When I was a child, we used to live in a house (Bayit, בית) that my grandparents built on top of Mount Carmel (har hakarmel, הַר הַכַּרְמֶל) in Haifa. They built the house in the 1930s, when the area was pretty wild and people were encouraged to build there.

My mother was born there and lived there all her life. Each time my grandparents were able to raise some money, they built another floor for the house. They utilized my grandmother’s fine cooking abilities and the good air of the mountain and established a little hotel that existed until I was a little girl.

After my parents got married, they took the upper floor and my grandparents lived just underneath. It was convenient and pleasant to live so close to my grandparents, enjoying my grandma’s cooking on a daily basis and having my grandpa around to take me places and make life more interesting and secure.

Summer Vacation Memories

During the summer vacations (Xufshot kayits (חֻפְש�וֹת קַיִץ, we used to visit our cousins who lived on a farm, growing oranges and chickens. We loved visiting them and we liked it a lot when they came to visit us. They brought their country habits to the city. Under their influence, we started walking barefoot (yexefim, יְחֵפִי�) to the supermarket (that was unspeakable in the city), took the bus to the beach, and played cards and Monopoly for hours.

They enjoyed taking the Caremlit (כַּרְמֵלִית) which is a 6-station underground funicular railway in Haifa, so we went up and down many times just for the fun of it. We enjoyed these summers a lot.

 
Current Summer Vacation

Lately my brother had his third child, and called him Carmel in spite or perhaps due to the fact that they live in the south of Israel. In memories of those summer vacations, he suggested renewing the cousins’ summer visits. The idea was happily taken by our kids and my brother brought his (older) children to stay with us for few days.

When I watched the kids play together and enjoy themselves at least as much as we did as children, I felt much complacency (נַחַת, Naxat). I think that having my family (משפחה) close-by (relatively) and creating warm relationships among the young generation of the family is a very important aspect of our life. I am thankful for living here, in Israel, surrounded by my growing family, and enjoying the fruits of good family ties.

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The First International Jewish Bloggers Convention took place in Jerusalem, Israel. About 200 bloggers attended the event, and 1,200 more watched the live broadcast. The convention was organized by Nefesh B’Nefesh. While all blogs represented at the conference dealt in some way or another with life in Israel, the spectrum ranged from immigration through carrying guns in Israel to discussions of Jewish law, board games and interior design.

Under the motto “The Power of the JBlogosphere: Taking JBlogging to the Next Level,” the half-day conference featured two panel discussions with popular Jewish bloggers and a speech by Zavi Apfelbaum, Director of Brand Management in the Foreign Ministry.

The organizers consider the convention a huge success, and it seems like the participants also had a lot of fun.

“The conference is an opportunity for people who are online friends through writing and reading blogs to meet in person for the first time,” said Rabbi Gil Student, one of the panelists and editor of Hirhurim, a blog about religion.

“Jewish bloggers everywhere - unite! That was the feeling Wednesday night at the first International Jewish Bloggers Convention”, writes Vickie Lecy, another blogger.

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235 new immigrants (עולי� חדשי�) landed in Ben Gurion airport, Israel, on August 13th.

The Jewish immigrants made aliyah (עליה) from North America to Israel. These “Olim Xadashim” came to Israel thanks to the cooperation of “Jewish Agency for Israel” (הסוכנות היהודית) and “NBN” - “Nefesh B’Nefeshâ€� (נפש בנפש). It’s very exciting when new Olim come to Israel. There’s also a Hebrew saying that states “From Oleh to Oleh our power increases” (מעולה לעולה כוחינו עולה), and so it’s always a happy event to see new Olim here.

Here are some pictures from the event:

Photo credit: Jacob Richman

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Eight days ago my sister-in-law, Ruthy, gave birth to a wonderful boy (after two magnificent daughters). Today we celebrated with them the joining of this boy to the Jewish nation in the Brit (בְּרִית) ceremony that took place in a local synagogue. On this occasion the family revealed the name of the boy - Li’or Yishay (לִי×�וֹר יִש×�Ö·×™). His father, Ram Cohen-Eyal, read a wonderful blessing and I chose to translate it and share it with you.

