When Israel Stopped in Time

"What time is it?", asked Mama J (the Mom of the kids).  She continued to drive as I bent over in my seat to find my (now) Israeli phone.  It was buried in the dungeon portion of my purse.  "It's 9:58am", I said.  I dropped my phone back into the dungeon and looked up to see where we were at.  With all five kids in tow, we were on a main thoroughfare, just about to get onto the highway. "Look, people are already pulling over...", said M.  It was true. It was almost 10am. I fixed my eyes onto the overpass and saw that busses, cars, and motorcyclists were not moving.  Some of them were stopped on the side of the highway and some halted right in the lane where their car had just been racing along.  I looked around at the vehicles that were surrounding ours and the same action was occurring.  The world around me was coming to a complete stop.  As I absorbed the moment, the distinct sound of an air siren filled the atmosphere. At the very moment the siren pierced the air, every vehicles was at a standstill and people were getting out of their cars.  Now pulled over, we all filed out of the vehicle and stood in quiet reverence.  For two minutes the sound of the siren filled the air and swept through my heart. All of Israel was virtually stopped in time.

Yom Ha' Shoah, also known as 'Holocaust Remembrance Day', is a Jewish observance to commemorate and remember the lives of the six million Jews who lost their lives during the World War II Nazi Holocaust, between 1933 and 1945. This is the most solemn day on the Israeli calendar.

Once I was filled in on the significance of the observance, I very quickly tossed out my lesson plans for schooling for the day. I poured over pictures and articles on the Holocaust.  The night before Yom Ha 'Shoah, we all watched The Diary of Anne Frank movie. This was a perfect avenue to begin discussing what happened during that war. Even breaching tough thoughts and subjects, the kids asked pointed questions and made truthful, but hard, conclusions.  The next morning we went into further detail about World War II and I selectively showed them pictures from the concentration camps. As we went into more depth, the atrocity of the war began to hit us all.  Not only because of all of the innocent lives that were lost, but also because we are presently living in the land and amongst the people it immediately affected.  These people, the Jews, remember this day. They don't remember it because it is on the calendar.  They remember it because it was their family that was killed.  It was their neighbor that was taken to a concentration camp.  It was their friend that was shot and burned.  It is real to them and it is still tangible.  No one is without a memory or story of loss.  It was an entire people, a whole country that mourned the death of their family, friend or neighbor.

All of us were moved by the experience.  In that moment, as I stood with an entire country in remembrance, my heart grieved for their pain. It was is loss that I could never begin to understand.

It has been 70 years since the Warsaw ghetto uprising. It's hard to believe that something so atrocious occurred such a short time ago.

Tost in Lranslation and Other Novelties

So, just to confirm...no buff guys in red speedos are allowed? Are speedos of other colors allowed? Is this offense so common that it warrants signage?

 

Because of my face, this picture almost didn't make the post.  The longer you look, the scarier it gets. I'm not joking. Don't try it and please have small children look away. But look at the size of those shaddock's, they're gi-normous!

 

 

Are you prone to being too silly or cheesy? Do you feel like you always make the wrong joke at the wrong time? Do you wish you were more refined in your speech? Folks look no further, Israel has your answer.

 

A little piece of home I found in an Israeli grocery store.

Everyone's favorite pizza: tuna fish, fresh jalapeno's, sliced garlic and tomatoes. And, of course, white mystery cheese.

 

This signage is about 2,500 years late.

 

I don't even know.

 

Do you remember the song from the children's show Sesame Street that sang, "One of these things just doesn't belong here...."? Well, I felt like that song was fitting for this cup.  I had to cut it open so you could get the full effect. As you can see, the top two rows show various types of coffee beverages. The bottom row shows what you would need to make those beverages of deliciousness.  I'm not sure where to find the drive-thru coffee stand that would allow a person to choose the fifth item from the left. If anyone knows, can you please tell me where and how it's legal. And, which listed beverage would it even go into?

I am not adding this picture to be disrespectful of the people and their religious attire, but....that FUR hat and LONG, BLACK trench coat has to be so hot!!

 

So, basically, "do not enter"??

 

"Member's Only" beach. Not accepting new applicants or visitors.

vocabulary vs. value

Four sets of brown eyes stared across the table at me. Their looks were looks of curiosity, judgment, excitement, question and uncertainty.  All the planning and prepping I had done culminated at that moment, the reason why I came.....school is in session.

Teaching at a home "classroom"  is very different than teaching in a traditional classroom. First off, usually all the students in a traditional classroom are about the same age. It is the same for recess, as well. Remember little-kid recess and big-kid recess? When a young one is in second grade, how big those fifth graders seem!  They almost seem like giants. Even into Jr. High/Middle School, the perspective stays the same: High Schoolers = Big Kids.

