I know there are places in the Northern Hemisphere no longer on summer vacation. They start it much earlier, June rather than July, so the kids, and teachers, must go back to school in August, not September.
In Israel, most summer camps are only for a month. Working mothers and some fathers, too, who have young kids really suffer figuring out how to keep their kids safely cared for, while not blowing their salaries plus. Not all parents are teachers who have vacation when their kids do. I have no doubt that if Israel adopts Sunday as a day off, it will turn out to be a weekly August day for many.
Some of the people I work with are having a nightmare of a time. The salary we get isn't enough to pay for childcare and end up with enough money to make working a financially sound investment of time and energy. As an older woman, my salary is "pure gravy," of the cheaper variety.
My daughter isn't a teacher either and the logistics of how to care for the kids gets complicated.
In the Jewish Calendar, we're now in the second half of Av, humidity is increasing, and G-d willing we'll have a blessed and rainy winter. There are night and morning mists. Sometimes faux rain clouds cover the sun even until mid-morning. May it not be just a tease. May we deserve G-d's blessings.
We will G-d willing celebrate Women's Rosh Chodesh (the first of the Jewish Month of) Elul Prayers on August 30 at Tel Shiloh with a special program at 8:30am. Details to follow.
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Monday, August 15, 2011
Non-Halachik (Following Torah Law) Jewish Culture, Society
Most of my grandparents and half of my great-grandparents left a pre-Soviet Union "Russia" early in the Twentieth Century. Most of them remained strongly in the Torah observant camp, keeping kashrut, Shabbat and the Jewish Holidays, but my American-born parents shed those restrictions completely while never hiding their Jewish identity.
In the world I was raised you didn't have to eat Levi's Rye Bread to be Jewish. You could be Jewish eating shrimp in the local Chinese restaurant.
It seemed that most of my friends in the amazingly homogeneous post-WWII veterans garden apartment development Bell Park Gardens, Bayside, NY, were the same. Over 90% of the residents were Jewish and I never saw a succah, but we didn't have Christmas trees either, except for the very small number of Christian neighbors.
In many of the refrigerators you'd find kosher meat next to the bacon. Why kosher meat? It taste better, or better quality we were told.
The mostly Orthodox teachers in the Conservative Hebrew School of Oakland Jewish Center were instructed not to confront or condemn us for our forbidden life-style and overwhelming ignorance. When we had parties a few of us would be sent with money to a nearby supermarket to buy candies and treats. Then the teachers would go through the bags sorting traif from kosher, serve us the kosher and then go back to the supermarket to return the forbidden. We were aware of this but hadn't a clue as to criteria. This was in the late1950's and early 1960's. I graduated the five year Hebrew School in 1962, the year my family moved to Great Neck.
No doubt that here in Israel on our very Arab-oriented satellite tv package, I'll never get to see Russian Dolls, but I may understand some of it better than the Tablet writer.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
To Kiss Havel Havelim #325
And to remind you that there are other jblog carnivals, floating internet magazines. Here are the latest JPIX and Kosher Cooking Carnival. I'll be hosting the next KCC here on Rosh Chodesh Elul. Please send in your posts/links. If you'd like to host one, then please contact me, thanks.
Shvuat Tov!
Have a wonderful week!
Bad News Travels Fast
A terrible tragic accident caused a death in the area on Friday. Unfortunately, the community affected is too experienced and "professional" in handling and organizing all the logistics. The support and technical "systems" went into high gear before Shabbat. Everyone who could rallied around to help and support.
After Shabbat there was a funeral. Masses and masses of people arrived to bid farewell. Israeli funerals are extremely large, especially in small, close-knit communities. The math doesn't make sense. But the phenomenon is very common. It doesn't matter if it is day or night, going to a funeral is considered necessary here.
People are volunteering to care, cook and shop for the mourning family.
HaMakom yenachem....
May G-d comfort the mourners...
After Shabbat there was a funeral. Masses and masses of people arrived to bid farewell. Israeli funerals are extremely large, especially in small, close-knit communities. The math doesn't make sense. But the phenomenon is very common. It doesn't matter if it is day or night, going to a funeral is considered necessary here.
People are volunteering to care, cook and shop for the mourning family.
HaMakom yenachem....
May G-d comfort the mourners...
Saturday, August 13, 2011
TU (15th) b'Av, The Jewish Matchmaking Holiday
In recent years, the Biblical Holiday of TU b'Av has gotten very popular. It was originally celebrated here in the Valley of Shiloh as grapes were ripe for eating and the best was collected and brought to the Priests in the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. The single women would dress in white and dance in the valley among the vines for the young men to choose wives from among them, without knowing who was rich and from which tribe.
Now matchmaking and romance are becoming popular on TU b'Av. The Makor Rishon newspaper's magazine "Motzash" made a list of the 100 best of the eligible singles, fifty guys and fifty gals. And... one the the guys is a son of mine!
Now, isn't that something. Of course, you can guess what I would really prefer... G-d willing...
Now matchmaking and romance are becoming popular on TU b'Av. The Makor Rishon newspaper's magazine "Motzash" made a list of the 100 best of the eligible singles, fifty guys and fifty gals. And... one the the guys is a son of mine!
Now, isn't that something. Of course, you can guess what I would really prefer... G-d willing...
Friday, August 12, 2011
Went Out To "Pick Some Candy"
"Pick candy?" Did you honestly think that I made a mistake in language? Who/how can you "pick candy?" Nu, how can it be?
That's right. Look at the pictures.
We most probably have the ugliest, worst-cared for garden in all of Shiloh, but this is
the season when we have these sweet delicious dark grapes that taste better than candy, especially to someone who doesn't eat candy and isn't even tempted because... I can go out and pick some!
G-d is good!
That's right. Look at the pictures.
the season when we have these sweet delicious dark grapes that taste better than candy, especially to someone who doesn't eat candy and isn't even tempted because... I can go out and pick some!
G-d is good!
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Doing The Granny Thing
Last week I mentioned to my daughter that she and the kids should come over on her day off, today, and go to the pool. It ended up that she didn't have a day off today, so her husband came over with the kids. He watched the baby and I took the three big ones to our pool. Actually there are two pools, a deep one and a wading one.
I didn't think I could handle all the kids in the deep pool, since they're not swimmers. We started in the wading pool which got them in the mood. The plan was that the big ones would take turns watching the third while I took one at a time to the deep pool. Ok it's not all that deep, but still as I said they're not swimmers.
Somehow we all ended up in the deep pool. The almost four year old held onto me and the big ones used the long "bananas" to keep themselves up. The eldest is really ready for real swimming, fearless and enjoys the water. The second was in the least complaining of the cold. And I jumped around with the third hanging onto me. He wasn't terrified, but not confident. He didn't ask to leave the water. It's a good sign. Next year should be better. I hope the kids will have swimming lessons next year.
Afterwards we went to my house. My son-in-law showered them while I made lunch for all of them. I hope we get to do this again before pool season ends.
I didn't think I could handle all the kids in the deep pool, since they're not swimmers. We started in the wading pool which got them in the mood. The plan was that the big ones would take turns watching the third while I took one at a time to the deep pool. Ok it's not all that deep, but still as I said they're not swimmers.
Somehow we all ended up in the deep pool. The almost four year old held onto me and the big ones used the long "bananas" to keep themselves up. The eldest is really ready for real swimming, fearless and enjoys the water. The second was in the least complaining of the cold. And I jumped around with the third hanging onto me. He wasn't terrified, but not confident. He didn't ask to leave the water. It's a good sign. Next year should be better. I hope the kids will have swimming lessons next year.
Afterwards we went to my house. My son-in-law showered them while I made lunch for all of them. I hope we get to do this again before pool season ends.
Facebook, Where Are You?
Strangely, I first posted this on Shiloh Musings, not here. I'll add some other post post-coffee. I guess I really need a cup!
First it was my phone. No dial tone, but yes, internet. Now, this morning facebook isn't "answering." Last night I "wrote in my status" something like "it was late and since nobody had commented on my blogs, I'd just go to sleep and not blog." Well, I guess blogger got its revenge. Now facebook is down, so even though I still haven't gotten comments to yesterday's posts, I'm blogging.
That sounds pretty pathetic, doesn't it?
Well, I haven't gotten desperate enough to check in on twitter. I have my posts go up there automatically for all the other "twits," or is it "tweets" to read.
I'm waiting for my coffee to "perc." That's the type of word of wisdom I write on facebook and if I got the right proportion between coffee and water in the percolator. I'm going to copy this onto word to spellcheck. OK, maybe I'll try the blogger one. I haven't for months. Then it didn't work. And it still doesn't!
It's also Thursday, so I have cooking to do. And I have to do my Matan Al HaPerek sources for my study group.
So, as you can see, I have plenty to do if facebook insists on ignoring me.
