tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-143077102024-03-14T08:35:33.933+02:00My Life By Donuts MomMy Life and Thoughts.
Present.........Past..........and FutureDonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.comBlogger223125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-51281983799459582722013-04-08T07:50:00.000+03:002013-04-08T07:53:44.429+03:00Soldiers in Our MidstYou know all those famous cool pictures of soldiers davening that always get passed around Facebook, etc?<br />
Today I saw it for real!!<br />
I was just driving along to work and noticed a number of patrols along the side of the road. As I pulled to a stop by a red light, I saw an army jeep, and 2 soldiers. One of them had his siddur in hand and was davening (praying) away. It was very inspiring. I love being protected by an army that includes many people with a strong belief and connection to G-d. I love watching that connection of a soldier thanking G-d for our land. The land that he is protecting. It gave me a good feeling.<br />
What did not give me a good feeling was seeing the patrols out at all. You can either feel safer when you see lots of soldiers or less safe because you know there is a reason they are there. I feel sad. This is right near Ariel, my home turf and I hate having to see soldiers there. Because it means there is some kind of situation going on that they have to protect us. Granted, they are always protecting us but when it's more obvious like this, you wonder what sparked it. Not sure if it still has to do with the rock throwing that injured little Adelle bat Adva. or if it is something more recent. Whatever it is, I hate it.<br />
We have family and friends who refuse to come to Ariel because they feel it is not safe. We laugh at them, we plead with them, we try to explain to them that they have the wrong impression. And that we actually feel THE safest in Ariel - more so than north, south, central. Shauli had a conversation with someone and was trying to get them to come visit us in Ariel. We assumed that she didn't want to come because she was nervous about the drive but she said that she was nervous about actually being in the city. It was SO strange for us to hear that being the reason. So foreign to us! What could a person possibly have to fear in Ariel that they wouldn't fear in other bigger cities here? He said to her, "But you went to Chevron and spent Shabbat there! How can you possibly feel less safe in Ariel??" She answered, 'But in Chevron, there are soldiers every few feet and there aren't in Ariel......"<br />
That's because in Chevron you NEED soldiers every few feet and in Ariel you don't.<br />
So when I do see soldiers around (though they were not in Ariel), despite what she thinks, I don't take comfort in their presence. It just makes me sad.....DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-77853778658336991862011-06-23T08:11:00.003+03:002011-06-23T08:41:43.245+03:00Gilad Shalit<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDQhs3PyXf0Qu0gnWEdgDEuILjeeWZRVbJOJAbr8fZqDFRM4mTABANzuujCzzse_9NNOewQLWlKb8y2mmDew8bbCBnUSHuG2Pn8W9suIIAq4dMP6sJ-4qHsWpVZDkFVSM7jqO/s1600/%25D7%2592%25D7%259C%25D7%25A2%25D7%2593.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 176px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmDQhs3PyXf0Qu0gnWEdgDEuILjeeWZRVbJOJAbr8fZqDFRM4mTABANzuujCzzse_9NNOewQLWlKb8y2mmDew8bbCBnUSHuG2Pn8W9suIIAq4dMP6sJ-4qHsWpVZDkFVSM7jqO/s320/%25D7%2592%25D7%259C%25D7%25A2%25D7%2593.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5621281437814856674" /></a><br /><br /><br />Jonah asked me yesterday while eating a snack of grapes if Gilad Shalit is still alive.<br /><br />I said, I believe so. He said how do you know? I said, because as far as Israeli intelligence is aware, he is still alive. He told me that he sees lots of signs and stickers that say "גלעד עדיין חי". Translation: Gilad is still alive.<br /><br />Jonah: "Do they give him food in jail?"<br />Natalie: "Yes."<br />Jonah: "Why?"<br />Natalie: "If they didn't, he would die."<br />Jonah: "Do they give him water to drink?"<br />Natalie: "Yes. If they didn't, he would die."<br />Jonah: "Is it kosher food?"<br />Natalie: "Probably not. However, Arabs also don't eat pig like Jewish people. So they keep a certain kind of kosher. So at least they don't give him pig. And in these circumstances, Hashem (G-d) understands. It is more important for Gilad to eat and drink whatever they give him and stay alive than for him to keep kosher."<br />Jonah: "But they hate Israel. So why do they keep kosher?"<br />Natalie: Who hates Israel?"<br />Jonah: "Arabs."<br />Natalie" "Not all Arabs hate Israel. We've talked about this before. Not all Arabs hate Israel and not all Arabs are bad. Some of them live in Israel. And some of them would rather live in Israel with an Israeli government than live in a place with an Arab government. But yes, the ones that have Gilad Shalit are bad."<br /><br />Jonah: "I hope he comes home soon."<br />Natalie: "Me too. I really hope so. He has been gone for 5 years. On Shabbat, it is 5 years. That's a long time. He needs to come home."<br />Jonah: "I hope he comes home tomorrow."<br />Natalie: "Me too. Wouldn't that be great news to wake up to? Gilad Shalit came home!! Everyone would be so happy! And his family would be so thankful."<br />Jonah: "If I could, I would rescue him. I would take a big tractor or something and drive right over there and just take him out and save him. I really wish I could do that. I wish I could save him....."<br />Natalie: The best thing you can do right now is daven to Hashem (pray to G-d) and tell him how much you want Gilad Shalit to come home and how everyone is waiting for him. Right now we can't do anything to save him, but Hashem is in charge so tomorrow when you go to school and daven, say and extra special prayer for Gilad to come home."<br />Jonah: When we go see Bubbe and Zayde in Jerusalem, can they take us to the Kotel?<br />Natalie: Maybe. <br />Jonah: Oh good, I really want to put a petek (note) in the wall asking Hashem to bring Gilad Shalit home. I was really sad because I forgot to do that at my siddur party. I meant to bring a petek to put in the wall but I forgot and I had a paper but I didn't have a pen. My friend Ili reminded me, because he brought a petek from home. But I forgot.... so maybe I can go back and remember to do that next time."<br /><br />Intense.... may we all wake up to the fantastic news that Gilad Shalit was brought home safe and sound.<br /><br />Amen.DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-9319886737878030172011-06-22T15:17:00.002+03:002011-06-22T15:26:03.363+03:00Oh, the things they say...2 Funny Kid Comments<br /><br />1 - I was talking to Sammy (4 years old) about summer vacation. I asked if he would like to have a sleepover with Jonah at his grandparents in Jerusalem. He was thinking about it and wanted to know what they would do. I said during the day maybe they could go somewhere fun, like the zoo. My kids are CONSTANTLY asking to go to the zoo! He responded, "Maybe to the zoo.....or maybe to Mitzrayim" which translates to Egypt. I said "Maybe... but I don't think so". He said, "There really is an Eretz (land) called Mitzrayim. And they talk like Aravim (Arabs) there!"<br />Not sure where that entire comment came from but I was amused.<br /><br />2 - We were sitting at the dinner table and had the following conversation:<br /><br />Natalie: We have to call moving companies<br />Jonah (6 yr old) - You should call Hovlot Yossi<br />Natalie - Why?<br />Jonah - Because they are the best!<br />Natalie - How do you know that?<br />Jonah- Because it says so on the sign....<br /><br />:) So apparently their advertising works. When I call for a quote, I'll have to relay the conversation and maybe I can get a discount. Hehe!DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-63910270768321708422011-05-28T22:53:00.002+03:002011-05-28T23:01:15.982+03:00This Week's Thought - From the Koby Mandell FoundationThis Week's Thought<br />From The Koby Mandell Foundation<br /><br />Last week, at a memorial service for Koby his brother Daniel read the following:<br /><br />Who wants to write to a brother who was murdered?<br /><br /><br />It’s difficult to write to you,<br />It’s been years since we spoke.<br /> <br />Your physical absence has been replaced with an empty space in our lives. In another month you could have been 24.<br /> <br />You could have been married with a child or two, you could be traveling in South America, you could have been studying at university, you could have been a computer expert, you could have been a stand-up comedian, you could have been so many things.<br /> <br /> I remember how I would whisper to you at night, asking you where you are, asking you to watch out for us. I begged you to come back, to make everything the same as it was before.<br /> <br />I remember how I used to think that it’s all just a big joke, or a nightmare from which I will wake up, that I’ll just get up in the morning and you’ll be there...and everything would continue as it was.<br /> <br />But today I do not whisper to you any longer. I’m not asking you to come back.<br /> <br />Today the pain is not only the pain of death, but also the pain of loss. Not a burning pain, but like a hand that grabs the inside of your stomach and turns it.<br /> <br />Today I realize how small you were, how really cruel they were.<br /><br /><br /><br />Please <a href="http://www.kobymandell.org/category/194941/donate?redirected=true">click here</a> to make a contribution to The Koby Mandell Foundation.DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-84020076209682531682011-03-30T08:17:00.003+02:002011-03-30T10:17:30.754+02:00"Land Day"I hope today is a quiet day. I hope not to hear any news. I hope I won't get any phone calls, IM's, SMS's, or have any conversations relating to the current situation in Israel. Just a quiet day. I hope my son won't come home asking more questions about the murders in Itamar or the bomb in Jerusalem. He stumped me today.<br /><br />On the way to school he said, "Mommy, if Jerusalem is a walled city, how did the person who put the bomb there get in?" I really didn't know how to answer it. On one hand, was I supposed to make it sound like they came in from the outside? But that will destroy his feeling of safety that we have a security fence around our city. Was I supposed to tell him that somehow they got past the security guards and soldiers? That will ruin his faith and secure feelings from the army and police. He then asked, "Did they live there?"<br />All I could say was that they don't know who did it yet so they don't know how they got in. And I said it was a very good question.<br /><br />When I got home, I saw an article Shauli sent me about "Land Day". The article can be seen here: http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/143231<br /><br />Here are a few excerpts from the article that really got to me. "The boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) movement, an umbrella network operating worldwide to boycott Israel as part of a delegitimization campaign, has called on anti-Israeli activists around the world to hold solidarity activities with the Arab “Land Day” which is scheduled for Wednesday....<br />The notice calls on “people of conscience” to join the boycott of Israel....<br />U.S. events focus on Washington, DC, but are also expected to be held in Seattle and at the University of Arizona, where a model of the Israeli security fence (which organizers term “the apartheid wall”) will be erected..... "<br /><br />People of conscience......people of conscience.... I'd like to meet these people of conscience and take them by the shoulders and shake them really really really hard. CONSCIENCE???? For example the woman that I previously blogged about who was proud to be a "Jew but a Palestinian sympathizer". CONSCIENCE???? Where the hell was your conscience when murderers snuck into Itamar, entered a families house, and brutally murdered the Fogels. Where the hell was your conscience when they slit the throats of Udi Fogel and his 3 month old daughter, Hadas. When they cut her throat so bad, she was nearly decapitated?? Where the hell was your conscience when Ruth Fogel came out of the bathroom to find her family being slaughtered? And she fought for her life and for the lives of her family? And she was cut up so badly, they couldn't even include the pictures along with the others from the murder scene. What about when they killed 11 year old Yoav, reading in his bed? Or when they stabbed 4 year old, Elad right in his heart? <br /><br />I think you don't know what a conscience is. Conscience: The awareness of a moral or ethical aspect to one's conduct together with the urge to prefer right over wrong.<br />Conscience: motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions .<br /><br />Morals? Show me their morals. Right over wrong. Not wrong over right. Not even wrong over wrong. Logic. Is there any logic in any of this? I don't see any on either side.<br />Israel gives land for peace. Palestinians destroy that land, elect a terrorist government, shoot rockets at innocent civilians, and brutally murder the very same people whose houses they now inhabit (unless they destroyed them because they belonged to "filthy Jews".<br /><br />We are fighting a losing battle. Not because I believe Palestinians are bad people as a whole. I don't. But there are a lot of bad Palestinians out there. And these are the ones with the loudest voices and actions. These are the ones who are somehow running their people. I watched a video yesterday from Palestinian TV. It was a kid's program. While my children sit and watch Bob the Builder and Mr. Maker and Zoboomofoo, Palestinian children are watching this:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm8w7_P8wZ0<br /><br />Our children watch Clifford the Big Red Dog or Barney singing "I love you, you love me" and poor Ahmad and his sister Fatima watch a rabbit vowing that "I, Assud, will finish off the Jews and eat them, Allah willing."<br /><br />There are countless videos out there showing the programming these kids sit and watch. So how can I ever hope that my children will be able to sit in peace with their children? They are being taught pure hatred of the Jews from before they even enter school. <br /><br />Back to the article. A "model of the Israeli security fence" (which organizers term “the apartheid wall”) will be set up. I wonder if they are going to set up some ridiculous huge, scary looking wall. Along with signs saying NO ARABS allowed? Spreading more rumors and lies about Big Bad Israel.