Baile Rochel #8 Technology

Baile Rochel's Back #8
September 6, 2005
The 2nd of Ellul

Technology

We have a scanner. Actually we've had it for a couple of weeks, ever since I schlepped it back after visiting my daughter in Tel Aviv. It was hers, but she had never used it. It came with the package when she bought my sister-in-law's computer when they decided to go back to the states. So it's not like it's new, which is actually good. That's because our computer is old. It's so old that we can't even do the "blog from Word" that blogger offers. A new scanner would probably have necessitated expensive upgrades, and we all know what that means.

I hired someone to set it up. Yes, he plugged and attached and detached and downloaded everything that had to be plugged and attached and detached and downloaded. Just saying it reminds me of the money well-spent. He even had to track down all sorts of wires and other parafanalia. Honestly, that's why I go to work. Some women have manicures, I hire a computer expert. Priorities. Yes, I have a husband, but he also prefers to go to work and leave the technical stuff to someone else.

My kids aren't like that. They know how to fix, change, attach etc. My youngest, ok, he's grown, post teen, made the digital camera bark like a dog. It gets rather embarrassing when photographing at important events. I click, the camera goes "woof," and everyone looks around. It's one of the reasons I still use my film camera. I'm a real whiz at changing film while the camera's hanging from my neck, a film in each hand and my pocketbook on my shoulder. I did it plenty on that Nefesh B'Nefesh flight. See. Believe me, after nursing my five kids and the required multi-tasking that requires, the film-changing's a breeze.

But there's another problem, the camera is dying. These ridiculous modern ones are all electric, not like my old reliable "Brownie." Sometimes the click doesn't catch, or whatever the technical thing is called, and I have to keep clicking and clicking, and don't forget that I have this serious hobby as a photo-journalist. Just last night I was at a neighbor's 90th birthday party, and the camera started getting shy. I was afraid that he'd be 92 before the camera flashed.

Besides, "personalizing" the digital camera, my son made the new cordless phone shriek in such a way, you'd think a siren was going off outside. The first time I heard it I missed the phone call. I opened the door and ran out in order to hear the announcement.

Recently my husband and I realized that it wasn't our advancing age and diminishing hearing that was making it harder to hear the phone. Somehow the ring had gotten lower. Rather peculiar considering that our sons are in the states, and I don't think that even they can made that sort of change from overseas by remote control.

As my summer vacation from teaching was ending, I found myself in need of a challenge. I put on my reading glasses and picked up the phone. I tried to read the codes and instructions on the buttons and tiny screen. There must be a way to make it loud enough to hear. How difficult can it be? I'm not that stupid. It can't be harder that running the washing machine.

Honestly, I can't say that it just took a second. It took longer, a good few minutes, but I wasn't going to let that phone defeat me. I was at war, and I won! I increased the ring volume. I was on a roll; victory is so sweet. So, I just kept going and looked for the ring menu, the choices, to get that crazy siren to stop. And not to leave you in suspense, I found it. After listening to all the choices, a few times, I chose some sophisticated chimes. They sort of sound like the chimes that announce school announcements in the movie "Grease."

Of course, I didn't want to brag, so I forgot to mention it to my husband, so of course he missed a call. He heard the chimes but never thought it was the phone. Actually, I didn't brag at all; this is the first time. So when my married daughter and her family came, her husband was shocked to hear the change in ring and volume.

Knowing full well that the boys are away, he asked: "Who changed it?"

"I," I answered proudly. He looked at me in disbelief.

"What's the big deal? From whom do you think the boys inherited their talents?"

But don't worry, I'll still keep supporting my local computer expert.

This morning at the pool

Conversation at the pool...

One neighbor said that she needed ideas, what should she bring a friend,
a Disengagement victim, Gush Katif refugee...

How could she possibly cheer her up?
cake, cookies, candy
soaps, creams, perfumes?
is there space for things that clutter

will she be annoyed if all the nosh makes her gain weight?
how about just take her out to a restaurant?
just get her out of refugee camp they call a "resort," last resort?

not pleasant
as we enjoy
one of our last swims of the season

being reminded
of others who are suffering

and the insecurity of our own homes

I'm a poet

Well, I'm sort of a poet. I write poetry, and now one of mine is included in the Carnival of Poets. Take a gander, there's a nice variety.

