Last week I heard a woman describe her first visit to the yarkan (produce store) as a new olah (immigrant) in the early 70's. Everyone knew where the produce store was, because a swarm of flies could be seen from a distance. She brought along her teenage daughter for assistance, as the daughter had … [Read more...]
Anglo Immigrants: Arbiters of Social Rightness?
November 9, 2011 by
New reader Ruth Alfasi wrote to me to object to the discussion of whether Israelis are rude. She writes: Connecting Israelis with rudeness is, if not rude itself, and if not lacking derech eretz (good manners) , certainly culturally insensitive. We are here now, and as Jews we ought to give … [Read more...]
Interview: Yifat Kasai on Ethiopians in Petach Tikva Schools
September 7, 2011 by
Update: I heard on the radio at around 1 PM today that the Chabad girls' school, Or Chaya, has refused to accept 5 Ethiopian students. Or Chaya is part of the state religious system. The education ministry said that sanctions will be taken. I met Yifat Kasai two years ago, when her eldest son … [Read more...]
Is 64 Too Old to Make Aliyah?
July 12, 2011 by
UPDATED below with more information for older immigrants. Welcome to all of the new immigrants arriving today, including Raggedy Mom and Samanthat4d. Can you help this reader? He writes: I have been considering moving to Israel. Life in the US is expensive and so is Israel. I … [Read more...]
Review: English Hebrew by Subject
March 10, 2011 by
English Hebrew by Subject by Hanna G. Perez is the newest tool for immigrants, tourists, students, or anyone who struggles with switching between English and Hebrew. It's a dictionary, but instead of listing words alphabetically it groups them by context. English Hebrew by Subject starts off, … [Read more...]
Making Aliyah Mid-Year with Kids
November 28, 2010 by
I received this question from TYm: My family is planning to make aliyah next year in the late fall. We have two children 4 an 1 with a baby on the way. We are moving to Rehovot where I will be doing a post-doc in the sciences. We’re still not certain what my husband will have lined up. Any … [Read more...]
The Museum at Chatzar Kineret
November 14, 2010 by
It’s hard to imagine what life must have been like for the young people who made aliyah on their own, long before the state of Israel was established. On our recent family trip, we visited the museum in Chatzar Kineret. Also known as Chavat Kinneret (Kinneret Farm), this was one of the earliest … [Read more...]
Back to School Shopping Tips, 2010
August 2, 2010 by
We're less than a month away from the start of school. I have no idea whether my first-grader's class will remain intact. I lost the book lists, which mysteriously disappeared after I put them in a folder marked "school." A neighbor is holding on to a batch of books for my 11th grader, and I passed … [Read more...]
Tipat Chalav Survival Guide for Parents
July 11, 2010 by
On Twitter, @mrsroth mentioned how a nurse handed her 18-month-old a cup and spoon. The little girl started to "stir" with the spoon, but failed that developmental task because she was supposed to pretend to eat from the bowl. Everyone loves to complain about Tipat Chalav, the network of … [Read more...]
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