That pre-Shabbat Countdown...

My husband's off to the pool, men's hour, and I'm sneaking another few minutes online. We've been invited out for tonight, and I didn't invite anyone for tomorrow. Maybe I'll just make one call to a neighbor who is, sometimes, available.

Just one thing left to cook, besides boiling the water.

I started marking papers for work, the worksheets I made up and sent email, when I was sick last week. I have too many students; they didn't get a substitute for the teacher on maternity leave.

But Baruch Hashem, Shabbat is approaching. How do people survive without it?

Friday, and Rosh HaShannah is Getting Closer...

I know I should really be dreading G-d's Judgment more than the planning, cleaning and cooking I must do before the Holiday, but I'm a housewife more than a "person."

Does that sound strange?

A friend called in a panic. She may have "surprise guests" for the Holiday, and she doesn't know how she'll fit them into her home and have all the linens and towels properly laundered before and after.

If we're looking for an "SDT," short Dvar Torah, or Torah lesson, I guess we can see it as symbolic of Judaism, which integrates the Kodesh and Chol, Holy and "Profane," (ordinary daily grind.)

Judaism is more than an internal religion of the heart, mind and feelings. It also demands actions, including eating. There's a ritual to our meals, with blessings before and after.

Shabbat Shalom and Shannah Tovah

A couple of end of summer scenes...

It is still unbearably hot. I don't leave the house unless I have no choice. For the first 15 years or so in this house we had neither fans nor shades in the living/dining room with open kitchen. I was perfectly comfortable most of the time.

Now we have two fans, one ceiling and one on a pole. I also have shades on all the windows to keep the sun out, and it's hot, terribly hot. We're debating investing in one of those air conditioner/heaters. It seems like "everybody" is getting them, if they haven't gotten them already.

In the shade it's fine. Doesn't the dog look happy?


Outdoors there's a breeze in some places.


Kids don't seem to care. I didn't either when I was young. I remember riding my bicycle around in weather that was in the high 90's both temperature (Fahrenheit) and humidity.

JPIX-- A Vision

The Baleboosteh has given us another stunning JPIX to "visit." Check out all the links. It looks really gorgeous!

Multi-tasking

Yesterday I returned to work after summer vacation and two days of sick leave. Actually it was a good day to return, since I had only the 11th and 12th grades, very few students. Those who showed up were polite, well-behaved and even a bit enthusiastic. I explained what they needed to pass the bagrut, national final exams, in English.

Traveling was miraculous, Baruch Hashem, thank G-d. I kept my cool when I realized that I had missed the bus, which came "on time," instead of late; I was less than a minute's run when I saw it leaving the bus stop. Good thing I didn't panic. I caught a ride a few minutes later. It dropped me off at the "t junction" to Beit El, where I had to wait for a ride or bus to Beit El. A large vehicle with a "foreign press" sign was sitting there. As I walked by, I noticed them taking my picture. What will the caption be?

"Middle-aged woman with bag on wheels hitchhikes to Beit El."

A few minutes later, a van stopped and offered me a ride to Beit El. The driver was nice and took me all the way to the yeshiva where I teach. That saved me walking in the hot sun.

After my last lesson, I changed "uniforms" and got dressed and made up to go to a wedding.

Yes, it was a beautiful wedding.


The music and dancing were great!


I had my camera strapped to my waist and danced with it on. Periodically, I'd stop and take pictures.


That's the way to celebrate.

MAZAL TOV!!

Today I taught

It's much too late to tell you all about my big day, but there is something very educational to read, the Carnival of Education. The great posts there should keep you happily busy until I post about my adventures, tomorrow.

Jewish, not always Kosher-- The Deli

I love the significance in the fact that this article on the meeting about the history and present state of Jewish delis took place in the Museum of the City of New York and not in one of the Jewish museums there.

L'havdil, it's like the young non-Jews in Poland studying the history of its Jewish community in university. It's considered a major ethnic group by sociologists and anthropologists there.

