National Service

I just wanted to share this article this morning and say how grateful I am for all the troops that fight to protect and defend the United States and Israel.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/25/opinion/25herbert.html?_r=1

We need more people to do national service, whether it's domestic, military or international. Get out and get involved.

Diplomacy is necessary. Period.

I am sick and tired of people who are opposed to diplomacy. Diplomacy is a necessary tool in a country's foreign policy arsenal. Obama gets it. You can't have the support of the world without first engaging people in dialog. Enough with the rhetoric. Time for countries to step up, lead and make tough decisions. Thomas Friedman, Amen!

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/03/opinion/03friedman.html

Kickball - Take 3

Kickball - Week 2

Here is the latest video of my baby cousin, Sapir Rotman. Soooo cute!

Video of my life in Tel Aviv

Hello there loyal blog readers-

Here is a video I made for Mother's Day of my life in Tel Aviv. Hope you enjoy!!

I met a man today

I met a man today and he told me a line that I had never heard before. He told me that he didn't know what the words uncle, aunt, cousin and grandparent meant. 

His name is Yossi and he is just a normal person you run into during your day. He owns a printing shop and was doing a job for my organization. After a little while working on the project this morning, I asked him about his family and history and he told me his story. He was born in Israel, his parents both having fled Europe shortly before the Holocaust. Each of his parents had 8 or 9 siblings and he told me that at a wedding in the late 1930s, they counted over 100 members of the extended family. He also told me that all of them vanished, simply disappeared without a trace, victims of Hitler's rampage. 

I'm writing this story because today is Yom Hashoa, Holocaust Rememberance Day. We must always remember what was done and do our best to ensure that it doesn't happen again. When I think that the world stood by as the Rwandan genocide took place in 1994, I am sickened. We must stamp out mass murder around the globe and not forget the meaning of the words "never again."

Rain, rain, please DON'T go away

Please come again every day!

It used to be that I wasn't such a big fan of the rain, but now I love it. It's amazing how living in a country as parched as Israel will change one's feelings towards the weather. The only time it rains in Israel is during the winter and this winter has been exceptionally dry. In fact, January 2009 was the driest January in recent history. In a region constantly thirsty for water, this is no good.

However, things have turned around the last week and everyone is hoping that they will continue this way. It has rained steadily for several days now and the forecast calls for rain for many of the next 10 days. We're all hoping that the rain stays and begins to refill the Knerret (Sea of Galilee) to its former levels. It has been perilously low for a long time. 

We can all chip in during the drought. There are many ways to save water, including washing dishes by hand, not watering the lawn and showering with a friend.

Great quote

I am very fond of quotations, especially the inspirational ones. I came across the following quote by Helen Keller in my journal today and thought I'd share, "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." Here is a woman who was deaf and blind, yet she did not let these things stop her from living life to its fullest. She led a life of passion, service and inspiration and also left some great quotes to blog about:-)

My New Love

So I've fallen in love again. Every week on my way down to study at Ben Gurion University, I stop off and buy the Dark Chocolate Truffle bar by Elite Chocolates. For a while, I resisted Israeli chocolates as the market is dominated by milk chocolate and I am a dark chocolate lover. However, a new line of dark chocolate bars has recently come out and I was hooked with the first bite. The bar is surrounded by lucious dark chocolate on the outside and a gooier chocolate filling mixed with hazelnuts on the inside. To say it is delectable, would be an understatement. It's Wednesday night as I write this and I couldn't wait until tomorrow and already bought it... I'm currently staring at the wrapper... should I tear it open or wait until tomorrow??? 

Turning a new leaf

Again, it's been a while since I've posted, but now that I'm back working (yay!) I should be able to post more regularly. I've got a great job working in the development department at an organization that works with people with developmental disabilities. I'm busy reading as much as I can about Chimes Israel and getting to know the staff and the participants. As an added bonus, I'll be working as a counselor for one of our after-school programs three days a week as well. Lots of work and lots of fun. I'm so excited to be realizing my career and working in a field that I love!

Gaza and more

I've wanted to post for a while. I have a lot to say, many thoughts and experiences to share. I've been accepted to Ben Gurion University to study for my masters in Nonprofit Management. I went on an amazing trip with good friends to Jordan, have had a cousin visit and am now hanging out with little sis, Robin. We're having a great time together!!!

I don't know though, I just don't feel much like writing right now due to everything in Gaza. Sorry for the delay, but I'll write more another time.

Lots of love from Israel,
evan