.
But then he announced that for absolutely no reason, without Israel's getting anything in return, he was going to throw good, hardworking innocent Jews out of their homes in Gush Katif and Northern Shomron, and suddenly, they--the "world" and Israel's media and left-wing forgot all the past and loved him.
Did he do it for that love? I don't know. Could be. At the same time, it was discovered that he and his sons were involved with all sorts of "shady dealings," bribes and the like.
It makes you wonder.
They hated him for supporting settlement in the Land of Israel. They hated him for being the bulldozer who cleaned terrrorists out of Gaza, the City of Gaza. They hated him for his role in defeating Egypt in the Yom Kippur War.
Then he was elected Prime Minister, and the still hated him.
But then he announced that for absolutely no reason, without Israel's getting anything in return, he was going to throw good, hardworking innocent Jews out of their homes in Gush Katif and Northern Shomron, and suddenly, they--the "world" and Israel's media and left-wing forgot all the past and loved him.
Did he do it for that love? I don't know. Could be. At the same time, it was discovered that he and his sons were involved with all sorts of "shady dealings," bribes and the like.
It makes you wonder.
Monday, January 9, 2006
Is the sun really shining?
"Is the sun really shining?"
That's what I just asked my neighbor as he jogged past my merpesset, terrace or balcony in Hebrew.
Just a few minutes before I had carefully checked the view through my small western kitchen window. That's where rain clouds gather and warn me of impending storms. All I saw was blue, lovely sky blue, called, "techelet," in Hebrew. So I closed the clothes dryer door, buttoned my bathrobe, put the wet laundry into a basket and went out the door to the merpesset. Boy, was I surprised at the wetness of it, like the rain had been falling until just a second before. The floor and chairs were dripping. So, too, were the tree branches.
Which signs should I be trusting? The cloudless sky to the west or the clouds on the east or the dripping wet surfaces all around?
I decided to take the risk and hang out the wash.
Yesterday, the electrician was over for a few minor repairs after a major one on Friday. Actually, I had asked him to do the minor ones before Friday's emergency. As usual I told him to use the best stuff, whenever there's a choice, and as usual we talked politics. I asked him if, taking into account the politicians' predictions that we'll be "disengaged" from our homes, should I have him use shoddy products that will cost me less and won't last as long.
Olmert's "We are tired of fighting, we are tired of being courageous, we are tired of winning, we are tired of defeating our enemies." policy is bad news for the Jewish People and the State of Israel.
Listening to Olmert is like following the grey-black clouds in the sky, when I have laundry to dry. We have to remember that the sun is actually in its proper place, shining brightly, even when the black clouds are accompanied by thunder and lightening. If G-d sends rain on my laundry, I have to perceive it as free "laundry softener." Today, during our Israeli winter, the 9th of the Hebrew month of Tevet, it should be raining. And the rain is a bracha, a blessing.
Ehud Olmert may be the Prime Minister, call him "acting," "temporary," "lame duck" or whatever. He also may get the position after the results of the March 28th elections. But neither he, nor any other politician, is G-d.
It's G-d who put the sun and the clouds and the moon and the stars in the sky. It's G-d who causes the rain to fall and the flowers to whither from drought.
And it's to G-d, whom we must answer when we leave this world.
And yes. The sun is really shining, even if my laundry gets wetter outside, hanging on the clothesline.
That's what I just asked my neighbor as he jogged past my merpesset, terrace or balcony in Hebrew.
Just a few minutes before I had carefully checked the view through my small western kitchen window. That's where rain clouds gather and warn me of impending storms. All I saw was blue, lovely sky blue, called, "techelet," in Hebrew. So I closed the clothes dryer door, buttoned my bathrobe, put the wet laundry into a basket and went out the door to the merpesset. Boy, was I surprised at the wetness of it, like the rain had been falling until just a second before. The floor and chairs were dripping. So, too, were the tree branches.
Which signs should I be trusting? The cloudless sky to the west or the clouds on the east or the dripping wet surfaces all around?
I decided to take the risk and hang out the wash.
Yesterday, the electrician was over for a few minor repairs after a major one on Friday. Actually, I had asked him to do the minor ones before Friday's emergency. As usual I told him to use the best stuff, whenever there's a choice, and as usual we talked politics. I asked him if, taking into account the politicians' predictions that we'll be "disengaged" from our homes, should I have him use shoddy products that will cost me less and won't last as long.
Olmert's "We are tired of fighting, we are tired of being courageous, we are tired of winning, we are tired of defeating our enemies." policy is bad news for the Jewish People and the State of Israel.
Listening to Olmert is like following the grey-black clouds in the sky, when I have laundry to dry. We have to remember that the sun is actually in its proper place, shining brightly, even when the black clouds are accompanied by thunder and lightening. If G-d sends rain on my laundry, I have to perceive it as free "laundry softener." Today, during our Israeli winter, the 9th of the Hebrew month of Tevet, it should be raining. And the rain is a bracha, a blessing.
Ehud Olmert may be the Prime Minister, call him "acting," "temporary," "lame duck" or whatever. He also may get the position after the results of the March 28th elections. But neither he, nor any other politician, is G-d.
It's G-d who put the sun and the clouds and the moon and the stars in the sky. It's G-d who causes the rain to fall and the flowers to whither from drought.
And it's to G-d, whom we must answer when we leave this world.
And yes. The sun is really shining, even if my laundry gets wetter outside, hanging on the clothesline.
#52 HH
The 52nd Havel Havelim hosted by Israel Perspectives leaves me out of breath, so jam-packed with interesting posts. There's so much to read, including a few of mine. Great job!
Sunday, January 8, 2006
Just like Rock n Roll
With all that's going on in the Israeli political scene, it reminds me of that old Rock n Roll line from :
Whole lot of shaking going on by Bill Haley and His Comets
It sure does!
Arik Sharon, who not even the most "optimistic" prognosis, will no longer be Prime Minister, is under deep sedation in Jerusalem's Hadassa Hospital, Ein Kerem. In the meantime, Israeli politicians seem to be running around, like chickens without heads.
