Tal's Story part 1

Tal Kehrmann

  It has been almost 10 years since Tal Kehrmann died in a bus bombing in Haifa. Today, The 2 Spies want to share her story. Tomorrow, please come back and we'll tell you how you can help honor this precious young lady.

 

 Tal was born on June 7th 1985 in The Carmel Hospital, Haifa. Tal was the first born child to Orly and Ron Kehrmann, as well as, Dror’s sister.
She was incredibly friendly. She had a lot of friends from different streams of life. She had sensitivity to others’ feelings. Her friends say that when she saw somebody hurt, she took special consideration in supporting and encouraging him. Because she was so friendly, she was the one who made a connection between individual friends and society. In her world of friends, there were a lot of new immigrants.
Tal was a very sensitive teenager and did everything she could to avoid hurting a weaker person’s feelings.

Her sensitivity towards mankind also applied to her interaction with animals. She loved animals, especially cats. At the age of three, she had a cat that she really loved. And at a later age, she fell in love with camels. Her room was filled with all kinds of stuffed animals. There were especially many kinds of camels. There was even a warning sign that said, “Camel Crossing!” She received it as a gift from a friend’s father who designed warning signs.

Tal loved to read Literature both in English and in Hebrew. The last book that she had not yet finished, was Lord of the rings in English. She knew English very well. Of all the books that she loved to read, she especially liked the stories of Etgar Keret. She met him in a Book Festival in June, 2002. Etgar autographed her book and wrote: “Dear Tal, Lots of books and lots of life…”

In addition to her appreciation of literature, she loved to watch the science and music channels. She knew all the words to numerous songs. If one picked any random song she surely knew all the words, both in English and in Hebrew.

Tal knew how to balance between the rebellious teenage behavior and the maturity that adults expected of her. On one hand she was a little girl—she loved dolls, and illustrated cartoon characters. On the other hand, she was very mature. One could see this in her behavior and conversations that she had with others. Her homeroom teacher said that she conducted a lesson about the end of the year events. She recommended as an end of the year project, to improve the external look of campus—a little garden with grass and water.

In 11th grade, a year before the explosion, a month after the Twin Towers Terrorist attack, Tal was sent to represent “Ironi Hey School” in a delegation to Boston from the city of Haifa. She was chosen, because of her outstanding ability to connect with others.

In preparation for the draft to the Israeli army, Tal went through a series of tests to volunteer her service in a combat unit. She was supposed to start her army service on December 16th 2003.

Tal & Liz

Tal was killed on March 5th, 2003 in the bus bomb explosion, number 37, on Moriah Blvd, Haifa. On that day, after school she met her friend to plan the end of the year events. They both went downtown to buy some things for this occasion. From downtown, they got a call from their friends to come up to the Carmel.

Tal and her friend, Liz Katzman, were killed on the bus up to the Carmel.
Tal died three months before her 18th birthday.

 

Check out Tal's memorial website  http://www.tal-smile.com/LifeStory.htm

100 Rockets

We have had a marvelous couple of days of pouring rain~ What a wonderful way to begin our winter. With being inside nursing our colds since Thursday it's sometime hard for The 2 Spies to remember that there are other things happening in Israel.

The major happening is the shelling from Gaza into Southern Israel. This is not a new occurrence but over the weekend there were more than 100 rockets. It is easy to limit our imaginations as to what it must be like to live in such an area as S'derot.  The 2 Spies were visiting S'derot a few years ago (during the war with Gaza). The "צבע אדום" ( 'tzeva adom') alarm went off. Praise G-d we were parked right next to a reinforced bus stop~ which makes it an emergency shelter. They use a woman's voice to not be as frightening, but it is, to me, a little more creepy. The impact of the shell was deafening and there was more than one.

Just that one time experience has moved our hearts for the people of S'derot and the Southern regions who have lived under this threat for years. Remember, Israel forced 13,000 people out of their homes and gave the area away in order to broker peace.

We want to share this short video with you to give you an idea of what it is like. ( You will hear the woman's voice as the alarm) Please forgive the starkness (and language). Also our diversion from our usual positive report. If you come back tomorrow we will share a positive side of this situation~ and a way that you can help.

