To my dearest children, grandchildren, family, friends, neighbors, and any
one willing to read.
Alo, Shalom and Hello.
I
am doing OK, using my cane when I feel my knees are playing tricks on
me. One benefit to the situation, I am getting a seat on the bus.
I
am in Israel for the past three weeks, (have another three to enjoy
life), pondering a question, the deep in my heart, the soul feeling,my
inner relation, to this country. Today, as I
was ready to write, I am telling all: I love this country.
There is no other like it any where in this world.
Where
else you will find four political Jokers, a once upon a time woman
Judge,a Nobel price laureate, contending to the position of the
President of Israel ? Listening to the
radio, reading the news, I do have enough entertainment to last, at
least, a day.....And the next day, the cycle repeats.
Hah,
Hah, Hah, my daily laugh. In one week, a new President will be elected,
and in one more week, the complaints will start.......
The
largest, dairy producers, synonymous with the establishment of the
state of Israel, a company I knew from my childhood, the mighty T'NUVA,
was sold to the Chinese.
T'nuva,
was the first food company to produce a FREE cook book for the
holidays, to promote shopping and use of dairy variety in cooking, and
baking.
As
the holiday of Shavu'ot approaching, traditionally, dairy food served,
homemaker looking for a new addition of a cook book, I found a wonderful
cartoon in the news paper, of a lady looking into a book printed in
Chinese, asking for the Hebrew translation.
Hah, Hah, Hah, I am not sure if I should laugh.
Cirque
Des Soleil, Justin Timberlake, The Rolling Stones, Niel Sedaka, the
Pope, to name a few, are visiting Israel, placing notes of prayer in the
Western wall grooves. I guess, the Cirque Des Soleil performers, who
are masters of heights will be able to place their notes on top of the
wall....
As you all know, I was born in Tel-Aviv, she is still my city of choice.
Non like her. Though, compared to NYC, or London,
Tel-Aviv is very
unique,
and
now, I must admit, getting beautiful. Rejuvenation and restoration,
"cosmetic" applications and beautification of rundown, old building,
Tel-Aviv was declared by UNESCO Heritage as "White City". I was
surprised to learn that over 5000 buildings in Tel-Aviv were built in
the Bauh House (sp ?)
style
of the 20th & 30th. many being renovated. A sample of this is the
entire Dizngoff circle with its old ESTHER cinema building. ( This is
where I went to see the movie Samson and Delila, almost every week, and
cried my eyes out when
he brought the house down).
I continue to volunteer, in my special place, ALEH. (every Thursday).
Next Thursday, twelve special children with twelve chaperones, of which I am one, will travel, to ALEH institute in the Negev,
about
1.5 hrs from ALEH in Benei-Baraq. I was told ALEH Negev is the cherry
on the cake. An institution spread on acres of land includes a
small Safari, outdoor large swimming pool. Can't Wait !
So,
this is why, I love this country. I think it is the people, the
multiple languages I hear, the Falafel I eat, and the Shook Hakarmel I
visit.
Most
of all, I can't get over, my Grandson, Abba-Natan, who serves in an
elite fighting unite of the Israeli Army. He is, what it is called here,
Chayal-Boded (Lone Soldier). Arrived in Israel as a "Boy", two years
later, visiting me on Shabbat he is a "Man".
I miss you all, I do miss NYC, however, I love Israel.
See you soon with love, Me, Ima, Savta, Estherika, Ludmilla, The Shvig, Esther.