Big day!

Today was a special day. After much trepidation I re-entered the classroom for the first time after summer vacation.

Only during summer vacation did a lot of things change in the school where I teach, Yeshivat Bnai Akiva Mateh Binyamin in Beit El. After spending hours with the other two teachers trying to find the perfect textbooks, suddenly it all changed. Our numbers had been dropping the past few years, and I was psyching myself up for reduced teaching hours. Then all of a sudden it was announced that another yeshiva high school was closing, and there were negotiations to accept a few dozen, maybe even more than fifty, in our school.

All of a sudden, my hours went back to last year's, and all of our careful planning had to be redone. We divide the kids into homogeneous groups according to levels. I'm an EFL teacher, trying to get Israeli boys to read, write and speak English.

So today we greeted the 9th and 10 grades with tests, and tomorrow the 11th grade will get a similar present. Thank G-d it went well, and the boys were pretty well-behaved, at least the 9th grade. I guess they're still scared. The 10th took a few minutes to calm down, and then they, too took their tests. The 11th grade tomorrow.

I was pleasantly surprised. I remembered last year's opening, when teachers rushed anxiously into the teachers room the minute there was a break, muttering about the impossible kids.

And now for the tough part. I have to learn all their names.

I got home pretty quickly, thank G-d. And then supper, and then walked with my friend, and then...

I went to a birthday party, my neighbor's 90th, ad me'ah v'esrim, he should live to a hundred and twenty. It was lovely, a typical Shiloh mix from all over the world. First of all, the guest of honor is from Russia, and his daughter lives in Shiloh, and her daughter and family, so it's a four generation one.

I was on the Absorption Committee when they showed interest in coming. I remember; we met them and were impressed. They weren't religious then, but we just felt that it would be a wonderful thing to give them a chance. As one person said: "If Shiloh is not for them, they'll leave, but at least we can help them adjust to Israel."

And the rest is history...

a wedding

Last night we were at a beautiful wedding of one of the local girls. I attended her parent's wedding. Her mother moved to Shiloh when we did. She came to teach in our school, which had just opened. She taught dd#2 for almost two years, until she could no longer travel from where they had moved after the wedding. Two children later, they came to Shiloh as a family.

The wedding was at Neot Kedumim, a "nature reserve" less than an hour from here. The bride, the view, gorgeous! The band, Eliezer Rosenfeld's, was filled with spirit and love.

A wonderful evening.

And now I have to prepare myself for the first day of school.

BOM, a Great Read

The latest BOM is up. Recently Gary has been putting comedy in the side-bar. For that alone, it's worth reading. And there are illustrations for each post. You have to see it.

Etti Meidad and Baby Released From Jail

Baruch Hashem!

Etti Meidad and her baby daughter were suddenly released from jail today.

She is the wife of Shmuel (Zangi) the founder of Honenu, a legal aid organization that helps Israelis defend themselves, from government persecution and civil rights violations.

No, they're not related.

HH, Hurray!

A great way to start the week and month, the very latest Havel Havelim! There's an unbeatable variety of posts, so for your reading pleasure...

Oy, Yes, Oy

Oh, yes, I'm groaning. Two major reasons.

First, the pool closes this week, my two-minutes-from-the-house local swimming pool. It's the end of the season.

And I go back to work. This year I'm not at all ready, even less than usual. I'm sure that my students feel the same. So, oy and double oy. If you're not familiar, "oy" is Yiddish for "groan."

Just to think that a few years ago I was unemployed and took on any job. Then a friend offered me a teaching job, trying to teach the kids who were failing. And not only did I accept, but I found myself very good at it.

I have to keep remembering that. Everyday, I must remind myself how lucky I am. Because I am lucky. Baruch Hashem.

And now, I had better get myself ready to enjoy one of the last pool days of the season. And it's also Rosh Chodesh Ellul, the beginning of the Jewish month of Ellul, the month of introspection and tshuva, repentance. So I'll start by asking forgiveness from any of you I may have harmed. I'm sorry.

Chodesh Tov

nest emptied

The house was full for Shabbat. I had to clean out the three "children's bedrooms" so there would be enough room. Actually only two were used at night, since 2 year old Hallelie was very excited to sleep in her aunt's room.

