blog, my life in tel aviv,

we may be masked, we may be keeping far away, but we’re beginning to creep out of our holes.  With less than a thousand a day diagnosed positive, we are beginning to open up.  There were people in the park, friends visiting, and a wonderful sunny day.  We didn’t do much, but the world seemed to be suddenly – promising.  Tomorrow  we are even going to a birthday party! two! one during lunch, and one in the afternoon.  you’re welcome to join in the afternoon if you’d like – Rivka Bassman is 96 and launching her latest book.  here’s the link to register: 

february 13, 2021 – people, people1 Read Post »

blog, my life in tel aviv

We pass it often on the way to the medical center, the statue of Raoul Wallenberg. Most times I get very sad at his heroic and tragic history.  But there are times I want to be his friend, to play with him and make ammends to him.  

So today we walked over to him and played.  He disappeared in the year I was born, and died in a Soviet prison two years later, but his generosity and the salvation of thousands of Hungarian Jews will never be forgotten. I hope that if his spirit remains, his generosity extends extends even to me, and I made him smile.  

february 9, 2021 – the statue of Raoul Wallenberg Read Post »

blog, israeli politics, my life in tel aviv,

Everyone in our building has seen the jackal.  Most of the time in the same place, on the left patch of ferns near the entrance.  But when we call the municipality, and they come with all their equipment to get rid of the potentially rapid aminal, the beast is nowhere to be found. 

Not surprisingly, Bibi has managed to elude the courts for almost 5 years, when the case opened, but today when he appeared, he was out within 15 minutes, after his plea of not guilty.  He managed to squeeze in a meeting with the minister of health in the hallway, and appear incredibly busy with political matters the entire time he was in court.  And he seems to have managed to postpone the trial until long after the elections.  And all the news that claim that the case against Bibi is rigged means that with every appearance in court, he gets more votes. 

Maybe we should vote for the jackal.

 

 

february 8, 2021 – politics and the jackal Read Post »

blog, my life in tel aviv

it’s not the lymphoma that worries him – it’s the serology.  His Ichilov doctor for 13 years told him to make sure he takes a test.  But when he asked about the results, they told him that it would take a month.  That’s when he realized that the test was for research, not for him.  By chance I had a test scheduled in Assuta, so as soon as he returned I dragged him along, and we both go the tests together.  After two hospitals in one day the poor guy is exhausted, but we should know if the vaccine works on immune-challenged patients in 24 hours.

 

Feb 7, 2021 – Ezi’s final – continued Read Post »

blog, my life in tel aviv

“He was just here, in our front yard,” our neighbor says. “I chased him away.  “He was sick.”  Another neighbor races out of the building  “I called the city, but you chased him away so now they won’t come. ”  “They have to come.  It’s sick!”  “Next time, don’t throw stones at it.”  “It won’t come back.”

That was yesterday.  The jackals have been moving closer to populated areas as the streets empty out.  And they are hungry.  People have been bitten, and an infant was snatched from its mother’s arms.  In the north there have been rabid jackals crossing the borders.  They are killed on sight, but it sometimes takes a while to see them.

I was worried about our cat, and she didn’t show up yesterday.  What if she was gobbled up? or bitten?  

Today the cat turned up, and ate enormous amounts.  But when I went to let her out, she wouldn’t go, and showed inordinate amounts of affection – for a wild cat who bites at being touched.  Finally I walked her out and met a third neighbor. “Be careful,” she said, “I saw a jackal here this morning.” 

The cat had raced out of the front yard, and hid for a moment under a car.  Then I saw her racing up the street. 

She knows about the jackal – that’s why she didn’t want to leave.  

 

february 6, 2021 – the jackal Read Post »

blog, my life in tel aviv, poetry

Because I promised to read a poem by Rivka on her birthday next week, i decided to translate a few of them.  When i finished this draft, I began to cry.  what do you think?

There is a time

When more quietly than quiet the poem resides.

Where is the poem?

Consumed in the fires

Dumbfounded by hunger

In the ghastly rasp of a bullet

In the bloody scream of terror

Frozen in icy snow

Where is the poem?

In memory.

february 4, 2021 – Rivka bassman’s birthday party and a poem Read Post »

blog, israeli politics, my life in tel aviv

This is it, the final moments – we’re going to know who is going to run in the coming elections.  what teams, what political parties can combine with the others and whether the government will be a better one.  My favorite candidate is the guy who dropped out.  itzik Shmueli – the guy who was so devoted to the goal of helping win over the corona that he totally screwed up his political career. 

After him, I admire Benny Ganz terribly.  

But I’ll probably vote for Labor as always.  They look good – ideologically speaking.  And it’s a family tradition. 

 

february 4, 2021 – musical chairs begins Read Post »