On Virtues of Labor Day, Atomic Movement and Other Momentous Occasions

In his short time with the Chicago Bulls, Elton Brand averaged over 20 point and 10 rebounds, was named a rookie of the year and was the team's only All-Star player. Two years after being the #1 pick of the 99 draft though, he was traded to Clippers clearing up his spot for Eddy Curry - #2 pick of 2001. Curry was 19, coming straight out of high school, a Chicago kid being dubbed the next Shaquile O'Neal. Without going into stats, let's just say that Eddy never fulfilled his potential. Potential, in sports is a tough thing to resist. It's intoxicating; everybody craves it, chases it and tries to find a way to measure it.

Academically, United States colleges have a system to measure potential. It's called SAT/ACT and in theory it tells universities if a given student can succeed in studies. I've had teachers glowingly tell my parents and myself about how much potential I had so I wasn't surprised when due to a good enough SAT score I was accepted into every school I applied to. A year later, after an extremely unsuccessful period at University of Illinois I did even better on "potential" when due to local requirements I had to take the ACT. Six years later I boarded the plane to Israel, an Eddy Curry in my own right.

In sports, it's common when a trade reinvigorates a career. A struggling player may find that a change of scenery is all he needed to become a star. On the other hand, there are also a lot of times when the effect is completely opposite, the player struggles even more, loses confidence and is never heard from again. Aliyah is a similar experience. Thousands come every year with their baggage and skills. They start at zero, learn the system, build up relationships and generally try to fit and succeed.

Immigration in general is tough. Israel in particular only keeps the most stubborn, thick skinned and daring. It challenges your idealism, stomps your self confidence and leaves you out in the cold without a glimmer of hope to wrap around yourself. But that's just what's needed to survive and thrive here. Building yourself up into an "Israeli" is just following in the footsteps of those first few pioneers and is a continuation of their legacy. This country needs everybody it can get. Therefore there are a lot of things in place in order to help a new immigrant integrate into Israeli society. There is an absorption basket and rental subsidies. Free education, Hebrew and professional courses. Discounts on buying appliances or a car. Tax breaks and Nefesh B'Nefesh grants. However, these perks don't last forever; almost all of them expire three years after the date of Aliyah. I guess three years is mentally, financially and statistically important as a critical period that decides whether the person will stay in the country or decide to go back. I have plenty of friends and acquaintances that left before reaching this milestone and for some it probably was a right decision for them. For me - I'm glad I'm still here. Despite a somewhat unnecessary degree of difficulty, I feel I'm beginning to fulfill my potential.

In physics, electrical potential is energy divided by electric charge. In simpler terms, it's amount of work required to move electrons across an element. For me it's a suitable description of the concept of potential beyond electricity. Maybe if Eddy Curry would have put in more work, he would have been as unstoppable as Shaq and set every possible NBA record. Maybe by investing lots of energy I would have been a CEO of another one of Israeli startups. Maybe if everybody really worked towards it, there would be peace in the Middle East… Nah, that may have been too far, but working towards a common goal is a team concept that once again comes through in life and in sports. Everybody has potential to win a championship, but only the team that works the hardest (and has a bit of luck) gets to celebrate at the end. So what's the point of this long winded hypothetical? Well, my dear Russian Jewish Chicago youth, you need to do more work. I've been to your events, heard how much you support Israel. I remember birthrights and how you professed your love for your country. However, I also have been seeing your travel logs thanks to facebook. And I keep wondering why you aren't here. Attending a bonfire or a shabbaton thousands of miles away is not enough. OK, so not everyone needs to move to Israel but maybe instead of going to the Caribbean for the n-teenth time, you should come to the beaches in Netanya or Herzelia. I know, Europe is enticing, but it's your duty to walk the cobblestone alleys of Mishkenot Sheananim first. Hiking through Argentina should come after you've hiked from Banias to Timna. Right this moment you could be volunteering on the kibbutz in the Galilee or riding an ambulance in Tel Aviv. Having an internship in Jerusalem municipality or helping out in Ichilov Hospital. You're too young to be counting money or be concerned with career and you can still be naïve enough to have ideals and fight for them. Of course it's not the easiest path but then again in electricity when solving circuits, potential is drawn in the direction against the current.

Today is my three years. I feel that it would be appropriate to end my blog now. I've enjoyed writing about the country that I love even more now than when I posted my first entry. The page has transformed from what was envisioned as a regular update of my life to ramblings on philosophy, politics and other general musings. Before I go I do want to get back to the beginning tone and share the most personal information with you, my reader.

This is Zarina. We met in an absorption center in Jerusalem two years ago. We started dating on November 1st. November 7th I enlisted in the army. We saw each other on the weekends and for me "coming home" meant coming to see Zarina. Six months later we moved in together. She's beautiful, smart, funny and exciting. From time to time I ask myself why she's still with me and can't find an answer. Although, I don't think that I really need to know the reasons; I'll be happy to just keep asking that question forever and to keep coming home.

