tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81143885884851137272011-11-28T01:32:36.154+02:00Everything delicious about living in Jerusalem, where Heaven and Earth come together and everyone wants a piece of the action!Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.comBlogger1901100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-72549077220931818652010-11-24T10:11:00.000+02:002010-11-24T10:11:11.339+02:00

Some 40+ hours after breaking (and dislocating!) my left arm's Radius bone, Dr. Percoset finally arrived on the scene, thank G-d. Now that pain management is possible I'm balancing my need to be Comfortably Numb with the necessity of being Uncomfortably Frum. That is: I'm considering the halachic necessity of bringing a lawsuit against the owners of the bakery/cafe where this accident occurred

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-44655910619520702442010-11-21T11:00:00.002+02:002010-11-21T11:14:31.563+02:00

This may be my first-ever 1-handed blog entry as I fell backwards off a porch on Friday and broke my  left Radius - displaced it as well - and after 2 trips to the Emergency Room in Tzfat sandwiched between Shabbos Parsha Vayishlach - I have to say this isn't what I meant by road TRIP, Lord! I came to Tzvat to have adventures with my friends Andy and Nili Alpern - but instead Andy became my

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-19707551879478590802010-11-18T07:48:00.001+02:002010-11-18T11:25:00.388+02:00

Bat Ayin - a beautiful, natural, organic, glowy-flowy enclave of the Eco-Torah hippie lifestyle located in the beautiful Gush area southeast of Jerusalem. Staying in the home of Rebbetzin Chana Bracha Siegelbaum, who is the head of the Midreshet B'erot Bat Ayin, an educational program for women and the author of "Women at the Crossroads,"  a woman's perspective on the weekly Torah portions. Her

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-18471432664062692292010-11-17T08:01:00.000+02:002010-11-17T08:01:09.254+02:00

It's time to go on Tiyule, as we say in (broken) Hebrew. Provoked beyond mere vexation at the interminable "Endless Summer, Part 3" weather and unable to wait anymore - "Ain le ode savlanut, b'claal!"   I'm on my way to raise up holy sparks from below and liberate Heaven's blessings from above. The only way I know how to do that is to GO SOMEWHERE. Combining (not to be confused with "The

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-56446965018504538402010-11-14T09:15:00.000+02:002010-11-14T09:15:37.848+02:00

OK, so is it a crime to let a year and a half go by without writing on this blog? Has Facebook replaced blogging for me, am I totally absorbed with Radio Free Nachlaot to the exclusion of everything else, do I cringe a little at my own wide-eyed optimism and unwavering cheerfulness when I read through the history of this blog - begun when I first made Aliyah in the Spring of 2007, when my eyes

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-73847952884193499222009-06-26T20:26:00.004+03:002010-11-17T08:24:01.969+02:00

WEEPING FOR TAMMUZ Was it my window, open to the nightInviting dark honeysuckled air, giving breath to my dreamsThat made him think he could simplyEnterUnbidden,And bend his golden headTo kiss my sleeping eyes awake? I only saw him for a moment (if I really saw him at all):Golden green shimmering silver goodbye...But I heard him sighAnd with his kiss my eyes were open to the nightAnd I took

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-36842842319088443772009-04-16T01:52:00.007+03:002009-04-16T17:55:38.212+03:00

KABUL (April 15) -- A group of some 1,000 Afghans swarmed a demonstration of 300 women protesting against a new conservative marriage law on Wednesday. The women were pelted with small stones as police struggled to keep the two groups apart.The law, passed last month, says a husband can demand sex with his wife every four days unless she is ill or would be harmed by intercourse — a clause that

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-78323610434553169992009-04-13T09:40:00.003+03:002009-04-13T09:46:58.530+03:00

By far the cutest couple since Satan and Sadaam Hussain hooked up in The South Park Movie! Insider reports indicate that during their recent meeting, Iranian President Ahmadinejad serenaded Hezbollah leader Nasrallah with a heartfelt rendition of the classic tune, "If Loving You is Wrong, I Don't Want to be Right!" We were unable to verify whether Ahmadinejad chose the Luther Ingram version or

