Shachar

Dateline Jerusalem – When it comes to Jewish holidays, I often am reminded of the saying, “We were persecuted, we won, let’s eat!” Food seems to play a symbolic role in celebrating these holidays. Rosh Hashana, literally "head of the year," is no exception. The only holiday in Israel observed for two days, it is the anniversary of...

Dateline Jerusalem – A request was made by a scientist friend to devote this week's essay to polio, and talk of how Israel is handling its prevention. I had believed polio was eradicated almost 60 years ago. Between Dr. Salk (inoculation) and Dr. Sabin (oral vaccine of drops in a sugar cube), the world was safe from this terrible paralyzing disease that attacked young and old. At least this was so in Western nations. To my surprise, polio again is...

Dateline Jerusalem – If I have said or done anything that has caused any of you distress or pain, or injured you in any way, whether by action or deed, or inaction, or in any way at all, forgive me. Although this request for forgiveness sent to friends, family, and readers of my column is not expressed in a personal manner, please believe it is truly sincere.

Dateline Jerusalem – “Peace in our time,” boasted Neville Chamberlain, British Prime Minister known for appeasing Hitler, y’mach shemo (may his name be obliterated). The Munich Agreement of 1938 was the result of peace talks in which Chamberlain agreed to almost all of Hitler’s demands, especially that Czechoslovakia concede...

Dateline Jerusalem – Living through an earthquake can be a scary experience. California is awaiting the Big One, long overdue. I used to be able to view the San Andreas Fault from my living room window. Israel also is awaiting its big one. The major difference is that tall buildings in California must be made earthquake proof. In Israel, most buildings are...

Dateline Jerusalem – Someone asked me why my weekly essays always are about Israel. But the title of my column is Our Eyes in Israel by Shachar. Naturally, that means the topics of my articles must relate to Israel. Although I try not to be political or too biased, it is often difficult for me to write without expressing my opinion. Just as beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, everything in life is...

Dateline Jerusalem – This week is Tu B'Av, the festival of love, sort of like Valentine's Day in the States as it is observed in Israel. But Tu B'Av, the 15th of the month of Av, is a religious holiday while Valentine's is a pagan holiday. Tu B’Av began a thousand years before there was a St. Valentine or a Sadie Hawkins. It is a popular day for...

Dateline Jerusalem – I do not know why midnight is such a magical hour for me, but I tend to start writing my articles at that time. After research and a few catnaps, I finish in the early morning hours, just in time for my deadline. Sometimes I feel like I am...

Dateline Jerusalem – This week the United States celebrated the 4th of July, American Independence Day, and just months ago Israel celebrated Yom HaAtzmaut, its Independence Day. Both nations, 237 and 65 years old, are young in the world. But their land or territories and a small minority of their people, the native American Indians and the Jewish people, have been around for millenniums. Both countries emerged out of...

Dateline Jerusalem – Those of us in Israel are especially cognizant of the significance of the next three weeks. This week is the first of three weeks of mourning, from the 17th of Tammuz through the 9th of Av (Tisha B'Av), during which most calamities and disasters facing Jews throughout their history have occurred.