Forest Rain

Hopefully in the future there will also be miracles for us. We are going to need them.

September 4, 2014

I don’t think people realize how small Israel is… because we are so small a terrorist act that kills 5 or 7 people is like the 9/11 attack in America. During Operation Protective Edge 72 people were killed. Can you imagine experiencing the attacks of 9/11 14 times in two months? Many are left with … More Hopefully in the future there will also be miracles for us. We are going to need them.

Davka happy – at least for a few moments…

September 2, 2014

Davka is a word in Hebrew that describes an attitude. It combines stubbornness and action taken although (or maybe because) someone else would prefer it not be… the davka attitude can make Israelis very annoying but it is also a major part of what makes us strong. The davka attitude, directed at the anti-Semites, BDS’ers … More Davka happy – at least for a few moments…

Israel, not what you think…

September 1, 2014

Welcoming IDF soldiers home from war, rejoicing that they are alive… what could be more Israeli? They type of celebration seen in the video below is as Arab as it gets. An older woman sings out in piercing tones words of greeting, words of blessing. The other women join in. To western ears their tone … More Israel, not what you think…

It’s not just a BOOM. The ground shakes and you shake with it.

August 29, 2014

Each time sirens sounded across Israel parents covered their children’s bodies with their own, willing to sacrifice in order to shield loved ones. It seemed the obvious, correct thing to do. Jehan Berman is one of the many parents who turned themselves in to human shields for their children. Jehan immigrated to Israel from Belgium and … More It’s not just a BOOM. The ground shakes and you shake with it.

May this be the hour of mercy…

August 28, 2014

This request is not appropriate at the time of a child’s circumcision. “May this be the hour of mercy” is a request to God to see suffering and heal it, to see the severity of a problem and fix, a request for forgiveness and mercy. The brit milah is the ritual circumcision of Jewish boys, … More May this be the hour of mercy…

Ceasefire, winners & losers.

August 27, 2014

As we move in to yet another ceasefire I can’t help thinking that only in Israel can winners also be losers. And that losing can be very dangerous… How can Israel accept a ceasefire an hour after a citizen is killed by Hamas rockets, others critically injured forcing paramedics to give emergency care under rocket … More Ceasefire, winners & losers.

This isn’t Gaza. This is Ashkelon, Israel.

August 26, 2014

Israel is under attack. Children in their homes, sleeping in their beds, are under attack. Every time Israel attempts to “make peace” this is what we get in return (how do you make peace with someone who wants to kill you?). These pictures are from this morning…

They did everything right… almost.

August 24, 2014

They did everything right, They got married, had a boy. He was bouncy and fun, wise beyond his years. He taught them to love, taught them to be good parents. They had two more children. They played with them, looked after them. One day it was no longer safe for their children to play outside. … More They did everything right… almost.

Where are the leaders, the role models & heroes?

August 23, 2014

The answer is simple – in Israel. Some of you may remember Ziv Shilon. I wrote about him in the article: “The stuff that legends are made from…” In a time when the supposed leader of the free world responds to the beheading of his citizens with an intense round of golf it is worth … More Where are the leaders, the role models & heroes?

Sending the kids to kindergarten…

August 21, 2014

If you checked kindergartens around the world I’m sure you’d find differences of architecture, design and decorations. One thing I am certain is the same across all cultures, nations and countries – the attempt to make kindergartens bright and cheerful, happy environments. Israeli kindergartens are cheerful and bright. Whenever possible they have adjoining yards so … More Sending the kids to kindergarten…