HA Report #8 Really Enjoying My Rechargeable Hearing Aids

 

Last week, just two weeks after getting my second pair of hearing aids, though they're my first pair of rechargeables, I returned to HaOzen for an "update." Israeli healthcare is extraordinary. 

Israel began as a "quasi-socialist" country. Healthcare is a government department, though there is a choice of "sick funds." The basic prices and services are the same, but there are difference in the "trimmings." Think of the variety of T-shirts, dresses or jeans you can buy, even in the same store.

Those who feel that their hearing isn't what it should be and feel the need for hearing aids are required to go to an ENT-Ear, Nose & Throat doctor to check if it isn't something medical that a doctor can't fix. If the doctor diagnoses the need for HA's he/she writes a referral, and the patient gets a high-tech hearing test. With that, the person chooses from a wide variety of places which have arrangements with their sick fund. The price and choice of hearing aids depends on the severity of one's hearing loss. We're given generally over a month to decide whether or not the hearing aids are both useful and comfortable. If there's a problem with them, they can be returned within that time period. No charge to the patient. That's why I went for that "chat." Some customers/patients need technical advice, and others find them so terribly uncomfortable that they're returned well before the deadline. I visited a lot more with my first pair, needing different size domes to fit better in my ears. 

Since I wasn't having any problem with the new hearing aids I didn't bring my charger or any other equipment. The hearing ids were in my ears. The audiologist asked how I was doing, and I made it clear that I'm enjoying them. It took awhile to get used to the fact that I didn't have to worry about packing spare batteries whenever leaving the house for more than half an hour. And I'm glad that I no longer have to remember to put in fresh batteries before Shabbat. 

I have the charger and timer at the end of the kitchen counter, and every night before going to sleep I put the hearing aids in the charger. The timer has it go on while I'm asleep, so when I'm up the hearing aids are fully charged. This also works on Shabbat. And if I'm going swimming during the day, I leave my hearing aids in the charger, just because it's a safe place.

I also told her that when I had left the clinic two weeks earlier I could hear the wind blowing loudly in my ears. To quiet things down I began playing with the controls to quiet it down.

Since then, the wind hasn't been heard. Over forty years ago, a neighbor taught me how to use a computer by saying one word, "Play." That was a time when most people had never even seen a computer, and I had needed to learn quickly for work. I follow his instructions with all new technology, yes, including my hearing aids. With Bluetooth I can control my hearing aids on my phone.

Don't fear hearing aids. They're very helpful. Research has shown that delaying the use of hearing aids lowers one's attention span. Not hearing well causes a form of ADD and worse.

Enjoy in good health.

HA Report #7 New Hearing Aids... Second Pair

Just a quick post about my second pair of hearing aids. You can read the saga about my first, click here. 

First to summarize my experience with pair #1... I chose battery powered hearing aids, rather than rechargeable, because the audiologist said that batteries last more hours than recharging. Since I'm a Jewish Shabbat observer, this was a very crucial issue. Shabbat is 25 hours long, Rosh Hashannah 49 hours, and during very rare years in Israel when they are three days 73 hours. Four and a half years ago, I didn't hear anything about an approved, by Torah observant rabbis, method to charge hearing aids on Shabbat. Since then, however, I began hearing that Tzohar had announced an approved method. 

Thankfully it didn't take me long to get used to my hearing aids, especially taking advantage of Bluetooth control. The hardest and most expensive thing was purchasing batteries. Miraculously, in the early months I received a number for free from a variety of sources. I consider them gifts from Gd. Also I was relieved to have found no real technical problems, other than finding certain sounds painfully loud. I did my best to manually adjust them, but I was told that there wasn't much else to do. My insurance guarantee had expired (without their warning me to come for a final free adjustment,) and I wasn't going to spend half the price of a new hearing aid, a quarter of the price of a new pair, for an audiologist to try better. 

As a result, I began investigating replacing the originals only at a new place, since I refused to return to where I had gotten the first pair. I also knew that I had to speak to someone I trusted for technological religious decisions to ask about charging them on Shabbat and Jewish Holidays. Thankfully, since there was no real rush, I wouldn't have to compromise on any issue. In the meantime, all sorts of friends and neighbors continued to contact me for advice before getting their first pair. 

