Peres Center for Peace

Mika invited me to the graduation ceremony of the Women's Empowerment Program, Jaffa (WEP) at the Peres Center for Peace. This program, sponsored by the Arab-Jewish Community Center, the Peres Center and Cisco, is a high-tech training course for women. As graduates, the women will be able to get jobs in the rapidly growing high-tech economy of Israel.

The Peres Center is a beautiful new building overlooking the sea in the Jaffa section of Tel Aviv. I was very happy to attend this beautiful ceremony. Mika's choir (Arab and Jewish women from the Jaffo neighborhood) performed at the opening of the graduation. The women graduates, their families and the sponsors of the program were each so proud to be a part of this wonderful event. Programs like these are not frequently commented on in the press -- but it is exactly programs like WEP and Mika's choir which should be celebrated in this part of the world where problems often overshadow the good. (not the best picture from the event... but you get the idea!!)

Final Project: 20th Century Israeli Art

For the final project in Art History class -- the students had to 1. Write a paper; 2. Describe one of the many amazing sculptures installed on the grounds of the university; or 3. Create a work that captures the learning from the semester. (As an auditing student, I was not required to complete the assignment.)

It was an amazingly beautiful day today (70 degrees and sunny), so the professor took the opportunity to give us a tour of the campus (literally a huge sculpture garden), allowing many of my classmates the opportunity to talk about 6 or 7 works of Israeli sculpture. Each was very well prepared and made their individual work of art come to life.

The work I want to share with you all is Jennifer's. Although not a painter, she chose to create a piece that depicts her experiences here in Israel. Perhaps you can see in the attached photos: she blended the Eretz Israel style of Rubin and Gutman with the Art Nouveu style of Lilien (the border motif). She used those styles to paint the images of the olive tree, the pomegranates, the gold dome of the Rock, Rubin Square, the designs in local weaving, some of the animals she came in contact with on her many trips to the north and south and the portrait of she and Jack in the desert. She deservedly received a huge round of applause when she described her work to the class.

Chanuka Displays in Town --

Here are two Chanuka displays in town. The first one is the big Tel Aviv menorah in the center of town on Dizengoff Street. It would be the equivalent of the NYC one on the corner of 59th and 5th.

The second one is made out of fabric and is in the window of an indian clothing store on Sheinkin Street.

Pics from the Party!! Chag Sameach!!

Chanukah party -- Big Success!

The party was a huge success. These are pics of the apartment before the guests... I will post the pics of the party when i get them from the photographer!

We lit the candles, ate latkes, spun the dreidl (sivivon) and ate the donuts (sofraiot?). I apologize to my Hebrew readers for mis-spelling using Hebrew words!

Big doings at Yoga Shala!

David Swenson, the Ashtanga teacher from the US, (not David Swensen the Yale investment manager) is coming to Yoga Shala today for a workshop. The studio was buzzing with excitement. I took my regular class this morning and as usual, enjoyed it very much. I am using up my class cards at the two studios I have been practicing in... a clear indication that the "semester abroad" is winding down.

Chanukah party at my place tonight! I have lots to do. No cuisinart food processor so I will be grating potatoes and onions by hand. Haven't done that in a while!

Pictures will be posted later!

Happy Chanukah everyone!

Vist to Ein Hod, Haifa and the Ba-Hai Gardens

Orna and I took a drive to the North to visit the artists' colony of Ein Hod and Haifa. In Ein Hod we visited a few galleries, a local museum and a cafe. After our visit, we drove to Haifa for a tour of the Ba-Hai gardens. Enjoy the views!

Visiting an Elementary School before Chanukah

I visited an elementary school the other evening to learn about an organization that works with underpriveledged kids ages 9 - 12. The enrichment program operates in public schools and community centers throughout Israel. There are currently 29 centers staffed 900 volunteers serving over 750 children. Each child works with a volunteer two nights per week, working on schoolwork for the first hour and group activities emphasizing social values during the second hour.

On my visit, the kids and the volunteers eagerly made their Hanukiot for the coming holiday. After the arts and crafts portion -- each child with the help of his or her volunteer - ran to get the donuts!!

Anyone interested in learning more about Tzeva (Youth Building a Future) -- let me know. I have a packet of information!!

the iPhone comes to Israel!!

