The Sea Dancer, The Forbidden Video, And You

As things are winding down, other things are winding up. View and I have only a few more days before we go to Thailand. We are trying to experience as much of Israel as we can before we leave. It may be a while before we return.

The operative words above are "experience Israel." There is no other place like it. What other country ever receives global condemnation for protecting its borders? There's a whole host of inconsistencies that the nations of the world have heaped on Israel. And then there are hosts of things the world often turns to Israel for.

By the way, the video down below was banned by You Tube. Allegedly You Tube banned it because of copyright infringements. There's plenty of evidence that that is a bogus issue. Anyway, take a look at the video, and have a laugh.

We went to the beach this afternoon. The highlight of our day was watching a man facing the sea. He danced a mean dance. It looked funny, but there is a lesson there somewhere.

I'm reminded of that part of the Torah where Balaam spells it out very clearly. "Praise Israel and you'll be praised. Curse Israel and you'll be cursed."

If that's true - and there are a lot of people in all corners of the world who believe it is - where does the international community stand today? What'll happen to everyone if the good old Messiah suddenly shows up. (If I was the Messiah's advisor, I'd tell him to wait a bit more. But that's another story.)

About this video: It's a parody of a song that was written for a different reason.

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Sderot to Surat; A Sad Happy Story

In 2008 I gave up a pretty good job and nice place to live to come to Israel. Sderot was my choice because kassams were scaring people away. We can't all act scared. We do what we can to defy those who would tell us to leave our land.

I guess my determination to have some impact here didn't work out too well. For two years I looked for a way just to make a living. Still alive, so things didn't work out too badly.

This will be my last Shabbat in Sderot for a while. I finally found a job in a town called Surat. It's not in Israel. It's in Thailand.

It has been hard to reconcile this part of the journey. I got a post office box to retain some kind of presence in Israel. I'm leaving much of my belongings here. My sites are continuously on returning. I believe I will, before too long. What would I do with this website outside of Israel?

That's all I have to say for now. Will continue to post to this site from Thailand. Anyone that wants to come there, drop us a note.

Make this life an adventure.
Keep a smile on your face and dance in your feet.

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Going Up To Jerusalem - We Are All Commando 13

We happened to go to Jerusalem yesterday. We began to wander toward the market. Suddenly we saw a mighty big procession, with singing, chanting, drum beating, and lots of flag waving. I found out that it was a yearly thing, Aliya le-Yerushalayim -- going up to Jerusalem.

Groups of youths paraded down the street in front of us. They were jubilant, waving flags and carrying signs. These were youths from the settlements. They were joined by tractors of more than 60 years ago. They all had a part in building up Israel as a Jewish state. They all see Jerusalem as the center of Israel life, the Jewish capital since the time of David.

The marchers all assembled in a huge park for an evening of music and fun. Some musicians were already playing music. There was a fast Chassidic piece -- klezmer music -- and then they went to more modern favorites.

This year Jerusalem Aliya carried an air of defiance. At a time when around the world there are rallies and protests against Israel . . . when there are new calls to boycottIsrael products, and condemn all of Israel in general, and its defense forces in particular . . . the settlement youth proclaimed solidarity with IDF. They carried signs saying "We are all Shayetet 13" (the commando unit that boarded the Gaza flotilla two days earlier.")

At the park, a woman explained to me the significance of going up to Jerusalem every year at about the time of Shavuot. Our holidays all carry messages of building up the land of Israel, and being a united people. The families of the settlements link their lives to the capital of the Jewish people, Jerusalem. When I told her that we came from Sderot, her eyes widened and she welcomed us as part of the cause - uniting and protecting the land of Israel.

There may not be much to be proud of, living in the Negev. But to live where enemies shoot rockets because they don't want you there is an act of defiance. To live in the settlements, where so much of the world believes you don't belong, is an act of defiance. To do your duty as a soldier and protect the borders even while much of the world calls you a criminal, is an act of defiance. It was good -- no, it was fantastic -- to see youths of all ages, despite all that the world is saying about them, marching in solidarity and with pride

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Flotillas to Our Neighbors, Gaza

Abstract: Sequence of Events and Thoughts

• Last Week, word came that activists were sailing toward Gaza. The activists support Hamas. In Sderot, we don't support Hamas.


