All photos, photographed by me |
A Jewish Grandmother
A Jewish Grandmother: Original, unedited daily musings, and host to the monthly Kosher Cooking Carnival. **Copyright(C)BatyaMedad ** For permission to use these in publications of any sort, please contact me directly. Private accredited distribution encouraged. Thank you.
Thursday, April 11, 2024
WHITE RABBIT's Day Dream's a Dream
Tuesday, April 02, 2024
Book Review: Gilgul I: Re-dedication
Considering that Israel is now at war for its survival, and Jews in the Diaspora are dealing with a rise in antisemitism that had been unthinkable even a year ago, this really is the time to give your children a book of Jewish heroism and hope, like Gilgul I.
In this interview with Singer, you can read of how she felt the need for the book, even in simpler times.
David, just fifteen 15, and his sister Leya are the heroes of this behind the scenes biblical adventure. Their father defies the Greeks by secretly teaching Torah, while producing exquisite wooden furniture with the help of his children.
Like many biblical heroines, Leya is brave and practical, even more so than the males. Her prowess with the bow and arrow are, davka, superior to David's who prefers playing Skyros, similar to rugby but much more dangerous. His extraordinary talent has been noticed by a royal Greek player making David's life much more complicated.
Yes, I recommend Gilgul I, which can be ordered from Amazon.
Product details
- Publisher : Hakodesh Press (November 13, 2018)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 208 pages
- ISBN-10 : 6202455276
- ISBN-13 : 978-6202455275
Monday, March 18, 2024
That Oppenheimer Movie
The other night I saw that Oppenheimer movie. Actually we didn't go to the cinema; we saw it in a neighbor's home where she has a nice big screen.
I'm glad that I hadn't paid to see it. It was rather torturous to be perfectly honest. One neighbor walked out in the middle saying that he know the plot/history. I stayed hoping it would get better, even though trying to run a marathon would probably have been more pleasant.
Just because it won lots of prizes doesn't mean it's good. I'm a cynic, realist, pragmatist, and I don't follow the crowds. Some movies which had won barely any awards have have held up and today over half a century later, like Some Like It Hot, and are now treasured, praised and viewed more than ever. Compare it to Roman Holiday and The Sting, also great award winners. They're favorites with many, though over a half a century old. If I'm even in enforced bedrest, please keep me cheerful and fascinated by watching movies like those. I doubt if people will will willing to watch the three hours of Oppenheimer in sixty 60 years, or even in ten, unless they're already unconscious.
Good cinema, like good literature must show character development, challenges and changes. Granted Oppenheimer did face challenges, but Cillian Murphey's expression, tone and expression never changed. Maybe it's because his facial skin had been stretched too tightly...
"Would you like to see this movie another few times for enjoyment?"
Thursday, March 07, 2024
Hearing Aids Report #6 Two Years Later-- A Few Tips and HUMOR 😅😊
You may find it helpful to read my previous articles about life with hearing aids, updates #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, plus mask-tying advice for avoiding COVID and loss of expensive hearing aids.
It's hard to believe that over two years have passed since I first got my hearing aids. My audiologist had sent me out that day with them in my ears claiming that there's no gradual getting used to them, but to be honest it did take me quite a few months. During those first few months I returned to the clinic for quick visits, help, different size domes etc. Also, I'd go days without wearing them and find them uncomfortable by the end of the day.pre-bedtime routine
glasses and hearing aids
I can't say exactly when things changed and wearing them daily until bedtime became routine. Of course, I wasn't under a lot of pressure to rush it, because I do hear, though not perfectly. Generally I don't put them in until I'm leaving home, or if I need the Bluetooth in order to listen to things when I'm not alone.
One of the The best thing about wearing hearing aids is no longer interrupting people with "What?" or "I couldn't hear that."
A few weeks ago I made an appointment at the clinic where I had bought my hearing aids to see if there had been any changes in my hearing. The audiologist who helped me then had be promoted to head a different branch, so I had someone else. She tested my hearing and adjusted the hearing aids to their new requirements. No complaints.
Our healthcare provider gave lots of choice in places to get the hearing aids but first required an exam by an ENT and a proper hearing test. Every three and a half years we, here in Israel, can buy a subsidized pair.
*****
Following are a couple of funny things concerning my life with hearing aids. My hearing may be faulty, but not my sense of humor. What do you think?