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-14469841364044720682009-04-10T11:06:00.004+03:002009-04-10T11:18:12.078+03:00

Counting the Omer has never been more fun! OK, there are lots of other, shall we say, more overtly spiritual ways to count the Omer (most notably Rabbi Simon Jacobson's "Spiritual Guide to Counting the Omer" which I've used for the last 4 years) but if you want some semblance of fun and the occasional smile and laugh to intrude into your spiritual life, it doesn't get better than this. CLICK HERE

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-60683128637369640602009-04-01T11:09:00.003+03:002009-04-01T11:31:57.753+03:00

It's obvious to anyone with eyes to see on the ground here in Jerusalem that THIS IS IT. We're in it, Geula is upon us and we should lift up our eyes because our redemption is near.Is the shit hitting the proverbial fan in your life? In the lives of people around you? Has "crisis" become a commonplace and constant feature in your daily existence? As on Earth, so in Heaven - and conversely, even

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-68151555592067121862009-02-28T23:34:00.005+02:002009-03-01T00:29:06.684+02:00

Why is no one talking about the fact that within the last 10 days, the governments of two countries have succumbed to blackmail by terrorists and surrendered entire regions of their own lands to he rule of Islamic Fundamentalist Sharia Law.On February 18th, CNN reported: Pakistani government officials announced Monday an agreement with the Taliban to allow strict Islamic law, or sharia, to be

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-43340220460066352812009-02-15T12:24:00.003+02:002009-02-15T13:24:58.952+02:00

While the World Tennis Association (WTA) caves to Arab pressure and allows the Sony Ericcson Tour to continue to be played in Dubai, even after the UAE violated the WTA's written policy by denying a visa to Israeli tennis player Shaharr Peer, there is still something to be done.BOYCOTT SONY ERICSSON and call their Investor Relations / PR people and tell them why!Follow the money. Without Sony

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-7429852488489249422009-02-13T11:09:00.002+02:002009-02-13T11:23:18.331+02:00

A Google search will yield 3,980,000 results for the phrase "Pig Candy."This should be alarming to anyone...and yet!What's next, candied fetal piglets?

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-41580648270903828672009-02-10T17:08:00.002+02:002009-02-10T17:13:49.126+02:00

A treat for every voter Twenty-one-year-old Amotz Eyal launches campaign intended to increase voter turnout on Election Day Daniel Edelson P{margin:0;} UL{margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;margin-right: 16; padding-right:0;} OL{margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;margin-right: 32; padding-right:0;} H3.pHeader {margin-bottom:3px;COLOR: #192862;font-size: 16px;font-weight: bold;margin-top:

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-73924969553110206502008-12-28T22:21:00.003+02:002008-12-28T22:27:26.473+02:00

Today I found out my dear friend, colleague and eternal fighter for the Land of Israel, Tsafrir Ronen, had died of a heart attack during Shabbat. He was 53 and leaves behind his beloved wife Judy and three beautiful daughters.Tsafrir was incredibly special. He's "appeared" on this very blog several times, and has been an important friend to me since making Aliyah. We worked together extensively

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-19116632679948618092008-12-23T16:18:00.001+02:002008-12-23T16:23:15.044+02:00

Israeli farmers perform rain ritualDecember 22, 2008 JERUSALEM (JTA) -- Israeli farmers re-created a ritual described by a 16th century Jewish scholar in the hopes of bringing rain. The farmers from the Upper Galilee, led by Rabbi Eliyahu Biton, on

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-176626538540973222008-12-22T09:02:00.003+02:002008-12-22T09:11:55.064+02:00

Erev Chanukkah in Mahanae Yehuda shuk, the giant menorah being prepared to light up the night for all. You won't see a Christmas tree here nor will you hear the jingle-jangle of bells, reindeer whinnying nor yuletide caroles being sung by a choir - although you may see folks dressed up like Eskimos.

