Lizrael Update: babbling about the expat life since 2004
-
Welcome home, endangered American Jew.
Here’s the ‘welcome home’ I got while waiting at a bus stop: Hmm. I’m pretty sure it’s not as crazy as they make it sound, but who am i to judge? I’m not living in the wild jungle of dangerousness that is America.* * Ok, ok. I’m being harsh. There is truth to moving to…
-
How I do what I do: the whole roller coaster story.
Since my self-mutilation on a roller coaster story formed, I’ve been making a lot of people laugh with it, and who am I to stop people from laughing? I’m reposting the tale for all of eternity: This has to be my second most loserish thing I’ve ever done. So last night I met up with…
-
Things I can't believe when I return to the States.
It was my longest stretch between my last visit to the States, and I have compiled a quick list of things I’m mildly shocked to notice during the past two weeks I’ve been in New York: 1. Capitalism. Oh, how I have forgotten this. My concept of capitalism has been dumbed down to long Supersol…
-
What exactly is a 'happy' Memorial Day?
Can a Memorial Day be happy? Isn’t the essence of the concept to reflect, to introspect, to national-spect? I find that with national-specting comes a bit of shame, a dash of pride and a whole lotta tears either way. To some, Israeli and American Memorial Days might be categorized as fraternal twins, if related at…
-
A lesson from newborns and Coney Island.
Today was the most bizarre day I’ve experienced in a really long time. The same day consisted of me holding the newborn boy of a girl I consider a cousin as well as punching myself in the face on Coney Island’s Cyclone. This pseudo cousin gave birth to her first child deep into Saturday night.…
-
Remembering Israel at 50.
With all the Israel at 60 talk going on, I can’t for the life of me remember the Israel at 50 celebrations, which I would imagine were a bigger deal, as the Jubilee number as well as the generally accepted major number in counting anniversaries. I wasn’t yet in Israel at that point, so maybe…
-
There are no jukim in America.
Usually when I touch down in JFK, flying over Queens at dawn, I get teary-eyed and patriotic for my hometown. I’ve been pretty emotional about New York since I left; even before I left. Maybe it’s because I landed here today coming off the Presidents Conference, or maybe it’s been a year and four months…
-
If Elie Weisel were my grandfather…
I want Elie Weisel to come tuck me in at night and tell me stories… They don’t all have to be depressing just because they come from a Nobel Peace Prize-winning, bestselling author of a Holocaust survivor. Although they would probably all be dramatic. Here is Mr. Weisel telling his favorite, inspiring story at the…
-
Chilling with the presidents: Peres conference overview.
I was fortunate enough to score an invite to President Shimon Peres’ Facing Tomorrow: Israeli Presidential Conference, which went down over the last three days in the ICC. It soon became clear that the opening panel of the first night was the crux of the event, at least for me, holding more importance than President…
-
I could use a break too.
-
Brand new Bamba for the same old Sabra.
Last week someone introduced me to a brand new concept for the makers of a very old concept: Nougat cream filled-Bamba. Bamba has been around for decades, having been created by Israelis for Israelis. I suppose that’s why its maker, Osem, decided to issue a brand-new flavor around the time of Israel’s 60th birthday. It’s…
-
Israeli fireworks; the good kind.
Despite everything – happy 60th birthday, modern State of Israel!
Questions? Comments? Advice?