• Last Thursday night about midnight, the "tzeva adom" warning sounded. A kassam flew over Sderot and landed in Sha'ar HaNegev. We know that Hamas has many more rockets in their arsenal.


• Before Saturday, we learned that the "humanitarian" activists aboard the flotilla refused to try to bring something to Gilad Schalit. Their purpose was not humanitarian or peaceful.



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Picture on the rightArabs claim that there has been no Jewish influence in Gaza. Her's a poster inspired by the famous story of Samson and Delilah.

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Around Sunday morning, we learned that Israel had planned to inspect all the humanitarian aid on the flotilla's boats, and send it overland from Ashdod to Gaza.

• Monday we learned that Israel forces had intercepted the flotilla. As the day progressed various reports of violence and even deaths aboard the flotilla's boats surfaced.


• Tuesday, we learned that violent confrontations aboard the Mavi Marmara led to 9 deaths and many injuries. Spontaneous protests in Gaza and in several cities worldwide dominated the news.

Reactions in Gaza's Neighbor, Sderot

Since last year's war in Gaza, there have been very very few rocket attacks in Sderot. We would prefer no attacks at all, and no threat of missiles or bombs at all, but we're realistic. We appreciate what Israeli forces have been able to accomplish to maintain the quiet in Sderot.

We also know very well that stockpiles of weapons - more kassams and mortars - have been smuggled into Gaza. We fully appreciate that the embargo around Gaza's shoreline has helped keep things quiet in Sderot. We don't think much of those - such as the "Free Gaza" movement - who support Hamas. When the "tzeva adom" sounded suddenly last Thursday night, I thought about the flotilla and its pro-Palestinian activists; they encourage this violence against Sderot.

They are neither friends of peace nor advocates of humanity.

Why were they really sailing to Gaza? Hamas was there, ready to accept the humanitarian aid supplies. We know from experience that Hamas is NOT the place to go if you want to help the Palestinian people. Hamas has a history of hijacking deliveries of supplies for their own purposes, at the expense of the Palestinian people who need the supplies.

If they were on a truly humanitarian mission, the activists would never think of bring supplies to Hamas. If they were truly on a peaceful mission, the activists would have worked with Israel to bring their humanitarian aid into Gaza. The "Free Gaza" movement, and similar pro-Palestinian organizations are severely misguided and misguiding. They don't care as much about the Palestinian people as they do about damaging Israel.

The "Free Gaza" movement is NOT pro-Palestinian; they are anti-Israel, and anti-Sderot.

I think most residents of Sderot are saddened by the violence that occurred on the Mavi Marmara, and the deaths and injuries that resulted from it. And I think we have reason to be apprehensive that the world's reaction will trigger rocket attacks against us. If the "Free Gaza" movement had any integrity at all, its leaders would denounce the rocket attacks from Gaza - and they would take full responsibility for the confrontation aboard the Mavi Marmara that led to 9 deaths. They are the ones responsible.

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Shavuot, the Lonesome Holiday

I wonder how many people in the world knew that yesterday was Shavuot. I wonder how many people in the world -- including Jewish people -- have never heard of Shavuot. How many Jewish people in the world - whether they've heard of Shavuot or not - have any idea what the holiday is all about?

I'm happy to say that here in Sderot, the town and the people did the holiday proud - more than I remember ever seeing before. The town sponsored a celebration two days before the holiday (on Erev Erev Shavuot). The supermarkets had special displays. And of course there was a run on cheese and milk products.

At night just about all the synagogues in town kept their lights on so men could learn all night. And a nice, quiet night it was, too.

Why Shavuot is my favorite holiday:I like all the holidays. Everyone has a favorite, though, don't they? Ask them and they'll tell you, "Pesach," or "Succoth." My favorite, as a kid, used to be Chanuka. But nobody says "Shavuot." Why? Because there is nothing special for kids on this holiday?

