Written June 2, 2014

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.