The experts in the deli article concentrated on the traif (non kosher) Jewish delis and claimed that kosher ones are rare, except in the more religious neighborhoods. They're wrong.

I came across many kosher delis when in New York, especially mid-town Manhattan. Broadway has a few; I don't have time to get exact names, since I'm in a rush to leave for work. But off-hand, there's Ben's on 37th or 38th. There's the Mendy's chain on 34th and in Grand Central.

There's no need to compromise. You can eat kosher deli, and they do keep up with the times. Many also serve sushi!

Wow! That Juggling Frogs is really something!!

Juggling Frogs has presented a round-up of everything that had appeared (and is still accessible) in the Kosher Cooking Carnival in the most impressive post I've ever seen:

"Kosher Cooking meta-Carnival (KCmC?!)"

You just must take a look!

And while we're mentioning KCC, don't forget to send me your kosher food posts or links to any suitable post you see. Either mail them to shilohmuse at gmail dot com or via blog carnival.

Thanks

Yesterday, what really happened

Yesterday was the first full day of classes in the yeshiva high school where I work. I had six lessons to teach, from 12:30 until 7:15 at night.

When I went to Beit El for a staff meeting last week, I saw that the entrance/exit of the yishuv was being fixed up.






Actually, yesterday I was here:

That's the Kupat Cholim Leumit, Leumit Sick Fund clinic in Shaar Binyamin, the "commercial center" just north of Jerusalem, the southern part of our local council. Since Friday, I was suffering from back pain and barely slept at all Sunday night.

One thing I've learned the hard way is that if I'm not at 100% strength, I can't control my students. The first day of class is crucial, especially a long full teaching day. Trying to show the kids "who's boss" when tired and in pain would be setting myself up for failure. That type of failure could influence the entire school year. And even worse, pushing myself when obviously sick with something could make me much sicker.

Besides the teaching, traveling to work is extremely difficult and stressful. There's no direct public transportation, so I end up hitchhiking, or tremping as we call it in Hebrew. Just thinking about it all was getting me nervous. I couldn't take the stress, and I couldn't hide the pain.

I checked with our local clinic, but the doctor would only be in during afternoon hours. Our local nurse suggested that I make an appointment in the Shaar Binyamin Clinic and even offered to take me, since she was taking her kids to the dentist there. Luckily there was an opening at just the right time.

Baruch Hashem, thank G-d, nothing serious is wrong, just a combination of a pulled muscle and stress. He told me to take two days off and relax, not to push myself, and I shouldn't wear all my pouches, pocketbooks on my waist. That means that I must use my "wagons," since the pouches are to protect my neck and shoulders.

If I don't feel better, then I have to come back for more comprehensive tests. Taking off from work is very traumatic for me. I've always dragged myself there no matter how awful I felt.

While waiting for my neighbor, I went into the giant Rami Levi Discount Supermarket and got a couple of things.


I planned, typed and emailed lessons for yesterday and today. G-d willing I'll go to work tomorrow.

I have to learn how not to push too hard. Last night, when it cooled down outside I took a walk. At first I felt better, then I realized that I was "dragging." A neighbor saw me:

"Why are you out? You're limping!"

It's hard to know when to stop.

Last night, woke up every hour or so, but after taking more Rescue and trying out different beds, and advantage of an "empty nest," I fell back to sleep for a bit. Today I rested by the pool, something I never do.

But, Baruch Hashem, I am feeling better.

I didn't buy anything

Last week, I met a friend for lunch in one of the "coffee shops" in the "new" Givat Beit HaKerem, just across from the Shaare Zedek Hospital, Jerusalem.

It's not far from where they're constructing Jerusalem's "light rail." Actually it's probably the spot that has been in the news for waste, incompetent planning etc. No surprise that the people in charge haven't the vaguest idea of how to construct a railway and didn't do all of the feasibility studies to see which equipment and techniques are most suitable to the area.


