A prayer

Prayer for the state of Israel (part) / Rabbi Ofer Shabat Beit-Halachmi

     This prayer was offered during our study at The Leo Baeck Education Center, "committed on every level to the "ingathering of the exiles", Tikkun Olam and to the well being of democratic Israeli society.  It is deeply committed to the founders' vision of the state of Israel to be a force for good in the world and to eliminate inequality and discrimination in Israeli society."

     (Just returned from the bomb shelter.  The siren was loud.  We heard the BOOM of the Kipat Barzel, iron dome=the yarmulke of steel) and exited after 5 minutes.  Life goes on.)

The Prayer 

Our God, God of our fathers and mothers,

The God of Isaac's dread, the God of Joshua,

The God of Yael, the God of Saul's good spirit, 

The God of Israel.

     Please with your mighty force,

Spread the sukkah of peace over the defenders

Of our land, raise your hand and shelter us from our enemies

And from the bullet that seeks their soul.

Give them courage and wisdom to tell apart foe and friend,

To separate between those who do wrong and the sons of Abraham.

Please with your mighty force,

Protect the state of Israel, your daughter that you have chosen,

So we can make your name great among all the inhabitants

Of the earth.

        Please, with your mighty force,

        Please, without force.

   Noga's back, on the Egged Bus from the Israel Museum.  I was 

   escorted by NItzan who knew about Reconstructionist Judaism 

   and seeks a spiritual alternative to Israeli orthodoxy for him and 

   his girlfriend.  He is an art student at Betzalel Art School in Jerusalem.

Dressing Up Yourself and Your Surroundings

From the 495 BCE to the present we've played dress up.  I was surprised at the Bible Lands Museum. Besides a fabulous exhibit of ancient artifacts from the Dead Sea Scrolls until the 19th century in Italy, a wonderfully illuminated Scroll of Esther.  These artifacts are the Hobby Lobby owner in the US.

This is a beautiful example of a 17th century illuminated manuscript from Italy.

The following exhibit is from the Israel Museum, Dress Codes, Revealing the Jewish Wardrobe.

"What should I wear?" 

"Can I find it at Goodwill?"  

The clothes in this exhibition are often identical to the clothes of their non-Jewish neighbors.  'The extent to which a woman is concealed by her clothing remains a timely issue.  It raises the issue of free choice versus social pressure, and has inspired a fierce debate as to whether such degrees of modesty represent a positive assertion of religious identity or a form of coercion.'

17th century dress of Polish Noblemen (the current dress of some Hasidim) was not featured in this exhibition.  Below is an expandable garment for a bride.  Eat as much as you can! You're worth your weight in gold!

   How adorable is this wonderful manuscript for counting the Omer?!

Jewish synagogues in Cochin, India, Tunisia, and Italy were moved brick by brick to the Israel Museum.

Naturally, one can attend other synagogues with these traditions in Jerusalem.  I understand that the Italian synagogue has the best dressed congregants.

Below is "The Last Supper."  Compare it with the original!  Is this the last supper for these soldiers?

Big bamboo

This is a fabulous climbing experience at the Israel Museum.  BIG BAMBOO.  10,000 bamboo poles, 80,000 meters of colored climbing rope, this spectacular 18 meter high outdoor installation offers unbelievable views of Jerusalem.  It's only slightly terrifying stepping on materials I have used a musical instruments.  

The structure combines sculpture and architecture.  The colorful climbing ropes remind me of Alice's macrame light she wove on Sycamore in Tacoma Park. 

The installation is created by twin brothers Doug and Mike Starnes, Americans, who have built this astonishing structure is  New York, Venice, Rome, and Japan.

The Israel Art Museum is fantastic.  The exhibit of Neolithic masks is superb.  The masks are 9,000 years old.

    These are ancient burial urns.  Life size.

The war with Hamas

Today is Yom Shlishi, the third day of the war with Hamas in Gaza.  Sirens have gone off is Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.  I have not heard them.  Towns on the southern coast of Israel are shelled 24/7.  the response from Israel is equal and constant, but more successful.  You probably know that 40,000 reservists have been called up.  How much of this turmoil is related to the recent murder of the four boys, 3 Israeli, 1 Arab, is not clear.  The situation is terrible for everyone.  I have amended my travel plans to Beer Sheva.  I'll visit my friend Saralee Kassel in Kibbutz Hatzerim, but won't be checking out Beer Sheva. Another time.  I now know how to retreat to the ma'amd, the safe room, in case of rocket attack.  Everyone needs a safe place, physical and spiritual.

