6 Years and Counting...

On Dec 9th 2009 I celebrated my 6th "aliyaversary". I suppose it's not monumental or even a round number, but seeing as I was in New York for my 5th, the 6th is much more meaningful. It is still an anomaly of sorts to celebrate the date of immigration to another country and goes to show the loaded ideology attached to this story.

Of course the Israel today, and my experience/life here, is not the same Israel that I romantically fell in love with and idealized as a high school and university student over a decade ago. It is however my home and I have committed myself to her.

The Difference Between Love and Like...

No, this is not the opener of an off-color joke, but a real issue that I (along with many others) struggle with on an almost daily basis. I am compelled to defend Israel against the likes of terrorists, Israel-bashers, Goldstones, Jay Michaelsons, and the like - yet often something annoying transpires leaving a friend or loved one to proclaim "Uch, I hate Israel!" While I realize that sayings such as these are rarely literal, I can't imagine getting stuck in traffic in Chicago and screaming out "I hate America!"

Now, we have real problems here. The education system is screwed up, real-estate prices are getting out of control, we have a growing environmental crisis, the social-Jewish spectrum is more divisive than inclusive, and oh yeah, that pesky conflict with the Palestinians.

On the rare occasion I am even embarrassed to associate myself with the Jewish establishment. [Like, for instance, with a recent ruling in favor of extreme right-wing Jews in the case of a disputed residence in the Arab neighborhood of Sheikh Jarah in East Jerusalem.]

However...

...there are lots of things that I see on a daily basis for which I am proud, and which help to reaffirm my decision to live here. For so many the choice to live here is conditional. No more are the days and sentiments of Yosef Trumpeldor ("Wherever a nail is needed - I will be that nail; Wherever a hammer - I will be a hammer") where no matter what happens here there truly is no other place.

"For you were a Stranger..."
Much has been said, written and commented on involving refugees from Africa and specifically Darfur who have made it across the border and have found haven in the Jewish State.

Well, several thousand refugees and seekers of asylum currently live in Israel. Many are situated in South Tel Aviv, Eilat, and lower-class neighborhoods of Jerusalem.

A few weeks ago Mara and I began babysitting two evenings a week for a family from Darfur. The parents go to Hebrew classes and we stay with their kids as volunteers. We have completely fallen in love with the family and I'd like to post a few pics of them here.

The oldest, Mudasir, who was born in Sudan, is 7 and goes to 1^st grade in Jerusalem – he speaks Hebrew like an Israeli. Abi - born in Egypt, the 3.5 year old speaks like a 3.5 year old – kind of mumbling a combination of Arabic (which they speak at home) and Hebrew. And Tal, born in Eilat, the baby girl, is only 6 months old. So cute, and Mara is crazy about her. The family has been in Israel for 2.5 years and while the father speaks Hebrew well, the mother does not. They have official refugee status and thus are allowed to stay in Israel for the time-being and work, but it is not clear what will happen to them in the long term.

In the short term spending time with them really brings a human face to all that is happening in the country and in the world.

GLIMMERING GOLDSTONE GOES FOR GOLD

I have been relatively silent on the matter of the UN and Judge Richard Goldstone's report on operation Cast Lead, but after reading many articles, I find it most appropriate to endorse this one:
"The Goldstone Illusion" by Prof. Moshe Halbertal. He really thoroughly hits the nail on the head, and ably refutes every point that the report makes. An excellent read and an important tool in attempting to understand the complexity of the report.
Thanks Prof. Halbertal.

Berlin

I am writing this as I wind my way through the country side on the way from Berlin to Hamburg. I am going to visit Christiane and Sebastian and to meet their new baby Lilli!

This was my second time attending the Jung and Judische conference in Spandau in Berlin. Fortunately this time, I was invited back as a lecturer, and had my way paid for. Touching down in Berlin, I felt very differently than I did the first time I landed last year. I remembered the heart palpitations, the minor freak-out that almost prevented my disembarkation from the plane. Last time I wanted to hate everyone, and stifled several internal screams (זעקות).

This time, much was different. Landing and making our way through Berlin reminded me more of my former many visits to Prague. I didn’t know the city woo well, but felt comfortable enough to get around and decipher some of the German. Without Mara as my researcher and navigator I took up the responsibility for Mark and Maoz (traveling with me from Israel). I found my bearings quickly and in our short free time prior to the conference I took them to see the Orianenburger Strasse Synagogue and the grave marker of Moses Mendelssohn.

It was cold and sleety, and after a night of no sleep (I mean I had to watch “500 days of Summer” on the plane) we made our way back to Spandau to get ready for the conference.

I guess I should stop and mention here that certain facts of life should not be taken for granted. For instance, it goes without saying that the Berlin public transit system is impeccable, clean, runs on time and basically accessible to all areas needed. It also is a simple fact of life that all over the city are waste receptacles for sorting “garbage”. Plastics, glass, and organic bins frequent S & U-bahn stations as well as hotel rooms. Wow. Why exactly is it that in all of our brilliance and technological savvy we can’t get our act together to put such a system into place in Israel??? I know, I know there are excuses, some of them even legitimate, but still.

The Conference

The “Jewish Journeys” conference that I participated in this weekend left me with more questions than answers. As I continue on my own track, continuing to study and work in the field of Jewish education, and drifting further and further away from any religious expression, I found myself in a sort of weird place of not caring yet bothered by certain things.

I try not to make a habit of attending tfilot too often, yet felt the obligation to go (seeing as the conference paid for my being there). So, I was polite and went and tried to be a good example for my former Shnat Netzer students, but some things just get under my skin, as a sort of nostalgic remnant of days when I did care about such trivialities. For example, I can’t help but cringe when the guitar player strums an Em when a G would have suited better. Not something that anyone else noticed, but I just couldn’t help it. Why do they need to cut out so much of Kabbalat Shabbat??? I realized that I connect much more to this section of the Friday night davening as it is simply a compilation of Psalms and Piyyutim that I enjoy much more than other liturgical expressions. I suppose they can’t very well bring themselves to cut the Amidah, but אם כבר אז כבר…

Shabbat morning was slightly worse. It was like a ‘best of’ of classical Reform with thr true German traditions. Now, don’t get me wrong, the rabbinical students leading are indeed well versed, thoughtful and talented, it just wasn’t my style. The former professional classical musician turned rabbi-in-training would be I’m sure a wonderful option for an old school Temple Sinai (Chicago) or Emmanuel (NYC) or even the Great Synagogue (with a piano) but I could only take so much and needed a temporary relocation to the lobby couches where I curled up with a book until the Torah service.

What does this say for the future of liberal Jewish life in Europe? Well, I’m not sure.

More to come...

What does it mean to Love?

I was a bit taken aback by Jay Michaelson's recent essay in the Forward about losing his love for Israel:
http://www.forward.com/articles/114180/

Not, that I was surprised, just a bit saddened. Spoken like a true arm-chair pundit, Jay's conditional love for Israel is waning.
Here was my tapered response:

Dear Jay,

I am sorry to hear this heart-felt confession, and thank you for writing as my guess is that it is somewhat representative of others in your situation. And taking Robbie Gringras' advice, I'll try not "to communally crap on people who admit their heartfelt concerns about Israel." However, I would like to express my sadness to you. It seems from your essay that you actually do love Israel, but just don't like it very much right now. Yeah, you did a stint here which gives you some street cred, but at the moment it's kind of cramping your style so, in a mild eulogy you attempt to rid yourself of connection and responsibility. Sure, runaway. Go as far as Berlin (which you know evokes emotional eyebrow raising)and sit on its hip and fashionable strasses sipping espresso and being foreign. Would that we all just got up and left for the tolerant and liberal urban havens of Western Europe and NYC.

