de la Schmatte

July 30, 2007 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: A New Reality, Immigrant Moments, Israeliness, Life, Pop Culture 

When I first moved to Israel, I tried in vain to explain to Israelis what a U.S. style prom is all about…

Uh.. well… we get dressed up in formalwear and go to dinner and wear funny flower arrangements on our wrists…After dinner there’s a dance with a live band and then there are after parties that last all night and generally someone has a breakfast party.

But…Emm…why?

Gee, I dunno. To mark the passing of four years together? To have an excuse for getting glammed? To have a valid reason to freak out over 1) not getting invited 2) getting invited by your dream date 3) what to wear 4) where to dine…etc. etc. Or simply (& most likely) to have an excuse for early onset debauchery?

But…Emmm…why?

Why you ask so many questions? Damn!

Regardless, according to this video clip- aptly titled Beverly Hills de la Schmatte (Kisses to the person who came up with that one) – proms HAVE ARRIVED in Israel, brothers and sisters. And while the video participants refer to it as “Hollywood Style”…well it’s a bit more toned down than that, innit? Take a gander.

Very sweet. So innocent. Not like the blow outs (think: debauchery) we used to hold.

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Jerusalem of Wine

July 30, 2007 by · 2 Comments
Filed under: General 

Tomorrow is the first day of the Israeli Wine Tasting Festival at the Israel Museum (running until Thursday August 2, from 7pm-midnight). I plan on attending tomorrow night (anyone care to join me?) in honor of my birthday. The Jerusalem Post has a preview:

The Israel Museum will celebrate the Israeli Wine Festival for the fourth consecutive year next week. This is a great opportunity to sample a vast variety of wines from the local produce.

Each year the festival attracts wine enthusiasts from across the country as they make their way to Jerusalem to enjoy the latest crafts of the local wineries, and visit the museum’s exhibits.

The event, initiated by Jerusalemite wine vendors Avi Ben and Shahar’s Liquors, will present some 30 of the leading wineries in Israel with more than 25,000 liters of wine, refrigerators, glasses and wine accessories. Jazz music will be played in the background and guests will be able to sip their way through the wine stands while chatting with the country’s most prestigious vintners and winemakers who will introduce their best harvests. Kosher food stands and many other surprises will also await guests.

….
If you don’t become an expert after all the wines tasted, you will probably learn enough about wine to select an excellent bottle for Rosh Hashana without paying a fortune for it.

Wines.com has some wine tasting tips for first time connoisseurs. It’s about appreciating quality, not getting drunk.

For true aficianados, the Golan Heights Winery will play host to a two day wine fair on August 8 and 9. For 400 shekels, however, I’m just not sophisticated enough.

L’chaim! I will have a full report after the event.

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surf’s up

July 30, 2007 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: A New Reality, Politics 

Where are the waves not so gnarly but the surfers show up anyway to escape life that feels despondent and prison-esque?

Gaza, according to The L.A. Times in this story that ran yesterday.

According to Times writer Louise Roug…

What the Palestinians euphemistically refer to as “the situation” — a dark and intractable reality of violence and poverty — dissolves in the big blue. You can’t ride the waves and worry about factional violence at the same time.

“When we surf, we think about surfing,” said Islam Assar, 17, sounding as Zen as his California brethren. “We don’t think about the situation.”

Then keep riding the waves, men.

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No Scorpions, Okay?

July 30, 2007 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Immigrant Moments, Israeliness, Life 

Remember how Nicky recently blogged about the scorpions in her house?

Well another blogger – anglosaxy - sez he was supposed to go out for drinks with a friend but the person had to cancel because the guy’s sister had been stung by a scorpion and he had to go to the hospital to see her..

AHHHH!!!! I CAN’T TAKE THIS! I’M MOVING TO ALASKA!!!

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Nostalgia Sunday

July 29, 2007 by · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Art, Blogging, Profiles 

This post is less about Israeli nostalgia and more about an Israeli, a classic work and feeling nostalgic for cooler days.

A few years ago I had the privilege of profiling Israel-born virtuoso Gil Shaham while he was in San Francisco to perform with the SFSO. I literally hung out with him backstage for two days to glimpse his life. Talent aside, Shaham was selfless, funny and intelligent.

“So how’d you like my shtick?” the internationally acclaimed violinist greeted me backstage, sweat liberally streaming down his face after performing the thorny Berg Violin Concerto.

That was Gil Shaham. Enjoy this classic. And stay cool.

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