The first day of school always evokes two very distinct memories for me. Since the entire country starts school on the same day, there is a real sense of excitement that permeates the whole country, of beginnings (and endings) and of camaraderie. Our first year in Israel, we had a meeting on August 31st at… Read More New Beginnings, Again
We just returned from an absolutely amazing three week trip to the States to see family. It was glorious for many reasons. It was wonderful to see so much family and to get to enjoy time together. It was a joy to have so much uninterrupted time with my children, to watch them bond and… Read More Zionism on the Road
There were so many amazing and awe-inspiring moments yesterday at the Nefesh B’Nefesh arrival ceremony. But the one that was the most inspirational for me was to watch my oldest son, Matan, with his Israeli friends. Matan arrived in Israel at the age of four. Here is Matan waiting to board the flight to Israel!… Read More And the Shofar Blows
I had one of those only-in-Israel moments today. I was in a terrible mood leaving Alon Shvut this afternoon, and started to turn towards home. There is a trempiada, a place where people wait to get rides, directly across from the exit of Alon Shvut. I don’t often stop there to give people rides since… Read More Boys in My Hood
Each time I’ve found out that I was pregnant, I was thrilled – exuberant – for both you and for me. Your last pregnancy, in the Ghetto, was filled with terror and longing. And I’ve tried to replace that with only joy and anticipation. With each birth in the safe, clean hospital, as they’ve put… Read More For You and For Me
This article was first published here: http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/safe-rooms-sirens-and-fires/ I’m putting it on my blog just so that I have it as part of my records of personal writing. ************************************************ I’ve had a few sleepless nights this week thinking about the Sassoon family and the unbelievable tragedy they have experienced. And, of course, like most people, I’ve tried… Read More Safe Rooms, Sirens and Fires
It’s not often that you get a history lesson and a story of hope and perseverance from your air conditioning installation guy. But when you live in Israel, that’s par for the course. Last night, our air conditioning specialist, Eliyahu, was over to give us a quote and we got to talking. He mentioned that… Read More Unexpected Inspiration on a Cold Winter Night
Yesterday, I was at the park with a friend. She mentioned that her daughter is part of a rotating group on Shabbat that babysits for a disabled child. In order to help the parents to get a break, they have set up a rotation and various 13 year old girls come by to babysit each… Read More The Giants Among Us
Last night, our closest friends invited us to come to their son’s swearing in ceremony for the Israeli army. He joined in July, becoming part of an elite unit within Tzanchanim (paratroopers). The swearing in ceremony for the paratroopers is always at the Kotel (Western Wall) and it proved to be an incredibly moving night.… Read More Taking the Pledge
I didn’t raise my kids in the States for very long. They were only 4 and 2 when we made Aliyah, so I don’t have a huge point of reference for juggling kids’ activities there. What I DO believe I have, however, is an ability to see the incredible differences in carpooling needs and extra… Read More Carpool-Free Life in Israel
