Click here to watch it.

The Israeli government’s water website now has a page where you can check back daily in order to see how much the Kinneret – our main water source, located in the Galilee – has gone up or down.

It makes sense this exists online because an integral part of the Israel experience is living in a parched country, always being careful how we choose to use our water because it’s such a limited resource. When I was in the midst of deciding whether or not I wanted to move back to Israel a few months ago, one of the things that made me very nervous was the thought of living in a country with so little water after spending three years in British Columbia, of all places! Who could compare the two when it comes to water supply (not to mention quality).

A lake on Vancouver Island (Photo by Deena Levenstein)

I went on a trip to Vancouver Island shortly after I arrived in Vancouver. This island is larger than Israel (just an fyi) and is covered with huge quantities of fresh water. The photo above is one of the many lakes we passed as we drove from one coast to the other. I felt like I saw more water travelling across the island in a few hours than one will ever see in Israel. This while Vancouver Island’s population is around 741,000 and Israel’s population is approximately 7,465,000.

Aquaphers is the man-made water source in the desert. They catch rain water. (Photo by Deena Levenstein)

Israel relies very heavily on percipitation for water. The rain in the winter fills up our reserves to get us through the year. The problem is that for years now it hasn’t been raining enough. Because of this, every time it rains here, it’s big news.

In the next couple of days we’re supposedly heading into some real wintery weather. Lets hope it brings us lots of rain!

Check it the government’s site here!

(Photo by Flash90)

I ask you, have you ever heard of a cooler idea than to have videos of university lectures shown on the train for commuters?

If you were on the train leaving Tel Aviv for Haifa at two specific times this morning, you would have been able to hear a lecture on brain science breakthroughs. It was given by Idan Segev, the David and Inez Myers Professor of Neural Computation at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.

This is part of a new program called “Scientists on the Train” initiated by Hebrew U, whereby different lectures are shown on the Israeli trains travelling throughout the country.

Read more here.

Our beloved little country, however, came in #7 with 1.385 cell phones per person. I’m trying to figure out what one does with more than one cell phone.

Why is Israel such a cell phone-crazy country? There are different theories. They include the security situation (we need to be able to reach our loved ones quickly) and, of course, we love to talk. But based on a recent study, it might be best if we love it a bit less, or at least try to use our home phones a bit more (our bank accounts wouldn’t complain, that’s for sure).

An Israeli study commissioned by the Israel Dental Association and directed by Avi Zini of the community dentistry department at the Hebrew University-Hadassah School of Dental Medicine has some bad news. They studied the incidence of oral cavity cancer from 1970 to 2006. The results?

There seems to be a rising number of cancer cases of the parotid gland. This is the gland located just where the cell phone sits on our face while we’re handsomely lining the cell phone companies’ pockets. The cancers of the other parts of the mouth, on the other hand, did not seem to be rising. Cases of this parotid gland were steady at around 25 per year from 1970 to 2002. Then, within another five years, there was a dramatic increase to 70 cases per year.

Who’s giving up their cell phone? Not I! But, the researchers were sure to mention that there is less radiation against your head if you use accessories such as a headset.

Read the whole article here.

The son, Yousouf, came down to meet us by their water cistern (I think it's called). The structures ahead of him are their tents.

The men and women sleep separately (yet somehow they succeed in having children). The women are worked so hard, milking gallons of milk every day, making cheese and I guess other things like cooking and cleaning, that they have a shorter life expectancy than the men – the opposite of most cultures I’ve heard of. I’m not jealous. But here is their view. Jealous of that?

Minus the jeep, of course.

The faculty of agriculture, etc. etc., Rechovot. Taken by yours truly in January '07. Yes, January.

But is all that about to change? Click here to see pictures depicting how the new gate is destined to look. It is very exciting! It is very university-like, it’s really quite beautiful and probably safer. Actually, the only reason I hesitate to be excited for this change (because otherwise I can’t wait to see it!), is that I hope that whatever changes might take place there, the kibbutz ambiance will be taken into consideration so that it will be kept.

Otherwise, thank you Robert H. Smith for helping Hebrew U continue to be at the forefront of agriculture!

