Israelis’ Amazing Spirit
I know I will probably be processing this experience for a while to come, but one lesson that is already apparent to me is that Israelis are amazingly tough and resilient people.
We Had 90 Seconds To Reach Our Safe Room
While we were cleared to leave the mamad 10 minutes after the siren ended, we continued to sit there long after, trying to process what had just occurred.
It’s My Flag Now
I was so much indebted to these heroes; what more could I do to keep their memories alive?
Voting For The First Time
While sometimes the letters spell out the party name or represent the party leader’s name or platform, there isn’t always a clear connection between the two.
Our Aliyah Anniversary
My husband Tzvi has settled into working remotely, and the kids love being able to drop in to supervise his work.
Our Second Pesach In Israel
One year later, we are free from lockdown, but still unable to celebrate a seder with family, as it is currently nearly impossible to travel between Israel and North America.
A Belated Birthday
Indeed, I could not believe how grown up she looked at her party. Sitting on her birthday throne, crowned in a wreath of flowers, bedecked in her best party dress, she looked like such a little lady!
Celebrating Shushan Purim On Masada
While the chag was still nice, it just wasn’t the Adar excitement we had expected. Reflecting on this over Shabbat, my husband and I decided we still had time to make this holiday special.
Back To Normal?
My husband and I debated what was best for the kids. We wanted to do whatever we could to keep them safe, but we also wanted to give them their best opportunities to grow, learn, and have fun.
Beyond Our One Kilometer – At Long Last
As my kids and I have taken daily walks for a month now, it is not an exaggeration to say that we literally know every crack in the sidewalk within our allowed kilometer.
Speech Therapy And Scary Masked Men
From our first appointment, which was with a social worker, I realized that we were going to be facing a challenging experience.
Tu B’Shevat – A Whole New Holiday
In the late 19th century, when the first aliyah arrived in Palestine, the land was a barren desert. Through hard work, sacrifice, and belief (not to mention a whole lot of hashgacha pratis), the land was transformed into the lush beautiful country we all enjoy today.
Ordering Online In Israel
The items wouldn’t be replaced or refunded. I was informed that they had been delivered by their use-by date and that I could have frozen them.
Here Comes The Cold Weather
Those large panoramic windows that facilitate cool cross breezes on hot summer nights? Now they facilitate a less pleasant winter wind – even with the shutters tightly closed.
Yet Another Lockdown
Despite the chaos, it's clear that the government is committed to trying to keep us safe while allowing life to continue as much as possible.
Job Hunting In Israel
Interviews in Israel are run more casually, and an interviewer may ask some pretty personal questions.
Holding History In His Hand
Throughout the city there are various historical and archeological sites connected to the Maccabee time period, and my husband and son were lucky enough to participate in a shul trip for the local kids to one of these sites.
Doughnuts Galore
Every gift came with a personalized note, letting the recipient know that her Secret Maccabee was thinking of her.
Entertaining The Kids Under Lockdown
While I certainly don’t love giving my Adi too much screen time, I must admit that I found myself easily caving whenever he begged me to allow him to “review” the videos just one more time.
Thanksgiving In Israel
Growing up, I read Israeli papers to keep up on the matzav (situation) in Israel. These days, I find myself starting each day reading through the New York papers to keep up to date on what the matzav is there.
Hebrew Lingo
Think that despite it all, things are going fine? Perhaps you “chai b’seret,” live in a movie – i.e. not in reality. (Someone who is a drama queen is referred to oddly as “l’echol sratim,” someone who “eats movies.”)
New Questions
Perhaps the hardest questions have related to the political issues here in Israel.
Olim Cholim
Unfamiliar with other parents in my daughter’s gan, we also didn’t have anyone to commiserate with during the long sleepless nights of my daughter’s illness.
Celebrating Rain?
Not a day goes by here in Israel that we don't think about water.
Shopping In Israel
At a loss, I thrust my American credit card into her gloved hands and explained that we were new olim and did not understand. Could she please just charge us for the shoes?
Yet Another Holiday Under Lockdown
Missing out on the candy bags? KDT had us covered. The shul set up a “pekalach swap” whereby every KDT family was tasked with delivering a candy bag to another family in the shul.
Sukkot – Sun Or Snow?
With Sukkot evenings as delightful as this, I no longer understand the age-old dvar Torah about why Sukkot is celebrated in the autumn instead of the spring.
Life Under Lockdown – Again
In true “Big Brother” fashion, the Shin Bet finds contact points between Covid-19 patients and others using cell phone tracking systems generally employed for counterterrorism operations.
Rosh Hashanah Under Lockdown
While my children and I did not attend shul this year (my husband attended a very small, very early morning minyan), we did manage to have a special davening experience.
The Ins And Outs Of Ulpan
While I generally had a lot of fun on these interviews, I still am embarrassed when I recall our first in-Hebrew television interview.