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-21809817238974402562008-11-12T00:26:00.005+02:002008-11-12T00:41:03.134+02:00

"Democracy in Action" - at least that's what it looked like in the Rehavia neighborhood of Jerusalem, where I exercised my civic duty by casting my first-ever ballot as an Israeli Citizen. The Jerusalem Mayoral race has been far more pressing than the recent US Presidential Elections, and, sticking with that analogy, it looks like my boy Nir Barkat will in fact be the next Mayor of the Holy City.

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-53495192736018017132008-10-29T08:25:00.004+02:002008-10-29T08:38:11.604+02:00

Happy Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan - although "happy" isn't usually an adjective associated with either the Hebrew month of "Mar" Cheshvan ("Mar" meaning "bitter") or Scorpio (Akrav), not typically perceived as a "happy" sign. Intense, yes. Powerful, yes. Transformative, yes. Painful? Often!The gift of Cheshvan is the gift of intensity and the accompanying insights one obtains when turning that

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-49042566368688945242008-10-18T23:20:00.002+02:002008-10-18T23:57:00.939+02:00

Tonight the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem hosted "Israeli Night," capping off their annual "Feast of Tabernacles" celebration which brought nearly 10,000 Christians from around the world to Jerusalem. Malcom Hedding (pictured), ICEJ's Executive Director, on stage with former Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Ayalon( pictured), introduced a mysterious pot-bellied Russian man (not

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-65822791777826961452008-10-07T16:40:00.004+02:002008-10-07T17:21:37.956+02:00

Feathers flew and brachot blew by all day in Jerusalem's Machane Yehuda Shuk, where pre-Yom Kippur "Kaparah" was being perfomed by a variety of vendors. One might swing a chicken overhead while reading the prayers (pictured) or one might give money to a local tzaddick who will hold it over your head while praying blessings down upon you. Either way, it's all part of the preparations for the most

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-71866705985027581442008-09-28T23:13:00.002+03:002008-09-28T23:23:50.243+03:00

Just in case you forgot yet one more important reason we hate the Taliban -The Associated Press reports the following:Two Taliban assassins on a motorbike shot and killed a senior policewoman as she left for work in Afghanistan's largest southern city Sunday and gravely wounded her son.Malalai Kakar, 41, who led Kandahar city's department of crimes against women, was leaving home Sunday when she

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-34101155463569652732008-09-28T13:55:00.004+03:002008-09-28T20:47:57.036+03:00

I was lucky enough to get to see a once-in-a-lifetime event - Paul McCartney in Tel Aviv - with my (originally) British friend YERUSHALIMEY. As I have NO WORDS, his will more than suffice...Yerushalimey's review of the concert is, as follows....It's difficult to decide where - or when - to begin an account of Sir Paul McCartney's "Friendship First" concert last night in Tel Aviv. I could describe

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-25581308081589791012008-09-24T12:00:00.002+03:002008-09-24T12:07:12.971+03:00

From the "Better Living Through Science" Department - at last, one of my many (unfairly categorized as "wacko") theories has been scientifically proven. I've been saying for years that red wine has magical properties, and now science has proven that red wine protects humans from the effect of radiation!So go ahead Iran, keep developing the bomb. I'm just going to sit here on my porch in Jerusalem

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-77166876514104595992008-09-23T15:41:00.003+03:002008-09-23T15:54:39.313+03:00

I wouldn't say that spending 490 NIS on a standing room only ticket (no actual seat) to see Paul McCartney in Tel Aviv is a waste of money. I'd say that the fact that Isra-Card graciously divides the amount into 3 equal payments over 3 months is what turns a waste of money into a cultural and karmic necessity. Even if this is my entire entertainment budget for the next year - (comes to about

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-15430764786103693322008-09-19T12:50:00.002+03:002008-09-19T13:06:15.207+03:00

