Life in Israel

Picture Of The Day

2012-02-10T09:54:00.000+02:00

Picture Of The Day

A rainy day in Jerusalem...

Avinu SheBashamayim, Prayer For The State of Israel by the IDF Chazzan (video)

2012-02-10T08:24:00.000+02:00

Avinu SheBashamayim, Prayer For The State of Israel by the IDF Chazzan

Prayer for the State, Avinu SheBashamayim, is one of my favorite cantorial pieces. The IDF chazzan does a fabulous rendition (Dudu Fisher does an amazing rendition as well, and I think this might equal it)

Gafni Offers His Knesset Seat To Haredi Woman

2012-02-09T17:07:00.000+02:00

Yesterday was not just Tu B'Shvat. It was also the 63rd birthday of the Knesset.

Happy Birthday! I think the blessing "until 120" applies very nicely to the Knesset bearing 120 seats...

In honor of the birthday, the knesset hosted a variety of activities, including debates between MKs from various parties on varying subjects.

One of the debates was a debate between Moshe Gafni (UTJ) and Tzippi Hotovely (LIKUD), with the issue being the exclusion of women from the public sphere. While discussing the issue of female soldiers singing they tended to agree.

The interesting part of the debate was when Tzippi Hotovely asked Moshe Gafni why UTJ does not have a female MK.

Gafni began his response by saying that haredi women are not interested in being MKs. he said if he would put an ad in the Yated asking for a woman who wants to be a member of Knesset, not a single woman would contact him.

The reporter from Bechadrei asked Gafni after the session was finished if it is really true that not a single woman would be interested. Gafni responded that if a "real haredi" woman wanted to be MK, he would even give her his own seat.

I think saying "not a single woman would want to be MK" is like saying "haredi women want to sit in the back of the bus. they do so voluntarily". Sure, they want to, because you told them they have to. Haredi women, like most of the haredi community, listen and usually follow the rules they are told to follow. When the haredi women are taught that they are not allowed to be in the public eye, they cannot lead men and institutions, then if you would ask the average haredi woman if she is interested in such a position, of course it will be difficult to find someone who will say she wants the job.

And Gafni gave himself an "out". He qualified his offer by saying a "real haredi woman". Meaning any woman who takes up the offer, calls his bluff really, his response will be that she is not a "real haredit" - he might do some background checking and find an excuse with which to question her harediness, but he will disqualify her.

Stop Talking About Iran!

2012-02-09T15:07:00.000+02:00

All this talk about Iran and its nuclear capabilities, if Israel should or should not attack, when Israel will, what has to happen to make Israel attack, and all the various scenarios disturbs me.

When Israel destroyed the nuclear reactor in Osirak, Iraq, it was done in utter silence. It was successful largely because of the element of surprise.

With the Iran situation, it has lost the element of surprise a long time ago. Sure, the surprise might still be which day it will happen and what time of day, but the various countries the information is relevant to are probably already prepared for the situation to not allow flyovers, to have their radars and defenses honed to perfection and whatever else they need to do. The more the government officials, whether Israeli or American, keep discussing it, the less chance it has for success.

I do not get why the officials themselves do not realize how important the element of surprise in such a sensitive situation. they should all just stop talking about it. Plan what needs to be planned, talk about it behind closed doors in top secret clearance situations and leave the media and public out of it!

The Israeli Watermelon-Plum

2012-02-09T13:04:00.000+02:00

The Marker has more information about some new Israeli technological advancements in the fruit industry. I don't mean fruit like Apple computers, but fruit and vegetables.

A couple weeks ago we heard about black tomatoes, rainbow carrots and red lemons, and today we have even more!

the latest include 3 types of plums that are engineered so the fruit inside of each is really either a watermelon, a pomegranate or a lemon. Another is the Tomasio, which is similar to a raisin but made from a tomato.

The entire fruit and veggies industry is changing before our very eyes, and Israel is leading the way!