“Beloved son,

I would like to begin with a little confession -

For the last six months or so we called you “Xamudi” (חֲמוּדִי, Sweetie) -

Inside your mommy’s belly, you made a very good impression!

We kindly talked about you and to you,

And tried to imagine what would happen when the day is due.

And now, when you’re out, and everything went by impeccably,

It is time to give you a “grown-up name”, a name of quality.

Beloved boy - we wanted to give you a name -

A name that would let everyone know,

How blessed we became when you did show.

We wanted an optimistic yet popular name,

A name that relates to the family from which you came -

A name that strengthens beliefs and values, and lights up the flame.

A name that your pure-gold sisters, Ma’ayan and ‘Einav,

Would love.

For seven days, we went back and forth

We looked at the bible, and the dictionaries -

What would your name become henceforth?

We recited some names, we wanted to feel,

We wanted your name to become real.

Finally, miraculously,

The combination evolved

Li’or-Yishay

Or as we prefer - Li’ori-Shay

As of Li’or: (לִי×�וֹר, a light for me)

Upon your arrival you brought us all

Great light (�וֹר, Or), calmness, a sense of accomplishment, and joy.

May you continue to light up and glow,

And the rest would simply flow.

And as of Yishay (יִש�ַי, Jessie - the father of King David, the grandson of Ruth)

Apparently - a simple name:

From right to left and from left to right (ישי), however, it reads the same!

It closes all circles - we proclaim.

It begins with יֵש� (yesh = there is) - as optimistic as could be

And it ends with a Yod (×™) that symbolizes G-d - there is God!

If you read the Yod (×™) first and then the “ש×�Ö·×™” (Shay = present, gift) -

God’s gift - what a delight!

Your name is tied to us on the biblical story

Your mother Ruth, your father Ram, and you - Yishay -

To the Ruth Dynasty we all apply.

And if the meaning is too heavy on you,

And if the change is too much,

You may always go back to the nickname Xamui - which we love so much!”

MAZAL TOV !!!  מזל טוב

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On Shabat evening, just after the heat of the summer day lessened, we headed up to our favorite river, not far from where we live. The Alexander River originates at the Samaria Mountains and runs all the way to the Mediterranean Sea. It flows into the sea north of the city of Netanya. Although the river was once polluted (מְזֹהָ×�, mezoham) and lost lots of its water animals and vegetation, it has been restored during the last decade or so. Now, you may walk or ride your bike (if you don’t have one, you may rent it there) along a well-nurtured bank. You may enjoy a picnic by the shed of a eucalyptus grove (חֻרְש×�ַת ×�ֵיקָלִיפְּטוּס, xurshat ‘ekaliptus), or enjoy the lovely resting areas along the river bank.

This is a wonderful walk that the whole family may enjoy. Along the river bank many Israeli trees and bushes were planted, such as figs, vines, carob, and the most Israeli cactus - the Sabra. You may walk along the bank, pick some fruits (my kids picked some sweet juicy grapes), and enjoy.

In the midst of the river, you may find soft-shelled turtles (צַבִּי� רַכִּי�, tsabim rakim). Personally, I dislike these reptiles with their long grayish head that welcome any piece of food provided for them, but I do respect their long lasting existence in the last 100 million years (and especially during the last hundred polluted years). The kids and lots of other people may watch for hours their sleekly movements and their assertive way of getting food. For that reason, a special bridge was built, just around the area they inhibit. Not surprisingly, it is called - The Turtles Bridge (גֶּש�ֶר הַצַּבִּי�, gesher hatsabim). This nearly extinguished soft-shelled turtle population gets a special attention from the nature preserved communities. Their eggs are being moved to a fenced area where they can grow unharmed, and when the little turtles hatch, they walk directly into the water.