Ultra-kudos to my Facebook Friend Yosef Rabin, who organized the successful "Orange Day" protest by American school children this past Thursday. Arutz Sheva reports: (IsraelNN.com) Students at Jewish schools across America wore orange clothing on Thursday and handed out informational materials to fellow students, teachers and staff members to protest Israel’s plan to expel Jews from their homes

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-21360731165842676372008-09-15T16:04:00.002+03:002008-09-15T16:35:01.362+03:00

G_d forbid I should say anything bad about Jerusalem, the Jewish People, or the Land of Israel in any way. Which is why I hesitated before publishing the following article from IslamOnline.net's web site regarding the recent rise in violence against Jewish women by gangs of young haredi (ultra-Orthodox) vigalantees dubbed "The Morality Squad." However, the tipping point for me is the fact that

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-62943518059211702772008-09-12T01:03:00.002+03:002008-09-12T01:10:52.851+03:00

My friend Malkah Fleisher (pictured here with husband Yishai and daughter Leah Bat Zion), writes the following at www.kumah.org:So we recently had this very interesting guest over, who was trying to get away from some issues in the US by finding himself in Israel for a week. When our guest arrived, fresh from the Crowne Plaza in Tel Aviv courtesy of an old school Israeli cab driver, we pulled a

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-25449105080279604062008-09-11T09:34:00.004+03:002008-09-11T09:48:31.171+03:00

Yeah, it's a song about love between my brothers and my sisters all over this HOLY LAND OF ISRAEL, you better believe it! :)

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-11169924153636999142008-09-03T08:16:00.004+03:002008-09-03T08:22:38.711+03:00

In honor of the Yartzeit (anniversary of his passing, which is today, 3 Elul) of Rav Avraham Yitzchak Kook (may his holy remembrance be for a blessing), here is a very special Elul-themed poem he wrote.THE WHISPERS OF EXISTENCEBy Rav Avraham Yitzchok Kook(may his holy remembrance be for a blessing)(as translated by R. Ben Zion Bokser, published in Rabbi Avraham Yitzchak Kook , The Classics of

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-78824484359407635772008-09-01T09:23:00.000+03:002008-09-01T09:24:27.293+03:00

I couldn't sleep again last night - Virgo / Virgo New Moon, Rosh Chodesh Elul...Mercury kept me awake, so I made this video.

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-89390458813280458502008-08-31T14:56:00.005+03:002008-08-31T15:35:44.708+03:00

QUESTION: What do a snake which has been beheaded have in common with Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert? ANSWER: Both are VENOMOUS and DEADLY DANGEROUS, even though they've been effectively "disembodied." Every field-trained boy scout knows that the head of a snake is still full of venom and can bite and kill you for hours after it has been severed from its body. Every Israeli and every Jew, no

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-79179693290235712292008-08-27T22:29:00.004+03:002008-08-27T22:47:13.438+03:00

This essay, originally posted as a Facebook Note, is the work of Simcha "Simply Green" Gluck - musician, writer, thinker, husband of my friend Rachel Gluck, leader of "Ruach," Tuesday Night Live in Jerusalem's house band. Simcha was one of the holy Jews who accompanied Rabbi Chaim Richman (along with me) to the Temple Mount on the morning of Tisha b'Av this year (Pictured, with Rabbi Richman and

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-28276852513732552802008-08-26T17:43:00.003+03:002008-08-26T17:54:38.730+03:00

Suddenly, Florida-like humidity has rudely invaded Jerusalem's normally very warm but dry summer days.Remember, I'M A CALIFORNIA JEW. Not a New Yorker, not an East Coaster, not from the land of high humidity and low low bargain prices.Basically, I don't know what to do. Everything seems damp and sticky. Including me. Is it possible I could be over-moisturizing during this weather anomaly? I don't

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-20250248046310440562008-08-10T14:51:00.004+03:002008-08-10T15:32:13.417+03:00

Today is Tisha b'Av (the 9th Day of the Hebrew Month of Av), a day of mourning and fasting during which we commemorate the destruction of the Holy Temple, which happened not once but twice on this day in history. Other destructive events which occured on 9 Av include: the fall of Betar, the last fortress to hold out against the Romans during the Bar Kochba revolt in 132 CE, killing 100,000 Jews.