<br /><br />Let me tell you about the "apartheid wall". It's a security fence. That's exactly what it is. It was set up to keep the bad guys out (or attempt to). That's what a country needs to do when there are people constantly trying to enter into your cities and blow them up. In most areas it's a little fence with perhaps some barbed wire on the top and hopefully cameras and sensors along it. The purpose is to defend ourselves against a people who only want to wipe us out. They don't even hide that this is their goal. <br /><br />As for apartheid. "a social policy or racial segregation involving political and economic and legal discrimination against people who are not Whites" or in this case - I guess not Israelis? And Israelis does not mean Jews. There are plenty of Arabs who live in Israel and have Israeli citizenship. And reap the benefits of a normal life. We have no problem living side by side with Arabs. As long as they do not want to kill us. Rather, as long as they don't act on it.<br /><br />I know I have mentioned this before but if this 2 State solution ever goes through and there is an Israeli state and a Palestinian state - where will apartheid be practiced? In Israel or in Palestine? Israel will continue with it's many immigrants of all different races, nationalities, and religious. Palestine will consist of Arabs. No Jew will be allowed to live there and if somehow they did, I don't imagine it would be long before they are murdered. So who will have the apartheid State? <br />Do you know what the signs say in Israel before you enter Palestinian controlled areas? I can't remember the exact phrasing but among the wording is any Israeli who enters is endangering their life! <br /><br />Um, there are no signs like that going into Canada. There are no signs like that going to London. And sadly, it's true. It is dangerous to enter these areas (although most likely we would be stopped before we happened upon Ramallah). I am sure crazy terrorists would just love to get their hands on some Jew who wandered into their city. Remember the Ramallah lynchings in 2000? Two Israelis accidently drove into Ramallah. They were detained by PA policeman and brought to the police station. Word got out and a crowd of more than 1,000 Palestinians gathered at the station, calling for the death of the Israelis. The 2 men were beaten, stabbed, had their eyes gouged out, and were disemboweled. At this point, a Palestinian appeared at the police station window, displaying his blood-stained hands to the crowd, which erupted into cheers. One of the soldier's bodies was then thrown out the window and stamped and beaten by the enraged mob. One of the bodies was set on fire. I believe their bodies were dragged by car to the center of the city for a victory celebration. Wow, that's frightening. <br /><br />Shauli and I almost drove into a small Arab city near us by accident too. It was the night after the Fogel murders and we were going to visit some friends who live in nearby Pedual. We took a wrong turn and were driving on a small, dark street (following our GPS.....). We both had a bad feeling which was confirmed when we saw a sign written in only Arabic. We hightailed it out of there!! <br /><br />So for now, we have one State of Israel. We let peaceful Arabs live, work, and go about their business in our country. And we try to keep the bad ones out. WE are not an apartheid state, just a state trying to survive. If a Palestinian State is established, then you'll see an apartheid, Judenrein state. <br />But at least if there are 2 states, maybe we can actually defend ourselves and our borders. <br /><br />Thanks for reading. I don't mean to depress you. I owe you a positive post soon about all the reasons that it's great to live here. :)DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-4816999029372360252011-03-27T23:37:00.003+02:002011-03-28T00:22:53.470+02:00Triple BlogI've had so many blogs floating around in my head over the weekend but just haven't had time to sit and write them down. Let's see if I can try to sort out a few of my thoughts.<br /><br />1. On Friday I read a cousin's post supporting Israel and someone else commenting about how she (the commentor) is Jewish but a Palestinian sympathizer. I can't stop thinking about it. I am torn between wanting to respond to her and telling myself to move along. She has already made up her mind, she has already decided I must be some big bad, Israeli who came in and stole their land, and probably she feels that those "crazy settlers got what they deserved." It's sickening and it makes me want to cry. Anyone who can justify the murder and decapitation of a 3 month old, a 2 year old, and an 11 year old, makes me wonder.....how can we ever make peace with our enemies if even our own kind hate us? Doesn't she realize that they would kill her too in a heartbeat? And then celebrate her death by handing out candy in the streets? Sorry, is that just for the death of a child?<br /><br />I am a "Palestinian" sympathizer too. I sympathize with any normal, humane Arab who just wants to live their live. I am sure there is an Arab mom out there, with 3 little kids just like me, who just wants to send her kids to school and go out and buy groceries, and live a full, and meaningful life. I am sure she was horrified by the murder of the Fogel Family. I am sure she fears for her children's life and what will happen when they get old enough to go out and become martyrs. Doing this by giving up their own lives. If she is someone who moved into the beautiful Israeli homes in the Gaza Strip, I am sure she is also completely terrorized by her own terrorist government, Hamas. Whose motto is "We love death as much as the Jews love life." But this woman doesn't have the freedom of expressing her fears on the Internet. She is not allowed to disagree with her government. Because she could be killed and tortured for it. I sympathize with you, fellow mother. <br /><br />2. Jonah said to me today, "Mommy, did you know there was a bomb on a bus in Yerushalayim last week. My friend told me about it". I said "Yes". He said, "How does that happen? Was there a bomb inside the bus?" I told him "no, the bomb was next to the bus". He said "But how did it get there?" I said, "Someone put it there." He said," Wouldn't someone notice a bomb?" I told him they put in a briefcase and explained that we always have to be aware of the things around us and if we ever see a bag or a package sitting on the ground with no one around it, then we need to tell someone. I explained how in Israel, they are always SOO careful and people are always watching to make sure there are no bombs and to keep us safe. He didn't seem terribly concerned, he seemed very matter of fact about it. I was worried about him because he is my "scaredy cat" kid and also the only one old enough to really understand the danger. He somehow jumped back to the Fogel murder in Itamar and asked how they did not know that the terrorists came in. I explained that there was a problem with the security there in that, there were no cameras along their sensor fence. We talked about how it could not happen in Ariel because we do have cameras and we can see anyone and anything at anytime along the fence. I told him we live in a very safe city. I asked him if he was scared and he said "No". I told him what helped him to not be scared and he said "The policeman who lives next door." We have a neighbor policeman (who was actually on duty the night of the Fogel murders and was called to the scene since they are in our jurisdiction, I guess). When I was asking around for someone that Jonah could talk to (as per his request), the policeman among many others volunteered. Jonah has yet to speak to him but is extremely reassured by the fact that we have a neighbor who is a policeman and by the fact that he is willing to talk to him and explain the security in Ariel. <br /><br />Jonah has decided once again that when he grows up, he would like to be a soccer player, a policeman, and a soldier. So that he can protect everyone from the bad guys. <br /><br />3. One more and then I am off to bed. There is a Facebook page calling for the 3rd Palestinian Intifada. It's listed as a "cause". 335,621 people "like" this. The page's <span style="font-weight:bold;">administrators<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span> posted a quotation of a Hadith (Islamic tradition) that is popular with radical groups, which reads, "The hour [of redemption] does not come until the Muslim fight the Jews and even the stones and trees say, 'O Muslim, a Jew is behind me, so kill him.'" <br /><br />Despite many people reporting this page and many personal requests to Facebook and the creator, Facebook has decided not to remove the page. They want it to be a place where people can openly discuss issues and express their views, while respecting the rights and feelings of others. <br /><br />"While some kinds of comments and content may be upsetting for someone – criticism of a certain culture, country, religion, lifestyle, or political ideology, for example - that alone is not a reason to remove the discussion."<br /><br />I am sorry but has the world gone MAD????? Expressing their views by calling for a march into Israel to destroy the Jewish state? "O Muslim, a Jew is behind me, so kill him?" Since when is this OK??? Freedom of speech is one thing but open calls for annihilation of the Jews - a 3rd Intifada? We all know what the 3rd Intifada will be about. Same as the 1st and 2nd. KILL THE JEWS! And this is "ok" due to freedom of speech???<br /><br />What would happen if The Jewish Agency posted a group called Kill the Arabs. Or decided on May 15th, 2011, they are going to reclaim the land that is rightfully ours. Would the world be quiet then? Would everyone be ok with that? Hard to imagine but mostly because it's so absurd. We don't do things like that.<br />What about if someone posted a page about Killing all Mormons. Or all African Americans? Kentans? French people? Would that cause some uproar? Yah, I am pretty sure it would. How can people just sit back and watch as open calls for violence are being posted right and left? Is it because so many are crazy leftists and feel the "Settlers" deserve it? It is because they think it's not their problem?<br />Is this how people felt before the Holocaust? That there was total madness going on around them and the rest of the world was strangely silent?<br /><br />Don't you get it? WE WANT PEACE!!! We gave you the Gaza Strip in hopes of peace. And what did you do? You elected a terrorist government, Hamas. Whose only purpose is to kill and destroy all Jews and the State of Israel. You took our beautiful homes, gardens, farms, and greenhouses and destroyed them. Acres and acres of land, you destroyed the fruit trees because it was planted and cared for by Jews. Oh, and the peace we talked about? You shoot rocket after rocket into Israel, filling the rockets with pins and nails to maximize the casualties. <br /><br />Two quotes by Golda Meir sum up my feelings perfectly....<br /><br />"Peace will come when the Arabs will love their children more than they hate us."<br />As long as they continue to teach hatred in their schools, it's a losing battle. We can't make peace with those who have taught to hate us since they first learned to read and write.<br /><br />"We can forgive you for killing our sons. But we will never forgive you for making us kill yours."<br /><br />And like Dennis Prager says in this Middle East Conflict video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEzvhvOcWEs). What would happen if Israel laid down its arms and promised not to fight anymore? And what about if the Arab countries and the "Palestinians" laid down their weapons and promised not to fight anymore.<br /><br />In the first scenario, Israel would be destroyed.<br />In the second scenario, there would be peace the following Wednesday.<br /><br />Thanks to my loyal blog and Facebook note readers. Please continue reading and COMMENT so I know at least a few people are reading.....DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-66990606962389472222011-03-22T20:46:00.003+02:002011-03-22T22:49:47.145+02:00How would YOU feel?Today I had a meeting with a rep from the Jerusalem Consulate. Apparently, he has a unique position - he is the only person in the Jerusalem Consulate who has anything to do or any contact with Jews (rather, Israelis) living in Judea and Samaria. Everyone else works with the Palestinians. Which is why if you check out the website, you will not see a single thing about Jews/Israelis living in the "West Bank" or Judea and Samaria - Yehuda and Shomron. It is as if we don't exist.....<br /><br />The meeting was odd. It was cut short and none of us (the few Ariel Olim who were there really got a chance to talk) and the rep did not have a chance to ask the questions he said he had for us.<br />We started off introducing ourselves. When it got to my turn, I gave my usual shpiel about how we ended up in Ariel and he interrupted me and said that sounds familiar, he thinks he read about me in the Jerusalem Post. A couple months ago I was interviewed for an article which is what he was referring to. <br />He said that he actually had a specific question for me because he remembered me saying that I did not move to this area for political reasons or to make a stand. And then he went into this long drawn out roundabout way of asking "What would I do if/when Ariel loses it's status as an Israeli city and becomes part of a Palestinian State?" I was totally thrown off. It's not that I was exactly surprised that he asked this question. It just came on so suddenly, I guess. And it was directed at me. And the way he made it sound was as if he truly believed it would happen. <br /> I did not know how to respond. Looking back, there are a lot of ways I could have answered. But at the time I said "Listen.....I am just a regular person trying to live my life. I want to raise my children in a place we call home, where we feel comfortable, and where we belong. In a place that I feel safe. I'm just trying to live my life in peace." I said that I do my part, on a small scale, to work towards peace. We have Arab workers that do landscaping and clean up in the city and I make a point to say good morning and smile to them. Because I am only one person living my life and that is what I can do. I just want to live peacefully and happily. <br />The problem is how can we do that with so many people that don't want that? They have no interest in living peacefully with us. They want to push us into the sea and wipe us off the face of the earth..... As far as giving them Ariel, it would be complete suicide. In terms of a defensive point of view (and I began rambling at this point and just forgetting my words in general), it would be crazy. And I don't believe it will ever happen. If G-d forbid, it does, we'll see. <br /><br />I think how I should have responded is as follows: <br /><br />Tell me this. What would you do? How would you feel if you were living your life, trying to be a good person and raise your children the right way and terrorists began trying to kill you off one by one? What if your friends were stabbed to death and their children's throats were slit by monsters? Their hearts stabbed? <br />And then what if your government let them win? And gave them your house, your city, and your life? How would you feel?DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-61427373531258423002011-03-15T12:23:00.002+02:002011-03-15T13:11:15.047+02:00More Thoughts from SamariaI went to pick up Sammy on Sunday and spent a few minutes talking with the gannenet and the helper (sayaat). We were talking about the Fogel family and how they were so involved in the community when they lived in Ariel. I was trying to figure out if any of their kids were in Gan with Jonah. The sayaat thought he may have been with Jonah at some point. I'm not sure.