Let us begin with a poem:
There is sand in your hair
There is sand in your toes
There is sand on the floor
There is sand in your nose
There is sand everywhere
There is sand on the ground
There is sand all around
There is sand on the stair
Gotta spread it around if we want to be fair
There is sand everywhere
I dedicate my poem to all families of children in Gan in Israel. I am only slightly exaggerating when I tell you that when Ariella comes home from Kindergarten I pour a quarter cup's worth of sand out of her shoes. There are 34 children in her class so you do the math. I have no idea how the playground still has sand after two months of school! In honor of the upcoming Hannukah holiday I will compare it to the miracle of lights. These kids are schlepping home 3 gallons of sand every week and yet the sand lot is still full.
And whether you empty the sand from their shoes before you enter the house, after you enter the house, in the little trash that exists in every meeting room where kids have to take off their shoes, no matter. You will always find more sand.
Fortunately for us, after kindergarten the sand lot disappears so this should be our last year of sand in our hair.
Meanwhile, this week we had municipal elections. Politics in Modiin seem quite friendly from where I'm standing. There are a few cities that had very difficult elections and the campaign tactics were beyond the pale. Unfortunately, in one city the scare tactics used were successful enough that the minority faction trying to control the majority was successful in electing their mayor who did nothing to help lessen (and maybe even worsened) the very high tensions in the city. Ick. But here in Modiin things were good. My father joked that I am so happy here I should run for city council. I actually don't know about city council in U.S. cities but here it is an unpaid position and it has been rewarding to see all the different candidates with incredible ideas and thousands of volunteer hours spent dedicated to this city. One of the campaign posters in our neighborhood was in English, and I noticed when I went to Ramla to get my polio shot (actually had to drive on Dr. Salk street to get there!) that there were many signs in Arabic.
Lital learned from one of her good friends who is from Australia that if you don't vote in Australia you get fined. She also told Lital that voting happens on Shabbat. Though I've previously mentioned how amazing the "children's information network" can be I usually double check things that I hear from 8 year olds so I asked some of the Australians in my ulpan. Turns out it's true. It's about $300 per person if you don't vote. Apparently, you can go in and draw a smiley face on the ballot if you are so inclined, just so long as they check your name off. It was described to me as "You will be free and participate in your freedom, wether you want to or not". Also, they do vote on Saturday but you can turn your ballot in early.
This Shabbat we have a special visitor, our friend Hannah who made aliyah this past summer. Our families have been the types of friends that merge into family so it is only fitting that now Hannah has become like our niece/cousin some type of family here. Especially great for our kids to feel connected. Hannah is super fantastic but one really great thing about her---she likes to sponga! Sponga is the process of mopping your floor clean. I've already talked about the sand...
One of our neighbors told us that they've started looking forward to Ariella's nightly courtyard fashion shows. She loves to dress up in costume and parade around the courtyard. They were impressed with how many costumes she has. Truthfully she doesn't have so many it's just that her combos aren't always the most self evident. Not everyone does "bridal ninja" or "Super Snow White" and trust me, no one does strung out pirate as well as she does (no costume necessary).
So far treadmill desk off to a good start. 26 KM during the first week, and counting.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Monday, October 21, 2013
Technical difficulties
The post I wrote last night about the Wizard of Oz Museum disappeared today. I was able to cut and paste (thanks to my most loyal reader---Mom!) Any bloggers out there that can explain what might have happened. A friend even commented but since the post disappeared her comment is no longer attached to an actual page so I couldn't actively reply. Ideas? Anyone? Bueller?
Follow the yellow brick road...but bring your wallet
I started my new ulpan today. It seems like it will be a really great class. For starters it's less than 10 minutes away. That beats taking two buses and 3+ hours of round trip travel any day of the week. Looking back I can't believe I did that for last year's ulpan. This time the make-up of the student body is also pretty different. I'm in a bit of a comparing mood because we spent much of the morning learning comparison words. I learned that while my apartment in Israel is much smaller than my house in the U.S. that is not true for everyone in the class. The folks from Paris said that 800 square meters is considered a large apartment and could be yours for a couple of million dollars in Paris. Though I also learned from them that if you are Jewish you would not want to live in Paris right now unless you like being afraid all of the time. When we told people in Kansas that we were moving to Israel we often got "but is it safe?" type of questions. The French students said that the children in France only feel safe once they get to Israel.
The rest of my class is from different parts of the U.S.---including a retired surgeon who after 50 years of dreaming about aliyah finally did it!, England, Australia, Mexico, Belgium and two women from Russia. One of the Russian women, upon learning that I was from Kansas started to tell me all about how popular "Dorothy" is in Russia (where apparently she is known as Elly). When she asked me if I had been to the "Dorothy museum" in Kansas I was torn between making up a really great story for this woman and shattering her illusions about the midwest. Her face fell when I broke the news that we didn't have such a museum in Kansas City. I suggested speaking to someone from a place called Hollywood, California. Of course, when I got home and told Michael about this, he used his special Google power and discovered that while there is no such museum in Kansas City, there is, in fact, a special museumdedicated to all things Oz in Wamego, Kansas, several hours away. It seems that not only did I crush the dreams of my fellow student, but I did so needlessly. I think even if I tell her, she will never fully recover the magic.