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-74755511798856196062008-08-06T13:41:00.002+03:002008-08-06T13:47:57.519+03:00

Today is the 436th yartzeit of the passing of the Holy Ari.May our prayers ascend higher and higher in his merit.From Chabad.org...Rabbi Isaac Luria Ashkenazi, known as Ari HaKadosh ("The Holy Lion") passed away on the 5th of Av of the year 5332 from creation (1572 CE). Born in Jerusalem in 1534, he spent many years in secluded study near Cairo, Egypt. In 1570 he settled in Tzfat, where he lived

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-49372459904919295112008-08-06T11:52:00.006+03:002008-08-06T14:36:14.746+03:00

From Nachlaot to the Shomron...six intrepid travelers determined to explore the beautiful Shomron area of Eretz Yisrael, guided by our friend David Ha'Ivri and ensconsed in an air-conditioned mini-van, we left Jerusalem on Monday morning and headed for SHILOH, where the Mishkan stood for 369 years. The feeling of holiness is still in evidence there, and we could have lingered for hours at the

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-69914161888372997992008-08-03T11:49:00.006+03:002008-08-03T12:43:18.546+03:00

Who does the U.N. think it is, and why do WE tolerate its existence?When I was a child in the American public school system, we collected pennies (yes we used to have pennies), nickles, dimes and even quarters for UNICEF during Halloween. Poor little children in Africa and other far-away places would be able to have candy and treats, just like us. We were programmed from childhood to associate

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-42835296259477822292008-08-01T18:17:00.002+03:002008-08-01T18:22:36.074+03:00

A word from our beloved Rabbi Sholom Brodt:B"HErev Rosh Chodesh Av 5768Dear Friends, ad 120 b'simcha,This Shabbos, Rosh Chodesh Av, is the yarhtzeit of Aaron haKohen, the High Priest.In the merit of Aharon haKohen, may all our homes and relationships be blessed with peace.Hillel and Shamai - received from them. Hillel says, "Be amongst students of Aaron, loving shalom and pursuing shalom, loving

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-48234593509173105312008-08-01T15:11:00.002+03:002008-08-01T15:15:29.726+03:00

Today (August 1st) is the birthday of Jerry Garcia (zt"l), who, if he was still in his earthly body, would have been 66 years old today! (Gematria fans, please weigh in on this one).What with the Solar Eclipse, Erev Rosh Chodesh Av and Jerry's Bday all in one big day, how can it get any better?Happy Birthday Jerry, we all miss you..."Sometimes the Light is shining on meOther times I can barely

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-13732055312569322462008-07-31T20:55:00.004+03:002008-07-31T21:10:06.895+03:00

Erev Rosh Chodesh Av 5768 - Friday August 1st 2008 Full Solar Eclipse at 9 degrees / 31 minutes (10 Degrees) Leo – 13:13 Jerusalem (1:13pm) Mincha Gedolah (Jerusalem) – 13:19 (1:19 pm) Candle Lighting: 6:56pm / Shekiah 7:36 SHABBAT PARSHAS MASSEI ROSH CHODESH AV BEGINNING OF THE 9 DAYS According to The Book of Formation (Sefer Yetzirah), each month of the Hebrew year has a letter of the Hebrew

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-45895396928353929122008-07-23T15:19:00.004+03:002008-07-24T08:21:38.633+03:00

Whoever coached BARAK OBAMA on what to wear to his upcoming BAR MITZVAH at the Kotel should be congratulated. White silk kippah, blue and white striped tie, dark blue suit - he's picture-perfect for the big event!Not only does he already have a Hebrew name ("Barak" means "lightning" in Hebrew and comes from the same root as the word "Baruch" which means "blessing," and was the name of one of the

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-53771606791222000762008-07-22T23:11:00.002+03:002008-07-22T23:23:14.323+03:00

