Why the escalator?
I have figured it out.
I have finally solved the enigma that is Israel. It was so simple and I never noticed it before. The simplest way to understand Israelis is by going to the mall and riding the escalator.
Why escalators?
Because everywhere else in the country people do not wait. It’s not perticularly a bad thing, it’s just how it is.
In line at a fast food place, in the Kiosk, going to the Kotel, lines are not only optional, they are obsolete.
But on the escalator, don’t even think about walking up it. Seriously, if you want to risk it go ahead but I prefer to enjoy the ride.
What does all this say about Israel. That when there is a chance to rest for a moment, without worrying about having to rush, Israelis will take the oppurtunity. So for all the Americans that think Israelis are constanly being pushy and rushing through things, next time you are here go to a mall and take a few rides on the escalator.
The other side of the fence
It’s different, being in Israel while the violence is ratcheting up. Every time I would hear in the states about violence here it hurt and was horrible and we watch the TV soaking up every minute detail that came at us.
On Thursday of last week, there was an attack, like the so many I had watched from the U.S. I am pretty sure other then me, my American friends, and the Israeli couple next to us; we were the only people studying the coverage intensely.
Other people were watching the television of course, but most watched for a few minutes and then went on their way.
I had heard that about Israeli’s, had for lack of a better term had gotten use to these scenes. I don’t say this to disparage Israeli’s, it’s just how it is I guess. I know Israeli’s how of deep connection to each other, and it hurts when something like this happens. But that’s the thing, it happens and people have gotten use to it.
I was going to see a movie that night, “No Country for Old Men.” The movie’s action centers on violence. There isn’t much discussion of the violence that is taking place, with the exception of an old sheriff who acts as a Greek chorus unto himself.
For the most part the violence is just matter of fact. That is how it is, just as the Texas sky is blue and the day is hot. That is kind of the reaction I saw in the restaurant, was it tragic, yes, but was it unusual, no.
For the families of the victims it certainly isn’t like that. But for the rest of us, although we are upset, we continued on with our night, I still went to the movie. Like they always say, hopefully cooler heads will prevail. At least before we get the point where both sides have walked twenty paces and have fired.
Who I am
My name is Adam Van Hart.
I was born in Cincinnati and graduated from the Ohio State University a little under a year ago. I graduated from university with a degree in Journalism and a major in Political Science.
I am currently living in Israel, working on a ten month volunteer program. Like the Peace Corps, just with Jews.
I have moved all over the country. Starting out in Be’er Sheva, living with immigrants old and new in the absorption center and eventually moving to Netanya where I live and work in a children’s home and other schools.
Most of my time is spent teaching English to either children in grade school or high school. It has been tough, but enlightening. Most American Jews never really get a full understanding of their homeland, which is unfortunate.
In one month I will be moving to Jerusalem to be interning at the Jerusalem Post.?
Are you chicken?!
Because my explanation of all things Jewish is never as good as Wikipedia, here is some quick information about the Yom Kippur tradition of kaporot.
Hebrew: ??????, “atonements”) is a traditional Jewish religious ritual that takes place around the time of the High Holidays. Classically, it is performed by grasping a live chicken by the shoulder blades and moving around one’s head three times, symbolically transferring one’s sins to the chicken. The chicken is then slaughtered and donated to the poor, preferably eaten at the pre-Yom Kippur feast. Preferably, a man should use a rooster, and a woman should use a hen for the ritual.
In modern times, Kapparos is performed in the traditional form mostly in Haredi communities. Members of other communities tend to perform this ritual with charity money substituted for the chicken, swung over one’s head in similar fashion.
Yes, I had a chicken swung over my head (more like “levitate”). After many years of hearing my parents say “Shlug a-kapporis, Poi Poi Poi (that’s “spit”)!”, I finally understood what my yiddishe-mama was talking about. I was given the choice to give 25 shekels to benefit a local orphanage, or 25 shekels to make friends with a chicken and to benefit a local orphanage. I chose the chicken. Here are some pictures from the adventure in Mea Shearim. And yes, chicken-doo did end up on my head.
The look on this kid’s face is classic.
Round one and Round two (this is where it pooped on my head).
Round three and kiss for being such a good sport.
Happiness is a three-letter word
The kismet of an American childhood is the Happy Meal. The meal includes the requisite hamburger, 15 french-fries, Hamburgler shortbread cookie, and a toy. This toy, whether it be a mini Beanie Baby or diecast General Lee, is like nirvana. For years my father refused to let me get rid of any of the toys. “They will pay your way through graduate school someday!” he would say as I moved them aside to make room for a new ‘N Sync CD. After the toys have been opened and played with, I would doubt that they would even be able to pay for a semester at the local community college.
Every once in awhile, I will purchase an Israeli Happy Meal just for the toy. Unlike the boring chatchkes (or knick-knacks) you will get in an American Happy Meal. these are TOYS. For example, last week’s toy was a mini e-Dog. The palm size dog lights up in for colors and plays a hip-hop tune from behind its ears. The Israeli Happy Meal also comes with apple-goo. I call it “goo” because it’s like apple juice but it has a gelatinous, “Plan-9″ look to it. I’m not sure if the United States McDonald’s has chosen a different “Happy Meal Toy Provider” but they sure could take a clue from the Israeli Happy Meal. Now all Israel needs to do is replace that apple-goo with something else…an iPhone, perhaps.
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