Actually, I'd like to correct that. Everybody but Ehud Olmert is running around clueless. I'd say the Olmert is well prepared for his new role. That's not to say that I want him as Prime Minister. Though I must admit that I did predict that he'd hold the office. He has more administrative experience than any other politician. He was Mayor of Jerusalem and was a very involved mayor. Most other Knesset Members and ministers are incapable of running their offices, while Olmert ran a city, one of the most complex in the world.
On the left, the Labor Party is trying to convince its members to return from Kadima. And the Likud seems paralyzed, trying to decide whether to stay in the government or not.
Not much is being heard from the NRP, which seems to be like a childless woman desperate to marry before her "biological clock" stops. The only problem is that it wants its partner to adopt all of the traditional NRP "values." And I doubt if it'll find a partner under those conditions.
We don't seem to be hearing much from Moledet and Tekuma, AKA the National Union, which seems to be shorn of Avigdor Lieberman's party.
All the while, thousands of good Jews are still homeless and unemployed. Most haven't received any compensation, and they're living on bank loans and charity.
But the Kadima crowd is jostling for power. And according to the polls, they will do well, but, it's two and a half months before elections, and who knows what will be by then, because there's "a whole lotta shaking going on."
Whole lot of shaking going on by Bill Haley and His Comets
It sure does!
Arik Sharon, who not even the most "optimistic" prognosis, will no longer be Prime Minister, is under deep sedation in Jerusalem's Hadassa Hospital, Ein Kerem. In the meantime, Israeli politicians seem to be running around, like chickens without heads.
Actually, I'd like to correct that. Everybody but Ehud Olmert is running around clueless. I'd say the Olmert is well prepared for his new role. That's not to say that I want him as Prime Minister. Though I must admit that I did predict that he'd hold the office. He has more administrative experience than any other politician. He was Mayor of Jerusalem and was a very involved mayor. Most other Knesset Members and ministers are incapable of running their offices, while Olmert ran a city, one of the most complex in the world.
On the left, the Labor Party is trying to convince its members to return from Kadima. And the Likud seems paralyzed, trying to decide whether to stay in the government or not.
Not much is being heard from the NRP, which seems to be like a childless woman desperate to marry before her "biological clock" stops. The only problem is that it wants its partner to adopt all of the traditional NRP "values." And I doubt if it'll find a partner under those conditions.
We don't seem to be hearing much from Moledet and Tekuma, AKA the National Union, which seems to be shorn of Avigdor Lieberman's party.
All the while, thousands of good Jews are still homeless and unemployed. Most haven't received any compensation, and they're living on bank loans and charity.
But the Kadima crowd is jostling for power. And according to the polls, they will do well, but, it's two and a half months before elections, and who knows what will be by then, because there's "a whole lotta shaking going on."
Saturday, January 7, 2006
Olmert, the Scrooge
Just a short time ago, everyone was so impressed by how Dr. Daryl Tempkin, of California, managed to gather tons, yes, tons of donations of clothing, medicines and other necessary items for the Disengagement victims. Everything was going well, until Olmert's taxmen got to them. More about it here.
So now all of the donated goods are in storage, because he wants tens of thousands of shekels in taxes. And now's the time to protest.
Here are some suggestions:
I would suggest lots of anti-Olmert protests, now especially, when everything is so sensitive. Small, with big signs, just a few people, so you don't need permits.
Olmert robs Disengagement victims!
Olmert prevents humanitarian gifts to Disengagement victims!
This should be all over the world.
Also, now there will be lots of articles and programs about Olmert, so the world should know who he is, since he's the "acting, or substitute" Israeli Prime Minister, and he's the new "number one" in the Kadima Party. It's the perfect time to write your newspapers and call radio shows to tell of his cruelty.
G-d willing, we'll be able to change his mind! He'll have to see the the world is shocked by his policies.
here
So now all of the donated goods are in storage, because he wants tens of thousands of shekels in taxes. And now's the time to protest.
Here are some suggestions:
I would suggest lots of anti-Olmert protests, now especially, when everything is so sensitive. Small, with big signs, just a few people, so you don't need permits.
Olmert robs Disengagement victims!
Olmert prevents humanitarian gifts to Disengagement victims!
This should be all over the world.
Also, now there will be lots of articles and programs about Olmert, so the world should know who he is, since he's the "acting, or substitute" Israeli Prime Minister, and he's the new "number one" in the Kadima Party. It's the perfect time to write your newspapers and call radio shows to tell of his cruelty.
G-d willing, we'll be able to change his mind! He'll have to see the the world is shocked by his policies.
here
Friday, January 6, 2006
We've already mourned
Whether Arik Sharon is still alive, already dead or something in between, it doesn't matter, we've already mourned him.
There was a time when he did more than anyone else to settle our Holy Land. He is the one who told the founders of modern Shiloh that the mountain overlooking the ancient tel would be the perfect place for a nice big neighborhood. I've lived here since September 1, 1981. It was Arik Sharon who brought in the first houses, and so many communities in YESHA can tell you similar stories.
Something happened to him after he became Prime Minister. He changed and went from being a builder to being a destroyer. He announced Disengagement that turned thousands of good Israeli Jews into refugees. So we mourned for the Arik we once knew. That Arik has been dead for a couple of years. Some "other being" has been inhabiting his ample body. Now the body is going to its maker. I'm not a prophet and can't tell you when it will no longer breathe.
The soul left it a long time ago.
Baruch Dayan Ha'Emet
There was a time when he did more than anyone else to settle our Holy Land. He is the one who told the founders of modern Shiloh that the mountain overlooking the ancient tel would be the perfect place for a nice big neighborhood. I've lived here since September 1, 1981. It was Arik Sharon who brought in the first houses, and so many communities in YESHA can tell you similar stories.
Something happened to him after he became Prime Minister. He changed and went from being a builder to being a destroyer. He announced Disengagement that turned thousands of good Israeli Jews into refugees. So we mourned for the Arik we once knew. That Arik has been dead for a couple of years. Some "other being" has been inhabiting his ample body. Now the body is going to its maker. I'm not a prophet and can't tell you when it will no longer breathe.
