Shachar

Dateline Jerusalem -- It is said that a computer is only as smart as the person inputting the information or knowing how to retrieve that information. I admit I am computer illiterate. Since a smart phone is like a pocket-sized personal computer, I have become cell phone illiterate as well. I thought I could not live without ...

Dateline Jerusalem -- Happy Anniversary to me. Seven years ago I made aliyah to Israel. What possessed me to close my law office (okay, so that was not hard to do since I hated the practice of law), pack up my furniture and personal belongings so they could be sent from Los Angeles to Israel via China, say goodbye to a lifetime of wonderful friends, and leave the people most precious to me, my children, grandchildren, parents and siblings? Other than the ache of not having my family with me, I have no regrets. Israel has become ...

Dateline Jerusalem -- I waited until the last minute to write this week's essay. I have been praying along with others that the three religious Israeli yeshiva high school students, kidnapped by Hamas Palestinians on their way home from school, would be found safely. They were hoping to spend a peaceful Shabbat with their families exactly one week ago. Unfortunately that has not occurred.

Dateline Jerusalem -- Picture this: A quaint tree-lined street of various species of palm trees, giant oak trees, unique fern-like monkey puzzle trees, the scent of the orange trees and kumquat bushes permeating the air. There is a small town atmosphere as one walks down ...

Dateline Jerusalem -- Some musical groups from my youth are still active today. Strange to watch singers and musicians, in their 60s and 70s, prancing around a stage. I love the do-wop music of the 1950s and ‘60s. Music was so much better in those days. The Four Seasons was my favorite group, probably because they recorded ...

Dateline Jerusalem -- “Ani ohevet et Yerushalayim” is how a woman says “I love Jerusalem.” Israel celebrated Jerusalem Day (Yom Yerushalayim) this week. This national holiday commemorates the relationship the Jewish people have with Jerusalem, from the beginning of its history. It also celebrates ...

Dateline Jerusalem -- "Abracadabra," a magical word, often is spoken by magicians performing tricks for their audiences. It is really Hebrew, meaning "I create as I speak." In a sense, while the magician speaks to distract his viewers, he creates his magic. Amazing how many common words and phrases in the English language originated from Hebrew. Every fraternity and sorority member who has been forced to learn the Greek alphabet might be surprised to learn that it is derived from the ancient Hebrew alphabet.

Dateline Jerusalem -- Mother's Day last Sunday supposedly was the busiest day for telephone calls in the United States. More Americans observe Mother's Day than almost any other day. Florists, candy stores, and restaurants do a great business. Generations of mothers get together. In Israel, though, there is no official Mother's Day, at least not the commercialized day associated with the second Sunday in May.

Dateline Jerusalem -- On Monday evening and Tuesday day, Israel celebrated its 66th birthday, the joyous occasion coming immediately after Israel observed 24 hours of mourning its victims of war and terror on Israel's Remembrance Day Sunday night and Monday day. Israelis pulled together as a nation in sorrow and in joy. Remembrance Day was particularly sad for me, however. It coincided with the birthday of my deceased father, may he rest in peace.

Dateline Jerusalem -- Yom HaShoah-Holocaust Memorial Day, also is known as Holocaust Martyrs and Heroes Remembrance Day. I lit a 25-hour memorial candle and said a prayer. Last Sunday night and Monday, the entire country of Israel solemnly observed the commemoration of the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust.