The Choobeza Story

Written February 4, 2013

My dearest children & grandchildren, mishpacha, friends, neighbors, Shalom !

I am fine, enjoying the 70+ F we are having today, after some "cold" days and rain last week. Happy to

report, the sea of Galilee is filling up and as reported, 1.8 Meter is missing for the water to reach the

Upper  RED  line. Prediction is: by April, when the snow on mount Hermon will melt, the water will

exceed the red line.

And now, to the Choobeza ( or for easy pronunciation, Hoobeza).  The word Hoobez in Arabic is bread,

and Hoobeza is an endearing name to small loaves, or bread roll. This information was unknown to me until last Saturday.

About 3 weeks ago, in the Food section of an Israeli newspaper, the Hoobeza was the topic. Never heard the name, but was fascinated by the multiple recipes one can cook, and bake with the Hoobeza.

It was described as growing abundantly now, in Israel, in open fields, on sides of buildings in urban area,

where ever wild green vegetation can grow. The picture of the leaf was unclear in the paper, but the recipes sounded

delicious.

A few days later, as I was going to visit my sister in Bat-Yam, who lives practically on the sea shore (the Mediterranean), I discovered on the sea walk, what I was sure is the Hoobeza. A very fresh green in color, thin and nice to touch, in the shape that resembles the Geranium flower leaf. Just to be sure, I picked up a leave and went to meet Sarah (my sister). Told her the story, no wonder, she had a good laugh, especially when I produced the sample leaf. Asking many of her building dwellers, the answer went from "Yes, this is Hoobeza", to "not sure, it might be Poison".

Being a "sport" as I was, Sarah provided me with a shopping plastic bag, she picked up a pair of scissors, and the two urban "farmer ladies" went out to pick  Hoobeza.  Yes, it is growing abundantly.   Considering, we are in our 70th, and Sarah is 5 years my senior,  we filled up the bag in a matter of 15 minute. We had another good laugh about free food in Israel.

Traveling back home, to Ramat-Gan, with a bag full of greens, thinking of the possibility I am carrying a bag full of Poison, I remembered my friend Miriam Bar-Lev who by profession is an Agronome . (M.A in Agriculture science). I called Miriam, told her the story, describe the leave. She gave the verdict, it is Hoobeza. However, she added, "eat one leave, if you feel OK, you may cook it"..... this time, only Miriam was laughing, and then she told me the most interesting story. 

During Israel's independent war, in 1948-1949,  Jerusalem was surrounded, no supplies of food or water entered the city, hunger was not a strange word.  Hoobeza was growing wild, in  empty lots, next to wild bushes, and in small field around the city.  The Jerusalemites went to the fields  pick up the greens, and ate it in a variety of recipes. Unbeknown to me, the plant has a flower, that blooms after the leaves mature. Peeling the flower, one may found a small "fruit" in the shape of a star. The flower, after crushing will yield a kind of flour that can be substitute in baking. I guess, when one is hungry, Hoobeza becomes a delicacy.

Not missing a moment, I washed, and rinsed, and soaked in salt water, and washed again, and dried, and chopped, and added eggs, and seasoning, and some bread crumbs,and formed into flat balls, and baked.   Results: * * * * *  five star dish. 

Since, last Friday, I found Hoobeza, practically next door, and last Friday eve - Shabbat, we ate Hoobeza, in the tradition of Jerusalem...... It was the talk of the table.

Only in Israel.

I miss you all, with much love.   Ima, Savta, The Shvig, Estherika, Ludmilla, me, Esther.

Written January 24, 2013

 

My dearest family, children and grandchildren, friends and neighbors.  Shalom from the land of miracles, amazing people, sunshine after rain storms.

I am fine, it seems time goes by, faster here. I guess I am having a good time.

I left the USA for Israel, after a "stormy" period.  Presidential election and a hurricane  in the name of Sandy.

