israeli politics

I’m not going to go into a guide to Japan – even though the week since I’ve been able to make contact here has been filled with unique experiences. I will just begin with one evaluation.

From the number of temples we have seen – in Egypt, Viet Nam, Hong Kong, and now in China, I have finally understood the difference between Jewish Monotheism and the other religions. When you have a lot of Gods and your fate is determined by pleasing them and requesting their pleasure, your prayer allows you to relax and allow the responsibility to rest with the gods. But when you have a God from you are allowed to ask for nothing except forgiveness, it’s on you. No wonder Jews are so nervous!

I hope this works and i can continue to be in touch -during my little sukkot voyage from one shack to another. one way or another I’ll be back….

What you’ve missed – oct 15 Read Post »

israeli politics

So tomorrow we leave for Japan.  The amazing cardiologist Prof Viskin who is in charge of cardiology at Ichilov, followed Ezi’s apple watch and declared that the monitoring was sufficient.  He gave Ezi pills for alleviating any situation that might occur – but he would be warned about it by his watch.  

He spent something like an hour considering the case, and I suddenly remembered we had a birthday party to get to.  Shifra Lancet turned 100.  She was always Sarah’s younger cousin to me, the one who idolized her exciting life, while Sarah herself was blase about her time in pre-war Germany, her wild social life in Tel Aviv, etc, etc.  She was as wise as Sarah, however, even though she didn’t have as wild a life.  Maybe wiser.  She has made her life in the protected living home as comfortable and creative as possible.  Art, fiction, crafts – she did everything.  Now she’s not doing so much, but her family presented her in her most creative light and she was thrilled.  

I wonder what it would have been like to have a grandmother.

The kids came for sushi right after and after this fulfilling day, I’m comfortable about leaving – almost everything has been solved.

almost

 

sayonara – oct 7, 2022 Read Post »

israeli politics

Our wanderings will begin saturday evening – very suitable for sukkot.  I am grateful for all our neighbors who have taken over our apartment and will be keeping guard, especially the nasty dog who will guard my precious glass earrings.  It is sometimes good not to own valuables, The fact that I once had many diamonds and gold and had to give them up to my ex makes me feel always that jewels come with a price, and I am happy to give them away for my freedom.

But I digress. If the doctor today gives us an okay, we will be in Japan in two days.  In four days I will be able to hug my old friend Laura and weep copiously with joy.  if I have wifi and time I will relate it all.

wanderings – oct 7, 2022 Read Post »

israeli politics

We seem so close to an agreement with Lebanon about gas – and it is clear we would all benefit somehow from a deal.  For me, the benefit would be that I’d be able to see Beirut.

I once had a friend in Beirut.  In the 80’s I wrote poems about him.  I don’t know if I ever published this:

Friend and Foe

(June 10-12, 1982)

Skyhawks fly over my city
on their way to bomb yours.
We are awakened by the noise
and I fall asleep restlessly
dreaming of you and your daughters.

“If anything happens to my girls,
I hold you personally responsible.”
April 25. Israel is bombing Beirut.
You and I stick to wine with our
lamb casserole in Cyprus
and discuss politics.

Spinning the dial now from BBC
to the Israel Army Channel
I don’t know what to believe.
The thin voice of an 18-year-old soldier
telling how a Lebanese
kissed him when he jumped out
of his tank, is muddled with the British
accents of the newsmen estimating
half a million homeless
in southern Lebanon.

Minutes after the cease-fire in Beirut
CBS photographs antiaircraft fire
from a small apartment building.
(Is that where you live? Then
who lives with you?) The Skyhawks
go down on the city again.

Friend! My husband is in civil defence
and my sons are too small for the army. You
have daughters and are old and alcoholic.
We can’t fight this war.
But both of us are in it
and responsible.

beirut – Oct 6, 2022 Read Post »

israeli politics

the doctor who released Ezi yesterday with a big smile said the tests were fine, but when I saw them today I was not pleased. A CRP of 12.9 is not good. But I am not considered an authority in the family and we are in the holiday spirit and no one is working so it will be difficult to get more tests or advice. And now we’re entering a nice, long, holiday and we will be on the other side of the world.

Tests – oct 6, 2022 Read Post »

israeli politics

Suddenly Ezi announced there was something wrong – Ezi who never complains said his heart was racing.  He did an ekg that he sent to the service, which came racing down in an ambulance and, after fifteen minutes of figuring out how to get the ambulance started again, he was taken the long way to the hospital.  We spent the evening in the emergency ward, in which everything turned out fine, and were sent home with the advice to do more tests and consult with our doctor about further procedures.  Our doctor happens to be the guy in charge of the emergency ward.  

I think Ezi just went crazy with all my complaining.

although he was dehydrated,,,,,

emergency ward – oct 6, 2022 Read Post »

israeli politics

What reflection have I been doing today.  Unlike any year before . The antireligious voices I’ve been hearing all around have multiplied, and become more enthusiastic, more violent, in part as a result of ignorance of religion and primarily as a result of the increasing awareness of the cost of religion in our area.  And me – somehow I still love God with all my heart, whether God exists or not. 

Neila Read Post »

israeli politics

THE DAY OF ATONEMENT IN TEL AVIV

 

It is Yom Kippur

and the only voice on the street

is our neighbor, crazed from Auschwitz, shouting

“without a cause, without a reason, without a purpose,”

Over and over.  Then “All, all, all, all.”

From the synagogue nearby

There is no sound.

yom kippur – 2 Read Post »