I am hoping to improve my vocabulary and general Hebrew ability. I can still feel the sting from a couple of weeks ago when it was "aleph" day at Ariella's kindergarten. Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and she was supposed to bring something in that started with the letter aleph. Well didn't all those kids with "arnaks (wallet)" "avatiach"(watermelons) and even a real "arnevet" (yes, a rabbit that stayed all day in the class) look smug. I sent Ariella with an "iparon (pencil)" which I now know starts with an ayin and not an aleph. Sort of like sending your kid with a Kite on "Letter C" day. Not gonna impress too many people that way. But not to worry, I returned with an "agas--pear" so all was copacetic.
The rest of my class is from different parts of the U.S.---including a retired surgeon who after 50 years of dreaming about aliyah finally did it!, England, Australia, Mexico, Belgium and two women from Russia. One of the Russian women, upon learning that I was from Kansas started to tell me all about how popular "Dorothy" is in Russia (where apparently she is known as Elly). When she asked me if I had been to the "Dorothy museum" in Kansas I was torn between making up a really great story for this woman and shattering her illusions about the midwest. Her face fell when I broke the news that we didn't have such a museum in Kansas City. I suggested speaking to someone from a place called Hollywood, California. Of course, when I got home and told Michael about this, he used his special Google power and discovered that while there is no such museum in Kansas City, there is, in fact, a special museumdedicated to all things Oz in Wamego, Kansas, several hours away. It seems that not only did I crush the dreams of my fellow student, but I did so needlessly. I think even if I tell her, she will never fully recover the magic.
I am hoping to improve my vocabulary and general Hebrew ability. I can still feel the sting from a couple of weeks ago when it was "aleph" day at Ariella's kindergarten. Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet and she was supposed to bring something in that started with the letter aleph. Well didn't all those kids with "arnaks (wallet)" "avatiach"(watermelons) and even a real "arnevet" (yes, a rabbit that stayed all day in the class) look smug. I sent Ariella with an "iparon (pencil)" which I now know starts with an ayin and not an aleph. Sort of like sending your kid with a Kite on "Letter C" day. Not gonna impress too many people that way. But not to worry, I returned with an "agas--pear" so all was copacetic.
Tuesday, October 15, 2013
Little pieces of paper
The other day, during the pre-Shabbat clear-away-the-scattered-junk-fest, Michael stumbled upon a plastic bag full of little notes, on each of which Nehemiah had written his name. Michael asked what they were, and Nehemiah answered that they were good behavior notes-- notes that the teachers give to the students as a reward for said behavior. Whoever has the most at the end of the year, Nehemiah explained, gets a very big prize.
"Wow," Michael responded, "Have you gotten any recently?" Nehemiah answered, "No, the teacher stopped giving them out a few weeks ago." Then, Nehemiah continued: "The only way to get more of the notes now is by gambling."
Yes, you read it correctly. In typical fashion, this enterprising group of fifth graders realized that since the notes can be converted into valuable goods, that they are effectively a form of currency. Look out, Bitcoin, there's a new currency in town!
And of course, once the demand for the good behavior notes cannot be met because of the dry-up in the supply chain, a gambling market sprung up enabling the notes to continue to circulate.
It makes sense. Unless, as one friend of ours pointed out, the reason the supply of notes dried up was because the teacher simply forgot about it or decided to quietly end the program. I don't even know how economists would describe what would happen to the little 5th grade economy when the currency loses all of its value.
Anyway, speaking of numbers games, it is a good thing that L likes math because she has a great deal of math homework, made more challenging by virtue of its Hebrew presentation. And before you start rolling your eyes and thinking, "how different can math be?" try doing long division backwards yourself.
And naturally, since I set up a home study program for Hebrew with my easy newspaper and found a partner to practice conversational Hebrew with, the ulpan has decided to let me join. I suppose I'll never know why they had a change of heart but my guess is the phone call I made to the government branch that advocates for immigrants. Anyway, even though they will be making a space for me they can't let me start the class just yet because that would be too obvious. There are many adjectives one could use to describe this process but "obvious" would not be one of them.
The most exciting news of the week is the arrival of Michael's treadmill desk. Yes readers, we are that cutting edge. Hats off to Michael who did all the research (this article is interesting) and then found the one Israeli company that makes the treadmill desk. A few months ago as part of his health revolution M started the couch to 5k program and now he is running 5k a few days a week. He and a friend are hoping to train for a 10k race in the spring. I will keep you posted how the desk fits into the overall health picture.
"Wow," Michael responded, "Have you gotten any recently?" Nehemiah answered, "No, the teacher stopped giving them out a few weeks ago." Then, Nehemiah continued: "The only way to get more of the notes now is by gambling."
Yes, you read it correctly. In typical fashion, this enterprising group of fifth graders realized that since the notes can be converted into valuable goods, that they are effectively a form of currency. Look out, Bitcoin, there's a new currency in town!
And of course, once the demand for the good behavior notes cannot be met because of the dry-up in the supply chain, a gambling market sprung up enabling the notes to continue to circulate.
It makes sense. Unless, as one friend of ours pointed out, the reason the supply of notes dried up was because the teacher simply forgot about it or decided to quietly end the program. I don't even know how economists would describe what would happen to the little 5th grade economy when the currency loses all of its value.
