Election Roundup

Wow, I am so happy that the elections here are over! I don't even know who won yet, and frankly, I couldn't care that much. You know why? B/c of the following reasons:

1. No more Moshe Abutbol songs
2. My kids not singing the Moshe Abutbol theme song
3. No more election litter

Among other things I've noticed that the politics here, are way different than the US.

For starters, in the US, who gets elected to the city council doesn't really change the city that much. Your guy or some other, they are still going to get the basics done.

Here, it can make the difference of who is going to get a school building. I had a real negius to vote for one party, since the menahel of our school is there #2 guy. That means, he gets in, we probably will get a school (I wasn't worried about him getting elected though).

The gedolim appear to be used greatly in the elections. If you don't vote this way, like the gedolim say, you're going to gehinom, or you're a toavah, take your pick. On top of that, one party had brought one of the biggest gedolim in the country to come down to our city and "electioneer" for them, I mean, why waste his time to bring him down here, I'm sure he has better things to do than worry about the politics of Beit Shemesh. I'm not c"v knocking him, as I'm sure he was doing what he thought was best, but the people responsible, who got him to come down, it's not as if he is some big shot politician, who you want to bring down to get his endorsement. You want his endorsement, you go to him, don't bring him down here to get him dirty c"v.

Any, I'm happy they are over. we'll see who wins shortly...

Neighborhood Excitement

This evening we had some excitement for the kids. Some kid runs over to his parent by the benches where Sarah and the neighborhood women hang out and shmooze (while watching the children of course), and start yelling about something being chashuv, very chashuv. Only after a few times, we realize, oh, a chafetz chashud!

Now when doesn't a c"c bring joy and fun to children?

You get to watch the robot be deployed, get yelled at police to stay back, and even here a few rounds go off, as the robot desperately tries to detonate some poor kids knapsack that he left behind as he was running for the bus.

Why, I recall when I was in yeshiva here, in my first year, someone noticed a suspicious looking woman drop a bag or two into our garbage area, so the police came down (while we were still in shiur), and started evacuating us from the beis medrash. And when I say evacuating, I mean he was yelling at us to get out of there!

Now what would you except a bunch of American yeshiva guys to do?

We snapped pictures of course!

Ahhh, memories, but I digress. Anyway, some poor kids lost bag, about an hour of the police time wasted, and the neighborhood kids get some free entertainment!

Aliyah Motivational Posters

In the days and weeks leading up to the US elections, I have heard the same rumblings that preceded the 2004 elections. "If that guy wins, I'm moving to Canada". Only this time, it was "If that guy wins, I'm moving to Israel"

Well people, here's your chance! I've only been here for about 5 months, but I (and I'm sure most of the rest of this country) will gladly accept you and welcome you with open arms.

Just in case you need some motivation to make the move, as I'm sure in a few weeks, you'll be saying "ehh, he's not really that bad", I have made up a few motivational posters for you to hang* in your house.

Better yet, hang them in your shul, get your friends to come as well!

* These photos were gleaned form the internet, and I take no responsibility for any copyright problems that might come about due to your use of them

Job Hunt

For those of you not aware, I am back in the market!

If anyone out there can find me any position that I would be happy with, and pays my bills, I will personally buy them lunch*!

Seriously, though, I am looking for a position as web application developer with Microsoft technologies. Either a position to telecommute to the states, or one locally here in the center of Israel (between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem).


*lunch by my definition would probably amount to some pizza and a coke, but then for a job, I would probably splurge

The Night sounds of RBS

I've been meaning to put up a post about the night wildlife in the area, and how close it is to us. Between seeing a couple of praying mantis' on my windows to the sounds of the jackal or wolves, or whatever they are in the hills outside my window.

Instead, for the past couple of days, perhaps weeks, it's not wolves, jackals or crickets, I hear. But rather it is the incessant flyovers done by the the army. Between the fighter jets that fly overhead (I think about 7 flew over the in the span of about 5-10 minutes (and not flying together either), to the helicopters flying really close by.

I know I was told there is an army base nearby, though when you have s country this size, everything is nearby. However, Sarah keeps getting the feeling that something is happening.

And I'm starting to get that feeling too. Whether it's a buildup, or just plain maneuvers, it seems that something is going on.

If anyone out there is privy to some insider information, please let me know!

Elections: What is going on here?!?!

Ok, now I figured that electioneering would be a bit different here that in the alter heim, however I never thought it would be quite like this.

We're here in the house getting the kids out of the shower an into bed, when we hear this music start playing. Sarah first asks me not to play the music until the children are in bed. I'm wondering who is blaring their music outside.