 The clean up of the Alexander River received top prize at the Australian 2003 Theiss River prize competition.
The place became even more attractive since then. So, on your next trip to Israel, when you feel like simply cleaning your head and enjoy nature, you may visit the Alexander River and watch the results of the ongoing preservation efforts.

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A beautiful children song tells about a Saturday morning from the point view of a little child. From some reason, Saturdays tend to be pleasant even in term of the weather. I remember waking up as a little girl on Shabat, hearing the voices of the people going to the synagogue (just next to my old house) and watching the sun rays penetrating through the closed shutters. Every Shabat I was astound to find out that it is another beautiful day. Even a Shabat following a stormy winter week somehow turned to be sunny and tempting. Therefore, the child in the song determines that it is a beautiful day (there is no other options).

The child from the song goes on and tells about his mother drinking lots of coffee (just like my mother did and I do now) and daddy reads lots of newspaper (which is one of the preferable activities on an Israeli weekend). The child describes the different options of spending Shabat’s morning such as sailing on the Yarkon river in Tel-Aviv, or simply walking down the street and picking flowers.

You may watch Arik Einstein singing this song with the composer Yoni Rechter playing the keyboard next to him and read along the song.

ש�ַבָּת בַּבֹּקֶר Saturday Morning

מִלִּי�: תִּרְצָה �ֲתַר  Words: Tirtsa Atar

לַחַן: יוֹנִי רֶכְטֶר  Lyric: Yoni Rechter

Well, last Saturday, after drinking much coffee and going over the weekend papers, we found ourselves singing this song and decided to put it into practice. We packed some water, hats, sunscreen and fruits and went to the Yarkon. This river is the largest coastal river in Israel. It originates near Rosh Ha’ayin at the east and runs west through Gush Dan and Tel-Aviv into the Mediterranean Sea.

When my husband was growing up in the northern part of Tel-Aviv, he used to play at the Yarkon bank, attempting to build a raft and exploring the water turtles (that were later extinguished) and various river animals. Once he found a little boat that was swept away and sailed with his friends throughout the summer.

In memories of those days and following the lines of the song, we rented a boat (there are no swept away boats any longer) and rowed throughout the Yarkon almost till the sea. On the way back, the breeze helped us breathe and made the boat move faster. A picnic on the Yarkon bank was a wonderful conclusion to this beautiful Shabat morning.

There is no doubt: Shabat baboker! Yom Yafe!!!

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Shalom Xaverim (friends),

People often refer to learning a new language as a difficult task, Hebrew (or Chinese) in particular. One of the first phrases newcomers (עולי×� חדשי×�, ‘olim xadashim, new immigrants to Israel) learn is “עברית שפה קשה” (’ivrit safa kasha = Hebrew is a difficult language), but Hebrew is a beautiful language and learning it is one of the most satisfying adventure many people experience. In this post I would like to share with you my experience of teaching Hebrew - one of the most satisfying challenges I have been facing (besides raising children).

Teaching via the internet is a unique experience. Teaching Hebrew via the internet is one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. Sometimes I feel like a Genie who fulfills the one biggest dream of a person - learning Hebrew. When I tell about my work (most often with bright eyes) people here do not really understand why others want to learn Hebrew. I feel that most of my students study Hebrew for emotional rather than practical reasons (although some plan to go to Israel or have a common language with the grandchildren who made aliya). They feel an urge to learn Hebrew - the language of the holy scripts, the language that was kept alive for thousands of years, the language that was revived after 2,000 years, the language of a young nation, the language of loved ones, the language of the Torah.

I meet students from all over the world - Jews and non-Jews - who make major efforts to study Hebrew. Learning a new language is not an easy task - after participating in the lessons, students review the materials, listen to the recorded lessons, trying to pronounce the Hebrew words with the guttural sounds, and practice writing from right to left. My students don’t need exams or grades because they have this inner urge to know the language, to master it.