I came to Israel  in time for the 19th government election and a week full of rain storm all over Israel.

miracle of miracles, no one I heard complaining about the "Water from Heaven". The Sea of Galilee (The Kineret, in Hebrew) reached, almost, the upper red line. The Dead sea added another 12 cm  of water to its drying condition. The mountains were covered with snow, and Jerusalem had a Snow party...her citizens spent two snow days outdoors. no one complained. Water is needed in Israel. And as all knows, the sunshine did not fail to come with a temp in the 70+ F in Tel-Aviv. 

The rain could not stop the thirty six (36) parties running in the election. The Israeli Parliament, (The Knesset) has 120 members (K.M.). I knew I had to learn fast, the political make up, ideology, goals,  platform and most important the candidate, of at least the major parties, for this was the first time I was voting in a Israel Election.  NO PROBLEM, every morning, between 8:00 and 9:00, on the national radio broadcast Channel 2, the candidates of each party, spoke, sang. jingled, promise, badmouth other parties, blast, etc. courtesy of the state of Israel. While getting closer to the election, I was contemplating, the best advertisement, the one that made me laugh the most will get my vote.

At the end, in this election the highest percentile of voters, ever, used their citizen rights. Also, the Arab Israelis, encouraged by their leaders, reached over 40% of voters. (Arab parties totaled 4 or 5 , I think 3 were able to pass the required voters for entry into the Knesset).

And while all this was going on, all the newspaper wrote about the thirty six (36) languages spoken in Israel. The country with 7.5 mil population, about 1.5 mil speaking Arabic and 1.2 mil. speaking Russian. Noted also the fact, that 2nd & 3rd generation continue to master their origin language. However, Hebrew is the official language, with Arabic & English. 

Now that the election are over, my radio is silent. The topic of Bibi Nethanyahu forming a coalition government of at least 61 votes is on the agenda. There are no songs or jingles, I am not interested.

TU Bishvat, the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Sh'vat is on Saturday. A holiday we celebrate the New Year for the trees. This is the season for the specialty dried fruit & nuts store to prosper. I never knew there more then 2 kind of raisins. I counted, in one place, 7 kinds of dates, 3 kinds of figs, 4 kinds of cranberries, and a variety of dried fruits of all color and shape.

Only in Israel.  

With best wishes, I miss you all, I love you,  Ima, Savta, The Shvig, Estherika, Ludmilla, me, Esther.

Shalom from Stormy Israel

Written January 10, 2013

 

Shalom to all my dear and beloved family, friends, and neighbors.

Here I am, back in the land of Rain & storm.....  yes, I said it right.  How do I say it ? De'javue all over again.

The difference is, the rain in Israel is  welcomed. I do not hear much complain from the known to "Gripe" Israelis.

Main travel  coastal artery, The Ayalon Rd. turn into a gushing river, swiping cars, and trees. The Israel Train (Rakevet Israel), out of service in all 6 stations south to north of Tel-Aviv. Electric power loss in the coastal  cities,

Yavne & Hadera.  I am sure it is sound familiar to NY/NJ area citizens. However, the excitement is at a pick,  SNOW

on the mountains, which mean, Jerusalem is white, Galilee mountains are covered, and Ski area on the Golan height

will open up for skiers. No need to fly to Switzerland........ 

Never ceased to amaze me, how am I being greeted, upon my return. The Supermarket personnel, the flower shop

proprietor,(included a nice free bouquet), Vered, my optometrist, (the best I ever had), the Glaser from Jabotinsky Rd.

(who keeps Svetlana the cat in the store),  The Shoe repair man, who asked me the number of shoes I own, (now he knows my father was a shoe maker, and we never went bare feet).  I am sure the greetings will continue, after the rain..... 