Do you think we like having to check our bags at every building? I just returned from traveling abroad and was brought back quickly to this reality. Of course we don't. Do you think that we, as soldiers, enjoy or take pleasure in standing at checkpoints, and having to deliberate the human rights vs. civil rights calculation??? Of course not, but we do so in order for people like you to come and drink limonana and picnic in hurshat hayareah, and yes, even visit the kotel - however annoying and cheesy that may be.

Some of us just don't have that luxury. Are you arguing for a full dismantling of the State of Israel? I doubt it. Israel for you is like a friend who you sometimes visit, and now you and that friend are kind of growing apart right now. You're in to different things, have come under different influences. But for others of us, we have committed ourselves to living here. Israel is family. And we don't always agree, see eye-to-eye or even like family, but we don't just write them off because they kind of rub us the wrong way or it gets tiresome defending us to the intolerant masses. Interestingly enough, I doubt you would never say such words about the USA. You survived 8 years of the Bush administration without so much as a divorce, and all your feelings of America (whether you are critical or supportive) come from a sense of belonging and even sub-conscious loyalty. It's so convenient to criticize "someone else's children" yet it is even more difficult to make change from within.

By the way, I live a stones throw away from your beloved Hurshat HaYareah. As a matter of fact, I went jogging through it this morning. Even though you might not come by for a visit it, or are exhausted by the idea of defending my right to live here, I just want to let you know that it's still here and will be waiting for you to renew your love/ignore relationship with it.

B'vracha,
Josh Weinberg
Jerusalem, Israel

I think that there are a few important questions to ask:
1. How typical are Jay's sentiments of American Jews?
My guess is yes and no. Yes, because why should people love something they have no connection to? And no, because in order to lose your love one has to have at one point loved. I don't think this is the case for too many US Jews. Some, but not really that many.
2. Should we care?
3. If so, what, if anything, should we do about it?

I welcome your comments.

Bye Bye Bangkok...

I've had enough. I returned to the polluted streets of sin city for a three day stint to close out my time in Thailand. Basically running errands, internet and last minute shopping were on my agenda.

Coming from the sun soaked beach and tropics of Krabi, Bangkok was a complete buzz kill.

~Highlights~

1. "Whoever has not seen the Chatuhcak (JJ) weekend market - is as if he has never seen a market in all of his days" (to paraphrase Talmudic descriptive phraseology). It really is simply baffling. A massive concacetation of stalls and shops selling anything from used 1988 Air Jordans to kitchen utensils to everything you can only imagine and don't need. I, of course, did some damage. Bargaining led to fatigue, and my worn out wit resorted to deciding on price and just handing over the sweaty bills while taking the merchandise. As I am sure you can imagine many a "this-is-really-cool-in-Thailand-but-nowhere-else" purchase transpired.

2. Chabad. Yes, they made it to #2 on the highlight list - and not only for the free internet drinking water and leftovers. Shabbat at Chabad Bangkok is an experience. I made it for Kabbalat Shabbat and then for dinner. Chabad dinners are all the same, yet the unpredictable hiddush here was "round II." The faithful core who didn't escape to the night market or nightlife post-Birkat Hamazon, were all invited to the Rabbi's quarters (think, East Wing, White House) for another Four Course Meal! Yep, that's right. With Red Label for toasting, I joined the ranks of Chabad's inner circle. This Orthodox backpacker secret society told stories, belted out niggunim, and gave (largely pointless) divrei Torah. Needless to say, an impressive operation.

3. "It's my last night, I'm a rock star!"
"Well, why not," I said to myself, as I sat for a while at an outdoor cafe/bar one block from the bustling and drunken thoroughfare of Khao San Rd. I had been listening to the live performer do justice to many a classic rock and pop hit, as he began to pluck out the opening rift of "Wish You Were Here."
"You know, anyone can jam with him," explained Duncan, a Canadian law student studying in Hong Kong. "Really," I asked hesitatingly. And with that I grabbed the spare guitar, plugged in, and jammed for the ext half hour, covering Pink Floyd, blues (E. Clapton), and my rendition of [my standard repertoire] "Tangled Up in Blue". Sadly, no one caught me on film or photo, so you'll just have to take my word for it. It was great fun, and the crowd of inebriated and musically noviced tourists boosted my ego and satisfied a lone tourist on his final hoorah.



I have reached the capital of the Western World - New York City, and have enjoyed so far, early morning jogs in Central Park (sorry, Dani and Sylvia - I'll where a shirt next time). Mexican Food, Indian Food, Ice Aroma, Upper East Side Houmous (should be an entry all to itself), good Italian wine and Bruschetta, Pizza, and diner style free re-fill coffee.

Dani and Sylvia have been the hosts with the most, and I will write more after Ben and Elizabeth's wedding!

Taking the Fall
It was really just a matter of time. Every climber, at some point or another passes this threshold into wo/manhood. Some do it earlier rather later, and some just embrace it when it happens, hoping to escape with minimal damage and trauma. It's the kind of thing that is better to take place without prior knowledge or prep, and definitely one of those things that you tell your mom about de post facto.

It happened to a fellow French climber called Jean, who was working a tough 6c. I was above him and to the right squatting on a tufa, and the next thing I knew his feet were kicking air upwards, arms flailing and shoulders banging rock. He was out for 3 days with a pulled back, and I, helplessly, watched it all happen.
Of course conventional Top roping, leaves little to worry about in the way of falling. climbers can adopt the nonchalant mellow approach and assume the sometimes necessary risk of reaching far or even jumping for the next jug. Lead climbing, however, is an entirely different story. The falls, while eventually protected, can accumulate a distance of 5 to even 10 meters (depending on the elasticity of the rope, and the belayers preparedness).

My trial by fall came on Tuesday, as I was working a beach front 6b. I was one move away from passing the crux and finishing the route. My arms were aching, and palms sweatier than a sumo wrestler in a sauna. I had gotten the quickdraw in the next bolt and just had to clip in. Apparently easier said than done. I had practised the moves and had the necessary beta (climbing slang for "info") to accomplish the move. I reached right hand (two fingers) into a crack, feet plainly gripping a polished almost marble-esque surface and left hand up to the shelf. Then a right hand match. I was all set to clip. I grabbed the rope held it in my teeth for more slack, and reached up with north paw for the unbearable relief of the clip. With rope between thumb and forefinger I fumbled lamely like a skier trying to thread a needle with his mittens on. Drenching the sand below me with warm salty liquid I just couldn't get it.

"C'mon, C'mon, you got it!" a small crowd shouted at me from below. I had now left Mike (my climbing partner and current belayer) holding me for an unfairly long time. I had to get it. one more second of forearm burn, and I was going to just cheat and grab the quickdraw itself! In my head, I thought I had it as well, and a last second effort to get that rope through the god forsaken gate of a lone carabiner, which meant more to me now than had ever before, looked good... and then I was off.