The shopping area we went to is nice, but it's the street level of the "55 plus independent living complex," which is trying to keep itself secular and Hebrew speaking. There are all sorts of stories about their turning away English-speaking religious Jews.

We had a nice lunch in "Englishcake," a branch of the bakery/coffee shop.

Then we wandered around and looked at the stores.

I couldn't resist photographing this gift shop.

Noise Dangers

I suffer terribly from loud noises. Yes, I'm hyper-sensitive. But every once in a while I see an article which confirms how dangerous loud noises are. This comes from the internet edition of Newsweek.

By the Numbers
Excessive noise is not just annoying. New research supports earlier studies and shows just how harmful it really is.

210 Thousands of Europeans killed annually by noise-related cardiovascular stress
4 Hours of daily exposure to workplace noise sufficient to raise heart rates
60 Decibel level, as loud as a dishwasher, that can trigger stress-induced heart problems
2 Months' retardation in a child's reading skills caused by each five-decibel increase in nearby aircraft noise

Better Than Bleach!

When you clean with bleach, you have to be very careful, since it can destroy the material that it's whitening. I'm sure I'm not the only housewife to find holes where the stains once were after using bleach to clean a white outfit.

According to the Jewish Calendar, we're now in the month of Elul, when we're supposed to clean our souls before inspection by the One G-d. We don't use bleach. We clean away our sins by repenting, "Tshuva," it's called in Hebrew. Next month is Tishrei, the month of the Holidays, Rosh Hashannah, Yom Kippur, Sukot and Simchat Torah.

Our souls are supposed to be clean and pure when we pray the special prayers. It's a custom to dress in white to symbolize the clean slate.

Unlike bleach, which weakens the fabric, "Tshuva" strengthens the soul. When we admit our sins to G-d and attempt to avoid them in the future we become stronger.

Shannah Tovah
Have a Good Year
Gmar Chatima Tovah
May G-d Give You the Good Sign for Life

Summer Science Project

I guess this can be considered a great summer science project, "adapting" a brand new very expensive iPhone, so it can be used with a variety of phone services, including Israel's orange. Orange uses a chip, like T-Mobile.

Actually, the cost of the phones he used to experiment on is much less than the price of an American sleepaway camp.

Carnival Time!

The 131st edition of Havel Havelim, jblogs' most veteran carnival, is posted at Soccer Dad. As usual, there's a great variety of posts, something for all.

And since I'm talking jblog carnivals, please remember to send me links to any posts you write or see about kosher food for the Kosher Cooking Carnival. Either mail them to shilohmuse at gmail dot com or via blog carnival.

And last but not least, since we're talking jblog carnivals, don't forget the jpix carnival. Send your picture posts here.

I support the strike!

Israel's Irgun Morim, Teachers' Union, is striking against the proposed "reforms." Unfortunately, the other teachers' union, the Histadrut Morim signed its approval.

Read my reasons here.

I'm not ready

Do I write this every year?

I'm just not ready to return to work this week. Really, no exaggerations. On Thursday I went in for a short, waste of time, staff meeting.

I've been feeling sick since yesterday. Could it be the stress?

On one hand, I'm ready in that I emailed the opening of the year tests. Of course they're based on the material they were supposed to learn over the summer. The chances that they actually studied the material is pretty much nil. But I'll have to give them the tests, mark them and record the grades.

Hmmmm... that reminds me of something important. I don't have a grade book. The book publisher which had been sending them out didn't this year. And even though I'll be there to teach, What a fool am I..., officially my union is on strike. Usually they send us a big, thick, diary/grade book.

There is so much else to do before I start. I'm also in "negotiations" about my schedule.

I must find a way to enjoy tomorrow, the last day....

Don't worry...

... if I don't post today. I'm very busy. The house is an utter mess, and I still have lots to cook, besides the cleaning. My married daughter and family are coming for Shabbat. There's also the laundry to do.

It's 7am, and the pool opens at 7:30. The weather is also unbearably hot, so maybe I ought to get off the computer and get myself ready for a "swim."

