Ambitions of the non-pawns
Nearly half of the all time great chess champs are Jewish, Russians have special levels of love for the game, and “check mate,” the adage recited ritualistically by players upon achieving victory, is said to have been derived from Hebrew, so it’s only natural that the Israeli chess scene be vibrant and growing.
Alon Cohen-Revivo, 2008’s Jerusalem Chess Champion, is working hard to make sure that chess culture has a comfortable home in Jerusalem. His two-year-old organization, Jeru-Chess, has been making a considerable difference lately, according to a recent Jerusalem Post report. Together with the Municipality of Jerusalem, Jeru-Chess hosted a major International Chess Festival (pictured) this past July.
With a home base in the German Colony’s recently renovated International Cultural and Community Center, Jeru-Chess boasts a roster of around 60 regular members, and it has hosted workshops in about 30 schools, special needs groups, community centers and old age homes.
Cohen-Revivo looks at chess as a therapeutic endeavor.
“Several solid research studies show the beneficial effects of chess on mental health patients, CP patients, people with Alzheimer’s disease and Asperger’s syndrome,” says Cohen-Revivo, 35. “Chess is also a good outlet for children with ADHD.”
He also sees the game as a springboard for educational opportunities.
Mediation and listening skills are also useful in chess, he says. “I listen for the unmet needs of my pupils, what they need to improve. I also try to give a feeling of self-confidence, ability to contain and understand complexity, and, of course, pure chess knowledge.”
….Cohen-Revivo’s innovative teaching approach doesn’t end there. “The queen is like an octopus that can go eight different directions; she has a long arm and can move forward and backwards and sometimes on the diagonal,” he explains. “Danny Deen, a famous comic character, is the knight.
“I use a lot of metaphors and techniques that are relevant and effective,” he says. For example, “Sometimes kids only use pieces on one side of the board. I begin to shake the ‘dozing hand’ and make snoring sounds to wake up the sleeping pieces.”
Your move, Tel Aviv.
The long haul
Israelis are getting ready for Rosh Hashana they only way we know how – by shopping.
Most people at work are still coming to terms with the length of the holiday – the only two day religious holiday celebrated here.
“You mean, we don’t go back to work until Thursday? I might as well take a trip abroad,” said one colleague.
Not having any close family here, Rosh Hashana – like every other holiday – has always been bittersweet for my family. We get together with friends and other families for some meals, hang out by ourselves for some, but without the mishpacha around, there’s always something missing.
Herb Keinon in The Jerusalem Post, put it very aptly:
As the son of a Holocaust survivor, I grew up with a very small extended family – no relatives on my mother’s side; grandparents, two aunts and three cousins on my father’s. My childhood table never brimmed over with relatives. But I didn’t know the difference; it’s what I knew.
But my kids have a different reference point. They see friends with relatives spilling out the windows, and want some too.“Why can’t we have relatives,” the youngest son asked once, using the same tone he uses when asking for more ice cream. Indeed, the lack of a large clan is hardest on him, something that has to do with his bar mitzva in six months.
Here’s hoping that all Israelity readers – even David Joe – whether in the bosom of their families, or enjoying the holiday with friends old and new, have a meaningful Rosh Hashana, and that next year will bring peace and tranquility to all.
Nostalgia Sunday
Filed under: Art, General, Holidays, Israeliness, Pop Culture
I don’t know Hayim Shtayter personally but he is a man after my own heart. Shtayer, a veteran Israeli graphic designer, has an extensive collection of antique and period greeting cards for the Jewish New Year, some of which can be found online.
What is nice about this season is that even today, if you go down to the open market shuk, there are still stands selling this sort of card. Brightly colored, often embossed and/or sprinkled with sparkles, these are hopeful messages for the near future, a mix of national pride, military might and religious symbolism.
And sometimes, with a new house and a new car thrown in for good measure!
The “Shana Tova” (good new year) style – described by graphic designer David Tartakover in a 1978 book as “folk art created by anonymous artists” – was honored by the Israel Postal Service in 2000 and 2001 when it commissioned Shtayer to create a series of stamps using images from Rosh HaShana cards.
If you like the Shana Tova style, there’s still time to send an e-card to friends and family. The one I got was really sweet. In any case, best wishes for a New Year filled with health, happiness and a bit of peace, wherever we can find it! Shana Tova!
Shana tova u’metuka
Filed under: General, History and Culture, Holidays, Immigrant Moments, Israeliness, Religion
There’s no question that Rosh Hashana cheer is in the air, whether it’s signing off of every conversation with a Shana Tova salutation, wishing a Shana Tova to each clerk, salesperson or person that one meets, and the number of Shana Tova emails — not to mention the round challahs and apples and honey gifts on Facebook — that are arriving in the email inbox.
The streets are crowded with people, shopping all the time, for food, gifts, last-minute outfits, and the planners who are already picking up decorations for their sukkah.
What I always like about Rosh Hashana in Israel, as well as Yom Kippur and Sukkot (and all the rest of the calendar year, for that matter), is that they are holidays for everyone, secular or religious. Sure, some of us spend a lot of time in synagogues during this month-long holiday period, thinking about personal repentance and ancient piyutim, and that’s our choice. Many don’t. But nearly everyone in Israel is celebrating in some way, sharing special meals with family and friends, buying “shay l’chag“, holiday gifts for one’s hairdresser, accountant, travel agent or clients, cleaning up the house and yard before the onslaught of guests, and thinking of creative ways to use honey or new fruits.
I suppose that for me, it comes down to the fact that no matter how many years I’ve been living here, I still derive a little thrill at how different it feels to celebrate one’s new year in September rather than January. It feels different to say Shana Tova U’Metuka, rather than Happy New Year. It feels different to toss around pomegranate seeds, rather than glitter at midnight.
So here’s to a happy new year for all Israelity readers and bloggers, and finding your kind of celebration. Sweetness and happiness in 5768.
Who are YOU Voting For?
My fellow Americans: the upcoming Presidential election is only weeks away. You owe it to yourself to make an informed decision, which is why I took the liberty of live-blogging the first debate between Senators McCain and Obama Friday night. Here’s a sample from the 4 AM local kick-off time:
4:10 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac? I think I met them at the Mobile, Alabama Matza Ball once.
4:13 Lehrer to Obama: “Say it directly to him.” The moderator is apparently auditioning to be a matchmaker on the Upper West Side.
4:14 “I still believe our best days are ahead of us.” How do we get that kind of optimism here? “Dehr eez no hope een deh gah-verhn-mehnt….deh politicians all SAHK!“
4:16 Ech omrim “earmarked pork barrel spending”? The rabbinate is going to have something to say about this.
4:18 “$300 billion is really important.” THREE HUNDRED BILLION DOLLARS?!?! Where do I get THAT kind of aid? All together now….come on, Nefesh B’Nefesh….HOOK A BROTHA UP!!!
Read the whole thing here. And shana tovah (Happy New Year) to all!
Subscribe
Subscribe to Israelity via email:
Social Media
Categories
- A New Reality
- Art
- Blogging
- Business
- coexistence
- Crime
- design
- education
- Entertainment
- Environment
- Food
- Foto Friday
- General
- health
- History and Culture
- Holidays
- Immigrant Moments
- Israeliness
- Life
- Medical Breakthroughs
- Movies
- Music
- News
- Nostalgia Sunday
- Picture of the Week
- Politics
- Pop Culture
- Profiles
- Religion
- Science
- Social Justice
- Sports
- Technology
- Travel
- tv
- War
The Face of Israel Today
-
About Israelity
Free newsletter
Stories from ISRAEL21c.orgPopular Posts