In the meantime, please pray for these precious people.

Shalom Aleichem

Hope you enjoy this~ Gabriel Chouraki~ Musician of Excellance in the IDF band.

Shabbat Shalom Ya'll

Joint Military Drill

Such a whirl of activity starting this past month~ First the Hagim with a major house move in the middle. LOTS of lovely company for Sukkot~ including our son and his family. Now everyone has gone and The 2 Spies are getting back to 'normal'.

For us, 'normal' seems to have made a right-hand turn and is traveling in a whole new direction. The past several years we have lived in a lovely, small, 'retired-honeymoon-cottage' (our term for an empty nest apartment.) We haven't entertained much nor been very active. Just enjoying retirement and family.

However, 'Someone' took hold of the corners of our lives and gave a really good shake. Everything has been up-ended with a move into a two story 4 bedroom house. (Thus the son could build his sukkah with us and move in for the week) We are certainly able to entertain more and to host whole family activites~ which will be our joy.

But, on a more sober note, we also feel that the empty space may be used for unforeseen events in the future. During the last war with Lebanon, many people had to leave the North and find a safer place to stay to wait it out. We are feeling that something similar will happen again. It is our hope to be ready to be hospitable should our fellow Israelis need a refuge.

We are sharing this today for two reasons.

One: Israel is getting ready to hold a joint military drill with the United States. Over 1,000 U.S. troops as well as Navy ships arrived last week. These drills will last a month. To read more about these drills click here. 

Trucks transporting 'Patriot' batteries

These drills are another reminder of the very real possibility of war for Israel.This brings us to reason number two we are sharing.

Always striving to bring a positive report about Israel, you may be wondering what The 2 Spies can find positive about war preparations.

We are reminded that we are a Covenant Nation. G-d has promised to never leave us or to break this covenant. In spite of 'wars and rumors of wars', we can stand firmly rooted in the reality of our relationship with the 'Shomer of Israel'~ the One who neither slumbers nor sleeps. The true Captain of our IDF. The One who has written us on the palm of His hand. We know that there will be devastating events in our future. Events come and go. Circumstances always change. What great peace in the midst of battle to know that we are being held by the One who never changes.

So, He will prepare us. He will provide physically what we need~ gas masks, emergency supplies, medical equipment~ for us~ a large home. But more importantly, He will provide the Peace that Passes understanding. And in this The 2 Spies can bring the most positive report ever.

What Were You Doing Today?

On Wednesday, while The 2 Spies went to work packing up our house, while the children went to school, and Mommies went grocery shopping.... today while you were at work or the gym or playing video games... there was something happening on the Golan in Israel.

 Soldiers were called up from their homes and from service in Judea and Samaria to take part in a surprise war drill in the Golan Heights Wednesday.  G-d is our Shomer (guard) and He chooses to operate through these amazing young men & women. They rose to the challenge and were successful.

Praise be to the L-RD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle. 

Psalm 144:1

The original article can be found Here

Israel's Iron Dome

Israel has sustained continuous missle attack for almost a week. The count varies but approximately 180 missles have been fired from Gaza into the Land. No outcry from the West. Good luck even finding it on your news channel.

Israel has what is called The Iron Dome~ a defense system that is deployed to intercept missle fire. The brave young men and women who man these 'Domes' are to be more than recommended for their maturity, bravery and faithfulness. Here is an article about them, their job and their thoughts. Click here for original link

The Feeling of Saving Lives

Shir Aharon Bram

As the atmosphere down in southern Israel intensifies, the soldiers of the Iron Dome continue the battle of protecting the cities that are under constant attack. The ongoing pressure and rush adrenalin can be felt from miles away, but the soldiers keep their focus at all times, determined to do anything in order to complete their job in the best way possible. This past weekend they have managed to intercept over 50 rockets.