Anyway, speaking of numbers games, it is a good thing that L likes math because she has a great deal of math homework, made more challenging by virtue of its Hebrew presentation. And before you start rolling your eyes and thinking, "how different can math be?" try doing long division backwards yourself.
And naturally, since I set up a home study program for Hebrew with my easy newspaper and found a partner to practice conversational Hebrew with, the ulpan has decided to let me join. I suppose I'll never know why they had a change of heart but my guess is the phone call I made to the government branch that advocates for immigrants. Anyway, even though they will be making a space for me they can't let me start the class just yet because that would be too obvious. There are many adjectives one could use to describe this process but "obvious" would not be one of them.
The most exciting news of the week is the arrival of Michael's treadmill desk. Yes readers, we are that cutting edge. Hats off to Michael who did all the research (this article is interesting) and then found the one Israeli company that makes the treadmill desk. A few months ago as part of his health revolution M started the couch to 5k program and now he is running 5k a few days a week. He and a friend are hoping to train for a 10k race in the spring. I will keep you posted how the desk fits into the overall health picture.
Monday, October 7, 2013
Iron lung
There's a joke that makes the rounds which recent experiences have brought to life. First, the joke:
An American, a Chinese, a Russian and an Israeli are all loitering on the street corner when a reporter comes up to them and asks, "Excuse me, what is your opinion about the meat shortage?"
First, the Russian asks, "What's an opinion?"
Then the Chinese inquires, "What's meat?"
The American follows up with, "What's a shortage?"
Then the Israeli queries, "What's 'excuse me'?"
Now, we have found that the "What's 'excuse me'" is an untrue stereotype. Israelis are actually quite warm, and not lacking in courtesy and care (though social mores are sometimes different from the U.S., in both directions).
However, we never fully understood the American part, "What's a shortage?", until we got to Israel. Lesson number one was the Fiber One shortage. Now, to the best of our knowledge, there is a Fiber One plant in Israel. But one fine day several months ago, no Fiber One on the supermarket shelves. Anywhere. Michael asked the manager of one of the big stores, and he said "There's a shortage from the factory. There is no Fiber One in Israel until the shortage ends."
We scratched our heads (was the Fiber One factory under siege? On strike?) and gloomily substituted Frosted Flakes (or Frosties, as they call them in England and Israel) for our healthful Fiber One until the five week shortage finally broke.
Then, of course, was the Bran Flakes shortage. You must understand that Israelis love Bran Flakes. There are something like twenty different varieties. But one day, this Israeli staple had disappeared until-- the (choose one) strike/siege/extended factory vacation ended.
More recently (and still ongoing, though there are rumors of an end) has been the great brown sugar shortage of 5773-5774 (or 2013). One day I sent Michael to the store with brown sugar on the list, and he came back with "golden sugar," subtitled "brown sugar with a fine taste." Let me tell you that golden sugar is brown sugar only if you define brown as "not white." No offense to golden sugar, but the color is not brown. The texture is not the same. It doesn't taste the same.
The other day, Michael discovered that the brown sugar shortage has been going on for about a month, and appears to be nation-wide. I wonder whether this one is not an Israeli thing, but is connected to the giant molasses spill near Hawaii a month ago. Oy.
In other news, almost overnight the weather here has changed. Now mornings are cool and evenings are (according to Michael the perfect temperature) a bit chilly. Air conditionings have been switched off but I think the hot water heater may need to be turned on soon. The hot water heater is solar powered. It actually feels like fall but without the pretty colored leaves that we used to see. Granted those leaves would end up on your lawn and it was the work of Sisyphus trying to keep the lawn clear.
Meanwhile, I previously mentioned that my "observation period" in the ED had been delayed. I should clarify a bit. There is something of a physician shortage here and one of the initiatives underwork is that North American doctors are sort of "fast tracked" to start working. I won't rehash the difficulties I personally faced having to obtain my license from the North American state of Kansas (apparently not as well recognized as Dorothy and Toto would like to think!) but now in order to get my "specialty recognition" I need to be observed for 3 months in the ED. Three months is considered the minimum amount of time required and is generally granted to those who are board certified in their field in North America. It's not a lot of time especially considering that in the reverse, physicians moving to the U.S. generally have to do their entire training over. However, the observation period does have to be consecutive and I just learned last week that I have to give proof of my childhood immunizations. If I'm out in left field, someone please let me know, but I don't have my immunization records. Granted, I was born in a time when parents remembered what the different diseases looked like and were afraid and wanted to protect their children and so we all got vaccinated. But the proving of it is going to entail several stops at different health clinics in different cities in Israel. I must: 1) Get my blood drawn for antibodies to prove that I did receive certain shots 2) For the shots that can't be proven via lab go to the ministry of health and get boosters. Not sure if you would call 15 months the "fast track" but here I am. So I'm not taking it on the chin, I'm taking it in the upper arm--a few times!
While we're on the subject of vaccinations, there was polio found in a water source in Israel and so it was recommended that all children under age 10 receive the live vaccine. (The age cutoff is calculated based on the time period that live vaccine was stopped and assumptions about hand washing---polio being spread via the oral-fecal route). The majority of parents seem to have complied but there are quite a few that can't decide. I am not sure when the anti-vaccination campaign got so strong but it's just so ironic to me that the parents who are so against it would have been the same group to receive the live vaccine when they were kids because that's what they were using both in Israel and the U.S. until the early 2000's.
