prayers
https://www.minyanmag.com/karenalkalaygut-issue13.html
https://www.minyanmag.com/karenalkalaygut-issue13.html
This is my latest poem about the war, and I hope it is my last publication on this subject. May this war end and the repairs and restructures begin! I would love to see the Gazans rebuild their beautiful country.
prayers – 30.11.24 Read Post »
We took a trip to the Negev a few days ago, to see the Nabatean city of Mamshit, the winter daffodils of the desert, the development center in Yerucham, and were hosted by a wonderful Bedouin lady in her tent. It has taken me three days to recover, not because of the places we visited, but the long bus journey.
The buses the nature society uses have narrow seats, little leg room, and no bathroom. We stop regularly and stand in line for the public toilets. No one else seems to mind, but I sit on my aisle seat, trying not to fall into the aisle, and waiting for any opportunity to stand up.
The bus is not reinforced, but even though we shared the sites with Arab groups, my greatest fear is that the bathroom will not be clean.
Today there was an attack on a bus – not a tour bus – but a bus in the territories. 9 People were injured by a single terrorist. What am I complaining about? I got to see the most amazing sites, and met the most amazing people, and never felt danger for a moment.
Oh yes, we had an armed guard with us the entire time.
How do these flowers exist in the Negev? There is nothing aroun but an occasional flower, and yet there are purple and yellow flowers peeking out of the stony earth everywhere.
Protected Buses – 29.11.24 Read Post »
For years I ignored thanksgiving, thinking that being in Israel I have enough holidays to celebrate. But in recent years I see more and more how delicate existence is, and how we shouldn’t miss a chance to say thank you – to the Lord (why take a chance), to our family (whether they stick by us or not) to our friends (who do stick by us – no matter what others are saying), to our enemies (who can always change their mind), and to all those in the middle. (I’m not an easy person to like)
thanksgiving – 26.11.24 Read Post »
This war has really made me mess up plans all year. Or maybe it’s just me. So when I invited the kids for thanksgiving last week, I immediately ordered the turkey for today so I could brine it and roast it tomorrow. But this afternoon when it didn’t arrive, I checked it out and realized I had forgotten to press the send button. So tonight we made our way to the Russian supermarket that is always open and went for the meat counter. There was only a 20 pound turkey, and the Russian butchers had no idea what it was or why I would buy something the size of a two year old child. Even though I invited them over for the dinner, they laughingly refused – would never eat something like that. They suggested I take it home on a leash.
I should have cancelled the whole event but it’s not only Oren’s birthday, there’s no way we could avoid celebrating even a questionable ceasefire.
Actually, I don’t have that much to say. I don’t believe it, I guess. Already my friend from Metula says they are seeing threatening figures on the other side of the border. The army here fired some warning shots over their heads and they left, but it’s clear no one really understands the terms of the ceasefire. If only if only it leads to the release of the hostages in Gaza….
Every night on TV there is an interview with a different former hostage. I can watch a minute or two and then switch to something less terrifying – like Lebanon. War is something I can understand, but the physical and mental torture is impossible to conceive. Elyakim Rubinstein, former head of the high court, said that each of us should conceive of himself as if he/she is one of the hostages, or a family of a hostage. I think most of us do exactly that.
So the most important thing about the ceasefire on my mind is just that – will it further the hostage return…
And in my head is the video that David Azoulay, the mayor of Metula, sent my friend of the damages in her home. It’s a big mess and will take much renewal – but the piece of shrapnel she saved from the Gulf War is still sitting on a doily in her cupboard – a grisly reminder of the previous damages in an earlier war.
some thoughts on ceasefire – 11.27.24 Read Post »
Ceasefire Surprise (a draft)
Stop talking
Turn off the television.
Take off your clothes.
Fill up the bath.
How does it feel
to allow yourself
to be away from news
to be vulnerable
for the first time
after so long.
So what
if you don’t know
what evening
will bring.
So what
if the world
blames you
for being strangers
to this land –
like Abraham,
like Moses.
You know they
will soon be back
at your door
and who knows
perhaps
without fear
you can welcome them in.
Ceasefire Surprise (draft) 27.11.24 Read Post »
Since a ceasefire is going into effect tomorrow at 10, we are receiving a barrage tonight. They are drones and therefore hard to detect and disable, but if this ceasefire enables further movements toward peace, it will be very welcome.
So I decided to tell you about how we take showers – me and my friends – for the past 14 months. First,you are dressed until the last possible moment. You lay out your clean clothes in the order you will wear them. Then you undress and quickly soap up, rinse and dress. Shampoo rarely and only on safe nights. Go to sleep in pajamas only if you can’t bear being dressed. Be ready to run.
So we came back from a day in the desert with a great need to wash. And we knew it would be dangerous tonight. We agreed – no shower tonight. We sat eating our soup and suddenly I ran into the bathroom and washed.
What a revelation! I would rather die than go to bed dirty.
In the desert we visited a Bedouin village named Rachma, after we saw how water is delivered to the families there – rubber pipes with individual clocks. The pipes go for miles along the desert sand and often get chomped by desert animals before they arrive at a home. A family member has to come and turn off the water until the pipe gets fixed.
Showers mean so much more in the desert.
last night of the rockets – 26.11.24 Read Post »
