Dateline Jerusalem — This week I traveled to Tel Aviv, along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. Its pristine white beaches and turquoise and aquamarine clear blue waters make it a popular vacation spot despite its heat and humidity. Known as “The City That Never Sleeps,” some have compared it to Las Vegas with its 24-hour entertainment, clubs, bars and all night partying. But it is also a city of culture, with several museums, an opera house, live theater, and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra directed by world-renowned conductor Zubin Mehta.

Dateline Jerusalem — It was my intention to describe my trips this week to Tel Aviv, Israel's second most populated city, which also is known as “the city that never sleeps,” and Rishon Le Tzion, founded in 1882, its name meaning “first to Zion.” I intended to describe my jaunt down the main boulevard in the city of Rehovot.

Dateline Jerusalem — I am getting lazy in my old age. I used to love to cook and entertain family and friends. In the U.S. I had a gourmet kitchen with two dishwashers, two ovens, two microwaves, three sinks, a warming oven, cabinets and counter-space galore.

Dateline Jerusalem — Attitude is what counts. I spent most of my life as a pessimist, always thinking the worst would happen. When it did, I convinced myself that as a good Girl Scout I had been prepared for it. Since moving to Israel four years ago, I have become an optimist, looking at the bright side of a situation. The Hebrew word “shalom” means “peace.” My soul has been at peace living here.

Dateline Jerusalem — The State of Israel is only 63 years old. About the size of New
Jersey, 1/19th the size of California, it is the 100th smallest country in the world. It has
less than 1/1000th of the population of the world, yet it has more people per square mile
than India and Japan.

Dateline Jerusalem — How can I be on a diet when my Israeli friends are such good cooks? I get
invited to friends for Shabbat (Sabbath) meals almost every week. Not only is the food delicious
and different, as my friends come from countries and cultures all over the world, but the topics
of conversation are fascinating, spiritual, educational, thought-provoking, and entertaining. Meals
can last 3 to 4 hours, and no one gets bored.

Dateline Jerusalem — The night before last, the humidity was 97 percent. Last night it improved, only 94 percent. Early this morning I was in a fog so thick that the view from my apartment building was non-existent. Yesterday I had a reprieve from my hot and muggy town. I left my apartment at 6:30 in the morning to spend the day in hot but dry and clear Jerusalem. What a difference. I could breathe! But today I am back home and stuck here, literally! My clothes are like a second skin. I must peel myself off of anything I sit on.

Dateline Jerusalem — In this age of computers and Internet, one hardly gets snail mail anymore, unless it is a bill. Even photographs are sent from cell phone to cell phone.

Dateline Jerusalem — Every year Israelis prepare for possible attack by their enemies as sirens scream during the day and evening drills. People are supposed to rush to their shelters with their gas masks, if they are available. Those residing in modern homes and apartment buildings have special steel and concrete enclosed rooms in their individual apartments. The rest of us peons living or working in buildings more than 10 years old must gather in a shelter in the basement of the building.

Dateline Jerusalem — Someone from the States said to me the other day, “No wonder you don't
have a job in Israel. How can you work if everyday is a holiday there?”