Written February 15, 2010

 

To Mayne Tayere Mishpacha, all my friends, my dear neighbor, Hello & Shalom. How are you ? all is well here. I can't believe, 4 month are almost over, time to pack again. I will be leaving Israel on the 28 of Feb. and after 2 days stay in Prague I will arrive in the USA. Yes, I am practicing my English....

It is 30 degrees C (about 86 F) 30% humidity, which mean: a mini CHAMSIN. (desert heat). Very unusual fo the month of February, even in Israel.

Talking about the English language, there is a big drive to learn the language nationwide. The daily English newspaper "The Jerusalem Post" is advertising their new paper "The Jerusalem Lite". One of the requiered subjects in school , from the 5th grade is English of which on the 12 year of the Highschool  the national matriculation test is  requiered in order to graduate. (Bechinat Bagroot).   My cousin Ditza, Is a english highschool teacher  in Jerusalem, preparing student for the test. In addition, she also, checks tests.  I visited Ditza last Shabbat when she told us the story.  Part of the test was an essay the students had to write about a life experience. A young boy wrote about his struggle in loosing weight, his diet, excersises etc. He ended his essay, writing that his happy day was: when he was able to see the FINGERS of his feet.......

So, to you all, who don't know, in Hebrew there are no TOES. We do have only fingers.....

But, unlike English, every finger (on the hand) has a name.

I miss you all, See you soon, Love to you all,

   Ima, Savta, The Shvig, Estherika, Ludmilla, that's me,   Esther. 

 Written February 4, 2010

 

To my dearest Family, friends, neighbor hello & Shalom from Israel.

I hope all is well with you. I am fine. It is "cold" here, Israel style. I let the MAZGAN -air-conditioner, to blow some hot air into my home. This is a very good indication , it is cold.

Snowing in the north, the entire Galilee region is covered, Jerusalem has some "dusting" on the mountains. Rain in the center & the south with high winds. The rain and the snow is much welcomed after years of drought.  For me, most important, the oranges, clementine, lemons, and all other citrus fruits are just DELICIOUS.  When the Jaffa oranges from Israel will arrive in the supermarkets in the USA, just get them.

My neighbor , as known as Bertha, but given name in Iraq, was Bertine.( She told me , that prior to the English who ruled, the French was there. An historic fact I was not aware of).  Bertha has, hanging on her wall a photo of her wedding day. She stands with her Husband, dressed in a beautiful wedding gown, her husband in a 3 piece  dark suit,  3  little girls in  white dresses and a little boy are seated in front of the couple. NO one in the picture is smiling. The photo is a "Brown-white".  last summer, after painting my apartment in NY, I rid myself of many pictures. The main wall needed "something extra". So here I am looking at the photo and got an idea,  that beautiful photo,will be just PERFECT on the wall in NY. I told Bertha of my intention to make a copy  , she was flattered. As she said it " I never was in America, but my picture will be".

On The corner of Dizengoff  & Arlazeroff St's. stand the well known Photo establishment  name FARAG. After checking with Mr. Farag  himself, I decided to take the photo to his place. (I did not want to take it out of the frame, & wanted to be sure of a good copy).  The next day I came to the store and took out the photo out of my bag.  Mr. Farage gave a quick glans and I could feel the excitement in his eyes. He looked at me and asked, "Where did you get it "?? "Who are the people"? By my Hebrew accent & looks he knew,  I am not an Iraqi Jewish descendant. When I did explain, he told me, that the photo was taken by Marshak who was the royal photographer of the time. Mr. Farag  put my attention to the printed seal  & a crown in gold, on the inner frame & the photographer name. But, what excite Mr. Farag most, was,  that he studied photography under the great Marshak.    Mr. Farag, came to Israel with the large immigration of the Iraqi Jews in 1951-52.  This immigration is known by the name of  :Oley- Bavel  = "The Babilonian Immigration".       Only in Israel.

The end results is unbelievable beautiful copy, at the price of 59 Shekel =  about $15.....

      I miss you all. I love you.

  Ima, Savta, The Shvig, Estherika, Ludmilla, that's me    Esther.