Aw… Talking about “the Faculta” makes me want to go pay it a visit, even before the gate is done.

When I go to MAC here in Jerusalem it’s confusing. It looks the same and yet feels so different.

Yes! You heard right (all you girls out there who can’t imagine living without MAC makeup). MAC, the Canadian cosmetics store, has just recently come to Jerusalem. This is very exciting for those of us who have never found better lipstick than that from MAC. : ) But honestly, when I was still living in Vancouver, contemplating my possible return to Israel, it was when I heard things like, “MAC has come to Jerusalem, and H&M is on its way too,” that I’d get a bit more courage to make the move. I thought, “If Shoppers Drug Mart is in Israel, I can be there too!” (Shoppers here is called Super Pharm but it has the same owners.)

Super Pharm in Mamilla, Jerusalem (photo by yours truly)

The thing is that I’ve never been to one of these stores when it’s actually the same experience as that in Canada. Sometimes it’s a bit messier, often the service doesn’t compare.

So I went with my sister to MAC today at Mamilla (a gorgeous new outdoor mall in Jerusalem,) and the service didn’t compare. The girl there was nice but anyone who’s been to MAC knows how amazing the cosmeticians are there. I said to my sister, “How can I live in a country that doesn’t have service like Vancouver?!”

It is at times like these that I dig into my virtual purse and take a reality pill (if I haven’t run out).

Mamilla outdoor mall, Jerusalem (photo by yours truly)

First of all, our dear little country improves so quickly in almost every aspect of life that, if you have some patience, chances are you’ll get to enjoy the continued improvement yourself. My family moved here in 1990 and in many respects it’s almost a different country. The service is way improved. The availability of products here is unbelievable, if you think about 10, 15, 20 years ago. It is a more comfortable place to live.

Also, I try to put things in perspective. Did I come to Israel in order to have good customer service? Well, obviously not (though I love it when I get it). I came to be near my family, to be in a place with so much more Jewish vibrance and Jewish opportunity than I felt I had in Vancouver and probably anywhere in Canada.

So, I will continue to go to Mamilla and I will continue to enjoy the awesome food in this country (the real reason I moved back, just don’t tell anyone) and, like any huge decision you make in your life, I will continue to have moments when I get really nervous, wondering if it was a big mistake, only to move past that and continue to enjoy everything I am gaining from moving back home.

And anyway, seriously, you’ve gotta admit that the bottom line is that MAC has arrived in Jerusalem, right?

The beach in Vancouver at sunset

Nine weeks ago I moved back to Jerusalem after spending over three years in Vancouver. I cannot remember any decision being as agonizing as that to move back home. Considering the fact that it was such a big decision to leave Israel to begin with, it’s interesting that the decision to move back was even harder.

But it makes sense, I suppose. I arrived in Vancouver in the beginning of September 2006. I had never been there and I knew no one. Fast forward three years: I have met hundreds of people from the Jewish community. I’ve had so many interesting and exciting experiences. I’ve built myself a community and have survived both wonderful and very difficult times. I did it! I succeeded in building a very nice life for myself in a city where I knew no one. And now what? I’ll just leave it all behind?

Although I supposedly had so much going for me in Vancouver, it seemed it was time for me to move on. There were certain things I just couldn’t accomplish there and I wanted to be back near my family.

And here I am, in Jerusalem.

The Old City of Jerusalem

To think that three months ago I was agonizing over what is now, so naturally, my life. To think I was considering staying in Vancouver just a bit longer because the extent of this life change was paralyzing me. To think that I chose, instead, after much distraught discussion, days immobilized from fear and many, many tears, to arrive back in Israel on the eve of Rosh HaShana so that I could have a clean, exciting, new start in Israel on the Jewish new year…

People say that if you feel certain about your decision, you know you’re making the right choice. I say, know your personality. I never feel certain about a decision because I see decisions as complex things. But certain concrete factors helped push me and I chose to make the leap. I’m not quite certain I’ve landed yet but if I have, I’m definitely standing on two feet.