The Jerusalem Post reports today reports that Palestinian baker Nasir Abdul Hadi "is so grateful Barack Obama is making time to visit the West Bank that he has named a bagel after him."When Barak Hussain Obama, the all-but- anointed Democratic nominee for US president visits Ramallah on Wednesday, he will be able to see The Obama bagel - baked with cherry tomatoes and mint - on display at Abdel

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-25402898017320308602008-07-21T13:03:00.005+03:002008-07-21T13:13:57.986+03:00

In the "Thank G_d It's Never Too Late" Department...88 Year-old France Greenberg of Pittsburg, PA is making Aliyah to Israel with the Nefesh b'Nefesh organization, only 59 short years after being turned away from our shores by the British as part of the infamous Exodus Ship episode.After surviving the Holocaust, post-war refugee detention camps and the loss of her entire family, Mrs. Greenberg

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-80179376289284294492008-07-19T23:12:00.004+03:002008-07-19T23:17:37.025+03:00

This is what the sky above Jerusalem looks like on Your Sky, an amazing website that allows you to map the sky above no matter where you are. Don't ask me how they do it, they're Swiss. Your Sky's URL is : http://www.fourmilab.ch/yoursky/#SkymapA little something to bring a little persepective about how little we are in the grand scheme of things.

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-10515380234466225152008-07-18T12:57:00.004+03:002008-07-18T13:13:44.549+03:00

What does child-killing terrorist Samir Kuntar and deeply demented Adams Family patriarch Gomez Adams have in common? A mere glance at the two of them, side by side, confirms the theory that perhaps these two gleeful ghouls were, in fact SEPARATED AT BIRTH!The tragic phemonenon of being separated at birth affords lay socioligists the opportunity to opine as to whether "nature vs. nurture" is

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-90677843616338015812008-07-17T09:56:00.006+03:002008-07-17T10:43:16.604+03:00

Certain members of the Israeli Government has recently taken to invoking our sacred tribal icon, The Jewish Mother, in a desperate attempt to justify their foolish, dangerously suicidal decisions. National Religious Party chairman and Knesset Member Zevulun Orlev said upon hearing the Shalit family was petitioning Israel's High Court to block the recent tahadiyeh (Arabic for a temporary ceasefire

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-30896520414269079752008-07-17T01:24:00.003+03:002008-07-17T01:44:03.824+03:00

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-53585121383313583842008-07-15T13:50:00.003+03:002008-07-15T14:18:15.360+03:00

Everywhere I go I talk to Israelis. For the last 16 months since making Aliyah, I try to connect with real Israelis (that would be home-grown Sabras and people living here for more than 30 years) and ask them all the same question: ma karah (what happened)?What happened in the last 30-something years since I was an American Jewish teenager living in the Ramat Eshkol neighborhood of Jerusalem with

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-65520729299711763062008-07-14T22:14:00.003+03:002008-07-17T11:05:08.624+03:00

Et tu, Anheuser- Busch?I suppose the next thing that goes to the highest foreign bidder is NASCAR.(AP):The maker of the King of Beers has agreed to go to work for the Belgian brewer InBev SA.Anheuser-Busch Cos. said early Monday it had agreed to a sweetened $52 billion takeover bid from InBev, creating the world's largest brewer and heading off what was shaping up as an acrimonious fight for the

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-56620911266002188762008-07-14T21:40:00.003+03:002008-07-14T21:54:55.641+03:00

No matter how you slice it, this is going to be bad for the Jews! AP: This illustration provided by The New Yorker magazine, the cover of the July 21, 2008 issue by artist Barry Blitt, shows Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama dressed as a Muslim and his wife as a terrorist. The magazine says the cover is meant to satirize the use of scare tactics and misinformation in the

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-54787355630517915642008-07-13T20:32:00.002+03:002008-07-13T20:43:13.963+03:00

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-11407509170326285842008-07-10T13:38:00.003+03:002008-07-10T13:47:42.260+03:00