Stomach in my throat, loss of breath, and a lone yelping expletive having something to do with unlawful carnal knowledge - sent me the full length of two bolts plus another meter or two of stretch, Mike almost into the wall, and the modest gathering of spectators and passers by into a unanimous "Holy Sh*&, nice fall man!"

It was just my time. And, not to disappoint, my time came again on Wednesday, my final climbing day. On a tufa/stalactite filled 6a+ in an area called the nest, I took another 7-8 meter fall. This time, my aching biceps slippery swollen digits, almost sent me decking. Zach, my chain smoking tattooed Australian belayer, was not prepared for such a sudden descent. As my groin neared his shoulder (Bruno-Eminem style) he luckily escaped with only a cut toe.

The 6b I finished, the 6a+ I didn't. (I did do another short but challenging 6a just to finish on a high note).

And such concluded my climbing adventure in Ton Sai. I can't say that I have mastered anything. I felt a minor, but significant improvement, and let's just say that there are no lack of climbs that fall under the category of "we'll get that one next time," including the 5 pitch famous 'humanality'. Needless to say, I loved the climbing, and the atmosphere. The people were alright as well. I will miss the omelet-on-rice breakfast at "The rendez-vous" - a small fly infested shack which everyone knows as 'chicken-mama,' coffee and books at Pyramid, and fire twirling and slack-line shows and Changing out at Small World bar. I owe Mike a debt of gratitude for supplying the rope, quickdraws, safety sling, and quarry fills of chalk. He was a great encouragement and overall superb climbing partner. From one former camp counselor to another, thanks man.

Scary Monkey
So, sitting at 'chicken-mama' for breakfast the other morning, and business was usual. I placed my omelet order, and joined the ranks at the bamboo tables and chairs. Pretty soon I looked up to a small commotion, and a Mama-Monkey had jumped down on the table and made off with the dregs of someones bowl of muesli! The whole bowl and everything. After licking it clean, the monkey returned. It casually sauntered over to my table, hopped up, looked around and sat down on my camera.
Now, in my infinite wisdom, and excellent judgment decided to gently remove my Canon power shot from its pink cheeks (no surgery required). Feeling something slightly unusual, it turned around, made eye contact, and from about half a meter away ROARED at me with full fangs and scary attack face and all! Nearly soiling myself, I jumped back, screamed a little, and watched it run away from a barrage of rocks and banana peels, courageously saving me from having to throw down (I don't think it would have waited for me to dig out my leatherman and find the right tool of defence). My heart was racing, and it took some time to regain my composure. So the next time a big mother monkey sits on your camera, well, let it!

Deep Water Soloing

Nothing gives a rush more than climbing up the face of a cliff - just you and the rock, no ropes harness, or belay - and then jumping off! The 15 meter fall off the cliff landed me in a forceful thrust deep down in the ocean. The human mind is indeed an interesting thing. For the past few weeks I have been training myself that despite ropes and belayers, I want to do everything in my power to NOT fall. I hang, suspend, even dangle from the rock but really make a concerted effort to not fall. Now I'm standing on an edge over looking the glimmering sea, the rest of the days group in a long-tail boat watching and cheering me on. I go to jump... and, nothing! I had locked my arm to an undercling, and it wouldn't let me go. My mind just wouldn't let me throw myself of the wall. Finally after some coaxing and unecessary build-up I launched out into the great abyss. Absoutely the greatest thrill. I swam over to the boat and relished in my minor accomplishment.

The afternoon showed us crystal clear waters stretching across beautiful white sands, and some more slightly more challenging climbing. I was one of the few to make it up a dangling rope ladder and then climb up a giant protruding tufa.

All in all, one of the best experiences I've had here, and one I definitely recommend.
I loved it so much in fact that today we (myself, Tara, Mike an Kristen) rented Kayaks and paddled out to the same area. The rope was still dangling so Mike nd I climbed up and took some head-first dives off the rock! Incredible.
I have only two more days of climbing here in Ton Sai, and will spend them trying to comfortably lead 6b (5.10d) level climbs. Then off to Bangkok and New York City!

Sawasdee Kap!

The Meaning of Climbing

Standing up, locked in to my safety sling, at the top of a challenging 6a today, I looked out at the Andaman Sea and the massive rock faces sandwiching the beach. I had made it to the top. It was sketchy climb, with few good hand-holds, and required a lot of balance, leg work and confidence. But hey, it was at the top!
"If we cared about getting to the top so much, we'd build a ladder," goes a popular axiom often quoted here in Ton Sai. True. This climb was less about getting to the top, then developing the confidence building skills that allow me to balance precariously on a toe while blindly scrambling for some hole, crimp or pinch to get a few fingers on.

Not that I have "it," but I feel myself slowly getting "it". I fell and couldn't finish a top-roped 6b today, but (sort of) onsighted a tough 6a+ bereft of any significant foot holds (a huge shout-out and 'danke' to my new Swiss friend Sven for hooking me up with liquid chalk - aka magic! - for which without, this route, I'm convinced would not have been possible). A good feeling. A feeling of knowing that every climb brings me one step closer to having the strength, experience and confidence level necessary to advance.

Is this a metaphor for life?
Probably. So much of life is based on getting through uncomfortable situations. Being afraid of the unknown, the probably-too-difficult, and the potentially scary - that each success, or each time we find the strength and the confidence to go for it so to speak, is feeling of great accomplishment.

ראה
As I stood spread eagle over two rock faces, I couldn't help be reminded of this morning's parsha. As Bnei Yisrael walked in between Mts. Gerizim and Aibal, they heard that oneside offered blessings, the other curses. I too, knew that I would have to choose between two sides, two faces. Would I reach out for a blessing or acquiesce for the lesser "curse". Just a short antecdote, and let's hope we all choose correctly.

Shavua tov.

6a+

Yesterday, Mike and I headed up to firewall on Ton Sai beach and did a nice 6a called "groove tube". I am working on my leading technique and doing alright with it. We then led a tougher 6a+ (5.10b) which after slipping off once, I finally got it! There was a tough maneuver, and I felt pretty good about it. One of the best feelings in the world. As a reward, I treated myself to a nalgene full of electrolytes and pad thai in a bag!

I then went to meet a good friend Tara. It was really nice to hang out and to catch up with her, and to have company here.

The culture here in Ton Sai is nice. It reminds me a lot of high school, and that there are different cliques - I even told someone that they are the Zach Morris of the Max or the Brandon of the Peach Pit. I usually eat breakfast at a place called Pyramid or a 40 baht omelette at Chicken Mama's.
And have become a big fan of 10 baht pad thai in a little baggy, which we call lunchable pad thai.
In the evening the transient expat climber crowd finds its way to a bar called "small world" where the Thai bar tenders amaze the tipsy clientel with there fireshows and slack-line acrobatics. It is seriously impressive.

I am enjoying my time here and working on the climbing. Tomorrow may see a Deep Water Solo climbing experience, but will make a game time call.

Off to hit the walls...

Multi-Pitching

Today I learned how to multi-pitch! I practiced on the ground a few times, and then set it up on my own after leading up a 5a climb. My guide Koas, followed me up and then we snappeled down. It was pretty cool to get all of the technicalities down.
That pretty much concludes my course, and now I'm on my own to climb. I've already met a prospective climbing partner and should be good.

