Showing how ridiculous Christianity is !
Monday, August 22, 2011
Rothschild Boulevard is Dead
B”H
Already a week ago I noticed what was going on when I looked at all the empty tents. The protestors for social justice were leaving and it doesn't matter how much money left - wing organizations are willing to invest. In general, Israeli demonstrators start loosing their interest fast. There are various reasons: The head demonstrators start playing the big boss and discover the media only for themselves. People start fighting among each other and others are just sick of being together with loonies all the time.
This morning I went to the Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv and the masses are gone. Plenty of empty tents filled with drunk homeless and drug addicts. This is what is remaining. Not to forget all the tons of garbage. The demonstrators claim that their protest will continue but, at the moment, the weather in Tel Aviv is too hot and Israel's security situation is not the best.
This morning I went to the Rothschild Boulevard in Tel Aviv and the masses are gone. Plenty of empty tents filled with drunk homeless and drug addicts. This is what is remaining. Not to forget all the tons of garbage. The demonstrators claim that their protest will continue but, at the moment, the weather in Tel Aviv is too hot and Israel's security situation is not the best.
No one there except Hippies and Junkies.
Photos 22 August 2011: Miriam Woelke
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Sunset at the beach in Tel Aviv
I took the two photos this evening (21 August 2011)
Photos: Miriam Woelke
Ride on Jerusalem's new Tram
B"H
The tram started running last Friday and the rides are for free for the next two weeks. I will try it out tomorrow and make some photos.:-)
Chassidic Women and the Stocking Feeling
Toldot Aharon women and their stockings
B"H
It all depends on the upbringing and one's own discipline. I don't have the upbringing and I do have a lack of discipline. At least in some ways of my life.
The summer season in Israel is extremely hot. Netanya,Haifa, Ashdod, Tel Aviv or Bnei Brak additionally suffer from a high percentage of humidity coming from the sea. The result is that, even without moving too much, we are dripping. Sweat is running down you face and even your arms. And then we see women wearing stockings. It doesn't matter what colour the stockings have. Plain black or simply regular stockings for the chassidic woman.
We look at those women and feel sorry for them. Their society is determining the rules and this includes the stockings as well. On the other hand, I see many of those chassidic woman walking with a certain kind of pride. They stare at other women not being that modest and the others stare because there is a woman walking around in stockings.
Seculars may think that those stocking women are nuts or being told by their husbands what to wear. Many chassidic women, however, wouldn't even get the idea of not wearing those stockings. The stockings make them accepted in their society. Showing that they identify with the group. For those women there is no alternative and they don't even look for one. If you want a good Shidduch, be proud of yourself, have a life, then you wear the stockings. You do what society expects you to do and don't even think about it. I have met many of such women but when you do start some controversial topics, they become curious and start discussing among each other.
Chassidic Ba'alei Teshuva women just jump into those stockings, as this may give them the feeling that they are part of the group. An inner satisfaction to show one's discipline and desire to do everything right.
I admire both groups but would love to know how those Ba'alei Teshuva women feel in their new lives ? Is it really that easy to throw away your sandals or sneakers and jump into stockings and shoes ?
Yahrzeit in Belz
B"H
All pictures HERE !
Rocket Attacks from Gaza continue
Grad - Rockets falling on Beersheva
Rockets falling on Beersheva and how the IRON DOME (Kipat Barsel) eliminates the Gaza rockets
In the meantime, one person died from the rocket attacks onto Beersheva.
The Israeli towns of Ofakim, Ashdod, Beersheva and Ashekelon experienced a real rocket hail today. More than 30 rockets were shot onto Israeli territory. How the Israeli army reacted HERE !
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Channah Nachenberg
B"H
Every Shabbat anew, people come to join the Machlis - Family for very different reasons.
Rabbi Mordechai Machlis, his wife Henny and his 14 kids are the greatest Shabbat experience you could ever have. They accept everybody and have been doing so for more than 20 years. Mordechai and Henny are originally from Brooklyn and both are children of rabbis. Almost 30 years ago, they made Aliyah and have been living in the Maalot Dafna neighbourhood in Jerusalem since. You could call Rabbi Machlis national religious or Chardalnik (Haredi Leumi). His children, however, are mostly married to Haredim and the two oldest sons are students at the MIR Yeshiva.