Anyway, since I'm mostly spending my time driving around getting needles in the arm, I decided I should take another ulpan (Hebrew course). So, I contacted my local ulpan (joy= we live in a city with an ulpan!) showed up today as instructed and was promptly told they had no space for me (oy= the ulpan is full). Sort of ironic because the woman at the hospital who put the final touches on my paperwork (that will now take 6 weeks to process) repeatedly told me that I needed to work on my Hebrew. Well geez people, I'm trying. She was actually quite opinionated on the subject---maybe I could get her to call the head of the ulpan here and pull a few strings. So now the coordinator of my ulpan last year is sending proof to this ulpan that I actually didn't receive all the hours I am entitled to as an immigrant and this apparently will create a space for me in the class.
And on the home front, classes have started in our own little ulpan. Apparently, convinced that Michael and I have been derelect in our duties to teach Ariella English, Lital has started a homeschool of sorts. It sort of reminds me of Sarah and Scott G. back in the day. She has set up a homeroom in Michael's office, complete with workbooks, worksheets and a curriculum (my favorites being "Computer Tusday"--hopefully that's not just them watching funny youtube videos and "Sport Wensday"---hey it's important to know how to say "not fair it was my turn" in English). To make the special school truly authentic, Lital even gave herself a day off each week, as Israeli teachers work five days a week, even though the children are in school for six. (Figure out those schoolhouse logistics!)
Let me end by re-visiting my upcoming vaccination schedule. If you have plans to be at the Department of Health in Ramla on the third Wednesday of the month between 7:15 and 7:40, I will see you there!
An American, a Chinese, a Russian and an Israeli are all loitering on the street corner when a reporter comes up to them and asks, "Excuse me, what is your opinion about the meat shortage?"
First, the Russian asks, "What's an opinion?"
Then the Chinese inquires, "What's meat?"
The American follows up with, "What's a shortage?"
Then the Israeli queries, "What's 'excuse me'?"
Now, we have found that the "What's 'excuse me'" is an untrue stereotype. Israelis are actually quite warm, and not lacking in courtesy and care (though social mores are sometimes different from the U.S., in both directions).
However, we never fully understood the American part, "What's a shortage?", until we got to Israel. Lesson number one was the Fiber One shortage. Now, to the best of our knowledge, there is a Fiber One plant in Israel. But one fine day several months ago, no Fiber One on the supermarket shelves. Anywhere. Michael asked the manager of one of the big stores, and he said "There's a shortage from the factory. There is no Fiber One in Israel until the shortage ends."
We scratched our heads (was the Fiber One factory under siege? On strike?) and gloomily substituted Frosted Flakes (or Frosties, as they call them in England and Israel) for our healthful Fiber One until the five week shortage finally broke.
Then, of course, was the Bran Flakes shortage. You must understand that Israelis love Bran Flakes. There are something like twenty different varieties. But one day, this Israeli staple had disappeared until-- the (choose one) strike/siege/extended factory vacation ended.
More recently (and still ongoing, though there are rumors of an end) has been the great brown sugar shortage of 5773-5774 (or 2013). One day I sent Michael to the store with brown sugar on the list, and he came back with "golden sugar," subtitled "brown sugar with a fine taste." Let me tell you that golden sugar is brown sugar only if you define brown as "not white." No offense to golden sugar, but the color is not brown. The texture is not the same. It doesn't taste the same.
The other day, Michael discovered that the brown sugar shortage has been going on for about a month, and appears to be nation-wide. I wonder whether this one is not an Israeli thing, but is connected to the giant molasses spill near Hawaii a month ago. Oy.
In other news, almost overnight the weather here has changed. Now mornings are cool and evenings are (according to Michael the perfect temperature) a bit chilly. Air conditionings have been switched off but I think the hot water heater may need to be turned on soon. The hot water heater is solar powered. It actually feels like fall but without the pretty colored leaves that we used to see. Granted those leaves would end up on your lawn and it was the work of Sisyphus trying to keep the lawn clear.
Meanwhile, I previously mentioned that my "observation period" in the ED had been delayed. I should clarify a bit. There is something of a physician shortage here and one of the initiatives underwork is that North American doctors are sort of "fast tracked" to start working. I won't rehash the difficulties I personally faced having to obtain my license from the North American state of Kansas (apparently not as well recognized as Dorothy and Toto would like to think!) but now in order to get my "specialty recognition" I need to be observed for 3 months in the ED. Three months is considered the minimum amount of time required and is generally granted to those who are board certified in their field in North America. It's not a lot of time especially considering that in the reverse, physicians moving to the U.S. generally have to do their entire training over. However, the observation period does have to be consecutive and I just learned last week that I have to give proof of my childhood immunizations. If I'm out in left field, someone please let me know, but I don't have my immunization records. Granted, I was born in a time when parents remembered what the different diseases looked like and were afraid and wanted to protect their children and so we all got vaccinated. But the proving of it is going to entail several stops at different health clinics in different cities in Israel. I must: 1) Get my blood drawn for antibodies to prove that I did receive certain shots 2) For the shots that can't be proven via lab go to the ministry of health and get boosters. Not sure if you would call 15 months the "fast track" but here I am. So I'm not taking it on the chin, I'm taking it in the upper arm--a few times!