I am posting more photos on picasa to check out!

Breaking New Ground

Today I led a 6a (5.10a) climb! For the first time in my life, I led a 6a. I was pissed because I couldn't make it this morning, and then this afternoon I nailed it. Alright, my guide said it was an easy 6a but hey, I did it.

I felt like quite the failure this morning after insisting on being lowered in light scraping my fingertips open and bleeding on the rock, but I guess no pain no gain.
Now with taped up fingers I went back to lead a few 5b's (5.8,5.9) and then got the easy 6a.

Hope is not lost.

Krabi and Climbing

After traveling for close to 18 hours by bus, minivan, and long tail boat I arrived on the coast of Ton Sai, Asia's climbing mecca. It is a sleepy strip of beach bookended by limestone karsts and built in between the white sands and steadily developed jungle. It is low-season here which means that many bars and restaurants are temporarily closed and prices have plummeted! I found a hostel for 150 baht ($5) - which I've since upraged to a nicer room for the same price. Ton Sai is only accessible by boat and to get to nearby Rai Lay (West) beach one must either scramble over the monkey trail of rock and jungle or wade through shin deep ocean along the coast - only during low tide. The views of foliage carpeted rock jutting out of the water or beach are breathtaking. I could sit and stare all day, and a plethora of people actually do.

The name of the game here is climbing, and the view people who don't climb are looked at with a glance of "oh ok, so what are you doing here?!?!" - which no one would actually come out and say because everyone is so nice and polite, seriously.

I decided to go the route of an actual guided course, which being more expensive is a gamble but has been good so far. I went with King Climbers who, so far, have been professional and solid. I started out top roping on 5 and 6a climbs (about 5-8 and 5-10 in North American terms) and even began lead climbing.

Leading is an entirely different ballgame. Every move really matters. I am hesitant to slip and fall victim to a 2-5 meter drop, possibly leading me body first back into the rock. So far I have only led level 5 climbs which allows me to learn the technique and become familiar with leading before attempting anything more serious.
After two days of climbing, my fingers have been cut up on the sharp rock faces and my muscles are pretty sore. Tomorrow will be another full day and hopefully I will have more strength.

There are of course climbers of all walks and skill level. I'm not alone in my mediocrity, but this morning I witnessed two guys ascend a 6 pitch, level 7a multi-pitch face over the beach of Ton Sai called "humanality". I was awe-struck, vanquished to stares and gapes in full admiration.

Ton Sai's climbing (as well as adjacent Rai Lay) possess a mystical powering luring and capturing people into extended stays. I have met many a traveler who explained that they were meant to carry on, but "got stuck" here. The travelers here are somewhat diverse, but the majority are Brits, Germans, Canadiennes, French, Scandinavian, Dutch, a few Americans and the occasional Israeli (not here for the climbing). People are great, open and inviting, and I even met a Swiss woman who had previously done the Green Apprenticeship on Kibbutz Lotan (and couldn't fathom that I had heard of it and even knew some of the same people)!

Everything is chill here in Rai Lay and Ton Sai, and I will write more on my climbing progress.

Tisha B'Av in Bangkok

Except for the myriad of Israelis here, I have rarely felt more in חו"ל. Bangkok. Polluted, smelly, humid and kinda gross, yet not a bad place to spend 9 B'Av.
On a morning jog through the crowded streets and narrow sidewalk alleys of Bangkok's numerous rotted wood shanty-towns which pop up off many main avenues, I decided that this year Tisha B'Av would mean a whole lot more.

So I had my pre-fast seudah of Pad Thai, curry and banana shake and made my way to Chabad.
It was interesting to see which Israelis observed this day or mourning, and for the many for whom it did not make an appearance on their calendar or consciousness. I listened to megilat Eicha chanted by the Chabad Rabbi, and stuck around for the text study.
He taught the stoires of Kamtza-Bar Kamtza, and of Yochanan Be Zakai asking for Yavneh, famous stories that I knew well, which was nice to read them again tonight from Masechet Gittin.
During the power point virtual tour of the Beit HaMikdash I found myself explaining things to some Israeli guys, and then being asked to explain to the whole group. Few of the Israelis (including the Chabadnikim and Rabbi) had a strong grasp of the Jewish History timeline. My personal highlight was demonstrating how the stones of the Beit HaMikdash were rolled in to place, using three of the Rabbi's daughters as props for this well known Southern Wall schtick.

I usually fast on this day in Israel, yet being outside of Israel makes it all the more relevant for me. On a day when the outside surroundings feel so foreign, it's nice to sit, fast, do some internet and reflect on my relationship to my country from afar.

In reflecting, I came across this article, which I think is important.
In a personal op-ed, Nadav Shragai opines here: Why I will visit the Temple Mount on Tisha B'av on the importance of national narrative. In times when the Jewish identity of the state is called into question, I think it is quite important to connect to this day.

In a few hours I will break my fast and leave Bangkok. I will board a 16 hour bus back to Krabi to have a go at climbing on the exquisite limestone. We'll see how I do, and will be sure to update again soon.

In Search of Paradise...

We left Chiang Mai and flew to Phuket (pronounced "Pook-ket" not "fuck-it"). After a two-hour flight we took a four hour bus ride through a beautiful sunset landscape. Through jungle terrain and jutting limestone karsts we made it to the port city of Suratthani to board our night boat for the islands.
We were slightly apprehensive of the night boat, but with wood floor panels lined with mattresses and pillows and a few friendly backpackers turned out to be great.

We arrived on Koh Samui, got settled in a cheap hotel which was nice with , cable, fridge, and pool. Koh Samui is beautiful and hot, ad has some exquisite beaches. The town of Chaweng is very built up and reminded me of Cancun. We drove around on our motorbike and were essentially there for Chabad, or a place for Shabbat dinner.

Chabad is very interesting. I have mentioned it before during our time in Chiang Mai, and I appreciate the services they offer. What is more interesting than the Chabadniks (who were basically predictable) is the Israeli sociology. A full melting pot of Israeli society, with families, post-army backpackers, honeymooners, short term holiday vacationers, and a few local sun-washed yordim. During the davening, it was apparent that most felt comforatble in a synagogue setting, and it was done in a normal Israeli (mizrachi) nusah. It was at dinner that the painful divisions in society became evident.

