No Need to Be A Kvetch

I don't know about you, but I like to sit in an aisle seat when flying.  That's partially because I've heard from many sources that it's good to walk around a lot.  Sitting in an airplane isn't good for our health.  And considering how crowded the planes are, if you want to walk, you're best off on the aisle, even though the windows can be very compelling.

Even though I had ordered/requested an aisle seat in all of my flights, I was assigned a window seat for the flight home.  I didn't fight it.  I hate being one of those passengers complaining and nudging the staff.  The last time it had happened, the men I was sitting with were very willing to get up whenever I requested it.  The man in the aisle seat said he preferred it to getting my seat in the middle.  I could understand that.

So this time I told the women sitting in the middle and aisle that I would just ask them to get up when I needed to get out.  The first time it happened was awful.  The woman in the middle scrunched herself in her seat, hugging her legs like a contortionist.  Her friend in the aisle seat quickly volunteered to switch with me.  I was able to sit in the aisle seat.  They slept almost the entire way back to Israel from Newark, NJ, Airport.

Barurch Hashem, thank G-d  it all worked out.

The USA versus Israel, Cultural Differences

A few years ago, when I was visiting the states and on my way, by bus, to see relatives in New Jersey, I was chastised by the driver for talking in my cell phone.  He told me that it's forbidden to talk at all.  I was in trouble because I had to inform my husband's uncle about where I was and get information on where to get off to be picked up by him. 

The instructions I had been given was to call when I got going for the most accurate time estimation.  It's not that I had been having a long conversation, not at all.  Israeli bus passengers frequently talk and talk and shout and say the most personal things when sitting on buses.  Israelis are also sometimes give the impression that they're certifiably insane, walking around holding animated discussions with themselves. At least that's how it looks to others, when we can't easily see the earphone and microphones.

I didn't see too much of that during my recent visit to the states.  The longest, loudest and most animated one-sided discussion I did observe was davka a young man jabbering in American accented Hebrew, no surprise.

Americans seem to like their quiet.  I noticed quite a few of these, and similar, signs:

Public Transportation, Never Dull, Part 1

Since we're carless, not car owners, I'm dependent on public transportation and the chessed, good will or mercy or kind deeds, of others.  For my past trip to the states I took public transportation to and from all of the airports, except in Arizona, though I could have used their lightrail between my sister's home and the airport.

Especially since I'm now a senior citizen for both Egged buses and NJ Transit, the price is right for sure.

Going to Israel's Ben Gurion International Airport, aka NaTBa"G, I was unpleasantly surprised to discover that davka when I needed to transfer from my Shiloh bus to the one to the airport at the Jerusalem Bus Station, the buses didn't let us off inside.  We had to get off outside the building and climb down all sorts of steps to get to Jaffa Road and the main entrance to the bus station. 

To make matters even more complicated, my suitcase had slid to the other side of the bus, and I had to go around the bus to retrieve it.  Luckily my big suitcase was rather empty, so with the carry-on strapped to my back I made my way down the stairs and up the street.

Just to let you know, it's really a three buses ride.  There was the one from Shiloh and then the Jerusalem to NaTBa"G only goes to a junction nearby where you take another bus.  All of the drivers were helpful and patient.  I'm not sorry that I traveled this way.  It was definitely doable for me and saved me a lot of money.  When you have more time than money, it's worth it. 

I probably could have found cheaper flights, but I'm glad that I didn't.  I was comfortable on the flights I took, more comfortable than on some of my other travel experiences.  You have to know where to do the saving.

PS On my return, the bus did enter the bus station, so it was no problem getting to my Shiloh bus.  But you should know that unlike the shuttle on the way to the airport, which is the same stop, when going to Jerusalem, there's a bit of a walk and a wide street to cross in order to get to the bus to Jerusalem.

B"H, Home Sweet Home

Yes, thank G-d I'm home in Shiloh.  It was a busy two weeks.  I spent a lot of time with family and a couple of friends who are like family to me.  I flew United (Continental) for the first time.  I must admit that it was a comfortable flight.  On the international legs there was such a choice of movies, tv shows and games, that it was hard to resist and get needed sleep.