The soul left it a long time ago.
Baruch Dayan Ha'Emet
Praying?
In the teachers room, there was much debate and discussion about Sharon and prayers. What prayers does he deserve? There's a lot of bitterness and debate. Some teachers reminded us that his past is not all black. He did contribute a lot to the State of Israel and YESHA, too. Some reported that some of the students are extremely "anti," but there are even those cursing Rabbi Aviner.
Emotions are high, strong. We debated the timing of all this. Some wished it had been sooner, to wishfully have cancelled Disengagement, but that's a moot point now. Others had wished his medical crisis had been a bit later, like a few weeks before elections, since Olmert now has plenty of time to reorganize, or organize the Kadima Party under his direct leadership. Yes, direct, since I'm sure he had been playing Sharon as a master puppeteer.
Beit El, where I teach and Shiloh, where I live are far from the ghetto walls being built in our holy land. We're being locked out by Sharon and Olmert's government. Of course that colors our thoughts and feelings. We don't want to be included in the walled ghetto, we just don't want a wall!
So, yes we're praying. We're praying for the survival of a country. Please join our prayers.
Emotions are high, strong. We debated the timing of all this. Some wished it had been sooner, to wishfully have cancelled Disengagement, but that's a moot point now. Others had wished his medical crisis had been a bit later, like a few weeks before elections, since Olmert now has plenty of time to reorganize, or organize the Kadima Party under his direct leadership. Yes, direct, since I'm sure he had been playing Sharon as a master puppeteer.
Beit El, where I teach and Shiloh, where I live are far from the ghetto walls being built in our holy land. We're being locked out by Sharon and Olmert's government. Of course that colors our thoughts and feelings. We don't want to be included in the walled ghetto, we just don't want a wall!
So, yes we're praying. We're praying for the survival of a country. Please join our prayers.
Thursday, January 5, 2006
News...
Well, everyone is waiting for the announcement about PM Sharon's condition. Considering his weight and habits, he has survived lots longer than statistics would predict. And considering how much damage he has done to the State of Israel, he has lasted longer than he should have.
I'm sure that Olmert, the acting Prime Minister is happy that he has lasted this long. On his own, Olmert would never have made it so big so fast. His grass-root support in the Likud wasn't strong after a couple of terms as Jerusalem Mayor. That is especially after a statement of his was used to support Ehud Barak in his PM campaign against Bibi.
Now we have Olmert, since there's no way that anyone, young or old can function after the massive brain damage Ariel Sharon suffered last night.
Olmert stated that Israel needed Disengagement, because it was "too tired to fight!" Those aren't the words of a leader. Let him retire and leave politics, but instead we're now stuck with Olmert, whom I believe has been the power/brains behind all of what Sharon has been doing these past couple of years.
Now the question is whether all of those who have been telling the pollsters that they'll vote for Sharon will be willing to vote for Olmert and the pathetic crew of opportunists who have been fleeing their previous political parties to join Kadima.
Simply put, my read on the subject is that most Israeli voters are confused and will decide at the very last minute. That means that there's very little accurasy to the polls.
Of course, we have no way of knowing what other "bombshells" will explode on the political scene, and that includes the bombs that have been falling on the north
and south of Israel since Disengagement.
I'm sure that Olmert, the acting Prime Minister is happy that he has lasted this long. On his own, Olmert would never have made it so big so fast. His grass-root support in the Likud wasn't strong after a couple of terms as Jerusalem Mayor. That is especially after a statement of his was used to support Ehud Barak in his PM campaign against Bibi.
Now we have Olmert, since there's no way that anyone, young or old can function after the massive brain damage Ariel Sharon suffered last night.
Olmert stated that Israel needed Disengagement, because it was "too tired to fight!" Those aren't the words of a leader. Let him retire and leave politics, but instead we're now stuck with Olmert, whom I believe has been the power/brains behind all of what Sharon has been doing these past couple of years.
Now the question is whether all of those who have been telling the pollsters that they'll vote for Sharon will be willing to vote for Olmert and the pathetic crew of opportunists who have been fleeing their previous political parties to join Kadima.
Simply put, my read on the subject is that most Israeli voters are confused and will decide at the very last minute. That means that there's very little accurasy to the polls.
Of course, we have no way of knowing what other "bombshells" will explode on the political scene, and that includes the bombs that have been falling on the north
and south of Israel since Disengagement.
Wednesday, January 4, 2006
NRP, Yisrael Beiteinu and the Likud?
That sure is some strange kettle of fish! Honestly, never in a million years would I have guessed that the NRP would go with the Likud and Avigdor Liberman. this shows that Orlev is in charge, and he sees himself, and his party, as centrist, not right wing. Also Liberman has been speaking "diplomatically," trying not to be like Moledet.
And Likud? They're in such bad shape, they need some new blood. I guess that will leave Moledet and Tekuma as the true patriotic parties in the National Union.
Of course, it may never happen...
And Likud? They're in such bad shape, they need some new blood. I guess that will leave Moledet and Tekuma as the true patriotic parties in the National Union.
Of course, it may never happen...
more on scrubbing the Teflon off Sharon
Read The Sin of Expulsion; it has expanded on and quoted from Teflon Test!
Teflon Test
Teflon's not just for cooking fat free. Ever since left-wing America, clueless to Ronnie Reagan's scratch-proof popularity, dubbed him "the Teflon President," the term has been used by many to describe people who manage to emerge unscathed from suspicion and scandals. Even I used it to describe the Teflon Terrorism, whom otherwise "peace-loving" people adore.
Israeli politicians, especially those who have fled veteran parties and joined Kadima are in special need for strong Teflon coats. It seems that considering their varied political backgrounds, the one thing they have in common is corruption charges, not very attractive to some Israelis, but according to the polls, they're doing very well.
There are daily revelations of Prime Minister Sharon's dirty dealings. The latest is a three million dollar bribe.