Big doings here in the malls, on the streets... etc. The iPhone finally arrived in Israel-legally. While it is true that many, many people here have this iPhone, most are gray phones and are not considered legal. Last night, at mid-night, all three phone companies here are now able to sell the phone. The cost: about 800 shekels or about $210 to buy the phone and then the normal 2 year contract.

One thing I forgot to tell you about the trip to Jordan was that the tour guide in Petra also had the phone. The world just keeps getting smaller and smaller.

More Pics of the road to Petra and Petra

The Visit to Jordan-- Border Crossing and first view of the Kingdom of Jordan

Crossing the border was a very interesting experience. First we needed to pay a border tax to exit Israel, then we showed our passports to the border patrol on the Israeli side. All bags and packages were screened in a metal detector. After that process, we walked across the border to the Jordanian side. Here we were met by a representative from the tour company who collected our passports. He arranged for the passports to be stamped and again, we had our bags inspected and needed to show the passports to the Jordanian border patrol. Once on the other side, we again, walked a bit of a distance to our awaiting van. This was the beginning of the trip to Petra. The Kings Road, a beautifully well paved highway linked us from the resort city of Aqaba to the sandy, limestone, granite hills of Jordan.

Waiting for Vi..."My friends in Egypt told me so much about her.... we thought for sure she would come here for another ride!!"

Petra, Jordan

Do I need to say anything about this place? It was really quite beautiful. They say being here for sunrise or sunset makes the colors of the mountain caves even more beautiful. That is hard for me to believe.. it was quite beautiful in the overcast light of the day. Even the rain didn't effect the beauty.

More later... running to class...

Guttman Museum/Neve Tzedek

On Sunday I visited the Guttman museum. Guttman illustrated the book "In the Land of Lobengulu King of Zulu" which was published 75 years ago. In addition to the permanent collection of Guttman's beautiful works (landscapes, portraits etc), was a temporary exhibit of the drawings and sketches of this children's book. If I remember correctly (and there is always a possibility that I am NOT remembering correctly), Guttman travel to South Africa and was smitten by the local culture. The book was an outgrowth of this experience. There were other works inspired by African culture at the museum. Quite an interesting show, but the permanent collection did take my breadth away. So many beautiful works on display.

The Shabbat Afternoon Walk

I know I have told you about the Shabbat here in Tel Aviv, but each week as I experience it, I grow more and more fond of the ritual. I snapped these pics of the Shabbat Walk yesterday afternoon. Everyone is out, the sun is usually shining, people are talking, walking and just having a relaxing pensive time.














I particularly liked that these little girls were out in the Rothschild mall -- doing their arts and crafts... and one dressed in her princess/ballerina outfit. What would Bill Cunningham say if he were shooting "On the Street" here in the holy land???

New Yoga Studio-Street Party!!

Yesterday was a really fun day. My yoga teacher opened a new studio in the northern part of Tel Aviv, on a street called Alexander Yannai. My first challenge (remember the life of the cultural antropologist) was to get there. The cab driver couldn't find it exactly, so I set out on foot (regel) after I got to the general area. Using my best Hebrew -- I asked directions and eventually found my way to the street. I could hear music playing in the distance, so I walked towards the music and low and behold found the party. As I said, the studio is on Alexander Yannai, but the party was on Shderot Nordau - a beautiful tree lined boulevard, with a tree lined mall in the center separating the east/west traffic. The party was in the center area -- music was cool, people were dancing and drinking champagne and of course since it was December in Tel Aviv, the sun was out, sky was blue and temperature about 70 degrees!! Many of my fellow students were at the party and a bunch of new faces as well. The studio was open, and Anat (my teacher) encouraged everyone to go and have a look. It was beautiful. Wood floors, white walls, props neatly lined up along the walls. It made me remember the opening of Yoga Shanti's new studio in Sag this past summer. I am sorry I didn't have my camera with me -- pictures of the party and studio would have been a plus to this post. But I am sure, dear readers, you can imagine what it was like without the benefit of pictures!

It's the 5th of December --

Oh my, I can't believe it is the 5th of December already. When I think of the date -- I realize this little project of mine is coming to its natural end. I still have much to do. On Monday, I will be going to Petra -- so, stay tuned for pictures from there.

