Replies

1. 
   ring | Dec 22, 2008 10:34am | #1

   Will, I don't know how I missed your window!

   Seriously though...unfortunately I can't make it to Bethlehem this year to the midnight mass on Wednesday, although I've been before and I'd like to go again. (Yes, of course I'm Jewish, but so what?) But the wife and I are having a little Xmas party at home for a Christian friend who is sort of "stranded" in Israel and feeling very low nowadays. Maybe it'll pick up her spirits a bit.

   Very best wishes to all,

   David Ring

   http://www.touchwood.co.il/?id=1&lang=e

1. 
   philip | Dec 22, 2008 10:52am | #2

   The Christian friend is lucky, and she will also be eating all those nice items you guys eat, plus a middle eastern touch thrown in....Philip Marcou

2. 
   hamelech | Dec 22, 2008 07:52pm | #3

   Hi, Will,

   Thanks for the season's greetings, though, the term 'Israeli' is the best fit for the modern times. 'Israelite' was hip back in the 3000's, but geez, it's 5769 already...

   20+ years ago, I was a teen visiting Israel on a hiking tour. Jerusalem was 10 days of our 6 week trip, and Mea Shearim was thankfully only 3 hours of it. This is the ultra Orthodox section of Jerusalem, home to some of the rock throwing you speak of. Within a few minutes of us being there, some old grumpy codger came over and told us to leave, and he was unctuous about it. I thought this blessing at him - May someone name a baby after you, sir, soon.

   There were other people less concerned about our tour group absorbing Haredi culture, including the bakery we found, only too happy for us to spend money. I've never had better cinnamon rolls anywhere else, ever. No rocks, either.

   I left Israel without hearing that heavenly, angelic singing that is supposed to accompany a trip to the Old World. It's a very cool place to visit, but I've never reconciled a country where religions ardently speak of tolerance through clenched teeth.

   Cheers,

   Seth