A year and a half ago, I accompanied my parents to the Israeli Supreme Court to watch my daughter in action as a lawyer with the Israel Movement for Quality in Government. They were petitioning against the court's ignoring bribery charges against Sharon and son, Gilad.
I had the challenging task of translating hours of Hebrew legalese and double-talk into basic English. Simply, the court decided that Mazuz's excuse that he had "secret reasons" was sufficient. That's Israeli justice. They definitely use special tools to keep the Teflon scratch free. The Supreme Court President Justice Aharon Barak has an agenda, as he calls it. It's promoting his vision of what Israel should be, and he unabashadly makes his court decisions to suit. No, this isn't "government" as I learned it in America.
The big question is: Does the Israeli public fry its eggs on Teflon? I don't. I don't trust that it's healthy. We're going to have to clean out all of the corruption. Let's get out the steel wool and start scrubbing.
Israeli politicians, especially those who have fled veteran parties and joined Kadima are in special need for strong Teflon coats. It seems that considering their varied political backgrounds, the one thing they have in common is corruption charges, not very attractive to some Israelis, but according to the polls, they're doing very well.
There are daily revelations of Prime Minister Sharon's dirty dealings. The latest is a three million dollar bribe.
A year and a half ago, I accompanied my parents to the Israeli Supreme Court to watch my daughter in action as a lawyer with the Israel Movement for Quality in Government. They were petitioning against the court's ignoring bribery charges against Sharon and son, Gilad.
I had the challenging task of translating hours of Hebrew legalese and double-talk into basic English. Simply, the court decided that Mazuz's excuse that he had "secret reasons" was sufficient. That's Israeli justice. They definitely use special tools to keep the Teflon scratch free. The Supreme Court President Justice Aharon Barak has an agenda, as he calls it. It's promoting his vision of what Israel should be, and he unabashadly makes his court decisions to suit. No, this isn't "government" as I learned it in America.
The big question is: Does the Israeli public fry its eggs on Teflon? I don't. I don't trust that it's healthy. We're going to have to clean out all of the corruption. Let's get out the steel wool and start scrubbing.
Tuesday, January 3, 2006
#156 The Red Line
Musings #156
January 3, 2006
The 3rd of Tevet
The Red Line
The weather in Israel can be considered the barometer of our spiritual level. According to Chazal, our sages, it depends on how well we observe the "mitzvot," the commandments G-d gave us. Israel is presently suffering a drought. No surprise!
This winter has been pretty dry, and there's no rain on the horizon. For a few weeks, the rabbis had ordered us to add a special prayer, traditionally said during droughts, but after one nice rainfall, it was cancelled, and then the drought resumed.
Last night, the second of January and the very end of Chanukah, we were at a wedding. The "chupah," ceremony was out of doors under a clear and starry sky. It was so "pleasant," that I didn't even put on my gloves, and we were in Jerusalem. It made a nice wedding, especially for the visitors from the southern hemisphere, but what price will we be paying for this consistently warm, dry weather?
I've been in Israel thirty-five years, and during years like this, we'd be hearing how the water level of the Kineret, Sea of Galilee, has dropped below the red line. We'd be advised to save water and other practical measures. This year, the "red line" is rarely mentioned, and saving water never is. Cleaning with high powered hoses is common, so are water-guzzling lawns and flower gardens.
I'm scared. This "lovely weather" isn't a blessing; it's a curse, a punishment from G-d. At some point we will have to pay for it, and the price will be very heavy, very high and unpleasant.
As of today, January 3, 2006, according to the Israel Meteorological Service the Kineret, Sea of Galilee is minus 211.66 meters, and we're in the middle of the winter. In recent years, the Israeli policy has been to just lower what it calls the "red line." That way there's no need to panic and take precautions. As long as the government says there's plenty of water, most people happily go on wasting water. Why should they skimp and suffer, if there's government approval for all the excess? A couple of years ago there were plans of importing tanks of water from Turkey. It just costs money, and the voters reject politicians that make them face reality.
The Jewish religion is agricultural; the early, non-observant Zionist pioneers accurately took advantage of this fact, making up new ceremonies to suit their lives. Traditional Jews pray for rain at the end of the fall Succot holiday and then continue with a phrase asking for a quantity of precipitation that would be a blessing each time we say the "Amida," or "Shmoneh Esreh" prayer.
The Bible clearly states in Deuteronomy 11:13–17 that the quantity of rain is a direct punishment or reward according to how we obey G-d.
Deut 11:13-15
Israel was restored in 1948 after a long difficult war, not only against the Arab countries, but also against Great Britain which didn't want to give up the Mandate and allow us independence. I strongly suspect that many of the countries of the United Nations which voted in favor of an independent Jewish State only did so, because they were certain that we wouldn't succeed and would have to either call in international help or even be wiped out. Don't act so shocked! Remember that during the Holocaust, when six million Jews were being murdered, not a single solitary country attacked the Nazis to save the Jews.
Less than twenty years later, in 1967, there was a miraculous Israeli victory over the Arab aggressors, resulting in Israel liberating its Biblical, Historic Homeland. Nobody could have predicted it. It was a total act of G-d. While that was still fresh in our minds, and we were over-confident, the Arabs attacked us again, on our holiest day, Yom Kippur, 1973. It looked like Israel was finished; but again, a great miracle and we were victorious. And now, what has Israel done to thank G-d?
We have rejected, wasted and destroyed G-d's gifts to us. No People has ever been luckier, more blessed, and no People has ever been so foolish, no let's use the real word, suicidal.
Since Menachem Begin's election as Israeli Prime Minister in 1977, and his announcement that he would "make peace" and give Egypt a gift of the Sinai and destroy all Jewish communities there, we have been weakening and destroying our country. That was followed by Shamir's Madrid Conference, the Rabin-Peres Oslo Accords, Bibi's Wye and Sharon's Disengagement. Each one chipped away more and more of our security, sovereignty and Precious Land; this resulted in the successful use of "salami tactics" in order to gradually weaken and destroy us, G-d forbid.