Unlike last year's flight home when I had to call for assistance when the man sitting behind me kept shaking my seat and hitting my head whenever he stood up or sat down, this time I wasn't disturbed.  I think that one of the reasons is that the United seats are better padded than the Delta and El Al.  And there's more space by an inch or so at least.

I always request aisle seats and was assigned aisle for all but the last of four flights.  I decided to consider the opportunity to look out of the window a treat instead of fighting politely asking for one.  The two women sitting in the other seats near me wanted to sleep, so the one in the aisle seat voluntarily switched with me.  Now that's a great way of solving the problem.

I also decided to go home by bus, taking advantage of the senior fare.  From airport to Shiloh, like the reverse trip is just ns24 total.  That's maybe $7 or $8.  OK, I had to walk a bit with the suitcase.  My carry-on can be wheeled or worn as a backpack, which made it doable.  I couldn't have had done it with two wheeling bags.  I do need a new one, but that will have to wait for the next trip.

And it ended up that my suitcase weighed much less than the maximum.  I could have had bought more.  Maybe I should have taken the $400- offered to take a later flight and gone shopping....

Packing, Freak-Out

I had been blessed with more grandkids I doubt if I'd be able to buy gifts for everyone.  This one suitcase 50lbs luggage limit is awful.  I came with a half-empty suitcase, but still I'm afraid I bought too mcuh and I didn't buy much at all.

OK, I did buy shoes for me, a lot, and my husband a couple of pairs.  I discovered Marshall's shoe store next to Fairway in Westchester.  If my husband's shoes don't fit, he'll just sell them (ok I will) and use the money to buy in Israel.

I'm putting as much as I can in my carryon which is both a wheeling bag and a backpack, but it's not all that big.  Next time I'll have to buy a better and bigger one.  I can put it on my back and wheel the suitcase.  And of course I have my giant pouch which also should be replaced. I didn't see any at all.

I guess it's timeto finally fully finish my packing.

G-d willing, next post from the HolyLand.

Merciful Post-3 Week's Havel Havelim

We're finally finished with the official mourning of our Holy Temple.  Now we're supposed to feel G-d's mercy.   Living in the northern hemisphere, there is a sense of relief.  We are now permitted to launder and swim, but I'm still in New York.  Yes, there are washingmachines and swimming pools in New York, but I had other plans for today.  And tomorrow G-d willing I'm flying home.

And in the land of jbloggers, it's business as usual.  There's a new Havel Havelim.  This week's host is Esser Agaroth who has been instrumental in keeping the longest running blog carnival going. Visit and share and thank Ya'aqov for his hard and dedicated work.

Aspiring Mekubal will be hosting next week's edition. You may send him your posts through our on line submission form, or by sending him a personal message through Facebook.  Last but not least, Bloggers, please check out our Facebook Group.

Last Minute Logistics, Visit to NY and AZ Soon Over

Planning my visits to the states is always difficult.

How long or how short and where to stay etc?

Until a few years ago it was pretty easy, ok easier.  I'd be based in my parents' home.  A mile's walk would get me to the LIRR station and a quick but expensive trip to the city.  There was also a big department store just a mile away.  Shabbatot were at my sister-in-law's or a friend in the city.  I traveled no further than New Jersey to visit relatives, since my sister tried to visit when I did.

A couple of years ago we moved our parents to Arizona to be near my sister.  There is no longer a family home in New York, and I must go to AZ of course.  It's not that I'm not welcome anyplace; it's just more complicated, space for an extra bed and distance.

On one hand, this has been a totally extraordinary visit.  I've seen many, many relatives.  Some I hadn't seen for decades or ever.  Our family ties are wonderful gifts.  I come from two fantastic families.  I'm very lucky. I also have some great friends whom I see each visit.  They are considered family, too.  I have known them for decades. OK, as an old lady I've lived many decades, long enough to get senior discounts in some places.

Now I have a few more people to see and some gift shopping to do.  Today is the 9th of Av, a Jewish fast day mourning the loss of our Holy Temple and Jerusalem.  It's not a meet, eat and shopping day, though a few years ago, my sil and I did some book shopping late in the afternoon.

Of course, considering that I can only take one suitcase, I really can't buy much...