Quote Of The Day

2012-02-09T11:55:00.000+02:00

Quote Of The Day

America should stand by its friends and its democratic allies, even, and sometimes especially, when it’s unpopular to do so. And you know I know, that it may not be fashionable in some of the chancelleries, the foreign ministries, and salons around the world to talk about why America stands with Israel – but that’s no excuse not to be saying, and saying it loudly.

I read a quote from President Franklin Roosevelt which I thought made this point much better than I ever could. He says, ‘Please judge me by the enemies I have made.’ In that same spirit, I would like to say to all of you tonight: I admire Israel for the enemies it has made.

-- Governor of New Jersey Chris Christie

Oprah's Visit to Hasidic Brooklyn (video)

2012-02-09T10:40:00.000+02:00

Oprah's Visit to Hasidic Brooklyn

Oprah will be broadcasting her visit to a Hassidic family in Brooklyn. In the meantime, Chabad has uploaded a clip of the Chabad rabbi interviewing Oprah about the visit.

Visit Jewish.TV for more Jewish videos.

Kosher Wine Festival in Jerusalem: Tasting wine from Israel's modern kosher wineries (video)

2012-02-09T09:29:00.000+02:00

Kosher Wine Festival in Jerusalem: Tasting wine from Israel's modern kosher wineries

Shlomo Katz: Nigun of the Birds (video)

2012-02-09T08:16:00.000+02:00

Shlomo Katz: Nigun of the Birds

Interesting Posts #356

2012-02-08T17:39:00.000+02:00

Interesting Posts #356

1. Messianics = Christians Wrapped In Torah Scrolls

2. The Erosion Of Israeli leadership

3. An Atheist Who Loves orthodox Jews

4. The Mikvah In Tzur Hadassah

5. Ticker Tape Tuesday

Jewish Refugees To Counter Palestinian Refugees

2012-02-08T15:02:00.000+02:00

One of the sticking points in peace negotiations has always been the issue of the refugees. The Palestinians have always kept the issue of the refugees on the table insisting on the right of return, reparations and whatnot. The Israelis have retorted numerous times, though never actually raising it seriously as a tactic, that the Jewish refugee problem was far greater than that of the Palestinians. the Israelis seemed to always mean it i the sense of, we had a siilar problem, of greater proportions, yet we absorbed our refugees, rehabilitated them and turned out a productive society moving on, and the Palestinians with, perhaps, other Arab nations, should stop sticking on the refugee issue and instead move on - rehab the refugees and create a new society.

Jewish refugees in 1948

Finally the issue of Jewish refugees is being considered seriously as a negotiating tactic. Accoring to a recent Israel Hayom report, the Foreign Ministry is recommending to raise the issue during all future rounds of negotiations.

The Jewish refugees referred to in the report are Jews who fled from Arab nations in 1948 and were forced to leave their possessions behind before arriving in the newly established state of Israel.

This issue aims to counter the Palestinian Right of Return, under which the Palestinians wish to compel Israel to absorb Palestinian refugees and restore the property they left behind when they were forced to flee during the 1948 Independence War and in the Six-Day War in 1967.

The report, commissioned by Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon, includes recommendations for rehabilitating Palestinian refugees where they currently reside, much like Israel rehabilitated Jews who fled from Arab countries.

According to the report: “The phenomenon of perpetuating the refugee condition must end immediately; rehabilitating the refugees inside their destination countries will help reduce the demand for the Right of Return during core issue peace talks. Regardless, the Right of Return that many (Palestinian) refugees insist upon is to be granted on the condition they return only to within the borders of the future Palestinian state, which would be created as a result of a peace agreement.”

