Rays of Hope

by Jerry Waxman

Did you know that there really is a place where people are happy?

The holiday of Succoth ended last weekend. Saturday was Simchat Torah.  I did not stay in Sderot last weekend.

It wasn’t the town that I wanted to get away from, but the little things surrounding my life here. Sometimes, you get caught up in the obstacles to happiness, and you forget that there is such a thing. But there is.

It had been months since I’d boarded a bus. When I got on the bus last Friday afternoon, and found a seat, and the bus began to move, then all of a sudden it was like weights were lifted off of me.

The sun’s rays drifted through the window,and I felt a latent happiness bubble up from weeks of deep suppression, celebrating its freedom and liberty by having me call friends spontaneously to wish them a happy holiday.

When I got to my destination, I knew it was the right place for a good mood. The house I stayed at was clean – noticeably different from mine. It had kids running around. When I arrived, we played in the succah; danced in there.

The whole neighborhood had an atmosphere of happiness. The people are more than content with where they are. And why not? They all have decent houses, large families, lots to do. They all were preparing for Shabbat and the holidays.

At some time in the afternoon, someone in the neighborhood played a little music loudly. I thought it was just a sound truck or somebody driving by with a radio blaring. But that isn’t what it was.

The music was a signal to the neighborhood that Shabbat was coming. Not long after, there was another bit of noise. It turns out that it was a signal to get ready to light candles.

Lest you labor under the misguided perception that people HAD to light candles, or people HAD to do this or that, let me assure you, the people in this town are happy.

Not everyone lights candles, or does a proper kiddush or celebrates the holidays. Still they are happy with their community, the vast majority of whom DO observe the traditions. Nobody pressures anybody else to be different. They work more at getting along, helping each other when the need arises, having their children play with each other.

I’m talking about a real place. I refrain from telling you where this Gan Eden is for fear you might think it is the only such place in the world. It isn’t.

There really are communities in Israel, where neighbors get along. Not just get along; they support each other. There’s no crime. The kids don’t even think of stealing or doing damaging things. Nobody does. Happiness is a matter of being satsfied with what you have and who you are, and not having anything to complain about.

There really is no reason such a community could not be where you live. I wouldn’t be surprised if you told me you live in something similar. You deserve it.

As you know, happiness doesn’t come from being in a place with happy people and clean houses. But those things help. And it helps when people in general are decidedly in favor of getting along. With the way things have been happening in the last few days, maybe people are ready to get along.

I’ve been watching the goings on in America through news sources on the internet. It may just be a misperception, or it may just be hopeful thinking. But ever since Simchat Torah, there seem to be less loud and ridiculous debates. The people in the U.S. seem to be pulling together on the main issues.

There seems to be a ray of hope in Israel, too. Of course my perception is limited, but there does seem to be a trend of getting along. As we prepare for Shabbat Bereishit, the absolute first book of the Torah, there is reason for hope.  Good beginnings lead to better people.

“Project “770″

Making life a little better all the way around.

When Anger Doesn’t Work: Part 2

by Jerry Waxman

To recap: There was a day like any other day that was meant to go well. 1)I was to go to a school and get a job. 2)I was to settle things with the rav who owns the kollel where I have been working – and that settlement would mean my getting paid in some way for work I’ve done, and an agreement on what I’d be doing in the future. 3) I was to get started on a project with my Bnei Menashe friends. Everything was supposed to go right.

While the early morning looked promising, the less early morning was a reminder of everything I needed to get away from. There was constant banging and buzzing from construction in neighbors’ rooms. There was a stench coming from an outdoor sewage problem. And my roommate – with his brand of hygiene – was ever-present.

In mid-morning I went to the school, and the security guard told me to come back at 3:30 pm. [End of Recap]

In the interest of realism, I think I’ll just list everything that happened, and save the commentary for the end.

After walking away from the school, I called the rav of the kollel and asked if I could meet with him then. The rav was too busy and told me to come to him at 2:00.

