israeli politics

Anywhere Else - 4.20.25

You can get news about what’s going on in Israel anywhere.  That’s not what’s going on these pages.  I spent a few hours switching channels and trying to escape the virtriolic accusations against Bibi.  Not that I don’t believe every word – but I can’t bear it – from the beginning of the war we all knew what Bibi would be doing, and every demonstration, every letter, every attempt that was made to communicate with him proved that we have no power at all in this country. 

Otherwise everything is fine – the weather blows hot and cold and it makes for a nice change of atmosphere every day.  Some days winter clothes, some days summer.  The one thing that stays stable in my wardrobe is no jewelry.  I can’t wear any thing except the earrings that remind me of the hostages for some reason.  of course and my watch – that I keep charged.  I also have shoes next to me all the time.  And I sleep – if not fully dressed then in something i would not be embarassed to be seen at any hour of the day or night by a stranger who might wander into our shelter during an attack.    Also there are some colleagues I would not like to encounter in dishabille who are wandering around. 

Of course there is a possibility that while I’m sitting in the shelter in my crocs, the building blows up and I am left with my phone and my memories. 

The fact that the bombs are less frequent, that we seem to shoot down most of the Yemenite rockets, doesn’t make it easier – especially in this bellicose environment.

 

anywhere else – 4.20.25 Read Post »

israeli politics

a Contemporary Poem - 18.4.25

My friend Rafi Weichert published a poem in Haaretz today, apparently on reading a story to a chold – but it contains so many of the values an Israeli boy – who will soon become a soldier – needs.  so i translated it:

Reading an Epic with a Child

For Ido

Rafi Weichert

As evening comes we read

of Achilles who returned to battle

and of Hector whose body was chained to a chariot.

In the lessons to come we’ll accompany Odysseus

on his way to Ithaca, duping the Cyclops,

and we’ll evade Circe the witch.

You listen to the ancient stories

with a mouth full of grapes from the bowl.

The epic proceeds to the sound of the peels cracking

and his heroes run or sail to the goal

still hidden from your eyes.

In life, you’ll come to see, there are moments of heroism

not necessarily connected with death –

insult, shame and anger that mostly come

in human forms.

You learn about the envy that deceives,

on the poisonous thirst for vengeance

and of deep chasm of.hubris

in the hours that wisdom is granted to you

like sails unfurling

to meet the great wind.

In years to come these tales will aid you –

invisible weapons that are drawn

to defeat the enemies within.

a contemporary poem – 18.4.25 Read Post »

israeli politics

Tel Aviv - 17.4.25

It has been far too long since I’ve sat in a cafe with a friend in Tel Aviv, but just an hour or two with Sabine at Nechama’s reminded me that there is something absolutely unique about the people, the place, the atmosphere.  It looks like people are just shmoozing and some of them are, but there’s such a vibrant atmosphere that it gives me a desire to create, to grow, to develop.

But then we went to the poetry session at the documentary film festival and every clip was so fake, so pretentious, and so self-conscious I wanted to drag the poet-film makers out to the streets to connect with something real.   It’s like poetry has lost its center.  They had technique, feeling, and no connection with an audience.  

Tel Aviv – 17.4.25 Read Post »

israeli politics

Epos - 17.4.25

Just as I was settling down to fix the cover of the paperback of “Survivors” my friend calls to invite us to the opening of the annual documentary arts festival.  a very big to do – right next to the place where the families of the hostages are protesting.  the film we saw was great , and I’m going back for more.

Epos – 17.4.25 Read Post »

israeli politics

free book - 4.15.25

From tomorrow, the 16the of April until the 20th, my book on the holocaust experience, Survivors, will be available on kindle for free.  Just look for my name and survivors.  

Survivors

you can also buy it on paperback.

I think it’s an appropriate way to take in Holocaust Day on April23.

free book – 4.16.25 Read Post »

israeli politics

kindle - 14.4.25

I’ve been fiddling with kindle for the past few days – editing old books and putting up new ones.  Why not?  I’m trying not to submit to presses and getting ghosted.  Maybe someone will like a book and write a review.  At the moment I’m into this one: Survivors 

it should be interesting if uneven. and here’s a little secret – on the bottom right of this cover pixture of survivors are my brother and me.

Kindle Read Post »

israeli politics

Haim Grade - 4.13.25

I began reading the new book that Lily brought my from New York and remembered suddenly the visit he had with my parents and the Jewish Community Center in the ’50’s.  Grade is the short one in the middle and my father is the dandy on his left.  My mother is wearing the light colored dress.  Grade’s book, that has only been released in English this month, is a pleasure to read.  

Haim Grade – 4.13.25 Read Post »