Last week, I wrote an Op Ed called “Loving Israel is in the Details” for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. You can read the article here: Chasnoff JTA Op Ed.
At the end of my piece, I asked readers to email me all the tiny things they love about Israel. Your response has been overwhelming. Many of you made me laugh, and some of you made me cry. Please continue to send your reasons, and pictures as well.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll post your responses right here on my blog. Here’s the first batch:
Rabbi J. writes:
Every Israeli no matter the age, will sing as a group in public… The shared cultural heritage is very strong in such a young country.
From Steven W:
What do I love about Israel? Standing on the Tayelet in Talpoit, Jerusalem and realizing that in order to fully appreciate the view of the Old City and its surroundings before me I need to have a pretty good handle on all of modern human history of the last 4000 years.
Here’s a touching note from Carole L:
One of my favorites is how you will never find a locked door or at least in the areas where I lived (Beer Sheva, Yamit – which I miss very much) and Netanya. I can only imagine what most Americans (especially New Yorkers) would think of that. Or stories of bus riders who will get off the bus at your stop so they can help you find your way (that actually happened to me once!), taxi drivers who will invite you to their home for lunch, the way Israelis will always give you advice (whether you ask for it not!) and on and on. Thanks for reminding me!
Lori B composed her own Top Ten List:
1) Salad for breakfast, chocolate-filled pastries, and ice-kaffeh at every meal and snack!
2) Even the graffiti is spiritual — “Na Nachma Nachman Me’uman” is scrawled everywhere you go!!
3) Floating in the Dead Sea
4) Shopping for fruits, spices, nuts, and pastries at Machane Yehuda on a Friday
5) The ascent into Jerusalem
6) Browsing for arts, crafts, and other ‘chachkes’ outside the walls of the Old City
7) The serenity of spending Shabbat in Yerushalayim
The funky, charming alleyways and courtyards tucked away into side streets
9) Driving/riding along randomly when suddenly the Old City pops into view from Haas Promenade
10) And finally: You don’t have to worry about which direction to face when davening b/c you are STANDING AT THE KOTEL!!
1 comment… read it below or add one
When I first began study at Hebrew U, a launryman cam to the dorms to take stuff to be cleaned for us Americans. Since my spoken Hebrew was lousy as was his English, I spoke to him in Spanish. He told me that he spoke seven languages and he had just met another Jew who spoke seven languages, and the only language they had in common was Hebrew. He added: “if you are a Jew you have to learn Hebrew.” I did.