Everything's Great

My Cousin sent me a comment, why aren't you smiling in the Halloween pictures, is everything ok. Yes, everything is fine. I thought it was a good idea to not smile being as I was a yeshiva boy and you never really see them with big grins on their faces. So I guess I was a good yeshiva boy, because everyone asked me after they looked at their pictures from the party,"is everything OK?"

Yes, everything is great. My mom is here for her first time, with a group from our temple. And I have been able to spend some time with her. I will post pictures in a few days. Right now I have a bit of a cold and am trying to baby it so I can be with my mom tomorrow.

All my love to everyone for a great Shabbat and weekend. This week is the Torah portion where god tells Moses, "Go to the land that I have showed you." What a great time to be here. And we all can learn from this statement. Listen to your heart and open your heart, because usually the answer is right in front of you.

Shabbat Shalom.

Oye Va Voy!!!!

Wow. This has been a busy week. I kept trying to make a posting, but everyday there was something else. Monday we had a Halloween party. There are pictures below. And the rest of this week I spend traveling to Haifa, trying to get a cell phone.

Unless you have visited, or lived in Israel (Dawn and Yoram and Danny will laugh) you can't understand how insane it is to do ANYTHING. Even worse is if you don't have a car. If you ask three people a question you will get about 5 different answers.

So it was a balagan (mess) to get the phone. I begged the clerk to give me the soldiers plan. And after going around and around I got it. But when I gave him my bank card to pay, he told me something was wrong and I had to get a routing code from the bank. Of course the bank was closed. And of course my friend Lerone, who is also a new immagrant and sent me there to get the good deal had no problems. Why? I am sure it is because she speaks Hebrew and they didn't give her a hard time. Note: must learn Hebrew!!!

So the long and the short of it is I went back the next day, spend an hour in the bank anf then got the phone.

Also this week, my Aunt Ruth died on Monday. The funeral is tomorrow and I wish I could be there. I told a friend that it is sad that she is no longer in the world, because her presence is so special. And my friend said, "you think she can't do good where she is now????" That made me feel a lot better.

This weekend I am going to Akko with my friend Danny. It should be really fun since we both have never been there. but it is rainy and cold, so who knows, we might be stuck inside for most of the time.

Ok, enjoy the pictures and enjoy your weekends.

This is Danny and I. I was a yeshiva boy and he was a Paris man (know there has to be a better word)


This is Iris, Holland on the left and Lerone, Boston on the right. they are two of my favorite Ulpanist.



This is Jenny and Noam. Jenny is from Canada and Noam from Sweden. they dressed as Barbie and Ken. Her hair really is a curly as mine.

This is Sammy from Venezuela and Edy from Mexico. Two Arabs and a Jew.



This is the funniest one of all. I shaved Omer's head and he and Michelle dressed as old people. they had walkers with cookies and milk and they danced like old people. I think it was the best costumes.



And thanks to Hugh's hard work to find cool Halloween music we had Thriller and Marilyn Manson. Thank you.

Green Eyes

I am getting complaints that I don't put on pictures of myself, so here is one. I will put on more picture tomorrow. Tonight I am tired from all the news today. Love you guys.

Israeli Medics: 4 killed in Hadera Market

First of all, and most importantly: I AM ALIVE.

I wish I could come with some better news than that, but at this moment in time I can't. I wish I could tell you that I am no where near Hadera. I wish I could tell you that I wasn't there, in that market two days ago. I wish I could tell you that I am not scared. I wish I could tell you that I can't hear the screams of the sirens racing to a city that is a 20 minute bus ride away.

I was in Hadera two days ago. I was in that shuk (market), two days ago. I went to Hadera to the mall to get paperwork for getting a drivers license. And one of my favorite things to do is go to the shuks. They are loud and smelly and crowded and the produce is aways cheap and delicious.

I have to thank God. And I am sad, because at least 4 have been killed. And my teacher lives there, the directors daughter goes to college there. All are ok as far as I know. But wow.

So as scary as it is, please know, that when something happens I will get to a computer as fast as I can to let everyone know that I am ok. And thank God...

My love to all. Peace be with you.

P.S. I was actually planning to go to Haifa today to get a better cell phone so that I would beable to call whenever I want. My cell right now is just a pay as you go, but I think it is more expensive than getting a plan. And my phone has run out. I can get calls, but not make calls. So once I have it I will beable to call when something happens, but for now, this will do.

So Much To Say

I was petting two other cows on the side and I turned around to see this one. I think she wants some lovin too!!!!






They are like the 7 dwarfs from Snow White. Above is Smiley and Below is Milk-Me.



Yesterday I spent about 3 hours going to visit the cows and the cemetary. It was really good about peaceful for me. I love cemetaries and I think the one on this kibbutz is so nice and beautiful. Notice in the first picture you can see the sea. The last graves are of two people that died on Yom Kippur. Kind of a stange thing, since that day God is supposed to write your name in the Book Of Life or the Book Of Death for the next year.

It was a good time. I had a lot of time to think about things that have been happening. I have been trying to examine my life in a different way. I am not a child anymore and I think I have to start looking at myself and what I want. Also what I don't want in life. It is emaotional, because it makes me look into the past; at my fears and the things that have defined me.