"It's an amazing feeling, it feels like I'm saving lives", says Sergeant Adir Levi enthusiastically, who is responsible for two successful interceptions from the Ashdod battery. "Once I saw my success with the interception I was thrilled. While were under attack, we were under so much pressure at the control room. We have to show character and have the right attitude in order to operate. No one can do the job for us". Levi and other soldiers from the battery are all hoping that the intensification will soon end, but they are ready to keep on fighting back as long as needed.

"This is the most challenging escalation we have experienced yet"

Beyond the actual launchings, the Iron Dome deals with the need of strengthening the system on a daily basis, to keep it intact and to eliminate future losses. "I been through many sleepless nights since more of the work gets done when the sun goes down, we get called in many times", says Corporal Roman Pindrik, a radar technical engineer who also operated at the Ashdod battery.

Corporal Pindrik can relate personally to the whole situation: his twin brother, Corporal Dima Pindrik, also operates as a technical engineer, but at the Ashkelon Iron Dome battery. Their family lives in Ashkelon, and in the past they lived in Sderot. "My brother and I are always involved with the maintenance of the radar", adds Corporal Pindrik. "We are both very proud to be a part of the formation and have the great honor of protecting our country".

The technical engineers have a very important place in the battery, causing them to work around the clock. "I operated as a system officer at the launching control room this past Saturday. Once Friday came around we knew that it wasn't going to be a normal Friday", says First Sergeant Danny Coppershmit , Head of the technical engineers of the battery. "This is the most challenging escalation we have experienced yet with very long shifts and a lot of intense work. I had to put aside the pressure and focus on the most important thing - my job of protecting the Israeli citizens".

In Memory the Fogel Family



 

The victims of the attack. (Clockwise, from top left:)
Ruth Fogel (35), Udi Fogel (36), Hadas (3 months), Yoav (11), Elad (4

 It has been one year since the vicious murders of Udi & Ruth Fogel and three of their precious chlidren. This family is so much a part of the heart and soul of Israel and the desire to be part of the redemption. They had settled in the Gush Katif city of Netzarim. After being ripped from their home there by the Israeli government, they eventually came to help establish Itamar where Udi was a teacher at a post-high school yeshiva.
Today, in Itamar, a Beit Midrash (house of study) was dedicated in memory of Udi Fogel. MK Uri Ariel put into words the thoughts of many:

“We respond to destruction with construction, we respond to murder with life,” he added “That’s the real message to the murderers and their supporters: you will not drive us out of here with your violence. Each murder only strengthens us further.”

For the Fogel family, dedicating their lives to Torah and to the Land cost them everything. A challenge to us all.

The Flowering of Redemption

Today The 2 Spies would like to share with you from the Israel365 website. Thier posting is so appropriate to the theme of redemption that we have been focusing on... we felt we must share with you their thoughts. Also... while on their site be sure to sign up to have beautiful photos and inspiring words delivered to your email daily... 365 days! (You can also sponser a day's posting! What a neat thing to be part of) Enjoy....

“Your servants cherish her stones and favor her dust”

PSALMS (102:15)

כִּי רָצוּ עֲבָדֶיךָ אֶת אֲבָנֶיהָ וְאֶת עֲפָרָהּ יְחֹנֵנוּ

תהילים ק’’ב:ט’’ו

Hebrew Lesson

kee RAH-tzoo ah-vah-DE-kha et ah-vah-NE-ha ve-et ah-fah-RAH ye-kho-NAY-noo

Today’s Bible Lesson: Special Guest Writer

Rabbi Shlomo Riskin,

Chancellor and Founder of the Center for Jewish-Christian Understanding and Cooperation.


While the Bible is full of God’s promise to redeem the Jewish people, many have asked what the Jewish people have done to deserve His redemption. After all, too many Jews are far from a Torah lifestyle. Today’s verse demonstrates that our redemption will begin through our commitment to the Land of Israel. Even if the Jewish people demonstrate an insufficient commitment to Torah and acts of loving kindness, as long as they love the “dust and stones” of Israel, it will be considered sufficient by God to allow for the redemption. The Torah would like us to begin with commitment to our Land and then to progress to commitment to loving kindness and eventually to total involvement in Torah. Many of the early twentieth-century Zionists may not have been observant, but nevertheless, it was their love of the land which paved the way for our period of the beginning of the flowering of our redemption.

