israeli politics

order of Relevance - 11.5.25

I haven’t been writing for the past few days because I had a backache and a stomachache.  Normally I would make a special effort to say something wise, but the mess in values in government world-wide made me this about how we have to step back and reevaluate what our list of relevance is.  Where should we be putting our emphasis, where our intentions, where our time.  

For the first time in a month, for example, I paid attention to my pain and enjoyed the agonies of an osteopath.  I suddenly found myself walking easily, and perhaps am able to take care of some of the other problems that have been haunting me.

And now we turn to politics.  Our concerns and our values have been totally mixed up – by politicians first, but also by the media, and we have to learn to evaluate every single fact that is fed to us.  This is true for Israel as well as New York.  And the naivete is as mad here as there.  

Mamdani will never accomplish most of the things he has promised to the population of the city, even though I would love most of it to happen.  We’ll never set things straight with Gaza, unless we can make major changes to the attitude in the middle east.  

order of Relevance – 11.5.25 Read Post »

israeli politics

testing my return - 1.4.25

It’s not enough that there is a shutdown at major airports. and no information is available on phone, email, fax. etc.  I’m leaving a US that will choose Mamdani tomorrow and there is no doubt that he is the dream candidate.  

But when I get home, without my computer, there is a stack of scandals to deal with.  Mostly on a political level, but also of a personal nature.    The tragedies are sad but inevitable.  The scandals as well.

I won’t gossip about other people – it is really not proper.  So this is about me.  As soon as I got home I ran to the health clinic to find out why my back was hurting so much that I didn’t even try to get any business done.  I limped, stood up from a chair at the speed of a sloth, and moved from bed to sofa all night.  The osteopath said it wasn’t my back, pressed all over my stomach and released gas, and I should have felt better.  However, I remembered the famous line by Jonathan Swift and realized there is a connection between my body and my spirit.  “with wind and not with wisdom big” and I spent the next day in agony, recalling Ezi’s first reaction to chemotherapy.  Fortunately I also recalled his doctor’s advice – to take gas-x and antacids every few hours.

So now I am just completely worn out and look forward to an afternoon of pleasure with my friends.

testing my return – 11.4.25 Read Post »

israeli politics

lost computer 10.31.25

Fed up with my slow pace, Ezi ordered wheelchair service for me at the airport.  But perhaps because I wasn’t quite ready the wheelchair attendent had to wait and perhaps because of that he left my computer in the tray when he gave me my bag.  

And there it is – somewhere in a tray or somewhere else in the world – but not with me.  So I have been busy all days finding phone numbers of losts and founds, chasing an unfound computer.

What shall I do?  I certainly can’t concentrate on the politics in this busy busy land.  

and now we’re going into the weekend where nothing happens in lostandfound but everything happens by the minute in Israel.  

lost computer – 10.31.25 Read Post »

israeli politics

harlem - 10.28.15

Joy sent us tickets to her performance at the Harlem Stage and because it was Joy Harjo, and we love her and her works, we went.  But the wonder and the pleasure was increased a hundred percent by the venue.  The building itself is exquisite and makes you know and feel in advance that you are in an event.  Her latest book was distributed to the audience at the door, so that you would know what the ‘girl warrior’ event was about.  The audience was brought in at once, in a queue, and late comers went to the back.  I know this seems obvious, but it isn’t.  It makes the introduction to a poet an act of respect, and I appreciated it.  

And the stage itself was magnificent.  Look:

okay – don’t look  now – my computer is not behaving and i’m late for lunch.

just understand – the concept of respect for art was overwhelming to me.  

I’ll write more when I’ve calmed my computer down.

harlem – 10.28.15 Read Post »

israeli politics

phones out - 10.26.25

our phones have been out for a while – so Ive given up trying to talk to my friends.  In fact, I’ve given up.  The Jewish Book Council was so helpful about what has to be done with “Survivors” but I haven’t had a chance to and/or energy to get moving without a phone.  where is a pharmacy nearby?  i’d ordinarily find it online since I don’t know the neighborhood, but, hell, I’d rather stay on my couch.

so apologies to my cousins, my friends, my family, everyone.  I hope to be back in touch soon.

 

phones out – 10.26.25 Read Post »

israeli politics

my Fault - 10.24.25

I’ve been traipsing around the trains in NY without a mask, sleeping half of what I should, meeting with all kinds of people i shouldn’t have kissed.  No wonder I seem to have caught the flu.  But a good night at home should set me right.  so don’t give up on me – i want to visit Emma Lazarus’ grave on sunday.  we’ll see.

my fault – 10.24.25 Read Post »

israeli politics

choices in politics - 10.23.25

Isn’t there a ballot that says- these choices are terrible.  we demand worthy candidates?  

I’ve kept myself from voicing any opinion on the New York elections, but I can’t resist – doesn’t one of the candidates look like a smiling slave dealer?

Now that I look again, don’t all of  them?

 

Look at Ireland’s election – a direct vote.  Oh, how I wish the Irish were less insular and knew more about us.  And I wish we were wiser as well.

 

choices in politics – 10.23.25 Read Post »

israeli politics

no antisemitism here - 10.22.25

i keep getting baited to say bad things about Jews, Israel, or both.  I have nothing to say.  “Why do Jews in Israel love Trump? Why are they sucking up to them?”  “How could you possibly believe in the bible as a source of the jewish claim on Israel?”  “When are you going to leave that terrible country?”  An old friend assumes that I believe that Israeli has committed genocide, quotes numbers to me, and waits for me to denounce the country.  I say, let’s wait and see what can be repaired.  let’s see how much damage has been done to us.  let’s be kind to ourselves as well as the others and try to make things better.  I don’t believe we should be bashing ourselves on the head when everyone else is doing it for us.  And really think we should be helping each other rather than blaming.  so there.

 

no antisemitism here – 10.22.25 Read Post »