israeli politics

There are so many reasons why it is more difficult to write a doctorate in Israel than it is elsewhere.  The difficulty of obtaining resources, the fact that faculty are unpaid for these activities, that students are usually simultaneously fully employed,  and that expert evaluators are sometimes influenced by national politics as well as international social differences.  That’s why I’m always particularly pleased when my students make it through.  Especially when they are dedicated to contributing to peace and health.

it seems to me the most productive effort one can make in education, to train a generation of teachers who will educate teachers.

 

graduation – July 14, 2023 Read Post »

israeli politics

i will miss this grenade very much.  I have lost so many things in my past.  First, when we moved from England and I lost my nanny.  Then when I moved to Israel and left all my youthful memorabilia with my parents who had to dispose of it all when my father was stricken with a stroke.  Then when I was divorced and left home with only my children and some cookware.  This grenade was one of the first gifts I was given – and it doesn’t belong to me. It belongs to history.


greek fire 2 Read Post »

israeli politics

Almost 50 years ago I received a gift from Aharon Megged.  It was an antique clay hand grenade called “Greek Fire” and I cherished it because it was given to me by the Meggeds.  But a few years ago it was declared illegal to keep archeological artifacts and we began to think of how to return it.  Today we did it.

I can’t seem to get the pictures to come up right now, but it was truly an event.  Watch this site.

 

Greek Fire – july 13, 2023 Read Post »

israeli politics

There are different groups. Some just don’t understand what democracy is, some think that they are following the imperative of the Lord, some think they are revenging themselves on the privileged, some are just in for the power, some are protecting themselves from prison. There are different arguments for each group.

Unfortunately, none of us are talking.  

I haven’t had a single debate with someone who is for the reform.  Not that I’m a debater, but I think we’ve learned not to speak with each other during Covid.  Let’s see what happens tonight and tomorrow when I’m going to push for a discussion.

talking – july 12, 2023 Read Post »

israeli politics

Sure I see my family.  On tv.  My cousin was dragged along the floor at the knesset last night, my daughter and grandson were marching today, my friend was being pushed to the wall and arrested at the airport and I am staying in bed and resting while my blood pressure goes down.  

I would have gone to the doctor but the road was blocked this morning by demonstrators. many of whom were my neighbors.  

But I’ll be back.  Give me a few days to even out.  

In the mean time here are some articles you might not have seen:  where did those people go

 

family reunions – july 11, 2023 Read Post »

israeli politics

i’m pretending to ignore the voting in the knesset, but I’m terribly nervous about how it’s going to go – that the vote will go for reducing the effectiveness of the courts and we can say goodby to democracy.  So in his great sensitivity Ezi turned on the channel 14 news and I heard about how we’re endangering the security of the country with our protests, and I cannot help but think that we’ve got to find a way to work out our differences one by one.  If only we believed in the good will of the other  side we’d be half way there.  If we could just stop spewing out hatred at one another ….

hold your breath – july 10, 2023 Read Post »

israeli politics

This is the 27th week of demonstrations.  Tomorrow is the first vote on getting rid of the override clause, and many more people came out this week than ever.   I almost left before we got there because it seemed so crowded – but the people are so nice and so determined to include everyone that we moved in to the group.  

week 27 – july 8, 2023 Read Post »

israeli politics

it was after a few full hours of shopping yesterday evening in Dizengoff Mall.  We got tired of waiting for our ride and decided to take the bus.  But the bus ran into a traffic jam so bad the driver ordered everyone off, and we had to walk a few kilometers home.  

The problem began when I realized we were not only in the middle of a demonstration, but one unlike any of the earlier ones.  The people were angry, defensive, and the police did not seem friendly at all.  There, were groups of boys who were singing songs I hadn’t heard, and a general sense of strangeness.  The cars were stalled in all directions and everyone was angry. 

Maybe because it was so hot, and we were so tired, and it was a long, noisy, crooked way home…But I was scared.  This is the first time ever I really saw the chaos awaiting us.

 

chaos – June 7, 2023 Read Post »