Photograph of the Negev Desert by Galit Trager.

Thank You

Today’s Israel365 Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Wendy Finch McCusker of Columbus, Ohio.
For sponsorship information Click here.

The Oldest Profession... Really?

Those of you who have been reading our blog this past year know that we try to be as upbeat and positive as possible about life here in Israel. We take this stand mostly because there are so  many false reports, twisted interpretations and just plain lies about the Land. We have not buried our heads in the sand and we do not deny that there are negatives to Israel. To know these things exist though is not to cast doubt on G-d, who is the giver of all good things, but to realize that we are all in the process of tikun olam.... redemption. We are responsible each for our part in that redemption. It is not the time to throw our hands up in defeat or become weary in well doing. It is the time to fight the good fight. Today, we are presenting a very difficult situation... and a possible solution. It is in the solution that we are finding our 'good report'.


Warning: we have never shown a side of Israel that is this dark. We ask that you not turn your hearts away because it is too hard to handle but that you, in prayer, help seek the solution.

Anti-Prostitution Bill

by Mati Shoshoni (from The Jerusalem Institute of Justice)

On Wednesday, February 15, the Israeli Knesset voted in favor of a law making the act of purchasing prostitution illegal. This vote was the first of three in the Knesset needed to officially approve the law. The law sets the criminal responsibility on the client, thus attempting to eliminate the demand, rather than deal with the supply end of the trade. The model presented to the Israeli Knesset is one already successfully implemented in four countries including Sweden, who was the first to pass such a law in 1999.

The act of prostitution is currently legal in Israel. It is estimated that the industry generates over 2.4 billion NIS annually, most of which goes directly into the pockets of organized crime syndicates. There are between ten to fifteen thousand prostitutes, who receive more than one million clients per month.

The women (95% are female) are regularly exposed to extreme violence, repeated rape, assault, emotional and physical torture, STD's, and post-traumatic syndrome at higher rates than soldiers returning from combat. The mortality rate of women in the sex trade is FORTY TIMES HIGHER than that of average women. The “profession” of prostitution leaves those who partake in it emotionally, physically, and spiritually depleted and destroyed.

In the weeks leading up to this Wednesday's vote the topic of prostitution became a hot topic, as articles in newspapers, blogs, and TV news shows debated the merit of the proposed law. Some of the liberal secular media has come out in support of legalized prostitution.

The Jerusalem Institute of Justice (with whom I work) has been instrumental in passing this law. ... In the following weeks a Knesset committee will be working on the final content of the law. There are two obstacles which could possibly prevent it from passing in the two upcoming votes: enforcement and financing.

If passed, this law will be a quantum leap in ethical legislation in Israel. Public consensus on this matter currently leans in favor of prostitution. We have received numerous complaints from people who are opposed to this law, but believe that with sufficient public debate, public opinion can be swayed. Please pray with us for this law to pass. We are praying to see the promise made in Isaiah 1:26-27 fulfilled; for justice and righteousness to be restored in Israel, from the top down.

Here are some statistics published in the Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronot February 15, 2012:

• Between 10,000 – 20,000 men and women work with prostitution in Israel

• Approximately 1 million “customers” visit houses of prostitution every week

• 1/3 of all prostitutes started between the ages of 12 and 14

• 55% of prostitutes were sexually abused as children

• Over 75% of prostitutes are addicted to drugs and/or alcohol

• Approximately 60% have been raped or sexually attacked during their work

• 46% – 59% were raped over 5 times

• Approximately 68% of all prostitutes suffer from post-traumatic syndrome

 


For more information on The Jerusalem Institute of Justice go to their website http://www.jij.org.il/
Be sure to check them out on Facebook also.
 


Zona--Project NOA- with subtitles from Project NOA on Vimeo.