Yesterday I went to Beit El for a waste of a staff meeting, not the best way to start the school year. The new schedule is horrendous, and I'm fighting with them about consolidating my hours into 3 days. I waste too much time traveling, waiting around for rides, etc. Also they have me teaching both Mondays and Wednesdays, which would make it almost impossible to get to the pool in Neve Yaakov. I need to know which other Jerusalem pools have women's' hours in the morning, Sunday or Thursday. I can't handle crowds. My weekly schedule will have to change drastically. Not good. Too much stress is bad for my health.

Enough kvetching...

Shabbat Shalom

Falling Asleep

That should be as easily done as said, but most of us have trouble, at least some of the time.

This Newsweek article has some good points.

For some reason, I suffered less from jetlag this year than usual. I think that my late night arrival after an indescribably looong day, traveling west to New York, was good. I went to bed at a normal-late time and was so exhausted that I slept. After returning back east to Israel, it also took me less time to get on track. Or am I just getting to a stage in life when I need so much sleep that I just collapse into a deep sleep more easily?

Here are a few things that help me:

• being physically active during the day
• getting up early in the morning, no matter when I went to sleep
• no caffeine from afternoon onwards, best just in the morning
• the same music every night, which will go off automatically
• not panicking if I can't sleep; just get up and either sleep on the couch or have some oatmeal (w/o sugar,) do something boring for awhile and then try again

Medical Care

This is a Pat Oliphant by Pat Oliphant, and I just couldn't resist posting it. Of course, nothing's perfect, but I do consider Israeli medicine, the medical care an ordinary Israeli can get rates better than in most of the developed world, and that includes the states. I'm talking about public health, not private care for the rich and well-insured.

And now, like magic...

...there are new posts up!

What's with blogger?

?

My posts aren't appearing? They're in the list of posts via the dashboard, but they aren't showing up when "viewing" the blog?

Busy, busy...

Last night we were at a wedding, beautiful but hot. Netanya isn't Shiloh! The couple is studying medicine in Eastern Europe. But the really interesting thing was that I knew a number of the waiters, students of mine. And this week, when I was in Jerusalem, I spotted another student working at a pizza place. I'm sure I ruined his day, when I said "hello." He'll be back in my classroom next week, Gevalt! Lat night's group greeted me happily; maybe because they'll have different teachers. The important thing is that they work, even if English isn't their favorite subject.

Why do I have "work" on my mind? I have a short staff meeting today. Of course, it's at the very worst, I stand corrected--could be much worse, time of the day. I don't know when I'll be able to cook for Shabbat, since I also have to babysit. If I'm lucky, I'll get a ride home when it's over, cook and then go to babysit.

I also need to pay a shiva, condolence call. If I don't get a ride, I'll just phone.

We're getting to the two weeks until the pool closes stage of the summer, and my work schedule this year will make it very difficult to travel to the pool in Jerusalem.

ps Blogger is acting up. I still can't figure out why I have to do word verification twice to post on my own blog. The save when posting doesn't work any more, and when I posted earlier to Shiloh Musings, the posts didn't show.
Busy, busy...
Another day....

All Grown Up!!

The Kosher Cooking Carnival is 21, and the party's at Juggling Frogs!

You're all invited to sample everything on the menu.

She did a totally magnificent job. Thank you!

Next month, the September issue will be here at me-ander, and Ted from Help! I Have A Fire In My Kitchen has volunteered to host the October one. I'm really impressed by all of the fantastic kosher food blogs in the great world of the internet. When I started the Kosher Cooking Carnival, it wasn't easy. Look at how it has grown, like yeast dough in a hot kitchen!

Thanks to all of you, really! This carnival is made up primarily of posts submitted by bloggers. Either mail them to shilohmuse at gmail dot com or via blog carnival.

There's more to it than just recipes:

• halachik issues
• anecdotes
• menus
• restaurant and book reviews
• ANYTHING KOSHER!

If you can't go to the Dead Sea...

... then bring to Dead Sea home to you!