Then it starts getting louder, and the horns start going - no not those horns, the car horns! And not just one or tow, but a whole lot.

Then I hear Shweky singing real loud, and see something out of my office window.

Sarah called back to me that she sees some letters on the cars ayin daled . And I think that's strange, those are the letters of this new party in town call Tov.

The singing is getting louder.

The first cars I see coming up Refaim have tons of lights on them, which makes me first thing it's a hachnosos sefer Torah, but it's a recorded Shweky singing.

That can't be.

I then see the rest of this whole procession of cars, and they are bearing the letters ayin daled on then and "Yehi Tov" posters, and balloons. While all of the cars are beeping and honking their horns.

I'm thinking where in the world am I?!?! Is this how they plan on getting my vote? I know there is the whole adage of and press is good press, but c'mon!

Now I just have two conflicting emotions:
I am scared - there are still another 6 parties or so.
And why didn't they invite me!

The Close of the Yom Tov Season

It's that time of year again, when the sukkas start to come down, and the nights get longer.

Just reflecting on Yom Tov for a bit, It was great being here. I won't say I got any particular high, or felt that something special of being Here. I could chalk it up to the fact that I've been bogged down with everything that I didn't have a chance to really feel "It".

To top that off, I even had the guilty feeling of anticipating Yom Tov being over. Though that feeling was more in line with wanting to get back to a normal routine. Get back to my learning in the morning, family time in the afternoon, and work in the evening.

I want my routine back!

But really, I don't feel that guilty about it. Despite not getting a particular high out of my first Yom Tov being here, I did have a great time. We spent a lot of quality family time, and Yom Tov was really great. And the only reason I really have any anticipation of this coming Thursday (read back to my schedule), is just so I can get back to my regular routine, and not a despisal of Yom Tov.

So, here's looking to growth and stability!

Google Maps in Israel

This is really neat! Google Maps finally made it to Israel. Oh the days of waiting for emaps to load up are done.

But wait!

Although Google is much faster to load and the directions come back in an instant, I think Emaps does have something over Google. The emaps dynamic city/street drops downs are an incredible help (though probably also the reason it's so slow), especially for those of us olim chadashim, who still can't figure out if there is some sort of standard English spelling for the Hebrew names (which I don't think there is).

For example, I tried googling from my apartment (pictured above) to Geula. I didn't bother trying to type in Geula...

(Quickly looking it up - behold, the results - though not what I was looking for. They sent me to Kikar Geula Galaktion, though Kikar Shabbat does get me where I want to go, but not without numerous misspellings).

However, it was easier to just find Malchei Yisroel (Malkei Yisrael?) Street on the map on click to go there. However, with emap, they make it somewhat better with their drop downs.

Though all of this does not negate the Israeli way of directions. When I asked my friend how to get to the Air Force museum yesterday. He told me get to Be'er Sheva, and then ask someone.

I followed his instructions, and when we got to Be'er Sheva yesterday, I stopped at someplace to ask for directions. The wildest thing, was that the person I stopped actually worked at the museum and was able to direct us there!

Now I'm not sure if it's b/c Be'er Sheva is pretty small, but it's all hasgacha pratis over here!

Updated links for directions (Apparently Blogger doesn't like when you past in single quotes in their add a link button)

Chol Hamoed - Day 1

(click on picture above for all the pics from that day)

Today we went to the Israel Air force Museum where we had a great time. It was so for two reasons.

1. We met up with two other families that made aliyah this summer with us from Passaic, and from our Shul - Ahavas Israel.
2. They had some really amazing air crafts there.

The air crafts ranged from a number of "stolen" airplanes, that consisted of some Syrian or Russian Jew, who happened to have been a pilot in their respective armies, and promptly defected - with their airplane - to Israel. As well as a number of airplanes that were smuggled into Israel, to get past the British.

My thought after seeing those planes, was that the museum is in a way a great proof for anyway who wants to claim the illegitimacy of the state - everything was stolen to create the state!

My friend Oren, brought one of the signs to my attention, that showed how ga'avadik the Air Force is. They had a sign on one of the anti-aircraft guns that were once upon a time belonging to Russia (probably by way of Syria), and they mentioned how good of a weapon it was, but then made sure to point out, they they never had to use it, as they air force didn't let any enemy planes through!

Regardless, walking through the museum was great, it was all outside, where the weather was nice, amazing airplanes to look at, and even a large number of anti-aircraft weapons - which they even had a Patriot!

Very cool. I would definitely suggest this trip to anyone who has a boys - or if your wife likes to look at fighter planes!

Yom Tov Sheini

Today was kind of weird at first, though I was a bit surprised at how well I adjusted to the new Yom Tov schedule.