The Machlises are famous for their Shabbat food. In other words, for the amount of food. Anyone can come without calling and take as much as he likes. And this is one of the main reasons why people come. Food.
Me and my friends saw the Machlis home more as a social meeting. Throughout the week, each of us is busy, so on Shabbat we used to meet at the Machlises.
In May 2001, I showed up at the Machlis home and met an old friend of mine: David Nachenberg. Some time ago, he had got married and he introduced me to his wife Channah. They also had a two - year - old daughter, Sarah. A happy family with a home in Modi'in. They made jokes about their income but most Israelis have an overdraft. Channah told me that she wants to find a job in order to make things going smoother.
On 9th August 2001, I was on a bus when I heard the news. A suicide bomber had blown himself up at the Sbarro Pizzeria. Corner King George - Jaffa Road. It was at about 2pm when a guy with a guitar entered the Sbarro and exploded himself. Inside the bomb were also nails and screws to injure or kill more people. The streets and the Sbarro were crowded and the suicide bomber had waited for the traffic light turning green. Thus, people were crossing the junction and he could kill even more. Many people were killed inside the Sbarro. A whole family was wiped out. The Shijveshurder family who had emigrated from Holland. Five family members almost died on the spot.
A few months later, I read the "Jerusalem Post" and suddenly saw a picture of Channah and David Nachenberg. I only got to know then that Channah had been badly injured in the blast. She had gone with her daughter Sarah and a relative to eat pizza. The relative was only slightly injured. Daughter Sarah showed no sign of injury at all.
After the blast, her relative got up and saw that Channah had been falling over the table. She was taken to the Hadassah Ein Kerem Hospital and the doctors found out that she had a nail in her heart. However, they succeeded in operating her but Channah never woke up again. Until today, she is still unconscious and the doctors don't know why. Laying in the Re'ut rehabilitation center with open eyes but not responding to anything. Her husband David visits her as much as he can. Sarah keeps on drawing pictures for her mother although she grew up. They play music to her.
The Nachenberg Family
However, they also had further horrible experiences when Christian visitors popped in. They started praying to J. and claimed that if the family converted to Christianity, Channah would wake up.
How horrible and ignorant can people be ? Since the incident occurred, David allows only Jewish visitors in.
After the blast, no more traffic ran through downtown Jerusalem. Only ambulances.
The bus driver opened the doors and we got off the bus. It was in the Ge'ulah haredi neighbourhood and we walked avoiding the nearby scene. I had just walked a few meters when a teenager girl walking not too far away received a phone call. She spoke a few words and then started screaming and crying. She was national religious and just sat down in the middle of the sidewalk and cried. A haredi Mea Shearim woman came up to her and everybody else around just knew why the teenager was crying. Something terrible had happened to a friend or relative. The haredi woman embraced her and said a few encouraging words to the girl. It was one of the most incredible scenes I have ever witnessed. All the time we hear about people from Mea Shearim. They hate everybody else and keep themselves separate. And here was, a woman from Mea Shearim, embracing a teenager from the outside world. Unfortunately, the secular press wasn't around to take a picture.
I don't know what exactly happened to the teenager and don't know where she is today. Unfortunately, Channah Nachenberg, the last victim of the Sbarro bombing, seems to be almost forgotten.
For an update of the Nachenberg Family see HERE !
Tel Aviv - Jerusalem ?
B"H
Lately I have been thinking about moving back to Jerusalem. I had left town some time ago. First to Tel Aviv, then up north to Tiberias and Zfat and, after a period of three months back to Tel Aviv.
Most religious Jews living in Jerusalem don't like the big city at the coast. Too left - wing, too secular, not kosher enough, too this and that. While visiting Tel Aviv for one or two days, of course, the frum Jew won't like it too much. Compared to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv means hightech, civilization and I would look at it as the New York of the Middle East. However, the moment you live here, you start liking it. This, at least, happened to me although building up a community life on Shabbat may be a bit harder than in Jerusalem.