I arrived to Israel late afternoon and entered my home in the evening. After being kissed & hugged, - the usual - by my neighbor , Bertha, I proceeded to unpack, put things in place, go over 6 month of mail and doing some unimportant  odds & ends.                                                                                                                                                                  Looking at the time, it was:

1:30 am.  6:30 pm NYC time, and I am hungry.  In my freezer I found a package  OSEM (brand name company),

 crackers. checking the pantry, my favorite, Sardines in olive oil.  No problem, I will have a supper. As I am eating

my tiny sardines sandwiches, I realized, that those sardines are of the best I ever had.  Went to check the wrappings

 and found the to be generic from the Mega supermarket chain in Israel. Kosher OU certified, from the USA,  kosher

certified from the Israeli Rabbinate, packed in Israel, product of  Casablanca Morocco...... I visited my neighborhood Mega, yesterday, and emptied some from the shelve. Who knows, I might be hungry again at 1:30 am......

Only in Israe.   Please write, I miss you all. Love,

Ima, Savta, The Shvig, Estherika, Ludmilla, me. Esther.

Shalom from Steaming Israel

Written June 18, 2012

 

Shalom to my dearest family, children & the kinderlach, my friends, and neighbors.

I am fine, feeling good.  I will take a hot Summer to a cold winter.  FYI, the temp. in the Tel-Aviv area is about 33-35 C, ( =   about  94 F ). However, the humidity is high too, as we are near the sea.  Last w/e I was in Jerusalem, temp. on Saturday reached 36 C  = 97 F. It was dry, like the usual on  mountain regions, but sure, it was scorching. 

I do my daily walk early morning, still, arriving home, soaked, flushed face, fanning myself, and drinking a quart of water with no stop.....

Yesterday, I felt a complete Israeli. I received  a notice, in the mail, that  the new protective kit is available to me in a designated location in the area of my residency. This protective kit, is to be used, (should not open before) in an emergency such as chemical/nuclear outbreak.  The kit contains : Hood unit, Filter, Syringe, Drinking tube, Blower air flow unit, Flexible rubber air pipe, Belt, and most important, Instruction for use. Hopefully, I will never had to use it.

The day I arrived, fighting the my usual urge to sleep, but keeping myself awake, to prevent a jet leg, until about 10:00pm.

Just as I went into my world of dreams, I was awaken to knocks on my door, and calling my name. I jumped out of bed,  opened my door, Nechama, Bertha's ( my next door neighbor), daughter summoned me to see her mother who complained of not feeling well. I must explain, Nechama, lives on the second floor, just above her mother.  Across the street lives another daughter, Sarah. Because Bertha does not read or write, and can not recognize numbers, she presses a set number on her phone, for Nechama or Sarah. Back to Bertha, who suddenly felt bad, and pressed Nechama's  number. Mor, the 14year old granddaughter answered the call, and Bertha  screamed into the phone :  "I am dead, I am dead". Top it all she did her screaming in Arabic, her native tongue.  Needless to imagine the commotion, when they knocked on my door.  Jumping out of bed, wearing a sleeveless, open decollete night gown, & bare feet I ran across the hall to see Bertha. As we all, calm her down, Nechama called the equivalent of 911 in America. Within a few, very quick, minute the "Hatzala" , same as in NYC, the 1st aide that run by Jewish organization, who are the first to respond, arrived. Two of them with shave heads, black velvet Kippot (Head cover), long beard, long side curled, Pe'ot, reaching their shoulder, white shirts, black vest, long Tzitzit were the four corners  fringes are hanging to the knees, black pants to the knees only, with black socks to the knees were the pans ends.  In NYC one can see those Chasidim in the neighborhoods of Williamsburg or Boro-Park.  The moment I saw them coming up the stairs, I gave the quickest  dash to my place, and put on my self  the first thing my hand has reached in the closet.  A wool  long sleeves sweater,( 85 F) and a pair of sport socks, to cover myself.  Now, here I was surprised. They spoke a perfect  Hebrew, they asked the most relevant questions, they checked B.P, pulse, and listen to Bertha's heart.  As a nurse, I was impressed, they were professional, polite, and very, very nice. By then the 1st aide arrived and took over. The Hatzala group left.