As being an oleh chadash, one of the benefits which I don't think they mentioned in any of the NBN meetings or through our Aliyah Shaliach, was the one day of Yom Tov. Now I know we were here for Shavuos, but we don't really count that, as we had only arrived 10 days before that, and TC was born that night, so it was a bit of a whirlwind, felt more like a regular Shabbos.

So now, Succos was the first Yom Tov we really actualized the One day of Yom Tov. Now as I mentioned above I thought it was going to be weird. As I'm sure you can agree, I've been keeping two days for 31 years now (I guess including the years I didn't even realize). It's something that has always been ingrained with me growing - there are always two days.

But not anymore! I was amazed at how easy it was to just change like this. It was nice having only one day of Yom Tov to get ready for. On Motzei Y"T I was able to get start cleaning up. The house was more in order, it was just nice.

Oh yeah, and we have one more day of Chol Hamoed too!

Ahhh, just one day.

Oh, and I so badly wanted to call my parents at what would be during their seudah (2nd day of course) and leave a message along of the lines of "Hi Mom & Dad! Just thought I'd wish you a good moed - oops, that's right it's still Yom Tov for you!"

-I didn't, as I figured we are still a bit too close to Yom Kippur for me to mess up with Kibud Av v'Eim already!

I'm back?

Ok, I know it's been slightly over a month since I've been here, but what with life and all creeping on me, this blog kind of get the short end of my attention span.

But then again, since I have such a vast readership (read 2 people) I figured no one would notice.

Anyway, I have tons that have been on my mind lately that I kept thinking, oh, that would be great to blog about, so I'll see what I can get up here...

(to be continued)

An Open Letter to My Dear Brother

Neal,

I just wanted to express how sorry I am that Mommy forgot to bring her gift to you. You don't know how sorry I am about this. Since this weeks parsha discusses Bal Tashchis, I feel that it is my duty to make sure that your gift is well taken care of.

And thank you!

Back to School!

Well, Monday was a special day in the Bauer household for two reasons.

1. It was Rosh Chodesh Elul
2. We changed our meal schedule to now have fleishigs for lunch
3. The boys went back to school

(And yes, this was the best picture I got of them, and if you were on Nachal Arugot on Monday morning, I was the guy trying to photograph my children)

Now don't ask me which was my favorite among those, as it's a difficult choice :o), however, we were supposed to have a "going back to school" party but we were to wiped out from vacation to have it.

Maybe after Succos?!

Am I now a real oleh?

My mother has just been here for the past week. It was great while she was out here. She got to spend some time with her grandchildren. I got to catch up on some family goings ons in person. The kind of stuff you can't really get through on the phone. We also got to take some trips with the children.

All in all it was a great visit.

So this past motzei shabbos I drove her to the airport, and we got to talk for a bit, saying our good byes.

Now, I'm not that emotional of a person. Particularly when it comes to goodbyes (be it b/c I'm a guy, or I'm just cold hearted) I don't get worked up. I have no problems with the good byes in the airport.

So I was a bit surprised when I had a bit of a strange feeling as I was walking out of the airport. It was one of here is my home. I'm escorting my mother out of my home as she goes back to hers. And this is my home. Be it Ben Gurion airport, or the winding river like roads of Ramat Beit Shemesh. I'm home. I go to Ben Gurion to pick people up or escort them home. I don't go there anymore to say goodbye to Eretz Yisroel.

I'm finally home.

Betsy

Someone just reminded me about my old car - Betsy.

Ahh how I miss her.

She was great, got me all the way through Yeshiva to my wedding. Though she was anything but graceful.

She had what would be politley called character! She had a sagging roof that I had to staple up so it wouldn't take my yameka off when I had to turn my head.

She had things sticking out of the headrest that my wife still complains about her injury in my car on one of our dates (I think it barely broke her skin).

She even had tzoraas.

Not to mention at some point the passanger door had issues opening.

So it came as a huge surprise when one morning my parents got woken up when the police came to the door at around 7am asking if we were missing a car.

My mother saw my fathers car, saw hers, and replied, not that I'm aware of, have you found one?

So he said that they found an 88 Celebrity idling in front of the nearby school and was wondering if we wanted it back.

Figuring it still did get me to yeshiva my father and I drove over there (all of 3 blocks away) to pick it up. It was kind of surreal, as it was way to early in the morning for us, and the police even agreed with us in our perplexedness as to why would someone steal the car.

In the end the only damage was an ashtray filled with change (about $4), and part of the ignition broken off.

On the bright side, it did add an extra bit of character, as the police officer showed me how to "hotwire" my car with the screwdriver the theives left me (whoo hoo new screwdriver!), as they broke the part of the ignition the key goes into.

