2 Pet Peeves From Your Friendly Saleslady

As you must know by now, I've been working as an ordinary saleswoman in Yafiz, Sha'ar Binyamin, a medium-sized "clothing for the entire family store" for well over four years.

In the past I worked in stores, even in New York before I got married. But this is the first job like this since cellphones became the norm for all to carry around.

And that is "pet peeve" number one:

Please don't walk into a store shouting or even talking loudly on the phone.
It happens too often that people are in  the middle of a conversation that has nothing to do with what to buy in the store. I know that, because I can hear every word. More often than not, the telephone-talker drowns out the actual customers and staff. We can't work because of the noise. The atmosphere in the store becomes very unpleasant and is dominated by rudeness. And no doubt many of you will mention that it is also a problem when the sales staff is too busy with their own phone-calls to pay attention to customers. I agree. Now that it's the norm for people to have their cellphones with them 24/7, we all have to learn when to keep them quiet.

Please ask; don't just search through the shelves and stock.
When we, the salespeople are serious when we ask if we can help. And even if nobody offered assistance, please don't be shy, ask. We can save you time. We can help you find what you want or save you from uselessly searching. Frequently, people waste time and energy looking for what doesn't exist.

"I want this style shirt in a men's medium."
"Sorry, this is a children's model, and it only goes to size 16."

That conversation frequently is heard after the frustrated customer has made a total mess of the shirts on the shelf. And if you are in one of those stores that has awful staff, then you can take the initiative and ask for help. Hint: many labels have the "size range" printed, which is one of the ways that we salespeople know what sizes can be found.

Happy Shopping!

Soooon.... G-d Willing

Yes, the local Shiloh Swimming Pool is due to open in a couple of weeks. Can't wait!!

Great Serving Idea!

A few weeks ago, I visited a friend who was hosting a small gathering in her house. As usual her home was arranged beautifully with lots of tempting food. But what grabbed my eye was this very unique way of presenting apples.

There really wasn't enough room on the table by the time all the food was served for a "proper" fruit bow.  Putting the apples in the large heavy glass vase was totally brilliant!!

Great "Golden Age" Activities Here in Shiloh

Bringing my father on aliyah to Israel

Some of you may remember that we had my father living with us here in Shiloh for almost a year five plus years ago. The plan had been to also get my mother to Israel and set them up with suitable help in a place near a good senior citizens center or in one of those residential places suitable for a combination of "independent and assisted living." But in the end my mother wanted to be near my sister, though was sorry that she was so far from most of her grandchildren and all of the great-grandchildren.

During that year my father was with us, I hosted a weekly "movie night," (actually late afternoon,) for English speakers. Most of the participants were between my age and his. It was very popular.

A couple of years after he left, a new "middle-aged plus" couple moved to Shiloh, and she was looking for a project, so our "social/activity" coordinator suggested that she develop a program for Shiloh's elderly, a growing population. There's quite a challenge considering that few of the elderly are fully comfortable in Hebrew, so there must be translation into English and Russian. And now there's a couple from France that moved in with their daughter. They try to translate into French for each other.

One of the weekly activities is an ulpan to help improve their Hebrew. And another is an exercise class by a professional yoga/aerobics teacher. They also bring in lecturers, show films and have lots of other programs. They meet twice a week. I'm sometimes asked to help with translating to and from English. I do it when I can.

Not all the participants are elderly, and not all the participants are immigrants. Too bad we didn't have these activities when my father was living with us. He would have loved to go, and it's an easy walk from our house.

And to be honest, I did get quite a workout at the exercise class. Maybe I should go more often!

What's Hidden in Your Simple Tomato Paste?

We generally by the same brand of concentrated tomato paste (the 28% variety) all the time. When I first discovered it, it just had tomatoes and nothing else. But every once in a while there an unpleasant surprise.

I've been checking various brands, and they all have lots of added junk. This new one has 8% garbage (sugars and who knows what else) in it. And the warning that it "May contain celery, mustard, sesame, eggs, soy and sulphite." really ruins my appetite.

Havel Havelim News

Here's the latest Havel Havelim--Just Click!

Chag Sameach!! Jerusalem Day!

Delicious New Coffee

This morning I made the first brew of the last of my stash of "Eight O'Clock" coffees, which I had bought in New York over two months ago. It's Colombian Peaks.

As you can see, I used the French Press and added milk. I also added sugar. According to the icon on the package it's a "medium flavor," which was the same as my previous  Caramel Macchiato, but this is real coffee taste. The Caramel Macchiato tasted strongly flavored. After a couple of weeks or less the novelty of the special flavor had long worn off, and I'm glad that Colombian Peaks has none of that artificial taste.

In some ways its flavor is similar to percolated Elite Turkish coffee which I never get tired of. The aroma is a great wake-up call.