Considering all, I'm not at all surprised that there's a drought this year. We deserve punishment from G-d. We crossed the red line.
And now we must gathers our forces and sincerely repent.
Batya Medad, Shiloh
Copyright©2005BatyaMedad, Contact me for publication permission; private distribution encouraged.
Shilohmuse@yahoo.com
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/
http://me-ander.blogspot.com/
http://samizdatblogfree.blogspot.com/
http://shilohpics.blogspot.com/
http://www.shilo.org.il
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA
January 3, 2006
The 3rd of Tevet
The Red Line
The weather in Israel can be considered the barometer of our spiritual level. According to Chazal, our sages, it depends on how well we observe the "mitzvot," the commandments G-d gave us. Israel is presently suffering a drought. No surprise!
This winter has been pretty dry, and there's no rain on the horizon. For a few weeks, the rabbis had ordered us to add a special prayer, traditionally said during droughts, but after one nice rainfall, it was cancelled, and then the drought resumed.
Last night, the second of January and the very end of Chanukah, we were at a wedding. The "chupah," ceremony was out of doors under a clear and starry sky. It was so "pleasant," that I didn't even put on my gloves, and we were in Jerusalem. It made a nice wedding, especially for the visitors from the southern hemisphere, but what price will we be paying for this consistently warm, dry weather?
I've been in Israel thirty-five years, and during years like this, we'd be hearing how the water level of the Kineret, Sea of Galilee, has dropped below the red line. We'd be advised to save water and other practical measures. This year, the "red line" is rarely mentioned, and saving water never is. Cleaning with high powered hoses is common, so are water-guzzling lawns and flower gardens.
I'm scared. This "lovely weather" isn't a blessing; it's a curse, a punishment from G-d. At some point we will have to pay for it, and the price will be very heavy, very high and unpleasant.
As of today, January 3, 2006, according to the Israel Meteorological Service the Kineret, Sea of Galilee is minus 211.66 meters, and we're in the middle of the winter. In recent years, the Israeli policy has been to just lower what it calls the "red line." That way there's no need to panic and take precautions. As long as the government says there's plenty of water, most people happily go on wasting water. Why should they skimp and suffer, if there's government approval for all the excess? A couple of years ago there were plans of importing tanks of water from Turkey. It just costs money, and the voters reject politicians that make them face reality.
The Jewish religion is agricultural; the early, non-observant Zionist pioneers accurately took advantage of this fact, making up new ceremonies to suit their lives. Traditional Jews pray for rain at the end of the fall Succot holiday and then continue with a phrase asking for a quantity of precipitation that would be a blessing each time we say the "Amida," or "Shmoneh Esreh" prayer.
The Bible clearly states in Deuteronomy 11:13–17 that the quantity of rain is a direct punishment or reward according to how we obey G-d.
Deut 11:13-15
13 So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today-- to love the LORD your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul--
14 then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil.
15 I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied.(NIV)
Israel was restored in 1948 after a long difficult war, not only against the Arab countries, but also against Great Britain which didn't want to give up the Mandate and allow us independence. I strongly suspect that many of the countries of the United Nations which voted in favor of an independent Jewish State only did so, because they were certain that we wouldn't succeed and would have to either call in international help or even be wiped out. Don't act so shocked! Remember that during the Holocaust, when six million Jews were being murdered, not a single solitary country attacked the Nazis to save the Jews.
Less than twenty years later, in 1967, there was a miraculous Israeli victory over the Arab aggressors, resulting in Israel liberating its Biblical, Historic Homeland. Nobody could have predicted it. It was a total act of G-d. While that was still fresh in our minds, and we were over-confident, the Arabs attacked us again, on our holiest day, Yom Kippur, 1973. It looked like Israel was finished; but again, a great miracle and we were victorious. And now, what has Israel done to thank G-d?
We have rejected, wasted and destroyed G-d's gifts to us. No People has ever been luckier, more blessed, and no People has ever been so foolish, no let's use the real word, suicidal.
Since Menachem Begin's election as Israeli Prime Minister in 1977, and his announcement that he would "make peace" and give Egypt a gift of the Sinai and destroy all Jewish communities there, we have been weakening and destroying our country. That was followed by Shamir's Madrid Conference, the Rabin-Peres Oslo Accords, Bibi's Wye and Sharon's Disengagement. Each one chipped away more and more of our security, sovereignty and Precious Land; this resulted in the successful use of "salami tactics" in order to gradually weaken and destroy us, G-d forbid.
Considering all, I'm not at all surprised that there's a drought this year. We deserve punishment from G-d. We crossed the red line.
And now we must gathers our forces and sincerely repent.
Batya Medad, Shiloh
Copyright©2005BatyaMedad, Contact me for publication permission; private distribution encouraged.
Shilohmuse@yahoo.com
http://shilohmusings.blogspot.com/
http://me-ander.blogspot.com/
http://samizdatblogfree.blogspot.com/
http://shilohpics.blogspot.com/
http://www.shilo.org.il
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 559 Nathan Abbott Way, Stanford, California 94305, USA
Monday, January 2, 2006
BOMS away, and...
It's that time of the week, again. The latest BOMS is up and running. Catch it for some very interesting posts.
I must be nuts, since I really do want to start the Kosher Recipe Carnival. Please spread the word, and get your links to kosher, not necessarily Jewish, recipes in by the third Thursday in each month. Please make sure the links work, and the post tells something about the recipe. I won't be surfing/searching for recipes. So it's up to you! Send to: shilohmuse at yahoo dot com
Thanks
I must be nuts, since I really do want to start the Kosher Recipe Carnival. Please spread the word, and get your links to kosher, not necessarily Jewish, recipes in by the third Thursday in each month. Please make sure the links work, and the post tells something about the recipe. I won't be surfing/searching for recipes. So it's up to you! Send to: shilohmuse at yahoo dot com
Thanks
You know what they say...
"A lie told often enough becomes the truth."
Lenin, Russian Communist politician & revolutionary (1870 - 1924)
and according to Mark Twain:
The history of our race, and each individual's experience, are sown thick with evidence that a truth is not hard to kill and that a lie told well is immortal.