The Foreign Ministry report also recommended raising the issue of compensation for Jewish refugees from Arab countries within the framework of future peace talks. The compensation would be provided through an international fund, which would be established in accordance with proposals from former U.S. President Bill Clinton in 2000 and the U.S. Congress in 2008. This fund would aid in rehabilitating refugees where they currently reside, including retroactively assisting countries that have already invested in rehabilitating refugees, such as Israel and Jordan. The fund would also deal with the considerable amounts of Jewish property in Arab countries. To promote these issues Ayalon has planned a public diplomacy campaign, which is to include aiding like-minded non-governmental organizations.

The report further states that 856,000 Jews from Arab countries were uprooted from their homes, compared to 800,000 Arabs from Israel (within the Green Line). Ayalon explained that approximately half of Israel’s citizens have parents or grandparents who came from Arab countries. Therefore, within the framework of possible future peace negotiations, all aspects of these issues must be addressed. Meanwhile, Jewish property in Arab countries is estimated to be worth tens of billions of dollars.

I am just not sure how the Palestinians are to be held responsible for the fact that the Saudis, Iraqis, Egyptians, Syrians, Tunisians, Algerians, Moroccins, and other host countries kicked out their Jews. Unless it is a general peace made with the entire Arab world, that is, but otherwise, while I love the idea,

I just don't see how the claim counters the demand. The Palestinians will demand refugee status, and the Israelis will demand the same in return - to which the Palestinians can simply say fine by us, go to Iraq, to Egypt, to wherever and ask them for refugee status and reparations for lost property.

Solving The Strike Crisis

2012-02-08T13:52:00.000+02:00

A large percentage of the people who do the work in the public sector are not employees of the State, or of the institution in which they do the work, but are outsourced by manpower companies. These laborers often have very poor working conditions, and few if any benefits.

The point of today's massive national strike by the labor union is to protect the rights of the contract laborers. to demand benefits and appropriate working conditions for these people.

As mentioned, the Knesset just voted unanimously to approve a raise for all MKs. I have a great suggestion that might solve the debate and stop the strike.

Get rid of all the MKs, and from now on we outsource that job to contractors.

On the one hand they will be acutely aware of the plight of the contract laborers, and will perhaps be better able to deal with these issues, while at the same time we will save a lot of money as we won't need to pay them so much any longer because they will all be non-employees of the state. Lower salaries, along with lower benefits. I see it as a win-win solution.

Israeli Ice Hockey

2012-02-08T12:42:00.001+02:00

One thing people do not think of when they think about Israel is ice hockey. Israel is not known for its ice skating rinks, or even for ice in any form.

Israel has tried numerous times to develop an ice skating culture, but it has never really taken off. Some ice skating rinks have opened, only to close shortly after. Even the few that have survived are not real ice. The only one, I think, that is real ice is the ice skating rink in Metulla.

Yet, despite all that, the Israel Ice Hockey team has applied for the 2014 Winter Olympics Ice Hockey Tournament in Sochi. 32 mens teams have applied. The top 9 teams automatically qualify, while an additional 3 teams will be approved based on performance during a series of qualifying tournaments. (source: Yahoo Sports)

Qualify, win or lose - whatever is going to happen, they really have a very cool jersey!

Good luck to the Israel Ice Hockey team!!!!

When The Knesset Heard About Rav Elyashiv Being In Critical Condition (video)

2012-02-08T11:41:00.000+02:00

When The Knesset Heard About Rav Elyashiv Being In Critical Condition

Tu B'Shvat (video)

2012-02-08T10:40:00.000+02:00

Tu B'Shvat

The Land of Milk and Honey

A Tu B'Shvat Song

Interview: Moshe Feiglin after Likud Leadership Elections (video)

2012-02-08T09:29:00.000+02:00

Interview: Moshe Feiglin after Likud Leadership Elections

Mendy Werzberger: TODA (video)

2012-02-08T08:20:00.000+02:00

Mendy Werzberger: TODA

Headline Of The Day

2012-02-07T21:12:00.000+02:00

Headline Of The Day

MKs unanimously approve raising their salaries

-- Jpost (Hattip to DA)

if only every employee had the ability to decide his or her own salary increase...

