israeli politics

There have been too many mistakes in the past few days – mine and others.   But I think we’ll have a few days rest for the next few days if we don’t come down with corona.  I haven’t quite figured out what happens if we do come down with it – what tests, where, how, when – but otherwise I’m quite okay.   The video of the Yiddish launch last night took a great deal of my time and energy, what with the illness of the organizer and the problems with communication, the zoom update at the last moment, the mistakes about time, etc.  Luckily there was a tech lady and she’s a pro, but unfortunately, she knew neither Yiddish nor English so we had a little extra work.  But the host from Holland, the readers from Brazil, the US, the guests from Canada, and my family – all made the evening worth it… 

you’ll see the link when we’ve worked that out – and censored some of my Yiddish curses.

And today’s zoom with Talpiot was fascinating – just think that “here” is very different in three languages.

 

 

 

january 11, 2022 – pressure off Read Post »

israeli politics

Since last week the grocery store next door has been closed.  For more than forty years I have been dependent upon it for those last minute ingredients –  milk, bananas, ice cream… He’s also a bit of a post office, and receives packages from abroad that save us the trouble of going to the post office.    Today, I discovered that they are in quarantine.  So sad.  They have been so very careful.  I hope all is well.  They are not only wonderful people – they’re our neighborhood meeting place.

 

january 9, 2022 – The Grocer Read Post »

israeli politics

I don’t know if it was because of the sabbath, or because of the unpopularity of the site, but I got my vaccine in less than 5 minutes flat.  Then we went for cholent at friends and then a shiva call and I still haven’t started feeling any effects.  Ezi, on the other hand, is a mess since last Sunday.  I hope he feels better soon and I don’t get sick before my launch.  

The thing is, we know we won’t be totally protected – and we’re total guinea pigs – but I hope we’ll be able to keep ourselves safe.

january 8, 2022 – my 4th vaccine Read Post »

israeli politics

it is very hard for me to read poems that I think need repairs.  Today there was a poem that appeared on poem-a-day.  I couldn’t read it without tinkering.

Yone Noguchi

The faint shadow of the morning moon?
Nay, the snow falling on the earth.
The mist of blossoming flowers?
Nay, poetry smiling up the sky.

 

so I love it, but I’d rather have it 

Yone Noguchi

n

The faint shadow of the morning moon –
No, the snow falling on the ground.
The mist of blossoming flowers –
No, poems smile up to the sky.

 

january 8, 2022 – haiku Read Post »

israeli politics

With great trepidation I’m going for my own fourth vaccine today.  I’m one of the last of my friends, but Ezi says I handled the app awkwardly, and that’s why I have to go to a tent in Hadar Yosef.  

I don’t know why my fear is aftereffects – everyone else but Ezi seems to have no symptoms after.  I guess it’s because I have a launch on Monday, a class on Tuesday, and an event in Tiberias on Wednesday.

And a lunch right after the shot.

I am muchmore passive than my friends in Tel Aviv.

 

january 8, 2022 – vaccine 4 Read Post »

israeli politics

Remember this invitation? 

i must have sent this to a thousand people after I was told to organize the whole thing.  Then I discovered that the publisher had set it up for 6 and not 7.  I have never worked with such unreliable people before and I will do everything to make this right, but all my plans to use this event to put the Yiddish writers on the map have stalled for the moment.

 

january 6, 2022 – my book launch in Yiddish Read Post »