February 13-20

“Zeh lo hasof, zeh rak nigmar” It’s not the end, it’s just finished- Sign on Café Rehavia, a café next to my bus stop on Azza St., which closed last week.

That seems to be a fitting way to close this blog as well; its not the end, it’s only finished, until we start again, until we visit again. Of course, a long sabbatical like this comes once in 7 years, and we picked a wonderful time, a time to share in Elan and Nomi as a young couple, to share in Shoshana’s early months when every day brings a new trick, a new milestone; to enjoy watching Ariel dive head first into Yeshiva life, as we knew he would, and to be able to share in Monty and Daniella’s first trip to Israel as a married couple. We went at a time when health was good, when we could walk to the third floor of our apartment with the sacks (and backpacks) of groceries and not complain, and wander up and down the hilly landscape that makes up Jerusalem. (Trivia Question: How many stairs from Top to bottom in Yemin Moshe?) Ask Barbara for the answer.

We worked, we played and we enjoyed the family immensely. I think, actually, I know, that the feeling was mutual. It was a very precious time, and I hope over the years we can look back and truly appreciate what an opportunity it was.

But did we learn anything?

Sometimes I assume that question means did I learn anything new in the lab, did we find something interesting, did we advance out work. Other times, I think it is an invitation to comment on things we saw and found fun, strange, interesting or even frustrating. So in no particular order, this is some of what I learned.

Happily, I learned that there are wonderful exceptions to even the most entrenched behavior patterns. Last week I talked about the distance synagogues in most places we encountered keep from strangers. Then, we (Elan, Nomi, Shoshana, Ariel and I) went to visit Ruth and Itamar Maliach in Givat Shmuel and their amazing minyan/synagogue called Lechu Nerrranena. This place has a packed house on Friday nights with the largest adult Carlebach prayer I have seen. But more so, they go out of their way to greet newcomers and strangers, starting right from their president Baruch Kaplan, on down. The spirit and prayer is exceptional. The previous time we were there I really felt we need to bring some of their concept of ruach in prayer back to some of our synagogues, although I must say our own Ahavat Ysrael Minyan has a lot of that on a much smaller scale, and B”Z is as friendly a community that you can find.

I learned that timing is everything, and never be afraid to keep trying. I had not succeeded in reaching our friends the Grossman’s till 2 weeks before I left. Hadas was pregnant and due any day. One day before Nir and I were supposed to meet for lunch, Hadas gave birth to a boy. This allowed me to spend part of my last day at the Grossman Brit milah in the settlement of Nofei Prat. There were lots of people, great food, and even a couple of ex Montrealer’s (Yoni and Shira) and two of our former Kollel boys. Since I took the bus there, I got a detailed tour of Maaleh Adumim as a throw in prize; it brought back memories of my first trip there in ’78 when it was a few trailers in the desert. It is now a large sprawling city with an industrial park! Anyone who wants the link to the pictures of the brit, please email me.

I learned that, like with all other things in Israel, Egged city bus schedules are only a suggestion. Two examples: to catch the bus to Nofie Prat (there is only two in the AM and two in the PM) I had to take the 13 bus at our corner at 5:58. I was up very early and got there at 5:50, which was good since the bus came at 5:53. The next “scheduled” bus was 30 minutes later, too late to catch the 173 (but who knows when it would REALLY come!). Then last week was the piece de resitance. Every day, I took the 19 to Hadassah Ein Kerem. This bus is supposed to run every 10-15 minutes all day, but had the annoying habit of two buses frequently coming at the same time after a 25-30 minute wait. Last week, though, after I waited almost half an hour, one came, then another (I got on the 2nd since the first was packed), then a third, and halfway to the hospital a 4th pulled up along side. They played leap frog till they arrived at the Medical Center. Unbelievable!

I learned that even in the middle of Jerusalem, sometimes you don’t get a minyan; like the guy yesterday AM at 6 on the corner of Yafo near King George trying to find another male Jew to join in prayer.