(After a bit, I got better at it and was able to start it without the screwdriver).

Tiyul: Beit Shmesh Stalactite Cave

Our first real tiyul with Bubbie was to the Beit Shemesh Stalactite Cave. After the drive up the hill we were all ready for a break, and found a nice picnic table for lunch (as an aside, one of the great things about this country, is you can go about every 100 meters and find another picnic area).

On to the caves!

We park the car, and go up to the booth to get a ticket, and we see we have to descend a mountain to get to the cave. Sarah said wow this is pretty nice, is this it? I had to sadly tell her no, this was just the beginning, oh, and don't forget, we still have to walk back up!

We were a little wary at first, as the last time we went on a tiyul in a cave, it was pitch black, and I had two little children who were practically petrified going through. B"H this one went alright. After going in, paying and getting ready to enter, they told us that the tour is only in Hebrew. So we're thinking fine, lets go with out a tour guide. What do we need one for anyway, there's a path right? there's some light? We'll be fine!

Unfortunately, they didn't see things the same way we did, and we were forced to go though with the guide.

On the plus side, the movie at the beginning had English subtitles! So Sarah read them to the kids (who I think really do understand now, but are just playing with us). Mind you, I did have to chase after RM as he thought it would be fun to run in front of the video (I mean why wouldn't it be fun to have your father chase you all over the tiny theater).

Then we start to go in, though with a small warning of "Don't touch the rocks". That's like telling my children "Don't breathe", or "Don't sneak into the nosh cabinet at 6 in the morning" I mean c'mon!

So pretty much the rest of the tour was the guide telling us how all the rocks look like snow white or Santa Clause, me running after RM wondering where he went. Telling the children not to touch the rocks, Sarah being bored b/c she didn't understand the guide (lay off of her, she just got here, she'll pick up the Hebrew soon enough, relax!).

So if you want to know, yes we did have a good time, it was fun and we'll probably go again, once we all work on our Hebrew a bit!

More to come

Since my mother arrived in Israel last week, I've been very busy. In particular, this week has been very busy, with us tiyuling around, and then as soon as I get home, hitting the keyboard for work.

The short list is we've been to Beit Shemesh (I know, I know, it's just 10 minutes away, but we went to he Stalactite cave), Shalavim, and the Yerushalayim.

Later this week we're up for Yavne, Tel-Aviv, and who knows what else.

We'll see what we can pack in with out the adults passing out.

I'll fill you all in (and with pictures!) when I have a few more minutes to breath!

Goldsmith the Silversmith

I had to get one of our candle sticks fixed, as it was wounded in the move. Looking for a way to get it repaired (before my mother came), I saw an ad for Goldsmithe the Silversmith. I figured with a cute name like that how could I go wrong?!

As I dropped it off, I was shmoozing with him for a little bit. He's an older man, who made aliyah with his wife not that long ago. He told me that he was a silversmith in the old country, had retired, and moved here. I asked him what he's doing if he's retired. So you know what he told me? It was a response that you'd only find here.

He said that he needs to keep his skills in shape, b/c when Mashiach comes, and the Bais Hamikdash is brought back, we're going to be geting all of the gold & silver keilim (utensils). Since some people say that they were hidden in the ground, they are going to be needing a real good cleaning when they come back up. And who better to give them a good shine and a touch up than an experienced & qualified silversmith.

I just get amazed by the people around here all the time.

Someone needs a potch

And I mean a good one too!

The article linked below reminds me (lehavdil elef havdalos) of how my children sometimes rarely act. They ask for a cup of juice, I pour them one, and then they kvetch that they want more than what I gave them. To the point that we've had a few breakdowns of cihildren screaming and wailing on the floor that I didn't give them enough.

Stuff like this makes me angry:

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad on Sunday welcomed Israel's decision to release close to 200 Palestinian prisoners as a gesture to the Palestinian Authority, but said Israel should release even larger numbers of prisoners.

"We welcome the release of any Palestinian prisoner. It is considered a victory for Palestinians," he told The Associated Press during a tour of the northern village of Tubas. "We ask Israel to change its conditions for releasing prisoners and we ask for the release of all prisoners without exception."

They can't be happy with what they are given, I mean the PM is giving them their prisoners back, 200 isn't enough, they need more.

I guess they never learnt Pirkei Avos:

Who is rich? One who is satisfied with his lot

On the bright side, I guess this means that at least the gov't can save a few shekels now.

Not to Complain & Ice Cream

After reading this post from Jameel What is a JBlogger?, I realized it could have been construed that I was kvetching a bit in my previous post. However, I didn't feel that I was kvetching so much as bringing to light the metzius of the situation I was in.

