Lizrael Update

Lizrael Update: babbling about the expat life since 2004

  • Religious views: Lazy.

    I’m in a new place. It’s a place I’ve heard about, but never dwelled within. A place in time. I’ve known it’s been creeping up, have been expecting its tap on the shoulder… and here it is, plunked down and landed at my feet. Not enough is spoken about this place. I wish more people…

  • That’s a long diaper-change.

    “Ok, Beebs, let’s stop here on the side of this shop and get that diaper changed… Man, that’s a big one! Lady you are not…” …eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee… “Oh, the bomb siren drill. Weird that it’s a siren and we don’t have to stand at attention, eh, Beebs? Actually, no one is even close to taking this…

  • Teaching your elders.

    As the world turns… When I was growing up, the thing was this: my parents’ generation decided to send their kids to Jewish day schools, to give them an education they never had as children of immigrants who wanted to forget being Jewish. So we went to school, came home, taught our parents kiddush on…

  • Koala update: Lil Mr. Independent.

    I love how, when we try to do something for you, you say – declare – your name in protest, and then do it yourself. I love how when we’re trying to rush you, and scoop you up to carry you upstairs, and you just aren’t having it, you turn around, go back down, and come…

  • Koala update: Big brother edition.

    One the of most common things I was told before ‘the bebe’ was born was: Brace for impact from your two-year-old. With that, we prepped him as best we could, giving him a bebe of his own to ‘practice’ with and reciting daily the list of family members’ names over and over, with a fourth…

  • Dream in big scoops.

    An obligatory ‘dream big’ post, dedicated to my little bebe, sponsored by self-affirmation.  

  • Learn Hebrew online for free, visit your Israeli grandchildren.

    If Learn to read in Hebrew for free wasn’t enough for you, here’s something better… Struggling to learn even minimal Hebrew to get by on a visit to Israel? Or even just to get past security at the airport? Saw this posted on Facebook, had to share: Learn Hebrew phrases with Audio It’s a free website…

  • New baby: Two months.

    Baby, baby, baby. Uncurled, extended, grabby. Coddled by big brother, loved by mama and abba, and in the last month, visited by grandpa and extended family. And in the last few days especially, she is opening up to us the way we’ve opened up to her. Her smiles are spontaneous, her grabbing is productive, her…

  • Baby Shape ‘Happening’ tomorrow in Jerusalem.

    Thought I’d share an opportunity for moms and babes tomorrow, June 5, in Jerusalem. Baby Shape is a YMCA program designed by Rachelle Oseran (whose childbirth Lamaze classes I’ve plugged before). Hebrew and English friendly. Check out the free class: Moms with babies in strollers are invited to our Baby Shape “Happening”: a FREE Mom…

  • Coming to Israel? Things to do.

    Recently wrote up some off-the-top-of-my-head Israel tourism ideas for a friend coming in the summer (with a 6-month-old baby). So, while I’m at it, why not share, right? Short-term rentals There are quite often short-term rentals of apartments in Jerusalem and elsewhere, which is probably a better bet than hotel if you’re coming for a…

  • Was it you?

    Cooped up in my office tower these last months, I’ve missed wandering the streets and stumbling upon Israeli/Jerusalem street art/graffiti. And for a while now, I too have been wondering: Who moved my chair?

  • Street art sadness.

    Getting out more means seeing more. And remembering more, since the streets of Jerusalem tend to be fairly expressive. Captured Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, spotted yesterday on Emek Refaim. Paint reads: please save me. Shouldn’t he be out of uniform by now?

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