What Would Happen If…
The Israeli Parliament is usually controlled by a coalition of different political parties because no one party receives enough votes to have a majority. Unlike in the U.S., where there are two major political parties and one of the two political parties commands a majority of the seats in the Senate and/or in the House, in Israel the government is composed of many, many small political parties, each pushing its own agenda.
Status Normal
Have you noticed that some problems just won't go away?
Six Thousand Miles (Part IV)
Part I of this series introduced the 6,000-mile driving tour to the Canadian Rockies that my wife, Barbara, and I took in the van driven by my brother, Avi, and our sister-in-law, Martha.
United We Stand
The title above is a lovely thought. Unfortunately, there are too many times when Israeli Orthodox Jews behave in very divisive ways. I have mentioned, on occasion, that it would most probably bring the Mashiach if Orthodox Jews in Israel were ever to unite. We are so divided politically that Sephardi Jews will not support Ashkenazi Jews and Ultra-Orthodox Jews will not work with the Modern Orthodox or with the Zionist Orthodox.
An American Odyssey (Part 10)
San Francisco is a lovely city and we enjoyed its many tourist venues. The famous Lombard Street, known as “The Crookedest Street in the World,” was beautiful, with its floral decorations. We shopped at Pier 39, and we bought matching San Francisco jackets. We really needed them since it was cold in San Francisco. Barbara added to her magnet collection, which contains magnets from dozens of countries around the world that we have toured. She’d never been in a store that sold thousands of magnets and she just loved looking at all the magnets on the walls.
25,578 – The Silver Platter
Israel recently commemorated Memorial Day in memory of its fallen heroes. Sadness permeates the day as we remember the sons, daughters and parents who have sacrificed their lives so that the Jewish Nation can continue to exist.
From Monsey With Love
It was not easy and it took a long time but recently the Hashmonaim community was finally able to celebrate the dedication of a new ambulance with the latest life-saving features.
A Rude Awakening
Last week Israel remembered the Holocaust but received a rude reminder that its immigration policy admits many non-Jews into Israel.
Punish Us All
Every time a Muslim terrorist commits an atrocity, the insane reaction of our liberal societies is to punish everyone collectively. Several years ago, a terrorist tried to detonate an explosive hidden in his shoe. As a result, every airline passenger is now required to remove his shoes and pass them through an x-ray device. It is common in airports to see long lines of passengers walking barefoot or in their stocking feet, queued up and waiting to have their shoes checked. Instead of forcing all Muslims to fly barefoot, every single passenger is inconvenienced to avoid racial profiling.
The Sanhedrin Reestablished (Part I)
I recently had the pleasure of sitting in on a meeting of the "Lishka" of the renewed Sanhedrin in Israel.
Cancer Requires Chemotherapy
Israel is celebrating 40 years since the reunification of our holiest city, Jerusalem, and the miraculous victory of the 1967 Six-Day War.
Fifty Years In Israel
We created an organization of former Bnei Akiva of North America members who have fulfilled the dream of living in Eretz Yisrael.
Election Spectacle
There are also many fringe parties such as Ale Yarok (Green Leaf – supports legalizing marijuana), Bezchutan - Haredi women, We Are All Friends Party, Green’s Party, Pirate Party, Ohr Party, Protecting Our Children Party, Finance Party, Hatikva LeShinui, Democratura, Perach, etc., etc., etc.
Arafat Will Save Us
In an attempt to undermine the Israeli government, a group of failed Leftist politicians are
"negotiating" a peace with several Palestinian Arabs.
Chelm Revisited
We recently returned to Israel after a short visit to the United States.
A Planeload Of Joy
We in Israel need Nefesh B'Nefesh. Every time this organization brings in another planeload of olim, the welcome is so uplifting, the arrival is so exciting, the emotional high is so stimulating, that several old-timers go to the airport ceremonies just to be reminded how important American and Canadian aliyah is.
Too Close To Home
Let me begin by wishing all of my readers a very happy and healthy new year. This past year was filled with many wonderful joys and several sorrows, but we thank Hashem for another year of life.
True Role Models (Part Thirteen)
I once thought that my study of logic would prepare me to understand how the world behaves. Living in Israel these past months has cured me of this assumption.
Whoops, Missed!
Tony Blair, the Middle East envoy for the Four Great Powers, told an interviewer that PM Olmert has already made a deal with Mahmoud Abbas, chairman of the Palestinian Arab Authority.
The Orthodox Union In Israel
For the first time in its history, the Orthodox Union held its annual convention in Israel.
It Is Time!
Each day we read and hear about new atrocities carried out by Arab terrorists and we find that our reactions have become numbed.
The Sanhedrin Reestablished (Part II)
Part I of this article discussed the background and early days of the new Sanhedrin.
An American Odyssey (Part 9)
On Sunday morning, after breakfast at the Elite Café, we loaded the van, filled the gas tank and travelled the famous Route #1 from Los Angeles toward San Francisco, along the Pacific Ocean coast. It was the 4th of July weekend and the narrow route was crowded with miles of RV’s, campers and fellow travelers. Traffic was a bit slow along the way.
True Role Models (Part Two)
Olim in those days left behind all their friends and much of their family, and, unlike today, found it expensive and difficult to be in contact with them.
Voted Out
Last week, I raised my hand holding my little red voting card and voted myself out of office.
One United Religious Party
That was what we were promised - "one united religious political party." It did not last too long.
The Knitted Yarmulka
There was a time in Israel when any yarmulka was a negative factor in attaining a senior position in a company. When I first arrived in Israel some 38 years ago, the situation for senior religious employees very much reminded me of my days in America when I was looking for a computer job 42 years ago in New York City.
70 Years And Growing
Chaverim came from every city, town, religious Kibbutz and settlement in Israel.
Cultural And Religious Differences
I just watched the news on TV. Another "suicide murderer" blew up a bus in Jerusalem.
Fifty Years Of World Bnei Akiva
I recently joined an overflow crowd of more than 1,000 current or former Bnei Akiva members for a reunion at the Jerusalem Theater.