israeli politics

edge of the volcano - 7.19.26

Every day we seem to be getting closer and closer to get pulled into war.  You’d think it would make us run away, but that isn’t the reason we’re flying out.  It’s more a reunion of good friends that has been postponed too long.  Ezi’s friends from high school.  I thought I’s also be able to see Mayzun, an old student who has been doing a postdoc here.  but she disappeared – she stopped writing me over a year ago and I’ve been scared for her. She doesn’t answer my mail, my whatsapps. Was she injured? Did she stop talking to Jews? I don’t know how I can find out about her – i can’t remember her father’s first name, and where exactly their house is in Tira.  Help! Mayzun Shibi!

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israeli politics

It's Complicated - 7.18.26

So many things about Israeli society that I’m proud of.  But for the past days I’ve been silenced in the shame of the government that is leading us to certain oblivion.  How could we read psalm 137  without knowing how important it is to preserve the country?  When we first lost Israel in Nebuchadnezzar’s days in 597.  i think that this is King James translation but I want to quote it and not the Jewish versions because it is so universally known.

1. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.
2. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.
3. For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion.
4. How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a strange land?

Me, I can’t sing any songs.  I can’t write poems, can’t enumerate my criticisms and fears, can only pray that Bibi voted for all those Taliban laws to make his exit complete, to make sure that no one votes for his incredibly stupid party and government and that some sane people come in on time to save our asses.

no songs for me this week.  it will be Tisha B’av and I will be in a strange land, praying I won’t have to mourn this beloved land.

 

 

It’s Complicated – 7.18.26 Read Post »

israeli politics

It's not like we don't know - 7.17.26


Gaza – The facts are covered as much as can be, but the news trickles out to us – what is going on in Gaza.  I say to my trainer, “They’re starving” and replies – they get more than enough – Hamas steals it. I say, “the live in tents – in this weather.” She says – they’re used to it.  I say 65 children have died in bombings..  She says, that what they get when they start a war and kill our children. Medical supplies – I start to say.  This isn’t a world where we can be kind – the war can’t be won by sissies,  oh dear, we have lost. we have lost our humanity.

It’s not like we don’t know – 7.17.26 Read Post »

israeli politics

tsipi and others - 7.15.26

Somehow we found ourselves watching Israeli channels on tv.  Since last year I think the humanity and resilience of the local inhabitants has become incredibly apparent in every kind of program – talk shows, dating shows, dancing contests, interviews.  Even a program where autistic children interview celebrities reveals the humanity of the children on the spectrum as well as the celebrities.  From a celebrated comedianne to a rock star. the most intimate connections are made and the sense of unity is palpable.  I’m hooked.


tsipi – 7.15.26 Read Post »

israeli politics

democratim - 7.13.26

Well I did it – i signed up for the leftist party – Democratim.  

They seem to be the only ones acknowledging the chaos in the West Bank, although the other parties gently criticize the government for their responsibility in the October 7 carastrophe and the corruption that led to it and has grown since then.  Every time I think of the hostages and the way they were ignored in 2023, I am overwhelmed by the moral slippage in the present government.  

Now it is clear that I should be following the more rational policy of waiting to see who  has the best chance of toppling the government and casting my vote with them, but I can’t take the chance.  I have been playing rational too long.  I have to follow my beliefs as far as I can.  

democratim – 7.13.26 Read Post »

israeli politics

still crazy - 7.12.26

Who did you think I meant by crazy?  Me? Iran?  Israel?  Madness is contagious, you know, and if someone zigzags long enough, I have to zigzag all over to keep up.  And I too lose my orientation.   

In fact I think everyone but Iran is losing orientation

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israeli politics

winter funeral - 7.12.26

Hanoch Levin has dominated Israeli theater for ages, and even though it is long since he died. every new production of a play of his is met with great excitement.  

So for the opening I got 4 tickets, sure that my daughter would be excited.  But she forgot all about it, and I immediately invited my teenage grandchildren instead, forgeting how gross and pessimistic he could be.  

And “Winter Funeral” was Levin as his most gross and pessimistic.  and funny. With a mother who is so unwilling to postpone her daughter’s wedding, even though it means ignoring her nephew and his announcement of the funeral of his mother.   

Not particularly age-appropriate, but the kids were more impressed, I think, by the food at the reception and the fact of the presence of numerous celebrities.  

Not written about in English yet, but in the past I’ve translated at least 4 plays of his in the past, and I don’t think they go over well in English, because the Yiddish humor doesn’t work.  And they certainly aren’t PC.

https://www.cameri.co.il/%D7%94%D7%A6%D7%92%D7%95%D7%AA_%D7%94%D7%A7%D7%90%D7%9E%D7%A8%D7%99/%D7%94%D7%9C%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%94_%D7%97%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%A4%D7%99%D7%AA/

winter funeral -7.17.26 Read Post »