Archives for January, 2008

Nir Barkat and the Soup Festival

by: Rebecca

Nir Barkat

Last week, we attend the Jerusalem Business Networking Forum’s evening with Nir Barkat, who is running for mayor of Jerusalem.

We wanted to see, if elected, would he take care of the most pressing issues in Jerusalem:

  • get rid of the ridiculous TV tax
  • install a ticket machine at the Central Bus Station that assigns seats for inter-city travel
  • teach city office workers to be pleasant, polite and helpful

Soup Festival Jerusalem

Although he didn’t give a direct answer, he did talk about bringing 10 million tourists here over the next few years and mentioned a website he started called gojerusalem for finding out about what’s going on in Jerusalem.

This is how I found out about the soup festival which I plan on attending. I don’t know if I would actually call it a “festival” but rather a good deal on soup that gives you entrance into the fancy David Citadel Hotel. But I guess that title wouldn’t be as catchy.

If you need me, I’ll be in the David Citadel from 10am-11pm packing in the all-you-can-eat soup for 48 shekels.

January 31, 2008 | Jerusalem Scene, Wisdom Gained | 5 Comments

My favorite parking spot in Israel: the half-curb

by: Rebecca

Here is a photo of my favorite parking space. I didn’t know I would ever have a favorite parking spot until I saw this one. I present to you Jerusalem’s official (painted lines and all) half on the sidewalk/ half off the sidewalk parking spot. In the background of the picture you can even see a car parked on a slant.

January 30, 2008 | Easily Amused, Jerusalem Scene | 2 Comments

Where the @#$*& is my bus? Using the online Egged bus schedule

by: Rebecca

egged.png

If you want to find me in Jerusalem, I’m probably the tall girl running, arms flailing, out of breath, trying to catch the number 18 bus. Either that, or I’m drooling at the bus stop in what seems like eternity waiting for the bus to come.

Luckily, my friend showed me how to navigate the tricky Egged site and read the online Egged bus schedule.

Here’s how: Continue »

January 28, 2008 | Essentials, Jerusalem Scene, Wisdom Gained | 4 Comments

On the Border of Peace

by: Molly

I can’t believe it but we are finally on the road to peace. It seems that the disgruntled Palestinians in Gaza have decided to help out the peace process by crossing over the border to Egypt.What does this tell me? The Palestinians are looking for an answer to the current situation. While Bush, Olmert and Abbas try to figure out the refugee problem, the Palestinians are showing us how to solve it. The Palestinians looked for help from their Arab brothers in Egypt and found refuge. The Egyptians said they will keep the border open as long as the “humanitarian crisis” continues in Gaza.

I think the other Arab countries need to take Egypt’s example and open their doors as well. Let’s fix this mess once and for all. The Palestinians live in squalor with or without electricity and gas. They do not need aid from the Arab world; they need the Arab world to welcome them into their countries.

And so it is that this whole disaster is truly a blessing in disguise for the peace process. Israel has forced the Arab world to take action. We are steps away from a “real peace”. Once the Palestinians can move out of Gaza it will obviously stop the rocket fire and destroy Hamas’ Power- since there would be no one to govern.

The UN, EU and USA can throw a little money at the situation to help the Palestinians get started in their new lives and everyone can live in quiet. Isn’t that the ideal?

January 24, 2008 | If I ran Israel | 2 Comments

Sushi take-over of Jerusalem

by: Rebecca

gin.pngko.pngyoj.png

Just a few weeks ago, it was very difficult to come across sushi in Jerusalem, especially kosher sushi. Apparently, not anymore. It’s as if someone heard me wanting sushi and I got my wish - but did they take it too far? These sushi restaurants are starting to pop up in every Jerusalem neighborhood, including taking over what used to be a cute little cafe called Faza in the Katamon/Palmach neighborhood. I loved Faza - with their TV entertainment system in the bathroom and wireless internet. :( But I also like sushi. What to do.

