israeli politics
When we arrived at a small town called kamakura I was a little fed up with visiting villages and sweet tea houses. But when I tasted the plum sake I realized there was much more to this town that I needed to know about.
And one of the things was Chiune Sugihara who was buried here, in his home town. Appointed as a vice-counsel in Lithuania in 1939, he managed to sign visas for over 5558 Jews, saving them from certain death. It was amazing to see a normal out-of-the-way village as the source of such heroism.
I was a little overwhelmed by the heat and my overeating to really enjoy the pleasures of this town as much as I would have liked, but I was really impressed by his simple humanity. His statement
But I would really like to pay respects to Sugihara and want to see if I can convince my group to go there
Kamakura and Sugihara Read Post »
israeli politics
Thinking we’d be in a small village I was overwhelmed by the size of the train station – almost as big as Kyoto which services half a million a day. I’m putting pictures on Facebook because it’s easier right now so take a look there.
In any case the gardens are far more impressive and I suggest you go there . I’ll try to match pictures later
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 »