I'll also have to try it in my little cup filter and percolator to give a full report.

Have a great day. Coffee is really the best way to start one!!

Quiet Lunch Escape in the Center of Jerusalem

As you know, I'm always on the quest for a low-cost worthwhile lunch in Jerusalem. I've tried out many of the ns5 places. They are fine if you don't need the nutrition of a "real meal." The rolls are large enough, but sometimes there's barely a dessertspoon (smaller than a teaspoon) of tuna in the sandwich, and I'm not always in the mood for eating on the sidewalk or in motion.

One solution I've used a few times has been the "two meals for the price of one"  ns25 large tuna salad which comes with a roll from the Neeman on the corner of King George and Jaffa Streets. I eat about 2/3 the salad for lunch and then take the roll and the rest of the salad to work for my dinner. Yesterday I was not in the mood for that. I also didn't want any "too big" sandwich for ns18 or so. I decided to have their sandwich and coffee deal for ns20. The roll was large enough, and from what I could see, there was the equivalent of about ten ns5 sandwiches of tuna if not more.

When I asked where to wash my hands, I was sent "upstairs." There I discovered a quiet place, much nicer than the few tables on the street overlooking the busy corner, which one shares with pigeons and strangers.

Tired, I sat at the table closest to the sink, which was by the 00 WC's. The downside was the strong smell of urine. Apparently they don't clean there often enough. Next time I'll just pick a different table.

I definitely did need that escape from the hustle and bustle of the street. The ready-made whole-wheat tuna sandwich was full and tasty and just the right size. The coffee was good, too. I don't usually drink coffee in the middle of the day, but I did feel the need and had a long day of work still ahead of me. It did end up to be a good choice, because I functioned well for hours after eating that meal.

Just One Week to Rosh Chodesh Sivan!!

Even though there was once of those annoying muddy spring drizzles yesterday, summer is rapidly approaching. Next week is Rosh Chodesh Sivan, and I hope to see lots of women from all over praying together at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh.

It really is perfect weather for our praying at the site of the Biblical Mishkan, Tabernacle, the exact location of Chana/Hannah's successful prayers for a son. She didn't ask G-d for a son just to fulfill her maternal longings. Chana asked for a son whom she'd educate to be a leader of the Jewish People to take us out of the selfish anarchy which characterized the days of Judges.

Yes, according to the Jewish Religion and Biblical History, true leadership and change were from the women. And since Rosh Chodesh, the beginning of the Jewish Month, is traditionally a women's holiday, I've combined it all by inviting women to pray together at Shiloh Hakeduma.

Women's Prayers at Shiloh Hakeduma, Tel Shiloh Rosh Chodesh Sivan

Tuesday May 19, 2015

1st of Sivan, 5775, 8:30am

Tour of Tel Shiloh

Dvar Torah, Short Torah Lesson

Please come and invite family, friends and neighbors

תפילת נשים ראש חודש סיון בשילה הקדומה, תל שילה

יום ג' 19-5  א' סיון, תשע"ה 8:30

יהיה דבר תורה קצר וסיור בתל

כדאי לבוא ולהזמין חברות, משפחה ושכנות

Please save the date, publicize it and join us.
Please mark it on your calendar and make arrangements to come. Also, whether you can come or not, please let friends and family know about it, thanks.

You're welcome to join our facebook page.

Mark your calendar, and join us. For more information, please contact me at shilohmuse@gmail.com with "Rosh Chodesh at Tel Shiloh" as subject, thanks.

You can visit the holy site anytime. Guided tours can be arranged through the Shiloh HaKeduma, Ancient Shiloh office. Email visit@telshilo.org.il or phone 02-994-4019.

So, please join us!

Take Me to The Movies!! Stories of Rebbe Nachman by Tzvi Fishman

Here's the review and some of the background about Tzvi Fishman's movie. Stories of Rebbe Nachman.

To get a taste of it, watch the trailer:

My Newest Granddaughter and My Mother's Gifts

Mother's Day

My mother holding me when I was about a year old in Bell Park Gardens, Bayside, New York.

We never celebrated Mother's Day in our house, most probably because my mother's birthday was May 14, which is around Mother's Day, and my parents weren't very big on celebrating even our birthdays.

It's almost two years now since my mother, Shirley Shankman Spiegelman, passed away, and there's already a great-granddaughter of hers named after her. Her middle name is Li-Shir (sing to me,) and she and her parents visited the other day.

I really got a kick watching her play with the same toys my mother had bought my eldest over forty years ago. All my children had played with these classic wooden blocks. All sorts of kids who visited my house have played with them, too. And now so have all the grandchildren, may there be many more, G-d willing.

