Written February 4, 2012

 

Hello, Shalom, and Shavu'a Tov (Good week), to my dearest family, friends, and neighbors.

Here I am again, greeting you from Israel.  First thing to report, I am feeling just fine, lighter by 7 Kg = to 15 lbs. My mouth did not touch any of the sweet and Delicious bake goods of the land, in the pass 2 month.

Second I would like to report, my snails have names. The big one is Babba, and the smaller one is Ganoush.

I did spent many days in January, at home. "They" say, it was the wettest January in more then 60 years. 29 days of rain, cold & chilling weather. When leaving for Israel, I did not foresee or imagine such a winter. Not one pair of gloves, to be found in my closet, here. Oh well, the prediction is dry & warm for the coming week. 

I did enjoy a few "indoor" culture events. Twice a visit to the Israel Museum in Jerusalem - a must when you will visit the country, and a visit to the new added building in the Tel-Aviv Museum. Here, I was impressed by the new building, that radiates serenity with beauty.The building was designed by an American Architect, his name I can't remember, Kudos to him.

However, many of the Art objects they filled the spaces, were not pleasant to my eyes. I am not an Art "mevin", and therefore I should not critic.

I went to see the Israeli movie "Foot Notes", a nominee to an Oscar for the best foreign movie, this year. If it is playing in your area, go and see. A real human story, no Politics, no Sex and yet, captivating. I hope it will win, and if not, like the Israelis expressed it, after all, it is  a nominee.

Tel-Aviv has many Boulevards now, but when I was young, the only such a Boulevard ran west to east, named "S'derot Rotchild". (S'derot = Boulevard).   On Saturdays afternoon, at the corner of Alenby street and the Rotchild Boulevard,a group of 40-50 people, would gather, one of them stood on a stool or a chair, and loud political discussion was taking place. often a fight will break out between the opposing factions. An unofficial name was given to the group "Haparlament Hayarok" - The Green Parliament.  Long gone those days.   One day, as I was strolling in  my beloved Tel-Aviv, crossing the Rotchild Boulevard, I saw a green platform, on top another smaller green platform, and another, I think about 4 levels. At the top of the last platform, stood an old fashion chair painted green.  No sign of explanation. I thought it was made for my generation, the people who remember the Green Parliament.

My grandson, Abba-Natan, I spending some times with me. last week, he has completed a 5 month Ulpan stay in Kibbutz Yavne, were he combined Studies & work. He will be leaving back to the USA within 10 days.

Please write, I miss you all.  Much love, Ima, Savta, The Shvig, Estherica, Ludmilla, me, Esther.