Even for us in Israel, it's not always easy to get to the Dead Sea. We need two buses in each direction, and it's not cheap. Travel is long and tiring. And then we also have to schlepp a bag with bathing suit, towel, robe, food etc. And during the summer, it's much too hot and crowded with vacationers from all over the world.

But it's so nice to slather that mud all over our bodies and lie in the sun until it's dry and caking. Then after we rinse it off, our skin's so nice and smooth.

How could we solve the problem of getting a Dead Sea experience without the hassle of going there?

One of my neighbors came up with an idea.

She got a bag of Dead Sea Mud, which can be bought in many places in Israel, and brought it to the pool. So yesterday, after our swim, we showered off the chlorine, spread out our towels, and smeared the mud all over our bodies. It dried quickly in the hot sun. We showered it off in the outside shower and went on with our day.

That was fun and efficient.

"You were sure lucky!"

That's how my neighbor greeted me when I got onto the bus. It was a couple of minutes before its 4:30 departure, and I managed to worm my way onto the bus, which was filling rapidly.

"The 3:30 never came. I've been waiting."

Second time lucky today, since I almost missed the bus to Jerusalem a good few hours earlier. I was cutting it pretty close, and then before I was really ready to go, I got an important phone call.

We never know exactly when a bus will arrive in Shiloh, since we're in the middle of the Ariel-Jerusalem 148 bus line. Also, it does happen that buses don't arrive at all. There aren't enough bullet-proof buses in good working order, and all of the bus lines in Judea and Samaria have problems. We residents are suffering from unreliable bus service. That's a reason many people "tremp," hitchhike. Most people would really prefer to travel by bus, but when the bus doesn't show, or there's no public transportation between two places, like my situation between my home in Shiloh and my job in Beit El...

When I was still a minute's plus run, and I can no longer run, from the stop, I saw the bus pulling up. Miraculously, many people got in, so he was still at the stop when I got there.

But that's not all. Not only bad things go in "three's." When we got back to Shiloh, I was ready to collapse when I looked up the hill, in the direction I had to walk to get to my house. Then my phone rang. My neighbor asked me if I could say some T'hillim, Psalms, as part of the group in her house.

"Should I come to your house? I just got off the bus."
"Sure."
"Great! Your house is closer than mine. Just please have some cold water waiting for me."

So I walked to hers, and after T'hillim, she drove me home.

Baruch Hashem! Thank G-d!

Another New Voice

I'm very pleased to announce that artist and writer, Ellen Horowitz, from the Golan Heights, has agreed to post on Shiloh Musings.

As I hope you know, my blogs aren't to just "toot my own horn." They're an opportunity to give people all over the world the chance to read what the mainstream press isn't prepared to publish.

Shiloh Musings is more political than this blog. Because of the wide range of my interests, I run the blogs separately. You're invited to visit.

Ellen, thanks!

Finally! Delicious Grapes... and Apples!

Most of the grapes we have growing aren't tasty, even in the best of years. This year I was pleasantly surprised to discover these dark grapes. OK, some are infested or bird-eaten, but the rest are the grapes of my dreams, especially since they're totally organic. I'm allergic to sulphur and sulphur is on the list of "permitted" chemicals for grapes, according to Israeli organic certification. I get terrible itches from lots of fruit, especially dried.

That leaves me restricted to my unadulterated, untreated garden.
The apples aren't the tastiest in the world, but they're totally free of pesticides. This tree has been here for years, but it's not very impressive. I don't think the soil is deep enough, and it doesn't get enough water. There was a time when the tree seemed to be dead, but I gave it CPR, and it looks better than ever. A couple of buckets of water never does any harm.

As a farmer, I have nothing to brag about, but at least I have some fruit to eat.

Uniquely Israel!

Israelis!

This is your chance to produce a prize-winning short video, just one to two minutes, about something uniquely Israeli about living in Israel.

Nefesh B'Nefesh wants your "movie!"