Maybe this is all vague, to bad, it is vague to me too.

I got back to my room and bummed around for a while. Finally I checked my email, because I wanted to know if there was anymore news on my Auntie, but she is stable, but ready.

But the most wonderful suprise was in my inbox. My old pal from Cato send me an email. I had not heard from her in 4 years. I was so excited. I emailed her back and her mom just happened upon my blog!! Small world. I am so happy because now we are in contact and she was a person I didn't want to drift from.

Also I got an email from my mom and among other things, she has heard from both my brothers!!!! Exciting. Ben is doing well. He bought a bike and is keeping really busy with his City Year projects in Philli. And she got to talk with Jonathan. He has been at a monestary living in quite an isolated area. He had to leave because he dislocated his finger, something like that. So while he was at the doctor he called mom. He is still teaching English, but now he is learning Tibetan. And maybe he will be going to Nepal soon. I am so jealous!!

So much news in such a short period of time.

Guess what? They have Santa Ana winds in Israel too. Except they call them somthing like Hamisa. An Arabic word meaning 50, because supposedly there are 50 days a year with these winds. When I walked out of room this morning I thought, "this is like the Santa Ana's". And then the director who lived in LA for some time said the same to me. My nose is all dried out and there is dirt everywhere. Sadly, I wanted to take a picture of the Sukkah on the kibbutz, but the winds knocked it down.

I also got a super cool suprise this morning. I got a package from Ed. I got dried mango, and chile powder and a really pretty skirt. It is really nice to get something. It makes me feel so nice when I get letters (hint, hint). Actually I should not complain, because I am having a great communication online and through this blog. Also Bubbe Jenny is writing me all the time.

I think God always knows what is going on. How I wished to speak with my Cato friend Katie and then *puff* I am! I think if we let it and except it, thing happen the way they should.

Aunt Ruth

So listen to what I am going to tell you. Human beings do not live forever. We live less than the time it takes to blink an eye, if we measure our lives against eternity. So it may be asked what value there is to a human life. There is so much pain in the world. What does it mean to have to suffer so much if our lives are nothing more than a blink of an eye? I learned a long time ago that a blink of an eye in itself is nothing. But the eye that blinks, that is something. A span of life is nothing. But the man/woman who lives that span, he/she is something. He/she can fill that tiny span with meaning, so its quality is immeasurable though its quantity may be insignificant. Do you understand what I am saying? A man must fill his life with meaning; meaning is not automatically given to life. It is hard work to fill one’s life with meaning. That I do not think you understand yet. A life filled with meaning is worthy of rest. I want to be worthy of rest when I am no longer here. Do you understand what that means?

A passage from the book The Chosen by Chaim Potok.

Strange feelings to be so far away when the ones you love are in pain. I got the news last night that my Great-Aunt Ruth had a stroke. Do you believe that souls collide and feel each other and speak to each other in realms that we can’t see? On Wednesday, My Auntie had a stroke, my mom went to the hospital because she was worried she had a stroke or heart attack, due to pains she was experiencing (mind you, she didn’t know about my Aunts stroke. And luckily she was released without any stroke or heart problem). And I had my severe stomach upset that night. I really think we are so connected. It is beautiful. In that sense I don’t feel so far away at all.

Please read on. This is about my Auntie, please pray for her:

My Aunt Ruth is so old I can’t remember how old 94, 95, 96. And she has been asking for so long for the God Lord to take her away.

As a child, I remember visits with her in Baldwinsville, New York. She would have ice tea and my brothers and I would be so antsy to do something. We would be looking through her drawers and picture and I would hear her tell my mom, “I tell Him every night, Robin; I am ready to go, I have my bags packed.”

What I know about my Aunt Ruth. (Some of it might not be true, but this is what is in my brain) She is the oldest of my mother’s father’s siblings. And she and Grandpa Bob I think were favorites. I have never heard ANYONE say anything negative about her. She truly has a personality and attitude to aspire to.

My grandpa always talked about the old days when he was little and what Aunt Ruth was like. From picture I have seen, she was beautiful. When she was a teenager sometimes she would go places with her father while her mother was tending the other 5 children. The whole neighborhood would start squawking that John was seen walking with some-pretty-young-thing. Then they shut-up when they found out that she was his daughter.

She started dating Al who was quite a few years older than her young 16 years. And as far as I can remember she didn’t finish high school but when to a trade school, or started a secretary job.

Aunt Ruth always told a funny story about when she first started dating my Uncle Al. There was a commotion over the age difference and her being so young. I guess her mom was ok with it but her dad was not. And my great-grandma told my great-grandpa what are you going to do John? ….go with her on her date and put your hand over it?!

She and Al got married very young and spent the rest over their life together. My Uncle died of cancer when I was a little, little girl. That is the first funeral I remember going to. It is hard to explain death to a 3 or 4 year old.

Aunt Ruth had 3 sons. One died tragically in a hurricane. I think this really broke her heart. Her other two boys live successful lives and have children of their own. And she always wished to see grandchildren, but especially granddaughters. And she got that wish.

