Israel's Right United, Right?

Israeli Politics is complicated

It seems that Shaked, Bennett, Peretz and Smotrich have done their pragmatic best to unite their political parties for the upcoming elections. And I'm even happier to see that Moshe Feiglin isn't part of the bloq.

I have no doubt that this hasn't been easy. The NRP is now headed by a political newbie who doesn't seem to have a clue, and there's bad blood between the parties. But for the good of the State of Israel they've figured out how to make a coalition of sorts and run as one party.

They haven't yet published the exact Knesset list, but I'm glad to see that Matan Kahana is included. I was very impressed by him when he spoke in Shiloh a few months ago.

I want a strong Right wing party to the Right of the Likud in the Knesset. Like a strong magnet, it should pull the Likud Rightwards.

Matan Kahana, who may be #7 on the "joint Right list"

Kenes Shiloh Conference #8 Stupendous!

I really enjoyed the Kenes Shiloh Conference #8 this past Thursday. I arrived early enough to make the tour. The tour for us ended at the newest attraction, which is a high tech illustration of life in Ancient Biblical Shiloh by the Canaanite Wall, where the enormous food jugs had been discovered about forty years ago. One of them is on display in the Israel Museum.

There were some really great talks at the conference part of the event. Highlights for me were listening to Scott Stripling, who has been leading a "dig" in Shiloh for the past three years, Reut Ben-Arye, a homegrown archeologist, and Dr Brachi Elitzur.

I wouldn't dare attempt to summarize or explain anything said there. All I can do is post some pictures I took at the conference and recommend that you visit Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh.  Enjoy.

Who's Going to Join Ayelet Shaked?

In a short well-choreographed press conference, Naftali Bennett handed over the reins of the New Right party to Ayelet Shaked. All the polls seem to show that she is much more popular than he is. And to confuse and confound the classic, and horrendously misleading and inaccurate political spectrum stereotypes, davka, this is the only political party competing in the upcoming elections led by a woman. For those who make a point to vote for women, the New Right has had the best percentage of women.

Ayelet Shaked and Naftali Bennett have invited other political parties to join them, in order not to waste votes.

At this point, I still don't know which party I'll support and vote for. I'm interested in your opinions.

There was a woman signing all the speeches, so the deaf could follow.

AFSI on Israeli TV

I was happy and excited to see Helen Freedman and other AFSI members on Israeli television, but then I realized that the program wasn't exactly pro-AFSI.  I only caught a few minutes of it. Apparently, it was about foreign influence here in Israel, and they lumped all sorts of things into an inaccurate misleading mess.

Did anyone catch the entire show and know more? Is it on youtube?

Keeping Cool Blog Carnival, Summer 5779, 2019

Forecast is for scorching hot weather today, so get comfortable and stay in the shade, indoors or out.

There's always something to read on the internet. No, not the news, just blogs, Jewish/Israeli ones. They're independent, unique, quirky. If you have any for me to add to my blog rolls, please let me know in the comments here. You can read them at home, breaks at work, eating or lazing by the pool, on your computer, phone, tablet and probably even a smart television, so relax and enjoy this selection of of recommended blog posts.

As is my practice, I'm just going to list titles of articles aka blog posts to whet your curiosity. Enjoy, comment and share.  I'd love your opinions, so don't be shy. Just a reminder, I'm not responsible for the content of the individual articles.

The French (Jewish) Connection
Jerusalem Gateway Project Closes Shazar Street
The Eternal Man (Pinchas)
About That Gorgeous Sequin Top I Wore to US Embassy Bash
The History of the Israeli Community of Ramat Trump
Israeli Elections 2019 Redo, I'm Bored & You?
Nostalgia, Thy Name is Potomac
Shevet Brewery comes out of the shadows
Perfectly Simple Stuffed Squash
Life is good, healing is miraculous
WATCH: Israelis Save Lives of Thousands of Kids from 60 Countries Around World!
With help from the heavens
Try, Try, and Try Again… The Right Way
Letters from Israel
Chaim Potok Goes to Camp...Betar
Rosh Chodesh Av, Ladies, Join Us in Prayer\
A Month of Vacation in a Week

Which is your favorite? And if there's something you don't like, please let me know in the comments, thanks.

Israeli Elections 2019 Redo, I'm Bored & You?

I just can't get excited about the "redo" upcoming Knesset Elections.

For a "political junkie" like myself, this is an awful confession. I haven't a clue as to which party I should vote for. I don't want to "waste" my vote again, but I don't like the choices.

I'm not happy with a lot of what Bibi Netanyahu has done, but the competition is a gazillion times worse.

I can't stand those who control Mafdal, National Religious Party NRP-Jewish Home or whatever they're called now.

The thought of giving my vote to a party that has Moshe Feiglin turns my stomach.

Am I the only Israeli who feels like this? Please, tell me. Try to make me feel better.

It's Friday morning. Shabbat's tonight, and the pool should be open soon. Plus we have a busy family day today Gd willing.

It's summer, and even though I'm on a "full time vacation" now, it's the season to feel like "holiday mode."

Gd willing, it'll all work out...

Shabbat Shalom uMevorach

May You have a Blessed Shabbat

No idea what this is, just like no idea which party I'll vote for in the "redo" elections.