Has this happened to anyone else?🙃 Tell me in the comments.
1-I sat down by the computer in the den after being in the kitchen and suddenly realized I didn't have my phone, though I could hear it through the Bluetooth.
So I went back to the kitchen and looked all over. I couldn't find it.
My husband decided to be helpful and "dialed" me, but of course that didn't help, since the ring is via Bluetooth. I heard the ring through my hearing aids.
So I took out my hearing aids and opened the battery case to turn off the Bluetooth.
Suddenly sounds came out of a cabinet. Yes, I had placed my phone in a kitchen cabinet. I took it out, turned my hearing aids back on and returned them to my ears.😉
2-One morning my phone refused to make any sounds. I tried everything, turned it off. Restart didn't help. I psyched myself up to prepare for a trip to someone for repairs.
Before leaving, I took my hearing aids to insert in my ears and... discovered that I hadn't turned them off before going to sleep. There wasn't anything wrong with my telephone's sound. The sound had been going into the hearing aids which had been in their box. The only thing I hadn't tried was to turn off the Bluetooth. 😏
Monday, March 04, 2024
Women's Rosh Chodesh Adar 2 Prayers at Tel Shiloh
Besides our Women's Prayers, there are many other things to do at the beautiful well developed archeological site at Tel Shiloh. This is the actual, proven, location where the Biblical Chana prayed for a son and the Mishkan, Tabernacle stood welcoming Jews for prayers for close to four hundred 400 years.
For more information 02-578-9111, visit@telshilo.org.il and a-shiloh.co.il.
Tuesday, February 27, 2024
A Couple of Sips From a Recent Beer Tasting
A few weeks ago, I decided to buy myself a couple of bottles of Israeli craft beer, but it had to be really good beer. My favorite brewery is Shapiro, but if I'm buying it has to be one of my favorites of theirs, their IPA or Jack's Winter Ale. I walked down Rechov Agrippas, Jerusalem, which has some liquor stores with beer. The first one had some Shapiro, but not those particular ones, and the same at the second shop. But in the second the salesman asked me what I was looking for, so I told him. First he tried to interest me in Shapiro's newest beer, pineapple and mango flavored. Ever since I tasted the awful artificial fruit flavored beers at the 2019 Jerusalem Beer Festival, I suffer a sort of PTS when people mention fruit flavored beer. As an amateur beer taster, I can't refuse when offered some, which I told the salesman, but there's no way I'd buy a bottle of an unknown beer.
One thing thing I didn't tell him was that I was scheduled to attend a beer tasting the following evening and suspected that this new Shapiro beer would be on the tasting menu. I had guessed correctly! And I must say that Shapiro has done a fantastic job with natural fruit flavored beer.
Farm to Bottle Pineapple Mango's a rich golden color with pleasant fruity aroma, hints of the mango and pineapple. Nothing artificial. We agreed that it's more a summer than a winter drink. I'd add it to the list of beers for those who don't like beer. Personally I'd prefer drinking it to white wines. So if you have a chance to buy some, go for it.
As you can see from the display of bottles behind us tasters, we sampled quite a few beers that evening. We ended with Barrel Aged Saison from Shevet, another good Israeli craft brewery.This aged saison beer was another hit. Lovely golden hue, rich aroma, fruity, honey, plus some spice. Due to the fact that it's bottled in a wine-sized bottle, it should be served socially, like wine. I'd also prefer this Shevet beer to white wine.
Israeli wines and even a local whiskey win international awards, and I'm pretty sure that our craft beers will be bringing home trophies, too.
Monday, February 19, 2024
Endives, Recipes Raw and Cooked
I used the recipes I saw as "inspiration." I almost never follow recipes exactly.
Sunday, February 18, 2024
The War Effort Volunteering in Agriculture
Yes, that's me. I asked one of my fellow volunteers to photograph me |
I packaged mushrooms, then cauliflower so that they could be sold. It was important for me to do a really good job. It looks like it'll be a weekly event, but I won't be able to go. Wednesday is the day I study in Matan. Last week was the semester break, so I was really lucky to have such an opportunity.
Thursday, February 01, 2024
Rosh Chodesh Adar I Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh
Ladies, join us rain or shine at Tel Shiloh to pray together on Rosh Chodesh Adar Alef. If you'd like to visit the Tel, Ancient Shiloh, Shiloh Hakeduma, after the prayers, there's plenty to do.
