Yom rishon, 6 Shevat 5772. This post is dedicated to friends stranded in Chu”l who feel that people already in Israel “just don’t get it” in the sensitivity department sometimes.  Note to friends already blessed to be here: Let ‘em breathe, okay?  As our rav’s rav used to say:  ”A decision is a lonely place. Read More »

Yom shishi, 3 Shevat 5772. This post is in honor of old friends about to make aliyah, and those who recently arrived Home: Joani and Avrum, Miri and Adina, Moshe Shaul (and his parents), Karen and Shlomo, and all those who are on their way.  Josh and Chana, we miss you.  Come Home soon. Read More »

Yom sheni, 21 Tevet 5772. I have a new friend.I don’t know her name.  I don’t know her birthday.  I don’t know exactly where in the Middle East she lives.  I don’t know what she looks like.  I don’t exactly know her age — though I think she is young enough to be my daughter. Read More »

Yom sheni, 14 Tevet 5772. We are all about kiddush Hashem, honoring the name of G-d in this world.  We are nothing if we are not living that goal.  With all of the turmoil in the Jewish world today that causes me to have a vision of the Satan scoffing at our failure to fulfill that goal, Yarden’s mother’s letter gives me reason to hope. Read More »

Yom revi’i, 9 Tevet 5772. Photo credit: Dan Keinan in Haaretz Before I became religious, I used to sing everywhere I went.  Often, my feelings would be somewhat bruised when my singing seemed to trigger an impulse in people to turn on the nearest radio.  I have been told that I have a nice voice; so this reaction wasn’t a need to drown me out. Read More »

Yom chamishi, 26 Kislev, Third Candle of Chanukah.There are so many cute/wonderful/informative videos available for Chanukah viewing this year.  The following is one of our favorites, not just because it is pure fun — and Heaven knows we need a little fun right about now — but because it is produced and performed by friends of ours. Read More »

Yom sheni, 23 Kislev 5772. I am an Orthodox Jewess.I use the word “Jewess” purposefully, because it is under-used and accurate.  As princess is to prince, it speaks of my unique role, which I find beautiful.  I don’t want to be marginalized by being lumped in with Jews as a group. Read More »

Yom rishon, 15 Kislev 5772. Moshe with satisfied customer, famous all-night cyclist,  Mr. Stella Frankl. For Mishpachat Mizrachi, one of the great benefits of moving to Israel has been the ability to live a Jewish life and to   live in a small town. Read More »

Yom revi’i, 4 Kislev 5772.This is a departure from the “I love Israel!” nature of this blog.  But my friend Batya has been asking me, gently but consistently, to involve myself in the Kosher Cooking Carnival.  And today I came up with a recipe that made me so happy, I had to share it. Read More »

Yom revi’i, 26 Cheshvan 5772. I come from a remarkable community in Baltimore.  No matter how long I live in Israel, this community “in the Old Country” will always have a special place in my heart. Read More »

Yom sheni, 17 Cheshvan 5772. Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess whose people were from a far-away land.  She climbed mountains and crossed seas to marry her handsome prince.  At last, after scaling unbelievable heights and spanning unimaginable depths, they married and had children and were happy. Read More »

Yom revi’i, 12 Cheshvan 5772.I have often thought about the human need for acceptance, and our reticence to give acceptance to others.Since we all need it, you would think we’d be sensitized to the same need in our fellow man.  Right?Yet we gather in our little groups and decry other groups. Read More »

Yom shlishi, 4 Cheshvan 5772. To all of our excellent friends who have been davening with us over the months for the refua shelaima of Stella ( Tzuriya Kochevet bat Sarah ), please read Yarden’s latest blog post , and share our hope and happiness.  (The short version: against all odds, Stella’s situation has improved dramatically. Read More »

“To all of the House of Israel: Happy Sukkot!” Yom revi’i, 21 Tishrei 5772, Hoshana Raba.In a few days, we will have lived in Israel for four years.In a few days, we will have been Jewish for 22 years.Yesterday, our nation welcomed home a native son who has been in captivity for more than five years. Read More »

Yom sheni, 13 Elul 5771. A time to weep, and a time to laugh.  A time to mourn, and a time to dance. I had finally accepted the inevitable.  We had made the decision to refinance our home mortgage.  I don’t want to overstate it: but for me, that decision had behind it the ever-so-distant clang of the cell door closing. Read More »

Yom revi’i, 24 Av 5771. I never looked this beautiful after giving birth! This was a special day for the folks in Mishpachat Mizrachi.  And it unfolded sort of the way most things do in this brave new cyber-world.I was waiting for my Yeshiva Bochur’s mefaked (commander) to call to tell me his arrival was imminent. Read More »

Yom revi’i, 10 Av 5771. For most people I know, the last three weeks have been more hellish than usual.By “usual,” I mean that during the Three Weeks, Jews all over the world immerse deeper and deeper into the sense of loss that has existed since the Churban , the destruction of our Holy Temple.  We did not merely lose a building. Read More »

Yom chamishi, 26 Tamuz 5771.“The end result of your life here on earth will always be the sum total of the choices you made while you were here.” ~  Dr. Shad Helmstetter Since I didn’t leave my chair, this is someone else’s photo. Read More »

Yom chamishi, 26 Tamuz 5771. I finally had the privilege of meeting Miryummy at a recent food-bloggers event here in Gush Etzion.  How does a non-food-blogger get invited to a gig like this, you may ask?   Protexia , my friend.  Vitamin P.  The most important tool for survival in Israel.  (Write that down.  There will be a quiz later. Read More »

Yom shishi, 20 Tamuz 5771.I mentioned on Shiv’a Asar b’Tamuz that I had a friend who was feeling literally rejected by the people around her, simply because they would not smile at her, nor respond to her greeting of “Shabbat shalom.” Since then, I have heard other stories that cause me much pain, from around Israel and outside Israel. Read More »