First prize will be $3,000 and 2nd prize will be $1,000, (USD.)
That sure buys a lot of felafel!

Video submissions must be received at the Nefesh B'Nefesh office at Beit Ofer, 5 Nachum Hefzadi Street, Jerusalem, 95484, Israel in DVD or mini-DVD tape format by no later than 5:00pm, Monday 08 October, 2007.

For more information, click Uniquely Israeli!

New Blogger in Shiloh

Hannah is Blogging!

Welcome to the club

Weddings mean Presents!

Today I was back in one of my favorite gift shops. Last week I was there to buy gifts for last week's two weddings and now with three more weddings in the near future, one a week, just right, I had to get a couple more gifts.

Not everyone gets those kinds of gifts. The mother of one of the brides reads the blog, and I have other plans for her young couple!

Do you recognize the store, anyone? It's guessing time.

Guess where this is!

Blogging on TV?

I call my blogs my fantasy journalism career, my own little magazines, in which I have total control.

What if I had been dreaming of a TV journalism career? Is it possible?

There is someone doing it, and doing it big, but he once was a mainstream "celebrity." Tom Green has a TV studio set up in his living room and broadcasts almost every night... via the internet.

Could be worse

What's better than a soggy sandwich?
What's cleaner than carrying a hardboiled egg in its shell?
What's healthier than a chocolate bar?

It's a zapped kosher meal from a machine!!

The latest in Kosher eating in the "darnedest" places is a kosher food machine. I hope that there will be an internet listing, so one can check before traveling, visiting people in the hospital, etc.

I've been waiting all day for...

Havel Havelim!

Thanks Soccer Dad!

And don't forget that Juggling Frogs will be hosting the next Kosher Cooking Carnival. Last call for your kosher cooking posts; send here, please. Then I'll host the September issue, and Teddy from Help! I Have A Fire In My Kitchen has volunteered to host October's.

So whenever you post something about kosher cooking, remember to send the links in to us. Thanks!

Very Modern Shiloh

As in many rural places, there isn't a bank in Shiloh. I couldn't even count the times when neighbors have knocked on my door, asking if they could borrow cash... just until we get to the city, to a bank. Quite a few couples work in the area, and weeks can go by without their being near a bank or in more recent times, "cash machine."

A couple of years ago, one was put up at the gas station at the junction to Psagot and Kochav Yaakov. It's also near Tel Zion and Migron. This was considered a great innovation, and improvement in the quality of life for people who rarely left Mateh Benyamin, the Benjamin Regional Council, just north of Jerusalem.

It wasn't that long ago when there wasn't even a bank, nor "caspaomat," money machine in all of Pisgat Zeev and Neve Yaakov, the two large northern Jerusalem neighborhoods, closest to us and with a population of an Israeli city.

A few weeks ago, I hear rumors of the arrival of a "caspaomat," money machine in our local grocery store. Last Thursday night, I did the weekly Thursday night shopping, camera in hand, so you could see the latest modern convenience to make it to Shiloh!!

The sign says:

Get your cash HERE!

Bli Eyin Haraa, Wonderful Shabbat

What a wonderful Shabbat, lots of joyous occasions here in Shiloh, bli eyin haraa.

Friday Night:

Shalom Zocher, in honor of the birth of a first grandchild

Shabbat Morning:

A Bar Mitzvah in our shul, plus kiddush
A kiddush in the yeshiva, in honor of the
birth of a daughter to one of the students
In the Chassidishe shul, a kiddush in honor
of the birth of a daughter to one of the members

Shabbat Afternoon:

Sheva Brachot after the wedding of a daughter of a neighbor.

Baruch Hashem, Ken Yirbu,
Thank G-d, May there be many more

Blogger delays and other annoyances

Is it just me?

The posts are slow to appear.

Ditto the comments.

And am I the only blogger who has to do word verification twice while posting to my own blogs?

Another blog bows out... good luck

To read it was to love it.

The Social Worker Single Mom has announced that she won't be blogging any more.

