omanot

Here is a nice article i picked from our local newspaper, it is a about new immigrant to Israel and her story: very recomended!!
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3118803,00.html

posted by rebecca @ 2:39 PM 0 comments

This is my entire family: my husband (Alon), daughter (Noy), dog (Pho) and cat (Shola).

A little about my dog: We brought him 7 years ago from the animal shelter as a small puppy, we didn’t realized how big it is going to be. Today, when he sits, he is taller then may daughter. By the way, he doesn’t think he is a dog, he believes he is the head of the family.

My cat: We brought her 5 yeas ago from the cat shelter and ever since she is afraid of people. 2 years ago she had an accident - a car run her over and we had to amputate her tail. But now she is ok and I don’t think she misses her tail so much.

posted by rebecca @ 5:03 AM 0 comments

The mezuzah
In every Jewish house in Israel you will find a mezuzah, if you are Jewish then you probable know what a mezuzah means. If you are not a Jewish, then here is a short explanation: The mezuzah(in the picture) is a doorpost that Refers to a narrow capsule, which contains a small parchment with Bible verses written on one side (Deut. 6: 4-9 11:13-21), and the word “Shaddai” (Almighty) on the other. The origin of the mezuzah dates to the Bible (Deuteronomy 6:9) “And thou shalt write them upon the doorposts of thy house and the gates” The Bible requires this writing to be placed on every door post that we may be constantly reminded of God. If you are interested in learning more about the mezuzah, here is a nice article I wrote in my website about the mezuzah in Jewish art: http://www.omanot.com/index_files/Page3329.htm
The mezuzah in the picture is hand made by Moshe Argaman a Judaica artist.
To see more unique items of Moshe you are welcome to visit: http://www.omanot.com/index_files/Page803.htm

posted by rebecca @ 12:40 PM 0 comments

The Bible
My second job is to type books for the blinds. The last typing was a booklet about Samuel the prophet and King David and it reminded me Bible lessons in school.
In Israel, everybody has to study Bible and most students don’t really like it because it is obligatory, however I enjoyed study the Bible. I liked Bible classes because of the stories about people and places in Israel. I know that some people think that Bible classes are worse then history classes, but I think that history is so boring with all the dates and events, everything is so formal there is no place for imagination. However in Bible stories I could imagine things and relate those to specific places in Israel, for example Jerusalem, when you are walking there you can feel all the ancient spirits of people that used to live there. Recently I was at David’s tower in Jerusalem and it is quite amazing to stand there in the same place as our ancestors did 2000 years ago.

posted by rebecca @ 11:14 AM 0 comments

My daughter and I

My family

posted by rebecca @ 3:37 PM 0 comments

Another story I found. The story is about a special tree in Natanya (a city in central Israel), not far away from where I live.


The Wishing Tree, The Abu Tree / by Zeev Shahaf

In the oak tree reserve, in front of the eucalyptus row, near the cemetery in the veteran housing project, there is a jujube tree. Its fruits are small, the size of marbles balls, and look like tiny apples. Pieces of blue fabric are hanging from its thorny branches and that is what makes that tree so special.
We had been watching the tree for a while, just to find out if somebody was renewing the worn out pieces of fabric.
Our curiosity wasn’t satisfied.

One day we spotted an old lady standing on her toes trying to tie a piece of blue fabric on one of the branches. That moment we started an investigation, and what came out of this you will see yourself.