No doubt that my mother enjoys watching her namesake from Olam Haba, the Next World.

For the Latest Havel Havelim....

It's on Shiloh Musings!

The בהר "Behar," On The Mountain Havel Havlim

Looking for Work, but...

I'm not jobless, but it's no secret that I'd like a better job. There are things about my job that I love.

• Everyday is different.
• I get out and see people. 
• I don't sit still.
• I can help people. 
• I get to see all sorts of old friends, former students etc.
• I've made lots of new friends. 
• I get compliments, even by total strangers.
• It's pretty easy.
• I don't take it home with me. It's a sign-in and sign-out, not like teaching.
• There's a great variety of things I can do at work.
• It's pretty easy to get to and back.
• I can sometimes be creative.
• It's rarely boring.
• The salary is automatic; I don't have to hustle for clients or free lance jobs.

The negative:

• The salary, minimum wage.
• It's cold and rainy in the winter, since we're not in an enclosed building. 
• The upper echelons of the business don't respect the opinions of the sales staff.
• There's no real challenge left for me. 

I'm a certified EFL teacher with experience and training as a remedial teacher, too. My expertise is working with very small groups, but those jobs are hard to find. My attempts to teach in a regular classroom were disastrous, and at this stage in life, I do not need the stresses required.

Years ago, I taught women's exercise classes, both in Jerusalem, when we lived there and in Shiloh. Nobody at this stage, considering my age and how I look would pay me now for such a thing.

I have recently edited a book and an internet site. And I've also sold a few photos. In theory, and I have thought about it a lot, I could open a business of writing and editing, but there are three big disadvantages to it. 

1. I'd have to constantly hustle for work and clients.
2. I'd be home without the fun and stimulation of other people.
3. There would be constant clerical tasks, bookkeeping taxes etc to deal with.

And a number of years ago, before it was a popular field, I took a course to qualify me as a Life Coach, but working at that would also demand hustling etc, like any private service business.

At my age it's very hard to find work, especially work that deals with the public. I'm old; I'm retirement age, but I do not have a proper pension.

I've been working in Yafiz, Sha'ar Binyamin for close to four and a half years. It's the longest I've ever had as a non-teaching job ever, and as much as I'd like a change, I'll probably staying as long as I can.

I just needed to vent; thanks for listening.

Lag B'Omer Campfire for Old Folks

Last night I got an SMS from a neighbor that there would be a "senior citizens" bonfire in her backyard to celebrate Lag B'Omer. I was in a very "social" mood and decided to go. Of course I changed into clothes that could go straight into the laundry, since these fires end up very smelly. And when I got home, I did what I had trained my kids to do all those decades ago. I went into the bathroom, stripped, showered and shampooed. I wasn't going to get my house and good clothes all stinky. 

Now, I'm going to be perfectly honest. Even though I've certainly heard explanations innumerable times on the reasons that Israelis light these fires on the Eve of Lag B'Omer, I just haven't be able to remember any. It just doesn't fit into my brain.

Yes, this was the campfire. Sometimes my Galaxy II Plus actually takes an amazing picture.

Israelis of my generation and a bit younger, certainly older, have a simple set menu for these nighttime events. They add onions and potatoes to the fire for cooking. The kids (younger generation) have added hot dogs and other meat treats to make a midnight feast.

Taking into account that not all of us are mobile/flexible enough to find sitting on the ground and then standing easy, lots of chairs were set up. Besides the traditional campfire baked potatoes and onions, we were served popcorn, baked goods and non-caffeinated teas, sugar on the side for those who still sweeten them.

There were also lots of stories. Some were based on the mystical aspects of Lag B'Omer, while others were more personal about their journeys to Torah Judaism and Shiloh.

Being an "empty-nester," it was nice to be able to go to sleep afterwards and not worry about our children out all night by dangerous campfires.

Very Healthy Fruit Candies

I've been making a version of these fruit candies for a while and have even blogged about it. But my new version is much healthier than the old one. Now, instead of using the ready-made date spread which has lots of added sugar, I found a block of pitted dates.

Yes, that does mean that I had to "mush it," make it spreadable or pliable. When I was the cook in the local infant daycare center, I was taught to add some boiling water and mix with two forks. We were also told to add some cinnamon.

So that's what I did. Then I added coconut. You can add small seeds or nut flour or unflavored sesame paste. You can also add unsweetened cocoa.

Then I formed balls and put them in a plastic bag with more coconut for coating and gave it a shake.

They keep well in the freezer.

Havel Havelim in AliyahLand

Tzivia, thanks so much for hosting!!!

One thing I must say is that things haven't been dull here in Israel ever since Tzivia and her family made aliyah. OK, maybe it has never been dull here...

As usual Tzivia, who has been hosting a Havel Havelim every month, has done a great job.

