Dateline Jerusalem — Taking a circuitous route home from physical therapy, I am pleasantly reminded of the Caribbean, but Israeli-style.

Dateline Jerusalem — I feel it is my moral and ethical duty to set the record straight since Israel is receiving unwarranted condemnation around the world this morning.

Dateline Jerusalem — What a week.

As soon as Shabbat was over last Saturday night, my week began. I lit the braided multi-wicked Havdalah candle, filled the wine cup to the brim, and opened the spice box to take a good whiff of the spices of cloves and cinnamon. Havdalah means “separation.”

Dateline Jerusalem — In Israel, our “weekend” is Friday and Saturday, as our work week starts on Sunday

Dateline Jerusalem — Since all I seem to do is ride buses and trains, or walk throughout my town, I make a point of observing my surroundings.

Dateline Jerusalem — This week a friend from California, who converted to Judaism, became Orthodox and moved to Israel a few years ago, observed a milestone birthday.

Dateline Jerusalem — Exactly a week after Israelis mourned the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust, Israelis observed Yom HaZikaron, Israel's Memorial Day, for those who died protecting Israel from its enemies and those who were victims of terrorism.

Dateline Jerusalem — This week Israel observed Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Memorial Day. “HaShoah” means “the catastrophe” in Hebrew. “Yom” means “day.” I lit a yahrzeit (memorial) candle in remembrance.

Dateline Jerusalem — Of all days, the rails at my train station were being worked on, thereby stranding me in another city. All other stops on the route were okay, and even my stop would be available tomorrow, but I do not have to take the train tomorrow.

Dateline Jerusalem — It is springtime in Israel.