Lizrael Update: babbling about the expat life since 2004
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Leaving New York City.
I returned on Tuesday from a trip to New York. It was a family visit with some work mixed in, and it came at a time when I was starting to feel a bit… hungry for New York. Not homesick, per say, but just in the mood. I don’t know if it happens to all…
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You gotta squeeze Z hummus…
Ever wanted to squeeze your hummus? My brother introduced me to this new company started by, oh c’mon, who else but an Israeli guy named Ami (from Beer Sheva) living States-side in Marlboro, New Jersey. Squeeze Z Hummus launches the FIRST ever squeezable hummus product in over 20 New York grocery stores. Available in 3…
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Coming, going.
In the past four weeks, I’ve heard about a total of five actual (three) and potential (two) yeridot – leaving Israel after making aliyah. I’m not necessarily homesick, so the news doesn’t really hit me that way. It’s more like this this bizarre feeling of, am I doing something wrong? Is there something I don’t…
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How how it all begins.
It’s hard to believe. I’m a little choked up. I didn’t think it would come out this way. Koala started recognizing dogs a while ago. He points to them and calls, “Da!” He calls the plush wolf my brother got him “Da.” He was even getting to the point of recognizing them in photos –…
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Koala update: Fifteen months.
Toddler. Tired. Tantrum. This koala update is brought to you by the letter ‘T.’ He walk-runs. He reaches tabletops. He knows what he wants and he will damn well tell you. Also, don’t bother feeding him. He will feed himself, thankyouverymuch. With a fork. And a spoon. Simultaneously. Language is getting fun. Not only does he…
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Ynet is the authority on Haredi weddings.
Ynet did it again. This isn’t the second time I’ve noticed the blatant anti-religious fervor that an Israeli newspaper is purposely trying to spread. This is the 328975623th time. I used to actually enjoy reading Ynet. It was one of the central papers; sitting somewhere between JPost and Haaretz (in English, anyway). Their credibility has…
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This is who we are.
Part 1: 9:46 pm Me: Lalalala bla bla bla. Friend: Oh, happy anniversary. Me: Oh, shit! It’s Tu B’Av! Part 2: 9:50 pm Me: Happy anniversary! I said it first! Huz: Oh, yeah. It hasn’t been five years already, has it? Me: It’s been four. By the way: We thought the extra bonus to getting…
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Zumba!
For a few years I kept seeing the word ‘zumba’ in my Facebook feed… Ahhh! Zumba! Just came back from zuuumbaaa!!! I <3 Zumba 4everz!!11!!1 And I’ve had no freakin clue what everyone has been saying. Last week, I got an email advertising Zumba on Sunday nights right here in cozy little Tzur Hadassah. So…
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Lemonade stand.
Walking in Jerusalem today, on HaPalmach street, I spotted a 6ish year old boy operating… a lemonade stand (!) Did you grow up in the 80s? I remember having ‘computer class’ in elementary school, which meant playing Lemonade Stand on an Apple II or Commodore 64 for 45 minutes while the teacher read a book. This…
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Reliving Sesame Street.
One of the best re-giftings I’ve ever gotten was being able to watch Sesame Street all over again, as much as I want, from now until my last kid turns to me and says, “Ma, c’mon, I’m too old for Sesame Street,” as he walks out the door for first year of army service.
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Bully.
Koala comes over and yanks off my glasses. “No! Mama is blind, c’mon…” He bends back the left arm with his little fist. The second pair he’s ruined in a week. “Oh, c’mon? Why you gotta be so mean?” I go upstairs and get my next spare pair. “Look, Koala! Do you like Mama’s ugly…
Questions? Comments? Advice?