We had previously sat with a nice dati family from Nataf, two ex-Yeshiva girls from Kiryat Malachi, and now that the flood of diners entered the restaurant area we found ourselves sitting with obviously secular Jews with little tolerance for ritual or basic familiarity with the Erev Shabbat ceremony.
With camera, cell phone and cigarettes in full view on the table, we returned after hand washing to notice that many of the salatim (first course) were consumed. Sitting quietly and patiently - ok, I wanted to gesture politely to signal that there was one more bracha before we chow, but Mara gave me a glare that said 'get off your high horse' and just leave them alone' - we waited for motzi and the rest of the food to be served. Two sisters in their 30s, two female officers on furlough, and two recent law graduates, all made conversation and exchanged stories. We were particularly intrigued by a couple, who was reported to be just friends. She - a late 20s, nachalot resident, married with no ring. He - an almost thirty, haredi, Ashdodite. They, sharing a room, and partakers of a Friday night shopping spree. Conclusion: sketchy.
I was annoyed at some Israelis who couldn't bring themselves to indulge in zmirot and dvar torah in exchange for the free meal they were getting, and found myself making an attempt to sing along, and engage in words of Torah.
Mara, justly, reminded me that I was not the madrich or staff person here.

~~~~~~~

After a nice but overpriced boat tour of the Au Thong archipelago (including snorkeling, Kayaking, a short hike, and nerve-racking wave ridden boat ride), we made our way to Ko Phangan.

Despite the pouring rain and night in a cheap hostel, we scoured the island for the best deal and found a 600 baht/night ($20) hotel with fridge, cable tv, aircon, hot shower, and pool (with swim up bar) right on the beach. Ahh, we could finally relax. Our time was now spent between the pool, the beach, restaurants showing movies and round the clock episodes of "Friends", cards, and a little shopping. At night, watched more movies, and drank buckets of alcohol on the beach while watching fire shows (Thai guys baton twirling flame ensconsed sticks) with our new friends Oren and Liat.

I bumped in to Yarko from my maale adumim volleyball team, and we ran the beach courts for an afternoon. Life here was good.
We were now ready to head on for Krabi Ko Phi Phi, and the rest.

After a little accident with a rode bike, we made our way through the rain to another night boat.

Traveling in Thailand is defnitely easy and convenient, however we were never sure when the scam was coming. Our bus to Krabi left us at a bus station in the middle of nowhere now being asked to pay more money for a ride to our destination. In truth it wasn't too big of a deal, and let that be the (2nd) worse thing that happens to us.

Krabi (Au Nang beach) is probably one of the most beautiful places I have been. With massive limestone karsts jutting out from the ocean and pointing throught landscape, it's no wonder that the adhacebnt Rai lay beach has become the far east's rock climbing Mecca.

We spent a few days there, and then a couple of less fun days on the picture-esque but pricy Ko Phi Phi.
We decided to ditch Ko Phi Phi for Khao Sok national park. Staying in a much more affordable place we were greeted by monkeys on our balcony which was cool.

The next day we hiked through the national park rain forest, and spent most of the time under a heavy down pour. So, that's why they call it a "RAIN forest".

From there we went on to Khao Lok, where we ended our honeymoon with a stay the 5-star Le Meridien resort. There we pampered oursleves with a fantastic room, rain forest shower, good cable, pools, beach and work out room (basically all the things that nice hotels have for those who have been, and that backpackers are in awe.) We had some serious relaxing, windsurfing, yoga and the sun even came out a bit.

It was really the perfect end to our 5 weeks sojourn in Thailand. After a few days, we made our way back to Phuket, and flew to Bangkok. In Bangkok we ran errands, shopped at the largest market in Asia - available only on the weekends - and lots of internet.

Sadly, Mara departed for New York, and now I am on my own. More to come.

Why Won’t Obama Talk to Israel?

Even though I'm in Thailand and should be writing about that, I wanted to comment on this excellent article byAluf Benn in the NYT. He really just nailed it, and put things in perspective. Everyone thinks that Obama is a God-send - and don't be mistaken, I like him a lot - but let's face it, he has to figure out the basic principles of this conflict and understand the Israeli-Jewish narrative. The Cairo speech was, as a matter of fact, incredibly flawed, and unfortunately his diplomatic and play-nice tendencies are being seen as appeasement to those who call for Israel's destruction.


It seems that Ron Grossman of the Chicago Tribune (Getting prickly when it's about Israel)
gets it as well.

More on Thailand later...

Swine Times

We were quite anxious about going to stay with the Lisu Hilltribe, and weren't sure what to expect. We settled in to their guest room, and began to... learn.

I ventured towards a massage course with Susannon the Lisu matriarch of our host family. Her massage to me was nice, and then her brief instruction of "ok, now you do." Awkward, to say the least.

As I finsihed giving my massage to a 50-something Lisu woman, I hobbled down the stairs to find Mara hunched over a work table slaving away at what was to become a beautiful silver ring. Mara worked with Albert (Susannon's husband of 5 years). A 68 year-old American Expat, Albert brings his incredible skills as a psychotherapist, professional jewelry designer, yoga and meditation instructor, engineer, organic farmer, and business developer to the Lisu village. Of all his skills, speaking Lisu is not one of them. And Susannon, a mother of many, grandmother to even more, holistic healer, masseuse, clothing designer, rice farmer, cook and more doesn't speak English.
I guess with all those skills who needs a common language???

So Albert comes to us, and says "hey, you're in luck!" We were, to say the least, cautious of what was to come out of his mouth next. "Tomorrow there's going to be a party... They're celebrating the birth of a new baby." "Great," we feigned enthusiasm. Albert caught the glimpse on our faces, which said pretty much 'so what does that mean for us'? "Well, of course we won't be able to do any workshops, but everyone will be here for the slaughter." Slaughter?!? Yes, of course, the central focus of our two-day stay with the Lisu would be on the slaughter of two massive pigs, their butchering, preparation and finally, feast.

Over a nice breakfast of fruit and tea the next morning, we all watched as a bunch of Lisu men gathered around the edge of the pig-pen. Mara retreated to our room to avoid what was coming. I thought I'd stick around for a while.
The men schmoozed for a while, and then very non-chalantly approached the wooden fence of the pen. A younger man entered and lured the pigs over to the corner when "the executioner," a spear-handed Lisu, lifted the 3 meter spear over the fence and jabbed into the heart of pig #1.
The pigs fled to the other side of the pen, and after about 5 minutes, pig #1 made his last dive into the mud. Blood spurting from his punctured side, he gasped his last breath and expired, falling sacrifice to the village and the birth of a new baby.

I had to stop for a second and take in the scene. In all my days of vegetarianism, and working at Ken's Diner, I never had the misfortune of watching a live slaughter. I have seen it on the internet with all the scandals of the kosher slaughter houses, but truth is, it really seemed relatively painless. I mean the pig was dead in a matter of minutes. Then I slapped myself, and thought, what could be painless about getting stabbed in the heart by a 3m spear in front of your two best friends?!?!

They then tied it's feet and tried to carry it out through the mud. (I couldn't help but be reminded of the scene from the movie Kippur where four soldiers unsuccessfully carried an injured soldier on a stretcher through the Golan heights mud).

Now relocated outside the pen, more guys came, with a home-made broom torch and began brushing the corpse with the flames. (I'll spare you the visuals)

BBQ? I thought. No no, just the way to get all the hair and skin off, Albert explained now standing by my side. Ahh, yes of course.

Now, the air filled with smoke, ash, and pigskin I raced off to check on Mara. She was busily weaving a cool belt, and had a growing audience of young and old Lisu, visibly amused by her discomfort. I made my way back, to find no less than thirty ceremonially dressed Lisu women, who had butchered and dissected the sacrifice and were now busy carving, roasting, boiling and frying different pork parts leaving nothing to waste. Impressive.