The internet and eLearning provides many people with the opportunity to learn Hebrew in places where Hebrew schools are not present or in times that fit their unique schedule. It puts together people from different countries or continents, with different backgrounds, and of different ages to inspire each other and to learn from each other. In some classes I have students from various time zones, different professions like a physician, a truck driver, a retired person, a teacher of English as Second Language, and an artist, sitting together, each one at the comfort of their home - learning about shopping and dining in Israel in Hebrew.

I sit at home in Israel - in the holidays, I bring my students the flavor of the holiday - my children may sing the holiday songs to them in Hebrew. When we learn about the Seven Species the land of Israel was blessed with, I turn my webcam and show them the olive tree out of my window. When the lesson takes place at the break of the day, my students hear the birds waking up in Israel chirping and announcing the new day. And when we conclude our course, we often have virtual parties with virtual food and presents sent by the students and the teacher.

Last week we learned about the family - the various family relations like mother, father, grandchildren and the like. I asked my students to send in advance some family photographs. In class each student presented his or her family in Hebrew - it was a lovely opportunity to make these virtual students real - to see their pictures and to meet their families, to hear their stories and to feel their joy (at the wedding of a loved one) or worries (about the son who serves in Afghanistan). These students, who had first met the Hebrew language about 6 months ago, were able to articulate all their family relations, and express their feelings about them. I am very proud of them - I believe they feel major satisfaction.

Teaching Hebrew to young children is a different yet very rewarding experience. These young children come from various backgrounds. Their parents may speak Hebrew or have some Hebrew background but find it difficult to keep their children’s Hebrew at age level. I have been there and I can fully understand them. We used to live in the States for many years and our children were born and raised there. My Israeli husband and I spoke Hebrew at home, but the “street” is stronger - the level of their Hebrew was not satisfactory and when a parent attempts to be a teacher, it doesn’t always have positive psychological effects. Therefore, I wish I could have the option of having someone Israeli teaching my children Hebrew while we were away. It is funny, but when we lived in the States I felt that my son spoke Hebrew fluently - I guess that was what I wanted to believe in. When we watched the video tapes later on (preparing for his Bar-Mitzvah last year), we were amazed from the strong American accent and lack of Hebrew understanding he had.

This is a wonderful opportunity to tell you that HebrewOnline has just opened the registration to the yearly Ulpan for Kids. I think that it is a lovely opportunity for children (ages 7-17 years old) to learn Hebrew. The lessons are interesting, energetic and dynamic; the teachers are wonderful. The lessons are live, online, and conducted in small groups. There is no need to chauffeur the children or detach them from their computer - the lessons are delivered straight to your home computer through advanced video conference technology. You may sign up now for a trial lesson.

Would you like to share with us your experience of learning Hebrew? We would love to hear from you and publish your story.

You may watch the Aleph-Bet Song (written by Na’omi Shemer) performed in an alternative way in this Youtube page.

You may also familiarize yourself with the Hebrew letters and the transcription rules we use.

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It is summer officially now. The school year ends, it is hot and humid, and all I can think about is either an air-conditioned place or anything to do with water - the pool, the shower, simply drinking cold water, and the best of all - the beach at sunset eating watermelon and feta cheese (or any other kind of hard, salty cheese). I know it sounds “different” to the non-Mediterranean mouth, but the combination of the cold sweet watermelon and the salty cheese makes unbelievable miracles in your mouth and soul - you must try it.

Some Israeli won’t call it a summer until they play the ultimate beach game of the Israeli culture, called “matkot” (מַטְקוֹת) - this is a non-competitive game named after the racquet, the matka. The word may come from the word maka (Hebrew) or madka (Arabic), both meaning a knock or a blow and referring to the somewhat aggressive rendezvous between the ball and the matka that creates a significant sound on the beach.