Ending the Scourge of Prostitution

Israel Approves Bill

Come be Part of the Miracle

The main purpose of our blog is to encourage Aliyah. The miracle of the Jewish people being returned to our ancient homeland, the resurrection of Hebrew as a daily language, the barren wastelands producing lush green life, the obvious outpouring of blessings from G-d.... all part of the Aliyah experience. All products of the miracle of God to fulfill His promise to our Father Avraham. A destiny complete. The words of this song say it all:

The Call

 

Scattered throughout the world,
our temple was destroyed.
Our land lay barren and fallow,
in our hearts we felt the void.
But we held on to the promise,
to the message of our L-rd.
One day we would return,
our dignity restored.

Do you hear the whisper, of a faint and gentle call.
G-d is beckoning his children to come home, once and for all.
For the land of our past is where our future lies as well,
joined together as one people in the land of Yisrael.

Thousands of years we've waited,
in our prayers we've always yearned.
To be brought close once again,
for our souls to be returned.
Only once her sons came back to her,
did the land begin to bloom.
A dead language came to life again,
now the bride awaits her groom.

Do you hear the whisper, of a faint and gentle call.
G-d is beckoning his children to come home, once and for all.
For the land of our past is where our future lies as well,
joined together as one people in the land of Yisrael.

"The"The

"The Call"

 Lyrics: Rivka David
Composer, Guitar & Vocals: Yehuda David
Keyboard & Vocals: Ariel Isaacson
Vocals & Recorded by Baruch Bergenfeld
Video by Dovid Yehoshua and Rivka David

David Hatuel ~ Embracing LIfe

During the Second Intifada (approximately 2000-2005), we were in the United States and 2 of our adult children were in Israel. One was studying in yeshiva in Jerusalem and the other became a medic in the paratroopers. We lived our lives at the time constantly monitoring the news and assessing how close the horrific attacks were to our beloved sons. Because we were so closely connected, many of the terror killings are etched deep in our memories. The murder of Tali Hatuel is one that we will never forget. Tali, her four daughters and her yet unborn child were forced off the road by gunmen and then killed at point-blank range.

We have often wondered, and prayed for her surviving husband, David , who was not in the car at the time. In today's Israel National News there is a report about David and how his life is going. We want to share it with you. In his story we see the undying pioneer spirit, a mountain of faith and the glorious restoration of G-d. Below is the reprint of the article. Click here for the original link.

 Another Son Born to David Hatuel

Seven and a half years after he lost his entire family in a murderous terror attack on the road at the Kissufim crossing to Gush Katif, David Hatuel is celebrating the birth of a fourth new child following the tragedy, according to a report in the Hebrew-language Ma'ariv newspaper.
He has been blessed with three other children, as well: a daughter, Techiya, and two sons, Amichai and Shai.

“Obviously you cannot replace one family with another, but I am sure that no one would have believed that after the attack David would bring into the world four new children, in the place of his four daughters who were murdered,” an acquaintance was quoted as saying in the report.
Moshe Yanai, Ashkelon municipal assistant director of education and social services, who worked with Hatuel for years, also commented, “I think that the strength of David's faith, his strength of mind and character, and his late wife's family, who really supported him, gave him the the strength to move on. I of course wish him congratulations and the best of luck on this, the birth of his fourth child.”
Another acquaintance added, “David always said that he built a second house upon the first, and did not destroy the 'First Temple.' It is always before his eyes. On birthdays and on the anniversary of his first marriage, he always goes to the cemetery. Every new child born to him, he comes to the cemetery to share the news. He is a very special person, and deserves this good in his life.”
David and Tali Hatuel lived in the community of Katif. Tali was a social worker, and David was the principal of an elementary school in Ashkelon.  They were parents of four daughters – Hila, 11; Hadar, 9; Roni, 7; and Merav, 2.
On May 2, 2004, Tali – eight months pregnant -- traveled together with her four daughters from Katif to Ashkelon for an obstetrician's appointment, and then to attend a demonstration against the Disengagement referendum by the Likud being held that day.
At the Kissufim crossing, two terrorists opened fire on her car, forcing her off the road. Tali Hatuel was seriously wounded in the first attack.
The terrorists, armed with Kalashnikov rifles, then approached the car and fired at Tali and her daughters at point-blank range, emptying their cartridges, until they were dead.
IDF forces were dispatched to the area, and managed to kill the terrorists.
A joint committee of the Islamic Jihad and Popular Resistance Committees terrorist groups later proudly claimed responsibility for the attack.

