January 16-23

The official war is over, and thank G-d there were very few Israeli casualties. Things are getting a little more normal (people are talking about other things, for example) and I and most of my work colleagues are not checking news internet sites every 10 minutes. The Gilad Shalit booth in front of the Prime Minister’s residence, which was very subdued during the war (as part of the solidarity, which was amazing) held a big noisy protest to get Gilad (who we hope is still OK after the war) returned home. Most of all, the political life is returning to normal, with the usual sniping between the political players (Olmert: “Barak did an excellent job as defense minister in the war but Prime Minister? Let’s not exaggerate”) and street corners now have people passing out all kinds or propaganda to play up a candidate or party. I will try to give you some snippets of what this is like from inside, not stuff that you can read in the papers, but cool stuff on the street, as we come to the February election.

And now for some excitement that didn’t (or won't) reach the papers. I spent Shabbat last week in Talmon, a beautiful Yishuv in hills surrounding Ramallah. It is really idyllic; quiet, clean are, forested; a beautiful testimony to the industriousness of Israeli’s. Friday night, in the forest in the next yishuv over (Dolev) 6 Arab youths lit a can of gasoline and threw it in the forest. The good news is that IDF caught them and the volunteer fire departments of Talmon, Naaleh and Dolev and even Ofra 45 minutes away rescued most of the forest. How do I know this? Ronen Sela is a volunteer firefighter. He left the house for about 3 hours on Friday night (and wrecked his new New Balance running shoes!) To be honest, this may have made the jpost headlines reading something like “IDF captures 6 suspected west bank terrorists. 6 youths from Ein Arik were apprehended near Dolev last night for suspicious activity (film at 11).” So if you saw that headline, now you know the details!

One thing that anyone who visits the “occupied” West Bank can see is that is not really very occupied. Talmon is really pretty and looking over the hills at all the vast spaces that are unpopulated it is pretty clear that the Palestinians are very clever to portray their plight as a territorial one rather than a religious purge of the Jews (which certainly for Hamas and their ilk is the reality). If anyone would bother to look at the actual place, they would see plenty of room for everyone. Maybe it/s different in Gaza (but we're not there anymore) but the Yehuda V'shomron has lots of room for everyone...

Jerusalem is always an interesting place to live. As I was coming home on the bus Sunday, there was a huge traffic jam a block before one of the bus stops near our neighborhood. There was a road block was being by the police and the Army. Then we saw a group of large black Limos shoot by. The street remained cordoned off, and the bus had to turn down another street for a wide detour (fortunately I could get off before it got too far). What was going on, you ask? Ehud was having a little dinner party; Nick, Angela, Gordie, Juan, and a few others were invited. Since our apartment is 4 blocks east of the PMO, the neighborhood traffic was re-routed. I understand Ismael invited the group for desert, but there wasn’t a big enough tunnel left.

This week I wandered over to Elan’s house for dinner twice (take out once, my home cooking as usual Tuesday, thanks to Zeida for the recipe!). We got to watch as Shoshana performed her new tricks; pulling herself up to stand and walking across her crib. For a treat, check out the video on Facebook (although it is 3 minutes and usually only relatives have than much patience!!).

Between writing 2 grants, there was not much more time this week for evening activity. I am going to spend Shabbat in Modi-in with the Goldbergers, and Ariel will be in the same city but with other friends. The Yeshiva couple will be hosting boys for a meal. I went to pick up some Rogelach for Karen, Robert and family at Ariel’s favorite place (only 24 shekels/kg… Haval al hazman!) The next cheapest are 30+ and the big places (Ne-eman, Marzipan) are over 40 and I don’t think they are better. On the way I note that the Jerusalem light rail project, so far a disaster for Jaffa st. is starting to make progress. much of the track is now down in the downtown area near Kikar Tziyon. I also finally had a good cup of coffee. I have debated with many that Israelis don’t know the meaning of good coffee. We call this the land of milk and honey, but in most cafés it’s the land of milky (weak) coffee! It is the only place I have ever travelled where you need to order your coffee strong (chazak) because the regular is watered down on purpose (and some people specifically ask for Chalash or weak in the cafes!) Anyway, I stopped in at the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf on my way to the rogelach. This is an LA based chain, and although they don’t make American style coffee, they make a great Americano. Finally, B’H.

Please pray for refuah for Gilad Hillel ben Bracha Mirel, who underwent surgery this week, for Naama Bracha bat Devorah and Tamar Dina Bat Smadar.

And most important: Best wishes for the happiest of Birthdays to Barbara. There has never been a better partner, helpmate or friend ever created and I am eternally grateful that we have been blessed to be together.

Shabbat Shalom!