I am sure some of you aware of the political issues with the Israeli draft of the ultra Orthodox. A stigma given of their refusal to serve the mandatory requirement to the country. Well, I do have an answer now. Some DO !

When I purchased my place in Ramat-Gan, I was impressed with the neighborhood, the access to various services, the niceness of the people living in the area, the quiet atmosphere, the trees etc.  Last week, at about 3:00pm in the afternoon, a BIG explosion  sound was heard, while I was home. Immediately there after, I could hear the sirens of police, fire, ambulances. (All are having different sounds). I knew, it was close, and in time like this one does not leave the house, just to check.  That evening I visited my friend Ofra.  At 8 minute before the 8 o'clock, (the new gimmick of channel 1, in the Israeli TV, "eight to eight" news), the first story is about the explosion in my neighborhood.  This was the 5th attempt of the "under wold" to eliminate  Nisim Alperon a known figure in the Israeli crime family.  Here goes my neighborhood, he lives on the parallel  street.  The story of the Alperon family is one full of fascination.  The Sopranos are small change. 

Only In Israel.

I love you all, I miss you.   Ima, Savta, The Shvig, Estherika, Ludmilla, Me, Esther.

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.           

Written January 2, 2012

 

To my dearest children, grand children, mishpacha, friends, neighbors, Shalom, and a happy & healthy 2012.

How are you  ?  I am fine, feeling much better. I had some 2 difficult weeks, experiencing unpleasant cardiac problems.

As you know, I am, here under the care of Professor Michael Eldar. Last week, (as all the "terrible" symptoms disappeared, as they started,)  I had a Nuclear Stress test. ( I am sure you can tell, I still glow in the dark). Here in Israel, administration of the medical system,is a bit different from the one in the USA.  The results of the test, being evaluated by the doctor who is the administrator of the Nuclear Cardiology Unit. This doctor, wrote a complete report, with his findings, added the X-ray pictures taken of my heart, and a complete set of 13 + 3 pages of EKG. All this I received today, via Israel mail, (7 days after the test) with instruction to deliver to my physician.  Much slower then in America, and I am not sure if more efficient.  However, I was IMPRESSED at the "Hart Center" building at the Sheba Hospital. All in one center. From the lab. to research, to testing, angioplasty, hart surgery, recovery, coffee shops, glass elevators, visitor lounges, and above all the cleanliness of the place.

It is cold in Israel, now. I think, it is the coldest December I experienced in Israel for the past 6-7 years.  Top it all, since last night it is raining too. No one complains, water is needed in this dry land.  The measuring instrument, is the sea of Galilee. After every rain, in the news, T.V & radio, announcements will be made, of the amount of rain fall, and the level of water in the sea of Galilee. At present, the water in the sea, is still below  the "red Line". (red line = minimum required) 

When I visited "my Professor's" office for the first time, it drizzled. Because of the location and the greenery surrounding his office, many snails came out, covering the path way. As people came and left  the office, I hope,inadvertently, stepped over some.  I picked up two of the snails, placed them in the envelope with my American doctor findings, and travel with them to my home in Ramat-Gan. I made them a temporary home in a plastic jar, for the night, until the following day, when I went to a Pet shop and got a nice aquarium type of a dwelling. I placed sand on the bottom, and lettuce leave for food. I was fascinated seeing them coming out of the shell and eating, yes eating the lettuce. Amazingly, after 2 days what ever left over, they refused to eat, climbed to the roof of the aquarium and hibernate in their shell. Lesson # 1, no left over, lesson # 2, the "house" had to be clean.  So, now they live happily, until one day I cooked a soup and added Dill & Parsley to the pot. While doing so, I decided to treat my snails to dill & parsley too. The 2 of them climbed to the roof of the aquarium, hibernate in the shell, and did a hunger strike for 3 days. No choice, I cleaned their house, and back to lettuce. Lesson # 3, they don't like dill or parsley. A few days ago, I was told , snail love carrots. Same day, I sliced nice carrot rings and gave it to my silent pets.  Here I was surprised and amazed. They sure love carrots, but not the peels. Those 2 snails, were able to eat the carrot slices and leave a perfect round ring of the peel. Lesson # 4, peel the carrot  prior feeding. They still eat lettuce, but carrots are a delicacy. 