<br /><br />While we were talking, some other Netzarim parents came to pick up their kids. And they looked so sad and heartbroken. Most likely, they knew the Fogels. I looked at the kids still sitting in the circle, at their beautiful, innocent faces. Thinking it was their friends that this happened to, it could have been them, it could have been their family. Such beautiful, innocent children, like the children murdered in their beds. <br />And I almost broke down. My eyes filled up with tears and I said, "I can't. I'm sorry, I just can't" and I had to walk out of there. I had tears streaming down my face as we left the Gan. And at the same time, I didn't want Sammy to know anything was wrong. I wanted to sit down on the curb and just cry and cry. Cry for the innocent lives that were taken. For the little children who will never have another birthday. And for the beautiful orphans who will never have another birthday without missing their parents. <br />And I was so thankful for my beautiful child, safe and by my side. Chattering away as we walked home. With his Indian face paint and headdress. May he never know from such pain. May he never know anyone killed in a terrorist attack.<br /><br />The prime minister went to visit the family while they were sitting shiva. It can be seen here:<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7LSDUdiu2A<br /><br />The prime minister's answer was to build. He told the orphans, "They kill and we build." The little boy said "What will happen if you do something? Will America do something to you?"<br />This poor little boy whose parents and siblings were murdered while he slept. It just as easily could have been him. And the prime minister tells him, we will build houses in response. <br /><br />I am sorry. I think that is a crap answer. Look at all the outcry from the world when we do build houses. Everyone is up in arms then. Where is that same outcry, where are those voices when a family is slaughtered? <br />There are reports that the 3 month old baby was decapitated....I can't begin to fathom.<br /><br />And our response is to build houses? I know that we are peaceful people and that all we want to do is live our lives. But if America or whoever we are afraid of is going to yell in response to us building houses, let them yell in response to something real. We need to take care of ourselves and our people. And if America won't stand up for us when we are being murdered, then we need to stand up for ourselves.<br /><br />But I don't have an answer. I want those murderers caught and punished. But in reality, there is no punishment that fits the crime.<br /><br />Someone suggested this: "I think the world should make the bad guys give back Gilad Shalit as a tikkun for the Fogels. It wont help bring them back but we'd all feel a little better."<br /><br />I agree. We can't bring them back. And while we will feel a little bit better once they are caught, there is no punishment that can be done to the murderers that will make us feel better about what happened. So we need to do something else.<br />While one family has been shattered and nothing can make that better or take that pain away, at least another family can be reunited.<br /><br />Today, Gilad Shalit has been in captivity for 5 years. Bring him home. Do whatever it takes to bring him home and reunite him with has parents. <br /><br />Bring some light unto the darkness that we are all feeling. Bring some happiness into the sadness.<br /><br />Please G-d, may the killers be found today and brought to justice. May the Fogel children and grandparents and family and friends be comforted ... somehow. May light shine onto them and peace be brought to their hearts. May the horrific memories be wiped clean. <br /><br />May we all celebrate Purim with the news that Gilad Shalit has been returned to us. <br /><br />And may the rest of the world see the reality of our lives in Israel and support us in protecting our families. And if they don't want to support us, may they at least shut their freakin mouths because they don't have a clue.<br /><br />Sigh.....DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-79125601112208903962011-03-13T19:12:00.006+02:002011-03-14T12:19:24.229+02:00A 6 year old's viewI wasn't sure how to handle the Fogel's murder with Jonah or Sammy. A lot of the kids in Sammy's Gan are from Netzarim which is where the Fogel's lived until about a year ago. So pretty much everyone from there knew them. I didn't know if kids that age were aware of what happened or had overheard their parents talk about it.<br /><br />At Gan pick-up, I asked the Gannenet if anything was said about it. She said in the morning meeting she asked if anyone had anything they wanted to share or talk about or ask about. No one brought it up so neither did she. Luckily our kids can remain blissfully innocent for that much longer.<br /><br />I was more concerned about Jonah. He is older, understands more, and is scared of EVERYTHING. He is also in school where there are certainly people that know what happened. I didn't know if the school said something or some special prayers or if other kids brought it up. When I picked him up, I asked if anything special happened today or if he wanted to talk about anything. He said no. (His usual answer).<br /><br />Once we got home, he asked as we were walking up the stairs if I had seen the Chadashot (news) today. I said yes. He said "What was on it? Can you tell me?" I asked him if he heard about what was on it and to tell me what he heard. He asked why and I said because I want to know what he heard and who told him.<br /><br />He said his friend told him and that there were 2 mechablim (terrorists) that went into someone's house and killed the parents and 3 kids while they were asleep. And that a neighbor came and rescued the other 2 kids. He asked if that was right and I said yes. He then went into a huge rant about how if he sees the Mechablim he will call his friend or his friend will call him and they will fight them and kick them and punch them. He was very adamant about that! <br /><br />I asked how he felt about it and if he wanted to talk about it at all. He said he just wants to hurt those Mechablim. Maybe he said kill them, not sure. I told him there was a rally to show our support for them where people will be singing and holding Israeli flags and signs and being together if he wants to go. He was not interested. Then he said he needed to practice fighting the Mechablim.<br /><br />A little later, I think it started sinking into Jonah. He must have realized that if he sees the Mechablim, that means they are here. And that started to scare him. He asked if the mechablim could come here. I said no. He said why not. I said we have very good security and cameras and a special fence, chayalim, and guards that watch everyone who comes into Ariel. He asked, even at night? I said even at night. He asked what if they fall asleep and I explained how they take turns and some sleep during the day and then stay up at night. <br /><br />Then he said he has to call his friend and tell him that the terrorists can't come here.<br /><br />Of course the topic didn't come up again until bedtime. He started off asking Shauli questions. Said he knows that they can't come in with cars through the gate but what if they brought an airplane in. Shauli explained about how Israel knows everyone who is flying over Israel and makes sure they are good guys.<br />He was trying to figure out if there were other ways they could get in.<br /><br />Sammy, who kept saying again and again how he is not scared of anything, suggested "what if they ARE Jews that come in through the gate but they are bad guy Jews....". I explained that the chayalim don't let any bad people in. Jewish, not Jewish, no bad people are allowed in. <br /><br />Jonah asked, well, didn't they have a fence in Itamar? That was a harder one to explain. I tried to make it sound somewhat removed from us and remind him that it could never never happen here. I said our fence has cameras and we can see everyone and everything happening around Ariel.<br /><br />Jonah asked if he could speak to a soldier or policeman about the security system. Apparently, my Mommy knowledge didn't cut it. He wanted details. He wanted answers. I told him that was a great idea and I would find out who he can talk to. I mentioned that our neighbor is a policeman so maybe we can talk to him. And I mentioned a few dad's of his friends who were in the army. I reminded him that he has a few uncles that were in the army and they could probably explain how security works. <br /><br />Eventually, he went to bed. I spoke to a few friends and got a list of quite a number of people that would be happy to talk to him. People in our shul, parents in the school, even other random friends of friends, family. I also figured I would go into the school and see what they suggest. I really really really wanted to help Jonah feel safe.<br /><br />This morning, we woke up and shortly before we went to school, I told Jonah that I thought I would come with him to school and talk to the principal and see if he knows anyone that Jonah can talk to. I also said I found out about so many people that are happy to talk to him and explain security in Ariel. I started listing people and telling him, see how many people are around protecting us and we didn't even know it???<br /><br />He asked one more question. Can someone dig a hole and come into Ariel. I said no. He said why not and I said it just wouldn't happen. Ok, not my greatest answer......<br /><br />So then I asked if he wanted to talk to one of these people. He said "nope. I said really? Why not?" And he said, "Well, I feel a lot better after you explained it all to me. I don't need to talk to anyone."<br /><br />And that was that. For now.DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-67407294299057687052011-03-13T07:55:00.005+02:002011-03-13T14:56:03.297+02:00Feelings, Words, Yet no comfort....I saw someone today and I said good morning. I didn't feel it but I said it because it seems the normal greeting. What am I supposed to say...<br />He replied "Good morning. At least as good as it can be..."<br /><br />This is Adar, the happiest month of the year. Where everyday feels like a party in Israel. It's a beautiful day outside. The sun is shining, the birds are chirping. Yet, there is a horrible gloom and sadness over all of us.<br /><br />I can't stop thinking about it.<br />I can't stop thinking about them. The victims. The beautiful family stabbed to death in their home. They used to live in Ariel. The father looks familiar. I have probably seen him/them around. The kids could have been any one of my kid's friends. It could have been my friends. It could have been us. This is so close to home. I can't stop thinking. I want to curl up into a ball and cry. Just cry and cry and cry. And there is no comfort.<br /><br />At 2:00 Friday morning I woke up to a helicopter flying over Ariel. That in itself doesn't happen very often. A few minutes later, I heard another one. Very close and flying very slowly. I looked outside to see if I could see anything but didn't. A few minutes went by and another helicopter passed. I knew something was up. The army doesn't do training exercises on Shabbat. Not that I generally hear training exercises over Ariel anyway.<br /><br />I checked on the kids, knowing if Jonah woke up he would be bothered by the noise. I stood at the top of the stairs and surveyed my kitchen. What was going through my head? That perhaps there was an intruder that got into Ariel and they were looking for him? Maybe. I had no idea. I took comfort in the fact that we have a police man neighbor so if something was up, I figured he would know about it. If there was immediate danger, I imagine we would know.... maybe? I went downstairs thinking to myself, and what if there is someone in my house? Then what? I don't have a weapon or anything. The Cutco knives are all the way across the room.<br /><br />Many lights were on because we don't turn on/off electricity on Shabbat so that made it easier to look around. I checked the kitchen, opened the laundry room door and locked the back door. We live in a safe neighborhood and don't always lock all the doors. I checked the front door which was locked and locked the one side of the sliding glass door that locks. If anyone tried to get in the other side, the "tris" is in the way and would make a fair amount of noise. Another helicopter and another go by. I imagine there is something going on. But hope it's pre-emtive. Maybe they got warning of a potential attack and are just keeping the peace....<br />Eventually I get back to bed.<br /><br />Don't hear anything the next day. I mention it in passing to Shauli. Tell him to let me know if anyone says anything in shul. But I don't think much more about it.<br /><br />Saturday night I go online and the first post I see on a Facebook friend's status is a link to a murder of a family in Samaria. We live in Samaria/the West Bank. I read further and see it happened in a small community called Itamar about 20 minutes away from us. We've been there before. To visit a beautiful farm. It's close to Shchem and our friends in Har Bracha. Yes, the location where not too long ago they decided to "relax security measures and dismantle checkpoints". I knew that would lead to no good. What kind of security minister relaxes checkpoints where we know terrorists and weapons are being smuggled in? That logic escapes me. Peace? Is that what he is attempting? A gesture? Why don't you open just hold open the f-ing door for the murderers? <br /><br />Someone scaled the fence in Itamar and the fence has an alarm that goes off when it is touched. A soldier went to check it out but saw no cuts in the fence and no footsteps or anything else around. So he assumed it was an animal. Well, it was an animal. A different kind of animal. A deadly, killing machine. Someone who has been programmed since infancy to hate and kill me and my people. <br /><br />This was around 10pm. He went to one house but it was empty. He went to the Fogel's house but there was a big group of Bnei Akiva kids there. And so he waited. Until they left - the family's daughter among them. And he waited some more. <br /><br />The terrorist (or terrorists) entered the house through the living room picture window, did not notice the 8-year-old boy sleeping on the couch and continued on to the bedroom where they slashed the throats of the father and newborn baby who were sleeping there. A 3 month old baby. Innocent baby. He slashed her little throat? The mother came out of the bathroom and was stabbed on its threshold. The evidence shows that she tried to fight the terrorists.