First it was my phone. No dial tone, but yes, internet. Now, this morning facebook isn't "answering." Last night I "wrote in my status" something like "it was late and since nobody had commented on my blogs, I'd just go to sleep and not blog." Well, I guess blogger got its revenge. Now facebook is down, so even though I still haven't gotten comments to yesterday's posts, I'm blogging.
That sounds pretty pathetic, doesn't it?
Well, I haven't gotten desperate enough to check in on twitter. I have my posts go up there automatically for all the other "twits," or is it "tweets" to read.
I'm waiting for my coffee to "perc." That's the type of word of wisdom I write on facebook and if I got the right proportion between coffee and water in the percolator. I'm going to copy this onto word to spellcheck. OK, maybe I'll try the blogger one. I haven't for months. Then it didn't work. And it still doesn't!
Today, I have more laundry to do. I don't launder during the 9 days, which are really 9 and a half or 3/4. I can also finally go to the pool. Ten days missing the pool in the hot summer is suffering. Our pool is a two minute walk from the house, just far enough so we don't hear any noise. And the grandkids may be coming for a "swim," too.
So, as you can see, I have plenty to do if facebook insists on ignoring me.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
The G-d Project
Chaviva has asked me to blog about the G-d Project. Well, since I'm no expert, the best is to click and find out what it's about.
I hope that Chavi will comment with more details. Here's what she sent me:
I hope that Chavi will comment with more details. Here's what she sent me:
LAUNCH OF THE G-D PROJECTA Web Space Devoted to Mini-Documentaries on Jews, G-d, and Spirituality.
A project of PunkTorah.org and sponsored by the Jewish New Media Innovation Fund, TheG-d Project is a social media platform dedicated to Jewish questions about God and spirituality. The website serves as a free, online, evolving documentary and tool for Jewish learning. Our goal is nothing less than to help Jewish people talk about God and spirituality in an open, honest way.
The heart of the project is a series of mini-documentaries interviewing Jews across North America and Europe with different backgrounds, affiliations, and lifestyles in order to discover how people live and believe Jewishly in the post-modern world.
The G-d Project is uploading a video a week right now, but all videos will be officially dropped onto the site on September 12, 2011.
http://www.facebook.com/thegdproject@TheG_dProject
We know you’ll have questions, and we hope these will answer them. For more FAQs, please check out the website or shoot us an email.
Why do we spell God as G-d in our project title?
God in Jewish tradition has had many names: G-d, HaShem, Adonai, and so on. Therefore, calling this website The G-d Project reflects the Jewish identity of the The G-d Project experience. Additionally, having the space in the middle of G-d is an artistic statement: that the God concept is different for all people, and that we “fill in the blank” with our own ideas about what God is and how we experience God in our lives.
How can I submit my own video to The G-d Project?
There are two ways that you can be highlighted in The G-d Project. The first would be for our producer/director to come to your area and actually film you and your community. We are always taking inquiries from communities that are interested in participating in the project. Our travel budget is limited, but if we are able to get enough synagogues, non-profits, schools, or community centers in your area interested in the project, then we will work with you to schedule your filming and fly to your area. To invite The G-d Project to your community, simply email us (patrick@punktorah.org ).
Also, you can submit your storytelling video online at http://theg-dproject.org/tell-your-story/ We can assist you via email, phone and/or Skype to help make this process easier or you.
PunkTorah, founded by Executive Director Patrick Aleph in 2009, is a Jewish non-profit that develops web-based tools to enhance Jewish life and promote independent Jewish spirituality.
PunkTorah’s other projects include the web-based independent minyan OneShul, the Jewish
food website NewKosher, the Community Siddur series of crowd-sourced liturgy and the flagship project, the PunkTorah.org blog .
The Granddaughters
Yes, Baruch Hashem, thanks to G-d, they are growing up. The little one is getting more mobile.
And the big ones are supplementing my too infrequent English lessons with DVD's from the states.
They watched this new one (from my sister) numerous times to work on their letters and basic reading. When it comes to my grandchildren the term EFL doesn't mean English as a Foreign Language, it means English as a Familiar Language.
They certainly aren't on the level of "English speakers," but they have absorbed the sounds, cadence and some words and phrases. They also know colors and numbers. Very importantly, they are developing listening skills to accurately guess what is being said instead of tuning out.
Children are capable of learning many languages if exposed to them in natural settings. Sadly, this is rare in the modern world. "Experts" in the last century advised parents that it was best to first learn one language well before exposing children to others. The truth is that in multi-lingual societies children successfully learn multiple languages very easily. This isn't because their genetically more gifted, it's because it's expected of them. When their grandchildren are educated in the modern one-language world, they have just as much trouble learning other languages later as those not descended from multi-linguals.