Israeli TV News Campaigning Against Bibi

If you watch Israeli television news, you'd think that Israel was the worst country in the world. There seems to be street protests and riots all over all the time.

According to the news:

• You'd think that Israel was the most racist country in the world.
• The Israeli Government hires cruel, sadistic childminders.
• Price of real estate can be controlled by the government.
• Everything can be remedied by the government if the correct people are elected to the Knesset.
• OBVIOUSLY IT'S BIBI'S FAULT!

I am using pictures of the so-called anti-racist protests to illustrate this post, because it's very clear that white agent provocateurs have been leading the movement/riots. They began with the death of an Israeli of the Jewish Ethiopian community by an off-duty policeman. The media has been ignoring the fact that all the evidence shows is that the policeman and his family had been in danger, and the death was totally accidental. The orchestrated violence, anti-police and anti-government acts did not come initially from the community. They are being led by white Leftists. Follow the money.

Although early childhood care, daycare centers have their problems, the solution is far from simple. Who's going to enforce better workers? Those loud, nasty-mouthed demonstrators? Around the country there's a terrible shortage of people willing to work as caregivers. It's hard work, and the pay is low. Even if there are cameras all over, how could that help? Who's going to look at the films? Men hoping to see breastfeeding mothers? And no matter how carefully the "authorities" are in supervising official daycare centers, there will still be people who prefer sending to the unofficial ones.

And lastly, for now, about the high price in housing. The principle is Supply and Demand, which exists all over the world. Some of the repeated news items I caught on television told of hard to believe housing rip-offs in Tel Aviv. In one case, what must be a humongous apartment was divided into fifteen 15 rooms, which people rented individually for an outrageous sum. To make it even less believable, they share the one kitchen. I can't really imagine anyone living like that; maybe this is office space. Besides that, nobody forces anyone to shell out large sums for small spaces, unless the people have the money and don't care about the space. That's what Supply and Demand is all about.

Every day and night, newscasts concentrate on how terrible it is to live here in Israel. Considering that we're having elections again in a few weeks, and it's no secret that the media hates Bibi, I'm convinced that they're working hard to galvanize the votes for anyone but Bibi.

Rosh Chodesh Av, Ladies, Join Us in Prayer

Friday August 2, 2019 will be Rosh Chodesh Av 5779, the beginning of the Jewish month of Av. It's a sad day on the Jewish Calendar, as it begins the "Nine Days," a period of heightened mourning of the destruction of the Holy Temple.

We're soon beginning the period of the "Three Weeks" which is "bookended" by fast days, 17th of Tammuz, a daytime fast, and the 9th of Av, which is a 25 hour fast. Over the millenia many terrible things happened to the Jewish People on these dates.

Even though Rosh Chodesh Av is a sad day, we still pray all the usual Rosh Chodesh Prayers, including Hallel. There will be Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh.

Rosh Chodesh Av, Friday 1st of Av, 5779, August 2, 2019 at 8:30am, Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh. For more information email me shilohmuse@gmail.com, subject: Rosh Chodesh.

תפילת נשים בראש חודש אב תהיה יום ו', א' באב, ,8:30 2-8-2019 בשילה הקדומה, תל שילה. לפרטים נוספים, shilohmuse@gmail.com subject: Rosh Chodesh.

We pray traditionally, silent prayers silently, and Hallel is sung together. We hope more women will join us at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh.

Shiloh is one of the holiest cities for the Jewish People. It was the very first capital, predating Jerusalem. The Mishkan, Tabernacle was brought to Shiloh a by Joshua after entering the Holy Land. There wasn't even need for a battle to take over Shiloh. The city welcomed the Jewish returnees, very much like in recent times.

Today, besides the vibrant town of Shiloh and the many surrounding Jewish communities, the area where the Tabernacle once stood is now a fully recognized archeological site. People come from all over the world to visit, learn, tour and dig. By the way, there will be the 8th Kenes Shiloh on July 25, 2019. The event is in Hebrew and includes tours and lectures.

For more information about visiting Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh, contact visit@telshilo.org.il, or call 02-5789111. It's suitable for all ages.

2019 American Embassy, Jerusalem, Independence Celebration

What a difference!

In the past my husband and I had been invited to the receptions held by the American Consulate in Jerusalem. They predated US President Donald Trump, and that was when the American Government had its embassy in Tel Aviv.

Last night's party was amazing and so totally different from the American Independence Day events we had attended in the past. First of all, this was an official embassy event and in Jerusalem, in Binyanei Hauma. All the food was kosher, including the menu, meat, fish and parve, instead of a table or two of kosher food. In prior years we'd see lots of Arabs, a few men in kippot, and sometimes I seemed to be the only woman who covers her hair.  The 2019 celebration felt Jewish and Israeli, even YESHA.

Yes, my husband and I

Here is Jerusalem Mayor Moshe Lion with me and my husband. The mayor took the selfie of us and publicized it.

The YESHA crowd, some of us at least

The String Chords Bridge was lit up for the occasion.

Here in Israel, we are very happy with the policies of US President Donald Trump. Last night's event was one of the reasons. He's the most pro-Israel American President ever. That's the truth.