Mark Twain (1835 - 1910), Advice to Youth
You know what they say about telling lies, tell them often enough, and people will believe them. Does that make them "true?"
The entire "Palestinian people" is a legend. There's no historical proof, no history, no unique culture. It was invented in the 20th century.
And the Israeli insistence that terror decreases after each territorial withdrawal is another lie. Pre-Oslo Israel was a safer place. The same about Disengagement, though the government wants us to believe otherwise. The truth is that Israel is in more danger now than it was before.
Sunday, January 1, 2006
Back in the saddle, while others fall off
I'm back in my blogging saddle after spending time with family and friends, to be described a bit later on me-ander. And I finally finished the latest Havel Havelim, so I'll ready to rock an' roll, if you don't mind my mixing metaphors or whatever.
I hadn't heard or read much news since Shabbat which is actually Thursday's stale news in the papers. So, even though I'm not a fan of Moshe Feiglin, I was dissapointed that he got out of the saddle of sorts and won't run for Knesset. This seems especially foolish, since the law would also apply to icon Sharansky and others considered upstanding, respectable Israelis. I also have major problem with his statement:
The power and pressure of a group of Knesset members is far superior to those on the outside of the government. We saw that his summer during the build-up to Disengagement. There is no effective leadership outside of the government. Having followers and "being right" aren't enough.
He should have fought, and he should have used that "law" to compare himself to Sharansky and others accepted by the establishment and masses.
But, then again, I never agreed with his strategies, though I did vote for him in the Likud elections.
I hadn't heard or read much news since Shabbat which is actually Thursday's stale news in the papers. So, even though I'm not a fan of Moshe Feiglin, I was dissapointed that he got out of the saddle of sorts and won't run for Knesset. This seems especially foolish, since the law would also apply to icon Sharansky and others considered upstanding, respectable Israelis. I also have major problem with his statement:
Don't forget, our goal is not necessarily to be in the Knesset, but to take leadership.
The power and pressure of a group of Knesset members is far superior to those on the outside of the government. We saw that his summer during the build-up to Disengagement. There is no effective leadership outside of the government. Having followers and "being right" aren't enough.
He should have fought, and he should have used that "law" to compare himself to Sharansky and others accepted by the establishment and masses.
But, then again, I never agreed with his strategies, though I did vote for him in the Likud elections.
Havel Havelim #51
Happy 87th Birthday, Uncle George, ad me'ah v'esrim shannah!
Here are Uncle George and his younger, by 19 months brother, my father.
and now for...
HAVEL HAVELIM!!
Havel Havelim #51
Celebrates Chanukah and Uncle George's 87th Birthday!
There are eight days in the Chanukah holiday, and it takes eight days for me to "do" a Havel Havelim. This will be presented in "diary form" from today, Sunday the 25th of December, or the 24th of Kislev, and G-d willing, I'll complete this one week from now on January 1, Rosh Chodesh Tevet.
Day 1
Even before Soccer Dad and this week's host, Daled Amos, have presented this week's edition, I'm already hard at work writing the introduction. I also cleaned out the old "hh" mailbox in my yahoo and even added a few new posts and links. Since my last edition I've been adding to my email list of bloggers, and as soon as this week's is out, I'll send a reminder to everyone.Let's start with something cheerful. If you haven't seen this, now's the time!
First prize for the very first submission goes to Crossing the Rubicon2; yes it's just perfect to open the show. I promised Arlene Peck that I'd post her when she opened a blog, so read her latest.If you're still looking for easy-to-make sufganiyot…they really are easy.
Yes, there was a Judah Maccabee, and if you have any doubts, ask Blog d'Elisson.
I blogged in the morning, and I blogged at night, day one.
Day 2
Day 3
It's late and I'm tired.I blogged in the morning, and I blogged at night, day five.
Day 6
Good morning. It's Friday, and we're getting towards the end of creation, creation of #51 that is. I requested that posts be sent to me before Shabbat, so I could have it mostly complete by then. Of course, I also have to look for some new bloggers. And I found an "olah chadasha," new immigrant to Israel. Read about Yael's adventures.
And for More on Munich read Jewish Current Issues.
Rachel Ann gets it right; mazal tov.
Mirty has Mixed feelings about Chanukah. Did I spell it right?
And Blogus Erratus has complications.
Ezzie tells us about the new blog for Jewish professionals.
Jewschool takes us to a wedding.
Growing evidence of hidden Jewish communities in unlikely places on Yeshaya 62:1.
Meryl Yourish.com has a great post on A.P.
Jameel spends some quality time with his daughter.
Ben Chorin tells us about an evening with Nobel Prize Winner Prof. Aumann.
If You Will It, it's a small world, and read his daily Chanukah diary. Celestial Blue notices some unpleasant things happening in Israel.
Joe Settler takes us to an illegal outpost.
And since the Rock of Galilee is gathering no moss this Chanukah, where should they light candles?
I agree with westbankmamma in that we are giving our kids childhoods that resemble the middle of the previous century, like when I was raised. And I think that it's wonderful!The Balabusta in blue jeans mentions that her husband takes his latkes with ketchup. It reminds me that my daughter was horrified to see her 9 month old baby grab and gobble up a greasy latke at the Betar Reunion. Even worse, she grabbed it from my hands. Bad Savta Batya!
Shaister tells us about the Avengers, who are now in their eighties. Read what they did when much younger.
Daled Amos writes about Spielberg's Munich.
And I had better get back to the kitchen and laundry and other Shabbat preparations.
One of the newer bloggers is well-known Jewish writer, Chava Willig Levy, an old friend of mine. Her grandmother, "Bubby" Willig, was a neighbor of ours in Bayit V'Gan, Jerusalem, and during that time we discovered that Chavie's mother and mine had been friends in high school.
Israel Perspectives gives his opinion about the Labor Party campaign.
And now, before I return to the kitchen and Shabbat preparations, here's A Simple Jew on being a father.
Last try before Shabbat.