Not too long afterwards, lunch was served. Pork stirfry, chili, grizzle, stew, and soup spread the smorgasbord. Like Woody Allen at Thanksgiving dinner in Annie Hall, we walked through the suare mustering up all of our strength to feel excited. Getting increasingly more difficult to decline the continuous bowls shoved in our face of unidentifiable pieces of pig #1 (and yes, pig #2 was decidedly done in as well), we setted for a bowl of rice, a Laotian "Leo" 40oz beer with ice and some pineapple. "I guess there's not really a veggie option today," offered Albert not too sympathietically. "I guess not," I replied.

Later that night, Mara and I tried to remeber what non-pork smelling air smelled like, began to debreif.
We were disgusted, reaffirmed our vegetarianism and Kashrut, yet thought that Barbara Kingsolver would have approved of the whole thing. Despite the gross understatement of this not being for us, the food was local, no waste, no factory processing, and basically no carbon footprint for a feast of over 60 people. I have to say that if few people who eat meat, actually have the stomach to kill it themselves. The Lisu, like many 3rd world cultures have a little to teach us all. Don't get me wrong, I am avidly against eating animals or killing them. The day long pig slaughter and pork-fest was one of my worst experiences ever, but did give me food for thought (as I didn't really eat anything else) about the importance of what we eat.

Yoga and Luxury
This week has been filled with both. We decided to hang around Chiang Mai and take a Yoga intensive course. I definitely feel more centered and aligned and am hungry for more.

We have really felt honeymoonish by treating ourselves to the amazing luxury of a 5 star stay at Le Meridien Chiang Mai. I know, we could almost not believe it ourselves. Nothing much more to say about it than a slight upgrade from $8/night hostels.

This week has been interesting, as we had an hour long talk with a defected Syrian activist currently living in Sweden, and spent time with Chiang Mike - an EIE alum and human rights worker living here working with the Burmese community.

We are now off to a quiet hippy-artsy town called Pai an then on to a two-day stay with the Lisu HillTribe to learn their crafts and culture. I will write more next weekend from the Islands!

Shavua Tov.


In other news....
'Iran nuke could wipe Israel off map in seconds'

Ok, yeah, sounds good. Anyone else mildly concerned about this?!?!?

My Chiang Mai

We returned to Chiang mai from trekking and made it to Habad for Kabbalat Shabbat. I have to say, that it was really nice. Everything was short and to the point, very Israeli, and of course the price was right. We davened there, and ate Shabbat dinner with other backpacking Israelis (mostly religious) who we found to be pleasant and different travelling styles.
We did meet Yossi and Orit, who got married 12 hours after us at Ramat Rahel, and who's mother went to great lengths to deliver to us an envelope gift that had made it into their cache! Incredible.
Say what you will about Habad, but there was no prosyletizing, everyone was welcome no questions asked, and they are simply the only show in town!

Since our trek, we have spent lots of time in Chiang Mai walking around, eating fantastic food and checking out various activities.

The nice thing is that there are many great vegetarian restaurants around and Mara has done great research to locate them (as well as everything else).

Yesterday we did a half day cooking course at the Smart cooking center in Chiang Mai, whcih was fantastic. We now can make some serious Pad Thai, Red and Green Curry, sticky rice, Tom Yum soup, papaya salad, and Morning glory. Our pics should be on their website soon so be sure to check back. Don't worry, when we get back we'll make a serious feast!

We also rented scooters with our friends Ezra and Liz, and headed out of town to see some great national parks. Yes, Mara agreed and I even caught her enjoying it! The thing about this area is the beauty of the landscape. I just can't get over how lush the vegetation is, the waterfalls and veiws from the mountains. People are very friendly and helpful, and it's an overall great experience.

The rest of our experience will be focused on health - Yoga, a visit to the Lisu tribe to learn their crafts, an indulgence into the 5-star world, a bit of detoxification, and of course more massages.

That's all for now, will write more soon.

Madoff
I would like to take this opportunity to bid Mr. Madoff good riddance, and may his 70-year-old- ass have a pleasant stay in prison for the next 150 years!!! (Hope he can figure out some sort of scheme to avoid gang rape and being someone's bitch.)

Chiang Mai and the Jungle

Arriving in Chiang Mai after a 12 hour overnight bus ride, we were tired irritable but excited. After waiting around for a few hours we finally set off out of town on our three day - two night jungle trek.

Our jeep woudn its way through the thick foliage of the jungle and let us off at a bamboo pavilion off the side of the road. A quick lunch of freid rice and vegetables, we were on our way. Packed for three days, we - along with 22 young backpackers (mostly gap year brits) - headed up the red dirt path through the moutnains.
The jungle was exquisite. I mean, really, everything you hope to find in a jungle. Lush green foliage, forests of rain, caves, bugs, and humidity!
Our guide took us up and down through the scenery and after 4 0r 5 hours we arrived at a "village" - a few bamboo shacks situated in a clearing - which would be camp for the night.

I really enjoyed the hiking, especially because living in Israel, i don't get out to a bonafide jungle all too often. Mara had a more difficult time, but was a trooper.

We were all too glad to find a stream where we could wet our tired and sticky selves as the day ended.
Day 2 offered easy walking and was chock full of cheesiness and touristacity. We walked through the hills to a clearing on a river to be met by - yes, you guessed it - Elephants.

They are incredible creatures. Massive, graceful, and strong beyond beleif. And now are suffering. Not unlike the quintessential Bedouin who brings out the camel for the tour group and takes it around in a large loop, our elephants were just that. And of course we wnet along with it with out protest, or so much as a "hey, are these elephants properly cared for? Or, what's the proces like that trains them and domesticates them?"

That evening at our next enclave of bamboo shack camping, we all offered our own theories, none of us actually having a clue as to what we are talking about.
Upon our return to Chiang Mai, Mara and I stopped off for dinner at "Taste from Heaven" vegetarian restaurant ( an excellent choice if you happen to be in the area) and had talked with the staff there who gave us the inside scoop. In short, the elephants are severely abused. They are either taken from the wild, or raised in captivity, and totured into performing tricks for Western tourists. The "trainers" use sharp hooks and beat them with sticks. They remove tusks (often causing infections) and it is basically a sick industry.
There are those who offer volunteer programs to help rehabilitate tourist elephants, and we got the sense that while there is growing awareness, the tourist industry of elephant tourism is too strong to penetrate.

The rest of our trip was great, the group dwindled to us, two Danish veterinary students, an Australian woman, and Ezra and Liz from L.A. The last day of hiking and then white-water rafting was just pure fun. The river snaked its way through the jungle slopes which were peppered with wild banana trees/plants, and we enjoyed a relaxing padde through tame white water.
More soon.
(to be con't, but check out pics here: http://picasaweb.google.com/joshrwein/MaraAndJoshInThailandAlbum1#)

Bangkok.

so we finally made it out of Israel, flew to London, and then London to Bangkok on Qantas. Seriously, if you ever have the opportunity to fly Qantas, I highly recommend it.
We touched down in Bangkok, and were sort of instantly relaxed. Despite the humidity, and the famed grossness, we found our hostel, checked in and walked around a bit.
We found our vegetarian restaurant and got our first Pad Thai and Papaya Salad. Our first evening ended with some rough Thai massages.

We then spent Monday walking around and sightseeing in Bangkok. We were duly impressed by the Grand Palace and the palace of the Emerald Buddha, and the heat pretty much drained us of all desire to go on. So we took a public bus over to some malls, and were cooled off by some much needed aircon and a light drizzle.

We had a generally nice experience walking around and bargaining and drinking beer at the night market.