Another thing that makes the summer more bearable is summer songs. One that I particularly remember from my childhood is called: “lixvod hakayits” meaning “in honor of the kayits” (לִכְבוֹד הַקַּיִץ). This song was written and composed by Dany Senderson and sung by a band called “gazoz” (גָּזוֹז). The name of the band is refreshing by itself as it means “soda-pop” - sparkling water with some added flavor that was popular before the cola and its companions arrived at the Holy Land. The song tells about someone who arrives at the beach early in the morning enjoying an empty beach, the waves on the water and the silence that make him feel as if a dream comes true. He ends up an hour later with 1000 people eating ice-cream bars (’artik, ×�ַרְטִיק), playing matkot and breaking his dream. I think it summarizes much of the Israeli summer experience. I found a naïve, funny video of this song and thought it would be nice to share it with you.

Lixvod Hakayits לִכְבוֹד הַקַּיִץ

Music and Lyric: Dany Senderson מִילִי� וְלַחַן: דָנִי סֶנְדֶרְסוֹן

The Hebrew Corner פִּנַּת הָעִבְרִית

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Gan Hashlosha National Park הַפַּרְק הַלְּ�ֻמִּי גַּן הַשּ�ְלוֹש�ָה –

Last Saturday, I found myself resting under the shade of huge oleander plants (הַרְדּוּף) watching a couple of pigeons nesting just in the right angle for me to observe. The kids were sliding on a narrow canal just on top of a magnificent waterfall and my husband swam in a 100-meter (~1 yard) semi-natural pool until he arrived at a huge-long black waterfall were he could enjoy a nice water massage. It all happened at the National Park  located on the eastern part of Israel at the foot of Mount Gilbo’a, in the Beyt-She’an valley.

This National Park was initiated by water springs that flows all-year-round with a constant temperature of 28 degrees centigrade (82.4^oF). Like almost every place in our area, this site has a long history that can be traced to the prehistoric era as well as the biblical time )as can be seen in the Museum of Regional and Mediterranean Archeology  located in one corner of the park(. In the 14th century, Rabbi Ishtori Haparchi described in his book of “Bulb and Flower” (kaftor vaperax, כַּפְתּוֹר וַפֶּרַח) this place as the doors to the Garden of Eden. We tend to agree with him.

The valley was abandoned for hundreds of years and was flooded by the water from the springs. In the 1930s, Jewish settlers arrived at the valley, dried the swamps, cleaned the spring beds and began farming the fertile land and build settlements. In 1938, three men who were active in settling and defending the area traveled when their car went over a road mine. The Gan Hashlosha (the Garden of the Three, גַּן הַשּ�ְלוֹש�ָה) National Park is named after these men: Dr. David Mosensohn, Aharon Etkin, and Haim Sturman.

 The Amal creek (נַחַל עָמָל) traverses the length of the Park and the spring water is collected in three natural pools (that were enlarged), and create waterfalls and natural Jacuzzis. The naturally warm water allows swimming all-year-round. Hence, the name of the place in Arabic is “saxne” which means warm. The riverbanks have well-tended lawns and a landscaped garden with exquisite flowering shrubs, palms and olive trees that make this place a true oasis.

The “Time Magazine” selected this park as “one of the world’s most intriguing spots.” We won’t argue with them!

The Hebrew Corner פִּנַּת הָעִבְרִית

 Pictures by Shira Cohen-Regev

You may click this link to watch a virtual tour of the Saxne:
http://www.tourwise.co.il/virtualTours/?tour=138_HE

And to see more pictures of this magnificent spot: http://www.pbase.com/doronnissim/gan_hashlosha_national_park_sahne

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Shavu’ot, names, and friends   ש�ָבוּעוֹת, ש�ֵמוֹת וַחֲבֵרוֹת

During the Holiday of Shavu’ot, we read in the Synagogue the Book (or Scroll) of Ruth. 

