IsraelSeen.com

Today all the news in the world just didn’t concern me or the family as my new grandson had his brit mila (circumcision). I normally do not write about personal family events since there is so much going on in Israel that needs a voice that israelseen helps provide. However, I just couldn’t contain my joy at this miracle of being a grandpa or Saba in Hebrew. My friends have told me for a number of years now that this is an amazing experience. Now my wife and I are just beginning to absorb this new opportunity to share ourselves with this new member of the tribe. I can get all high and mighty about how we can help shape this little soul into being a mench but right now I just feel so blessed to hold him and to feel the warmth that surrounds him in a community of love and affection.

On a recent trip to Europe, a family of three generations (a Holocaust survivor, his daughter and his grandchildren) dance to Gloria Gaynor’s pop song – ‘I Will Survive’ at concentration camps and memorials throughout Europe. This dance is a tribute to the tenacity of the human spirit and a celebration of life. Despite the systematic brutality and cruelty endured, we have still survived.

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This is a new category that I thought would be an interesting addition to Israel Seen. From time to time as we walk around the city we will share pictures of the “ordinary” people, places and things occupying this wonderful space called Tel Aviv.

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The time has come for this government to resign. It has shown its true colors once again. It is not interested in doing what is good for the country but what is good for some of its citizens in spite of the terrible consequences. The Prime Minister has a long history of narcissism that I had hoped would pass with maturity. But instead we get the same Bibi of the past allowing the religious factions to rape the people of their money and clout for the sake of the few.

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As I left the retreat saying goodbyes to a few people that touched me most during my stay I found myself in a taxi with my friend Moshe on the way to Haifa for the train to Tel Aviv. Everything appeared different, somewhat special in a normal sort of way as normal as my breath. I have been practicing different varieties of meditation for over 30 years and “mindful meditation” for over 8 years now. But never have I sat for a 7 day” silent” Jewish Meditation practice in Israel. In fact this was a first ever Silent Jewish Meditation retreat in Israel at the Kibbutz Hannaton Educational and Spiritual Center.

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I had the blessing  of knowing Shlomo.  While I was involved with a guru at the time,  Shlomo  patiently suggested I go live either in his “House of Love and Prayer” in San Francisco or at his Moshav at Modiin in Israel.

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