Best wishes to her and her daughter. I hope that her blogging time was good for her, and I admire her for having the strength to quit blogging.

Good luck, Best of Health

Shannah Tovah U'Mevorach!

more jpix

The 14th JPIX is posted at Life in Israel.

He did a great job!

Waiting, Jersalem as the sun goes down

The other day I had to wait for a ride to go to a wedding, no, not this wedding. We went to two weddings this week. It's busy season! And in the next three weeks, a wedding a week, at least. Baruch Hashem!

I was waiting at what's known as the "city's exit," just past the Central Bus Station. As usual I was early, so as I sat waiting, I just had to take some pictures.

That peculiar bridge, under construction.

Traffic

In a different light

porat, kr, weddings 061, originally uploaded by shilohmuse.

the bar

"She's the lady in red, when everybody else is wearing tan"

Yes, that's from the theme song of The Nanny.

That's how I felt last night.




We were at this exquisite wedding on the coast, and I had never seen the invitation. Everyone, OK, just about everyone was in white, and I wore red, bright red.

Not only was the view out of this world, but even the OO's, WC's, ok, the public toilets were fancier than anything I had ever seen before.

Nothing discreet about it.



That sign up there says:

TOILETS

Because the family wanted the wedding on Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the Jewish Month, the ceremony had to start before the sun went down, which meant that I was sure glad to have my camera with me!



MAZAL TOV!

A New Voice

I'm very pleased to announce that there's a new contributor to Shiloh Musings, Catriel, aka the Temple Builder. Yes, Catriel, who built an amazingly accurate model of the Beit HaMikdash, well-known expert in Temple Laws, is now posting to Shiloh Musings.

Here's his first post.

Bottled Water

Hat tip to h&m h, thanks!

Just because it's bottled, doesn't mean it's better than your tap water. Did you know that some of the bottled water is tap water? Of course some tap water is better than others.

But even worse; some of the most attractive bottles are really filled with "purified water." There are two basic problems there:

• What's the source? Was it "waste" water?
• What was taken out in the process of purification?

Read the labels! I noticed that most of the New York restaurants sell purified water. The free tap water is better.

A few years ago we spent a lot of money on a water purification filter system, since a good friend was selling it. It was a waste. We should have just hired him for something we really needed, and he would have made more money than he got from them.

Remember that purified water is the opposite of mineral water! The body needs minerals.

Baruch Dayan HaEmet

~Sarah's~ mother passed away

HaMakom Y'Nachem

Another NY kosher "restaurant"

I think this is the last one.

Besides the previous posts listing the kosher restaurants in New York where I ate during my visit, there was another.

Grand Central Station has something that Penn Station hasn't. It's a kosher "eating place," more than grabbing some Hagan Daz, which I did of course.

In the "Food Concourse," I think that's the name, you'll find a "Mendy's." Well, actually two of them, side by side. There's a branch of their deli, selling meat sandwiches and other things. Next to it is a dairy place with cheese sandwiches, salads and coffee. I had their coffee when I was with my sister-in-law.

Then we took the Madison Avenue Bus uptown to the Jewish Museum. The main exhibit was Louise Nevelson: Constructing a Legend.

I don't know who designed the glass "cube" outside the Apple Store on Fifth Avenue, but it looks like one of the exhibits.

Lots more than potatoes!

Jerusalem's Machane Yehuda, the open market has changed a lot in recent years. When we were olim chadashim, new immigrants, the fruit and vegetables were weighed with old mechanical scales. We had to trust that the stone, the seller claimed was a quarter kilo, really was. And from stall to stall we just kept dumping all the purchased produce into our shopping bag. When we asked for plastic bags, we were told that they would make the food moldy.

Things have changed in Machane Yehuda.

Not only do they sell fish for cooking, but there's plenty of things for your pets.



Besides fresh vegetable, there are other types of plants.







There are clothes for all tastes and all budgets.








If you want some exotic lights, you'll find that, too.




Next time, I'll have to photograph the restaurant; there's plenty more than felafel!