Feasting on Tisha (the 9th of) B'Av

The 9th of Av is a major fast day in the Jewish Calendar.  It seriously rivals Yom Kippur, but it is less known and less observed.  Like Yom Kippur it lasts 25 hours long.  Like Yom Kippur it can fall on a Shabbat, but unlike Yom Kippur, it's forbidden to observe it on Shabbat.  It is delayed until Sunday.  Actually it begins before Shabbat ends.

And since we must feast on Shabbat, that's what we did on Tisha b'Av.  We feasted, and believe me, this year I really did, since I was at my sister-in-law's and she's an amazing cook.  To make things even better she had a great idea.  We had a dairy lunch and then ate the meat meal closer to the end of Shabbat.

Does anyone have any other tips?

Tzom Kal, Have an easy fast if you're fasting.

Double Pat Down Again

OK ladies, I wore a tighter skirt and smaller scarf, but it didn't help.  The Phoenix airport security still thought I was a security risk.

This time I was given the choice to pat my own head under supervision and then my hands were wiped down like in CSI for traces of whatever forbidden substance the TSA were looking for.

Modern travel saga...

The Visit, Almost Over

Tonight I fly back to New York on the red-eye.  And then it will be Friday and I have plans to see a good friend and then more relatives before Shabbat.  And then there's a Shabbat and 9th of Av with my sister-in-law and her family.  After that just over a day and I'm back on the plane to Israel.

There's never enough time, and my family and friends have a zillion things to do besides seeing me, so I'm lucky to see as much of them as I do.

This visit will require last minute shopping.  I've only gotten one of the things I have to get for others and about the same for myself.  I came with a pretty much empty suitcase.  Nowadays you can't take much back, since the airlines have been reducing the amount of free luggage we can take.

It's not that there's nothing to buy in Israel, but there are a few things I do prefer to get here besides the required gifts for all.

It's 8am AZ time, so I really must get on with my day.  Time is short and shouldn't be wasted on the keyboard...

Something New, Picture-Viewing for My Parents

My parents missed the boat on computers and email.  They are now in what I'd call the "fourth stage" of life.  When I went to that seminar about Israeli "old age pension," we were told that we were in the "third stage."  My parents have graduated and now need aids to do the menial, so learning a new skill, like computers is beyond their capabilities.

The place where they live has computers for use of the residents, so yesterday my sister and I escorted them to the computer room.  We made room for my mother's wheelchair and also gave my father a chair close enough to see from, and then I managed to stretch my too short arm to reach the mouse and keyboard to sign in and control the views on the screen.  I couldn't get the pictures up from my email collection, but luckily there are plenty of family pics on facebook. They include the reunion in Philly the day I arrived.  My cousin's daughter kept shooting us with her smartphone and immediately posting to facebook.

Once I ran out of pictures on the pages of all sorts of cousins, I looked up my son's football exploits in the IFL Jerusalem Big Blue Lions.  There are lots of youtube videos.  I was amazed at how much my father enjoyed it.  He was never a sports spectator.  Minus some marbles, he really is a different person...

I ought to get them an electric frame that could be set up in Israel and then sent back to them after we load it with new pictures.

TSA Didn't Believe I Was Just Fat

Yesterday leaving Newark Airport for AZ, I was told to wait for a pat-down.  I knew that I shouldn't have worn that skirt again.  It's a little full.  Last year it passed security in JFK and Israel, but the Phoenix airport didn't approve.

Yesterday, not only did they go after the skirt, my fat thighs, but they did my scarf, too.  The lady didn't unwrap it, just felt it to make sure there was nothing hidden but hair.

I kept telling the TSA inspector that I"m just fat, but she kept insisting that I'm not or it didn't matter.  She had a job to do.

Gevalt! A Havel Havelim Sans Me?

Somehow, with all the pressures of traveling, although I have managed to keep my blogs going, I forgot to send in a link for this week's Havel Havelim.  There's a nice full edition of HH in Adventures in Mama-Land, but for the first time in a decade if I'm not mistaken, I'm not included.  Well, you can always see what I've posted here and in Shiloh Musings if you're curious about what's possibly missing.

No hard feelings, Jennifer.  And to everyone out there, there's still plenty to read in her Havel Havelim, so give it a click and a visit.