<br /><br />Can you imagine? Coming out of the bathroom to come face to face with a murderer? <br /><br />They then slashed the throat of the 11-year old-son who was reading in bed. They did not notice the 2-year old asleep in his bed, but murdered the 3-year old with two stabs to his heart. After that, they locked the door, exited through the window and escaped.<br /><br />Exactly two hours after the infiltration, there was another warning signal from the same spot on the fence, as the terrorists left the way they had come. Once again, the patrol did not identify the source of the signal as infiltration.<br /><br />The 12-year-old daughter returned home at 00:30 and found the door locked. She asked a neighbor to help her. He brought a weapon with him once he noticed tracks and mud near the house. The two woke up the 8-year old sleeping in the living room by calling through the window and when he opened the door, the Rabbi returned to his home.<br /><br />When she entered the bedrooms, the young daughter saw the horrific bloodsoaked scene and ran out of the house screaming. The neighbor ran back and fired several shots in the air to alert security personnel. Within a short time, large police and IDF forces arrived and began intensive searches to see if the terrorists were still in the community. At 03:30 a.m., military trackers discovered footprints leading to the Arab village of Avrata.<br /><br />I can't stop reading. I can't stop replaying these scenes in my head. How? How? How? How can a person slash a 3 month old babies throat? An 11 year old reading in bed. Stab a 3 year old in the heart? It's not human. It's just not human.<br /><br />How will this 12 year old girl be able to go to sleep every night without horrific nightmares of the scene? Of seeing almost her entire family brutally, horribly murdered.<br /><br />Graphic pictures have been released of the family. To show the world what brutality and terror looks like. <br />WARNING: Graphic<br /><br />http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/142846<br /><br />There are other pictures elsewhere of Palestinians handing out candies in celebration of their success. I read an article on CNN and then I read the comments. And there are so many blaming this family, blaming people like me, for just trying to live our lives peacefully, quietly, normally. All we want is quiet. All we ask for is a land promised to us for thousands of years. A piece of land the size of New Jersey.<br />We try and we try. We give and we give. This family gave up what was probably a beautiful home in Gaza. They were thrown out in the name of peace. And what happened? They came to Ariel and lived in a caravan. And then they moved to Itamar, where they were able to buy a new home. To start fresh. And then..... 6 months or a year after they moved, they were murdered by the very people they gave up everything for.<br /><br />Israel has the best army in the world. Sadly, we also seem to have the weakest government. Everyone is condemning this act now. Expressing sorrow for the family. But what about action? I imagine we'll let about 50 more Arab terrorists go. Ya know, in the name of peace. I imagine after 2 weeks, we'll relax the checkpoints again. Come on in, bring your weapons, bring your hatred. Let us lay down for you so you don't dirty your feet. And while I'm at it, why don't you stab me in the back?<br /><br />This is war. Rockets are being shot at our homes. Babies are being murdered in their beds. This is WAR. Why does no one see that???????????????<br /><br />Dear G-d, have mercy on us. Let me continue to shield my children from the violence as long as I can. I will continue to explain to them that not all Arabs are bad. I believe it. I know there are some Arabs out there, who just want to live in peace. Who can't stand up to their government because they will be KILLED.<br /><br />But I know that hatred is being taught to so many many more. And the terrorists were probably about 20-25 years old. Their entire life, hatred of the filthy Jew has been taught to them. Even on their children's TV programming. Barney sings about the beauty of becoming a martyr.<br />Where are their songs of peace? Where are their songs of living a quiet, fulfilling life and being good, hardworking people? Why are their songs about pushing the Jews into the sea until there are no more left?<br /><br />How can we sit and talk peace with a person who only knows hate? Please...explain it to me. How we can sit across the table from someone who would slit a babies throat and stab a 3 year old 2 times in the heart? I'm sorry - but that is not human. And it's not someone who wants peace.<br /><br />In one week is the holiday of Purim. A time when G-d was hidden but the Jewish people triumphed over their enemies. Haman was hanged on the gallows instead of Mordechai. Please G-d, have mercy on us and help us triumph over evil.<br /><br />Please bring those murderous sons of b's to justice. Please give the government of Israel the strength to stand up and protect itself.<br /><br />And it's citizens.<br /><br />People like me.<br /><br />People like you......DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-82233674054247902352011-01-13T20:19:00.002+02:002011-01-13T20:24:49.463+02:00What did YOU do today?This seemed a bit too long for a status on Facebook. But I had already written it out. I felt it should be recorded somewhere. What an insane day.<br />So to the blog it is.....which will then be imported to Facebook....<br /><br />Today's Schedule. <br />6:45am wake-up<br />7:30am - take all kids to school/gan/babysitter<br />8-10:30 work. <br />10:45-12:30 errands and grocery shopping<br />12:30 - more grocery shopping at 2nd store<br />1:30-3:30 - Sammy has 2 friends over to play. In the meantime Jonah disappears on the way to a friend's house. Apparently he and his friend walked one way and the friend's mom walked another. Oops.<br />3:30 - Various gan/babysitter pickup/dropoff. <br />4:30 - Birthday party with Sammy and Kayla. <br />5:30 - Pick up Jonah and friend to take to another bday party. <br />6:15 - Stop by second bday party with Sammy and Kayla. <br />6:30 - Doctor with Kayla (and Sammy in tow). <br />7:15 - Back to pick up Jonah and friend from party. <br /><br />Leaving in 15 minutes for a birthday dinner with Kayla's metapelet. All the mommies are taking her out. At least it will be a nice end to a busy day.<br /><br />And what did you do today?DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-46903405472859859012010-12-20T20:39:00.002+02:002010-12-20T20:42:16.926+02:00Aliya Beyond The Green LineCheck out this article from the Jerusalem Post.<br /><br />http://www.jpost.com/Metro/Article.aspx?id=199767<br /><br />I was interviewed for a half hour by the reporter. She just used one line but I like her compliments. :)<br /><br />Enjoy!DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-48735516572116355142010-10-27T08:11:00.008+02:002010-10-27T09:25:11.298+02:00This is My Israel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8gne76nh3CP6ttXw_tNI2qzxB8rXfDCZzeMzcBK6Mu-pcIstg2DTXhmnv22j6wMt55nj3JVpYOxefQFh-G5VmzbXxFD8GCNWDXRp-QlpYCfkzp9CZOYTI_u2LE-xFMQU9-8A/s1600/DSCN5727.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo8gne76nh3CP6ttXw_tNI2qzxB8rXfDCZzeMzcBK6Mu-pcIstg2DTXhmnv22j6wMt55nj3JVpYOxefQFh-G5VmzbXxFD8GCNWDXRp-QlpYCfkzp9CZOYTI_u2LE-xFMQU9-8A/s320/DSCN5727.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5532620773382547906" /></a><br /><br />To my loyal blog readers (whoever you are), I know that I am still in the middle of 2 ongoing stories. "My" Birth Story - the story of my first doula experience. And The Story of My Aliyah.<br /><br />But I'm interrupting to write a brief blog. This is just a 1 Part-er. I think......<br /><br />It all started on Sukkot.....it was a dark and rainy night.....whoops - wrong story. We're still waiting on those nights here in Israel. :( Come on Winter!!! Bring it on!!<br /><br />Ok, Sukkot. We were up north camping along various beaches and getting sand all over everything that we own. We spent one day at the Family Fun Festival at Kfar Hassidim. There were a bunch of NBN attendees (we even wore special NBN stickers) and they gave each of us a sign that said "This is My Israel". They told us to take a pic with the sign and send it in to them and maybe we will win the contest. We said, "Ok, when does the contest end?" They said, "Um...not sure." We said, "Ok, what do we win?" They said, "Um.....1st place in the photo contest?" It didn't exactly make me jump to enter but I thought it would be a cute opportunity for some photo ops. I put the sign in our car thinking maybe we would take some pics during our trip. Then I forgot.....<br />Our trip ended and we headed back to Ariel and I figured that was better anyway because my life is mostly in Ariel and this is truly "My Israel". But I thought I would have to get creative because I wouldn't be able to take a shot on the beach or in the mountains or next to some animals. I'd have to find something in Ariel.....<br />My first thought was The Frog Pond. I am not sure why. It is a really freaky looking statue of a frog with a huge tongue out which also is a little fountain and it is a small "natural habitat" pond. There are some turtles in it and some fish. The kids happen to LOVE it and could spend hours just watching and looking for the turtle. But it's in the merkaz and we don't make it there much. So I thought I would make it an outing. Days passed and we just never had a chance to run on a photo trip around Ariel. But I kept the sign in my car and every time I saw it was reminded.<br />Then we found out (through our friends who also entered the contest) that there not only was a deadline for the contest but there was also an actual prize!! The deadline was about 2 weeks away (now 1 week) and the prize is a Flip video camera. I have no idea what a Flip video camera is but we definitely can use a video camera. Over the past few weeks we have been dealing with a million short clips that we put on my computer from our regular camera. They take up all the space and are making me crazy. We really would LOVE and make good use of a video camera!! But it's not the type of thing we would ever have excess cash for. So, I was inspired.<br />The next day Jonah finished school early, Sammy was at a friend's house, and Kayla was at the babysitter. So I figured we would take an hour and go to all the cool places in Ariel to try and get a nice shot. It was beautiful weather and I even brought along his soccer ball as a prop!! On one hand, I wanted to take a picture with all 3 of my kids. On the other hand, and anyone who has 3+ little kids can verify, it is almost impossible to get them all looking, smiling, and posing at the same time!<br /><br />We decided to start at the top of Ariel and wind our way down. I explained the contest to Jonah and asked what pictures he thought we should take. He wanted to take a picture at the top of the mountain, he wanted to take a picture near our very 1st apartment (absorption apartment), and a picture where we took a picture of him on the first day of Gan. He always talks about that picture and how the buildings were IN the clouds!!!<br /><br />So we went to the tippy top of Ariel and I think it was actually the spot that Avi Zimmerman took us to when giving us the view of Ariel. You can see the whole city and Jonah was fascinated by the construction that was going on. We took a bunch of pics there but none of them came out so great because Jonah was always squinting because of the sun. The background was kind of cool because it showed the whole city and this really is Our Israel. But I was also a little hesitant about the shot because our friends had taken a similar shot of their daughter with the mountains of the Shomron behind her. I didn't want to "copy".<br />We continued and went to a park, soccer field, fountains, etc until we ran out of time. Towards the end, I asked Jonah once more if he had any ideas and if there was somewhere in Ariel that he REALLY loved. He said Rchov HaGalil which is our new street!! I was so happy to hear that and we took a picture on our street and in front of our house too. I got some great pics! It also made me want to study photography and become a photographer!!! :)<br /><br />That evening we went to pizza with friends (after our sons all had soccer together). I snapped a few more shots with Sammy and Kayla on the pizza place rides. As we were leaving a couple girl soldiers came into the pizza shot. And I thought to myself - that would be a great shot if I can get the soldiers with my kids! Or maybe one of Kayla with the soldiers. I went over and explained about the contest and asked to take a picture. They were happy to do it and I turned around to get the kids together and Sammy was in tears!! For all of his love of solders, he did not appear to want to be in a picture with them. But they were waiting and I felt bad so I took a picture of Jonah with them (soccer shirt and all). We were going to leave but Jonah said he wanted to take a picture of me. So I said ok, why not. I grabbed Kayla and we took the picture with them. Meanwhile one of them got a phone call (she was trying to hang up) and Sammy was standing there crying. It was a crazy shot (and one of the soldiers heads was cut off) and I didn't think anything of it. <br /><br />I posted all the pics and got a few people's opinions on which to enter. I had such a hard time deciding. I was debating between a few shots. I really liked and initially picked the one of Jonah on the soccer field. It was a beautiful shot of Jonah and he had the soccer ball and for Jonah, that's a huge part of Israel for him. He wouldn't have played soccer in America! :) I also really liked the picture of Jonah on our street. But mostly I liked the idea behind it. I didn't know if people would "get it" by just looking at the picture. Shauli liked the one of Jonah overlooking Ariel. I liked the idea but didn't like the actual pictures (and didn't want to take away from our friends pic). Shauli also liked the soldier one. I thought about it (probably put way too much thought into choosing anyway) and decided to go with the soldier picture with me and Kayla. I was trying to get to the concept and the idea behind the contest. I gave it a caption "Only 16 years until my baby is serving the Israeli army".