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.

Passover in Brooklyn

Written April 17, 2014

 

To all my friends & beloved family, Shalom and Chag Same'ach.

As some of you know, when I write my letters from Israel, I end with "only in Israel", this letter will end with "only in New-York".

A couple of day before the the Passover holy-day, as I was standing in the lobby of my building, two young man stopped to ask direction to a destination in NYC. Very common tourist practice,  as we are located in the center of the east side, within walking distance to many Subway and bus stations.

Our doorman directed the question to me when he said, "she knows all about the subway".

After providing the information, I was interested to know where those tourist came from.

The two young man, as I estimated were no older then 25 years old, only one was a spokesperson, which sounded to me as a perfect American English, with a tinge of an accent, that I took as Middle-America.

Well, I had to know where they came from. Was very surprise to hear they were from Riga, Latvia.

Now, we are getting more familiar,  telling me his name is Dimitri and his friend  addressing himself with a name I could not pronounce and by now, don't remember. We are exchanging name information, and

Dimitri asks me where I am from ?? (can't hide my accent), to my answer, "from Israel", Dimitri started to speak in Hebrew. Just a few words , but Hebrew it was.

At that point, Dimitri asked me If I know, where can he celebrate the Passover  Seder.

I am sure you all heard the phrase "Never Assume", but I did assume he resides in Manhattan. The Idea to call Rabbi Elli from my congregation came up, as our congregation has a community Seder.

We exchanged phone numbers, and they left. 

A few hours latter I call Dimitri to check his place of dwelling while in NY.  (Remember Don't Assume ?)

Dimitri was staying with friends in BROOKLYN in the Kings Hwy. area, just a hop and a skip from where Avishay & Barbara live, and where I was celebrating the Pessach, with my entire family.

Needless to say, Dimitri was a guest at our table.

He arrived at the house early, so he joined Avishay going to the Synagogue for Services.

Dimitri had no problem to followed the reading of the Hagada in Hebrew & English.

When it came to the 4 questions of why we do celebrate the Pessach, Shir,(my youngest granddaughter) sang them in Hebrew, Elino'ar recited them in Yiddish, Akiko, my daughter in law asked them in Japaneses. Dimitri, did the best, he asked in Russian and in German. ( He studies in Germany). 

p.s, the food was delicious, kudos to Barbara.

As I said, Only in NY.   Have a very happy Holy Day. Chag Same'ach

Love to you all, Me, Estherika, Ludmilla, Esther.

Written November 26, 2013

 

To my dearest family,  Kinderlach & Einiklaklach, Friends, Neighbors & passer-by, Shalom from the land of possibilities.

I am doing well, feeling good, surviving on NO SUGAR and trying my best at NO WHITE FLOUR.  Oh, yes, no wine. All this in the name of body therapy, and In the process, with out trying,  lost 3 Kg. (about 7 lbs)...... The vegetable bin in the refrigerator is on a constant FULL, and the basket on my table is loaded with fruits. I would not hide, I am craving something sweet some time.

About two weeks ago, I spent Shabbat in Elkana, with my friend the Zabaris.  Elkana is a small Jewish town, population about 800 families, located behind the Green line, in excellent relation with their next Palestinian city of K'far kasem.

The Zabaris are Yemenite descended, first generation born in Israel.  On the Shabbat table, S'choog, Hilbe, Mala'U'ach, hard boiled and cooked "forever" brown eggs, etc.  are staples. But my most memorable experience was attending, for the first time in my life, the Shabbat morning services in the Yemenite Synagogue.  The pronunciation of the Hebrew text, the melodies and the, what we call, the trope of the Torah reading was foreign to me. In addition, as the Torah reader chant one sentence at a time, another reader,  chanted the Aramaic translation to the sentence. The translation reader, usually a young child, who is receiving special lessons in reading and understanding the ancient language of Aramaic. I had the pleasure of listening to Shiloh Zabari the 9 year old son of my hosting family.

In my Ashkenazi Synagogue, the usual time to read the Shabbat portion of the Torah, takes about 40 min. In the Yemenite, 1.5 hrs. Did not take long for me to get use to the reading, and enjoy the pronunciation. Top it all, I thought, one year of listening and following the Aramaic translation, I will be able to speak the language.

First candle of Chanukkah, tomorrow evening. On Thursday, Chanukkah / Thanksgiving, I am invited to a traditional  Thanksgiving - Chanukkah meal. Turkey & Latkes, Pumpkin cake (I will bake) and apple sauce, hot cider & wine...... (To you who know, Ellen Boumgarten, now Bustan, is the hostess at her home in Tel-Aviv).

I wish you all, Chanukkah Same'ach, Happy Chanukkah, a wonderful Thanksgiving day.

Only in Israel, with much love.

Me, Ima, Savta, the Shvig, Estherika, Ludmilla, Esther, eem.

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.