Anya's blog... again

Wonderful post by my friend Anna - here

Where the streets have names

When giving directions in Israel one can certainly feel like a history professor. “At the intersection of Jabotinsky turn left on Ben Gurion, continue on Eshkol, then onto Golda Meir. Turn right on Begin, stay on Shamir and turn left on Rabin.” You just either led somebody to an AM:PM store in Nes Ziona or covered forty years of Israeli politics. (I’m probably wrong about both.) This is a big contrast to United States. There are no 5th Avenue, Main Street and mostly no Sycamore Lane. For better or for worse, the heroes and legends of the past become part of daily routine. Their names probably take on a diminished meaning when thrown around by punk-haired teenager trying to guide his friends to some night spot. The chances are he has no idea who Max Nordau was and why his name is mentioned when explaining for the tenth time how to find free parking.
Driving around Israel is delving into the nation’s past. I know that in every city I visit, I’ll find names like Herzl, Jabotinsky, Ben Gurion, Rav Kook as a tribute to the people that helped establish Israel. There will be gratitude to Ben Yehuda, Shai Agnon and Bialik for developing the language. Rashi, Rambam and Akiva to point to religion. King David, Salomon, Maccabees – history of millennia past. Anne Frank, Hana Senesh, Raul Wallenberg – never forget. Sinai soldiers, Armory Hill, Paratroopers – never again.
Amusingly, I still find myself asking questions like why one town will have Ben Gurion larger and more important than Jabotinsky and another – the opposite? Why will a particular city have streets of every Zionist leader but few of the religious ones and another – the most obscure rabbi but Herzl nowhere to be found?
Sometimes, I find myself letting go of my imagination and allowing past and present intertwine. I might be standing at the intersection of Hagana, Ezel and Lehi and picturing these three guerilla organizations planning an operation together hovering over a table on the second floor of the house on the corner. Or Hillel and Shamai having a Torah discussion in the candle light and maybe even confirming with Ari who’s nodding off in an armchair having come to visit from hundreds of years away. Who knows, maybe this is exactly what happens on that side of reality. However, I think I’ll let those great minds ponder that one while they are wandering the streets that bear their names. Meanwhile, I need to run down to Herzl to pick up milk before Shabbat.

Wow

I'm completely blown away by this amazing talent. The guy and his band just signed a contract with Columbia so hope that people will discover him soon.

Skip to 1:30



Here are a few more links:
Nice and smooth
Funny music video
Live at Barbie

Men in Black

For over a year I've been carrying an idea for an entry about religious Jewish orthodox community in Israel. Since my current hometown, Ramat Gan is in such close proximity to the highest density religious town, Bnei Brak I kept trying to figure out how to describe this unknown entity and its complexities. Just like most I'm an outsider to that part of Israeli society, an alien so to speak. So the idea was to be based on some things from Will Smith movie about aliens, Men in Black. However, as I kept attempting to weave in lines like "This is the last suit you'll ever wear", and trying to go way beyond my literary limits, the days, weeks and months kept passing and the post never materialized. Therefore, I'll just lay out the thoughts without dressing them up much.

There is a great similarity between haredim (the orthodox) and the army. On the surface, all soldiers look the same. Same uniforms, same hairstyle, same rules, so seemingly same life. However, in reality there are so many subtle differences that I will have to dedicate a separate entry just for that later on. Similarly, haredim seem the same. You know the look; black suit, black hat, white shirt, beard and peyos. But haredi Sherlock Holmes might be able to point out that some have stripes in their overcoats, some pull their socks high, some have round flat hats, some have a white kipa underneath, and so on and then if he's knowledgeable enough our detective would be able to say with certainty which yeshiva their object of observation went to, who's their rabbi and which store they shop in. To the knowing eye, the clothes, just like the uniform give a lot of information about the person behind them.

Twenty five percent of this country's citizens don't enlist in the army. The most common reason is religion. And yet most of those willingly put on uniforms each morning, follow orders and serve under their commanders with even more zeal than any young soldier in the IDF. Their training is probably even more intense mentally and certainly longer and more demanding. So it shouldn't surprise people that if one of the commanders gives out an order to attack, it will be followed. What's happening right now in Jerusalem (and Israel in general) simply put is a war. Battles for a right to have a parking lot open on Shabbat, ability to get married, for sanctity and independence are becoming hotter. These battles take place in the Knesset, on the streets and in the minds. Sides don't understand each other and refuse to compromise. They are alien to us and we are to them. I'm not going to even pretend to know anything but I'll just say that not understanding has neither bred hatred in me nor brought out admiration or even interest. I try to remain as impartial in my ignorance as I can. I want to believe that there are only bright skies ahead with mutual understanding and appreciation and all around kumbaya. However, consider this me sounding the warning bells because this war will divide the country to a point where if will either become ruled by religious law or completely reject its Jewish nature. OK, I agree, I might be over blowing the "situation" but I do believe that understanding needs to start happening soon. Constantly fighting an army without uniforms in places like Gaza is tiring enough, fighting a growing number of uniformed aliens from within is simply reckless.

$60000 in action

Matt's writing again. Go see for yourselves...

Again on politics

While our politicians/salespeople are negotiating and signing their deals, wanted to share a startling realization I made while waiting for a bus to work and looking at expired election billboards:
As far as the political picture is concerned we are looking at the fork in the road. Now where to go; left, center, right or backward? It really is that easy, especially when trying to make sense of which party is which among thirty plus pieces of papers at the polls. On the right they're promising unity, on the left equality, but do we even know where we're going? What's the destination? And whatever it is, monster creatures await along the way.
Going left (Meretz/Hadash?) could mean becoming more like US and one day seeing an actual Arab Obama. Or it could mean the end of Israel as a Jewish state.
Going right (Israel Beiteinu if you believe their slogans) could mean becoming more like China with a homogeneous society and strong government. Or total isolation and condemnation and the end of Israel.
Apologies to Shas/National Union and other religious parties but they are the backward option here with the religious law reigning supreme and seems no different from Iran.
And of course there's the way forward (Kadima and everybody else like Likud, Labor, whatever). This one will keep doing the same things in different ways and without any real change.
We seem to have chosen to keep going straight just because we're scared to make any changes. So I won't be surprised if we return to the same fork in the road after another long and tiring journey. Or at least I can hope.