While we're on the subject of vaccinations, there was polio found in a water source in Israel and so it was recommended that all children under age 10 receive the live vaccine. (The age cutoff is calculated based on the time period that live vaccine was stopped and assumptions about hand washing---polio being spread via the oral-fecal route). The majority of parents seem to have complied but there are quite a few that can't decide. I am not sure when the anti-vaccination campaign got so strong but it's just so ironic to me that the parents who are so against it would have been the same group to receive the live vaccine when they were kids because that's what they were using both in Israel and the U.S. until the early 2000's.
Anyway, since I'm mostly spending my time driving around getting needles in the arm, I decided I should take another ulpan (Hebrew course). So, I contacted my local ulpan (joy= we live in a city with an ulpan!) showed up today as instructed and was promptly told they had no space for me (oy= the ulpan is full). Sort of ironic because the woman at the hospital who put the final touches on my paperwork (that will now take 6 weeks to process) repeatedly told me that I needed to work on my Hebrew. Well geez people, I'm trying. She was actually quite opinionated on the subject---maybe I could get her to call the head of the ulpan here and pull a few strings. So now the coordinator of my ulpan last year is sending proof to this ulpan that I actually didn't receive all the hours I am entitled to as an immigrant and this apparently will create a space for me in the class.
And on the home front, classes have started in our own little ulpan. Apparently, convinced that Michael and I have been derelect in our duties to teach Ariella English, Lital has started a homeschool of sorts. It sort of reminds me of Sarah and Scott G. back in the day. She has set up a homeroom in Michael's office, complete with workbooks, worksheets and a curriculum (my favorites being "Computer Tusday"--hopefully that's not just them watching funny youtube videos and "Sport Wensday"---hey it's important to know how to say "not fair it was my turn" in English). To make the special school truly authentic, Lital even gave herself a day off each week, as Israeli teachers work five days a week, even though the children are in school for six. (Figure out those schoolhouse logistics!)
Let me end by re-visiting my upcoming vaccination schedule. If you have plans to be at the Department of Health in Ramla on the third Wednesday of the month between 7:15 and 7:40, I will see you there!
Monday, September 30, 2013
The law of maximum entropy
The Sukkahs (temporary outdoor dwelling space) came down as quickly as they went up. Last week was the holiday of Sukkot--a holiday known as our time of joy-- and it is such an amazing time to be in Israel. I personally think it is one of our most fabulous holidays, especially when you get to celebrate and enjoy the entire week. The building of the Sukkahs that we dwell in for the week of the holiday go up quickly right after Yom Kippur. I was still in the US at that point this year but it was fun to come back and see all the different varieties that people construct. The balcony off our apartment is built in such a way that all we really had to do was put up our schach (covering for the Sukkah). This and hanging the decorations was pretty easy. Between all the different meals with friends, Sukkah "hopping" parties, and trips, we spent the holiday on the border of fun and too much fun. Standing on that border is a sweet spot but as an ER doc and a mom I'll let you know that if you add alcohol or your own children into that mixture then cross that border at your own risk!
The day after a holiday is still considered a day off (i.e. no school). I think this is to give everyone a day to travel back and recuperate, and because of a strong teacher's union. We used the day to go to the beach with friends who were visiting from the U.S., which we followed with lunch at nearby IKEA's very impressive cafeteria. The Mediterranean is always beautiful, and the waves were great. There were, surprisingly, still a few jelly-fish, but they were small enough and few enough to not be a bother.
Speaking of jelly, Sukkot brought hints of Chanukah already, with sufganiyot (Israeli jelly-filled donuts, a Chanukah staple) already making their appearance at the local bakeries.
I had expected that with the wrap up of the holiday season, I would start my "observation period" in the Emergency Department. Apparently there is a bit more paperwork that I had previously been unaware of so it will likely be a few months before I actually start. That's OK-- our space needs some serious organization. I can't say that I have ever been a good homemaker, but hope springs eternal and I do like to cook. And from what little I understand of chaos theory (and it is very little) as soon as I start organizing around here, someone else's life is about to get rather crazy.
On the first of the intermediate days we took a trip to Shiloh. Shiloh is an ancient Bibilical city that was the religious center of Israel for several hundred years before Jerusalem. It was about a 50 minute drive and is quite scenic. Mostly rocky hillsides dotted with occasional herds of animals and not so occasional large red signs. The large red signs were at the entrances to Palestinian towns and inform you that the road leads to "Area A" and is forbidden for Israeli citizens and that it is not only against Israeli law to enter but also dangerous to your life. Sadly, there was an Israeli man who was murdered that week when he agreed to share a ride home with his Palestinian co-worker. His colleague did not take him home but instead kidnapped and murdered him. We work really hard to teach our children not to generalize about groups of people and I think it is an important value, but that story does give pause when it comes to considering danger to you and your family.
Anyway, Shiloh is a really interesting place to visit. Unfortunately, we were slightly late for the English tour, so we went on a Hebrew tour. At this point I guess it's really only unfortunate for me as everybody else's Hebrew is coming along nicely. You walk along the paths and they perform reenactments of different historical events and try to bring a lot of history/religion to life. The path of the tour leads up a hill where you watch a movie that is on panoramic screens and it fades in and out of the real life background that you see through the large windows/movie screens to the scenery in the background which is breathtaking. Naturally since we had tickets to the English movie which had already been shown, we had to scramble for some tickets to this one. Luckily one of the families that had gone with the group had extra tickets though when we got in there were at least 20 of us who had to stand so I'm not even certain why they had the tickets. Just comparing our family position this Sukkot to last year, it is phenomenal that my kids can listen to what they are hearing. After the movie we visited different booths where the kids did various thematic art projects, including drawing, mosaics, grinding spices, and making grape juice.
