Pashkevilim: Wall Posters in Jerusalem Part III, Spoofs and Cellphones

pashkevil-money

This is Part III of a series on pashkevilim, the anti-establishment wall posters hung in large haredi neighborhoods. The series is based on a talk by Tzuriel Rashi of Michlelet Lifshitz and Bar Ilan University. See Part I and Part II. Pashkevil forbidding the use of Zionist banknotes. Credit: Ben Chorin A major concern for the haredi community in recent years has been cell phones. When chassidim who worked with troubled youth realized how easily a cell phone could be connected to the outside world, they alerted their leaders and an emergency meeting took place between the leaders of the various haredi communities. Even Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, the Sephardic chief rabbi, was invited. As a … [Read more...]

Only in Israel–Bank Story

I think that West Bank Mama was looking for something a little more positive in honor of her blogoversary feature, "Only in Israel." I hope she'll forgive me and post it anyway. When we bought our apartment in the early 1990's, we were entitled to a government grant and a reduced-rate mortgage. After submitting the numerous documents and permissions, the bank finally called to say that the check was ready. At around 8 in the morning I strapped my toddler into his stroller and walked to the bank, figuring that I would be back in time for his morning nap. I was seven months pregnant. At the bank, I waited a few minutes before the clerk called me. She handed me the check, gave me a form … [Read more...]