Author Archives: Shifra
Yair Stern – A Light from the Past
Share Yesterday, the 25th of Shvat, I went on many different websites expecting to find coverage of Yair Stern’s 71st memorial. I was saddened to find that it wasn’t mentioned on any site – all were busy covering the induction of the new Knesset members. While the present and future are important, it is vital … Continue reading
Purim: learn your booms
ShareAs usual, Purim this year was ushered in with firecrackers, cherry bombs and larger, more powerful fireworks. They were noisy, loud and … they took me back to Gush Katif. At night, lying in bed and hearing the booms, I sleepily wondered whether it was mortars causing the windows to rattle. Mortars – shouldn’t that … Continue reading
When the dog crossed the road…
ShareYesterday I had just gotten to the bus stop on the main road when I spotted a big, brown dog. To be more accurate, it spotted me and came over wagging its tail, sniffing me and everyone else at the stop. I noticed it had on a choke collar. How terrible, I thought. Some family … Continue reading
Rabin Memorial
ShareAnd so another Rabin Memorial Day has passed. My problem with these RMDs is the way they’ve been twisted. Instead of being about Rabin – the Man (and then you could talk about the long stretch of his life, the pros and cons, what you admire and what you disapprove of), they are about Rabin … Continue reading
Noah – not a metaphysical chap.
ShareNoah was a man Who Got The Job Done. Not only that, but he Didn’t Ask Questions. If this were in Ankh Morpork, Sam Vimes would have approved. The question is, do we approve? And did our commentators approve? It seems that they didn’t really. They would have preferred it if he had spoken up … Continue reading
We bring them together
ShareThe four Succot species are very different from one another. The lulav is strong and straight; the type that will break in a fierce wind. Which is, perhaps, why it grows in the very center of the palm tree, protected by many fronds. If you don’t know the correct art for taking it, you will … Continue reading
Protecting us from ourselves
ShareSuccot is when we put our trust in G-d. We go out to a small flimsy dwelling that we constructed ourselves, and we eat and sleep there for seven days. G-d who looked over us for 40 years in the desert can surely look after us as we observe His commandment. But will He look … Continue reading
Seasons and seasoning
ShareIt’s that time of year. The days are getting cooler, and the warm shafts of sun really feel good. The nights are cold, and I know that I’m keeping my fan on only because I’ve gotten used to the noise it makes – and not because I really need it. In our garden yesterday I … Continue reading
New Year Greetings
ShareOne of the nicest things about the approaching New Year, is receiving cards from family, friends and different well-wishers. In today’s digital age, most of those cards are via email or Facebook and it’s become rare to actually receive a printed card. As for a handmade card? That would indeed be something to treasure… Whatever … Continue reading
An Afternoon in Ashkelon
Share My father and I went to Ashkelon today and spent a fun afternoon. After stopping at the bank and the pharmacy, we went to a hardware store. On the screen above the front door I could see my image from the security camera. Try as I might, though, I couldn’t find the camera. … Continue reading