The next day we went to a small village nearby that teaches agriculture and farming. They had turned the farm into a big exhibit for kids. This is the true organic experience with real dirt and mess and not the kind brought to you by Johnson and Johnson. Though even there, they didn't allow the kids to eat the goat cheese that they made because it was in unpasteurized form. And it's Israel so you don't have pony rides, you have camel rides. I thought it would be fun to ride along with the kids. And it was, until it was time to get off. To any who would criticize my performance, all I can say is that you should try doing that in a skirt. Oy vay! I also wouldn't recommend it to anyone with a hip replacement.
We weren't sure what to do the next day, when lo and behold a neighbor told us about the annual circus in Modiin. Yes, dear readers, our amazing city has a circus every year during Chol Hamoed Sukkot. We went to an acrobat show which was an urban-funk type performance. Performers way, way fitter than anybody we know (and we know some very fit people!), scampering up and down twenty foot poles like squirrels, swinging from a trapeze upside down while holding another performer with one hand, balancing on a board on top of a rolling cylinder on top of another board, on top of a cylinder moving the other direction, on top of a small table, etc. Apparently the shows at night involve light shows and all kinds of fun but we already had plans by the time we heard about it, so it's something to look forward to next year.
After Sukkot, there is another holiday called Shemini Atzeret. The Rabbis compare this to an after party. Sort of like Sukkot was so much fun let's just spend another day together. The holiday coincides with Simchat Torah, a celebration marking the end of the annual cycle of Torah reading.
The day after a holiday is still considered a day off (i.e. no school). I think this is to give everyone a day to travel back and recuperate, and because of a strong teacher's union. We used the day to go to the beach with friends who were visiting from the U.S., which we followed with lunch at nearby IKEA's very impressive cafeteria. The Mediterranean is always beautiful, and the waves were great. There were, surprisingly, still a few jelly-fish, but they were small enough and few enough to not be a bother.
Speaking of jelly, Sukkot brought hints of Chanukah already, with sufganiyot (Israeli jelly-filled donuts, a Chanukah staple) already making their appearance at the local bakeries.
I had expected that with the wrap up of the holiday season, I would start my "observation period" in the Emergency Department. Apparently there is a bit more paperwork that I had previously been unaware of so it will likely be a few months before I actually start. That's OK-- our space needs some serious organization. I can't say that I have ever been a good homemaker, but hope springs eternal and I do like to cook. And from what little I understand of chaos theory (and it is very little) as soon as I start organizing around here, someone else's life is about to get rather crazy.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
The Final Post of the Year (Jewish Calendar:) )
Oh, my poor abandoned blog! It has been so long. I have thought of you and I've meant to sit down and write but you know how it goes. Anyway, my parents came to visit for almost 3 weeks and it was such a wonderful trip. Whatever I had hoped it would be in terms of my father and the possibility that it could be his last time in Israel, my expectations were exceeded. For starters, on the first night he gave me a letter and a necklace. It was so meaningful, and now I have them for the rest of my life. For those who don't know my dad, you can see what a caring and thoughtful man he is. And really, since the natural order in life is for parents to die first what an amazing thing for any parent to do for their child. So, if any readers out there want to take a cue from my dad: write a letter to your child for when you are no longer around. It will mean a lot to them.
A few highlights from their trip:
While they were here my dad's energy was incredible. We took advantage of every minute. First of all, my parents brought about 20 pounds of candy to Israel. The dogs at the airport were probably going nuts thinking that there was something contraband tucked away b/c who in the world brings candy to Israel? But God bless my parents--they brought 4 suitcases worth of stuff. One of the things they brought was fresh blueberries. It had been over a year since we've had berries, so they were a big hit. I am not sure why we don't have blueberries here. I have heard you can pick them in the Golan but that would be a drive of several hours, so maybe on some future trip.
After the first Shabbat spent with good friends in Elazar we headed up North. We went rafting on the Jordan River. By "we" I mean everyone except for Ariella and me, because in the rafting company employee we found the one person in Israel who was concerned with safety and wouldn't let Ariella go in, because she was under five. We still had fun though, because well frankly, when was the last time you spent a couple of hours without any distraction hanging out with your child outdoors? I learned all about her desire to become a bird and live in the tree tops or a lion and roar at the animals in the jungle.
Our friends in Elazar recommended we go to a placed called "The Orange Grove." What a fabulous tip. I haven't seen it in guide books, but if you are visiting in Israel and have children I would try to get there. It's like winning a golden ticket. But instead of being invited to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory you are invited to his back yard. They literally built a backyard type play area in an orange grove. I mean some people have pretty cool yards. They have zip lines, and a pool and a cool jungle gym (hey Jay and Margie--how are you doing?) but nobody I know has a back yard like this. Pretty much any cool thing you could think of to run and jump and play with in a backyard was in this orange grove and it was a ton of fun.