I didn't start the process required here in Israel for getting hearing aids until I had answers to those two crucial questions. Siyata d'Shmaya, Hand of Gd for sure helped me, since both questions were answered around the same time. When at a class, a friend saw me adjusting the volume on my hearing aids via my phone's Bluetooth and asked if I had the same options she has. Hers were newer and better, so I asked where she got them and which Sick Fund she's a member of. Since we're in the same one, I got the rest of the information. 

Around the same time, I had a ride with a neighbor who was wearing hearing aids, so I asked him about the rabbinic decision permitting charging them on Shabbat, and he said that he has a Shabbat clock connected to the charger set up every night to go on and recharge the hearing aids as he sleeps. It's off when he puts them in and off again when he takes them out. 

So with those two important questions answered I began the process. In Israel one first needs to be examined by an Ear, Nose and Throat doctor to make sure there's nothing that a medical doctor can't fix to improve hearing. After that one must get a hearing test from a qualified audiologist, some of which work with hearing aid businesses. 

That's where I got
my new hearing aids

The ENT said I was healthy, and I ended up at the hearing aid provider my friend recommended. I was given a choice between a free (100% subsidized) model, which would be complicated to charge on Shabbat, and a more advanced model for a highly subsidized payment, which charged sans complications. Considering that we can only get the subsidy every few years, and I wanted the most advanced hearing aids, I was willing to pay. They cost less than NS2,000 for the pair, which is around $600. If my hearing had been worse, I'd get a better deal for even more advanced ones. That's how it works in Israel. 

On the way home, I changed buses in the Shaar Binyamin shopping area and had enough time to enter a hardware store to pick up a timer and extension chord outlets, which I needed for the place the charger would "live."

Considering that I was already experienced in controlling them via Bluetooth and I'm not tech phobic, I didn't need much instruction. I'm used to playing around with modern technology. "Play" was what a neighbor told me when teaching me how to use a computer for the first time...

I'm happy to say that I'm very pleased with my new hearing aids. I've adjusted to them, and even more important is that they have adjusted to my needs, thank Gd.

Rosh Chodesh Av... Commemorate at Tel Shiloh

Gd willing we'll have our monthly Women's Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Ancient Tel Shiloh... Join us if you can.

Tel Shiloh can be reached by public transportation besides by car. Take a look at the map, and you'll see that Shiloh is in the center of the country. 

There's lots to do in Tel Shiloh, not just pray. Remember that the Ancient Mishkan Tabernacle was here in Shiloh for almost four hundred years before King David made Jerusalem our Capitol and King Solomon built the First Holy Temple. For more information +972 2-578-9111 and visit@telshilo.org.il.

All's Well That Ends Well-- The Miraculous Trek Home From Jaffa Port

 

The trip home from Jaffa Port was complicated... read all about it...

 

Whenever I'm not sure of the route, I trust Google Maps, which is pretty reliable, especially nowadays when there are so many changes in bus routes and bus stops. Actually, I arrived at the Jaffa Port reasonably easily via Ariel, where I had taken one of the buses to Tel Aviv and had gotten off by some government offices. From there I had no problem finding the 44 to the port. The instructions for the walk to the port weren't all that clear, but by concentrating on how many meters were left, I could see if an about face was needed. Trust me; there were quite a few. But then I saw the massive building by the port and just had to find the entrance. 

Where was I going? To a beer festival, the Beer Market had returned to Jaffa Port. Last time I traveled with the rest of the beer tasters via Jerusalem, but since then I discovered that it's easier and faster to get to and from Shiloh via Ariel. 

I was the first of our group to arrive; most arrived soon afterwards. This post isn't about the festival and beers, though I hope to blog about some favorites at a later date. Wisely I packed a nice vegetable omelet for dinner-- to counteract the alcohol of the beer and give me healthy energy for the trip home. 

As usual I consulted Google Maps and then was happy to discover that my favorite Tel Aviv-Ariel the express bus was listed as the one I'd catch "somewhere," but before I left the port the instructions began changing rapidly with all sorts of cancellations. 

The Beer Maven invited me to join them in the taxi to the Tel Aviv Train Station, where they were catching the train to Jerusalem. I thought about it for a nanosecond but decided it would just increase my trip, and I may be stuck in Jerusalem. I needed a bus to Ariel where I could catch a bus to Shiloh. 

