It has been very pleasant, weather-wise, here in Israel for the past few weeks. We have been able to go outside during the day without a jacket, for the most part. In the evening, the winds pick up and it can get chilly. But I have been getting away with no socks and lightweight shoes. … More the mosquito bite; recognizing the danger of
I do seem to pay attention to this topic of changing perspectives. (See here and here, for examples.) After all, that’s the purpose of this blog–learning to pay attention, learning what has been presented to me in my life to learn from and about. It’s true how much I see things differently after going to a … More changing perspectives
In particular. Or at least to start. Or is it complacent insanity? One, the world and its blind eye to the Middle East’s increasing violence. Frog in the pot, anyone? Yes, a myth. So, yes, just like that a frog will not stay in a pot that is continually getting hotter, the refugees will leave places that … More insane complacency on two fronts
Two experiences that would have been greatly enhanced by photos. Not taken over by them. Or perhaps not. The last two days were the last two days of our Jewish cycle of holidays. It’s been a very full three weeks. How many challah loaves were baked and consumed, how many times did prep knives go … More what i missed without my camera
Somehow, between the 5 year-old grandson and his very big almost-14 year old sister, over the course of Rosh Hashanah, the question arose about why a park, where you run around, has the same name as the verb “to park”, as in, to stop running around. The little one came up with some convoluted ideas; the … More live parking
Very depressed about the world today. Very frightened of the future or the potential lack of it. I don’t get how the Iran deal is getting approved. Actually, I do get it. That’s where the irony comes in. And then all these other little things crept into the picture. Maybe a list should do it. … More irony abounds, it seems, today
Turning and turning in the widening gyre The falcon cannot hear the falconer; Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold; Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world, The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere The ceremony of innocence is drowned; The best … More Slouching towards Jerusalem
We keep meeting people who are one step away from us; a couple from London/Jerusalem whose son is good mates with our son in Melbourne; former members of our community who are now living here who met our mechutanim, our daughter’s in-laws, at a genealogy convention. I have always felt that Israel is such a microcosm … More small world
The proper form of mourning in a Jewish home is silence. That is, if the mourner does not have anything to say, those who come to offer condolences should sit there silently waiting. There are not many people who can achieve this. I have only seen it a few times. Actually, I can only think of … More radio silence
Or why your mother telling you to eat all the food on your plate because there are starving children in [take your pick in the world] was right. Okay, sort of. Not that your mother or mine (or I!) ever said that, but waste not, want not, right? THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) — More than 5,000 Greeks … More feedback about the feedback
Learning from the Learned 