Sharav Dos and Don’ts

March 10, 2010 - 6:54 PM by Jessica · Leave a Comment
Filed under: General, Israeliness, Life, design

If you’ve ever been a reader of Glamour Magazine, you’ll remember that there is always a popular item in the back of the mag called “Dos and Don’ts.” As expected, the Dos are outfits photographed on the street that work, and the Don’ts are the ones that, well, don’t.

Given that we’re dealing with some very difficult weather in these parts — I’m talking 75 degree to 80 degree weather in early March — it’s obvious that clothing choices are complicated. Do you switch over to spring clothing? What if it rains again? Do you break out the sandals in lieu of closed shoes? Can you wear summer shirts with winter footwear?

Just from a look at what people are wearing, it’s very clear that everyone’s having trouble getting dressed in the morning. And given that I live in Jerusalem, which is NOT the fashion capital of the world, the outfits out there are creative during these sharav days, to say the least. Some are aware of their strange sartorial choices, as shown by my friend Kenny, who I bumped into the other day. He was wearing a fun kelly green and gray striped tee-shirt with jeans, but had chosen heavy suede Merrills for his feet. He’s not the only out there. Here’s a sample of what I’ve been seeing:

DO?

DEFINITE DON’T

Look carefully and you'll see that her black bra is completely exposed in the back.

POSSIBLE DO

Light colors and sandals; she's switched over to summer wear.

DEFINITE DO

Balancing the weather with bare feet in ballet slippers but with leggings.

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Tags: New England, sharav, street fashion

Home for the weekend

December 18, 2009 - 6:35 PM by David · Leave a Comment
Filed under: A New Reality, Food, General, Holidays, Israeliness, Life

shabbat While I’m away galavanting in the sub-Arctic temperatures of New England with my sons, my wife has been holding down the fort back at home.

With Hannuka being such a family oriented time, it’s not easy to be on your own, but she’s been keeping busy, with invites to friends around town for the traditional latkes and condiments.

However, today, both of our daughters are coming home for Shabbat – one from Ramat Gan and the other fresh from her first two weeks in the army. Sarit’s had an eventful time, learning the ins and outs of army life, receiving her weapon and spending three days out in the “shetach” (field) learning how to use it.

For a soldier, coming home for Shabbat is the be all and end all – what they think about all week and what keeps them going. My wife is making all of Sarit’s favorites – roast chicken, chicken soup with matza balls and sweet challah.

More so, than most Shabbatot, this one will be a time for the ladies in the family to bond, laugh and spend time together, taking a respite from the tumult of their daily lives. And that’s what it’s all about, right?

Shabbat shalom to you in absentia.

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Tags: hannuka, latkes, New England, shabbat

Nostalgia Sunday – Simchat Torah flags

October 19, 2008 - 10:48 PM by Rachel Neiman · 3 Comments
Filed under: General, History and Culture, Holidays, Religion

It’s Jewish flag day! Well, not really. Tomorrow is the last night of Sukkot when we finish up reading the Torah for this year, and the people are readying to dance in the streets.

Simchat Torah children with flags

The tradition of children dancing with flag aloft, says Tel Aviv University historian Dr. Chaim Grossman, dates back to 17th century Ashkenaz, Eastern Europe’s pale of Jewish settlement. Unfortunately, he adds, no flags exist from that time, as these were made of delicate paper, then put in the hands of small children, and so were destroyed within hours (and not by Cossacks).

Simchat Torah flags - children dancing

In Israel, Simchat Torah is still one of those holidays were secular Jews turn up at the local neighborhood shul if only to gawk at the dancing revelers. This is particularly true of secular Jews with children who’ve made a flag in school, or purchased one at the dollar store. This one actually sells online for NIS 2.5, and even features an 3-D pop-open window, just like the old-fashioned ones

Simchat Torah dollar store flag

At times, Israel’s military might has been honored in flags:

Simchat Torah IDF flags

And here’s a particularly lovely one from the Seventies:

Simchat Torah flag - Moses & Aaron

Like its New Year’s counterpart the Shana Tova card, the Simchat Torah flag is one of those holiday items that isn’t written in any place – and likely were adopted from another culture – yet has become part of tradition.

Simchat Torah flags - traditional

In the US, at least in New England where I’m from, the Simchat Torah flag tradition has been conflated with the other autumn holidays and children top their flagpoles with candied apples. In Israel, flags often come with a small horn, though there is some question as to whether or not the kids are permitted to tootle on a holiday.

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