With Google Maps, and a number of helpful strangers, to guide me I finally found the 44 going back to Tel Aviv. I got off where Google Maps instructed but couldn't find an Ariel bus anyplace. I kept asking people, but they didn't see the 286 number anywhere either. Finally a nice young man took out his earphones and began searching via the app Moovit. Apparently some big event in Tel Aviv changed traffic and bus stops. 

After we walked close to a kilometer we returned to where I had gotten off the 44, and we crossed the street. The 286 wasn't listed, but there was a 285 to Ariel on a sign, but it wasn't on the board  of "live" buses. He insisted that his app said the bus was close. He spotted a bus passing us and managed to hail it for me; yes the 286. I thanked him and climbed in through the back door. Yes, the bus hadn't realized that I was waiting. That tzaddik-- righteous man really saved me. 

I used my efobus app to check if I had a chance to catch a Shiloh bus in Ariel, and thank Gd I did. It wouldn't be true to say that the trip was uneventful or quick, but I got off at the first stop in Ariel on time. 

Then I walked slowly through the Ariel Shopping Center on the road, hoping that a neighbor would notice me and take me home. Finally, at the bus stop I waited for the bus which would take me to my street, ok via the scenic route of Eli, but it was MY BUS. 

Since my phone's battery was too close to zero for anything not urgent, I didn't check how the rest of the crew was doing. Once home, I plugged in my phone and contacted them. The Pisgat Zeev Beer Tasters had "landed" in Jerusalem but still not near their neighborhood. 

I enjoyed the beer and the company... and thank Gd and wonderful strangers I made it home safe, sound and sober.

Rosh Chodesh Tammuz Join Us for Women's Prayers

This year's Rosh Chodesh Tammuz is two days, which happens some months. Jewish months can be either 29 or 30 days. When it's 30 days, the 30th of the previous month and the first of the new month are both called "Rosh Chodesh."

In Ancient Times there was no "set calendar." People didn't know in advance when it would be Rosh Chodesh, the Beginning "Head" of the New Month. There were observers waiting on high mountains to see the moon reaching the narrowest of crescents, and they would light fires, to be seen distances away. Fire after fire spread the word of the New Month.

In months like this upcoming Tammuz when there are two days of Rosh Chodesh, I ask the women in the group who come regularly which day suits them. I make a poll, and we all vote, including me. We're all very busy people, and I'm happy when the day suits most of the regulars, including yours truly. If you can, please join us at Ancient Tel Shiloh, where the Biblical Tabernacle stood, the place of Jewish Prayer for almost four hundred years. Its Kedusha Holiness can still be sensed.

Tel Shiloh, שילה הקדומה can be reached by public transportation. There are activities and attractions for visitors of all ages. For more information contact +972-2-5789111 or visit@telshilo.org.il

Shapiro's Double IPA

 

I found myself sharing this bottle of Shapiro's Double IPA with a fellow beer lover, who was visiting. Actually, soon after he walked in he opened the refrigerator, looked at the variety of beers and grabbed it. When he noticed my longing look, he said that it was to share, so I took out two glasses. He opened the bottle and poured it all out.

We admired the gorgeous rich gold color and nice foamy head. Then we both sniffed and were wowed by the luscious summer fruit aroma. Even though Shapiro is among the best Israeli craft beers, I was in suspense wondering if the taste would support or not, but I'm happy to say that the flavor was just as good. I'd even say that some people who don't like beer will like it.  It's alcohol is 8.2%

Please let me know what you think.

My Photography, Some Recent 52Frames Photos

I never studied photography, nor art, nor composition, though I've been drawn to it. In recent years I've been a member of 52frames, which began as a small group of people, photographers, amateur and professional or hopefuls on Facebook. The committee decides on a weekly "challenge" plus its "extra c," which isn't required. 

When I first heard about 52frames it was hard to be accepted. Our "portfolios" had to be approved, and there were limited chances during the year for newcomers. I was terrified that I'd be rejected; also most members photographed with impressive cameras, not phones. In the beginning I had used an inexpensive camera, because affordable phones had rather primitive cameras. As phone cameras got better and it became more difficult for me to carry a camera, I retired the camera and now only photograph with my phone.

In the early years, the weekly album was posted on Facebook, and now there's a site 52Frames. 

Since I being accepted in 52frames I never missed a week. You can see that in the photo below. 