It was nice to have them home, and then, pfft.... packed and gone.

Flexibility- diet breakfasts and to swim or not today

Flexibility, I really try not to be too obsessive. I've taught myself to relax about being on time. As a kid, not only was I the first to arrive at birthday parties, but I was usually there before it was supposed to start. I'd be hysterical about missing a train, even though a few minutes later there'd be another one. Being late for anything could get me totally nuts. I live in a community with an entirely different concept of time, so I try to adjust for my sanity.

I like routine and function best on the same breakfast everyday. Over the years my breakfasts have changed. Generally from egg, no carbs to some sort of cereal. When I was young I ended breakfast with coffee, but now I drink lots of water, then lots of coffee and only later, after "emptying" do I have breakfast. For the past few years I've been having a vegetable omelet without any carbohydrates. It gave me just what I needed for a strenuous morning. I adopted that when I was still a vegetarian. Then a couple of years ago I found myself looking for chocolate, especially white chocolate or halva, and candy right after breakfast. To counteract that I changed my 25 year vegetarian diet to one of meat, fish, etc. I was hungry. I also reduced carbohydrates enormously, since I didn't need them to fill up.

Unfortunately, I still suffer the binges, which don't happen when I'm not home and eat cereal, bagel, bread whatever with breakfast. So I think it's time to change. Today I had a big bowl of diced fruit, unsweetened puffed wheat and plain yogurt, and I'm not hungry.

Even though it's one of the last days the pool is open, I decided not to go today. I really have too much to do. And yes, I shouldn't be on the computer, so see you later.

reburial

What's an eternal resting place?
how long is eternal?
and how can the souls rest
when politicians
play with their bones
as if the childhood game of jax
in Israel, played with apricot pits
when money was scarce
but people were strong
and independent
and proud and
patriotic

and now
were all the bones counted?
including the smallest toes?
were any left behind......?

Learning from the Experienced, oops, Elderly

One of the principles,or main objectives, of the Dovrat Plan to "restructure" Israeli education, is that old teachers are inferior to new young ones, and there must be a major staff replacement. They even plan on reducing the salaries of the teachers with seniority and giving the money to young academics straight out of university as "incentive." (Yes, the unions are working hard to make sure that salaries aren't reduced.)

One of the stranger things behind the rationale is that on one hand they complain that Israel's academic standing, in the international ranking of students is going down, meaning that previously Israeli students did much better, and their solution is to train new teachers very differently from how the old, veteran, successful ones were taught.

Until a very short time ago, an Israeli teacher's license wasn't attached to a university degree. And these were the teachers who had the legendary good results. Now university degrees are part of the minimal requirements, and academic success is dropping.

In the drive to bring "young blood" into education over the past decade, in many cases, school principles have been making conditions less comfortable for the older teacher, with the aim of having a "fresh, new staff that can be molded." Experience is considered a disadvantage.

This morning I found a wonderful article about "age verses beauty" by Rabbi Dovid Rosenfeld. It's from his series about Pirkei Avot, Ethics of the Fathers. He explains the different types of intelligence found in the older verses the younger person.

I'm very lucky to be teaching in a school in which the staff is of all generations. I have no doubt that the students benefit from this mix and our experience. I know that we contribute our knowledge based on all that we have done and learned over the years.

Nowadays most teaching is from "workbooks," and there is actually less creativity in developing the lessons. More veteran teachers, from the pre-workbook times, are actually more flexible and more creative. One can't teach creativity in the university lecture hall.

Age and experience give a perspective that no degree requirements can. It's time to appreciate and value age before beauty.

The Dangers of Blogging

I thought that the only danger was time waste, and just to think of how much I've been wasting since I came home from the mall. My husband would add food as a waste, since he claims that I burn food, because I'm too distracted to go into the kitchen on time. He just doesn't understand that I love it when my chicken is crispy. And I've never failed at cleaning the pots, even if I have to leave them soaking with bleach for a few days. I have enough pots. And even just now, I so enjoy the scrumptuous odor of the chicken from teh other end of the house. Ok, just another paragraph, or two...

According to Jeremy Blachman's op-ed in the New York Times, someone could get fired for blogging about work. It happened to Nadine Haobsh, a magazine writer.