Poor, poor Iranian President Ahmadinejad has so much latent anxiety about his apparently monumental masculine shortcomings that he has spent the last two days furiously firing his toy missles into the Persian Gulf in his own personal version of male penis envy. Wikipedia states: While not the same kind of penis envy as that typically referred to in psychoanalysis, the phrase "penis envy" or "

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-63181670660090426962008-07-02T15:44:00.003+03:002008-07-02T15:57:22.749+03:00

In Jerusalem today a "Tractor Terrorist" hijacked one of the dozens of tractors used for the ongoing construction of the Light Rail and rampaged down Jaffa Street between the Central Bus Station and the Shuk, killing (as of this writing) 4, and wounding dozens more. A bus was overturned, several cars crushed, others lay smoking on their sides as over 50 ambulences rushed to the

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-82591350500775405242008-07-01T12:29:00.005+03:002008-07-01T12:56:18.084+03:00

Yesterday at The Temple Institute's headquarters in the Old City of Jerusalem, history was made as the first set of "Bigdai Kahuna" (Priestly Garments) was unveiled to the public and press. Modeling the garments wasThe Temple Institute's own haberdasher (מלביש) Aviad Jeruffi, pictured here measuring Rabbi Nachman Kahane, who was officially the first Cohen to be measured for his own custom-made

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-60149873754830114032008-06-25T14:21:00.002+03:002008-06-25T14:25:48.375+03:00

NASA confirmed the fact that water has been "found" on MARS, which furthers speculation that there may have been (may still be?) "life" there....as if we didn't already know that! Hello, Marvin! Anyone with a 3rd-grade education and a background in cartoon classics could have told you.

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-68917667200041427752008-06-17T15:03:00.003+03:002008-06-17T15:23:30.779+03:00

On a half-day field trip with"TanachTiyulim"this morning, my cell phone rings and it's a friend from America on the line."Where are you?" he asked."I'm somewhere in Chapter 17 of 1st Samuel," I replied, "Where David beat Goliath, you know!" Geographically speaking, it's easier to describe my location in "Chapter and Verse" Bible-Speak than to say, I'm walking to the top of Tel Azekah, to view the

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-27274100703909179962008-06-12T14:21:00.001+03:002008-06-12T14:23:38.180+03:00

Just saw the following news story on Arutz Sheva - I KNEW this was true all along! Scientists: Ketoret Calms(IsraelNN.com) Researchers at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem have discovered that the scent of the biblical Ketoret (Temple incense) may have powerful anti-stress and anti-depressant properties. Using mice, they discovered that a chemical compound in frankincense (an aromatic tree sap

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-5820050196266578762008-06-04T22:41:00.007+03:002008-06-04T22:50:29.304+03:00

In front of the Post Office on Jaffa Road are two mail slots.One says:For Any PlaceExcept JerusalemThe other one says:Jerusalem OnlyWhat else is there to say? It's perfectly obvious there are only two possible locations upon the inhabited earth: either Jerusalem, or anywhere else in the entire world.

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-19256957628438799262008-06-03T15:28:00.003+03:002008-06-03T15:54:35.455+03:00

So many things to do, so little time in 24 hours of "Jerusalem Day!" Although many tempting activities city-wide beckoned, nothing beats parading down Jaffa Road with hundreds of thousands of our closest friends, walking around the Old City singing "Am Yisrael Chai," entering through Damascus Gate and marching to the Kotel, where we met up with hundreds of thousands more of our Jewish (and

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-15550806948182727862008-06-03T15:03:00.004+03:002008-06-03T15:26:16.311+03:00

The Quarterly Update of Mishmeret Yesha ("Guardians of Yesha")MISHMERET YESHA25 King George BlvdJerusalem 94261Israel Tel: 02-625-1548guards24@zahav.IYAR 5768/May 2008 QUARTERLY UPDATE - LAG BA'OMER SPRING 2008It is now 12:45 Thursday nite, Lag Ba'omer 5768. I returned a shortwhile ago from a long day in the Shomron. This day began with a phone update from Rabbi Hager-Lau who on Wednesday met

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-15111298720431065172008-05-27T13:55:00.005+03:002008-05-27T14:23:28.145+03:00

Tsafrir Ronen, a "secular" Israeli media personality from kibbutz Ein Charod, who served in the elite army unit, Sayeret Matkal, and was one of the founders of the Nahalal Forum has issued a clarion call to the entire world to wake up and smell the truth.Ronen frames the invention of 'Palestine' as a psychological weapon to destroy Eretz Yisrael as "Hadrian's Curse." What is Hadrian's Curse?

