blog, my life in tel aviv, poetry, ,

i was sure it would be out for Passover, and I’d be able to send the mobi file to friends for the fun of comparing the stories of Passover with the reality of Egypt and the slaves and the Jews.  I spent at least 2 days editing it so the pictures align with the text.  but this afternoon I was informed that it all came out a mess and I have to start over and a kindle book would be impossible.  it’s such a fun book and to me so enlightening I’m really broken-hearted.  And I have a ton of paperwork from the IAWE to take care of before I leave.  But never mind – I’ll give you a poem in advance:

 

 

Footstool

 

See how each slave is unique –

But Sudanese, Philistinian, or Jew

they’re all tied in one unyielding queue

and you know they’ve been brought

from all over the world,

together on one footstool

under the heel of the Pharaoh

who will never let

these people go

a poem in advance:

 

march 7, 2021 – Egypt: an israelite returns, editing Read Post »

israeli politics

What a wonderful morning we had as we wandered through the Land of Israel Museum.  Not only was there a superb exhibit -(not crowded because so many people had already it before the lockdown and the numbers were regulated).  This glass-blown Harley blew me away. 

We also had a walk through the grounds

It has been years since we’ve visited the olive presses, and it was just very pretty walking through the many paths. 

We even had a chance to buy a little gift for a friend in the museum store, and to get some tasty food at the restaurant to sit outside and devour.  But there was something in the salad that I must have been allergic to because I’ve been really ill all afternoon and evening.  And that is why you haven’t heard from me all day.

march 6, 2021 – take-away? Read Post »

blog, my life in tel aviv, poetry

In time for Passover, I’m going to publish a little poetry book about Egypt.  Here’s a little poem and picture you may like.

Footstool

 

 

 

 

 

Look at how each slave is unique

Sure, they’re all tied in one queue

but you know they’ve been captured

from all over the world,

all on one footstool

under the heel of the Pharoah

who will never let

these people go

march 5, 2021 – planning a book on Egypt Read Post »

blog, israeli politics, my life in tel aviv

As I sat with a friend who is mourning the death of her lover, I began to lose concentration on the conversation of all her friends who were trying to divert her attention from her loss.  I knew she was mourning not only her lover, but all the past that had slipped away from her, and all that kept my mind occupied while people were chattering about vaccines.  But suddenly I found myself saying – I just wish we would vaccinate all the Palestinians.  And everyone became animated, even our distracted friend.  It was not because anyone disagreed – it was all about how we could help it to happen.  How I wish our government could have a conversation like that.

march 4, 2021 – vaccines for our neighbors Read Post »

blog, my life in tel aviv

last year at this time we were returning from Egypt.  It was a great voyage – in many ways and I am planning to publish a kindle in the next weeks about this trip.  I’ll send you a copy if you ask.  But the big thing i now remember is the miracle of our salvation.  We didn’t catch covid.  At one point, in the temple of Abu Simbel, I suddenly stopped listening to our guide and noticed that all around me I’d been hearing Chinese and Italian for days, that some people were even wearing masks, and we are among a close crowd of people.  That moment of clarity disappeared as we continued touring throughout the country, standing very close to numerous strangers.  A few days after we returned we realized how dangerous it was as we came down with some kind of violent flu, asked immediately to get tested, and understood that a woman who returned to Israel only a day after us, had died of Covid.  We didn’t catch it then, but it was just a matter of enormous luck.  Let’s hope that luck holds…

march 3, 2021 – Egypt Read Post »

blog, my life in tel aviv

So many parents have had to return to work, including teachers who had been teaching on zoom.  And the children, who have been deprived of school, of friends, of clubs, are now home alone without parents.  I’m thrilled that people are going back to work, that the recently impoverished families may regain a modicum of normality.

But oh those lonely children – I am certain they will recover, and perhaps with more enthusiasm than ever when they return to their social environment.  But as a grandmother, my heart is breaking over every one of my seven grandchildren who are all suffering from various results of the covid virus.

From the oldest to the youngest, a lack of fulfillment, of completion

 

 

 

 

march 2, 2021 – lonely children Read Post »

israeli politics

There is no doubt that the world is divided now between the haves and have nots – and the gaps are growing.  Here, the poverty is great.    And of course, it is not only the poverty of today – but the future of each and every one is destroyed.  People who cannot afford to eat can’t afford to study, can’t afford to buy computers, to concentrate on any idea of a future.  

So I sincerely hope that the Israel Bonds that so many people have bought (see here )   actually reach these people and do not go into the pockets of our politicians.

When I was growing up I was enlisted for many years to help with the Bond drive, and I know that bonds helped build this country.  We all got great satisfaction from seeing the wonderful things that bonds helped to build.  I still have many charms she received for selling large quantities of bonds.  

Now, my husband chides, that money has gone to help out those businesses that haven’t been able to open for the past year.

What will happen to all of them now?

march 1, 2021 – where do donations go Read Post »