Dateline Jerusalem — Silicon Wadi? That is the name of Israel's Silicon Valley.

Dateline Jerusalem — I am home! After six weeks in California, I am finally back in Israel. As usual, TSA (Transportation Security Administration) at the airport in Los Angeles pulled me out of line into a special area, called out “no alarm” (of course no alarm went off, I had no contraband), and had me searched. When I arrived in Israel and opened my suitcases at home, I found a pre-printed note in my baggage saying that TSA had chosen my luggage to be physically opened and inspected.

Dateline Southern California — Shopping in
the States for all the things I can't find in
Israel or that cost one-third the price I would
pay there has been a fun experience. If only I
could ship a container on the flight home to
carry all the items I would have loved to have
bought that were too heavy or too
cumbersome. As it is, I am going to have to
pay for extra baggage and overweight
baggage. There is more of a variety of
kosher food on the shelves of the regular
supermarkets in non-Jewish areas than I can
find in Israel. This has absolutely been
a shopper's delight.

Dateline Jerusalem — In less than a full week
during most of what was considered a “cease
fire” period, over 300 short-range grad and
katyusha rockets have been fired by Palestinians
from Gaza into southern Israel. But these
so-called short-range rockets are no longer so
short in range. Their radius now extends as far
north as my town of Rehovot in central Israel.
Although sirens blaring from the cities of Gedera
and Yavne could be heard in Rehovot, thank
G-d Rehovot has not been attacked yet.
gogue shaking a grogger (like those loud noisemakers often
heard on New Year's Eve), stomping my feet every time the name Haman is mentioned when the Scroll of Esther is
read. Then I should be coming back to join friends for a festive meal.

Dateline Jerusalem — TI should be in Israel right now, celebrating the holiday of Purim, looking out my window at children
and adults walking the city dressed in colorful and flashy costumes, listening to music blaring from loudspeakers,
and watching dancing in the streets. I should be eating hamantaschen, triangular pastries of poppy seeds, dried fruit
jams or assorted other fillings. I should be sitting in synagogue shaking a grogger (like those loud noisemakers often
heard on New Year's Eve), stomping my feet every time the name Haman is mentioned when the Scroll of Esther is
read. Then I should be coming back to join friends for a festive meal.

Dateline Jerusalem — The 10 hour difference in time between Israel and California never seemed to
be a problem when I was in Israel. Everyone who called me knew that I was 10 hours ahead of them,
and could just add 10 to whatever time it was in California. Somehow, however, Israelis tend to have
a problem subtracting 10. Or so it seems since I began my California visit. Here I get calls from
Israelis at all hours of the night. Every time I fall asleep I seem to be awakened by an Israeli caller
who had already been advised of the time difference but adds instead of subtracts the 10 hours.

Dateline Jerusalem — I am amazed by the similarity between California and Israel every time I return to the States. No wonder more Israelis are living outside of Israel in California than any other place, including New York. Any time someone in Israel tells me they have a relative in Los Angeles, it usually means their relative is living in the San Fernando Valley. There is a Super Sal supermarket in Encino as well as an Aroma Cafe. Also, the Israel- born Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf restaurants are throughout the state. Living in California is like being at home for many Israelis.

Dateline Jerusalem — Israel is the only country in the world that went into the 21st century with more trees than it had 100 years ago. Chag Sameach – Happy Holiday!

Dateline Jerusalem — The month of January in Israel was record-setting. Of 31 days, it rained 29, a first for this arid country where only 2 percent of the land of Israel has water.

Dateline Jerusalem — People sometimes think I am crazy when I say it is easier to find glatt kosher food in the U.S. than in Israel. Some do not understand why I order a special glatt kosher meal when flying El Al, Israel's national airline, since only kosher food is served on the flights. Others do not understand why I do not join them at regular kosher restaurants and insist on glatt, mehadrin or badatz restaurants. To tell the truth, I often do not understand why keeping my level of kashrut (kosher) is so much harder in Israel than it was in the U.S. In Israel it should be easy. But for me it is confusing. Since moving to Israel 4½ years ago, I feel as though I have started again from square one.