In light of this, I thought I would at least bring a positive situation we have here in regards to our grocery stores and makolets. And that would be two words.

Ice Cream.

They have the most amazing array of ice creams in this country. Coming from someone who keeps chalav yisroel, in the states it's pretty hard to find anything that spectacular. I mean you have Kliens with their most daring of flavours - Cookies and Cream - oooh.

But here, it's just incredible what they have. I know my wife is planning on writting something about ice cream, as I believe that is one of her primary foods (which if I'm not mistaken, she put some clause about ice cream in the kesuvah), I'll let her get more in depth on this issue.

Getting back what you gave them

In my family we used to be OK with the ideas of mortality and possessions. Well, at least my sister and I were, we never really asked how our parents felt about it.

What you ask is the association of mortality and possessions?

Well, picture this, Shabbos afternoon, during the seudah, I say to my sister:

"Naomi, I call the dinning room table!"

She replies, "OK, but I get the breakfront"

"Fine, but I get the wine chest"

"Wait, that's not fair, you're getting Bubbie's dinning room table, you can't get the wine chest as well - that was hers!"

"Alright, fine, you get the wine chest, but I get couch!"

And this would continue for a few more minutes. Now like I said we never asked how our parents felt about this (they can chime in in the comments if they like), but we were OK with it. I mean, death is an eventuality that we were mature enough to handle (at about 13 or so) and with that comes the divvying up of possessions.

So now flash forward some 18 years, and we're hanging up some pictures on the wall of our new place. Sarah is sitting in her chair directing me as to where the pictures should go, and SL is sitting on the couch holding and admiring one of the hanging things we have, and says:

"Mommy, when you die chas v'shalom, can I have this?"

Sarah was a bit flustered, not sure how to respond, while I with my years of going through the same conversations replied, "SL, just wait till that happens, then we can discuss it".

Nothing like pushing off the inevitable!

Where's the Beef?

It's 20:30 (or 8:30 pm for you Americans), and Sarah and I want a burger. Ok, no problem, we shlepped along a brand new grill fromthe US. It's a nice one too. It's got a warming rack, and a nice little burner on the side so I can cook stuff. Like noodles or something. That goes good with meat right? I even paid some money to get a gas tank installed, I mean it's kind of hard to grill with out gas - or so I'm told.

Anyway, I figure, I live in Israel, the land of the Jews, the land of milk & honey, the land where they have completely kosher stores called Chocolate land and Candy Land. Surely I can run out to the local grocey and pick up some pre-made burgers or at least some ground beef.

So I run out to the grocery. I first look through the fresh meat case. Ummm. Nope, lots of chicken, I mean tons of chicken. Cutlets, shnitzel (thin cutlets), pieces, livers, even hearts. They have chicken hearts! But no meat.

Okay, off to the frozen meat section. First I get excited, a whole array of prepackaged meat stuff. But dissappointment settles in when I realize it's just veggie stuff. Okay next row - which when I mean row, I'm talking about a good 30 feet of frozen goods - what do I see, but more chicken! I mean I like chicken, but I want some meat - particularly the ground up kind that I can mold into a nice delicious burger, with a special bland of spices mixed in, and some BBQ sauce on top grilling in the open night air. Ahhhh. But I digress, I'm losing focus. Where's the beef!

Shuffling through the frozen chicken, I find the meat. But alas it's just hunks of meat. I mean I'm surprised as I haven't really seen this kind of stuff in the states. But no ground beef! I mean give me something. Even a small package of 1/2 a pound would do. I could make a burger out of that. But nothing!

I leave the store dejected. I wander around feeling down that I can't bring home the beef. What am I to do :(

I finally drag myself over to Grill Burger where I order up two burgers and sadly drive home with my find. I mean I'm a guy, I'm supposed to be killing my cow throwing it on the grill and calling it a dinner. Instead I have to resort to buying burgers, I mean who does that nowadays!

Well, If there's anything this outing has taught me, it's that I have to find myself a good butcher in this town of mine. And one that can grind me up some beef.

Heavenly Bodies

Tonight I saw my first satellite - with my own eyes. The ISS was passing overhead, and it was specifically visible to Israel.

Apropos to see my first heavenly body in Israel!

Oh, and since I was out there, and had a handy star chart, I was able to easily spot Jupiter.

I've been wanting that telescope for a long time now...

ht: life in Israel & Mike Winner

The 9 Days

This past Wednesday I had a first.

It was the first time I attended a siyum during the nine days and got to eat meat!

It wasn't as exciting as I thought it would be.