There are tons of Israeli backpackers here and they have set up travel centers that organize hiking trips and have free luggage storage and internet (that is where we are now). So we are going on one of their hiking trips (http://www.lametayel-thailand.com/; Red Brick Inn - Hiking Trip). If you didn't know otherwise you would think that Israel was an enormous country as it is the only one with centers serving its citizens. It definitely feels like we are taken care of .

The Israelis are definitely an interesteing phenomenon. I haven't found as many locals who speak Hebrew like I did in South America, but this is only the begining. The Israelis we have run into so far were young and out of the army, except for one older lady (early 60s) who is here with her husband for their 5th time.
We are pretty excited to get up to Chiang Mai and to get out of the city. We promise to upload some pics sometime soon.

Love.

Return from Apathy

Ok, So I wouldn't necessarily consider myself apathetic, it's just that I haven't posted anything here for quite some time, and am trying to change that now. Lot's of amazing and exciting things have happened since I posted last... There was Obama's speech, Bibi's speech, Mubarack's speech- but in my life those are all small news items, as Mara and I just got married, and are now off to Thailand!!! In an attempt to re-vamp this blog, I will be posting and reporting on all of our adventures in marriage, life, and travel as we head to Thailand to relax, explore, have adventures and basically enjoy life.

The Wedding!!!





Well, what can I say? It was the most fantastic day of my life. We had so much fun, and were surrounded by so many great friends and family members. And, the best part is, we get to do it again in September.

Anyhow, for anyone who is interested, feel free to have a look at some pics...
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?aid=2574092&id=8600545
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?aid=2574093&id=8600545
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?aid=2575915&id=8600545
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?page=3&aid=2575927&id=8600545
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?aid=81871&id=622209034
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/?ref=mb#/album.php?aid=82405&id=622209034

http://picasaweb.google.com/mgsheftel/JoshMaraSWedding?authkey=Gv1sRgCIeCoO_D1JPrtwE&feat=email#

And I'm sure there will be more coming....


Thailand.
I'm not quite sure what to expect, so I'll let you know when it happens. We are both looking forward to being off on our own, Fruit shakes, massages Pad Thai, yoga, cooking, beaches, treks, and really whatever comes our way. So check in and be in touch!


L'hitraot,
josh

Steamy Compost.

In other news, this morning I woke up and turned the compost a bit to be greeted by a steamy rot of biodegration! It was awesome. I have basically made a thermophillic compost pile with temperatures reaching close to 60-65 degrees Celsius!

I fought the temptation of thrusting my arm deep inside the putrid muck, but just seeing that steam rise and knowing that fission was at work brought a smile to my face. Ok, back to collecting black olives.
Check out some great composting videos on YouTube here.

A new face to Israeli Politics!

Last night I went to the kickoff of, what I think, is Israel's most important and promising party ever: http://hayeruka-meimad.org.il/english.
This blog post represents my official endorsement for the Tnua Yeruka-Meimad התנועה הירוקה-מימד party.

In the Tel Aviv exhibition grounds I sat and listened to the speeches of people who are now entering the political arena to really try and push for an Eco-Social agenda. It was great. The most impressive in my opinion are Prof. Alon Tal, who, in addition to his extensive professional bio, also plays saxophone, guitar and violin in a country bluegrass band, and performed at the kickoff!
Of course MK Rabbi Michael Melchior, the #1 seat of the party, gave the most impressive speech. I think Becca summed it up best by saying that "they just really exemplify what I am looking for the Jewish State to stand for".

So get out the word and get people to vote for them!

CEASE-FIRE...

... is good. We'll see what happens next and how long it lasts.
Yes, the jury's still out and what was gained and what was lost. Many questions still remain. Is there a clear victor? Not sure. Ethan Bronner of the New York Times raises some legitimate doubts here, and I think paints a very accurate picture of the situation now.

What will be interesting now is the damage control after Gaza is open to journalists and international media. Bronner picks up a rarely heard voice of a Palestinian lamenting the destuction of her house and actually arriving at the realization that this was brought on by Hamas!

What was interesting about the war, was that the international media was all about its usual antics of attacking Israel's perceived disproportional attack and severe collateral damage while most Israelis acquiesce to a shrug and bowed head over the loss of innocent people, while never doubting for a second the legitimacy of the mission.

What I also found interesting, was the virtual silence I heard from my friends. The only communication I had with people from the 'old country' were Q&A correspondents with people that I've never met and my mom. No one wrote or called to say "Hey, I hear there's a war over there." Maybe it's because it's nothing new over here, or maybe (and this is the theory that I subscribe to) because it's simply not on their radar screen. It could also be because they just don't want to get into it with me, or are tired of talking or hearing about it, or just don't know what to say, but what can ya do.


I mentioned in an e-mail to many that Steve Erlanger's article was very good and that he interviewed Maj. Jacob Dallal (a Chicago native) as Jacob and I were driving back from a miluim tour of Sderot. Cool huh.

More thoughts on the War in Gaza and people's interesting reactions...

So the war goes on. More of our soldiers have been killed and of course innocent civilians in Gaza have been killed as well. We're not sure where it is going, or how long it will take. No prominent mention of Gilad Shalit has been heard, and we are hoping that it will end soon, especially without a major call up of miluimnikim.

Last week I wrote a short article for the iTorah newsletter. I received a lot of compliments, but received this reaction as well:
http://socialjewstice.blogspot.com/2009/01/itorah-or-ibias.html

I was happy to hear it, and also excited that a former NFTYite was engaged in the conversation. His response is very interesting, and intending nothing personal, I responded to him in the following way:

Dear xxx,
I read with great intrigue and interest your response to my short update that was sent out on the iTorah. You write well, and you seem like an intelligent guy. A few questions that you raise, that I would like to respond to.
The word bias is a funny word. Everything is bias and there is no such thing as pure objectivity. So, if I say that I am in favor of the right of a Jewish State to exist in the Land of Israel I am clearly biased, as I am not giving voice to the contrary opinion. All of iTorah is biased. The iTorah usually expresses some sort of opinion in favor of being Jewish, or supporting a Jewish community. Is this bias? No, it is simply the agenda of the organization, which also supports Israel. And when push comes to shove, we will support Israel’s right to defend herself and not support or defend Hamas who calls for Israel’s destruction.

I am quite curious as to why you feel it necessary to continuously blame all problems on Israel. It seems as though, no matter whatever the outcome it will always be Israel’s fault. For instance, the failure of the Palestinians to even begin thinking in the direction of creating a state is ISRAEL’S FAULT?!? This is simply absurd. However, you are not the only one who feels this way. It is a feeling shared by many arm-chair pundits and battered women the world round. Just like a battered woman, many of Israel critics constantly search her soul to figure out what she has done to warrant a beating. What a battered woman often doesn’t realize is that even if she has made mistakes, it is her husband who has a sickness, and will continue to beat her regardless of her behavior however flawed or flawless it maybe.

When you wrote: “Will the damage to Hamas outweight the damage to the diplomatic process that is being weakened with every hour of this war?”
I’m sorry, maybe I missed something. What diplomatic process are you referring to? With whom do we have diplomatic relations? With Hamas, the nationally elected party?