<br /><br />I felt that this really expressed the Reality of living in Israel. By moving here, even though I did not serve in the army, I know that my children will be serving in the army (ok, maybe Kayla will do sheirut leumi - national service). The thought of that is both terrifying and makes me so proud. As a mom, I dread the day my children enter the army. As a citizen, I think it is amazing that every person has to serve in the army. It's a reality for my children. Sammy and Jonah often talk about what unit they will be in and where they will serve. It gives us such a connection to the land. I don't know which comes first. Do you feel a strong connection to the land, this is OUR land, and then you serve in the army? Or do you serve in the army and become connected to the land.<br /><br />No other land in the world is like this for the Jewish people. This is our homeland and always has been. The sky is the limit for my kids here. Meaning, I hope, that they will be able to do and be whatever they want, while still maintaining their religious identity. Shabbat and Kashrut are not foreign concepts here. Not working on the Jewish holidays is a given here. This country is not perfect but by moving here, I feel that I have opened up my children's lives. And at the same time, given them a country where they can truly be free. Free to be who they are and do what they want without religious persecution. We aren't strangers anymore.<br /><br />So, I got a little off topic and on a rant about my mad love for Israel. But bottom line, I feel my picture expresses a huge aspect of what Israel is - and will be - to us and to many other Olim.<br /><br />We are currently in 2nd place and REALLY want to win!! Voting ends November 3rd (I think at noon Israel time). PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE take a minute and vote for us on the the Nefesh B'Nefesh facebook page. And get your family (spouse, sibling, parents - whoever has facebook) to help us out also! We aren't even asking for money....<br /><br />Just follow these simple instructions.....<br /><br />1. Go to http://www.facebook.com/NefeshBNefesh.<br /><br />2. At the top of the page, click Like.<br /><br />3. Go to our picture at http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=445478562335&set=a.434628037335.213662.371262537335<br /><br />4. At the bottom of the picture, click Like.<br /><br />(If you don't want to vote because you don't want to join this random group, <br />you can Unlike the group after you Like our picture and your vote will still count!) <br /><br />A lot of people skip the first step and go right to trying to Like our picture. But unless you LIKE the fan page (first link) first, you will not have the option to Like our picture. <br /><br />Let me know if you have any problems. Thank you SO much for your support!!!DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-31062434282816602832010-10-15T11:09:00.002+02:002010-10-15T11:37:41.047+02:00My Aliyah Story - Part 3And back to Israel I went.....<br /><br />2001. It was a rough year for Israel. Lots of terrorist attacks.....http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/terrorism/terrisrael-5.html<br /><br />I wanted to do something more than just go to Israel. I wanted to help. I wanted to make a difference. So I looked into it and found out about a program called Sar-El. It's a program where people from all over the world can volunteer for the Israeli army. No, you won't be jumping out of airplanes or even get a gun. But you take basically take the place of a reserve soldier and do some grunt work for a couple of weeks so that the Israeli soldiers can do more important stuff. Hey, someone has to paint the barracks.....<br /><br />I worked it out so I could leave for Israel a few weeks early, volunteer with Sar-El, and then start Ben Gurion University. It was great!! I had a good group of volunteers of all different ages, we had a good soldier in charge of us and we had a LOT of fun. We were up north at a base near Haifa. I am still in touch with a few of my fellow volunteers.<br /><br />Ben Gurion university was interesting. I lucked out because some friends of family of friends who lived in Beer Sheva were going to America for the year and needed someone to house-sit. I found out about it and gained a house for myself. It was really nice especially for Shabbat. And a place where friends could come and hang out. And watch TV! The cable company was supposed to cancel it but never did. Good times.<br /><br />December rolled around and time for Winter Break - which was like 2 months long - due to the Israeli exams (you have 2 tries). A bunch of students on the program went home. Some for the break, some were only there for the semester anyway. But I didn't have the money or the desire for a trip back to the States. Again, the year was so difficult with all the bombings, it got to the point where you woke up in the morning and turned on the radio to hear where was the latest terrorist attack - not IF there was one.... I felt like I had gotten so comfortable in BGU. Just livin life, salsa dancing on Tuesday nights in the bomb shelter/disco, homework, friends, etc. But I wanted to do more!! I felt so helpless when there was an attack. I considered doing Sar-El again and actually got some friends interested in it. But then I discovered the Magen David Adom Foreign Volunteers Program. Now THAT sounded fascinating!!! I take a short, intense course and become certified as a First Responder. Then I am sent to a MDA base somewhere in Israel where I volunteer on ambulances for a month or 2. Perfect!! <br /><br />Turns out, that was another puzzle piece into my life. I was in Israel, I was searching for the love of my life. But had no idea what I actually wanted to do in life. And stumbled upon the world of Emergency Medicine!! Volunteering for MDA was one of the greatest things I have done in my life. I really felt like I was finally giving back to a country that had given me so much. I was making a difference. I was saving lives......<br /><br />And I discovered what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to go further and become an EMT, and maybe then a paramedic. I wanted to work for MDA. It was a new passion in my life. So I finished out the year at BGU. During which, I arranged a MDA course for other students on the BGU program. <br />And sadly, I also learned the pain of losing someone in a terrorist attack. My MDA instructor and friend, a person who I had just been on the phone with a few days prior, the guy who was going to come and teach the course that I set up in Beer Sheva....Yochai Porat. Again ,that is another story for another time. But suffice it to say, this man influenced me and turned my life in a new direction. I finally had a direction!<br /><br />After BGU, I ended up going back to the States. I decided I wanted to go back and become trained as an EMT. Work in the States, gain some experience, save a little money, and then make Aliyah. For once and for all.<br /><br />Once again.....I had to leave Israel. But this time, I was certain I would be back. With a career and a plan.DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-87736699653286114012010-10-15T07:28:00.003+02:002010-10-15T07:55:13.374+02:00My Aliyah Story - Part 2Sorry, my computer turned itself off last night just as I finished part 1. Tonight I give my talk so I really have to get down to writing and processing.....<br /><br />I came back to the States at the end of the summer and went back to Pittsburgh. I was so depressed. I had no desire whatsoever to be there. I just wanted to be in Israel. I remember the family I lived with made a great BBQ birthday party for me and I remember sitting now, not wanting to be there. Just wanting to be back in Israel. It was so hard. But I knew that I would return. I planned on going back for seminary after 12th grade so I had the year to work on making that happen. I was financially independent at that point and receiving a little social security. I returned to my job at the local Judaica store doing some computer stuff. So I carried on. Just trying to survive day to day. School meant nothing to me anymore. I was so confused. I was so lost. Not only that but we received another blow. Our dear friend/mentor passed away that September from cystic fibrosis. It shook us up so badly. How do you watch that happen to someone in his early twenties? I was still reeling from the death of my dad - Rafi was helping me deal with it. And then he is taken from us? It was a horrible year. But somehow I made it through. Again, pulled together a lot of scholarships and somehow managed to make it to Israel for the school year 98/99.<br /><br />Living in Israel as a seminary student is not really living in Israel. At least not where I was. I was in a bubble. I was at school with English speakers, being taught in English, going to "town" to meet up with all my other English speaking friends. I met a few Israelis, but they spoke English. I lived in Jerusalem so that meant I did not have to learn any Hebrew either. It was still a hard year, I was still so lost in life. But I loved being back in Israel. I was happy in Israel. The highs are that much higher and the lows are that much lower. Everything is more meaningful and more real here. I had no plan in life but I knew that I still wanted to be in Israel.<br />My year came to a close and I wanted to come back. But not for another year of seminary. I wanted to work, I wanted to learn the language. I managed to find a program in the Old City to come back to. Half day of learning and tiyulim, plus the opportunity to work. The scholarships only lasted so long, I needed to start paying my own way. So I spent the summer at home, living with my Grandma, and got my first job at Kohl's. End of the summer, I said goodbye to my Kohl's crew and got back on the plane. If I thought I was lost before this, I think I was even more lost this year. I had no borders/no boundries/no one watching out for me or setting limits. I just did my own thing. Maybe I needed it. I needed the freedom to figure myself out. Maybe. It is what it is. <br /><br />Two weeks before I came to Israel, the program called me up and told me they didn't have enough people signed up and they were canceling it. I told them I was still coming and they said I could come and do some of their classes while I look for something else. So I did. I had an apartment in the Old City, I took some of their classes, got a short-lived job in the Arab shuk and then moved on to babysitting. The school I went to turned out to be somewhat cultish and almost turned me completly off Judaism. Luckily, there was one level-headed Rabbi there who kept me on the path. I made a lot of Israeli friends that year and learned a LOT of Hebrew. I did a lot of stupid things too and thatnk G-d, I didn't get killed. Yes, that was the year I went to Bethlehem with my Arab friend. My Arab friend who a year later was put in jail for murder. Oh goodness. <br />While I loved hanging out in the Rova and town and just chillin, it wasn't getting me anywhere in life. The school was doing more harm then good and in January, I made a "Grown-up" decision. I decided I had to go back to the States. I had to get out of that environment. One day I will post some of the stories of things that happened while in Machon Roni. Such as the "Malka Hamishicha Zahava" AKA the crazy homeless woman who turned up in my apartment and screamed bloody murder when I came home one Friday night. Woah. The police knew her well. She roamed the streets of the Old City asking them to take her back to her rightful home on the Temple Mount. She is, after all, The Queen Moshiach, Zahava......<br /><br />Back to the States I went. Everytime I had to leave Israel, it was agonizing, heart wrenching. I felt almost complete in Israel. Just missing my better half. But in America I was missing my better half and my homeland. So back to my job at Kohl's to figure out my grand plan. After about 6 months there, I decided to move to New York. I had a lot of friends there and it seemed a happening place. Lots of my friends were heading there, doing the smart thing and going to college. But I went there to get a job. Found an apartment in Brooklyn, and got a job at a company in the Empire State Building. I was just a secretary but oh how I loved working on the 75th floor!! I'd take the subway to Manhattan every morning, work, and sometimes spend a few hours wandering NYC afterwards. It's fascinating there! <br />I had a good year - I suppose. Made some friends for life. Had my ups and downs. A few broken hearts. Ya know, doin my thing. But I just couldn't stay away. I needed to come back to Israel. <br /><br />Since I couldn't just come back to hang out, I needed something good to do. A good reason to come back. I started looking into different programs and decided to go to Ben Gurion University's Overseas Student Program in Beer Sheva. I wanted to get out of Jerusalem and this way, I could get some college credits. Somehow managed to scrape the money together (including a loan from my boss). And said cest la vie to NYC.<br />(That actually does not make sense in translation but I like the sound of it.....)<br /><br />To be continued.........DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-91547445723546816192010-10-14T22:23:00.003+02:002010-10-15T00:02:01.862+02:00My Aliyah Story - Part 1I was asked today by one of the Bnot Sheirut to speak to a group of Bnei Akiva kids (8th-12th grade) tomorrow night and tell them my Aliyah Story.<br />Of course it has to be in Hebrew so that's somewhat intimidating. But I'm sort of excited about it.<br />So, where do I begin? I have up to a half hour - which is a REALLY long time. But that can include questions, etc.<br />I figured I would jot down some thoughts here on my blog and if it's at all interesting, I'll post them..... and maybe I will think of some things to tell the kids too.<br />As a side note, every year they have a theme for the month. This is the month that Bnei Akiva was founded and they spend the whole month painting and making signs and all kinds of preparation for a big end of the month celebration with songs and fire and what not. <br /><br />My first connection with Bnei Akiva and maybe Zionism in general was the summer after 3rd grade, when I was 9 years old and headed off to Camp Moshava, Wild Rose Wisconsin.