The siyum though was for my downstairs neighbors son. He had just completed Shas mishnayos - for the second time. Oh yeah, and he hasn't even started yeshivah ketana (or high school) yet.

When his father spoke, he mentioned how all he did was just set a goal for himself, and then hit it. Even though we are just off of the 9 days, and we're supposed to be working on our sinas chinam, and how jealousy is one of the root causes of that. I can say that I am jealous of him, and how he was able to stick with his goal, and finally acheive it.

I believe this kind of jealousy is ok.

Which Superhero am I?

Your results:You are Superman

Superman 80% Robin 72% Supergirl 67% Spider-Man 55% Hulk 45% Wonder Woman 42% The Flash 40% Green Lantern 40% Iron Man 40% Batman 30% Catwoman 20%

You are mild-mannered, good, strong and you love to help others.

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

Admitting you're wrong

There are sometimes in life where you just have to realize that you weren't meant to do something. In order to grow you have to know your strengths as well as your weaknesses. Yesterday, I came to a sad conclusion....I've should never be an ulpan teacher.

SL comes home earlier than his younger two brother (read previous post to find out why). So during this time we get to have MU time (Me & you = MU). So yesterday I asked him the usual questions: "How was school?", "What did you do today?", etc. So, he decided to tell me what he does during the day. As he's reviewing, davening, learning, hafsaka, etc., he mentions that during lunch rebbe sometime has a lotto. OK I think that's nice. Then SL complains "Why does rebbe always say pa'amayim by my name?" I think OK pa'am means time (as in one time). So pa'amayim means twice. But, just to make sure I take out my handy Hebrew/English dictionary. I'm scanning and I see what I think is what I'm looking for but, it says that it means "sometimes".

So this is when it goes downhill fast. I'm in loving, patient mother mood (read: I took a nap). So I say OK SL let's use it in a sentence to understand it better:

"Shimon Leib dachuf ach shelo....pa'amayim!"
"Shimon Leib daber chutzpa...pa'amayim!"
"Shimon Leib yeled tov...pa'amayim!"

Now he's rolling with laughter. Later AY comes comes home. We do the same thing with him. We're all in a joyful mood. Everyone is happy they learned a new word. I feel like a good mother, etc.

Then Eric gets home. We talk about they day and I proudly tell him what happened today and how I taught the children a new word. His face was first a smirk, then a giggle, then a full fledged roaring laughter. (For any of you who've seen Eric really laugh you know what I mean). He said Sarah, pa'amayim means twice, l'famim means sometimes."

Oh well, I guess I could always stretch out my maternity leave a little longer until I know the language better.

Only in Israel

So back in the states most museums might have a coat check, or stroller check, if they don't allow strollers. In Israel, they have a weapons check

Tiyul Time!

Yesterday after school, we all piled into the car to go on our somewhat religious Sunday tiyul. Being that my work load is lighter on Sunday, we have the liberty of going out and getting back in before I have to hit the keyboard.

To tell the truth, the only reason we went on this tiyul was to find a book for Sarah. Being that she is going to be home all day with the kids, and not even fasting, she wanted to read something that would get her into the Tisha B'Av spirits, that would also hold her interest. We heard about a new book called "On my Walls Jerusalem" and decided to get it. Since our local bookstore didn't carry it, we figured it's a good excuse to go to Jerusalem.

So, where was I, ah yes. We all piled into the car and drove off into the mid afternoon sun.

Wait a second, I forgot to tell you where we headed off.

We first thought about going to the Biblical zoo, but passed on that as we thought in might not be purely in the spirit of the 9 days. I then recalled the mini model of the old city from the time of the 2nd temple. Ah, that seems like a god idea for the 9 days - to see what we've lost.

So, into the car we piled, and driving off into the mid afternoon sun, we arrived at the Israel Museum. Lucky for us, someone donated some money to the museum, and we saved on the kids admission!

We got in and headed straight for the model. It was incredible. The detail that the builders put into it was amazing.

We wandered around the model for a while, headed over to the Dead Sea Scrolls, and left b/c the kind security guards told us we had to leave.

From there we headed out to Geula to find the sefer/book Sarah was looking for, and hit the jackpot on only our second seforim store. Next we obligingly headed out to Uri's pizza where I got yelled at b/c RM decided to start wandering off almost into the street of Malchei Yisroel. B"H he was fine.

We then piled back into the car and headed home.

Thankfully no one puked on the ride back :o)

IKEA איקאה

Hi, I'm kinda back, and we'll see where this stint takes us.

