Reflection. If ever we needed a year of reflection, I think 2020 would quality as the most extreme example. With lockdowns in so many countries, isolation and social distancing, reflection is something we probably should have mastered by now. And yet. And yet. November 9th is a day that always …
Dr. Elissa Freedman made aliya from Connecticut in 2016 with her husband and three young children. Prior to her aliya she served in several communities as a board-certified family physician, and teaching medical students and residents. A family doctor with Clalit Health Services in Beer Sheva, she was granted tenure …
Following is an interview I held yesterday with Rav Zev Shandalov of Maale Adumim. I decided to interview him due to the fact that he has some things he wished to share with his “audience” and asked me, Zev Shandalov, to interview him. (We have known each other all of …
An isolated space such as this would seem ideal. Pristine. Deserted. Peaceful. Green and filled with growth. But as I painted it, my mind shifted to a second set of descriptive words. Private. Alone. Solitary. And in this post, I explain why all of that is the polar opposite of Israel.
Over the past few weeks, I have had numerous people ask me about my silence in the blogosphere. While I have posted much (too much?) via Facebook and Twitter (if you are not following me you can check out @ravzev1 on twitter), as far as writing a blog, well, it …
There are a million and one things to say about Aliyah, each with its seemingly-almost-equal corresponding contradictory points. Aliyah means Jews “ascending” and returning to their homeland, the Land of Israel, based on God’s promises uttered and documented in His Book to us again and again, via our Patriarchs and …
Smarter Israeli Banking by Rifka Lebowitz is a wonderful gift for any newcomer to Israel… and to anyone who is new to handling his/her banking and finances, whether young adults or the recently widowed or divorced.
Since I can’t disguise my immigrant background, it means that wherever I am, whatever I do, I’m celebrating my own Aliyah Day.
… I am so happy that the American Government has made a New Jerusalem US Consulate in which Jews can feel comfortable.
New olim, and some veterans/vatikim, long to know the names of various foods and prepared dishes. Here’s a handy helper for Rosh HaShana fare (there are only 15.5 days left for you to cook it up!). Compare the English-language message to the Hebrew version (I want to give a hat …
PSA: Someone in my community asked why Israelis don’t behave politely and form lines when waiting for mass transit or for the doors of buildings to open, let alone appointments with doctors or clerks. I replied to the question and figure that some of you might find it helpful: Welcome …
It’s time to admit the sad truth. Israel isn’t for every Jew. I surrender. I’ve had people tell me this before but I kept thinking, kept hoping. Finally, I see.