Shavuot should not be lonesome anymore. I call it my favorite holiday, not because of the food, or the cheese, or even the custom of staying up all night. I like the message of Shavuot.

The whole world seems to be in a state of advanced confusion. Look at what's happening in Bangkok -- there's no reason for all the harm and destruction. Look at what's happening in America's gulf coast. Again -- no good reason for all the damage from the oil leaks. Take another look at America and tell me if you aren't at least a little bit ashamed at how people of different political parties relate to each other?

Right in the middle of all the confusion and chaos comes this quiet little holiday that -- unbeknownst to most of the world -- ties everything together. You see, Shavuot is so named because we are told to count 7 weeks from Pesach. 7 weeks and a day after Moses and the Israelites left Egypt, they received the Torah, including the Ten Commandments.

The world may not want to accept that the Torah has solutions to all the problems in the world. Even most of us - Jewish people - find it hard to believe that the Torah contains all the answers. Even religious Jews get tempted to look to other sources for knowledge and inspiration. And that's probably a good thing; people were put on the world to think and use their minds. But maybe we've depended too much on our own minds and that's what's gotten us into trouble.

People make mistakes. Little mistakes lead to financial disasters and environmental catastrophes. The Torah has no mistakes. My grandmother used to say everyone should follow the Ten Commandments.

If everyone did as my grandmother said and respected and honored the Ten Commandments, then Shavuot might be the favorite holiday for a lot of people. Chances are that if everyone did as my grandmother said and respected the Ten Commandments, we wouldn't see so much confusion in the world today.

Make this life an Adventure.

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"We Did Our Jobs"

The evening air is beautiful. After a day of winds and dust and a little rain, a nice spring breeze brings memories of gentler days gone by.

It's quiet in Sderot. That is its greatest attraction. We are not overwhelmed with traffic or factories or even loud people.

It's quiet here. An evening breeze brushing away some clouds so we can see the stars completes the scene. Whatever struggles we find ourselves in - personal or otherwise - it's easy to let them go, on a quiet, cool evening like this.

Malka has watched me go through the pains of job-hunting. She has asked why I'm here, why I stay here, if I don't fit in. She has a point.

Logically, there is no reason for me to be jobless. There is no reasonable explanation for the fact that nobody will hire me to teach here. Even the school directors and the head teachers look at my resume and ask me why nobody hires me. Then they turn around and say, "I'll have to . . . ." Then they fill in the blank with some lame excuse for not hiring me then and there. And of course I never hear from them again.

"Why do you stay here if nobody wants you here?" Malka's question. My answer, "SOMEBODY wants me here."

"We stay because .... Anatevka is our home." Tevye from Fiddler on the Roof.

Last week, when I went to Petach Tikva for a job interview, I really expected a different outcome. Why would the English coordinator invite me to come all the way from Sderot, if she didn't believe there was something to benefit from my coming there? By now I guess I shouldn't even be asking that question. Or looking for any other hint of professionalism or competence in those doing the hiring.

With the English Coordinator's first couple questions, it was fairly clear she was not in a hiring mood. I had thought she had scheduled the interview for a time when she would be free from other duties. But it turns out, it only occupied the last 5 to 10 minutes of a break between classes. I guess that's how serious she was about finding a teacher.

All was not lost from this little adventure. Not at all. Just the opposite. Perhaps they would not hire me to teach in their classes. But SOMEBODY wanted me to go there.

Some sort of synchronicity: Things happen in Israel which I don't believe occur with the same frequency in other countries. Unique things. When I walked into the teachers' room in Petach Tikva, a dozen teachers were standing around, too busy to notice me. The handy-man was the only one actually working on something, so I went to him to ask him where to find a certain teacher.

He stopped what he was doing and stared at me. I stared back in mutual recognition.

"I know you," he said.
"We were in miluim (army reserves) together." I said.