Today we decided we have nothing better to do, so let's drive to IKEA! After all the boys got home, ate lunch, dawdled for a bit (as is the Bauer minhag (custom)) we piled into the car and drove the hour plus to go up to Netanya. B"H it was a nice uneventful ride, with RM falling asleep, and I only had to pull over once (albeit it was to put up a sun blocker for RM)!

We then promptly dropped any of the children off at the play area (not that we cv"s wanted to get rid of them, it was for their sake, and the sake of the store that we did it). So we strolled around for our alotted hour with RM & TC. IT was actually kind of nice strolling around looking at stuff that was just not for us. We looked at tables and chairs (which we so desperatly need).

So, the highlight of going to Ikea was going to the food court there. Now I've been to Ikea in the states before, and thier food court has never been particularly enticing, I mean their Swedish meatballs look good, but growing up with my background, I'm used to not eating out in furniture stores, so it never did it for me. However, now that we can eat out in our favorite furniture store, it was a whole new world. We decided to eat dinner there, and we were actually impressed, we all enjoyed the food, and if it weren't for the fact it takes over an hour to get there, we'd probably go there just to have dinner again!

Anyway, after finishing up dinner, we headed back with a few tired and cranky children, but B"H no one threw up (Yay)! Although, RM did pull himself up behind me in the car and tell me that he had to through up, in between snickers of slight laughter. I then told him he really didn't need to so I think that was able to sway him, and keep the ride home peaceful and smelling nice.

B"H there will be more to come...

IT'S A GIRL!!

Since it's been a while since we've posted, Eric let me write a post. I figured the title was a continuation from "she's in labor" and that's all everyone talks about.

I've learned the word pitzele recently. I mean I knew what it meant just I hear that word almost as much as "Mommy he hit me". Walking down the street with her is like what Brad Pitt must feel like. Constant attention. See, being from the South people don't tell you exactly what they think. They say things like "Bless your heart" and things like that. But, here what would be interpreted in America as a rude New Yorker, is here a typical Israeli. A typical conversation with a complete stranger goes like this: (mind you she's now a little over 6 lbs.) I'll translate

Them : OOh look at the pitzele, so little (fyi they never say cute). How old is she?

Me: (picture screaming baby, smelling like a yougart store after a 2 day blackout, with 2 kids either missing or acting like they are on Gladiator) X weeks.

Them: Wow! how much did she weigh at birth?

Me: 2.5 kg (smiling)

Them: (totally oblivious to what's going on ) Oh so she must have been early. How early was she?

Me: 3 weeks

(Now the conversation depends on whether they knew when I moved here, but are still complete strangers)

Them: And they let you fly? Did you .... (fill in the blank: know how dangerous that was , want to give birth on the plane, want to give birth 3 weeks early?

Me: Slicha, ani lo mideberet ivrit. (Works like a charm everytime)

Then I walk away and leave them totally confused.

Update

So, where are we holding right now...

School has been progressing nicely, to where AY is staying the whole day. He says he doesn't like it, but I think he really does, it's just hard for him with all of the Hebrew, and no English.

Our lift is still being held hostage. It seems that they weren't able to release it on Thursday, Friday, the customs guy wasn't there. Sunday since it's erev yom tov, there is only one customs guy, but even if he does get to look at it, the movers are off. So if he does get to it, then it's supposed to come Tuesday morning, as early as 8.

Which is not so bad, since the kids have to be in school at 8:15.

Oh, and to through things for a big spin, Sarah is in labor!

We figured, at this point we need to get this kid out, so we went for a walk of about 2 1/2 miles. So, we're kinda of hoping for tomorrow erev Shavuos. Hey, isn't that the twins birthday?

Well, perhaps next time I write it will be a bit more coherent, so apologies for the ADDish nature of this post.

Though on second thought, with all that's coming, I highly doubt it :(

New School II

So yesterday was AY's first day. We drop off SL at his class, and he is excited. Has no idea what his Rebbe is saying, but he likes it. I think it's b/c at recess they get to push each other at breakneck speeds on riding toys around the playground (if you want to call it that - hopefully when I get it together I'll show you his school).

So back to AY. For some odd reason as I'm about to take him into his class, his eye started hurting him. So I get slightly concerned, but not putting too much to it, as I figured he might be a bit nervous. However of the two of them, I figured him to have no problems adjusting and SL not wanting to go back. So I take a look, it looks fine, so I ask him when it started hurting him, and he told me from when we were in the car, and I'm thinking, you big faker, but he was really crying. I felt real bad leaving him. However the menahel was with me as I was bringing him in, so I told him his eye hurt, so he said come with me to the office. He said to AY, do you want medicine?
I'm thinking what!?
So he goes to his desk and pulls out a little package of lentils, and gives AY one.
It was nice, it didn't really do the trick, as he was still sad when I left, though I think it did fix his eye problem!
Now to quell your thoughts that this is going to be bad for my children, giving them candy as medicine, they won't know the difference, etc. etc. When we brought AY home and were talking about the day, he said he liked the menahel, so we asked why? He responded by saying in his cute little voice "Because he gave ma candy".

