Shachar

Dateline Jerusalem – I am relatively calm, easy-going, patient, non-aggressive. Often I have been described as a doormat. I might complain when I write my articles, but writing is my release. It was my original intention to write about my "balagan" (mess, fiasco, chaotic state) of a day. Just when I thought I had had enough aggravation for one day, I arrived home tonight to learn that Israel was on high alert. My worries and problems were put into perspective. They are insignificant compared to what the rest of my countrymen have been experiencing.

Dateline Jerusalem – I am moving! The keys to my new apartment (old building but newly renovated interior) will be mine next week.

Dateline Jerusalem – Last week at a Shabbat dinner, some people I met for the first time asked what I did for a living. I told them I used to be a cop and an attorney when I lived in the States. Then a friend asked what I do all day now that I am in Israel and no longer working in those professions. I laughed and said "nothing." Everyone has been laughing ever since because they find it hard to believe I do nothing. They are right. I am busier now than ever before.

Dateline Jerusalem – One of the largest cities in Israel, about 126,000 people, and the place I call "home", is the City of Rehovot. One hundred and twenty two years ago, in 1890, the "moshava" named Rehovot was founded. Rehovot was not declared a "city,",however, until 1950.

Dateline Jerusalem – "Ani medeberet k'tzaht ivrit" is translated as "I speak a little Hebrew". This week I had my first two lessons at the Hebrew Ulpan language school at my English-speaking synagogue. I am so excited to finally be learning Hebrew. Although I have been living in Israel five years, "Ani lo mevina ivrit" ("I do not understand Hebrew"). I can read block letters of the alphabet, but script is a total mystery to me. However, this week we learned how to write Hebrew letters in script and other basics of the language. I can say "Ani amerikite v israelit" ("I am American and Israeli"). Until now, I could only say "Ani ha iti shoteret" ("I was a police officer") and "Ani orechet din" ("I am an attorney"). A male would say these sentences differently, using "mevin" instead of "mevina", "amerikai" instead of "amerikite", "israeli" instead of "israelit", "shoter" instead of "shoteret", and "orech din" instead of "orechet din." But, having masculine and feminine endings to words is not unlike other languages.

Dateline Jerusalem –Often I conveniently forget how far away Israel is from the U.S. In flight miles, it is approximately 8,000 between Los Angeles and Tel Aviv over the polar route and a mere 15 1/2 hours during that non-stop flight. But it really doesn't seem like such a long flight with delicious meals, movies and TV at your individual seat.

Dateline Jerusalem – I have been spoiled living in Israel. Although Hebrew and Arabic are the official languages, English is taught to children from elementary school on. Street and highway signs are in all three languages. If I am lucky, I find that most people can speak to me in English even when they say they do not speak the language. Because I can function in English in almost every aspect of my life here, I have lived in Israel without learning Hebrew.

Dateline Jerusalem – Life expectancy in Israel is among the highest in the world. This is despite casualties of war and terror, and auto accidents that are considered in determining Israeli longevity.

Dateline Jerusalem – I like to consider myself an excellent Scrabble player, especially since I am continuously challenged by those who thought they were great until playing with me.

Dateline Jerusalem – Sunday night at sundown, the Hebrew calendar will be commemorating the year 5773 from the time of Creation. For the last 5,773 years, Jews have been observing Rosh Hashana, the birthday of the world.