His name was David and he looked good after more than 20 years. After my 10 minute interview with the English coordinator, David and I had tea together, and a good conversation. We recalled the fellows that were in our unit, and some of our escapades during the first Intifada.

"It was a good plugah (company)" I said.
With the greatest melding of humility and pride, David said, "We did our jobs."

We did our jobs. Is there a better way to say it? We are in Israel because it's our job. We live here or there in Israel because it's our job. We work as teachers and business people and cashiers and janitors in Israel because it's our job. It's what keeps the country going.

Here was David who did his fair share of combat duty and now has a son in the army. Here he was, still doing his job, working as a handy man in a high school.

"SOMEBODY wants me here," I tell Malka. I haven't done my job yet.

Maybe no school will have me. Maybe I'll never get to do in Israel what I am most qualified to do. Maybe people will continue to abuse my time and talents. And maybe it will always be hard to squeeze by month after month, day after day.

And maybe Sderot will never really feel like home. But it is home now. And tonight we have a beautiful star-lit night to enjoy, with a relaxing breeze. We're doing our job.

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Images of Israel – An Embedded Dream

by Jerry Waxman
Sderot Israel

It’s been difficult, but enlightening; trying to show Malka what I see in this place – why I came to Sderot – why I stay in Israel. To her, my home should be in America, where my family is.

On the surface there is nothing to make the case that I belong here – neither in Sderot nor in Israel. I knew nobody in this town when I came here. I hardly knew anybody in the country. I have not found a job,so there’s been no income. The prices on everything here are really high, especially with our financial straits.

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Secrets Behind The New Passover Haggadah; A Love Story; Part One

Secrets Behind The New Passover Haggadah; A Love Story Continues

• Part One - Lone Soldier Meets Yemenite Clan
• Part Two; Ancient Customs, New Awakenings
• Part Three; Every Jew Deserves This Jewish Feeling
• Part Four; Love and the Andaman Connection (Only available to owners of the Andaman Haggadah)

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Secrets Behind The New Passover Haggadah; A Love Story; Part Two

When the Yemenites brought their traditions to Israel, they brought the ways of their ancestors extending back thousands of years to the time of the Babylonian exile. They let me help make matzo. They let me help prepare for the seder. They brought me to synagogue, and helped me find my way through the prayer service.

The prayer service was like none I had ever seen before. The men sat around the sides of the room, chanting in unison, some without even looking in a book. Any one of them could have led the service, but one chose to be the chazan for that evening.

The whole seder was such an amazing experience, I no longer felt like a lone soldier. I was part of a vast family - a nation of tribes - with its customs and traditions rooted in the events of over 3300 years ago; our exodus from slavery in Egypt.

An Authentic Pesach Seder

Seder means "order." There is an order in which we do things at the Passover seder. All Jews, no matter what nationality, follow the same order. The Yemenites have basically the same Haggadah as Ashkenazis and Sephardis. Still the seder on the moshav was so dissimilar to our family seders in America, it was hard to think of them both as celebrating the same holiday.

We sat on cushions on the floor. Everyone was relaxed and jovial. Everyone understood the meanings of what was read, what was said, and what was sung. We leaned way way over to drink wine and to eat matzo. The seder meal became a play; a re-enactment of historic events to delight the children and entertain the adults.
[A side story: The story you are reading is true, though the sequence of events has been changed for effect. Meanwhile, in a remote village in Thailand, a little girl was starting out in life. She would one day be the leading inspiration for the Andaman Haggadah. Find out more when you buy the Andaman Haggadah for your Pesach Seder.]
There was food, wine, song, and laughter. And as we sat on the floor, I could imagine that this is how we were at our first seders in the wilderness, recalling the signs and wonders we had witnessed, and the parting of the Red Sea. We were there then. We were there again at our present day seder.

Even though I was more interested in the young women than in Jewish custom at the time, from that day on, I was hooked on the Jewish part of my Jewish heritage. I wish every Jew could experience what I had experienced at that time. The spark of inspiration for an English Haggadah was ignited.