That's my prayer for all of us.

Love,

Hasha Musha

Songs of Yesteryear

Zamereshet was created by a group of early Hebrew song lovers.  Everyone volunteers.  This seems to be a standard in Israel.  If you love something, you do it.  You volunteer.  These volunteers have gathered nearly 3000 songs.  I have to admit, these are the songs I grew up with in Young Judea.  I'm as old as the songs.  There must be a comparison there somewhere with fine wine?!

Saturday night we were treated to a song festival with Effie Netzer, probably the most famous songwriter and proponent of popular Israeli music.  

He played the accordion.  I was in heaven.

Fear is Blindness

We went on a Graffiti Tour of Tel Aviv.  The artists desire to be recognized for their work, yet as guerrilla artists, they'd also profess anonymity.  The following tag is Braille, out of reach, in Hebrew.  Translated, it means FEAR IS BLINDNESS.  The reverse is also equally true.  

    

    The images are graphic and powerful.

In Yafo, I saw this jolly Hasid.  Ho, Ho, Ho.

Ilana Dor's museum was full of art and friends.

   Miriam is as beautiful as the portrait behind her.  They could

   Be sisters.

The culture of compassion

Yesterday, we went to the Acco Theatre.  This theatre is run by an Arab and a Jew.   These friends, Moni and Khaled, have worked together for 30 years.  They have a professional company that tours the world over.  They work with children of all ages.  The describe concentric circles of identity:

1.  Me

2.  Family

3.  Neighborhood

4.  Country (Jews/Arabs, religious/secular

5.  World

This is the basis for the conversation and the dynamic of their exciting work.  Moni talked about the "little nazi" within all of us.  They break the 'fourth wall' in theater terms.  The audience actor interaction is an important part of their work.

Khaled is a Sufi.  When he dances he says that

   His spirit swirls beyond him.  His fasting for Ramadan is a spiritual exercise is goodness.  He knows

   That people think he is "meshuganeh" for trying to be a good person--insan (mensch)-- people are     more comfortable with negativity.  He is a role model for a beautiful artist with a kind soul.

From Acco we traveled to a beautiful Tunisian Synagogue.  The mosaic art throughout the synagogue 

Is fantastic.

Some of the metal work looks like paper cuts.

We stopped briefly at Ceasarea, Herod's home away from home.  he was a despicable guy with great

Taste!

The day ended with a phenomenal theatre company NaLagaat, please touch.  The actors are blind and/or deaf.  They combined their personal stories with music and dance.  They kneaded and baked bread on stage which they shared with the audience at the conclusion of the play.  This is extraordinary 

Theatre.  Not to be missed.  It was a fitting conclusion to a day of compassionate creativity.

Sadness and loss

Tonight we found out that the three Israeli teenagers were murdered in the West Bank.  We planned a sing a long with the participants on our tour tonight.  We cancelled it.  Tomorrow morning, before we leave for Acco, we'll have a short service in their memory.  Grief and loss.

Mysticism & music

I

Went to Tzvat.  We're in the Ari's synagogue.

          Sang a new l'cha dodi.

The ark is 150 yrs. old. Beautiful.

             Off to Lake Kineret, the Galilee.  Jesus walked and rowed here seeking a new spiritual path.

Went to doña gracias' house.  She was one of the richest women in the world during the 16th century.  We heard stories about her incredible fortitude.  At the end of the presentation we got to play dress-up.  My favorite.

   A couple just got married.  We sang simian un mazal tov to them.

Women of the wall

Anat Hoffman went to prison for the right for women to pray and chant Torah at the western wall.

75 women joined her.  We daven'ed the morning service singing in harmony.

Women, never having the privilege of blessing the Torah, were invited. They stood beneath a Talit, astonished.

Linda and I together, decked out in Jewish finery!

Anat Hoffman and Linda Shivers

Mosaic floor from Samarian Synagogue  100 c.e.

Circasian Muslim community--great music and wonderful hospitality

    Hula valley bird sanctuary.  45,000 cranes PER DAY fly en route to Africa fron mid October to March.

The bird route, more than 350 species 

In this sanctuary, with almost 1 billion birds flying over Israel!