Here’s the list of kosher sushi restaurants in Jerusalem I’ve come across. You can find more details and coupons at Eluna and rest.co.il. In case you’re too cold to leave your house, I’ve included the phone numbers since most of them offer delivery. I put them in order of the ones I want to try out. Continue »

January 23, 2008 | Essentials, Jerusalem Scene, Wisdom Gained | 21 Comments

Hi, is Zionism there?

by: Molly

Update: This post got picked up by Arutz Sheva

Where has the Zionism gone? I guess when rockets explode they bring with them a big bang to our idealism. Forget Gaydamak’s efforts to ship kids from Sderot to Jerusalem, now there is a new organization, Save Israel’s Children, transporting kids all the way to America.

While I commend the Americans who have opened their homes to the victims of Sderot I can’t help but ask the question, why? Why is this the solution? My fear is this attitude to solving problems will soon leave us without a state. If the rockets fire begins to hit Tel Aviv and Jerusalem will we move everyone to a safer location like America or Europe?

In fact isn’t this playing exactly into the terrorists’ hands? Continue »

January 21, 2008 | If I ran Israel | 5 Comments

Upcoming Event: One Page Play Festival

by: Rebecca

bamat.png

BamatMabat, a new theater production company in Jerusalem, is putting on their first play, called “Teudat Zehut: a one page play festival”. Each play is supposedly written by a different person, showcasing the differences in people’s definition of Jewish identity and community. The concept sounds fresh and much-needed in the Jerusalem theater scene, so I plan to be there. More information in the flyer here:

flyerfinal1.jpg

January 20, 2008 | Jerusalem Scene | Leave a Comment

The unspoken fear - unemployment

by: Rebecca

yk.pngI was reading Life in Israel’s review of blogs during the “Bush week”, I discovered a new blog, wayeshevyaaqov. It’s been a while since I’ve had the attention span to read an entire post - especially when it’s a long one. But I had no trouble getting through Ya’aqov Ben-Yehuda’s brutally honest account of being unemployed in Israel. Despite his despair about finding a new job, he decided to share valuable advice with others on what employment sites to look at, especially if you’re an English teacher (drushim, jobcentral, English Teaching Network, etc.). Ya’aqov, if you’re reading this, I put together a list of employment sites - maybe it will help you. (Just so you know, I tried to leave a comment on your blog, but I don’t have a blogger account so it wouldn’t let me.)

Ya’aqov also pointed out what seems like an unbelievably helpful website - a free faxing service within Israel. I haven’t tried it yet, but it looks awesome. As we know too well, Israel is forever stuck in the 80’s and believes that faxes are the wave of the future. Thank you, Ya’aqov, for your great tips, good luck finding a job, and I’ll pass your resume around to whoever I can.

January 18, 2008 | Wisdom Gained | 2 Comments

Bloggers Beware- The Government Doesn’t Like Your Negativity

by: Molly

big-brother-olmert.jpgIf reading the news gives you stomach indigestion- then welcome to my world. Reading headlines that are blatantly anti-Israel is one thing, but I haven’t even seen articles on the other side, and that has made me nauseous. Where have all the protesters gone? Where are the investigative journalists with their breaking news stories about corrupt politicians and dirty government games? Does anyone out there have an opinion and want to voice it?

I think I found an answer to my questions in The Jerusalem Post’s columnist Caroline Glick’s latest editorial, Our World: How Olmert defies gravity. Not only does she explain the government’s leash on the media but she goes into detail about the left wing media’s grip on the press. Just to get an understanding of what we are dealing with here, read below (make sure to have a barf bag near by): Continue »

January 17, 2008 | If I ran Israel | Leave a Comment

The most unfortunate typo ever

by: Rebecca

Jay Leno, if you’re reading this and want some headlines for your segment, feel free to to use this. This ad appeared in The Jerusalem Post almost a year ago for a women’s empowerment program, I’ve just been too lazy to put it through the scanner. No offense to The Hebrew University or their program, but I do believe they should have taken a second look at this ad before submitting it. I have to admit that it could be the most unfortunate typo I’ve ever seen. I won’t ruin it for you - see for yourself.

typo1.jpg

January 16, 2008 | Easily Amused | 2 Comments