International Holocaust Memorial Day

January 27 is International Holocaust Memorial Day as set by the United Nations*. (Different from Yom HaShoah) In pausing to remember, reflect and recognize the gravity of the Shoah, The 2 Spies would like to share with you a message from the Cheif Rabbi Lord Sacks.

 

*Israel, however, observes its official Holocaust Remembrance Day on the 26th of Nissan, the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, according to the Jewish calendar. Its selection reflects the Jewish state’s preference to emphasize Jewish resistance to the Nazis.

The Miracle of Hebrew part 2

“For everything there is needed only one wise, clever and active man, with the initiative to devote all his energies to it, and the matter will progress, all obstacles in the way notwithstanding... In every new event, every step, even the smallest in the path of progress, it is necessary that there be one pioneer who will lead the way without leaving any possibility of turning back.”  Eliezer Ben Yehuda, 1908

Eliezer Ben Yehuda

For the revival of the Hebrew language, that pioneer was Eliezer Ben-Yehuda himself.

It is an error to say that Hebrew was a 'dead' language. It was the language of the synagogue ritual and prayers. It was the language of the Talmudic studies. It was the language of the Torah. If in any essence it was 'dead', it was only in it's use on a daily basis for the daily and mundane commonness of life. 

As the philologist Chaim Rabin noted in 1958, “...it would hardly be an exaggeration to say that at the time of Ben-Yehuda's first article in 1879, over 50 percent of all male Jews were able to understand the pentateuch, the daily prayers, etc. and some 20 percent could read a Hebrew book of average difficulty, allowing for a much higher proportion in eastern Europe, north Africa and Yemen, and a very much lower one in western countries.” 

This being the case, Eliezer's role in the revival of Hebrew as a daily language:

“Before Ben-Yehuda... Jews could speak Hebrew; after him they did.” ~ Cecil Roth

Born Eliezer Yitzak Perelmen on January  7, !858 Luzhky, Lithuania; he began his religious training at a young age with parental hopes that he would become a rabbi.  Later, like a lot of the scholars of his day, Eliezer studied other philosophies and joined the 'free-thinkers'. The same year that he finished his formal education, 1877, the Bulgarians were seeking independence from the Turks. This upheaval caused Eliezer to ponder the return of a people to its own nation and sovereignty. If this desire for independence was just for the Bulgarians how much more so for the ancient and much older people, the Jews.

Eliezer Ben Yehuda, known for his work in Hebrew was also a fore-runner of modern Zionism. His published papers promoted the idea that the Jewish people should return to their original homeland~ Israel. In his writings he encouraged the people to reconsider national identity. After overhearing a challenge, Eliezer decided that his campaign for a national homeland and the revival of Hebrew as a spoken, daily language could be better waged from Jerusalem.

Eliezer and Dvorah

In 1881, he and his new bride, Devorah, arrived in Israel. Not long after, he was hired to teach Hebrew at a boy's school and his first son was born. He insisted that the ONLY lanuage that the child would hear would be Hebrew. Eliezer understood that if his vision was to take wings and fly, it would mostly be through affecting the next generation. 

Like all visionaries, Eliezer had his difficulties. There was much persecution by the religious community who thought that Hebrew was only a holy language and should be used only in that manner. However, there were enough people of influence who agreed with Eliezer's vision and joined forces with him to help push along the venues necessary to see it happen. It was clear to Ben-Yehuda that herein lay the very future of the revival. If children could learn Hebrew from a young enough age in school, they would become virtually unilingual in Hebrew when they grew up. In his words: “The Hebrew language will go from the synagogue to the house of study, and from the house of study to the school, and from the school it will come into the home and... become a living language” 

One event that helped push along the integration of Hebrew, was the beginning of immigration in 1881. With so many Jews coming into the Land~many intellectuals~ the need for the common language became even more evident.  These new olim learned Hebrew, passed it on to their children and helped spur the movement into a reality. On Novemeber 29, 1922 the British Mandate Authority, recognized Hebrew as the official language of the Jews of Palestine (Israel) Only one month later, Eliezer Ben Yehuda died but not without seeing the beginnings of the fulfillment of his dreams.