<br />The bunks were divided into Shvatim, we had mifkad in the morning and in the evening. We had to stand at attention "Amod Dom" and at ease "Amod Noach". To this day, it cracks me up to hear soldiers being told that! It's like they are playing camp (or we were playing soldier...). Camp Moshava was the first place where we used Hebrew words in normal conversation. "Time to go to the Cheder Ochel". "I hope our bunk has the best Nikayon!" "We got SO rained out on the Machane Chutz!!!"<br />Looking at it now, Moshava is so obviously Zionistic but at the time, it just became part of our daily routine.<br />I went to Camp Moshava for 3 years ('89, '90, and '92). During those years, there were a few kids who came to camp from Israel. It was such an interesting/exotic concept. These kids actually lived in the place that we only talked about. A place that was so abstract, that we learned about in Chumash. It was so strange.<br /><br />As I got older, my connection with Israel was through my school. Wearing blue and white on Yom Haatzmaut and hearing my best friend talk about her trips to Israel. I have an aunt and some cousins in Israel but we rarely saw them. I spent one summer in Kansas with my cousin from Israel (who is my brother's age) and it was still so hard to imagine that she lived in this place called "Israel". It still seemed SO far away. Unreachable....<br /><br />During high school, I did not really go to Zionistic schools. I spent 10th grade in public school where I was barely holding on to my Judaism.....I was very active in NCSY which was no Bnei Akiva but had their summer programs to Israel. Not that I ever dreamed of going on them. There was no way we could afford those!! My Dad and I would sometimes toss around the idea of going to Israel. To me, it was still this crazy far away land that I learned about in Chumash and on Yom Haatzmaut. A land that was OURS, a Jewish country. A place where they eat falafel on a normal basis and can pronounce the letter "chet" correctly. A land with kosher Pizza Hut and McDonalds! Where people know what kosher and Shabbat are and I'm not the crazy Jew. It was so weird to imagine..... but I didn't think about it that much.<br /><br />Along came 11th grade. And my life completely changed. I had no idea what kind of storm was coming.<br />I uprooted myself and went to school in Pittsburgh. Still trying to hold onto my Judaism. And I liked a boy. However I got there, I was living in Squirrel Hill with the Seidman family, working in Pinskers, and chilling with a whole new group of crazy friends. I was just settling in when WHAM. My dad was diagnosed with cancer. My life was turned upside down. <br />That, of course, is a completely different story by itself. During my dad's sickness, we talked about "our trip to Israel when he got better." When it became clear that he was not going to get better, I showed him a brochure of ISS, Israel Summer Seminar, NCSY's 5 week touring and learning program in Israel. I told him I was going to make it there. For him. For me.<br />I owe a HUGE shout-out to my Midwest NCSY friends who were the ones who first brought up me going on ISS. They were going and I don't know what they said, but soon I was planning on going too.<br /><br />Then I lost my dad. My life was hell and I could hardly tell which way was up. But I told my dad I was going on ISS and darn it, I was going on ISS. There were scholarships upon scholarships and somehow I pulled it off. I had my plane ticket. I had no idea what to expect but it was going to be an experience of a lifetime. It was kind of a crazy idea. To be heading off on this fantastic program which to normal teenagers would be FUN, while still being in mourning for my dad. Crazy thing was, there turned out to be 2 other girls on the trip who had ALSO lost their dads within the past few months. We got special permission to say Kaddish during davening and that was good. <br /><br />Off we went on ElAl. I was sitting next to Scott who turned out to be a source of LOTS of laughter during that trip. To this day, I crack up when I find the little notebook of pictures we drew. CHASHEE CHASHEE. My crazy Kansas/Omaha crew was so tolerant of me and all my crap. They made me smile through the pain. I don't think they have any idea what they meant to me that summer.<br /><br />We landed in Israel and everyone sang and cheered. The typical thing you hear about. And back in '97, when you got off the plane, you headed right down the stairs to the tarmac. I hope I will never forget the feeling of stepping out the door, at the top of the stairs, and feeling that BLAST of HOT air hit my face. That's Middle East weather. I looked out at the palm trees waving in the distance and the Israeli flags.<br />And I knew I was home. I don't know how I knew. But I was home. I climbed down the stairs and fell on the ground kissing it. Tears were streaming down my face. I'm home, I'm home, I'm home.<br /><br />It was an up and down 5 weeks. So emotionally and physically challenging. But I fell in love. I fell in love with this country called Israel. Nothing else was constant or stable in my life. But I finally knew one thing. This is where I belonged. I felt like I didn't belong anywhere in the States. In Israel, I belonged.....<br /><br />V'Shavu Banim Ligvulam....DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-68767399719463715202010-10-08T10:36:00.002+02:002010-10-08T10:45:13.635+02:00Making a DifferenceSo, I somehow managed to join the first grade Vaad Horim (Parent's Committee) with 3-4 other Israeli moms. We had one meeting so far and I understood the main points just not a lot of the bantering that goes on. It was a little hard because socially, I wasn't able to just relax and chat. But it worked out. And I think I laughed at all the appropriate parts I was supposed to and said oh no, when I was supposed to. :)<br /><br />While I am not entirely sure what the official job of the Vaad Horim is and what our responsibilities, I know that we can turn it into whatever we want as long as we have a cooperative teacher (we'll find that out once we have a meeting with her....)<br />So we discussed making the classroom a little more cozy and bringing in some games for the kids to do at recess, we talked about the overload of homework on our first graders, and the policy of being "approved" to make a birthday cake for class as opposed to having a strict policy of bringing store bought cakes. Then I brought up an idea and the other moms loved it! (Yes, I am proud of myself and was happy to be a contributing part of this committee).<br /><br />I want to bring more chesed into my child's life, into his class, and perhaps into the school and community in general. One step at a time though. One of the moms had previously suggested bringing in treats for Rosh Chodesh. And while anyone who knows me knows that I am not the healthiest person - I feel that kids are bombarded with treats and junk food!!! Enough with the treats!! Stop looking for excuses to bring more junk into our kids lives!!!<br />So I said maybe once a month (around Rosh Chodesh for example), we can do a Chesed event. I suggested maybe one time helping pack the boxes that go out to the needy families here in Ariel. One time sending cards/pictures to children in hospitals or to soldiers. Maybe one time doing something with or for the old folks home here. Etc, etc.<br /><br />So basically the point of this long post is to ask for YOUR ideas for Chesed projects that first graders can do in their classroom/school. To take them out of school is apparently way more complicated. I'd love to hear from you!!!!!!!!!!!DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-31252056496817528012010-09-12T13:07:00.000+02:002010-09-12T13:08:20.056+02:00What a Story.....Dvir Aminolav was the first Israeli soldier killed in the 2008 Gaza War. His mother Dalya missed Dvir, terribly. One night before she went to bed, she said in a loud voice: "G-d, give me a sign, give me a hug from Dvir so that I will know that his death had some meaning."<br /><br />That week her daughter asked her to accompany her to a musical performance at The International Crafts Festival in Jerusalem. Dalya, feeling quite depressed, did not want to go to the concert, but she didn't want to disappoint her daughter either, and agreed to go halfheartedly. The concert was a bit delayed. A two-year-old boy began wandering through the stands. He walked up to Dalya's seat and touched her on the shoulder. A preschool teacher, Dalya turned around, saw the boy and smiled warmly.<br /><br />"What's your name?" Dalya asked.<br /><br />"Eshel," the boy replied.<br /><br />"That's a nice name. Do you want to be my friend, Eshel?" The boy nodded in reply and sat down next to Dalya.<br /><br />Eshel's parents were sitting two rows above. Concerned their little boy was bothering Dalya, they asked him to come back up. But Dalya insisted that everything was fine.<br /><br />"I have a brother named Dvir," two-year-old Eshel chimed in, as only little children can. Dalya was shocked to hear the unusual name of her beloved son, and walked up the two rows to where Eshel's parents were sitting. She saw a baby in his carriage, and apologizing, she asked, "If you don't mind me asking, how old is your baby and when was he born?"<br /><br />The baby's mother replied, "He was born right after the war in Gaza."<br /><br />Dalya swallowed hard. "Please tell me, why did you choose to name him Dvir?"<br /><br />Baby Dvir's mother began to explain. "When I was at the end of my pregnancy, the doctors suspected the foetus may have a very serious birth defect. Since it was the end of the pregnancy, there was little the doctors could do and I just had to wait and see how things would turn out.<br /><br />When I went home that night, the news reported that the first casualty in the war was a soldier named Dvir. I was so saddened by this news that I decided to make a deal with G-d. 'If you give me a healthy son,' I said in my prayer, 'I promise to name him Dvir, in memory of the soldier that was killed.'"<br /><br />Dalya, the mother of Dvir, stood with her mouth open. She tried to speak but she couldn't. After a long silence, she said quietly, "I am Dvir's mother."<br /><br />The young parents didn't believe her. She repeated, "Yes, it's true. I am Dvir's mother. My name is Dalya Aminalov, from Pisgat Zeev."<br /><br />With a sudden inspiration, Baby Dvir's mother handed Dalya the baby and said, "Dvir wants to give you a hug."<br /><br />Dalya held the little baby boy in her arms and looked into his angelic face. The emotion she felt at that moment was overwhelming. She had asked for a hug from Dvir - and she could truly feel his warm and loving embrace from the World of Truth.DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-11599568311741461572010-07-19T12:16:00.002+03:002010-07-19T12:22:26.041+03:00Happy Half Birthday to you!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYi5YMTrjDdGaDxgNBtOXWarqo6zBcuBUibXiMkEiyzRoQL7TsRgphr9hHTlmOoGsU2yE3ATQqeqlMZXt4wq_kDahW7ccQiUlAmIxQtpwnkCuWF0c9qFsmdQvvhCge83CRmJa7/s1600/DSCN5197.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYi5YMTrjDdGaDxgNBtOXWarqo6zBcuBUibXiMkEiyzRoQL7TsRgphr9hHTlmOoGsU2yE3ATQqeqlMZXt4wq_kDahW7ccQiUlAmIxQtpwnkCuWF0c9qFsmdQvvhCge83CRmJa7/s320/DSCN5197.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495545127699672914" /></a><br /><br />We interrupt this program to wish a VERY Happy 18 month birthday to my dear daughter, Kayla Rivkah!!!<br />Love you so much baby girl, Kaylush, Kaylie, Lulie, Lulu........DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-53219962556978788062010-07-17T22:38:00.003+03:002010-07-18T23:33:17.840+03:00Birth Story - From the Other Side - Part 3This part of the story will probably go a lot faster (because it all kinda blends together in my head) but in reality, it took FOREVER!!!! <br /><br />They finally brought us to a room. What we thought was going to be labor and delivery. But sadly, it was just part of the Machleket Nashim - Women's Ward. We were brought to a little curtained area, 1 of 6 in a room. All kinds of women. Next to us was an old lady and I think the other was empty in the beginning. At some point, they told us we had to stay in this area until Ariella was 3cm dilated. I don't remember if they told us that right away or only after being there for HOURS.<br /><br />We got there and waited. They were supposed to be bringing Ariella antibiotics. So we waited...and waited. I think at that point Ariella went to take a shower. She felt so gross from the whole experience so far and just wanted to shower and get into the many sizes too large gown. :) Her shower was less than ideal. Apparently she had to hold the shower head. I'm sure THAT was comfortable being 9 months pregnant and in labor!!!! But she came out clean and put on the huge hospital gown. And then they served lunch. We went over to check it out and it actually looked quite appetizing. Chicken and rice and mashed potatoes. I was HUNGRY! But I made the mistake of asking if it was only for the patient and they said yes. I said not even for the husbands? They said no. Daaaaaarn. So went into the dining room area (of this particular ward) and sat down. Ariella got some food and I took a drink. Mm....watered down petel (syrup).......<br />Ariella said the food was actually quite good - although the mashed potatoes were gross. That was sad. I love mashed potatoes. She was kind enough to sneak me some of her yummy rice :) so I wouldn't starve. Worse came to worse they would tell her not to share. And there was a LOT of rice. Yisrael was sitting with us but feeling VERY uncomfortable. He felt like all the women kept looking at him, maybe even giving him dirty looks. It was kinda weird but it's a pretty religious hospital so who knows. Eventually he left. Ariella finished up and as we were leaving, I noticed a sign saying no men are allowed in the dining room during meal times!!! OOPS! Oh well, I was already there with my short sleeves - I assume they figured we didn't know better. :)<br />We went back to the room and waited some more and I felt like it was time for some of my doula-ing. Time to take charge. So I went to the nurse's station and waited very politely for them to acknowledge my existence. Once they did, I reminded them about the antibiotics. The first nurse was a REALLY young looking, sweet little girl. :) She was helpful and friendly but maybe slightly overworked. I felt like I had to keep reminding her. Helloooo - you have a patient named Ariella.....we are waiting.<br />So they gave Ariella the antibiotics. Finally!!! Now to be honest, I cannot remember if they they gave her the pill to induce her or if we waited awhile before that. I know she got the pill at about 2pm so it must have been a bit after. If they checked her prior to getting the pill, she was still at 1.5cm. Grrrrr......