The Rachel Chronicles

Adventures in Florida

This past week I was in Florida because my grandparents were honored by Israel bonds - and I was asked to present them with the award. It was a lovely night and a beautiful event. I'm proud to say that there wasn't a dry eye in the house! My great-grandfather (Papa's father) was given the same award over 30 years ago. What a legacy to have my grandparents be awarded it as well. I am very proud of them!

Here are some pictures from the weekend:

(Isn't that a cool poster?! I'm even listed!)

My proud Papa with his award. Doesn't it (and he) look nice?

Nana and Papa - leaving (or entering, I don't remember) the dance floor.

Mom at the beach. I think she and the beach look great!

Mom took about 10 pictures of me, trying to get a good one. In the end, THIS was the best we could get!?!

This is a beautiful picture of my grandparents. I really like it (its going in a frame in my living room)!

This is a nice picture of Papa looking pensively at the ocean

Shabbat Shalom!

My Shabbat lunch meal almost used a DOZEN eggs!
3 for the cake
6 for the kugel yerushalmi
2 (would've used a third, but I ran out of room in the crock pot) for the cholent

I knew you'd find that as interesting a fact as I did.

Shabbat Shalom!

New T-shirt Creation!

After thinking that "someone" should make this for weeks, I decided that I could be that someone!

I've created a new line of t-shirts, for kids. Buy one for your favorite pregnant friend or newborn - heck, buy one for your 2-year-old, we all know you brought him/her to the voting booth with you.

You can find them here.

Too excited to sleep!

In 12 hours Barack Obama is going to be sworn in as president of the United States of America!

How amazing is that?!?!

I can't seem to turn off the TV, watching people's reactions on CNN (and The Daily Show). It is history in the making!

In Honor of TODAY

For the first time, perhaps ever, I was disappointed to find out that school was canceled this morning. Rather than give its students a three-day weekend, Gann typically requires its students to come to school for a half day on MLK day, to celebrate, honor and learn about Martin Luther King, Jr. We had a phenomenal program planned, and I am disappointed it won't come to fruition. Even though we could replicate parts of it in the future, the magic of the day's events were that they focused on King, the theme of "the power of words" (with a keynote speech by Andy Tarsy, former head of Boston's ADL), and culminated by linking today to tomorrow, the historic inauguration of America's first black president. We can reschedule Mr. Tarsy, and still celebrate tomorrow, but it won't be the same. So I'm disappointed that the students will miss the experience.

In honor of today - of Martin Luther King Jr. I give you his "I have a dream speech"

And in honor of today - of its connection to tomorrow's historic event, I give you Barack Obama's "race speech".

Do You Twitter?

I do!
If you are in need of another way of following my life, join me on twitter.

Inauguration Fun

On Tuesday night, I'm having a small party at my apartment in celebration of this historic moment in American history. My apartment will be decorated patriotically. We'll eat red, white, and blue cake - and appetizers worthy of a ball. I've bought the Political Party edition of Loaded Questions, and made....

OBAMA BINGO!
I even have prizes (corny as they are) for the winners!

How are you celebrating this historic moment?

Building Bricks

I would like to redirect your attention to this post from a few weeks ago. This week's Torah portion is Shemot, the first parasha in the book of...Shemot (Exodus).

Chapter 1, verse 13:

The Egyptians ruthlessly imposed upon the Israelites, the various labors they made them perform. Ruthlessly they made life bitter for them with harsh labor at mortar and bricks, and with all sorts of tasks in the field.

Although we weren't being imposed upon by the Egyptians, and we weren't be treated ruthlessly, we were making bricks! And we felt quite connected to the Torah text.

Shabbat Shalom.

Public vs. Private Opinions

Publicly, I want this article to represent my views on Israel. I couldn't have said it any better. Israel is well within her rights to defend herself, and to do it in the way that she is. Hamas is to blame for any loss of citizen life. Both the Torah and International Law dictate that you must defend your citizens. The Torah calls it מלחמת מצווה (milchemet mitzvah), an obligatory war to stave off destruction. It is not even a question, Hamas has been going after Israeli citizens for years. Iran, with nuclear aspirations and a determination to wipe Israel off the map, has been funding Hamas. The connection is clear. Without this war, the chance of annhilation is high.

End of story. Period.

Privately, I question the morality OF war and morality IN this particular war, as this article discusses. The basic given is that Hamas is operating outside the bounds of morality. That said, what about Israel?
I don't talk about these questions or debates too often, lest I give anyone fodder for hating Israel or doubting her right to fight this war.  I don't feel that I can have this conversation with anyone who doesn't come from the same unequivocal standpoint that Israel has the right to exist, securely and free from terror, and to defend herself when she feels (legitimately) threatened. I am not interested in having this conversation with someone who does not acknowledge that as a basis. But if we can both agree on that...then I'm ready to talk about some of the decisions that Israel has made.

Anyone out there struggling with the same issues I am? Want to discuss?

Supporting Israel

Etsy is an online shopping forum where people sell their handmade goods. Artists, far more talents than I, have created amazing pieces of jewelry, clothing, quilts, furniture, anything you can think of. It is one of my favorite sites to look at for inspiration.

I discovered that you can search Etsy listings by location....so I searched for artists in Israel. What a great way to support local Israeli artists, particularly in these hard times. Click here to see some of their products. It is like Nahalat Binyamin on your computer screen!