Aliyah Blog » Misc

Anything Else, Please

Yaakov — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 07:13:23 +0000

This morning, sometime around 5:45am

Moshe: Abba, I am hungry.

Me: Moshe, what do you want to eat? Do you want some corn flakes?

Moshe: No, I don’t want flow-clakes (yes, that is how he says it, it is very cute)

Me: Maybe some cheerios?

Moshe: No, I don’t want cheerios

Me: How about some fruit?

Moshe: No, I don’t want fruit.

Me: Do you want anything else?

Moshe: Yes

Me: So tell me what you want, and I will get it for you.

Moshe: I want anything else, please

New Photo Blog – Israel Photos

Yaakov — Sat, 01 Dec 2007 21:23:52 +0000

For the past three and a half years, we have been using a pocket-sized point-and-shoot digital camera to try and capture our future memories. Although it has and continues to serve us well, we are very often frustrated with the amount of time it takes to capture a picture, from start to finish. Although it is fine for taking shots of landscapes, when taking pictures of little kids, we often have less than a second in which to get what we want on film before the moment is lost. So using some gift money we just purchased our new camera, a Nikon D40. It takes awesome, crisp pictures, and works fast (instant start-up, up to 2.5 pictures per second).

Of course, with such a fun new toy at my disposal, I can’t help but try out my hand at some amateur photography. And since I just can’t help but do so whenever I start a new hobby, I have created a new blog to share my work: Israel Photos (RSS). The common theme with all of the pictures displayed is that all are taken in Israel. Beyond that, the subject matter will be quite varied. So far I have posted mostly things that I have found outside in my neighborhood. Over the next few weeks I hope to take some shots around Yerushalayim and the Old City.

Please let me know what you think – I would appreciate the feedback. (An easy way to see thumbnails of all photos posted so far is through the mosaic page. My favorites to date: Rotting Pomegranate, Purple Flower with Dew and Old Woman Swinging).

(Here’s a recent shot of Moshe taken with the new camera).

Just in time for Spring Training

Yaakov — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 20:37:38 +0000

Beef, anyone?

Yaakov — Thu, 21 Dec 2006 08:08:36 +0000

Read here about R’ Rafi G’s experience shechting some cows and sheep up in the North (you will either think that this is very cool or very gross…)

Moshe the Cow

Yaakov — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 20:33:18 +0000

Happy Purim!!

Did you miss me?

Yaakov — Sat, 11 Mar 2006 18:12:36 +0000

“A”, one of our Shabbat guests, told me that she reads this blog regularly and she noticed that I didn’t write any posts last week.
Did anyone else notice? Did anyone else care?

(“A” also noticed the spot where our dude exploded. I guess that at least one person has been paying attention)

In other news:

Moshe has started crawling forward (he was crawling backward for the past two weeks. We are now bi-directional. Guess we have to start baby-proofing)
We had our first non-parent all-Shabbat guests. (I.E.: guests who are not our parents)
Not only that, for the first time we had another family on the yishuv over for a Shabbat meal.
Not only that, but we did this for two meals. All in all, we hosted (including ourselves) 27 people-meals this Shabbat. And Adina cooked some really amazing food (maybe she will even post about it…)
Mazal tov to B___, B___ and B___ B___ on the birth of their daughter, M___ (you have to be from Kochav Yaakov to be able to fill in the blanks on that one)

Shavuah Tov! Purim is almost here! Yay!

Soiled Onesies

Yaakov — Sat, 18 Feb 2006 18:06:14 +0000

Adina: Baby clothes are so nasty!

Yaakov: Don’t you mean to say that baby clothes with doodee on them are nasty?

Adina: Oh yeah. That’s what I meant. Other than that they are really cute.

Follow the Red Square

Yaakov — Mon, 16 Jan 2006 09:37:09 +0000

Try it out. My best time so far: ~~17.562~~� 21.797 seconds.

No Singing?

Yaakov — Mon, 05 Sep 2005 14:24:38 +0000

I can understand why at the early minyan (6 AM) on Rosh Chodesh, when Rosh Chodesh falls on a regular workday, why there is no singing during Hallel. People do need to get to work.

But what is the excuse today? On Yom ha’Avodah so no one has any work (of course), at the second minyan, how can there be no singing during Hallel? It is so thoroughly uninspiring when that happens. And it is Elul (it’s shofar time)!

Chodesh Tov!

The Man with the Orange Wristband

Yaakov — Thu, 18 Aug 2005 04:05:33 +0000

Today, among other things happening in Israel, the fifth (of six) Nefesh B’Nefesh flight of the Summer landed at Ben Gurion airport. Although participants in the welcoming ceremony were asked to “Celebrate Aliyah” and “Focus on your friends and family”, it was just too much when (erstwhile cool politician, now a left-wing Sharon and Peres lackey) Ehud Olmert addressed the crowd.

From the Jerusalem Post article:

In fact, Olmert had barely finished his first few words when a roar of taunting disapproval came back from many of the new arrivals and their guests.

The minister responded to the first wave of reproach with indulgence.

“I see some of you already fit right into Israeli democracy,” he said.

“Traitor!” cried out a heavy-set man with an orange wristband. “You’re stealing Jews’ homes!” shouted another.

As the crowd got more provocative, Olmert responded with a taunt of his own, “Maybe if you or a few million of you had come earlier, we wouldn’t have had to leave Gaza.”

He tried to win the audience back with a strong finish, pounding the podium, “This place is ours and will remain ours.”

“You re giving it away,” the man with the orange band bitterly retorted.

Ever since seeing pictures like these from previous NBN welcoming ceremonies, I have thought to myself: if I land in Israel, and am greeted by one of those guys, I hope that I have the courage (and chutzpah) not to shake the hand of someone who supports expelling Jews from their homes, giving our land to our enemies (along with lots of guns and bullets).

With that in mind, to the man who wore the orange wristband at today’s welcoming ceremony – thanks for speaking up.