israeli politics

I have lived all my life with the knowledge that I was a backward infant and the proof was that I only started walking when I was a year and a half.  I think that this influenced my parents’ entire approach to me – perhaps to my advantage.  But today, while examining my history very thoroughly for physiotherapy, the orthopedist mentioned casually that I had DDH.  Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip

I probably made the situation worse with my years of belly dancing, but it was alleviated by my hip replacements.  Unfortunately, the collateral damage caused before the operations can’t really be repaired.  But it helps me to understand that I was not only not backward as an infant, but there is a reason for the lifetime of pain, and a way to prevent further degeneration.   

Maybe I should be sad that I have a bad back and legs, but I’m kind of relieved that I’m not an idiot.

 

 

 

 

intimate discovery – march 23, 2023 Read Post »

israeli politics

I wish people would stop telling me how scared they are.  So many of us are doing our best to prevent a coming disaster and have faith that their efforts can help.  Instead of beginning with their fear, then, I would appreciate hearing more about what they are doing.  

Ramadan Kareem – March 22, 2023 Read Post »

israeli politics

Since my family is taking me out for my birthday next week, they asked me what kind of food I’d like.  And for the first time – since it’s all about me – I thought – what about a JEWISH restaurant?  I’m always going to Arab restaurants like Abu Hassan and Haj Khakhil or Moroccan or Georgian restaurants but where would I go for some good old European Jewish knishes or helzel or ptchah or the like?  Keton!  Every recommends it and I was kind of thinking of some Schtav or Borsht and then I looked at the menu and it’s just not what I was thinking of.  It may be great but it’s not what I used to make or what my mother made or even what I could get anywhere in New York.  

And there’s nowhere else.  

Unless you know somewhere and then you’ll be invited to my party.  

So I’m probably going to wind up in some pretentious noisy place where the food is lousy and the portions are small…. 

jewish food – march 20, 2023 Read Post »

israeli politics

Take it day by day, my friend says.  The number of people who have had their ways of life destroyed by Covid, and are now suffering the results – lack of purpose, lack of community, lack of enjoyment – forms a large percentage of the population in the world.  Maybe some are refinding their purpose in protesting their governments now.  Maybe that’s part of why we’re out there?  

Or maybe it’s the other way around?  That we now understand that we can’t leave government to the idiots, that we have to take responsibility for our own lives.  

On a different note, we continue to live our own lives, day to day.  We even went out for breakfast today with friends from abroad.  We wanted to take them to one of our favorite places, but when we arrived at BetaCafe and sat down our friend got up and walked out.  He went next door and found a new place, with lots of cakes that he liked, and he moved us.  For us, it didn’t really matter which cafe we preferred, because when they asked where I liked to eat breakfast, I automatically said, “in bed.”  But for them, the question of breakfast is really important.  

For me, I’d rather put my concerns and emphasis on who we’re eating breakfast with.

 

 

every day – march 20, 2023 Read Post »

israeli politics

Every day I marvel at the way Politics has become popular – people suddenly realize that their lives are shaped even by little laws, and are determined by big laws.  Take “Fashion Week” that opened today in Tel Aviv.

Okay, it’s clear,  Everyone has an agenda.  But everyone has also been living under the assumption that they can live their own lives and work around any problematic laws.  Now they see that it’s not possible.  

And maybe, just maybe, some of the people who have been woken up will go into politics.  And then maybe, just maybe, we’ll be able to have a democracy.

 

pride – march 19, 2023 Read Post »

israeli politics

While the idea of being forced to keep the Sabbath doesn’t appeal to me at all, the concept of a peaceful sabbath, in the Israel tradition, works really well for me.  Only friends call – usually – and we get a chance to see our wonderful neighbors.  Friday nights are usually reserved for family – or intimate friends – or both.  

Shabbat gives me time to digest the week, to laugh at my week of contradictory doctors, to think about the biblical turn some of my scholar friends have taken,  to consider the significance of my granddaughter’s nightmares.  It’s My Shabbat, not necessarily the shabbat of others.

shabbat – march 18, 2023 Read Post »

israeli politics

PASS THIS ON:

A defining text by Benny Barbash.

 

“I really hope that the politicians and the president at their head do not think that we are taking to the streets because of the number of members of the committee for appointing judges…

We are fighting for the lost soul of the country.

We don’t sleep at night with worry.

Our compass flutters and we feel the sky falling and the earth shaking.

And we understand that there is no savior and we were left alone, and we called ourselves the flag.

We’re going out of our way because you’ve gone crazy.

We’re going out for our parents and for our children.

Because that’s how we were raised and that’s how we educate them, to love the country and work for it, work hard and respect others…

And we leave because we are angry and not because of clauses.

Angry that political leaders have become *tour guides to corruption, hatred, greed and lust for honor and greed*.

Angry that there are people who *dodge and diverge, suck the marrow and the future of the country*.

Angry that our taxes are being thrown away like junk stocks by spineless, incompetent whiners.

Angry that *criminals in suits have taken over the law* to legalize their past evil deeds.

They are angry at the prime minister who is ready for the country to burn and the people to be torn apart, as long as he saves his skin.

And we’re leaving because we’re tired of the madness of humiliation and not because of the small print in the laws.

We are tired of the moss on the wall calling us traitors while you are silent.

We are tired of poor ministers calling us racists and Ashkenazis when our children have no idea where they come from.

We are tired of being associated with Rolex watches that we don’t have and won’t have.

We are tired of hearing criminals dodging and ministers pretending that we are anarchists.

We want to tell you, Mr. President, busy politicians and shallow journalists – you are missing the point big time.

We woke up because we are living in a horror movie and we have no intention of sitting and watching from the side to see how the arguments between you will end.

We woke up because we were tired of being silent. Because we took responsibility.

Don’t look for a leader you can buy, and don’t spread imaginary compromises to us. We are not like you.

We started a fight and *will continue to fight* until you take your hands off the Supreme Court, until you learn to respect the other (or at least shut up) and until you embrace the Declaration of Independence into your heart.

Not a moment before.

Do you also feel that way? Pass it on so it reaches the right ears.”

 

A Defining Text – March 16, 2023 Read Post »