By coincidence, Pe-er, my Bnei Menashe friend called me. He wanted me to check some problem he was having with his computer. I wanted to talk with him about a project I had in mind. We agreed to meet at the shuk in about an hour.

I went to the shuk, and didn’t see Pe-er. Prices at the shuk seemed higher than last week, but I found a deal on some fruit. And took it home. While at the shuk, I talked with a man selling bread. I asked him if he had something that tasted bad for my friend. He laughed, and it was the second time that day that I noticed I was letting a roommate occupy my thinking – a sign of deep resentment and frustration.

Pe-er called while I was at home, and by coincidence he was right outside. So we walked to his place, about 2 km away.

I talked with Pe-er about the project I had in mind. He said it sounded good, but he didn’t seem to have any energy to put into it. I spent some time on his computer trying to figure out a problem with Yahoo. In the end I was not able to help him resolve the problem.

Results: All that walking, and all that time spent on the computer, and nothing accomplished.

Went to the rav at 2:00 pm. As usual, I started off with an idea I had for bringing money to the kollel while giving some Bnei Menashe folks a chance to work and learn and make money also. Now the rav had just spent some 20 minutes yelling at someone. So when he laughed when I proposed the Bnei Menashe project – well, I guess it took his mind off whatever he was yelling about a few moments before.

End results with the rav: He said he’d get a caravan for me to live in on the grounds of the kollel. Fast forward to the next day – he did nothing about getting a caravan. And his son did nothing about helping me move a refrigerator and other heavy things into the kollel. I decided to fire them both the same day. But of course I haven’t told them.

After seeing the rav, I went to the school. I told the secretary that I wanted to see the director. She took my resume and said I didn’t need to see the director. She gave my resume to someone else — who might call me. . . .

End results of the day: Frustration. ready to jump out of planes.

Well, there is one more saga to get to. This one gets exciting. Don’t miss it.

Thank You Mr. Kennedy

by Jerry Waxman

There are some in Israel who take issue with Ted Kennedy because he was “a liberal.” They’re completely missing the plot, the same as those who assume that Barack Obama is antagonistic toward Israel because of his Islamic heritage and/or leftist leanings.

Such labels – conservative, liberal, rightist, leftist – are of no use. People’s opinions about issues are far less important than their actions. And political leaders should be judged for their effectiveness and for doing the right thing, not for the political party they belong to.

I am biased. I have been a Kennedy fan since my youth, when John Kennedy was president. Ted Kennedy, like many in his family, dedicated his life to service.

In his capacity as senator, he sought equity for everyone, so those brought up in less privileged conditions might have the same opportunities as the wealthy. We see this in his advocacy of civil rights, and we see this in his fight for health care reform.

Though Ted Kennedy made some big mistakes in his life, I think Americans owe him a debt of gratitude for all he has done for his country.

Israel also owes Ted Kennedy a debt of gratitude for being such a strong supporter. Staunch anti-Israel “leftists” may be dismayed to learn that Edward Kennedy cosponsored the Jerusalem Embassy Act in the mid 1990′s.

The act declares that U.S. policy would be that:
• Jerusalem remain an undivided city in which the rights of every ethnic religious group are protected;
• Jerusalem be recognized as the capital of the State of Israel;
• The U.S. Embassy in Israel be established in Jerusalem . . . .

“>
It was reported today in Israel National News that Prime Minister Netanyahu told British officials in London that Jerusalem is the “sovereign capital” of Israel, and that we would not stop building there.

This was a pretty courageous position to take, given the anti-Israel rhetoric that gets shouted on the airwaves. Courageous as it seems, Netanyahu’s position is supported by many members of the U.S. Congress. Amongst them is the “Liberal Lion” who was able to befriend and persuade members on both sides of the congressional aisle.

Perhaps President Obama will take time not only to reflect on all he has learned from his mentor and friend, Ted Kennedy. Perhaps he will take the time to review Kennedy’s support for Israel. And perhaps Obama will see the wisdom in supporting Israel as Kennedy has done. Not because it follows a liberal or leftist agenda, but because it is the right thing to do.

Thank you again, Mr. Kennedy.