Frum Guy Donates Giants Winnings To Charity While Eating Falafel

2012-02-07T19:22:00.000+02:00

Here is a cute story, originating in TMZ and then in The Bleacher Report.

A Yona Rechnitz, a frum guy originally from LA, won a freak bet on the the Super Bowl. The prop bet was to the tune of $1000 and he bet that the Giants would be the first team to score in the game, and the score would come via a safety. Odds were 50 to 1.

Sure enough, the first score of the game was a safety by the Giants when Brady was called for intentional grounding when he threw the ball away while in the end zone.

And Rechnitz won $50,000.

Rechnitz plans to give all his winnings to charity. He said he will give $5000 each to the charities of choice of Tom Brady and of each of the Giants defensive linemen that made the safety happen.

Rechnitz also wants to invite Tom Brady out to dinner. Sure enough, instead of a juicy steak, Rechnitz is inviting him out for an all expenses paid falafel dinner. Splurging for a $5 dinner (I figure $5 probably includes the drink) is a real nice rub...

Good for him!

Interesting Posts #355

2012-02-07T18:07:00.000+02:00

Interesting Posts #355

1. Guilt For Exercise

2. Rav Hershel Schachter's Email Hacked - Everybody and his mother have either been hacked in this same way or has received such an email from someone who was hacked. I am not sure why anyone thinks the hacker knew whom he was hacking, or why he would have cared...

3. The Shabbaton Choir

4. Israeli Soldiers In Dress Uniform On Har HaBayit

5. Final Score 27 11

Believe Them When They Threaten You

2012-02-07T16:05:00.000+02:00

A Guest Post by Dr. Harold Goldmeier

America's political leaders and her spies in defense and security agencies are casting doubts about Iran's intentions to build a nuclear bomb. Israel is being warned publicly and privately to not launch preemptive attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities. President Obama's foreign policy staff and military intelligence analysts are inconsistent and incoherent in their public stands on the Iranian nuclear threat. Meanwhile, Israel faces what its Prime Minister and Minister of Defense label an existential threat of annihilation by Iran.

A thousand pages of documents from the International Atomic Energy Agency conclude that "Iran has carried out activities relevant to the development of a nuclear device....", and that Iran's research and testing activities are designed to make a nuclear weapon. But before a recent hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the head of the CIA and one of his super spies told the Senators that "we don't believe (Iran) made the decision to go ahead with a nuclear weapon." Just to be cautious, however, in a move to deter Iran from producing a nuclear bomb, America and European nations are strengthening financial sanctions and imposing oil embargoes against Iran.

Concomitantly Leon Panetta publicly and privately warns Israel about global economic consequences of an Israeli military strike against Iran. Such an attack will have dire consequences for the U. S. and world economies, and will drag America into the war. Before a recent hearing of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, the head of the CIA and one of his super spies told the Senators that "we don't believe (Iran) made the decision to go ahead with a nuclear weapon." Appeasement of Hitler did not prevent World War II; neither will it stop a holy war launched by the bandersnatches in Iran.

Israel, and most of the Gulf oil states, face a real threat from the holy men of Iran, while America views the problem in the old Cold War terms; what Professor Hans Morgenthau called the Balance of Terror. If all the superpowers have nuclear arsenals, no one will use the bomb first for fear of nuclear retaliation by the others. This is a futilitarian approach in the Middle East where the holy men of Iran believe the way way to bring Allah's rule to the world is through Armageddon. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei this week called on all friends of the Muslim people "to kill all the Jews and annihilate Israel, and in that, the Islamic government of Iran must take the helm.” He proudly warned that Iran's successful test firing of a solid fuel two-stage ballistic missile, and the launch of a satellite into outer space should be seen as a threat to Israel and the West that Iranian scientists will be able to send ballistic missiles against the Gulf oil states, Europe, and American targets. Why? To destroy the Western society, "because religion is for Allah..., and that even Jesus Christ...will convert to Islam." Saudi Arabia and other Arab states fear a nuclear armed Iran, and will join a military coalition against from Iranian attacks and attempts to destroy their regimes.