Haveil Havalim, the Emor Extravaganza

Please visit, read and comment. No doubt you will find lots of posts to enjoy.

Next week, I'll be the host on Shiloh Musings. Please send me (shilohmuse@gmail.com) your best link or two from the week and any from another blog you think should be in, too, before Shabbat your time.

For more information please join our facebook group.

Behind the Scenes for 52 Frames

After much debate, a few photographs and a couple of phone calls, I came up with my "Behind the Scenes" 52 Frames photo for this week.

Artist, Mixing Colors

Gretta Kusnetzov, of Shiloh, veteran immigrant from FSU, professional artist and inspiring art teacher in her studio.Gretta, a great-grandmother, may she live and be well, can't stay still, which is why the photo is blurred.

Here are some other photos, the ones I didn't use.

windows for an enlarged house

grocers storage room

making healthy candy

I decided that there should be a person as the focal interest. My first idea was a different neighbor, but she wasn't home, so while talking to her I thought of Gretta.

Preview of the Review

My husband and I were honored to be invited to the preview screening of Tzvi Fishman's not yet released movie, Stories of Rebbe Nachman.

The Jewish Innovation
Creating a fun and inspiring feature film, for all ages, based on the fairy tale-like fables of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, about happiness, faith, and trust in God.
The Impact
"Stories of Rebbe Nachman" will be a fun and inspiring, feature film based on four of Rebbe Nachman's wonderful, faith-filled, fairy tale-like fables. The film will be a powerful beacon of light in our dark and despairing world. The famous Hasidic master, Rebbe Nachman of Breslov, taught that stories can bring healing to the soul. While most people tell stories to children to put them to sleep, Rebbe Nachman told his stories to wake people up! Filled with many deep messages of faith, trust in God, and the importance of always being happy, these universal stories are for people of all ages. It is well known that after reading one of these stories many many people have returned to the Torah. Too religious, you say? Well, we believe that Jews all over the world are waiting to be awakened through the joy and inspiration that this entertaining film will bring. And you can make it happen! We have already privately raised $150,000 toward our budget of $180,000, so we only need another $30,000 to make this film a reality. The Jewish People have an important message for the world, and a movie of these inspiring stories has the power to light up the universe. With faith in our enterprise, we are beginning to film of August 10, 2014. As Rebbe Nachman taught, “The whole world is a narrow bridge and the important thing is not to be afraid.”
Thank you for joining me on this fun and revolutionary journey!
What the money is for
All money raised will go toward enhancing the professionalism and cinematic beauty of the film, by providing more shooting days, the finest film crew possible, and the ability to create some fun and surprising special effects. Right now, with the last stages of editing to go, we've used up all of our funds and need money for final post-production.

We mingled among the actors, stage crew, family members and friends with great excitement. In all honesty, we're old friends and former neighbors of Tzvi and his family. Some of our kids are still close friends, so we're very excited about the movie.

I will be writing a proper review, G-d willing soon, after I see a segment I missed. You should know that the movie Stories of Rebbe Nachman is totally professional. Watch the official trailer and let others know about it, thanks.

Easy Come, Easy Go...

Do you remember the post I wrote about the tiny gold earring I found when cleaning for Passover?  It had been lost for so long, I had no idea it could even be in the house. I honestly can't remember even having both of them.

No doubt you can guess the bottom line from the title. Yes, it or its partner is gone. I was taking it off one night in my room and felt it slip from my fingers. I didn't hear it hit the floor. I checked my clothes. I've checked the bed many times since. I've checked the floor and the shoes and everyplace.

Just like it suddenly appeared, it suddenly disappeared....

Finding Relative on "March of the Living"

On Israel's Memorial Day for Soldiers and Victims of Arab Terror, I went on a search mission at the Kotel, The Western Wall in the Old City of Jerusalem. I had been told that a cousin's granddaughter would be there about 12 noon. Although I'm very close with her mother and grandmother, I don't know this girl at all and had never seen her in person. She knew even less about me, so I sent her a photo of myself, once I made it to the Wall Plaza and started my wait and search.

My family isn't one of those that visits Israel a lot. It's a headline day or year when I hear of someone coming to Israel. Last year was a big year for the family on both sides. One cousin's daughter did an internship, davka, in Tel Aviv over the summer and experience war, which wasn't the plan. Then her parents came for a first time ever trip. After that another cousin's daughter came with her husband and two girls for a wonderful family visit.

And this spring we had our very first March of the Living participant. I kept looking out for her group and took lots of photos to keep myself busy. They were about an hour late, but I did get an opportunity to meet her and talk for a few minutes. These groups a very strict, so I'm lucky that she was there davka the day I study in Jerusalem after my classes were over.

G-d is Great!!!