israeli politics

I knew a guy who always complained about family events – he actually loved everyone individually, but couldn’t stand being in the room when all the people were talking to one another and he would have to make an effort to be nice. 

He was thinking of the enormous family he lost in the holocaust, and the ones who remained couldn’t make up for the memories.

Now I have no right to bring this up tonight – while we are lighting candles, though, I keep remembering the Yiddish song I’ve never seen translated that begins “Oh, you little candle-lights,. You tell little histories/ Innumerable tales./ You tell of blood-spilling, skillfulness, and courage – wonders from long ago.”

here’s a version:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXYlbK3fmyI

 

family – dec 24, 2022 Read Post »

israeli politics

From the wonderful atmosphere of Haifa, the sense of freedom and unity, we came home to the political reality and the advice of our mayor – civilian revolt.  

“Do you really think the people will revolt?”  a friend asked me.  That’s when my mother-in-law’s saying returned to me.  “We will not let them defecate on our heads! We will open out mouths!”

And don’t expect it to take a while.  We’ve already swallowed the second and third,

 

from haifa to Tel Aviv – dec 23 Read Post »

israeli politics

Haifa puts it all together.  Girls with Hajbs eat Kyortosh and our kids are gobbling down chiros, next to a giant menorah next to a Christmas tree – and all in view of the Bahai temple.  I am too tired to show the blurry pictures I took of the tamarind man, the Santas, and the dancing.  But I’m worn out.  Tomorrow we’re doing more of the Carmelite and all the wonders of Haifa.  But I want to go home quickly and pick up the other grandchildren I left at home.  They have to see this,

hannukah christmas -Dec 22, 2022 Read Post »

israeli politics

i have been waiting up to hear the news – and then it came at 10 minutes to midnight and now I can’t sleep. Bibi has formed a government – meaning he has made enormous concessions to extremists. Because they have no faith in his promises, they managed to wait him out until the last minute and get concessions that will not only cost us in freedom, but also in taxes. What we have is 50% of the country maintaining 100% of the population. Good night.

new government Read Post »

israeli politics

We had the privilege of seeing the actors of the forthcoming updated version of Oedipus Rex talk about their roles and their performances.  We’re only going to see the actual play in a few weeks, but this discussion and performance were enough to make me want to see every play the Cameri is putting on this year.   There was something so invested in every person involved in the production that made me want to see every play they are doing this season.  Great theater, great actors, and there are always English subtitles for the language-challenged.

 

cameri Theater – Dec 20, 2022 Read Post »

israeli politics

My grandmother was murdered in Stuthoff.  Her daughters tried to cover for her when she couldn’t do the work she was assigned, but they took her away anyway, and she never left the infirmary.  

Today the last employee they will probably ever catch was convicted.  She was only a camp secretary and probably couldn’t have done anything about saving my grandmother, but I still hold her responsible.  

Here’s an article

Ex-concentration camp secretary convicted in potentially last ever Holocaust trial | The Times of Israel

my grandmother’s murder -dec 20, 2022 Read Post »

israeli politics

This is the last night – If Bibi doesn’t get this government signed and sealed tonight by tomorrow, the responsibility of setting up a government, the duty goes to another leader.   But he’ll do it – or maybe the president will grant him another extension. 

And if the president does grant him another extension, then the suspicion that they are in cahoots together will arise – the deal that there was an exchange of the presidency for a pardon.  

My guess is that the government will be formed at the last minute – and we will wake up on the shortest day of the year to a fascist state.

 

the deal – dec 19, 2022 Read Post »