Vancouver served me well. I’d never lived in such a place. Being surrounded by breath-taking views – the mountains, the ocean, the huge trees… Call me crazy but I even love the rain. And even so, it’s wonderful to be home.

The Old City of Jerusalem

I’m very impressed that Deb Singer (I don’t know you but kudos to you) had the courage to write an honest post about spirituality – or lack there of – in her Israel experience. She had certain expectations which, from what I understand, were not exactly fulfilled.

I think that first of all the honesty in that post is so important for Deb and for people reading hebrewyou.com. Honesty with oneself is the path to all good things.

In this case, the good thing, in my opinion, would be yes, having a spiritual experience in Israel. If someone is not feeling the spiritual elevation they want to be feeling or think they should be feeling, if they just continue doing whatever they’re doing while pretending they’re feeling fulfilled spiritually, there’s no chance for things to change for the better.

As for Israel and spirituality, this lovely place does not automatically spiritually lift any Jewish person who chooses to come and spend some time here. It’s an unbelievable spiritual resource and can help many in that realm but for some people it will not be what they need in the present time.

I know this from experience. I grew up in Jerusalem and I was one of those people who anything but appreciated Jerusalem. I was blind to its beauty and its vibrancy. I was stressed by its pulsating life. I was pressured by the religiosity of the city.

I needed to get away and I did. Four years ago, being in Jerusalem was the last thing I needed for my spiritual growth. Crazily enough, what I needed was to be in one of the least religious cities in Canada – Vancouver – where I could chill, be part of a laid-back Jewish community, and figure out what I needed for myself.

Today, I view Jerusalem through different eyes. And it’s a place with so much spiritual opportunity… when it’s right for you.

I believe it’s important for each person to figure out where they’re at and what they need (and want). It’s also important to try different things. Someone might have heard amazing things about Shira Chadasha but, in fact, find their comfort in Ramban Shul or Shir Chadash. Someone might have thought they’d spend some time learning Torah in one place but find it’s too much of something they didn’t count on, or didn’t realize wasn’t for them. And then, as hard as it is, it’s time to be open to trying something else. Or if that is too stressful, it might be time to just take a break from trying.

Someone commented on Deb’s post that visiting Israel is really about connecting to our roots and culture. I think that is true except that it does include the spirituality, if that is important to you and if that is what you want.

You just need to be willing to work for it, like anything important in life. It doesn’t just fall in your lap. But it’s there. Really!

So, when you come to Israel, if one of your goals is on the spiritual realm, admit it to yourself and make sure to put some effort into your goals. I wish you to find only good things while on your journey!

Photo by david55king at flickr.

She must be listening to Ehud Banai.

Geez, I didn’t know that Jews can keep a tune. : )

The music here is RICH!!! Because it’s not only about beautiful melodies, interesting rhythms and funky instruments. It’s actually about meaningful words as well.

Hadag Nachas – הדג נחש

Hadag Nachash is an example of an Israeli hip hop-funk group that sings about… believe it or not… meaningful topics. OK, not everything is exactly that meaningful but a lot of their music is about things like life’s difficulties and Israel’s culture (including politics). Here is a song about the word freiyer. This is loosely translated as sucker. It’s the person who gets the raw side of the deal and in Israel people are often worried they’re going to be the freiyer.

לא פריירים – הדג נחש

Galgalatz radio – גלגלצ

The station that many people in the country seem to listen to is Galgalatz (you will hear it in many, if not most stores and restaurants throughout the country). They play music almost 24 hours a day plus news every hour on the hour (of course – we’re in Israel where we do that) and traffic reports (where they keep screaming at everyone to drive safely, FOR GOODNESS SAKE!!!). Galgalatz plays the craziest mix of English, Hebrew and other language songs and all styles (it’s normal to hear Louise Armstrong, Britney Spears and then Israeli rap).

On the list of most important things to do while in Israel, add, “Get to know the music.” It’s totally worth it to attain an Israeli music guru. Someone that can show you the ropes of the large and exciting variety of Hebrew music. When you come to Israel to visit, live here temporarily or you brave it and get yourself a spanking new teudat zeihut (Israeli ID card), just don’t miss out on this important aspect of the Israeli experience. Because you would be missing out.