Here are some relatively recent photos, and click here for a larger collection: 

Pool Season Open

 

"Modern" Jerusalem Can "Play" With Water

The Old Shaare Tzedek Where I Became A Mother

Caught By The Slow Shutter

Jerusalem of Gold Lyrics

Walking in Jerusalem

Purim- Beer, Wine & Whiskey

Now and Then X2
Self-Portrait

What do you think? Maybe you'd like to join up.

Memories... I've Always Loved to Dance

The last time I performed in the Israeli Folk Dance Festival was in 1970. This was the late Fred Berk's dream festival as finally the dancers danced onto the performance area of Felt Forum, which usually featured sports games, not dancers. Each dancing group was given a spot to dance to then sit down, until it was time to perform. Then we got up and danced to the center, danced our dance and then danced back to the waiting spot. After all of the groups performed we all got up and danced "Kumah Eicha" in separate circles and then exited. That was my last dance at the festival, since a few months later I got married; two months after that we boarded Greek Lines Anna Marie... Yes, that's how we came to Israel as olim chadashim, new immigrants.

^

In 1970, for the second year in a row I led the NCSY National Conference of Synagogue Youth Dance Group. We had the bride and the long skirts. Yes, we stand out in the movie. I also danced in the 1967 festival, when our group was led by the amazing Leah Weiner, Z"L. 

I was privileged to attend Fred Berk's 1967-8 Leadership and Choreography course offered to potential dance leaders from the different youth movements. I learned a lot from him that year. And I have no doubt that is the reason my 1969 NCSY Dance Group was accepted to perform in the Israeli Folk Dance Festival, even though he wasn't crazy about my choreography. One of the festival's staff members met with us and choreographed the actual dance we performed. I had to coach and dance it. Luckily my dancers had a better memory than I did, so Fred and the choreographer were pleased and allowed us to participate. 

I also danced with the NCSY delegation as we marched in the Salute to Israel Parade. The organizers used a picture of me and my friend dancing in the 1968 Parade as part of the advertisement for the 1969 Parade. Today we both live in Israel and not all that far from each other.

Can you guess which is me?

Memories...

In The Meantime... Wartime Haikus #6

I still write a haiku almost every morning, except Shabbat and Jewish Holidays. This has been going on for years. It's truly amazing how much can be communicated in just seventeen 17 syllables, 5, 7, 5. Have you tried writing them? You can think of me as "addicted." #morningcoffeehaiku 

Here are some; enjoy. I'm interested in your reactions and opinions, thanks.

Jewish Birthday YES!

thanking Gd for everyday

enjoy to the hilt🎂

Israel's enemies

don't care about history

facts get in their way

strange unsettling time

How will history report?

depends who's writing...

war will resume soon

much worse than ever for sure

deals don't make real peace

finally summer?

forecast for hot days...

dreaming of the pool....

shining sun comforts

Gd's light brings many blessings

thank Him every day...

optimistic sky

message from Gd that He's here

never give up hope

praying for good week

life's very complicated

sun's shining, good sign

despite war, life's great

sounds really impossible

Israel's miracle

barely slept last night

I guess my body didn't need sleep

things just can't control

looking for sunshine

in very difficult times

we must do Gd's will...

uncertainty reigns

true peace definitely far

VICTORY's needed

ceasefire's not true peace

every second's more danger

our enemies laugh

our Independence

must be more than just a word

don't fear to WIN war

remembering friends

more killed by our enemies

true... we're still not safe

busy yesterday

funeral for friend's mother

many said goodbye

being busy's great

I'm thankful to fill my days

friends, travel, study

Rosh Chodesh Sivan-- Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh

 

Ladies, please join on on Rosh Chodesh Sivan at Ancient Tel Shiloh for Women's Prayers in the same holy spot where the Biblical Chana had prayed. Rosh Chodesh is traditionally a Women's Holiday making it a very suitable time for women to gather together to pray. 

If you can't make it on Rosh Chodesh, Shiloh Hakeduma is open to visitors six days a week with all sorts of activities for all ages, men, women and children, too. It's easy to get to by bus or private transportation. 

For more information about visiting Ancient Shiloh 02-578-9111 and visit@telshilo.org.il.

Post Pesach/Passover Back to Making Challah Rolls

I must admit that I don't bake challah every week, though we do eat my challah rolls pretty much every week. That's because I bake batches that last sometimes even two months, depending on how many invitations we get and how many rolls in the most recent batch.