Here are Chanuka Belz from Heichal Hanegina.
Check out the Orange Revolution! And a way of saving a life!
I blogged in the morning, and I blogged at night, day six.
Day 7 Shabbat Kodesh
Day 8 of Havel Havelim, and Day 7 of Chanukah and the first day of the week and the first day of the Month of Tevet!
I just got back home and I found a lot of "last minute" posts, so here goes:
Daled amos tells the truth about the "truce."
A whole slew from Ezzie. A couple I may have already been included, but I don't have time to check. It's faster to just put them in again. One, and another about his late grandfather-in-law. About auctions and raffles by SIL. Abbas' hypocrisy and two Chanukah posts. Thanks Ezzie, and will I meet you at the Ben Zakkai dinner?
Something about women from Jameel.
And four just arrived from Israel Perspectives; I don't have time to read them to choose, so I'm linking them all. One, two, three, and four. Judeopundit spins about the "border incident.
"I guess Mirty's hankering to host another, being so helpful and all. She sent me this from the NY's Funniest Rabbi. And one from herself and one from Gil's Hirhurim "musings," Who can retell?A Simple Jew provides questions and answers.
And that's it.
Chodesh Tov, Shavua Tov and Chag Urim Sameach!!!
Send your links for the next edition via Conservative Cat’s handy form, and at the same time you may discover other “carnivals” to visit and enter. If you want to host, then contact Soccer Dad at dhgerstman at hotmail dot com.
This appears in the UberCarnival
Please put up a blurb on your site alerting readers to Havel Havelim.
It will also be posted on me-ander, where the links usually come out better. Just give me another few minutes.
Here are Uncle George and his younger, by 19 months brother, my father.
and now for...
HAVEL HAVELIM!!
Havel Havelim #51
Celebrates Chanukah and Uncle George's 87th Birthday!
There are eight days in the Chanukah holiday, and it takes eight days for me to "do" a Havel Havelim. This will be presented in "diary form" from today, Sunday the 25th of December, or the 24th of Kislev, and G-d willing, I'll complete this one week from now on January 1, Rosh Chodesh Tevet.
Day 1
Even before Soccer Dad and this week's host, Daled Amos, have presented this week's edition, I'm already hard at work writing the introduction. I also cleaned out the old "hh" mailbox in my yahoo and even added a few new posts and links. Since my last edition I've been adding to my email list of bloggers, and as soon as this week's is out, I'll send a reminder to everyone.Let's start with something cheerful. If you haven't seen this, now's the time!
First prize for the very first submission goes to Crossing the Rubicon2; yes it's just perfect to open the show. I promised Arlene Peck that I'd post her when she opened a blog, so read her latest.If you're still looking for easy-to-make sufganiyot…they really are easy.
Yes, there was a Judah Maccabee, and if you have any doubts, ask Blog d'Elisson.
I blogged in the morning, and I blogged at night, day one.
Day 2
It's a cold morning, but there are a couple of hh posts in my mailbox, so here goes:
Food for thought from Irena, of the The IgNoble Experiment, a.k.a. Live Dangerously!,
The Sin of Expulsion: discusses Uzi Landau and the Moshe Feiglin Likud fan club.
Winter, in the eyes of Reb Chaim HaQoton.All caught up (but fingers are frozen) and time for a hot shower! I like this diary method, very efficient. I first saw it in another carnival. As it's said in Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Fathers, we must learn how to learn from one and all.
Help Save a Life! Neshama is a Jewish website that promotes organ donations to save lives. Recently my friend Judith bat Tzippora received a kidney, a gift from a live donor. Refuah shleimah to all of those in need and to all those who donate.
A Current Window gives us Chanukah and Three Layers of Darkness. Jameel tells us about Erev Shabbat Creations - What the Godol Hador Never Addressed and the Muqata Mystique.
My husband, who's in sunny England, tells us about Limmud. Considering how little sun we've had the past few days, who can tell where we are?
This isn't really a blog, but I thought that Israeli home owners would like it.
Heichal HaNegina sings Chanukah. Multiple Mentality reflects on a visit to a reform "shul" for a family simcha.
Day 3
Just a quick start before a "savta day," when I'll accompany Porat and her abba to Jerusalem for errands.
For this second day of Chanukah and third day preparing Havel Havelim, I'll begin with Soccer Dad's reflections. It's a beautiful post, and now I have to pack; G-d willing, I'll resume this later in the day.
After lighting the 3rd candle, or small "pot" of olive oil.
It's just the time to read Irina's Chanukah story.
Yaakov Ish Tam gives his spin on our enemies.
And here's an interesting shiur about Disengagement from Yeshivat Beit El, the Arutz 7 one, not the one in which I teach English.
In the Orange Revolution, there's an interesting post about the Clash between religious, secular not a modern-day Chanukah .
Not Quite Perfect made two perfect Chanukah graphics, and I have a feeling if you check, there will be more by the time HH is posted.
Elie's Expositions shares another sad milestone after the death of his son.
Katif.net is still being updated, so you can keep posted.
Faith in Nathan praises the new immigrants from North America and writes about North American aliya in general.
Smooth Stone makes a very good point that in 1948, the State of Israel wasn't created, it was restored! Thanks, Smooth.
AJHistory by Menachem Butler gives us Samuel Belkin's application to RIETS.
Read Almost Supernatural's report on Nitzan where the largest group of Disengagment victims live. And here are a couple of pictures taken in Ir Ha'Emunah of the kitchen and kiddies.
Another day, another morning, and I'm frozen! Why did I have the heat go off at night? So as my coffee freezes in the cup, I'll give you something that's not really a blog, The Dishonest Reporter 'Award' 2005.
If you haven't seen Kumah's aliya "film," here it is.