One day we went to the Jerusalem zoo and then met cousins at the outdoor mall bordering the old city. My dad and one cousin walked to the Kotel (Western wall) and then met us at a restaurant. Some kind of artist fair was going on, and the mall was packed. Musicians were playing and it was just a very festive atmosphere. Luckily, the Italian place we like is sort of hidden away so there was no wait to get in. As we were trying to figure out exactly what the relationship would be between my kids and my mom's cousins' grandkids, their daughter said "We're English speaking relatives in Israel--that's practically like being twins." And it's true. For us anyway, as we don't really have much family here. As we were leaving the restaurant, Lital said she wanted ice cream and since it was only 10PM and we were in Jerusalem with the grandparents, she got her wish. You never have to go too far to find ice cream in Israel (unless it's 10PM and you're at Mamilla mall with your children. That particular detour will cost you at least an hour!)
One day while driving with my mom, I got distracted by Waze (oops) and popped a tire as I bumped up the curb. I pulled the car over about a block later and before we could even get out of the car, a jogger stopped and offered to change the tire. I was so confused as to why he had been out running with a jack but later my mom explained that it was from my trunk. I took a whole semester of driver's ed and frankly I feel like I should get a refund or something because I knew absolutely nothing about changing a tire. In fact, I didn't even put the car in neutral as I was apparently supposed to. The fellow who was helping joked that he should have known Americans wouldn't know to put the car in neutral. Don't be offended, I lived up to every stereotype imaginable that day. It is something I love about Israel and Modiin people are really helpful.
As is the case with most trips, we didn't do everything we wanted but we had a truly great time together. My parents left the night before school started. Now, I've previously told you about our "courtyard of dreams" (another great name from my friend Ilene). So two nights before school started they had a movie night for the kids in the courtyard with a giant screen and projector and super-loud speakers. It started at 8PM. There were two movies. It was literally in our courtyard so of course there was no way I could keep my kids from going. Yes, they went to bed at midnight two nights before school started. I mean I love our building, our neighbors, our courtyard but why would you plan to deprive children of sleep right before the start of school? Does that sound like a good idea to anyone?
In spite of the late nights, the school year has gotten off to a great start. Each child is in a different school. When we first got to Modiin we heard about a school that started about 6 or 8 years ago and has a tremendous reputation. Basically people told us not to even think about getting our kids into the school because there are wait lists and it's impossible to get in. It's not a private school but maybe more like a magnet or charter school. So naturally who does Nehemiah become friends with right away---a bunch of the kids from this school. They all assumed he could just "get in". You know, because they're 10 years old. One of our projects while my parents were here was trying to get him in since it did seem like such a good fit. And while there are many ways in which I could describe Nehemiah, motivated student would not be one of them. In spite of that, and in spite of all the odds, we did get him in! It was such a relief. Running with this new crowd of kids N had started to feel really comfortable in Israel. One day he announced that he was going to stop calling soccer by that name and call it football. He reasoned that really only Americans called it soccer and he wasn't in America any more. I took this as a real sign of progress and then he went on to tell us that he thinks he has realized his true destiny: to be British and be the goalie for Liverpool!
Lital is in the local public school that is basically on our corner. She slid right in and the teacher said that unlike new immigrants who tend to stick with English speakers only, Lital is friends with native Israelis and immigrants. Most of the school-age kids from our building go to this school so it is a natural fit. I was very happy to hear that. Ariella goes to a Gan (kindergarten) in a building right next to Lital's school. We are in a very sweet spot in the mornings b/c the girls have about a 5 minute walk (don't worry, I take Ariella) and Nehemiah has about a 12 minute walk. Everyone can get out and no need to rush into a car. It is actually pleasant. Last night Ariella asked Michael how to say "Spanish" in Hebrew. She explained that she wants to find out if anyone in her class speaks Spanish but she can't ask them in Spanish because she doesn't speak it, and she can't ask them in English because they wouldn't understand, and she can't ask them in Hebrew, because she doesn't yet know how to say "Spanish"! What she plans to do with this information is beyond me. We are glad that she has a few English speakers in her Gan because she no longer speaks English like a native but instead translates from the Hebrew. For example:
"Will you give to me that apple?" or "Hadar wants me to visit if you let." Between English at home and having a few English speaking friends, hopefully that trend will reverse itself.
Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year starts tomorrow. I have crammed a lot in, perhaps rambled a bit. Our year is certainly off to a sweet start. Let me sign off with the following blessing, inspired by Ariella:
I wish to you a good and sweet year!
A few highlights from their trip:
While they were here my dad's energy was incredible. We took advantage of every minute. First of all, my parents brought about 20 pounds of candy to Israel. The dogs at the airport were probably going nuts thinking that there was something contraband tucked away b/c who in the world brings candy to Israel? But God bless my parents--they brought 4 suitcases worth of stuff. One of the things they brought was fresh blueberries. It had been over a year since we've had berries, so they were a big hit. I am not sure why we don't have blueberries here. I have heard you can pick them in the Golan but that would be a drive of several hours, so maybe on some future trip.
After the first Shabbat spent with good friends in Elazar we headed up North. We went rafting on the Jordan River. By "we" I mean everyone except for Ariella and me, because in the rafting company employee we found the one person in Israel who was concerned with safety and wouldn't let Ariella go in, because she was under five. We still had fun though, because well frankly, when was the last time you spent a couple of hours without any distraction hanging out with your child outdoors? I learned all about her desire to become a bird and live in the tree tops or a lion and roar at the animals in the jungle.