Miss Aboksis arrived to the tree from a near by Moshav. “This is the tree of luck” she answered our question. “Ever since 1952, when I first arrived to Israel, I have been coming here at the beginning of every Jewish month, even during wartime, to ask for some luck for my family!”
“Does it help”? We asked
“Sure it does” the old lady answered. “I have asked for baby boys grandchildren and it helped. I've prayed for my drug addict son, and it helped…”
“And what else?”
“I've prayed for my daughter that had a very difficult pregnancy…”
“And for those who come and pray here, does it help them”?
“It helps only if one really deserves it”
“So what should we do”? We asked
“The best” she said “is to take a woman’s head cover, the one she goes to the synagogue with”
”So the tree can’t help men” we guessed
“I can’t tell you that. But I want you to know that this tree, Abu the rabbi, is a holy tree”.
“From whom did you learn about this tree?” “When we arrived to Israel I was very sick so one of the rabbis told me about it”

During one of our visits , we met a botanist that willingly checked the tree - he checked the multiple trunks, leaves, fruits and roots and he even took a trunk core example. Eventually, he said that the three is probable very old, around 400 years old. 100 years ago the tree was damaged and recovered by growing a few additional trunks. He refused referring to the special qualities of the tree. “If I believed that, I would have asked for the lottery numbers.” he laughed.

Since the botanist couldn’t help us, we went to our friend, a social psychologist, and we asked him, how a tree could help people?
“It is all about control location” the psychologist began with his professional jargon. We asked for vernacular translation. “There are individuals and groups who think they are masters to their own destiny, those people have inner control location. Others think that outer factors determine their destiny and those have outer control location”.
“So?” We asked
“The latter are convinced that their actions, the prayers, can improve their situation”.
“But it is a fact” we continued our query, “they report of successes”
“Indeed” the psychologist confirmed, “it makes them feel good, which is a very important part of every therapy”.

We continued our investigation. One raining winter morning, we saw a track parked nearby and five women of different ages surrounding the tree and praying. The driver told us they had came there to ask for luck. One of the youngest in the group told us that they had arrived there from a nearby Yemenite Moshav and that they had been coming here every holiday’s eve.
“It is not superstitious! It really helps!” We returned to the driver who looked as an educated man:”say” we asked him “do you believe in this stuff”?
“You see” he answered, “even if it doesn't help, it doesn't hurt, and besides, what do we know about stuff like this? Some believe in meditation, while others put a note in the Kothel. Why don't you question those believes? Why do you have daubs regarding this tree?”

We wanted to check the story from a traditional point a view. Luckily, during one of our visits, we spotted two young orthodox boys praying under the tree. The boys, Yeshiva students willingly explained the importance of the tree. “Why are people, of the sudden, blessing a tree”? we asked one of them. “Isn't it like worshiping an idol?
“God forbid” the boy was appalled, “there is nothing about the tree. The praying and the requests are the heart of it but the holy man Abu, to whom a miracle happened, is the one who makes things happen”
“But still, it is not a tree from the seven species of abundant, it is just a thorny tree”.
“The legend tells” he said, “that the jujube tree was a tree like all other trees, it had tender leaves and its fruits was tasty like an apple. However, a terrible thing took its happiness away. Therefore, today it is thorny and its fruits are small and bitter. What could take away its taste of life if not an unrequited love? About that issue, said the wise of all men “and I shell find a woman bitter then death…” since he had 1000 wives but no love. I don’t want to talk about love since surely every man tested love. Rabbi Abu, started practice Torah only as young man. When he was a young boy, he pastured his fathers sheep in Biria forests in the Zefat mountains. One day, as all shepherds did, he lead the sheep to drink at the stone basin, and there, he saw a young girl. Their hearts tied together and that was all I have to say about it. Things happened under the shady jujube tree and there was an act with the girl’s blue scarf. The story ended with a Abu’s broken heart, that made him go to the yeshiva, where he discovered as a miracle. In days to came he became a rabbi in Israel, however, he had a strange custom to hang a blue scarf on every jujube tree.
The tree, got punished as well as it sheltered the loving couple with its branches. Now it is growing thorns so that no loving couple will host in his shade again.”
We referred to the second yeshiva boy, “this tree doesn't look very special, and besides, it is hidden among eucalyptuses and oak trees”
“The other trees” said the boy “grew here because one lady came to the tree and asked from the rabbi to pray for her to have children. So the rabbi told her to plant 351 trees (the gematria of “pri habeten” in Hebrew—that means children) so that passers-by would enjoy a shade.
The lady argued—70 (gematria for ben—baby boy)
“No”! said the rabbi
“102”, the woman negotiated (gematria for banim—baby boys).
But the rabbi insisted.
“Then I shall pray on my own” sighed the woman.
The rabbi was furies, so he cursed her that until the trees were planted, she would not have any children. The women got scared and planted the grove, and we have bless her for that till today”. So told us the boy and added that if I counted the oak trees I would see that the story was true.