On this your birthday, January 7, 2012~ The 2 Spies salute you, Eliezer Ben Yehuda with grateful hearts for your vision and drive and sacrifice.

Ben Yehuda's Home

Memorial Museum at Hebrew University

The Miracle of Hebrew part 1

Years ago, The 2 Spies had the privileged of visiting the F.S.U. ~ Former Soviet Union. The Iron Curtain had not been torn as yet and we were closely watched as we 'toured' the cities. There were guards on each floor in our hotel who kept an eye on our comings and goings and we are sure searched our possessions when we were gone. Our tour guide expounded daily on the glories of Russia~ most of which we agreed with her but of course there were major differences between us and our countries at the time. It was nearing the time of glasnost and perestroika and the Russian citizens were restless with what they felt was the approaching freedom. Still, there were police, prisons and punishments.

Moscow Synagogue

One of our main objectives on our trip was to visit the Jewish communities and encourage them that there would come a day when the doors would be opened. We spoke to them of Aliyah and of G-d's promised Land. We visited the Great Synagogue of Moscow that Pesach~ the first time it had been used in years. There were so many people that there was not enough room and the streets outside were filled. We shared the matzah that we had brought with them and once again reminded them that, like in Egypt, the day was coming soon and they could go Home. Hopefully, one day we could meet again in Jerusalem~

Sadly, there were many refusenics. Two of the men in our group (one of us and a friend) made a clandestine 2AM trip to visit some of them. They spoke of their lives and punishments they had suffered but also of their hope that one day they would be victorious. One of the men had been imprisoned for teaching Hebrew. That was his crime. It was illegal to teach Hebrew. He did it. He got caught. He went to Siberia.

Inside the Synagogue

Kremlin

It is hard to imagine that there once was a day in Moscow when Hebrew was illegal. As we listened to the concert in this video,this thought came to mind. As well as the thought of how completely life has changed. This concert piece is a medley of Hebrew songs done with the strength and beauty of the Russian creative soul. It was the  Turetsky Choir, the male choir of the Moscow Synagogue,  who performed this piece at the Kremlin. A rather remarkable and mind-boggling event. Years ago, we had walked the grounds of the Kremlin and past the KGB offices, praying~ pleading with G-d~ for the government of oppression to fall. To hear these songs sung in that place.... what can we say? We stand amazed at all that G-d has done in this place in our lifetime.
Enjoy the music.

The Days of Awe

 The Days of Awe..... After hearing the shofar of Yom Teruah (Rosh HaShana) we continue to seek to hear the voice of our G-d. Now is the time to allow our hearts to be searched~ to make a fearless accounting~ and to be called into agreement with what the Heavens speak. How have I spent my time? On what did I spend my money? How much thought did I give my words?  Where have I gone my own way? In what ways have I cheated my fellow man? How have I dimmed the Light of the Holy One through my daily ways? In  which deeds did I promote myself and draw attention to my 'strengths' rather than seek to be a reflection of the Almighty? Counting the ways in which I have fallen short of His Glory, I seek forgiveness~ of G-d and of my neighbors.

Soon is the Day we go before our King~ for Him to forgive and cleanse us and determine our path. No matter what our coming year holds, we can walk into it with a new assurance that The Creator of the Universe is still on His throne and He is walking with us each step of every day. His love encircles us. His strength rains down on us. There will be no surprises to Him. We can trust that. We can go in confidence knowing that He is already present in our next moment, actively awaiting us in our tomorrow. 

~May you be written and sealed for a good year~

This video is taken from the prayers of this season 

Click here for original link

This and That Around Town

Seems like every place in Israel is UP! And this is the half-way mark!

Fire on the hill behind our daughter's house! That night Pesach started and she had quite the mess to clean up. In putting the fire out the firemen sprayed the house (open windows) Everything smelled burnt for quite some time.

Two streets honoring two great US Presidents.