I learned that sometimes, you really need to step back and look at things from the big picture, in your work, in your family and in your life. We had a fun going away tea party for myself and a graduating PhD student from the lab I was in. There were lots of nice things that were said about everyone, as it should be at these things, but one thing ran clear for me. It was that, due to the circumstances of the Sabbatical, I was able to really spend time listening to, training and teaching the students in Francesca’s lab, something I very much enjoy doing. And even though I normally have three jobs, and run from lab to hospital and can’t sit still for 5 minutes, I think this is an important facet to bring back. If you are training doctors, rabbis, scientists or even brick layers, there is no substitute for
time, patience, and an open ear to help someone without experience build and grow.

I also learned that there is not substitute for time invested in family. Of course, you are saying, you knew that already. Yes, I did and I do and I never take this for granted. It also comes under the rubric of stepping back, though. And making sure you take the time, use the time, and cherish the time. As an example, I think initially Ariel was a bit frustrated by our presence until he realized we would give him his space. So two weeks ago, he called on Thursday night, and asked “Are you going away for Shabbat this week?” When I told him no, he said “Good, I’ve been sick all week and I need to crash” You never want one of your kids to be sick, but the concept and the connection was very important to me (as was his superb recovery by later on Saturday after a good nights’ sleep, and a couple of good meals). Examples like that, like Tuesday night dinners, walking with the baby, learning with Elan, discussing life and other issues with the boys…all special things that need not only to be experienced but be taken for what they really are, a blessing.

On that note, let me wish Monty a major league Mazel tov on is acceptance to Technion Medical School. He is still waiting for other schools, but I can tell you wherever he goes he will make a great physician.

Please wish refuah shlema for Gilad Hillel ben Bracha Mirel, Naama Bracha bat Devorah and Tamar Dina bat Smadar

Condolences to Jeff and Rochelle on the untimely passing of their sister in law.

And in closing, let me wish the most special Shabbat Shalom to you all, but especially to my beautiful wife Barbara, without whom the last 6 Shabbatot were not the same. I look forward to never taking for granted the special times we have together for may more years.

And to us all, Next year in Jerusalem!

February 6-13

The surprise of the week was obviously the result of the election, or perhaps the lack thereof. The big winners, Tzipi Livni and Avigdor Leiberman, have victories with a liberal dose of salt. Tzipi did get more mandates than predicted, but she is no further ahead than when the Knesset was dissolved in having allies for a coalition. Leiberman was riding high with 18-20 mandates on the last polls, and although he did well it was not as well as hoped. Likely votes for his party went to Kadima. Although he may very well be Prime Minister, Bibi Netanyahu may be a loser. Why, you ask? This was his election for the taking. Early polls put him at 35 mandates. His campaign though was thoroughly uninspiring. As an unpopular Prime Minister in the mid 90’s (after Oslo started to slip and Yitzak Rabin’s assassination), Bibi could have ridden the wave to have Likud win by acknowledging what he learned from his last sojourn in the PMO and how much he contributed as minister of Finance under Sharon. Instead, he was the least outspoken of all the leaders, certainly in the print and radio media (I don’t really have a cable TV). So the results reflect a certain mistrust for Bibi, Ehud Barak…in fact most Israeli politicians. That is itself is sad, as we certainly need strong leadership in the viper pit of Middle East politics. People here were more caught up by Obama Mania than in their own elections. So for the next week, we wait till Shimon Peres asks someone if they want this thankless job….

My last full week in Jerusalem was just that; FULL. We started out on Shabbat with Ariel, who had been really under the weather all week, coming for Shabbat so he could just take it easy. A good night’s sleep and some good food (even chicken soup) seemed to really help; by Shabbat Afternoon he really seemed better (with the help of some antibiotics for his sinus infection as well!). We had Nomi, Elan and Shoshana for Shabbat lunch, which gave me the chance to really cook for Shabbat for the first time in weeks. I have to stay in practice for Cote St. Luc, you know. Ariel and I had coffee and bagels and a great chat after we did some paper work on Motzei Shabbat. The week went on with more lab work, trying to get the projects organized to continue now on two different continents.