<br />They gave her what looked like half a pill and said ok, we'll be back in 3 hours. WHAAAATTTTT???? They said that's generally how long it takes for the pill to work so at 5pm they will monitor her and see what's going on. Ugh. So we had 3 hours to sit around. Ariella was having some contractions and the main thing we did when she had one was rub her lower back. That is where she said she had the most pain. We asked the nurses if there was anything we could to help her along. Like bouncing on a birthing ball, walking the halls, ANYTHING?? They said nope, nothing. Well that wasn't helpful at all. There was a shift came and enter Mean Religious Nurse. dada, dada, dada......<br />Why mean people are ever put with laboring women or postpartum women is absolutely beyond me!!! Mean people shouldn't be nurses anyway but there are some wards where they just don't belong. This woman seemed very harsh, uncaring, and acted like she had no patience for us. She was a stickler for the rules and did not seem to have Ariella's best interest in mind. <br />More waiting and waiting and waiting. 5pm seemed SO far away!!! Yisrael went to check out the cafeteria. He had a toast and came back. Then I went and was hoping for perhaps the same food as Ariella had. But there wasn't even a real cafeteria. It was a little stand that made toasts and sold things like chips and gum and what not. I had a toast in the morning but didn't have many other options and didn't want to leave the hospital grounds so another toast it was! This may have been the only point when I wished we were at Beilinson. The thought of the mall being right across the street with that delicious food court was SOOOO tempting!! Again, it was so funny being on the other side. Being the "waiter" instead of the "birther". I could have used an Aviva right then to bring me a nice hamburger!!! :)<br />It's all good.<br />Back to the Machleket Nashim. There were 2 other women that had arrived at the same time as us, more or less, and they were also in the ward. So I kept Ariella updated that they also hadn't had their babies........<br />The contractions started getting more intense and we had to help Ariella through them more often now. We kept watching that clock tick by, waiting for 5 pm. When it finally arrived, and the pill started doing it's trick, I tracked down the nurse and asked for the monitor. I can't remember if dinner came before or after the monitor.<br /><br />Dinner was the turning point!!!! We went to go check out dinner and first of all, it looked inedible. It was some kind of fried potato blintz and a side. What kind of food is that??? Ariella had NO appetite for it and as she turned to leave the room, she got hit with a whopper of a contraction. She had to stop moving, grab ahold of the counter, and really concentrate and breathe through the contraction. Ahhh.....FINALLY!!!! Now let's see some action. From then on the contractions were real intense. We went back to the room and Yisrael and I got a lot more involved in helping her through the contractions. She was very impressive though. We rarely needed to remind her to breathe and though the contractions were extremely painful, she would get through them and then really relax. Close her eyes, go limp. She said the contractions were SO totally exhausting!!! We tried different positions for her to labor in and finally brought out the birthing ball. That was a comfortable positing for her. That and being on all fours on the bed. The room was really not cool though. So NOT the place to labor. She felt uncomfortable making noise, there were people walking back and forth all the time. Lots of talking, ringing cell phones, etc. It just was not a place that you could focus on laboring well.<br /><br />Well, now that things have started picking up (or so we thought), it's time for another break. It's 11:30 at night and I am exhausted!!!<br /><br />Stay tuned.............................DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-46232442817847369922010-07-12T20:17:00.003+03:002010-07-12T22:48:21.464+03:00Birth Story - From the Other Side - Part 2<span style="font-weight:bold;">Monday night, June 21st</span><br /><br />Earlier that day I had a terrible headache. So bad that I actually slept on the couch for awhile that evening. It was during a heatwave and I think the heat was making me sick. I woke up at about 10pm and got a phone call from Yisrael. He told me Ariella had been having regular contractions every 10 minutes. They were going to go to sleep and if they got worse over night, they would call me and we'd go to the hospital. In any case, they were supposed to go to the hospital in the morning for monitoring. <br />I figured that would work out nicely. My headache was better and I would be well rested for a middle of the night phone call. I guess I went to bed about an hour or so later - after making sure my bag was all packed and ready to go.<br /><br />Went to bed and woke up about every hour or 2 to check my phone!! No missed calls....<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Tuesday, June 22 (My Anniversary)</span><br />At about 5 something in the morning Yisrael called. Ariella was still having pretty regular contractions, somewhat closer together, and they think her water might have broken the night before. Not a huge gush but a little bit here and there. They knew they had to go in for monitoring anyway so they told me that I should get ready, shower, eat breakfast, and call them when I was ready to go. I did that and called about 45 minutes later. They came by and picked me up. I went downstairs and was SO excited to see them!! Ariella looked great (probably not a good sign for someone in labor......)<br />It was already fun to be someone on the other side. I was SOOOO totally excited and feeling good after a decent amount of sleep. And ready to get this "party" started. I wasn't even nervous anymore. I was confident the 3 of us would make a good birthing team. Not to mention, June 22nd would be a great day to have their baby. It was Shauli and my anniversary (sorry for deserting you that day, honey. I'll buy you a car to make up for it :) ). The crazy thing about that was that our daughter, Kayla, was born on Ariella and Yisrael's wedding day!!!! We thought it would be pretty cool. And seeing as it was only 8am, we were certain it would happen.......<br /><br />And the "real" story begins...............<br /><br />We arrived at the hospital (after getting stuck in baaaad traffic) at 8am and were sent to the Labor and Delivery Admittance. It was REALLY quiet and we felt that was a good time. Not a busy day.<br /><br />They got Ariella hooked onto a monitor and we sat around a bit. It was fun watching the contractions on the machine and hoping each one would get stronger and closer together than the one before. They were still about 5 minutes apart and she had some stronger ones but they weren't changing a whole lot. Apparently the nurses weren't satisfied because they came in and gave Ariella something sweet to drink to get the baby moving around more. They made her lay on her side with her hand up over her head. It was a really awkward and uncomfortable position. People would come in and out but no one really told us what was going on....<br /><br />The doctor finally came and I guess was satisfied enough with the monitor that he was ready to check her. He also wanted to check and make sure her water had, in fact, broken. We went to another room where he looked at the baby on the ultrasound - aww......we'll meet you soon baby!!! Then he checked Ariella and she was about 1 cm dilated, same as what she was at the doctor the day before. Oh well.....<br />He didn't think she was leaking amniotic fluid but when he did the test, the stick turned orange (blue?) and he said yep, that's amniotic fluid all right! And you are NOT leaving here without a baby.....<br />HOORAY! They weren't going to send us home only to come back hours later. Those were good words to hear. <br />He asked a bunch of questions and based on the fact that her water broke the night before, he was either going to do some tests and based on those results put her on antibiotics or he was just going to go ahead and put her on antibiotics. Then based on how things were going, he may induce her using a pill (a little more natural than Pitocin). There was some confusion based on the translation but we all felt we more or less knew what was going on......<br /><br />Ariella was going to get some blood drawn for the tests and Yisrael and I were starving!! We decided to go grab something to eat. We left the hospital and went to an Angel's bakery branch. We got toasts and a few rugelach. Brought some back for Ariella too. We came back to the hospital but they are REALLY strict about food and didn't want to let us back in.<br />At that point, Yisrael decided to go to work for half an hour. He knew he needed to go at some point that day and we figured it was only going to get busier. So now was the best time. He went to get his car and I snuck my food into the hospital. Of course I didn't eat it for another half hour or so because I was inside. But when they were doing something else to Ariella, I went out to grab a bite. After a little bit, she joined me outside. <br />They wanted to give her a dose of antibiotics but they had to wait until a room in the maternity ward opened up. As soon as that happened, they would call us and we could get settled. We hung out outside for a bit. Then back inside to the women's waiting area. We waited and waited and waited. The A/C was not working and we were shmoiling!!! <br /><br />Ariella mentioned that this was completely not how she pictured the day going!! In her mind, Delivery Day involved a frantic phone call to me in the middle of the night, a rush to the hospital, and lots of stuff and pain going on once we got here. In reality, we were sitting around.....waiting........facing random contractions......talking......hanging out...... eating.......<br />This was strangely reminiscent to my labor with Jonah. Except we were hanging out in a nice birthing room and eating bagels that my friend Jocey brought!!<br /><br />We went back into the admitting room and asked if we could wait there, due to the fact that the A/C was broken. They said no so we said we were going to sit in a nearby hallway. They didn't have any news on a room for Ariella so they told us to come back in 15 minutes.<br /><br />We sat in the slightly more air conditioned hallway and debated what to do. Should Ariella walk around to try to get things moving? At that point, it seemed like the contractions were really tapering off. She was definitely stressed and there is no way that was good for labor. She wanted to be settled in a room and here we were, totally in limbo and not knowing when and where we were headed. It was really frustrating.<br /><br />Yisrael came back and we went to check in about the room. This time they said 5 more minutes and we should wait outside. So we sat in the separate waiting areas (and took a picture) and after about 5-10 minute, they came to get us. YAY! We figured we were finally making it to Labor and Delivery so we could get things started......<br /><br />And break time................ come back soon for Part 3!!DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-25805843496163334022010-06-29T20:26:00.003+03:002010-07-11T09:16:14.912+03:00My Birth Story.....From the Other SideTwo weeks ago, I witnessed the most amazing, phenomenal, fantastic, beautiful, wonderful, incredible, breathtaking event. I watched a miracle happen right before my eyes! On one hand, I am speechless. I feel there is no way I can put into words what I saw. On the other hand, every time I try to repeat the story, people tell me "Ooh, that's gotta go in your blog!"<br />So, here I am. Blogging it. But there is no way I can give justice to it.<br /><br />First, the history.<br />My first "meeting" with Ariella was online. She posted a funny little comment on the Ariel Aliyah Facebook group. Something about how her name is Ariella and she is moving to Ariel and isn't that funny? And she is getting married to Yisrael (who lives in Yisrael....) And she is available to babysit.<br />We tease her about that post to this day. Of course, we repeat it in a very blond, goofy voice. So, hello? My name is Ariella, and I am moving to Ariel, and isn't that soooo crazy? Heehee.....<br /><br />Then we met Ariella and Yisrael when we were all registering for Ulpan and got to know them a little bit through Ulpan and at our various small Ariel Aliyah events.<br /><br />Our next big interaction with Ariella was when I had to go to the hospital in the middle of the night while I as pregnant. We didn't know what to do with our 2 sleeping children. So, we called Ariella. We knew she wasn't working yet and hoped maybe there was a chance she was even still awake, watching a movie with Yisrael. At 3 am.....when Yisrael had to work the next day..... Well, she wasn't awake but she came over anyway, stayed with our kids, and took them to Gan and daycare the next day. And didn't even charge us for her babysitting services!!! It was REALLY helpful and gave a glimpse of what a good friend she would become.<br /><br />Over the next few months/year, we became closer. While they lived near us, we had them over for many Shabbatot in a row. Seudah Shlishi became a regular happening. It was nice. Then they moved. That was sad. But we give them enough grief about it so I'll move along.<br /><br />Ariella knew that I have dreams of becoming a doula. However, I have never experienced a natural birth - natural meaning the way the baby is meant to come out as opposed to a c-section. Granted, I am a mom 3 times over but all my children have been surgically removed. :) While that in itself is a miracle, it's not the way I grew up thinking I would deliver my babies. As much as my husband loves the "ease" and "convenience" of c-section births, I feel robbed of something. And I will never know if I would have been able to actually push a child out of my body....<br /><br />But I digress....So, about 9 months ago, Ariella got pregnant. I was one of the first people she told - so you can see how close we had gotten at this point. Some time after that, I think I may have offered to be her "doula". It was my dream to be there when someone gives birth. I used to hope for it when I was an EMT, always hoped to be there for any of my friends, and was just waiting for the opportunity to present itself. She agreed and I think we both thought we were getting a great deal! She was thrilled to be getting a free doula. The fact that we are close friends and she trusts me and felt I could help her through labor was more important than the fact that I didn't have any training. And on my end, I was so excited that I might actually witness a birth!!! <br />We talked about it through her whole pregnancy and she did a lot of reading and I did some reading and we talked about how it would play out and how to make sure we incorporate Yisrael so he doesn't feel left out.