Honestly, I'd be more careful about cell phone calls in public places.

Bargains, Blogging and Carnivals

Today's a big shopping day, at least I tried. I tried looking for bargains for Hallel and Porat. I went to the mall, got a few things, but nothing to brag about. And I didn't even find anything for myself, isn't that great? But I did buy some filters for the coffee-maker. They were much cheaper than the other brand. All the instructions were in German, or at least it looked like German. I have a feeling that there was a trick. How could 40 cost that same as 20 from the other company?

Blogging,
I have so much on my mind that I started writing notes in the bus on the way to the mall. Gevalt.

Carnivals,
We're in The Carnival of Education again. Just one problem, the host seems to have a problem with reading comprehension, or do I write so youthfully, she thought that I'm a young mother. There are some very interesting articles included. It's nice to know what's happening in the rest of the world.

And how will I manage?

Next week I'm back to work, back to teaching.

I've really enjoyed my vacation this year. I didn't notice that my nest was empty, not like a few years ago, when for the first time I really felt alone during the day. My babies were both in the army, no work, no schedule, other than the women's hours in the local pool.

I'd rush to classes in the Israel Center, Jerusalem, even though the level was barely challenging.

This year I could have used more time.

I write, blog, photograph, grandmother, visit friends. I could live like this forever. Good preparation for retirement.

Maybe I should take a good look at summer sales and search for bargains.

Seize the day!

Risky Business

Sorry, this isn't about the movie, of the same name, "Risky Business," which gave Tom Cruise his big chance, you know the one my classmate, no, not Andy Kaufman, Jon (Jonny) Avnet made. Yes, you'd never guess we, including Jonny's wife were all in the same graduating class from Great Neck North. But this isn't about the movie, far from it.

The risk I'm referring to is opening my blogs to anyone for comments. See how desparate I am, what an embarrassment.

Too many people have complained that they don't want to open a blogger account, but they do want to comment. I kept restricting comments to bloggers of blogspot, because spammers open accounts and then they spam the comments.

Now that I've been able to have an anti-spam option for my comments, I decided to take a risk and open them up.

Risky Business!

Helping the Refugees

I sent this idea out to a few people and just found out that there are Gush Katif, Northern Shomron refugees who are interested.

My idea is that those with laptops should go to the hotels or wherever the refugees are and help them write cv's. Many, too many, are jobless. It's not enough to just take notes and return with a cv. There's a power in watching it emerge on the screen and having a chance to control which font, style etc. Feeling in control of something will help them recover. Printing facilities are important of course, and have it sent and saved to an email account, like yahoo, is also advisable. If they don't have accounts, then help set one up.

It's important to get them out of the "helpless refugee" syndrome. People or offices can invite the refugees over, even by appointment, to get it done.

Tizku B'Mitzvot

this will also be on Shiloh Musings

a wasted meeting

A couple of neighbors called for a meeting, a post Disengagement discussion. I figured I'd go, instead of just communing with the keyboard, no offense.

A few people showed, and we waited and waited. Then we moved from the main part of the shul to the women's part, since they didn't want us ladies, all two of us, sitting in the main sanctuary. Fine, since I told them if we have to sit behind a mechitza so do they, since I came to participate.

Finally one of the organizers started to talk, and talk and then someone told him that it was 10:30pm and we ought to begin the discussion. Eventually we did. (To try to stay calm, I brought the hat I'm crocheting. It's better than a tranquilizer.) No one there reads my writing, since I don't send it to the local list. Most of my neighbors wouldn't read so much English.

It wasn't much of a discussion, at least for me. I didn't agree with the proposals at all. I couldn't see how they would solve anything or help us.

So I left and went to get the mail which wasn't far, though in the wrong direction from my house. The weather was nice. Then I began walking home. I ran into some neighbors and told them what they didn't miss, and we began to talk. They had gone up to my neighborhood, since it's good for walking there. I walked and talked with them. We had the meeting I had hoped to attend.

Isn't G-d wonderful!

BOMS #92

My recent Heval Hevalim* is nothing compared to BOMS. It has graphics from another world, and this week's edition also has a variety of Robin Williams' lines. Take a gander.

*I'm still waiting for your guesses about the photos. Don't be shy!