Family, Nothing's More Important

This trip to the states is dedicated to family.  I've been meeting more and more family members; some for the first time.  I'm debating on whether to post pictures of them here.  Well, my facebook friends can see them easily.

On my mother's side, we are lots of first cousins, our children and grandchildren.  There are only two couples left of the older generation, my parents and my mother's younger sister and her husband.  My mother and aunt are the youngest of nine kids, of a his, hers and theirs family.  Today it would be called a blended family.  My grandparents were widowed with kids when they got married.  My grandfather had two sons and my grandmother had three daughters.  Together they had four more children including my mother.

The clan was based in Brooklyn.  Neither of my grandparents had any siblings in America.  My grandfather didn't have any siblings at all. He was born an orphan.  His father had been murdered in a pogrom while his mother was pregnant and his mother died in childbirth.  His first wife died in childbirth having their second son.  My grandmother was the only one in her large family from Rogotchov, Belarus to go to America.    One brother lived in London with his family.  So, my mother had no cousins she knew of.

I have lots of cousins, and growing up knowing them, or almost all of them, was great fun.  Age-wise I'm in the middle, and I loved observing my elder cousins, joking around.  Everyone would talk all at once finishing each other's sentences and having fun, at least so it always seemed to me.  Nobody was rich, so most get-togethers were very crowded adding to the action.

Now we're spread all over the place, including me in Israel.  Via facebook, the eldest daughter of one of my cousins suggested that I come to Philly after landing for the day.  So that's what I did.  A few of us got together, toured, ate, toured and ate.  We may be living all different life-styles at this point, but we're all family.

I have no doubt that my grandparents in olam haba, the next world were observing us and enjoying the meeting.  No doubt they weren't surprised that we all polished off all the food, at least all of their descendants.  I come from "good eaters" on both sides.

KCC Outside the Box

 The Kosher Cooking Carnival is Outside the Box this month and perfectly parve* for the "9 days."  This has never quite happened before, but for those who are stumped  trying to plan menus that don't include any meat, poultry or dairy for whatever reason, you'll find this round-up of blog posts about food (which is strictly kosher) totally invaluable.  Please check out the links.

KCC is a monthly blog carnival which includes posts about all aspects of kosher food and kosher cooking.  I coordinate it with the help of others on our facebook page.  If you'd like to host one, please contact me.  To submit your blog article to the next edition of kosher cooking carnival-kcc use ourcarnival submission form or email   me. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our  blog carnival index page

Thanks to all and Shabbat Shalom.


parve* is a Jewish legal aka halachik term for a food that is neither dairy nor meat/poultry

"I'll Take it as a Compliment"

I'm now in NYC.  Tuesday afternoon I started the trip.  A neighbor took me down to the bus, which I took to Jerusalme.  The transfer to the bus to the airport was complicated.  It should have been easy, but the usual place to drop people off was closed.  So I had to walk down steops with the suitcase and carryon and walk a few blocks to the entrance. 

I had plenty of time.  Time is money, so I had decided on tyhe cheapest route.  Being that I get senior rate, the bus to the airport is best.  When I asked the driver for it, he asked for proof.  He made my day.  I told him that I wasn't annoyed, that...

"I'll Take it as a Compliment"

ps on NJ Transit, they wouldn't accept my passport as proof and I was forced to add to the fare.  Pictures and more of my adventures to follow.

Were They "Trying To Kill Us Off?"

Yesterday I spent the day at a seminar-information morning in the Bituach Le'umi, National Insurance, like American Social Security, offices.  I was one of a maybe a hundred or so newbie Seniors, or vattikim veterans, or gil shlishi, "third age" as we're referred to in Hebrew. 

I now get a monthly old age stipend from the government.  It's not really enough to live on unless one lives in a room in their kid's home and has no real expenses or shares a room in an apartment with others.  OK, there is also a chance to get what they call supplementary income to reach a higher number, but it really isn't much.  Twenty plus years ago, the new immigrants from FSU (former Soviet Union) used to crowd three and four generations into apartment and live on these tiny stipends until they learned Hebrew, saved money and bought much more comfortable apartments, frequently combining mortgages of the clan to cover.