Any way, to cut this short as I'm tired in the end he's still not too crazy about school. Sarah thinks that part of it has to do with the fact that his morah does know English, but won't speak to him in it there, and that just frustrates him.

Anyway, we'll see how the rest of the week progresses.

Ashdod

This morning we decided we'd try to free our belongings from the evil clutches of the shipping company. So I got in my car and drove out to Ashdod. It was a nice and quiet drive. I got to see the beutiful tracts of farm land, some looking very green and pretty, while others were brown and dryed out due to their owners keeping shmittah. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera on me, and we could've shared the moment.
Meeting up with the shipper was an OK experience. I did find out one interesting fact (which is related to my rent as I'll explain later). People in this country seem to base a lot of things on the dollar - even though now it's becoming a bit less due to the steep drop in the dollar. But that isn't my point. Even though the dollar ahs dropped, people still like to link the dollar to some past imaginary rate. My shipper had a "Congestion charge" (which just means that the port workers really want to strike, but legally aren't allowed to, so they just work slow) which they converted to me in shekels at the 4.0 rate - which hasn't been since Dec 17, 2007. So I asked them, can I pay in dollars, I have dollars, why not use them where I can acctually save myself something. But alas, they said
"Haha you silly American, you think you can try to save yourself a mere 70 shekel (which btw is now worth about $21) just because you come here and wave your funny looking green money around here. I laugh at you. Ha!"

Anyway, the rest was unevenful, just going through customs with all of my junk in a 20' crate that as they go through each item, my stomach twitches as I think, how in the world will I find a place for that? Can it fit in the elevater so they don't have to shlep it up the stairs? Will it fit in the stairwell? Can that even fit in the apartment?
Oy vey. Well, there's nothing I can do about it now, but if anyone in RBS A' is looking for some furtniture, they might ant to hang out around my apartment when they deliver the goods, as you might find a good deal on some furniture that just won't make it.

On my way over there I realized I was passing my Kibbutz Yavneh where my Mom's cousin lives. And as it happened I had something to deliver to them, and I even had it with me, so I figure, "Ah, hashgacha protis!". However I was let down as the kibbutzniks tried in vein to find my cousins and I had to left empty handed.

And that was my morning. I even got back before noon!

New School

Since I've started this blog after I've already moved, I'm going to have to go to the not so way back machine to fill in on some of the fun things we've gone through.

So to start with one of the more fun things, is SL's first day in school which was yesterday (Tuesday). It might seem mundane or boring to most people, but I'm sure at least my mom is interested.

Since he knows zero Hebrew, and the school is staff knows pretty much no English (with the exception of one of the gan morahs) we felt like we were sort of throwing him to the sharks. Here, sit in a class room where you will have no idea what they are saying to you, they wouldn't understand you either, oh yeah, and try not to disrupt either. Oh and did I mention that this is my son who takes after me, and can barely sit still in a regular class!

To put it mildly, we were a bit concerned.

However the Mifakayach (which sounds bad, but is kind of like the principal) was very understanding, and suggested he just stay for about 2 hours the first day. We were thinking, that it's not a bad idea, so let's go for it.

Fast forward two hours later...

I pick him up, and he looked fine, he wasn't sent out or anything, so it was already looking good! I spoke to his Rebbe, and he said he was great in the class. It turned out there are about 6 English speaking kids in his class, so I think they helped him out a bit. When we left, and I asked him how it was and if he wanted to go back tomorrow, he said yes! So it's starting to look good!

SL on his first day at school

For tomorrow we'll see how SL did on his extended day (till 12) and AY did on his first day.

New Beginings

Hi Blogosphere, it's Eliezer, are you there?

Just by way of introduction, My name is Eliezer, and I have recently made Aliyah. No I didn't do it alone, I did it with my whole family, the wife, and the three little ones. I don't think I could've done it without them.

In short, I'm glad to be here, to experience living with the keduha of Eretz Yisroel, and the bureaucracy of the State of Israel. Though I have yet to really feel the kedusha, as I've been shlepping around taking care of the mundane tasks of uprooting my whole life and replanting it some 6000 miles away (excuse me, according to google maps, it's acctually a mere 5,696.89, or as I'm going to have to be more familiar with, 9,168.26 km).

As this is just the intorduction, I'll let that sink in, and fill you in on more later on.