Tikkun Olam

I can't believe we did this, but there was no alternative.  We left Israel two days before Purim. Incredible. Unbelievable.  Actually, there was an alternative: we could have spent Purim in Israel, and left on Shushan Purim, which was Friday, erev Shabbat--at one in the morning--and taken a chance that a) the flight would come in on time, and b) that we wouldn't be punch-drunk and jet-lagged for Shabbat and my niece's wedding motzai Shabbat.  Oh yes, and c) that El Al wouldn't accidentally lose our luggage with us going right into Shabbat, with no clothes... In short, too many safeks , so we left Israel before Purim, Tuesday at 1:00 a.m.  Still, to me, looking back, it's unbelievable.  We haven't spent a chag in Israel since we lived there from 1977-1981.  In 2005 I came right after Sukkot, when my son's sukkah was still up--so I saw it, went in, but it was too late for the mitzvah... So we heard the first Megillah reading at Chabad Midtown Manhattan, a...

Purim is coming.  Ve-nahafoch-hu.  (Look it up.)

As usual, it is immensely difficult for me to let go of a chag* . Purim ** came like a lion, and also went out like a lion (as opposed to a lamb)! The chag, for me, was filled with meaning and mitzvot, and great portent for the future, in the light of events and developments in Iran, who's evil leader Ahmadinejad has threatened Israel existentially. Although both my husband and daughter--D.H. and Toodles respectively--say that this is pish-tosh : like, Jews have been threatened in every generation and decade so, buddy, what else is new?! I understand where they're coming from, but my opinion differs. I think these times-- partially because of radical Islamists' terrorist attacks globally, the rise of antisemitism's ugly head all over the world, combined with nuclear weapons development and proliferation by rogue nations (read: Pakistan, North Korea, and now Iran)--are much more dangerous and have greater portent than in the past. So Purim, the story of the planned ...

Go to Shiloh Musings or Me-ander to see the latest Chodesh Adar Tov edition of the weekly Jewish Blog Carnival, Haveil Havalim ("vanity of vanities"). And, since Adar ushers in the month of Purim and happiness, tarbu b'simcha while you're reading it! משנכנס אדר מרבין בשמחה!!!

My younger son (Nathaniel Blumenstein), reminded me of Purim last week when I heard he was rummaging around in his Jerusalem kitchen for his Abba's star iron , in the hope that we left it there last Purim, when we traveled to Israel for his older brother's (Mister Arnold) wedding. You see, we had taken it with us, knowing that since we were returning way too close to Purim (two days), we would never have the time to stand over a hot deep fryer, sweating away frying our Famous Purim Stars in boiling oil. So, clever beings we, we took our Purim Star paraphernalia with us to the Holy Land, and actually made our Purim stars at yon younger son's postage-stamp-sized apartment, in his teeny weeny alcove- er-kitchen. Actually, he made them, and did a great job of it, too. These Purim stars, deliciously crispy, made from a yummy batter of milk, flour and eggs--were the delight of our family since our Texas days, almost thirty years ago. Well, it was Toodles (Nathaniel...

So, some of you want to show your displeasure with that terrible, inhumanitarian, terrorist state of Israel by boycotting Israeli industries or products? Because Israel, of course, has only done bad things to the so-called Palestinians, wait--and I forgot the rest of the world--it hasn't done much of anything for them, either. Israel is just always-well- there- with it's annoying Zionism, annoying smart people, annoying love of life. Gosh, they're so annoying , it's no wonder you want to boycott them! So, good riddance, I say! Go, boycott Israel (just hope you enjoy moving back into your cave and starting your new life hunting and gathering.) Watch this (found on WeJew ) to show you exactly how to do it right: PURIM SAMEACH!

Hello? Are you there? Are you still there? I have been away for--good lord-- one whole month!! I have not had the time to post, although I have had some access to a computer (this one being my older son's; the one who is not yet married; but he has a serious girlfriend. . . ), my time on it was spent in practical and necessary matters: searching for apartments, going through RSVP lists for the wedding, checking for hasa'ot rentals (transportation rentals) to get far-flung guests to the wedding, etc. And that, sporadically, when I wasn't helping with my grandchildren, or running around (eh, more like limping, actually) shopping for Shabbat or calling various people/caterers/venue-managers regarding wedding preparations. Well, it's a done deal. My younger son is married. To the Israeli girl I introduced him to at our home in the States. OMIGOSH: My Younger Son is Married!!!! That can't be. No, no--he was just born: there he is, actually lifting his head up from the...

In my previous post I began a Caption Contest for phive (5) phamily photos. Unfortunately, I inadvertently left one out, and to avoid being vilified for favoritism (or just plain forgetfulness) by said family member, I am adding it to this post (see photo at right.). Meanwhile, I only see one (1) comment with caption suggestions, so as they say, DON'T ALL VOLUNTEER AT ONCE (I actually received another suggestion, but it was sent to the wrong place, so I'm waiting for it to be posted here in "comments" in order to consider it.). So, scroll down to my previous post, and go for it! And please include this pic in your entries.

My Purim was wonderful, considering I was here and kids were there (you know where I mean.). But because of all the preparations, hard work--hey, I actually had to watch while my husband stood for six hours over a hot stove with a huge pot of boiling 375 degree oil, making our Famous Fried Purim Stars . Do you even know how difficult that is? watching, I mean-- and lack of time I wasn't able to post before Purim, so I am posting after. Which is even better because I have some photos to show you (of my crazy family, bet you didn't have a clue they were so gorgeous, baruch Hashem) which mean a lot to me. The family, that is. This Purim was especially good because my husband and I had an opportunity to help a family (in addition to the mitzvah of matanot le-evyonim) who needed some help, even though it took some time and was out of our way; we are thankful Hashem gave us this opportunity... I am now going to do a copycat thing here, take a cue from fellow blogger LakewoodVenter (...