One more story about my neighbor Bertha. I am sure I told you, she is a seamstress. I her "high" days she was known for her craft, and had many clients. Today, she still seats her sawing machine, making outfits for her granddaughters, repairs hems,  replaces  buttons, etc.  Bertha is also known for her rice cooking. (One can count the grains...). because I made my decision to loose weight, I am omitting bread, rice, potatoes & sugars from my diet. (lost 4 kg so far). On Fridays , when Bertha cooks her rice, she invites me to the feast, but with much regrets, I refuse. Then Bertha said, "I am glade

you loosing weight", I answered  "me too" , then she added, "I will have a lot of work, to fix all your clothes".....

Please, write, I miss you all.    Love.

Ima, Savta, The Shvig, Estherika, Ludmilla, Me, Esther.            

Written December 11, 2011

 

To my dearest Mishpacha, children, grandchildren, to my friends, my neighbors, Shalom !

I am fine, all is well here. After a short period of uncertainly, fear, and being upset I am doing OK.   I am sure some of you know about, what I call now, a minor heart problem. It was diagnosed, just as I was preparing to leave for Israel. With the encouragement of my primary, and cardiology physicians, that I can be treated in Israel, I traveled.  With the recommendation of a family doctor here, I was directed to see the # 1 cardiologist who deals specifically with arrhythmia's.  He is Professor Michael Eldar.  I must interrupt here, and tell you about the 6 days war in Israel, in 1967. When the situation was unclear,and 6 Arab countries vow to destroy the country,  a person by the name of Nachman Shai, spoke to the nation, on the radio, for hours.

He received the nick name :  Hamargiya Haleumi =  The national tranquilizer. Going back to my Professor, I gave him the name

Margiya Halev = The Heart tranquilizer...... I do place him under the category of Super Doctor. I trust him to mend my heart.

Well, well, today is a "free" day in Israel. No usual political garbage, no name calling, a pleasure to hear the news.

Professor Dan Shechtman of the Technion (the MIT of Israel) is the 10th Israeli, Novel Price recipient, for his Quasi Gavish work (?????? Greek to me)  in Che. For the past 30 years, Professor Shechtman, fought the science establishment  to recognize his findings. Receiving the price, was an admission from the scientific world, that they were wrong.

And in between, I visited the Shook Hakarmel = The Karmel market, in Tel-Aviv. One of my favorite places to visit. The aromas, the color, the freshens of the produce, the smell of flower, the assorted pots & pans & other kitchen aide, jewelery  and underwear, Herring, cheese and olives, wine & spices, breads & dry fruits, meat & chocolate. All and all, one stop shopping. 

I can not skip a story about my neighbor Bertha. I promise, one letter will be dedicated to her. Bertha's daughter, Nechama,

who live on the 2nd floor is my connection to Bertha when I am in the USA. Before I left for Israel, I E-mailed Nechama, my traveling itinerary, and estimated my arrival home at about 4:00-4:30 pm.  Upon arrival to my home here, I just dropped my luggage & went to see Bertha. She was seated on her leather sofa. Bertha with a big smile, looked at her big clock, the time was 4:50 pm, and she said : "you told us you are coming at 4:30..........."

  I miss you all, please, write. I check the NYC weather report daily, to see what I do not miss. It is nice & warm during the day, but cools off after sunset. (Some evenings I open the heat.) 

Love & best wishes from :   Ima, Savta, Estherika, Ludmilla, Me, Esther.