Secondly, a teacher usually had charge over one classroom, one grade level.  This makes it more easily streamlined (managing a classroom of wild, little humans is not always "easy") for planning. For example, if you teach third grade, you use the provided third grade curriculum. For Middle or High School, a teacher may have one or two subjects, like Health and P.E.. Or, they may just have one.  But no matter what the teaching situation, lesson-planning and then teaching those lessons takes effort, time, and heart!

So, this situation is different. Completely. I have those four sets of brown eyes staring at me wondering what is going to happen next.  And, honestly, so am I!  I am not their Mom, so I haven't been part of their schooling thus far (they've been homeschooled). But I do feel like I have a heart like a Mom, and that's a good place to start.  I came into this adventure knowing that I would have a steep learning curve. I would have to quickly discover where each one was at; academically, emotionally, and cognitively.  Only considering their physical age, one is at the elementary school level, two are at the middle school level and one is at the high school level. Also, not to be forgotten, there is a two-year-old little guy and a puppy named Zoey (who is basically a second two-year-old).  So, as I'm sure you're imagining, the house stays active and is full of surprises! 

It is a healthy and inspiring challenge to think about teaching four young people who are at four completely different levels. And, while I know how important the academic part is, can I let you in on a little secret??  That is not my main concern. Nope, it's actually way down the list.  Items on the top of my list are: respect (for others and self), honesty, strong character, integrity, kindness, excellence and, most importantly, that each one of them knows that they have purpose in life and that they are of value. Oh, oops, (sound the gong) AND ACADEMICS! 

Does it madder if a persen can spell korrectly? Yes.  Should they know how to write in cursive? Yes.  Should they know how to do Algebra? Yes.  In no way am I stating that academics isn't important. On the contrary, that is why I am in Israel! It just isn't my main focus.  My main focus is to build trust and an appropriate friendship with each one of them.  That way, when they have challenges in whatever life might bring, I am a safe and trustworthy place they can come to.  If you think back to a teacher you had that made an impact on your life, how did they do it? Did they impact you because they taught you compound words? Or was it because they took time for you and made you feel like you were of value? I can only imagine it was the latter....unless you really have a thing for compound words.

 

A surprise and unprovoked sampling of art that was drawn after a reading assignment! The pictures depict the discovery of Helen Keller's deaf and blindness. If you don't know of Helen Keller, her life is inspiring. A worthy read about an amazing and persistent individual!

Not to be forgotten....must prioritize time for running, spinning, and jumping with little K! Spinning not shown, but equal in its importance to running and jumping. 

The world in Jerusalem

I knew that my alarm was going to go off at 4am this morning.  I knew it was because I set it to do so. Friends, 4am is early. I'm pretty sure that I listened to it ring and ring before my brain registered its blaring cry in the darkness. I rolled over and looked at the time. Yup, it was 4:04am. Half asleep, I stood and walked to the bathroom and turned on the light. I hoped that by switching on the light, it would switch on my brain. Nope, it mostly just blinded me. Once I was finally able to see again, I looked at myself in the mirror. Whoa, who is that tired-looking person? Oh, it's me.

I kicked myself into gear because there was a reason for the 4am alarm cry. I was going to Jerusalem for a Resurrection (Easter) Service.  It is about a 45-minute drive from where I live.  I was going to a Christian Sunrise service at the Garden Tomb, starting at 6:30am.  After getting a cup of "the liquid of my people (coffee)'', I was fully awake and filled with anticipation. But, just like every other experience here thus far, it was blind anticipation. I didn't really know what to expect. Upon arriving, there was a big crowd waiting to enter. The service was to be in English, but there were other Christian services following throughout the day in other languages.  I enjoyed listening to the surrounding conversations and noticed the joy on the faces of the people.  There was joy because we all came to the service for the same thing, to celebrate Resurrection (Easter) Sunday!  I could sense a "oneness" with all who where there and shared many smiles with those standing around me.  I even begin to chat with a young girl next to me and she was from Kent, Wa!  Her schoolmate was from Sammamish, Wa. The world can be so big and small, all at the same time!

The Garden Tomb is where Jesus Christ rose after three days of being in the grave/tomb. 

Fear not! said the Angel, for I know that you seek Jesus, Who was crucified.  He is not here: for He is risen as He said He would. Come, see the place where the Lord Jesus Christ lay!  And go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead; and, behold, Jesus went before you into Galilee; there you shall see Him. Matthew 28:5-7

I thought of this as I scanned all the faces after I found a seat. There was a Scandinavian family next to me on one side, a man from Denmark on the other, a man from Indonesia and a Japanese family in front of me.  I was overwhelmed with how many people were there and from so many different places.  It was truly special. Once the service started, the specialness just got more specialer (I know...). From beginning to end, I absorbed this once-in-a-lifetime moment. There was a slight breeze and the trees swayed with the music of the wind. Eurasian Collared Doves, Common Swifts, and other native birds used the music in the wind to dip and turn through the sky, adding their own amazing song.