Our friends in Elazar recommended we go to a placed called "The Orange Grove." What a fabulous tip. I haven't seen it in guide books, but if you are visiting in Israel and have children I would try to get there. It's like winning a golden ticket. But instead of being invited to Willy Wonka's chocolate factory you are invited to his back yard. They literally built a backyard type play area in an orange grove. I mean some people have pretty cool yards. They have zip lines, and a pool and a cool jungle gym (hey Jay and Margie--how are you doing?) but nobody I know has a back yard like this. Pretty much any cool thing you could think of to run and jump and play with in a backyard was in this orange grove and it was a ton of fun.
One day we went to the Jerusalem zoo and then met cousins at the outdoor mall bordering the old city. My dad and one cousin walked to the Kotel (Western wall) and then met us at a restaurant. Some kind of artist fair was going on, and the mall was packed. Musicians were playing and it was just a very festive atmosphere. Luckily, the Italian place we like is sort of hidden away so there was no wait to get in. As we were trying to figure out exactly what the relationship would be between my kids and my mom's cousins' grandkids, their daughter said "We're English speaking relatives in Israel--that's practically like being twins." And it's true. For us anyway, as we don't really have much family here. As we were leaving the restaurant, Lital said she wanted ice cream and since it was only 10PM and we were in Jerusalem with the grandparents, she got her wish. You never have to go too far to find ice cream in Israel (unless it's 10PM and you're at Mamilla mall with your children. That particular detour will cost you at least an hour!)
One day while driving with my mom, I got distracted by Waze (oops) and popped a tire as I bumped up the curb. I pulled the car over about a block later and before we could even get out of the car, a jogger stopped and offered to change the tire. I was so confused as to why he had been out running with a jack but later my mom explained that it was from my trunk. I took a whole semester of driver's ed and frankly I feel like I should get a refund or something because I knew absolutely nothing about changing a tire. In fact, I didn't even put the car in neutral as I was apparently supposed to. The fellow who was helping joked that he should have known Americans wouldn't know to put the car in neutral. Don't be offended, I lived up to every stereotype imaginable that day. It is something I love about Israel and Modiin people are really helpful.
As is the case with most trips, we didn't do everything we wanted but we had a truly great time together. My parents left the night before school started. Now, I've previously told you about our "courtyard of dreams" (another great name from my friend Ilene). So two nights before school started they had a movie night for the kids in the courtyard with a giant screen and projector and super-loud speakers. It started at 8PM. There were two movies. It was literally in our courtyard so of course there was no way I could keep my kids from going. Yes, they went to bed at midnight two nights before school started. I mean I love our building, our neighbors, our courtyard but why would you plan to deprive children of sleep right before the start of school? Does that sound like a good idea to anyone?
In spite of the late nights, the school year has gotten off to a great start. Each child is in a different school. When we first got to Modiin we heard about a school that started about 6 or 8 years ago and has a tremendous reputation. Basically people told us not to even think about getting our kids into the school because there are wait lists and it's impossible to get in. It's not a private school but maybe more like a magnet or charter school. So naturally who does Nehemiah become friends with right away---a bunch of the kids from this school. They all assumed he could just "get in". You know, because they're 10 years old. One of our projects while my parents were here was trying to get him in since it did seem like such a good fit. And while there are many ways in which I could describe Nehemiah, motivated student would not be one of them. In spite of that, and in spite of all the odds, we did get him in! It was such a relief. Running with this new crowd of kids N had started to feel really comfortable in Israel. One day he announced that he was going to stop calling soccer by that name and call it football. He reasoned that really only Americans called it soccer and he wasn't in America any more. I took this as a real sign of progress and then he went on to tell us that he thinks he has realized his true destiny: to be British and be the goalie for Liverpool!
Lital is in the local public school that is basically on our corner. She slid right in and the teacher said that unlike new immigrants who tend to stick with English speakers only, Lital is friends with native Israelis and immigrants. Most of the school-age kids from our building go to this school so it is a natural fit. I was very happy to hear that. Ariella goes to a Gan (kindergarten) in a building right next to Lital's school. We are in a very sweet spot in the mornings b/c the girls have about a 5 minute walk (don't worry, I take Ariella) and Nehemiah has about a 12 minute walk. Everyone can get out and no need to rush into a car. It is actually pleasant. Last night Ariella asked Michael how to say "Spanish" in Hebrew. She explained that she wants to find out if anyone in her class speaks Spanish but she can't ask them in Spanish because she doesn't speak it, and she can't ask them in English because they wouldn't understand, and she can't ask them in Hebrew, because she doesn't yet know how to say "Spanish"! What she plans to do with this information is beyond me. We are glad that she has a few English speakers in her Gan because she no longer speaks English like a native but instead translates from the Hebrew. For example:
"Will you give to me that apple?" or "Hadar wants me to visit if you let." Between English at home and having a few English speaking friends, hopefully that trend will reverse itself.
Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year starts tomorrow. I have crammed a lot in, perhaps rambled a bit. Our year is certainly off to a sweet start. Let me sign off with the following blessing, inspired by Ariella:
I wish to you a good and sweet year!
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