This year Passover ended rather late in the week, so with all the post Pesach chores, there was no way I could manage a batch of challah rolls. And for whatever reasons I couldn't find the time and energy the following week. Also my husband had bought enough rolls to suffice a second week. So this week I knew that I had to bake some.

I took down my simple recipe from the fridge and made sure I had enough flour. I prefer a very fine 70% whole wheat. It's "almost white" but much healthier. 

Ingredients

2 heaping tablespoons of dehydrated yeast
4 cups of warm water
1 cup vegetable oil of your choice
1 cup of sugar
pinch of salt
2 kilo (4.4 lbs) flour

Instructions

1. in a large bowl add almost all of the dry ingredients; just leave out some of the flour
2. add the water and oil
3. mix well, and then cover and leave until it rises (doubles in size)
4. then add more flour until the dough is "dry" enough to handle without it sticking to your hands
5. then knead, pound, keep turning over for over five minutes-- Yes, I do it by hand and don't have a mixer. If you have a mixer, make sure it can handle yeast dough and the quantity you're making. You may have to half or quarter the recipe.
6. Once you've kneaded it, coat it top and bottom with some oil, then cover again until it rises again.
7. Once it rises, pound it down, cover and let it rise again.
8. When it doubles, "take challah" according to these instructions or from another site, family or friend. 
9. Finally cover your baking pan with special baking paper, prepare a raw egg for "painting the challah."
   
10. Shape your challah or rolls, and place on the paper far enough apart so they won't get attached when baking.
11. "Paint" with the raw egg, and then let rise until close to double.
12. Bake in hot oven. Start at 180 C until brownish, and then lower to 160C until they look ready and there's a "hollow" sound if you tap.
13. Turn off the heat and then cool.

Yes, there are lots of different recipes. I used to bake with eggs and less water, but I changed it to what I wrote here. Enjoy, and tell me how they come out.

Rosh Chodesh Iyyar is Sooner Than You Think...

Pesach is almost over, so that means that Rosh Chodesh Iyyar is just over a week away. Ladies, please get ready for Rosh Chodesh Prayers at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh.

Gd willing we'll also be celebrating a true VICTORY and the SURRENDER OF OUR ENEMIES. If Gd forbid we're still at war, we'll still be able to enter Ancient Shiloh, even if we can't walk all the way to the location of the Mishkan Tabernacle.

It's good to pray together, and Ancient Shiloh is a traditional location for Women's Prayers. In the Tanach Bible, we read of Chana Hannah praying for a son, whom she promised to Gd she'd give to Him to serve the Jewish People. Afterwards her son Shmuel Samuel was born, and he unified the nation under the first two kings, Shaul Saul and David.

For more information about Ancient Tel Shiloh contact +972 2-578-9111 or visit@telshilo.org.il or link. 

The Fantastic Az Nashir Haggadah-- Read All About It

I blogged about the Az Nashir Haggadah on Shiloh Musings. Maybe I should have blogged about it here. Click on the link. Many of my friends and teachers in Matan contributed to it. 

Now's the time to order so you have it early enough for next year. I suggest using the articles to prepare for the holiday, either reading on your own or with a group of friends. It's a joint project of lots of brilliant women, Matan and Shvilli.

Listen to Rachel Sharansky Danziger talk about the Haggadah.

Life Unplanned-- VICTORY Prayer Haikus #5

I've been writing haikus on Facebook every morning for years and have posted a variety on both my blogs, Shiloh Musings and this one. I label my haikus Morning Coffee Haikus, and you can use that title for searching. 

IMHO haikus are a fantastic writing medium, because of its restricting the writer to express a thought in just seventeen 17 syllables. Enjoy my haikus and try writing your own. Which is your favorite? Please let me know in the comments, thanks.

Passover countdown

adds to pressure during war

trying to stay sane

strange... seasons confused

raindrops greeted me at door

blessings, Gd willing

rainy dark morning

strange, cold pre-Pesach weather

still rain prayers, OK

Gd only saves us

when we follow His commands

We're not just puppets

can't lie, yes, worried

no peace without victory

next battles much worse

optimistic dawn

but sans VICTORY no peace

deals don't bring true PEACE

evil enemies

must be totally destroyed

deals total farces

war's far from over

Iran's a lot better armed

last spring we were conned

can't fall back to sleep

Iran bombed long before dawn

but thank Gd unharmed

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