Do your kids and grandkids a favor by giving them the opportunity to expand their minds in many languages.
And the big ones are supplementing my too infrequent English lessons with DVD's from the states.
They watched this new one (from my sister) numerous times to work on their letters and basic reading. When it comes to my grandchildren the term EFL doesn't mean English as a Foreign Language, it means English as a Familiar Language.
They certainly aren't on the level of "English speakers," but they have absorbed the sounds, cadence and some words and phrases. They also know colors and numbers. Very importantly, they are developing listening skills to accurately guess what is being said instead of tuning out.
Children are capable of learning many languages if exposed to them in natural settings. Sadly, this is rare in the modern world. "Experts" in the last century advised parents that it was best to first learn one language well before exposing children to others. The truth is that in multi-lingual societies children successfully learn multiple languages very easily. This isn't because their genetically more gifted, it's because it's expected of them. When their grandchildren are educated in the modern one-language world, they have just as much trouble learning other languages later as those not descended from multi-linguals.
Do your kids and grandkids a favor by giving them the opportunity to expand their minds in many languages.
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
Touring As A Jew
There's more to Jewish touring than looking for kosher food. Actually, you don't have to be a strictly Torah observant Jew to do the Jewish thing when touring, traveling etc. I saw this picture in Tablet and just had to post it:
The artist, Sarah Lazarovic, calls it "Semiteseeing," a play on siteseeing. My family neither looked for Jewish sites, nor kosher food. Our few trips were as Americans. Once I became religious, a search for kosher food became a priority.
I haven't been very adventurous with my traveling. I guess I've missed out in a way.
Monday, August 08, 2011
Permitted 9th of Av Activities
"Tonight We Do Not Learn Torah": 9th of Av Programs, Rav Kook said unconditional love among Jews can bring Redemption: Programs for Tisha B'Av in Israel and US reflect that concept.
This year I'm home in Israel, for the first time in a few years. I hope to go to Jerusalem tomorrow with neighbors for a special program. There's a real choice there. I'll go to whichever my neighbors decide, G-d willing.
In the afternoon there are a few subject-permitted Torah classes here in the neighborhood.
Tzom Kal, an easy fast, and may we celebrate our Redemption, the Moshiach's arrival, G-d willing!
Summer Dryness at Tel Shiloh
Since I began going to Tel Shiloh for Rosh Chodesh (beginning of lunar Jewish Month) prayers, I've become more and more aware of nature, the seasons. Most people water their gardens, so you don't see the colors fade and change the way you do at Tel Shiloh. The midsummer's Rosh Chodesh Av is the driest of all. By mid Av, there's a nightly mist to prepare the land for rain.
Here are some of the pictures I took just over a week ago:
Next Rosh Chodesh will be Elul; please join us.
Of course, you can visit Tel Shiloh, the actual Biblical location any weekday for touring and prayers. For more information, contact telshilo@gmail.com or call 02-994-4019.
Here are some of the pictures I took just over a week ago:
Next Rosh Chodesh will be Elul; please join us.
Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh
Rosh Chodesh Elul
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
8:30am
Shiur Torah, Torah Lesson
Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors
תפילת נשים
ראש חודש אלול בתל שילה
יום ג' 30-1 8:30
יהיה שיעור תורה
נא לבוא, לפרסם ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות
Of course, you can visit Tel Shiloh, the actual Biblical location any weekday for touring and prayers. For more information, contact telshilo@gmail.com or call 02-994-4019.
Sunday, August 07, 2011
Pre-Fast, Preparing for a 25 Hour Tisha B'Av Starvation/Fast
I've been told that I should have had been drinking all today, since in just under 24 hours the fast begins. But I haven't been drinking all day. That could be a reason I'm suddenly tired and making typos galore.
Musakka, However You Spell it and Make it, It's a Hit!
Since musakka isn't an English word, it can be spelled all different ways.
The name comes from the Arabic: مسقعة musaqqaʿa 'chilled'.[2][3] This name is used in Turkish (musakka), Greek (μουσακάς), and the South Slavic languages (musaka/мусака). Other languages call it simply "eggplant casserole" (e.g. Hungarian rakott padlizsán).And it can also be prepared innumerable ways. I'm pretty new to cooking/baking it, but consider me an enthusiastic convert. This one just has a layer of light green squash (I think they call it Mexican squash in Arizona,) a layer of eggplant, then chopped (ground) turkey or chicken flavored with tomato paste, an egg, onions and spices, and on top is another layer of eggplant as you can see. I dribbled a bit of oil on that top layer, because I didn't want it to dry out in the oven. I baked it uncovered, then covered in a hot oven until it "seemed" done.
