Big trip to Israel:
Left Jan. 15 on United to London. We got lucky and were assigned to economy Plus seating with really more side and leg room but they kept track of what we –paid so we had regular economy food. In Heathrow airport we had a 5-hour layover --enough time to have a real English breakfast of sunny side up eggs, beans, a mushroom, broiled tomato. Umm yummy but easily avoided next time. British Midlines, BMI, flew to Israel on a nice flight. Passengers clapped as we set down on the runway—this usually happens whenever we land in Israel.

Jan 16 we arrived Friday night at Ben Gurion Airport and got “Nesher” van service to our place. Rule is you will be always the last to be dropped off but incredibly postponed for this trip. Landlords meet us and were very nice showing all the unusual features, heating, door deadbolt lock better than a bank vault, washing machine that uses a cup of water per load, and of course all the kosher necessities. We have separate dishes, and pots (we brought the meat utensils and, our one pan) separate sinks, sponges. stove burners. I (Roberta) look on this as a general adjustment to the customs of the host country—much like taking off shoes on entering a German household or not wearing short shorts in a Catholic cathedral or mens’ hats off in a Christian church, on in a synagogue..

The apartment on Rechov Cremieux 6A, #2 is one very quiet, narrow, shaded-- street where the current Prime Minister Omert bought a big house for 1.5M Shekels (NIS), but was worth 4M NIS. Difference was sweetheart deal with someone. And contributed to his legal trouble and early demise as Prime Minister. The area is called the German Colony (Ha Moshavah Germanit) because it was settled in the late 1800s by German evangelical Christians. During the 1930s they became Nazis and were expelled by the British who ruled the area as a League of Nations Mandate. When Germany paid reparations to Israel, it subtracted compensation for these Germans whose exit had nothing to do with the independent state of Israel. Such are the ironies of history.

Roberta’s sister Steffi’s friend here in Jerusalem, Jeff Finger, did a very nice thing for us. He dropped off some food for us before Shabbat in our apartment so we have something to eat Shabbat morning and lunch. This was so helpful as all commercial enterprises close for the Sabbath from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening.

Jan 17 Saturday. Got up early and went to Conservative Synagogue and heard a great sermon by Rabbi Frank. He was talking about criticism of Israel in Gaza—he supported the expression of criticism but felt it would be more valid coming from people with knowledge of the history and cultures in this area. Afterwards we went on a long walk to window-shop some art and Judaic a--shops all closed. Very quiet in Jerusalem on Shabbat—very few cars which cuts down ambient noise a lot. Buses don’t run.

Jan. 18 Sunday: In evening we went to a Conference at the Van Meer Center for Conflict Resolution on Jabonisky Street. After walking 20 minutes to get there we saw incredible security around the Prime Minister Official Residence with police, army and plainclothesmen everywhere blocking traffic in many locations. Later we found out it was for a dinner for the Prime Ministers of France Sarkosy, of Czech Republic, of Germany Merckel and others. There was so much excitement that we walked past the Center twice and thus failed to find it. This was a first for Stan and please don’t tell anyone about it.
More to follow soon