Aunt Ruth lived in a beautiful house on a river in Upstate New York, till a few years ago. She and her children decided her safety was at risk by her still living in her house. She was able to live there so long, because one of her sons and daughter in-law lived right next door and could help in everyday activities.

She seemed to like the retirement home pretty good at the beginning. But I guess as she said, “I am so old, I have seen so much, dear.”

She really has one of the best hearts I have ever known. There is this belief in Judaism that says the fate of the world rests on 10 righteous people. They don’t know that they are one of the 10, but they hold the world in balance. I really think she is one of the 10. The world will really never see another person like her.

I know this doesn't say much of her personal character, but all who know her know the kind of light she brings to the world. She doesn't have an ugly bone in her body and I think she is very close to God. She really is an extra extra special person.

Please pray for her painless passing. After all that is all she has wanted for so long.







“Lights will guide you home, and ignite your bones.”
“You just want somebody listening to what you say. It doesn’t matter who you are.”
Coldplay- X&Y

Holiday Experiences in Israel

I feel bad that I have not been writing. This has been an important time of year for the Jewish community and me. This is the High Holiday season. In this month we have one holiday after another. And they are the most major holidays in our modern time. For both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur I stayed on the kibbutz. For Yom Kippur it was the first time ever that Kibbutz Ma Agan Michael had a religious service!! It was a big thing. Orthodox Jewish from outside came, with a Torah and prayer books. It was very special. The service was very beautiful and lively. The people leading it were very honored to be leading the first service at this kibbutz.

I fasted, which is customary. I did drink water though. I was at all the services. Also with me, was my co-worker from the laundry, Sofit. You have heard me talk about her; she took me to the Orthodox wedding. Well, this was her first time in a holiday service. She liked it a lot. She said that she might not go next year to the entire thing, but she wanted to see the parts that she really liked.

In the afternoon there is a break for about 3 hours. Sofit and I walked down to the cemetery on the kibbutz. It is really beautiful and I got to learn so much history. Then we took a big loop back to the kibbutz on the beach.

In the last 2 weeks the weather really has begun to change. That day the beach was really windy. Good thing we had shawls the cover our faces because the sand was brutal. (Thank you to Wynona and Galen for the beautiful shawl you gave me before I left LA. It really has been so special, because I am not allowed to wear a prayer shawl like I am use to in the US. SO the shawl was like my imaginary prayer shawl).

In other thoughts and news:

Note: These are all just random things that have happened in the last few weeks.

*I went with my friend Danny to his family again. It was really special because they asked about me if I would like to come. So they came and picked us up and took us to their home right outside Tel Aviv. This family is so sweet. I think they must think Danny is my boyfriend. They cooked a really nice, but really simple lunch. And it is so nice to eat real food. WOW. Then after the Shabbat lunch, one of the daughters asked me if I would like some of her clothes that she didn’t want anymore. I ended up getting a few really cute things. Also I got my first Israeli sheets. I was so happy. I took all the clothes to my work in the laundry, because they donate them to the poor. When I left their house, the mother gave me a big hug and said, “I love you Liz. If you ever need anything please call.” It was so special.

*I saw the movie Kingdom Of Heaven. I remember Ben having seen it in the US and telling me I should see it, because it would help explain a lot of history, of this land. The kibbutz shows movies every week in a little theater. I really enjoyed watching this movie. It was not the best “epic movie” I have ever seen. But I think Ben was right. It did give me a different feeling about Israel and its bloody history.

*I have had really good and interesting conversations with fellow Ulpanist about what it means to be Jewish. It is really interesting because here we all are, 23 countries represented, over 10 languages. All looking at other Jewish habits and asking, what makes a Jew? What do other Jews do? Zac from Greece never heard of eating apples and honey for the New Year. Omer from Orange County said he doesn’t usually go to religious services, but when he does, it is Orthodox. And Sharon from Germany said that any woman trying to wear a prayer shawl in German would be kicked out of the synagogue. One of the Kibbutzniks my age, didn’t know what a minyan was. (A minyan is the 10 men needed to hold a religious service. In reform temples it can me men and women). It was really interesting because it shows me there is no right way to do anything. Even though some of the people I talked with seemed to thing there is one way to be Jewish.

*In the newspapers after the Yom Kippur holiday they published all the births on Yom Kippur, all the people that got hurt, etc. It was really interesting. It really feels like a small town.

Last night I must have gotten food poisoning. At about 11pm I started to get a tummy ache. And it just got worse and worse. I kept thinking I would probably throw-up. And after not throwing-up since I was probably 7 or 10, I did it. I just want my mom, I kept thinking. I felt better and went to sleep. But for the rest of the night I kept waking ever hour to throw-up. It was awful but finally at about 5am I got everything out of my stomach. I don’t know what happened, but I think it was food poisoning. I was really glad that my roommates were out of town, because that would have been gross and disruptive for them. So today I didn’t work and have just been drinking tea and sleeping. They had applesauce at the little market here on the kibbutz. And I got some couscous to eat, because I think I need to eat something real. It was quite an experience!

So I will be taking it easy till I know that this stomach trouble is gone.