Links to the Ghetto
There is a very specific–almost forgotten–piece of the Warsaw Ghetto wall that stands in a miniature park in Warsaw that the Soviets plastered over. Now, however, that plate has begun to peel, and underneath there is exposed some of the original bricks from the Nazi occupation, many of which crumble and fall in pieces to […]
We’re here. Now what are we?
When I first came on this trip, I did so not because of my religion or ethnicity, but becuse of my status as a member of mankind. Yet after a 48-hour layover, large quantities of airline food-like substances, and the general monotony of life in an airport followed by the sudden transition to the intense experience of seeing […]
Treblinka
Treblinka used to be a Nazi extermination camp–to borrow Avi’s words, a factory of death. Now, nothing of the original structures remains. Instead, there exists in the place that was formally a gas chamber massive structure of stone, and around that, what seems like thousands of smaller stones, each like a mass headstone to represent […]
Landing in Warsaw
Every time I travel I have the odd sensation of feeling like a stranger in a strange new place–especially when I don’t know the language. There is always a lurking feeling somewhere in my gut of a certain non-belonging, a visceral voice in my head shouting “What are you doing here? You should go home–even […]
Reflections and Le’Hitraot
Wednesday was a day of reflection and good feeling. We started the day together with Avi in Tel Aviv, learning more about modern Israel’s history with a very informative and entertaining speaker at the hall of independence. Yet again, I found myself imagining being in the shoes of Israel’s early leaders, and trying to wrap […]
Albuquerque Ruth . . . updated with biographical links for each woman mentioned
Albuquerque Ruth Inspired by our visit to the tomb of Hannah Senesh and other heroes, and to the candle lighting Friday night at the home of Chaim Dovid and his wife. Roughly to the following rhythm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-aPyU1o8iM Links for each woman mentioned are found at the end of the song. I grew up a […]
Hula Swamp (a lyrical adaptation of the Bristol Stomp)
Hula Swamp Here’s the tune. Sing along (finger snapping optional): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuzkiCBuJ5c (Chorus): The farmers whistled, but the birds all bristled When they drained the Hula swamp. It was really dire when the peat caught fire When they drained the Hula swamp. Whoa whoa they started pump’in, back in ‘51 Too much malaria, or maybe too […]
A Short Video-A Montage
Most of the teachers have returned to the United States with possibly a few staying here in Israel a few days. I thought you might like to see what a study seminar looks like or at least what a montage of the days and nights look like. The real video will be available in September. […]
Eruv Shabbos in Jerusalem
Posted by Mindy Small: We walked from our bus to meet a special man, Chaim Dovid, an American who made Aliyah to the old city of Jerusalem many years ago. Tsipy arranged our meeting. Chaim Dovid walked with us in the old city and we entered his home. We climbed a staircase to the roof […]