<br />The last 3 weeks before she finally went into labor, I slept with the phone next to my bed. I must have woken up as many times as she did every night. I would grab my phone, to make sure I hadn't missed a call!!! Shabbas was really difficult and although they had gotten permission to call me (without me answering) to give me the signal they were on their way, I was sure I would miss a call. <br /><br />I finally did get the call. Although not quite in the manner I was expecting.......<br /><br />TO BE CONTINUED...................DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-18197054882753450902010-05-18T17:47:00.001+03:002010-05-18T17:47:40.403+03:00Goodbye GrandmaMarguerite Grossmann Malka bas Vilhem Died: May 15, 2010/ 2 Sivan 5770 Funeral: May 17, 2010/ 4 Sivan 5770 Bnai Amoona Cemetery (Buchholz Mortuary)<br /> <br />Beloved mother of Brenda DeLano and the late Rick Martinez<br />Dear sister of Frances Hyman and Art Grossmann and the late Joseph Grossmann<br />Dear grandmother of 6, great-grand mother of 11<br />Aunt, great-aunt and dear friend.<br /> <br /> Dear family and friends,<br /> <br />We're here on this saddest of occasions as we say tzayschem b'shalom -- our final goodbyes to Margo Grossmann-- Malka bas Vilhem. Our presence today is a kavod and honor to the memory and the life of this wonderful woman.<br /> <br />I must point out that we find ourselves in the period of time known as Shloshet Y'may Hackable; the three festive days before the the major Jewish holiday and Yom Tov of Shoves. As such, a number of prayers that ordinarily would be said are omitted in deference to the sanctity and holiness of the holiday. Additionally, hespedim/eulogies are not recited at a funeral during this period of time for the same reason. However, given the unique personality of Margo and her life, I'd like to share some words of reflection about who she was and what she accomplished. And if through those words we find ourselves inspired to become like Margo even to a small degree, that would be the greatest kavod, the greatest honor we could give to her.<br /> <br /> John Ruskin, a 19th century author and art critic, observed that you can tell the genius of a painting only at the end of the day. It's when the little details are blurred in the dusk that you can see the grand design of the painter. I think this is a metaphor for being human; the meaning of a who a person was is best visible at life's end -- particularly for one who has lived an exceptionally long life. The details of life fade in the dusk; what remains at the end is the impression of a whole person, and what they truly achieved and accomplished. In her 96 years Margo Grossmann achieved and accomplished many marvelous things -- not the least of which was the remarkable family which she left behind.<br /> <br />Jewish tradition teaches that one of the ways that a person's character is best judged is by the way they interact with close family members. We're well familiar with the person who is admired and highly thought of by strangers, acquaintances and even friends -- but those who know the person best -- the immediate family -- may have a less-than-flattering impression of who they really are. With Margo, the opposite is true. And while even a short visit with Margo would leave a person deeply impressed -- as I was in my one 45 minute visit with her the day before she passed away -- I've seen that you, Margo's immediately family love her, respect her, admire her as a wonderful mother and grandmother of exceptional character, and who was the Matriarch of your family. I could tell from my discussions with you, Brenda, and your family at your mother's home this past Friday and last night that you and your family adore your mother, place your mother on a pedestal, and consider your mother to be a great and important woman. What does that mean?<br /> <br />Our rabbis teach in Pirkei Avos/Ethics of the Fathers (3:13) "If the spirit of others finds favor with a person, that's a sign that the Almighty, as well, finds favor with that person." You who knew Margo best, have the highest opinion of her. According to Jewish tradition, the same, then, can be said about G-d. He has a very high opinion of her.<br /> <br />Margo had an insatiable thirst for knowledge. And it wasn't simply that she had a quest to understand obscure facts and information -- such as details about the life of the crocodile (learned from a park ranger in Florida), or hours spent carefully examining a Salvadore Dali art exhibit. Margo wanted to understand people and what made them tick -- like in the story you shared of her visit to the dentist, who she somehow peppered with questions while her mouth was filled with instruments as she was having dental work done. Margo wanted to understand the world, because it was her world. She was an explorer!<br /> <br />She explored the big things. When she was quite a bit on in life she traveled to England, stayed in a hostel and got a job there -- no doubt in large part to have an opportunity to get to know and explore life in England. Margo wasn't afraid to travel even very late in life -- traveling on her own to Israel, incredibly, just last year. What an independent, responsible woman.<br /> <br />And Margo explored the little things. Seeking mastery of the English language by conquering New York Times crossword puzzles. Seeking to master and conquer the games of bridge and poker. Using her great artistic eye and fine attunement to sensitivity to notice the tiniest details around her, and to create a beautiful, finely designed home.<br /> <br />In her 96 years Margo, in many ways, mastered the power of her own mind by forcing it to serve her, rather than being subject to it's own whims and desires. The glass, to Margo, wasn't simply half-full, but overflowing. An incredibly positive person, she understood, apparently at an early age, that the secret to happiness isn't wanting more, but appreciating and taking pleasure in what you already have. Margo exemplified the traditional Jewish approach of 'samech b'chelko' ; she was spiritually wealthy because she was able to count her blessings, and ignore unpleasant things and get on with life.<br /> <br />The 96 year journey of Margo Grossmann was a joyous one, filled with with laughter, dancing, and delight taken in that which meant most to her: her family. She was the big sister who fought the battles of her younger siblings, and later became an inseparable best friend of her sister Frances. She never gave up on being a Mom, and was always trying to guide and teach Rick and Brenda. The point of money, to Margo, was that it was a vehicle with which to help others through tzedaka and charity. The point of time, to Margo, was that it was a resource to be used to help others. Giving to others was her focus, and Margo took great joy in giving.<br /> <br />Although Margo wasn't raised in a traditional or Orthodox home, she clearly had a deep sense of the importance of Judaism, and obviously was successful in transmitting it to her offspring. I had the pleasure of knowing Rick when I first came to St. Louis in the late 1980's; he was a fine man, a wonderful man who was sincere and passionate about the Torah and a life of Jewish observance. Brenda -- the many years of your having lived in Israel is strong evidence of your mother's influence and evidence of both her own pride and your own pride in being Jewish and a commitment to our people and the land of Israel. And Margo's six grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren are, as far I can see, deeply and sincerely committed to the G-d of Israel and His Torah. Happy is the woman who leaves behind such a legacy.<br /> <br />On a final note, I must tell you that don't think I'll ever forget my brief and only meeting with Margo. She was 96 years old, the second-to-last day of her life, suffering with an end-stage illness. And while she seemed somewhat uncomfortable, she was completely lucid, sharp, pleasant -- even laughing, at times, curious, open and honest. And she exuded a grace and glow that I can only describe as being both regal, and spiritual. I'm so pleased, Brenda, that you gave me the opportunity to meet her. And I'm so honored, you that you have honored me to officiate at this very special woman's funeral.<br /> <br />As John Ruskin said, life, like a painting, is best visible at the end of the day. Marguerite Grossmann leaves behind the legacy of almost a century of years that were well lived. She was irrepressibly curious, independent, adventurous, intelligent, kind, giving, spiritual, and proud to be Jewish. Her greatest legacy is the ripple effects she has left behind in her many offspring, and the unforgettable memories those who had the privilege of meeting her will always carry with them. <br /> <br />May her soul be bound up in the bonds of eternal life, and may her memory be a blessing for us all.<br /> <br />Rabbi Ze'ev Smason<br />Nusach Hari Bnai Zion Congregation<br />St. Louis MissouriDonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-85913561619232806752010-04-18T22:58:00.003+03:002010-04-18T23:00:58.894+03:00A Letter to YochaiMarch 7, 2002<br /><br />Dear Yochai (z”l)<br /><br />Hi. It’s me, your beloved troublemaker, Natalie.<br /><br />It’s hard for me to believe that you are gone, that you have gone on to bigger and better things, higher and more important places. Hard to believe that in this lifetime, I will never again see your smile or hear you laugh. I won’t be told by you to “show up in full MDA uniform” and be scolded to close that silly top button. And I won’t be able to tell you, face to face, what I should have said last week.<br /><br />So I write this letter to you. And I hope somehow you will receive this message.<br /><br />First and foremost, I want to apologize. I want to tell you I am sorry for getting angry about things that seem so unimportant now. You mentioned once that we are very alike and that’s why we kept going “head to head”. I told you that you were wrong. But now I want to say that to be like you would be a great honor. To accomplish even half of what you have done and to begin to touch lives as you have is a goal I strive for.<br /><br />The line between teacher to student and friend to friend was very thin. To let you down as a teacher was hard. But to disappoint you as a friend hurt me deep inside. I was looking forward to working with you next week in arranging a MDA course for students on my Overseas Program at Ben-Gurion University. I was sure it would make you happy. Yochai, I wanted to make you so proud.<br /><br />As it says on our Magen David Adom certificates, “To save one life is like saving an entire world.” I can only begin to imagine how many lives you have saved and how many worlds you have created. So too, everyone in the courses you taught have gone on to save lives around the world and educate people about Eretz Yisroel and Magen David Adom.<br /><br />The lessons you taught me on the course and the things I have learned about you since then have changed my life forever. You gave me a chance to give back to the country that has given me so much, an opportunity I have been longing for since the moment I stepped foot in Israel. You also reminded me that life is short and I must live every moment to the very fullest. And that when I find something I love, I should put my complete heart and soul into it. Not only that, but I should share it and spread the love to others. In the short time I knew you, I learned this is exactly how you lived. Yochai, you made a difference in my life and taught me that I, one person, can too change the world.<br /><br /> <br /><br /> Thank you Yochai Porat (z”l).<br /><br /> May you rest in peace.DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14307710.post-39478541571450178482010-04-01T22:49:00.004+03:002010-04-02T08:14:29.722+03:00I love Israel because.....Here are some recent reasons why I love living in Israel.<br /><br />On our drive up to Maalot, we stopped at a gas station. I was looking at some candy bars to see if I could figure out which were Kosher for Pesach. Some guy next to me (may have been a manager) said "Oh, are you looking to see if they are Kosher for Pesach?". I said "Yes" and he pointed out which one was. Then he went to look in another section to see if there were any more there but there weren't. I realized we had meat for lunch so instead I just bought our Kosher for Pesach Cokes and Grape Juices. I loved that the gas station manager knew exactly what I was looking for and could help me.<br /><br />But even better.....we stopped at another gas station later on. Way out in almost nowhere. I went in to use the bathroom and noticed plastic sheets covering a lot of things on the shelf. I thought wow, it looks like a grocery store kashering for Pesach. When I came out, I peeked and saw it looked like it was covering Chametz. When Shauli went in, he noticed a sign on the door that said "On Pesach, we won't sell Chametz". How cool is that in a gas station!!!!!!<br /><br />We went on a nice hike yesterday and at the end, everybody stopped to eat. Most people buying from the snack cart but some people bringing their own food. I LOVED looking around and seeing everyone with their matzot or whatever creative food they could think of to bring for a hike. We're all in the same boat!!! (Well except for those of us who don't eat Kitniyot - it's a bit harder for us).<br /><br />And another fun thing, Shauli and I went to a concert last night at the Agam (lake). They have a festival during Chol Hamoed Pesach and at night have free concerts. The singer was Lior Narkis whose song called "Lkol Echad" was a huge hit 10 years ago. I LOVED it then and still love the song now. We went to the concert basically so I could hear that song. He doesn't appear to be religious and the vast majority of fans of his at the concert did not appear to be religious either. Of course, we are all Jewish so he wished everyone a Happy Pesach too. But in the middle of the concert, he starts singing a song about believing in G-d. "Anachnu Maaminim maaminim" which is a popular song here at any religious events. Everyone cheered when he started singing that song and we all sang along. What an awesome feeling!! All of us standing there singing a great song abut believing in Hashem!!! It was pretty cool.....<br /><br />So that's my wrap up for now on why I love Pesach in this country. :)<br /><br />Next year may we all celebrate together in Jerusalem with Moshiach!!!!DonutsMomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09584025954389748696noreply@blogger.com0