How would any other country in the world respond to this situation? By encouraging a diplomatic process? If memory serves me correctly, we have attempted this time and again, to be rewarded with terrorism. What does it matter that the disengagement was unilateral. The Palestinian complete was of occupation. Once that occupation was ended the world woke up to the cold hard fact that, it really wasn’t about occupation at all, but rather about the simple existence of a Jewish State.

I suppose that what really bothered me about your piece were two issues.
First of all, you as a Jew, and the author of a blog entitled “Social Jewstice”, are very quick to criticize Israel, the Jewish State, and seemingly have no qualms about coming to the defense of Hamas – an organization that has openly called for the murder of all Jews world wide. Implying that not only do they want to destroy the Jewish State, but had they the means, they would come to Brown university and kill Jews there as well. This does not reflect what some may understand to be “Social Jewstice” in my opinion, but I’m just one Jew. You also represent a common misconception of Hamas. Back in the late 90s, I wrote my senior paper in college on whether or not Hamas constitutes a civil society. Well, in the decade or so since, I have been proven wrong. Hamas is unlike the Israeli political party Shas that does provide welfare and education for its constituents. Wouldn’t you think that if Hamas was truly concerned with the welfare of its citizens it wouldn’t fire rockets from children’s schools (the UN has set up) or from the middle of a civilian population (ie, apt buildings and shopping centers). The truth is that they don’t care. As a matter of fact they hate the Palestinian opposition (Fatah) almost as much as they hate Israel, and have not hesitated in killing anyone who offers an agenda that is not radical Islam.

The second issue that left me somewhat curious is that you criticized me for expressing that I felt that there was no other choice. Was there a different choice two weeks ago, as you point out? Well, the option was to simply take it. Now, the range of the rockets has increased and 1 out of every 7 Israelis (Jews and non-Jews alike) are in danger. On an American scale, this would implicate about 43,598,000 Americans. How would any U.S. administration react to such a scene? So what do you propose? Maybe we should sit back and just take it? If rockets were falling on Providence, I don’t think you would think so.

All this, and I am on the left in Israel - Not that those labels (left of center, “center-right) have any meaning anymore. Don’t get me wrong, I shudder at the loss of innocent life, of which there is no lacking. The world knows this, and certainly Hamas is aiming at this to arouse sympathy. I shudder at what has happened, and also imagine what could have happened, but did not. Imagine what any Advanced Industrial Democracy would have done in this situation. They probably would have completely obliterated the Gaza strip, not unlike what the U.S. did in Afghanistan. Israel has not done that, and has taken great strides to minimize innocent losses. I agree that while Israel has a license to do something, it doesn’t have a license to do anything. I am hoping that this will be over soon – for their sake and for ours.
I hope that I’m not being too harsh, and I am happy to correspond with you and continue the conversation.
Shalom,
Josh

I also have come across some terrible articles about Israel, and some ok ones. It might be worth checking out Melanie Phillips here.
Last night I gave a tour for the IDF Spokesperson's training course in the Yemin Moshe neighborhood. It was a nice time, and I am glad that I had a stage to present the world of Hasabara as I see it. I brought my cousin Aaron along, who will now be serving as my personal PR guy.
More later...

Peace.

The War in Gaza - מלחמה בעזה

Ahh, there's so much to say right now, but I will be brief as I don't have much time. I will leave it with the wise words of Ari Shavit, an Ha'aretz editorial/analysis that essentially sums up what I am feeling now:

Israelis who blame Israel are not helping the Palestinians
by Ari Shavit

"Operation Cast Lead is a just campaign. Just, because in the summer of 2005 Israel destroyed all the Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and withdrew unilaterally to the international border. Just, because from 2006 to 2008 the Palestinian entity in the Strip did not take advantage of the occupation's end to build itself and its future and instead repeatedly attacked Israel within the Green Line.
Just, because for three solid years the State of Israel bit its lips and acted with restraint. Just, because no country in the world can accept for an extended period of time a situation in which its citizens are forsaken and its sovereignty violated. Just, because there is no chance for peace in the Middle East if the Jewish state is viewed as easy prey bleeding in the water and attracting sharks.

Operation Cast Lead is a tragic campaign. Tragic, because it is causing the deaths of hundreds and injuring thousands. Tragic, because it is causing physical and emotional injury to innocent Palestinians, including women and children. Tragic, because like every war it creates intolerable human hardship and heartbreaking suffering.

But the tragedy of Operation Cast Lead is unavoidable. It derives directly from the fact that the Palestinians did not take proper advantage of the historic opportunity given to them in 2005. It derives from the fact that when the Palestinians achieved self-government for the first time in their history they misused it. It derives from the fact that the Palestinian need to destroy Israel is still stronger than their need to build Palestine.

Israel-hating Israelis call Operation Cast Lead a war crime. They record the names of each and every Palestinian killed, denounce each and every Israeli action and portray their state as a bully. While the Egyptians are saying that Hamas is largely responsible for the tragedy of Gaza, Israel-hating Israelis place the whole responsibility on their government and military. While the international community silently understands that a sovereign state is duty-bound to protect its citizens' lives, Israel-hating Israelis believe that Israeli lives can be forfeited.

While the simple facts indicate that the violence in the south derives from the despicable actions of an extremist organization that turned the Strip into a district of terror, Israel-hating Israelis persist in their hatred of their people and homeland and defend the morality of Hamas' destructive aggression.

There is no call for hating the Israel-hating Israelis. At the end of the day, their position is a pathetic one. Their self-righteousness is not at all righteous, and their moralizing has no morality. Their inability to show compassion for the Israelis of Be'er Sheva, Ashdod, Ashkelon and Sderot shows that they possess a degree of callousness. Their inability to view the Arabs firing the Grad rockets as being responsible for their actions shows that they are not free of paternalism.

The real motivation of Israel-hating Israelis is not genuine concern for the Palestinians, but rather a form of reverse racism. By showing forgiveness toward Palestinian fascism they turn their backs not only on Israelis but also on moderate, freedom-loving Palestinians. Those who blame Israel for everything and exonerate the Palestinians of everything are neither serving the cause of peace nor helping to end the violence and occupation. All they are doing is proving the extent to which they are blinded by their burning self-hatred.

Operation Cast Lead is an intelligent, impressive operation. The element of surprise was total, the intelligence was precise and the timing was brilliant. The fact that the operation was launched after a six-month cease-fire violated by Hamas gives it political legitimacy and moral justification. The fact that it was carefully planned and carefully executed has restored a degree of trust in Israeli capabilities.

It is possible that after the initial air campaign and the destruction of the tunnels, the operation should have been suspended. It is possible that the French truce proposal should now be adopted and a final chance given for Palestinian clearheadedness. But those who reject the operation in its entirety are blind to reality and the moral failure.

The coming days will be difficult. There may be errors, perhaps complications, perhaps even victims. But for this very reason now is not the time for a campaign of hate against Israel's leaders, commanders, soldiers and pilots. Just the opposite. This is the time to strengthen the hand of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who is proving himself to be a respected national leader.

This is the time to stand behind the commanders, soldiers and pilots working day and night to conduct a difficult, complex and entirely just war. This is the time for Israel to finally behave as a mature nation protecting itself with wisdom and restraint. "