We left the yeshiva boys and went looking for some historical information. So we reached Abdul Latiff a man who is like a historical and archeological institute. He was born at the beginning of the century, multilingual, even speaking Yiddish, with Hebrew being the only language problematic to him.
Any way, with regards to historical events, he has a computer in his head. His version to the tree story is a little bit different.
Abdul Lattif remembered that there had been a small dusty road that led to the tree next to which pilgrims riding on donkeys were passing. According to him, it was customary to hang pieces of fabric and put small honey jars inside. “And the most important” he said “it is forbidden to build any house here and fire is also a taboo it brings bad luck!”
But why is it holy? We insisted
“Well, one day the rabbi his name was Abu was passing through, he walked from the Galil to Jappa, and made a night break since he was tired. He lit a fire, which started his problems. Why you ask, some robbers saw the light and did what they knew best. They took his donkey and his money and even took his cloths. They throw him on the tree, which was very painful because of his thorns. The rabbi cried and prayed for help. Out of nowhere the wind brought him blanket and the color of the blanket was blue. He got off the tree but he was wounded, so he took some of the fruits and put them on his cuts. Then he was fine, nothing hurt him anymore. This is why people come here—to ask for good health, but it will not help you unless you have faith!” this is what Abdul Lattif told us.

Apparently, there are some people who weren’t familiar with the importance of the tree and the customs related. Last independence day some body lit a memorial candle near the tree and caused a great fire of the grove.
We went there to see what had happened. The eucalyptuses were burned to the ground, and amazingly, the “whishing tree” stood still without any harm. Near the smoky remains, we met Abdul Lattif. We asked him how he knew about the fire and he mumbled something about blue fire in the sky. May be he meant the fireworks? Sadly he said, “somebody now is gonna have a really bad luck!

The story was translated from Hebrew
In the curtsey of Zeev Shahaf Copyright ©

posted by rebecca @ 1:27 PM 0 comments

Nice story I found about the Yarkon stream(In central Israel):

