Israel, the Little Engine that could — helps victims from Hurricane Harvey, then survivors from Mexico’s 8.1 earthquake, and now Hurricane Irma. Unfortunately, all Israelis have advanced degrees in tragedy — but one benefit is they know how to help in urgent, stressful situations. After all, it’s a requirement in our Jewish traditions of Tzedakah…
What do I mean by Jerusalem the Puzzle? Jerusalem is like a Russian nesting doll — each doll is unique, impacted by the next doll’s proximity and beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The geographical puzzle piece is sacred to three religions — Judaism, Islam and Christianity. Not that each of these individual faiths can…
As I watched the tragic scene of the car crashing into the crowd of counter-protestors in Charlottesville, for a minute I thought I was looking at another Palestinian car ramming in Israel — one of the latest weapons of choice over the last few years to kill Jews. There have been 60 Israelis murdered by Palestinians…
Thankfully the resounding answer to my question in my last blog, “Jerusalem 101 Part III: Friday, Will Muslim and Jewish Prayers End in Violence?” is NO. After the weeks of violence, and the metal detectors and cameras being removed — the following Friday night, important to both Jews and Muslims passed quietly. Thank God, the…
Just when I thought I would speak about Jerusalem the Puzzle, there’s been more conflict, rioting and killings. Israel reopened access to the Noble Sanctuary after two days investigating the murder of Israeli police by a Palestinian. The metal detectors installed for safety were also taken down due to Palestinian demands. Thursday the Mufti of…
Last week I blogged about Jerusalem 101, Trying to Understand a Complicated City – Part I This week it was my intention to continue on with Jerusalem 101, Jerusalem the Puzzle – Part II. Now barring any more new calamities, it will be Part III. On Friday, two Israelis were murdered. Increased tensions are assured…
If I forget thee, O Jerusalem let my right hand forget her cunning. Bible Jerusalem — Yerushalayim the Hebrew name originates from two words — Ir and Shalem. Ir means city. Shalem comes from Shalom, which means Peace. City of Peace. Sounds great — what happened?1 My intention in writing this was to try to…
Did you know that Israel has a very real Super Hero? I didn’t. Not until I went to Israel on vacation with my family and friends, in July 2014. Nothing can prepare you for the juxtaposition of touring wondrous, sacred places by day, and spending nights and a few mornings in bomb shelters. The time in…
I was recently in Palm Springs for the weekend and I wrote about our unusual adventures in Birthday Celebration Part II: The Girls Weekend Adventures. Our final impromptu visit was to go see Sunnyland’s gardens, which led me to some unanticipated thoughts about Peace… What is Sunnylands? Let me give you a bit of history about…
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