Israel is being portrayed by the news media as a warmonger ready to drag her allies into the conflict. Former Secretary of Defense put it best recently when he wrote, "Patience and diplomacy might be the virtues of statecraft, but when an avowed enemy is close to placing a nuclear knife on your throat, well, the demands for action are likely to override the pleas for restraint." Israel needs to take Iran at its words, and the West better be prepared for that action.

Dr. Harold Goldmeier is a writer and consultant on social and public policy. He was a Research and teaching Fellow at Harvard and an Asst. Professor at Tufts University Medical School. He has published many articles, and has been interviewed on national television and radio.

Weather Forecast Predicting Snow In Modiin

2012-02-07T15:08:00.000+02:00

The weather forecast is predicting snow in Modiin, though the snow is expected to be driven in by truck rather than to fall from the sky...

According to the Modiin Info website, the city of Modiin will be trucking in 5 containers of snow and making them available to the public, for free, next Tuesday and Wednesday (February 14-15, 2012)!!!

From the source:

Snow is coming to Modiin- but not because of the weather forecast. The city of Modiin is arranging a snow activity for the whole family. At the event, real snow will be brought to the fair area outside the Azrieli mall.

Five large containers of snow from the Chermon area will be available for the kids of Modiin to play with and enjoy. The snow area will be open free of charge on Tuesday and Wednesday (14-15/2/12) between 16:30 and 19:00.

At the event there will be a snowman-building contest for the kids, with the winner receiving a 500 NIS gift certificate to "Happy Shop" in the mall. Kids who want to participate in the snowman-building contest are welcome to bring ornaments to "upgrade" the snowman-- noses, hats, glasses or other items.

I wonder if they will allow guests from Bet Shemesh to come enjoy... or maybe someone can get the City of Bet Shemesh to do something similar (hint, hint RBS Foundation)

Quote Of The Day

2012-02-07T13:47:00.000+02:00

Quote Of The Day

There will be large neighborhoods of Haredim, there will be a migration of the middle class to the center of the country. If we do not use the criteria of potential earning power, if we don't grant benefits to those working, the inequality will only grow to tremendous proportions. We will wake up in a few years in a country divided by ghettos - a secular ghetto in Tel Aviv and a haredi ghetto in Jerusalem. We cannot give incentives for unemployment.

--- MK Avishai Braverman (LABOR) in a discussion in a Knesset committee regarding the criteria for benefits of new housing projects.

The Ramat Bet Shemesh Foundation

2012-02-07T12:15:00.000+02:00

The local Bet Shemesh weekend newspapers announced the formation of something called "The Ramat Bet Shemesh Foundation", or in the original, "Keren Ramat Bet Shemesh".

According to the fairly ambiguous description in the papers, the foundation is meant to be philanthropic and apolitical. The foundation will deal with creating community projects, with putting RBS in the forefront of the Iryah's activities, and for pushing along important and central community projects, while taking into account the uniqueness of the diverse neighborhood with a high percentage of immigrants from many countries.

The rest of the articles were equally vague and ambiguous, mostly just reviewing the opening ceremony and quoting from some of the speeches. To be honest, I have no idea what any of the above means and what their intentions are or what they plan to do and be involved in or what their goals are.

Regardless of that, I wish them luck and success. I hope they do a good job and foster the achdus they talk about in their speeches, and successfully improve the quality of life in the neighborhood.

If anybody knows more about it, feel free to share...

What Do You Do on Tu B'Shvat?

2012-02-07T10:48:00.000+02:00

Tomorrow is Tu B'Shvat.

What, if anything, do you do special for the day?

The highlight of my Tu B'Shvat is skipping Tachanun. I don't think I would notice Tu B'Shvat most years if not for that... though we have gone a few times in previous years to plant trees....