We were told all sorts of tips and encouraged to come to consult with their staff.  It was all very professional.  Most of the time we heard from a man who actually makes money off of it, because he has one of those businesses that goes over your savings and insurance plans explaining the lingo and helping you know what you can change and cancel to save money. 

When he finished the participants grabbed his business cards with more enthusiasm than they showed for the margarine-filled doughy snacks they had put out for us.

The feeling was that since the longer we lived the more it would cost them, maybe the menu had been planned to "kill us off" sooner.

HH #368 At "A Soldier's Mother"

Paula presents a very professional Havel Havelim.  No surprise considering her business.  Check out the various links, visit, comment and share.

Havel Havelim is a weekly round-up of blog posts about Israel and Jewish subjects by Jewish bloggers.  It floats from blog to blog, coordinated on our facebook page.  Next week's host blog is Adventures in Mama-Land. You can submit a link to HH by clicking on the form link.

Blog carnivals are a wonderful and safe way of getting to know other blogs and bloggers.  There are two other Jewish blog carnivals, Kosher Cooking Carnival and JPIX.

Hot, Sauna-Like, Unbearable

There are times when I willingly enter a sauna, but I really don't like one just outside my front door.  It has been that hot of late.  Yes, hot and dry.  I have to keep reminding myself to add a bit of salt to my food, because I'm sweating as badly as I did when my hormones were serenading sayonara.

And we don't have air-conditioning.  Until recently, popular wisdom here in the Holyland was that you don't need it in Jerusalem and the mountains to the north and south.  Well, that was before all the public buildings and transportation began to use air-conditioning.  People got used to the cooled feel and began getting systems that both heated and cooled for their homes. 

All we did was to get shades to keep the sun from invading the livingroom/diningroom in the summer and added a simple standing fan, too.  We trusted cross-ventilation from open windows to keep us comfortable. 

But since our bodies have gotten adjusted to the feel of air-conditioning in other places, our house is suddenly too hot and the outside is worse.  Wearing a large hat and loose sleeves is no longer sufficient defense against the heat.  And it doesn't  help that as I'm aging, my internal thermostat gets stuck.

We really don't have the money to invest in one of those expensive air conditioner-heaters, so sorry you'll just have to listen to my rants.

But at least I have the pool to go to a few mornings a week for a bit.  And that's where I'm off to, right now.

Amazing: From Zero to Four to Six to Eight! Guests, That Is

I just can't remember the last time such a thing happened to us.

On Wednesday and Thursday I tried calling a few people to invite them for Shabbat meals, but nothing worked out.  We weren't expecting guests, not the first time, and no invitations either, ditto.

I had had a very busy week at work and even decided that I could somehow do all of the cooking on Friday.  I almost never save all of the cooking for Friday.  I like to split my cooking by doing the meat/poultry on Thursday and side-dishes on Friday.  But since I didn't have a shift on Friday nor guests, it seemed perfectly reasonable to be able to get all of the cooking done on a long summer's Friday.

Before leaving for the pool I gave my husband the shopping list which included just small challah rolls for us.  The two chickens were already thawed and waiting for me to cook them.

At the pool I saw a good friend leaving.

"Why are you leaving so early?"
"My in-laws are coming for Shabbat."
Her mother-in-law is a good friend and they're related to us through marriage.
"That's great," I replied.  "Why don't you all come for Shabbat lunch?"

She agreed, and that's how we were suddenly up to four guests.  I took some frozen challah dough I had from the freezer to bake an extra challah.  It didn't rise all that much and ended up more like a sourdough bread.  My visiting friend liked it so much she even asked to take the leftover piece back with her.

Then later on, when I was already back home, I checked my email and discovered that another neighbor had asked if she and her son could come for Shabbat lunch.  I happily replied in the positive, and so we were up to six for lunch.   I took out another chicken to thaw for Friday night dinner for me and my husband.

Then much closer to Shabbat itself I got a call from another neighbor asking if they could come to the Third Meal, Seudat Shlishit. 

Yes, we quickly went from zero to eight, and there was plenty of food for all.  The guests all brought something, and I managed to cook too much. 

What a wonderful Shabbat!