Monday was Tu B’shvat, which allowed me to bring some really nice Israeli (not Turkish) fruit to our lab meeting. We shared stories of Tu B’shvat and I told everyone of our care packages with rock hard boxer (carob) every year in elementary school.

Then came the ‘last’ Tuesday night dinner,… for now. A spectacular feast of filet of sole, pasta primavera and Greek salad, topped off with strawberries, melon and rogelach. I think that Eli Cohen, who crashed once and became a regular will miss our cooking as much if not more than our kids! Shoshana enjoyed the past, strawberries and melon very much. I will try to post the strawberry video tot Facebook!

Tu B’shvat is a spectacular time to appreciate Israel. There are amazing blossoms on the trees, and the weather was starting to warm up. Till Tuesday, that is, when the temperature dove, the winds picked up and we had a major thunderstorm with rain on and off for about 24 hours. I got caught in a hail storm coming back from Elan and Nomi’s house. Thank G-d for the Inbal where I was able to duck inside before I became a victim of hail like in the 10 plagues. Wednesday I went to the Wedding of a graduate student in our lab, at a beautiful setting called Ganei Cananaan. It is just past Ramle about 15-20 minutes from Tel Aviv. The Chupa is on a pond with criss-crossing walkways. Very pretty and the Chattan and Kallah were properly feted by their friends and family. On Thursday I was invited to be taped for a new Web site providing allergy information for parents and children. It was a marathon session at my friend Ilan Dallal’s office in Holon (Wolfson Hospital) and hopeful they can find enough good clips for a useful presentation. Look for AllergyMD.com at a internet kiosk near you!!

Lost in Translation, Israel style: On a store on Jaffa Road: “We have past to 22 Haneviim” (Does that me that's their old address??)
(Hebrew for moved to a new place is “Avarnu”, which shares the root ‘past’, as in past tence, as well as ‘l’avor’ to cross over” )
On a bus shelter, an add for a general handyman for your home: Special! Apartment Constriction!! (and I thought Israeli apartments were small already! Apparently not….)

Since this is the last Jerusalem post, I have to comment on something I have noticed now that I have been around for almost 6 months. Israeli’s are not all that friendly to strangers, although not unfriendly, just kind of apathetic. This is probably for a good reason; there are so many tourists and chutznik-part timers, that you never know how ‘serious” someone is about living here. Israeli’s, whether native or new immigrant, certainly take pride in their ability to tough things out and live here in spite of the odds. It is really quite amazing sometimes, when people work 2-3 jobs and do what ever they have to to make ends meet, just to experience living here. Therefore, “Johnny come sometimes” people are not rapidly acknowledged. This may sound like a generalization, but I have been to a large enough number of synagogues to tell you that the ‘spontaneous greeter” is not commonly found, especially in Jerusalem. However, in the last few weeks, I have definitely noticed a difference; it is as if I have crossed an invisible threshold and have hung around enough to be greeted like other ‘regulars’. Oh well, just as I am leaving. With the kids here and especially Shoshana, I guess Barbara and I will be back soon in any case.

Please wish refuah shlema for Gilad Hillel ben Bracha Mirel, Naama Bracha bat Devorah and tamar Dina bat Smadar

Happy Birthday to someone, I am sure (tell me who I forgot!)

Shabbat Shalom to everyone, and greet one stranger this Shabbat. Maybe with little kindnesses we will merit more Devine assistance in this crazy world!

Bruce and Barbara

January 30-February 6

As we wind down this incredible experience, the weather begins to be more spring like. After all, next week is Tu-B’Shevat, the 15th day of the Jewish month of Shevat. This is the New Year for the trees. It has important religious significance, in terms of the timing of certain agricultural obligations, but for most people it is a time to celebrate the beauty and wonder of this oasis in the desert, to partake in its fruits and thank G-d for the kind gifts He has given us. Now, for many of us who live outside of Israel, Tu B-Shevat conjures up memories of eating inedible boxer fruit (or was it carob?) and singing about almonds flowering and olive trees standing (Atzei Zeitim Omdim! Atzei Zeitim Omdim!)
This year, I can see almond trees in bloom, cherry blossoms, and other flowers popping up. Walking to the bus, I saw people were busy planting flowers (sounds a bit strange in February, no?) All appreciating the beauty of this very special place.