Hill's Columns

Near the delta of the Yarkon there are three marble columns, called upon their erector: the British Officer Major-General John Hill. These memorials were erected to the crossing of the Yarkon in "Yafo Battle", as it is known in the British Military History.
After winning battles in Gazza - Beer-Sheva lines, in November 1917, the british proceeded and freed Tel-Aviv from the Turqish Army. They stopped near the Yarkon, and stayed there about a month. The Turqs were in controlling hills: Sheik Munis, Hirbat Hadra (today TLV University and Hadar Yosef), and threatened the British forces.
The British initialized an operation, to cross the Yarkon and capture the northern hills. On the night of November 24 1917, the New-Zeland Desert Brigade with Infantry, crossed the Yarkon near it's delta, because of convenient shores, and near the Jarisha Dam (The 7 Mills). They conquered the two mentioned hills. But before sunrise, the Turqs conquered the hills back. The British Forces had to retreat, with heavy losses, and the Turqs fortified their strength in thses places, ruining the two bridges.
In December the British Forces decided to give a chance to the Scotish Low-Land Division, headed by John Hill. He was born in India, and fought over 30 years there, in France and in Gallipoli, receiving excellency degrees.
The division was posted in Sarona, which was evaquated from it's German inhabitants, and it's headquarters was in Tel-Aviv. The town received the British with a concert, in the Hertzlia Gimnasia, with a lot of joy and amusement. Hill liked the idea of a Jewish state, and the audience liked to hear that.
During a night tour, thought Hill about a couragious idea: to cross the Yarkon and to surprise the Turqs in the night, with no bombarding before that to soften the conquest.
In the short time left till the battle, he prepared the operation in a little lake near Sarona. He confiscated carpets from the town houses, and built bridges from wine barrils, bresent, and wood. The bridges were transported during the night on camels, to the hiding points near the Yarkon.
In the days before the attack there was heavy rain, which transformed the shores into a muddy area. In the night of December 20th, at 20:00, the forces began to cross. The soldiers marched in four lines, holding each other, the water reaching their chests, and their scotish skirts floating around them...
In the darkest night of the season, the forces advanced with compasses alone. At 23:00 all the soldiers have already crossed the river, and they proceeded attacking the enemy. The battle was a comlete surprise to the Turqs, who never though it possible to fight in such a hard weather day... The Scotish fought with their knifes-on-the-guns, with no shooting, which could waken the enemy.
To commemorate the victory, Hill brough three marble columns from Apolonia, and asked to write on them in Hebrew !!:
On the night of Dec 20th, 1917, crossed the 155 Brigade of the 52 Division (Lowlands) the Yarkon in this spot, by a light bridges and rafts, and conquered the Turqs posts.
Hill erected them in the three places of the crossing:
· Near Tel Shuni (Tel Kadadi), near the light-house.
· Mitbahayim Hill (The Croll Field), Hill's square.
· Near Abba-Hillel-Silver Rd. between TLV and Petah-Tikwa (Ramat-Gan), crossing Ben-Gurion road.
You are welcome to look for them. Bring me pictures...

Haggai.

In the curtsey of Haggai Bar Shalom Copyright ©

posted by rebecca @ 9:03 AM 0 comments

I know I said no politics in this blog, but Israel’s recent events are very hard on us.
Every day Palestinians are launching missiles through our cities and every day another person is been killed in some terror attack (bombing, missiles...)
On top of that, the evacuation from the occupied territories is accelerating

I watch the news and see all the families that will be evacuated and it is so sad! People built their home, their business and now every thing is going to be destroyed. I just saw on the news a father from some settlement that 6 months ago he lost his entire family in a terror attack, his pregnant wife and 3 little girls. His wife drove the car when a terrorist start soothing at them, when the car stopped he came and shot each one of them from a close range. The house is the only living memory he has, and now it is going to be destroyed just like his whole family did!!!

Sorry I’m so pessimistic today but I can’t help it, it is really upsetting.

posted by rebecca @ 12:35 PM 0 comments

Friday

The most special day of the week. I have been to many places around the world, but I never had that special feeling as I do in Israel on Friday.

Friday is the day before Saturday - the Jewish holy day.

Usually you can feel Friday is arriving on Thursday night, when all the supermarkets are packed with shoppers trying to buy all their need for Shabesh (Friday night) dinner, it looks like a war zone, but for families.
Children and parents are charging on the products selves trying to buy as many things as they can, so that they won’t stay hungry on Saturday (a day that all the supermarkets are closed).

The fun things, shopping on Thursday, are the free taste samples that are being delivered to the shoppers so that they will buy those products. Eventually, you are spending 3 hours in the supermarket, eating free samples (this way you don’t have to make dinner at home) buying all the stuff that you need and most likely things you don’t need and every body happy.

Not only the supermarkets are like one big festival, the shopping malls are just the same - full of happy shoppers (or just people who want to be some where with air-condition).

Finally, it’s Friday.
Since almost every body has the day off, there are only three things you might do
1. Clean your house and cook for Shabesh dinner.
2. Spend you entire day in the supermarket because you forgot to buy your products yesterday
3. The lucky ones are sitting in coffee shops or going to the beach.

