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 perestroikaand 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.
Two Israeli scientists, Prof. Haim Rabinowitch, former rector of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and Prof. Nachum Kedar, developed the cherry tomato in 1973. Looking for a way to slow down the rapid ripening of ordinary tomatoes in a hot climate, they identified the genetic combination to slow down maturation and also a way to exploit the genes to produce cherry tomatoes. (Yummy!) Cherry Tomatoes
Rummikub was invented by Ephraim Hertzano, a Romanian-born immigrant who came to Mandate Palestine in the early 1930s. He hand-made the first sets with his family in the backyard of his home. The game combines elements of rummy, dominoes, mah-jong and chess. Hertzano sold the first sets door-to-door and on a consignment basis at small shops. Over the years, the family licensed it to other countries and it became Israel’s #1 export game. In 1977, it became a bestselling game in the United States.
(If you haven't played yet, we suggest you try it. There is even an on-line version! Great family fun!) Rummikub
Bamba is one of the leading snack foods produced and sold in Israel. They are made from peanut-butter flavored puffed corn. Bamba contains no cholesterol, preservatives or food coloring, and is enriched with several vitamins. Nevertheless it contains high amounts of fat. It Some describe it as ' Cheez-Doodles without the cheese'. (Children LOVE these snacks!) by Osem
אין כמו במבה Nothing is like Bamba
On these very hot days we cannot forget the Israeli contribution to our summer comfort~ the car sun screen. Back in the 80's, the Israelis that were living in California noticed everyone dealing with 'hot-seat' problems. They set to work and began marketing the first windshield screens for the US comsumer. The original ones were made of heavy cardboard that folded like a fan. They were white on one side and had this message on the reverse side ~if needed:
Later someone became more creative. Here is a popular screen from that time:
Of course we have become more sophisticated and the screens are made from a variety of materials and colors. Just remember the next time you are folding up your screen~ thank an Israeli !