There are many things I miss in Tel Aviv and I had in Jerusalem. Chassidic Tishes, Shabbatot, Shiurim. Of course, you get all this in Tel Aviv too and if not, then in the nearby town of Bnei Brak. On the other hand, religious people in Jerusalem started going too much on my nerves. First of all, there is this pressure feeling in the air. Let alone the Shabbat and Chagim expectations. Go here, go there, go to the Synagogue. I am not even out of the bus yet but have to be ready for the Synagogue. Don't behave like this, do that. Are you fasting ? Why not ? Don't do that because its Shabbat.
You know what: Many people in Jerusalem think that they are so holy but don't realize what kind of a damage they do. Leave people alone and let them their own personal freedom ! Not because we are from Tel Aviv but because we are individuals. If you want all your pressure and little personal ghettos fine, but there are other Jews (religious and secular) who have different lifestyles and priorities.
G - d created the universe and us for our enjoyment. If He wanted us to constantly sit in the Synagogue and pray, He wouldn't have created nature and all the beautiful things around. Too many Jerusalemites forgot how to live but just move around in their little pressure bubble.
It may sound bad but I got used to Tel Aviv and love living in a big city. I am happy here although some things do bother me. Nevertheless, I feel at home and this is what counts. And why should I leave home in order to make myself depressed again ?
Lately I have been thinking about moving back to Jerusalem. I had left town some time ago. First to Tel Aviv, then up north to Tiberias and Zfat and, after a period of three months back to Tel Aviv.
Most religious Jews living in Jerusalem don't like the big city at the coast. Too left - wing, too secular, not kosher enough, too this and that. While visiting Tel Aviv for one or two days, of course, the frum Jew won't like it too much. Compared to Jerusalem, Tel Aviv means hightech, civilization and I would look at it as the New York of the Middle East. However, the moment you live here, you start liking it. This, at least, happened to me although building up a community life on Shabbat may be a bit harder than in Jerusalem.
There are many things I miss in Tel Aviv and I had in Jerusalem. Chassidic Tishes, Shabbatot, Shiurim. Of course, you get all this in Tel Aviv too and if not, then in the nearby town of Bnei Brak. On the other hand, religious people in Jerusalem started going too much on my nerves. First of all, there is this pressure feeling in the air. Let alone the Shabbat and Chagim expectations. Go here, go there, go to the Synagogue. I am not even out of the bus yet but have to be ready for the Synagogue. Don't behave like this, do that. Are you fasting ? Why not ? Don't do that because its Shabbat.
You know what: Many people in Jerusalem think that they are so holy but don't realize what kind of a damage they do. Leave people alone and let them their own personal freedom ! Not because we are from Tel Aviv but because we are individuals. If you want all your pressure and little personal ghettos fine, but there are other Jews (religious and secular) who have different lifestyles and priorities.
G - d created the universe and us for our enjoyment. If He wanted us to constantly sit in the Synagogue and pray, He wouldn't have created nature and all the beautiful things around. Too many Jerusalemites forgot how to live but just move around in their little pressure bubble.
It may sound bad but I got used to Tel Aviv and love living in a big city. I am happy here although some things do bother me. Nevertheless, I feel at home and this is what counts. And why should I leave home in order to make myself depressed again ?
Jerusalem Tram is starting to run
The new Jerusalem Tram
Photo: Miriam Woelke
B”H
Miracles happen; especially in Jerusalem !
After years of construction work and millions of Shekels wasted, the new Jerusalem tram is finally starting its service. For the first two weeks, the rides are FREE OF CHARGE !
On Monday I will be in Jerusalem for a few hours in the morning and may get on the tram in order to try it out. Its for free anyway and where do you find a free ride from Mount Herzl to the Pisgat Ze'ev neighbourhood ?
On Monday I will be in Jerusalem for a few hours in the morning and may get on the tram in order to try it out. Its for free anyway and where do you find a free ride from Mount Herzl to the Pisgat Ze'ev neighbourhood ?
Friday, August 19, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