And another post from Heichal HaNegina. Here he discusses the sanctity of "negina." This diary format encourages multiple posts from bloggers, since I just add as I go along, rather than choosing. As a frequent blogger, I really see its advantages.The hh mailbox is empty, and I have time, so I googled Chanukah blog. Most of it's not quite what I wanted, but I like these photos and the Forest's Chanuka song. And Sue gives us Adam Sandler’s Chanukah Songs. And don't forget the classic Dreidel Song, thanks to Mama Lisa. It's amazing what you can find on the net. Now I wish I knew why my Word spellcheck conked out and how to get the google toolbar back, which had a good spellcheck.
More Chanukah music from Jewish Dayton; bookmark it for next year.
Kever Rachel, laundry and dishes await me, so I had better save this and get back to the mundane.
After lighting the 4th candle, or small "pot" of olive oil. I turned on the computer and found a letter with this link showing pictures of Chanukah candle lighting in the FSU. Please forgive, since it's not a blog, but it is Chanukah.
Shark Blog teaches us Political Science. And History News Network offers Deja vu -- Judith Apter Klinghoffer.
"Shining full plate…." reports about Tony Kushner on Munich.
Judith of Kesher Talk presents an illustrated and detailed Chanukah post.
Avodah Ivrith shows how there's no free speech in Israel. Cosmic X writes about dovening at dawn, my favorite time of the day.
Shemitta Rediscovered asks the Rabbanim to speak out.
And I'll end tonight's efforts with condolences to Ezzie's wife's family on the death of her grandfather, Dr. Abraham Luchins, Z"L.
Day 5
And a good morning to you, too, though the sun hasn't yet risen. I've already checked my mail, and there's lots waiting for inclusion in this 51st edition. We'll start with a good question, "WHAT DOES PEACE MEAN?" by Israel Zwick, on Isralert.
From Smooth Stone, Dispelling the lies of palestinians: more photos of the Temple Mount (1922) and the good news that Campaign to Divest from "Palestine" is a finalist in Best New Blog in the JIBs. Different River laments what Bar Mitzvahs have become for some with more money than sense. Contrast this to the Bat Mitzvah in Kever Rachel.
There's a new blog, Qesheth Yonathan, and it tells of a different sort of Barbie Doll.
The Sin of Expulsion is full of news and commentary.
Back home after a very moving day.
And here's a very unique chanukiya from Everyone knows this is Nowhere.
It's late and I'm tired.I blogged in the morning, and I blogged at night, day five.
Day 6
Good morning. It's Friday, and we're getting towards the end of creation, creation of #51 that is. I requested that posts be sent to me before Shabbat, so I could have it mostly complete by then. Of course, I also have to look for some new bloggers. And I found an "olah chadasha," new immigrant to Israel. Read about Yael's adventures.
And for More on Munich read Jewish Current Issues.
Rachel Ann gets it right; mazal tov.
Mirty has Mixed feelings about Chanukah. Did I spell it right?
And Blogus Erratus has complications.
Ezzie tells us about the new blog for Jewish professionals.
Jewschool takes us to a wedding.
Growing evidence of hidden Jewish communities in unlikely places on Yeshaya 62:1.
Meryl Yourish.com has a great post on A.P.
Jameel spends some quality time with his daughter.
Ben Chorin tells us about an evening with Nobel Prize Winner Prof. Aumann.
If You Will It, it's a small world, and read his daily Chanukah diary. Celestial Blue notices some unpleasant things happening in Israel.
Joe Settler takes us to an illegal outpost.
And since the Rock of Galilee is gathering no moss this Chanukah, where should they light candles?
I agree with westbankmamma in that we are giving our kids childhoods that resemble the middle of the previous century, like when I was raised. And I think that it's wonderful!The Balabusta in blue jeans mentions that her husband takes his latkes with ketchup. It reminds me that my daughter was horrified to see her 9 month old baby grab and gobble up a greasy latke at the Betar Reunion. Even worse, she grabbed it from my hands. Bad Savta Batya!
Shaister tells us about the Avengers, who are now in their eighties. Read what they did when much younger.
Daled Amos writes about Spielberg's Munich.
And I had better get back to the kitchen and laundry and other Shabbat preparations.
Two washes on the line
and another in the machine,
so it's time to get back
to Havel Havelim!
One of the newer bloggers is well-known Jewish writer, Chava Willig Levy, an old friend of mine. Her grandmother, "Bubby" Willig, was a neighbor of ours in Bayit V'Gan, Jerusalem, and during that time we discovered that Chavie's mother and mine had been friends in high school.
Israel Perspectives gives his opinion about the Labor Party campaign.
And now, before I return to the kitchen and Shabbat preparations, here's A Simple Jew on being a father.
Last try before Shabbat.
Here are Chanuka Belz from Heichal Hanegina.
Check out the Orange Revolution! And a way of saving a life!
I blogged in the morning, and I blogged at night, day six.
Day 7 Shabbat Kodesh
Day 8 of Havel Havelim, and Day 7 of Chanukah and the first day of the week and the first day of the Month of Tevet!
I just got back home and I found a lot of "last minute" posts, so here goes:
Daled amos tells the truth about the "truce."
A whole slew from Ezzie. A couple I may have already been included, but I don't have time to check. It's faster to just put them in again. One, and another about his late grandfather-in-law. About auctions and raffles by SIL. Abbas' hypocrisy and two Chanukah posts. Thanks Ezzie, and will I meet you at the Ben Zakkai dinner?
Something about women from Jameel.
And four just arrived from Israel Perspectives; I don't have time to read them to choose, so I'm linking them all. One, two, three, and four. Judeopundit spins about the "border incident.
"I guess Mirty's hankering to host another, being so helpful and all. She sent me this from the NY's Funniest Rabbi. And one from herself and one from Gil's Hirhurim "musings," Who can retell?A Simple Jew provides questions and answers.
And that's it.
Chodesh Tov, Shavua Tov and Chag Urim Sameach!!!
Send your links for the next edition via Conservative Cat’s handy form, and at the same time you may discover other “carnivals” to visit and enter. If you want to host, then contact Soccer Dad at dhgerstman at hotmail dot com.
This appears in the UberCarnival
Please put up a blurb on your site alerting readers to Havel Havelim.
It will also be posted on me-ander, where the links usually come out better. Just give me another few minutes.
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