Last Shabbat was spent in Neve Daniel, at the home of Reuven and Chani Or. The Or’s were the first of consecutive Israeli neighborhs we had on Cedar Ave in Denver. They had 4 children including two teenage daughters who were great baby sitters. Now, 20 years later, there are 10 Or grandchildren (9 years to 3 months) and Reuven takes great pleasure in conducting the singing at the Shabbat table. Neve Daniel is 10 minutes south of Jerusalem, yet because it is over the “green line” it is considered “West Bank”. Sorry, no water or river banks in view. Again, like Talmon, it is near a major center, this time Bethlehem. Everyone looks as much like a “settler” as people in Cedarhurst, Dollard or Aurora Colorado (less stores). It is a beautiful residential suburb of 300 families. On Shabbat however, I went to shul with Meir Or (the youngest of Reuven and Chani’s kids) to Sdei Boaz, which is a new “outpost” on the next hill top, 20 minutes from the house. The walk and scenery was spectacular, and we ended up at a village of trailers, and makeshift dwellings. It is a strategic hilltop, and this is why people have come to live there. We arrived early, as Meir likes to set up the shul, but first we stopped to feed the horse. You got that right…sometimes I wish I had a Shabbat camera!

The week flew by, as it was punctuated by a conference at Tel Aviv University on Tuesday. To not have to get up at the crack of dawn, I went to Ruth and Itamar Maliach’s in Givat Shmuel on Monday night. We had a lovely dinner and in the morning I was able to take one bus directly to the TAU to attend the Israeli Immunology Society annual meeting. The meeting was very good, and the weather in TA spectacular. We had our usual dinner at Elan’s house after (I was a bit late but had prepared before) and everyone enjoyed honey chili Oriental chicken. The only down side was that most everyone was under the weather, with a bad flu going around the Yeshiva. Only Shoshana (and me) seemed to be in good health…Shoshana scurrying around the floor after everything. She’s really bouncing around these days!

Wednesday night I was privileged to hear Profesor Abraham Steinberg, a well known expert in Jewish Medical Ethics. He spoke about the challenges of defining human beings, mothers and fathers in light of the new advances in fertility. Pretty challenging questions.

And there happens to be a little election coming up on Tuesday. Nothing special, just the future of the country for the next 4 years. Israeli’s have a very different attitude than North American’s to voting. They believe that their candidate has to most closely mirror all of their values. That is why there are so many splinter parties that do so well. As we know, the net effect is chaos, with coalitions that are unwieldy. Independently in multiple discussions with people, Elan and I arrived at the same conclusion…as Elan put it, they think it’s like voting for class president…they guy you like gets your vote. It doesn’t matter if there is paralysis in the government!
Interestingly, it will be a very right wing government, since if the polls mean anything the only politician who has gained over the campaign in the Avigdor Lieberman, the head of Israel our Home (Yisrael Beitenu). Tuesday is a day off for everyone on election day, so it should be an interesting one!

Today I have the pleasure of preparing Shabbat for our children…Ariel’s flu became a sinusitis, and he needed some time off, and Elan and Nomi and Shoshana are joining us for lunch tomorrow. During my shopping I bumped into Bilha Fruchter, here for a visit. She looks great and will join us for desert tomorrow.

Please wish Monty a very Happy Birthday (even if he is in New York this week!)
Please Wish Jacob Mazer a super happy 17th!

Please pray for Refuah Shlema for Gilad Hillel ben Brach Mirel, Naama Bracha bat Devorah and Tamar Dian bat Smadar.

Wishing you all a peaceful and meaningful Shabbat Shalom.