The story tells about the Jewish family of Elimelekh who moved to Moab (מוֹ�ָב) due to the drought in the land of Judea. The sons of the family married Moabite women. After some years the father Elimelekh and his sons died. Ruth the Moabitess who was married to one of the sons decided to join her mother-in-law Naomi when she decided to go back to Judea. She told her:

“עַמֵּךְ עַמִּי, וֵ×�לֹהַיִךְ ×�ֱלֹהָי” (“thy people shall be my people and thy God my God;â€� Ruth:1:16). They arrived at Judea during Harvest time (around Shavu’ot) and Ruth went to collect the leftover wheat in the field of Boaz. (This is the right of the poor to collect the leftovers according to Jewish law).

Boaz is a family member of Elimelekh who is impressed first by Ruth’s appearance and second by her loyalty to Naomi. Eventually, Boaz and Ruth get married and they are the great grandparents of King David.

The Scroll of Ruth and Shavu’ot

There are few reasons why we read this story on Shavu’ot:

First, the story happened during harvest time which is the agricultural component of Shavu’ot.

Second, Shavu’ot is also the Holiday of Giving the Torah. Giving the Torah is considered as the time the Children of Israel were converted from being slaves to being free Jewish people. Ruth actually converted to Judaism and this is another reason we read her story during the Holiday of Giving the Torah. 

Third, according to Jewish tradition, King David was born and died during Shavu’ot. As Ruth was his great grandmother, we read about his descendents at that time.

The meaning of the names in the Book of Ruth

Many of the names in the Book of Ruth have a meaning in Hebrew related to their character or story.

Naomi (נָעֳמִי) comes from the Hebrew root .נ.ע.מ which refers to being pleasant, lovely, and gracious.

Elimelekh (×�ֱלִימֶלֶךְ), her husband, was from the Judea tribe and his name suggests that he wanted to become a king: “×�ֵלַי מֶלֶךְ” means “kingship comes to meâ€�. It may also mean “G-d is my kingâ€� (×�ֱלִי=my G-d, מֶלֶךְ=king).

Boaz (בֹּעַז, בּוֹעַז), Ruth’s saver and second husband and the great grandfather of King David may have received his name from being strong, powerful, courageous and brave. “×¢Ö·×–” means “strong and braveâ€� whereas the pronoun “בּוֹ ” means “in him.â€�

And last but not least is Ruth (רוּת). There are several explanations and midrashim (מִדְרָש�  = interpretation of holy scriptures) for the origins of her name. The one I have recently found suggests that the name Ruth (רות) comes from the word Re’ut (רֵעוּת) which means friendship.

My Ruths

I like the friendship interpretation of the name Ruth very much since I have many significant friends named Ruth. Somehow all my Ruths are more than friends        (רֵעוֹת) – they are more like the sisters I have never had. Therefore, I sent them a special Shavu’ot card referring to them as my Ruths club and writing about our special relationships in the light of Shavu’ot. Not all of them like being related to Ruth the Moabitess. Ruthy remembers being “matched� to every Boaz who came across her whereas Ruti felt the burden of the Ruth she was named after.

However, for me, each Ruth is special and I am blessed of having such friends:

· You already met Ruthy in the post about Passover. We knew each other since we were young girls but became friends only recently.

· Ruth and I became friends when we served together in the Air Force (the service in Israel’s army is one of the strongest friendship initiator and the best match-making office…). We really did not like each other in the beginning, but life has its own ways and plans.

· My sister-in-law Ruti who is an outstanding flautist and the one who understands the best our common family matters suggested that I should write about the “Ruths club� in this blog.

· And last but not least is “Safta Ruth� – who is not my children’s real Safta (סָבְתָ� – grandmother), but became one when we lived away from our biologic grandparents. She is also the great teacher who guided me through to the wonderful field of teaching Hebrew and I am grateful for that.

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