But, there seems to be lots I want to accomplish here in Tel Aviv. My Hebrew is coming along, slowly, but coming along. My homework from yesterday was to write 10 sentences. I did it. Albeit, with some cheating -- but still, I did it. Okay -- so these sentences will not be classified as philosophic or deep -- but they are sentences with more than just a few words. I am counting on Lino to be my coach when I get back to NY.

I have been thinking a lot about coming back to NY -- not too much that it is taking me away from "being here now". More on this later. I have to go to my Hebrew lesson now.

At the Movies!

An Education: Nick Hornby's new film. Two thumbs up, I really liked it. British girl coming of age, early 1960s. Very good story, lots going on. I was especially interested in seeing the film after reading Roger Cohen's op ed in today's (?) New York Times. Is this film out yet in NY? If so, check it out.

The Private Lives of Pippa Lee: Rebecca Miller's new film. This one had me a bit confused. I couldn't figure out who was who -- I understood what was going on, but there was a moment when I thought Robin Wright was playing more than one character -- and that was bothering me. It turns out she wasn't and as I said at the top of this blurb, I was just a tad confused.

Broken Embraces: Pedro Almodavor's new film. I liked this one very much. Homages to his previous pics abound and a little Hitchcock thrown in as well. Go see it!

Frozen River: I can't remember whose film this one is... but if you haven't seen it, rent it or watch it On Demand. Really worth it!

That's all for now.

Back in Tel Aviv: A funny story...

Bear with me for this one -- I promise it is a funny story.

I arrived back in Tel Aviv yesterday, very tired after a night flight from Paris. I was looking forward to getting to my 9AM yoga class Monday morning. When I arrived, I received the very warm welcome from my regular Havarot (friends). One girl, who of course I recognized, but never really spoke to, helped me get my props.. nothing unusual. After class I went about my daily activities, stopping at the Organic Market to pick up my usual staples. While at the humus counter, I looked up, and there was the girl from yoga. Now, I had seen her at the market a few times... and I was never sure she was the same girl from yoga -- so, I never said anything, and since she never said anything, I figured I must be mistaken.

But today, I thought it was really strange that she didn't recognize me as I didn't look that different from a few hours ago -- so the new friendly me asked her if she was the girl in my yoga class... she replied, "which class? Anat's morning class?" To which I replied, "Yes, Anat's class". She laughed and said, "oh, that's my sister!"

To which I said, "Are you a twin?" She nodded -- Mystery solved. Tel Aviv is really a very friendly town!

A toast at Friday Night's restaurant and soup from Saturday afternoon: Both meals -- DELICIOUS!

Another great day in Paris: Luxembourg Gardens

Paris is one of the most cultured cities I know. There is art everywhere. One of the things I really love is the art exhibition on the gates of the Luxembourg Gardens. Each time I come, there is another photography exhibit -- this time -- photos from the Mekong Delta: China, Laos, Viet Nam, Cambodia. I am including a few of them here. I think there are more than 50 on the gates. If you click on the photos -- you will really be able to see them... and be able to really appreciate the art!! Enjoy!!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!

Here are some things I found particularly beautiful today on my very long walk through the street of Paris!

Egypt's gift to the French- Obelisk

When we were in Egypt, we learned that 4 Obelisks were given by the Egyptians to nations who assisted in certain excavations. France, the US, Italy and Spain were the 4 countries who benefited from Egypt's generosity. Here is the gift to the French. The Obelisk in Place de la Concorde.



I very much like the shot of the Obelisk, the fountain and the big wheel. Each represent engineering genius of the times!

Christmas Lights

They don't have lights like this in Tel Aviv!! Beautiful, no?

Off to Europe for a week or so....

I am leaving warm and sunny Tel Aviv for the cold, rainy continent. I hear there are a few good exhibits in Paris -- I will be sure to take a look!

I will miss the lectures in my Art History class this week -- but Jack, the guy from Tufts, takes really good notes and he promises to send them to me!!

Stay tuned... I will try to keep at this blog thing!

Michael -- these pics are for you!!

How could I not take these pictures and post them on the blog! Clearly, Tel Aviv is waiting for you!!