A great advantage of musakka is that it's baked and served in the same pan. It also includes both vegetables and animal protein. You can make it "meatier" or more "vegetarian," low fat. For a very simple meal, just serve with a fresh salad. Since I eat a high proportion of vegetables at each meal, I served it with another vegetable dish plus the salad. (That's how I've kept the weight off, since I lost over thirty pounds -15 kilo- a couple of years ago.)
Saturday, August 06, 2011
Phone No, Internet Yes
I guess the title isn't very clear. For some reason, we have internet but no phone line. Considering that we get the internet from the phone... I shouldn't rock the boat and complain.
We do have cell phones... and email and...
We do have cell phones... and email and...
Friday, August 05, 2011
Working on Friday
Yes, today I have to go to work. I guess that one of the reasons I'm not enthused by the idea that Sunday's are being proposed as a "day off" is because I know that it'll just be another shopping day, like it is in the states now. So the poor schlubbs working low wages in stores will have more complicated lives.
My kids are all grown, so I don't have to figure out what to do with them when there isn't school. Most of us working in Yafiz are either older or younger than that stage. One of the hard-working full-time workers is a single-mother who had to take her kids in the other day. Salary does not cover the expense of a babysitter.
Yesterday I didn't get all the cooking done. I was tired, ok and lazy. I only looked for guests this week for Shabbat lunch. Friday night, we eat so late, and I'll need the sleep.
Shabbat Shalom
My kids are all grown, so I don't have to figure out what to do with them when there isn't school. Most of us working in Yafiz are either older or younger than that stage. One of the hard-working full-time workers is a single-mother who had to take her kids in the other day. Salary does not cover the expense of a babysitter.
Yesterday I didn't get all the cooking done. I was tired, ok and lazy. I only looked for guests this week for Shabbat lunch. Friday night, we eat so late, and I'll need the sleep.
Shabbat Shalom
Thursday, August 04, 2011
JPIX, Feast Your Eyes
I think I've used this technique before as a JPIX host. I'm just going to post pictures from the various posts/links submitted to the blog carnival. This is an internet blog carnival about pictures. It shouldn't matter who the photographer is or on which blog they're posted. My aim is to have you "click the pic" and visit the blog post, which doesn't work, so there's a list on the bottom of this.
Leaving a comment when you visit would be nice, too.
Before we get started to just to remind you that Leora has taken charge of JPIX interms of scheduling hosts. So, if you'd like to host one, please contact her. And if you'd like to submit a link, click here. Thanks.
So, now on with the show!
I hope that I didn't miss anyone's post.
Happy viewing and "shooting."
Here's the list:
Cosmic X in Jerusalem: Givat Shaul II
כל העולם כולו גשר צר מאד
Cosmic X in Jerusalem: Givat Shaul VI: The View From Rabbi Pinchas Kehati Street
5711 Kvarim Trip -- Dnepropetrovsk - chossid - Photoblog.com
A Sacred Earth Odyssey - chossid - Photoblog.com
Busy Day in NY - chossid - Photoblog.com
Birthday Parade in Edison
RPRY in Salute to Israel Parade 2011 | Here in Highland Park
Bradley Beach Shul | Here in Highland Park
Photo Essay: Colors of Israel
Jerusalem Day, 2011
Yom HaAtzma’ut 5771
and a few of mine from Shiloh Musings and me-ander
Leaving a comment when you visit would be nice, too.
Before we get started to just to remind you that Leora has taken charge of JPIX interms of scheduling hosts. So, if you'd like to host one, please contact her. And if you'd like to submit a link, click here. Thanks.
So, now on with the show!
Happy viewing and "shooting."
Here's the list:
Cosmic X in Jerusalem: Givat Shaul II
כל העולם כולו גשר צר מאד
Cosmic X in Jerusalem: Givat Shaul VI: The View From Rabbi Pinchas Kehati Street
5711 Kvarim Trip -- Dnepropetrovsk - chossid - Photoblog.com
A Sacred Earth Odyssey - chossid - Photoblog.com
Busy Day in NY - chossid - Photoblog.com
Birthday Parade in Edison
RPRY in Salute to Israel Parade 2011 | Here in Highland Park
Bradley Beach Shul | Here in Highland Park
Photo Essay: Colors of Israel
Jerusalem Day, 2011
Yom HaAtzma’ut 5771
and a few of mine from Shiloh Musings and me-ander
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