For more information contact 02-578-9111 or visit@telshilo.org.il.
נשים מוזמנות להתפלל אתנו בראש חודש אדר א בשילה הקדומה לא חשוב מה המזג אוויר. אם אתן רוצות לבקר בתל שילה אחרי התפילה, יש הרבה מה לעשות שם.
visit@telshilo.org.il.לפרטים 02-578-9111 או
Monday, January 22, 2024
Shiloh is Quiet, But War Stress Still Strong
For over three months Israel has been fighting for its very survival against Hamas, such a cruel terrorist army/people that makes the Nazis look almost kind.
We haven't heard any sirens. In Shiloh, we don't have to run into shelters; actually we don't have any. Newer homes were build with shelters, and some people who enlarged their older homes now have shelters, too. But in my neighborhood, there are few; certainly none that we can reach within a minute or so.
I stick to my routine of taking a nice morning walk, weather permitting, of course.
Saturday, January 13, 2024
Beer Tasting- Israeli Craft Beer, Great Selection
A couple of weeks ago, Beer Maven Doug Greener invited me to a beer tasting. Joining us were two much younger tasters, so each bottle of beer had to be split between the four of us. And in case you're wondering, yes, the Beer בירה mosaics was made by yours truly.
All photos by me, Batya Medad |
IPA's must be very popular with Israel's craft beer brewers, because White Rabbit gave us two very refreshing ones.
Monday, January 01, 2024
Patriotic Necklace "Our Hearts are With IDF Soldiers--Am Yisrael Chai"
Today, when in Jerusalem, I saw other friends who just don't get it. One put up a sign demanding that the government free the hostages NOW! I told her that it bothers me, since the demand goes against the needs of the country to defeat our cruel, perverse enemies. Then she shocked me even more by insisting that putting of the sign unites everyone. I was incredulous, reminding her that it separates us.
"Follow the Money" I begged of her. I hope she thinks more about it.
After that upsetting conversation, I ran into someone who isn't a close friend. We began to talk. She loves my new necklace. We talked a little politics and discovered that we see today's issues about war, hostages etc. identically. Since I was still upset by my earlier discussions, I told her how better I now felt to know that she sees things as I do.
Yes, even jewelry can be political. Everything is political. Israel's at war.
Friday, December 22, 2023
Wedding Music for IDF Soldiers
Saturday, December 16, 2023
Rosh Chodesh Shvat Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh
It's time to make plans to join us for Rosh Chodesh Shvat Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh.
We had an amazing experience on Rosh Chodesh Tevet. As you should know, it's the middle of the winter, so rain is expected and needed. Rosh Chodesh morning it was raining and raining very heavily. I contacted people who work at Shiloh Hakeduma to ask if we could pray in a building if the rain continues when we're scheduled to pray. Thank Gd, I was told that we'd be able to use a building.
Gd had other plans. The rain lessened and then stopped just as the women arrived. In all honesty, considering the distance to our usual spot, where it's believed that the Mishkan, Tabernacle had stood, I thought that it would be a good idea to pray closer to the entrance, near the building. But the other women went off and didn't hear my shouts.
The sun was shining... That does happen on a rainy day.
We got to our usual place and began to sing/pray Hallel together, and by the time we finished the rain had resumed. We huddled under the protected areas together and finished Musaf, then listened to a Bat Mitzvah girl sing "Tefilat Chanah." By the time she finished, the rain had stopped, so we were able to walk back to the visitor center of Ancient Shiloh.
There are lots of activities at Shiloh Hakeduma, holograph, movie, museum, tours and more. Contact 02-578-9111 or via email: visit@telShiloh.org.il. It can also be accessed by public transportation.
Monday, November 27, 2023
Nice Healthy Lunch, Vegetables with Eggs
A half of a gorgeous orange squash had been staring at me for days from the top shelf of the refrigerator door. I felt inspiration. Did it really want to be the "nest" for an egg?
I decided to give it a try.
I cut up onion, squash and tomato and put it in a deep frying pan. Then on top I put two "rings" of the squash, added some oil, covered and cooked it until soft.
Finally, I put an egg in the hole, covered and cooked some more.
The rest is history.
Give it a try making it your own, different vegetables, some cheese on top.
Tell be how yours came out, your variations etc.
Enjoy