Leo’s grave

May 1, 2009 - 2:51 PM by Jessica · Leave a Comment
Filed under: General, Holidays, Immigrant Moments, Israeliness, Life

My father-in-law, Leopold Laufer, died two years ago on the eve of Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israel Independence Day, a significant date considering his very Zionist roots. A Czech by birth who made his way to the States with his father, mother and sister during the years of World War Two, he spent some time in Manila organizing Zionist youth, and continued in that vein for the rest of his life, working for the good of others as well as making aliyah at least three times during his life. The year that he died was a leap year, so it turns out that his yahrtzeit is actually the day after Yom Ha’atzmaut, but for us, it’s our own memorial day, just in the reverse of the Israeli Memorial Day-into-Independence Day.

We go up to his grave on Har Menuchot (roughly translated as the Hill of Eternal Rest) in Jerusalem on the day of his death, and while it is a hill, technically, in reality it feels more like a graveyard hi-rise. It’s the cemetery for Jerusalemites, given that the more historical Mount of Olives — which also has a much better view — is chock full.

And while we’re not of Sephardic descent — just plain ‘ol white bread Ashkenazi — Leopold Yehuda Laufer is buried in the Sephardic section of the cemetery, surrounded by Maimons and Turjemans, because we preferred the more laid-back Sephardic burial society. It’s sad to visit him, and yet, this year, there were some funny moments. Since he’s buried in a section above a firing range, anything that’s said is punctuated by rapid fire. Noisy and amusing, in turn. And this year, we brought the two new members of the family with us, my twin sons Ziv Maimon – no relation to those buried around Leo — and Lev Yehuda, who is named for his saba Leo.

If you squint a little, you can see the firing range in the distance

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Tags: ashkenaz, Har Menuchot, Mount of Olives, sephardic, Yom Ha'atzmaut

Israeli kitchen makes me hungry and inspires

November 23, 2008 - 11:15 PM by Harry · 2 Comments
Filed under: Food

Potatoes stuffed with meat. I’ve been blogging in some shape or form for over six years now and though food has always been a topic I’ve written about it’s never been the exclusive topic of any of the blogs where I’ve written. About three years ago I considered starting a blog called “The Middle East Confit” but the idea never came to fruition, it just marinated in my mind. Then we had a baby, then work got real busy and then…well…yeah. I barely find the time to blog at my own blog – most of it coming from lack of inspiration rather than time.

I’ve been thinking about writing exclusively about food and plan on redesigning my blog in the coming weeks (months?) Where did this inspiration come from? The excellent Israeli food blog Israel Kitchen. Written by Miriam, a current resident of Petach Tikva who has live in both Jerusalem and Tsfat and even spent some time in Venezuela. Her recipes are varied. Running the gamut from that Ashekenazic staple Kasha Varnishkas to Tunisian Mafroum (meat stuffed potatoes). She also makes her own wine.

Miriam’s photography is top notch as well with colorful photos of her travels around Israel. She visits shuks, cheese makers, wineries and restaurants.

So if you are looking for a taste (nyuk nyuk) of Israel not to be found elsewhere be sure to visit Israeli Kitchen.

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