When Friday arrives, you can feel it in the air, besides all the shopping commotion, there are all those soldiers, the ones that got out for the weekend, that trying to catch the bus home, all the traffic jams and busy people running all over just to be on time before Shabesh.

Finally, at 2 or 3 o’clock you can feel the atmosphere starting to relax - every thing is coming down, people went home for their naps and there is almost no body in the streets.
At around 4 o’clock the streets are so quit, one might think there are no people living in here.

Slowly, the holy Shabesh is crawling inside and every body making theirs last arrangements for dinner - showers, nice cloths. Every body is relaxed, and smiling. You can actually feel this in the air. In some places, in Israel, there is still a siren announcing the Shabesh entry.

I think that, small things like that, makes Israel different from any other country I know.

posted by rebecca @ 8:42 AM 0 comments

Family trip to Jerusalem,
David Tower in Jerusalem. An amazing place to visit. It is taking you back in time and you can really feel the history talking to you through the heavy stones around you.

My Husband and my baby girl at the Kothel in Jerusalem.

posted by rebecca @ 12:10 PM 0 comments

Today I will be talking about my business and what he means to me.

3 years ago, when the .com bubble collapsed, I was fired from the hi-tech company I was working for as a sales coordinator.
However, I wasn't sad or anything I just thought it could be a great opportunity for me to start my own business.

I always wanted my own small business but I didn’t have the nerves to leave a secure job with good salary because the mortgage has to be paid!
I was exited, finally, I could open my own gift shop as I always wanted.
I read every book about starting your own business, I went to lectures and courses and I stated to collect information regarding opening a gift shop.

Gradually, I got discouraged, the economy went down, the Intifada started, business went bankrupt, and people didn’t have money for food, never the less for gifts. So my dream of having my own business was impossible to reach.

I was so depressed about the all situation that I even tried to find a new job and I couldn’t because every day some business went down and the unemployment was so high that it if you were unemployed you were in good company.

I lost my faith in Israel, I hated this country. I gave her 2 years from my life in the army, I worked my butt off ever since I was 21 and now what???
My husband and me, even considered of leaving the country - why should we suffer here, we could have better life some place else with no war, no dead people and with no economy problems.

Two years later I had my first born child - Noy and she changed my point of view about everything. I started to see the beautiful things around me, thing I forget exciting.

One day I went looking for a gift for my mom's birthday and I saw all those artists with their great hand made items. Items I didn’t see any where in the world (and I traveled a lot). I thought to my self - hey, we got amazing artists with gorgeous stuff so why don’t we share it with the whole world. If the world won’t come to us, let us bring ourselves to the world.
And that is how I started my omanot.com business.
I personally selected every artist and every item displayed in my website.

Omanot.com (and of course my baby) reminded me all the great things in Israel, our special atmosphere, historical places, great stories and amazing people.
All items in my website, reflecting the uniqueness of our country.

I can just hope that you will be able to feel this remarkable feeling regarding our items, as I do.

posted by rebecca @ 6:51 AM 0 comments

Shalom and welcome to my blog

My name is Rebecca, and I’m from Israel. I’ve created this blog so that the simple things in Israel could have a voice. I'm not a politician I’m just a simple person who trying to live normal and peaceful life in this country, but as you all know it is almost impossible. I think that Israel is the only place on this planet that broadcasting news every half an hour, and they never good!
For example the hottest topic in Israel now days is the evacuation, I really don’t have an opinion if it good or bad for us, but I do know that it is very difficult for me to see those families that are being expelled from their life time homes. I think that loosing your house it is very painful situation and I wouldn’t want to be ever in this position.

But enough with those depressing stories, in this place I dont want to talk about politics or the news I just want to dedicate this blog to the nice things about Israel, things I like, my family and friend likes, to beautiful places and great stories about us as a nation.

posted by rebecca @ 4:31 PM 0 comments