Secrets Behind The New Passover Haggadah; A Love Story Continues

• Part One - Lone Soldier Meets Yemenite Clan
• Part Two; Ancient Customs, New Awakenings
• Part Three; Every Jew Deserves This Jewish Feeling
• Part Four; Love and the Andaman Connection (Only available to owners of the Andaman Haggadah)

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Secrets Behind The New Passover Haggadah; A Love Story; Part Three

All through growing up in America, and living and working in different places in the U.S., being Jewish meant being different from everyone else, and not in a good way. We were victims in the Holocaust. Our holidays reminded us of tragedies and hardships. The stereotypical Jew is an anxious and disturbed weakling with guilt complexes. In America, I had no Jewish heroes. I didn't even fathom such a thing until I came to Israel.

In America, our seders were wonderful family get-togethers. We read a Haggadah that had English translations of a generic Hebrew Haggadah. The obvious intention of the Haggadah writers was to make sure that the people ate certain things at certain times, and said certain things along the way.

Rote recitation and no feeling; that's how our seders were. Why would we want to remind ourselves that we were Jews? What good does it do for us to remember that we were slaves in Egypt? Depressing stuff, especially when we read this liturgy written in King James English. Especially for anxious, guilt-ridden men and superficial princesses.

Enough, already! Through living in Israel, and through visiting the truly Jewish side of things, I learned that Jews really are heroes. I learned that feelings of guilt and weakness and having nervous breakdowns over petty issues ARE NOT the Jewish way. To be different from the masses of non-Jews who surround us is a good thing - a very exciting uniqueness that we own and can be proud of, not ashamed of.

I gained from the Yemenite seder, and from subsequent seders of various traditions in Israel, a true sense of the freedom that Pesach celebrates. I mean freedom from the feelings of guilt, and shame, and weakness. And freedom from this feeling that we earned our victimhood because we are different.

The Jewish feeling of freedom has no place for boring and meaningless rote recitation. If anything it is a passion for who we are and what we stand for. It is a true love affair with our heritage, and pride for what we have accomplished in every generation since Moses.

While delusions of "spreading the word" escaped me, thankfully, I have wanted very badly to share my experiences with other Jews. Not to tell my story, but to tell our story in a way that other Jews might discover what I discovered; that being Jewish is a heritage to be proud of. That celebrating Pesach can be exciting and deeply meaningful to all of us.

Over the years since that first Yemenite seder, a lot has happened, and I have lived and worked in several places outside Israel. My connection to Israel never stopped, though. With everywhere I went, and everything I did, I knew I would one day return to Israel. Just like when we were slaves in Egypt, we knew that a day would come when we'd finally leave and go to Israel.

There really is a secret love story that goes with the Haggadah I wrote. There is also a not-so-secret love story, which I will reveal here. Hard as it was, I loved my life in Israel. I was living as a Jew in the Jewish homeland. Even though I had no other success, no money, no property, no family around, and nothing to be proud of and nothing to look forward to, I think I had something most people lack. I had an understanding of who I am, and how my life relates to the lives of the people in the Torah. And I had a passion for being a part of Israel - its past, its present and its future.

When I came to live in Sderot two years ago, it was for purely Jewish reasons. I still have no family in Israel. No job, and no income. But i do have a sense of belonging. I came to Sderot at a time when many were leaving because of the rockets. This same sense, I think, drove people to leave Egypt.

The same sense of belonging led Jews to leave Egypt and forge a nation in the wilderness. We, all of us Jews, are connected to that story. We need to reconnect as best we can. I wrote a Haggadah in English with hopes that more and more Americans, Australians, and other English speaking people will have a joyful, meaningful Pesach seder, as I have had in Israel.

Secrets Behind The New Passover Haggadah; A Love Story Continues

• Part One - Lone Soldier Meets Yemenite Clan
• Part Two; Ancient Customs, New Awakenings
• Part Three; Every Jew Deserves This Jewish Feeling
• Part Four; Love and the Andaman Connection (Only available to owners of the Andaman Haggadah)

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