Even for those of you who wouldn't consider yourselves "religious", I can tell you that this was overwhelmingly awesome.  No matter what the cause or reason for a huge number of people to come together, the impact of a group of people, with one mind, heart or reason, is quite powerful. People from around the world were in one place, The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem, for one reason, with one mind and heart. It was so very powerful. A little piece of my heart will forever be in that back row, next to the yellow rose bush, in the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ's land.

So, when you can't get the picture you are hoping for, you just jump into someone else's. Either I photo-bombed them or they photo-bombed me.  You can decide for yourself. The incriminating evidence is there.

 



P.S. Comfort zone, I miss you! Please come back soon! Love, Sara

Today, I reached the official two-week mark in Israel.  It really seems like so much longer, but I'm not sure why.  I have a few idea's on "the why?" though.  It isn't like I moved across the state of Washington, where I could still get my way around.  This is a whole new life and culture.  Most everything is different.  I do not know the language, which is one of the many things I have had to begin to get used to.  As far as I can tell, there are two major languages here, Hebrew and Arabic, then followed by English, on occasion.  On all of the road signs, there are three languages: Hebrew, Arabic and English (thank God!).

 

Although, there is English, there are words like Ra' anana, Gan Hashlosha, Kokhav Hayarden, and Enot Tsukim. Um, yea. By the time I have VERY POORLY tried to sound out what a sign says, there is a new sign, with new words to stumble over!  My "comfort zone" doesn't exist here. Get this, the Israeli's don't even wait for the traffic light to turn green, they actually go before it changes. And, if you don't go before it's green, they honk at you. They honk at other drivers all the time, for just about anything. It is not like America. People are honking all the time. And if the honk doesn't work, they'll just drive around you, on the other side of the road or up on the sidewalk. I'm not kidding.  They fly over speed bumps and humps like they don't even exist, testing the shocks of their cars every time. If they need to stop at a store on the side of the road, they'll just stop; on the road, highway, freeway.....like they're the only ones driving. Again, I'm not kidding.

 

There is an interesting thing that has happened to me. I realize I have gone into "self-protect" mode.  I don't need a therapist or anything. It's the natural thing to do when the next step or moment of an experience is unknown.  Every moment is new and sometimes shocking.  It is a shock to the system to learn a new country and its culture. Here is an example, this is what the "white, cold" product section of the store looks like:

  Go ahead, put your cursor (or, most likely) or finger on the picture and tap it. Then zoom in and scan the labels. First of all, there is no English. Secondly, there are no pictures to help. And, lastly, everything is white. Is it cream cheese, white and salty cream cheese-ish spread, yogurt, sour cream, surprise white stuff, cream-ish oily cheese in water, white and chunky spreadable mystery or none of the above? Hmmm? Oh, wait, sorry, there is a picture. It is of a house. House yogurt?? Cheese spread from old house siding? It really is a mystery. The milk, cream, and half & half section are just as fun. White, liquid mysteries galore.

 

When I say that it is natural to go into "self-protect" mode it is because the culture here is so radically different. It is not like America. Not at all.  Israel, as a country, is at war with itself. There are many groups/type of people that live here that hate each other.  There are Jewish communities and Arab communities. It is not safe for the Jewish people to go into the Arab communities. And it is not like those areas are far, far away. It's just an hour drive or so in any random direction. Israel is at a constant state of awareness and preparedness for war.  All citizens of this country enter into the Israel Defense Forces (or IDF, as it's called here) when they turn 18, male and female. There is a military training base about three miles from where I live. Once they enter the IDF, (at some point, I am not sure when), they are issued a weapon. Outfitted in the IDF uniform, the carry their assault rifles on their person at all times. In the grocery store, in the mall, at a bus stop, or standing beside you at a cross walk, they are everywhere, ready for battle at any moment. This is normal for the people of the land. Notice all the others in this picture, they are un-phased .

 

These are just a few of the observances that I have chosen to write about. I have two weeks worth of adventures and stories that could bore or excite. I even struggle to know what to share, it is all so new! I did have an exciting and electrocuting experience when I blew all the fuses! I placed a surge protector (please note irony) in one of the Israeli outlets and it SHOT across the room about 10 feet, following it was an unmistakable plume of electrical, pungent, black smoke, with sparks of electrical fireworks to boot. The surge of electricity was tangible in the air, in my nostrils, and through my fingertips, all the way down to my toes. Surge protector, you item of irony, you.