Think we'll see Obama Lane anytime soon??

Milk sold in 1 liter bags. Imagine having 5 teenagers and buying enough milk!  We had to shop every day when we first made Aliyah in '89. We were used to buying in gallons...!!

The famous 'Son-in-Laws-Wings' on our teeny-tiny Israeli grill

Sheep outside our village

The Bedouin Shepherds who wanted 4 shekels for taking their photo (they got ice cream instead and a copy of the picture)

Haven't we seen this little guy in the States dressed in red sometime in December?

Our Favorite 'Beggar'

Rolos in Israel means we get a great snack! Place one Rolo on each pretzel. Warm a few seconds in the oven. Press one pecan on each and 'squish'. Let cool and ENJOY!

Girls scores~ won't show the Boys scores since they lost :-) Did I mention is was bumper bowling?

Fabric from a friend to make linens for the orphans. Don't forget to make your donation!~ Help them keep their home!                                                                                                           http://www.rootfunding.com/campaign/1526

Gilad Shalit

This day in History:28 August 1986-Gilad Schalit

(גלעד שליט),was born. 

He is an IDF soldier who was kidnapped from Israel by Hamas.

Gilad is held in Gaza Strip since 25 June 2006.
We pray that you will be free soon!

Gilad in Captivity

When Gilad was 11 years old he wrote a story about a shark and a fish.  8 Years later he was captured by Palestinian terrorists. Below, listen to children reading Gilad's story and his heart for peace.

Kaddish

A troubling few days in the Land. Many dead. Many wounded. Too many in pain. Times like these cause us to take an assessment of our priorities- search our hearts to see where our trust lies. In the middle of pain and death, the Kaddish calls us to remember the giver of Life and to lay all on His scale and trust that He is still the Creator of the Universe and therein put our hope and our trust. Erroneously called the prayer for the dead, the recitation of this prayer draws our eyes upward from the chaos and swirling evil, to the Giver of Life,the One on the Throne who holds all in His hands and keeps it in balance.

Kaddish

Glorified and sanctified be G-d’s great name throughout the world which He has created according to His will.

May He establish His kingdom in your lifetime and during your days, and within the life of the entire House of Israel, speedily and soon; and say, Amen.

 

May His great Name be blessed forever and to all eternity.

Blessed and praised, glorified and exalted, extolled and honored, adored and lauded be the name of the Holy One, blessed be He, beyond all the blessings and hymns, praises and consolations that are ever spoken in the world; and say, Amen.

May there be abundant peace from heaven, and life, for us

and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

He who creates peace in His celestial heights, may He create peace for us and for all Israel; and say, Amen.

Israel Lacrosse

Dr Jazz and Band

Last Motze Shabbat, we were pleased to be part of the first Lacrosse tournament in Israel. There is a grassroots effort taking place to bring Lacrosse to Israel. If Saturday night's game is any indication of what is in store for us, we do hope that it happens soon. It was a marvelous evening with entertainment by Dr Jazz and his band, t-shirts and games and prizes for the children (this Spy walked away with a Israel Lacrosse polo shirt) and 'entertainment' at the breaks.

Yuval and Ben

The website tells us that it was a 'standing room only' crowd. And it was! Kraft Stadium isn't very big, so that was not a difficult task. Because there were only a couple hundred of us (counting the players) the atmosphere was quite neighborly~ with the referees even coming at half-time to answer questions about the game!

"Tel Aviv"

"Jerusalem"

The Lacrosse Israel club was formed just this past April with players coming from all over Israel. One player we talked with actually had never played Lacrosse but is an ice hockey player from the northern part of Israel. The photos above look rather impressive. What you don't see~ 'The-turn-your-shirt-inside-out-switch'

Quick-Change Artists

The final score was 12-11 with Jerusalem as the winners of the 'Zimmerman Cup'. It was an exciting evening and a privilege to be spectators of the first ever Lacrosse game in Israel. Kol HaKavod men and we hope to see more of you in the future!

 

Adam Goldberg~ high scorer for Jerusalem

To learn more about Lacrosse in Israel click here Israel Lacrosse