 

I have been to Joppa, Nazareth, Jerusalem and Megiddo (Armageddon), just to name a few. All have brought a delight and expanded my supposed knowledge on the history of Israel and Biblical truths. My brain is on overload as it is trying to compute all there is to take in and catalogue. While I embrace all the cultural differences before me, I am thankful for simple comforts, like a morning cup of coffee with (white-mystery, may-or-may-not-be) milk.

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

"We must be over the rainbow!"

The most famous scene in the Wizard of OZ introduces the world of black and white to the world of Technicolor. 

After the cyclone stops, Dorothys' house settles onto solid land. She climbs off of her disheveled bed, holding Toto close to her heart. Stepping over the topsy-turvy mess that the cyclone made, she cautiously moves toward the door to see where her house was plopped down. She quickly reaches for the front door knob, turns it, and then slowly opens it.  As she opens it, she is met with the overwhelming experience of color, sound, smell, sight, and imagination. In the true fashion of filmmaking, the camera pans in on her face as she takes in the land of OZ.  Her face is one of awe, disbelief, and astonishment.  She steps down from her black and white house and enters the world of Technicolor. She is also in Technicolor, donning that famous blue and white gingham dress. Faintly in the background Somewhere Over the Rainbow is being played. She begins to walk slowly down the yellow-brick-road and toward the most precious looking little bridge, her face still showing awe and overwhelming astonishment. She then speaks her first words in the land of OZ: "Toto, I have a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore". Following that statement, she invites all who have or ever will watch the movie to join her in her discovery of her greatest imagination. Pulling Toto close and rubbing his little fuzzy head, her face is filled with joy and excitement, she says this, "We must be over the rainbow!!".

Like anyone, I imagined what Israel would be like. Before I moved here, I pictured what I thought it might look like. Originally, I had a ridiculously, unrealistic idea about what it was like.  Growing up going to church, any Biblical story was told with felt characters. These felt characters were placed on a flannel graph to depict the story. A flannel graph is basically a huge board, covered with felt/flannel.  The cut-out felt Biblical characters were in long dress/smocks and wore woven sandals.  Most had a belted sash. Since most of the Biblical accounts took place in or around Israel, I just assumed that Israel was stuck in flannel graph times and everyone would be wearing sandals that they had woven themselves. I knew this wasn't the case, but the little girl in me remembered the stories and related them to present day.  People in smocks, walking on dusty, unpaved roads, living in the vast and barren desert.

Well, folks I was wrong. I was wrong about a whole lot. In fact, I was mostly wrong.  I feel like Dorothy as she entered the land of OZ.  This land and the people here are beautiful and my imagination could not have dreamed up a more spectacular place and a more normal place.  To get the "normal" part out of the way, this is what I mean.  There are normal, everyday life happenings all around.  Cars are driving, people are in a hurry, there are multi-lane freeways that get clogged in rush hour, there is smog, there are the rich and poor, there is trash on the side of the road, there are giant shopping malls filled with people buying and selling, kids are playing on the neighborhood playground, school is in session, the garbage person comes and goes, etc.  Just like any place, when you add humans, human activity ensues.

Now for the land, people, beauty and the failings of my imagination.  I have done a lot of travelling and have seen many different types of beauty but nothing can compare to this land. Any thing, item, flower, tree, building, body of water, food, amount of history, faces of people and children, rock, bird, sound, sight, smell, orchard or any other thing I didn't mention, have far exceeded the failings of my imagination.  Any picture or multiply-descriptive, run-on sentence I could write would pale in comparison to what is really here. It IS the land of OZ. Without any ounce of exaggeration, this is fully true: the air smells of fresh cantaloupe and lilac, fragrant roses and flowering orange blossoms, fresh spices and basil.  It is almost not believable, but I am speaking honestly.  When I exit my little apartment, I am overwhelmed with these smells. The people here are beautiful, as a whole.  With their dark eyes and hair, it is so different than America. This, of course, is a generalization.  There are many different types of people here who are also lovely. The land and its beauty cannot be described with words. It is green and colorful with flowers blooming everywhere and with colors I have not seen before. One of the innumerable surprises were the birds. For those of you who know, I am somewhat (okay, BIG) of a bird-nerd.  The birds here are lovely and their music wakes me, sings to me during the daylight hours and lulls me to sleep. The songs of the birds in this country are not ones I have heard before.  Like most everything else, they are beyond imagination.  There are a group of green and blue parrots/parakeets that fly in and out of the neighbors yard. I am living a birders dream. I have "my own" bird sanctuary. I hope to never take for granted the opportunity of inspiration and loveliness that I have been given while I am here.

I truly am over the rainbow with awe and gratefulness.

 

 Notice the kumquat trees above!

This is the/my front garden (yard). It's not grass. Any guesses?

Those are little mangos!