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-77876666774473721602008-05-24T22:01:00.002+03:002008-05-24T22:17:31.852+03:00

Hans Fischmann - what a great guy. He's "the new me but better" at Charter Media, hired after I spent a few hours interviewing him to replace me and continue building the Advanced Media Department while I ran off to Israel to make Aliyah."Hire him now!" I sent a desperate email to my boss (cc-ing his boss), and thank G_d they did.On the phone this evening, Hans informed me that he won Sales

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-78059809682678692992008-05-15T17:35:00.003+03:002008-05-15T17:54:30.650+03:00

Al Jazeera (the English-language satellite news channel broadcasting world-wide) LOVES Barak Obama.While that fact comes as no surprise (and should be kept in mind by American votes when they step inside the comfort and privacy of their polling booths), what is telling is that Al Jazeera can barely contain it's hatred of Hillary Clinton. That should give one pause before casting a vote. If the

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-35476178346149136372008-05-15T17:10:00.004+03:002008-05-15T17:28:37.082+03:00

From my rear balcony in Nachlaot I watched the helicopters fly from the east across central Jerusalem to the Knesset. Following high in the sky, the security blimp (not pictured here for security reasons) which follows President Bush everywhere he goes.On TV I watched President Bush address the Knesset, live on Israeli TV, International CNN, Fox News and Al Jazeera. His strong admonition to not

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-82420435739822435682008-05-08T13:52:00.002+03:002008-05-08T13:56:22.682+03:00

Watching the awesome might of IDF air power strafing the skies of Jerusalem with tearful pride as a new Israeli , and as a Jew, with deep humility at HaShem's grace, kindness & mercy to us at this hour in our national history. Weapons of war we have a-plenty, brave soldiers and heroes abound, we are the best of the best surrounded by a sea of hostility so vast that only G-d's hand can prevail.

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-87037228793792943942008-04-28T20:30:00.002+03:002008-04-28T20:34:32.923+03:00

There is nothing as fun as taking a "Tanach Tiyule" in the Land of Israel!Here I am standing on the site of Ein Dor, where King Saul came to ask the "Witch of Ein Dor" to call up the Prophet Samuel from the grave to tell him what to do about the war against the Philistines.Note to Classic TV Enthusiasts: could the writers of the '60's sitcom "Bewitched" have been Tanach students? After all,

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-79813849614274981942008-04-28T20:21:00.002+03:002008-04-28T20:25:25.668+03:00

In what may be the biggest clue yet as to the inherit weakness of world-wide Islamo-Fascism, the government of Iran has revealed that they are very, very afraid of BARBIE. The Jerusalem Post reports: A top Iranian judiciary official has warned against the "destructive" cultural and social consequences of importing Barbie dolls and other Western toys.Prosecutor General Ghorban Ali Dori Najafabadi

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-36630314845625356682008-04-24T20:24:00.003+03:002008-04-24T20:34:57.607+03:00

In the shade of the old oak tree of Gush Etzion, on "Tanach Tiyuleem" from Hevron to Jerusalem, "In the Footsteps of the Olei Regalym" (Pilgrims). We explored parts of the Derech Avot (Highway of the Fathers)and Roman roads in the Gush, as well as the Tell of Hevron, where King David hung out when he "reigned in Hebron for seven years."The Land of Israel is delicious. Our tour guide, Aryeh

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-40933488711680359562008-04-23T11:48:00.003+03:002008-04-23T11:54:22.944+03:00

My grandfather David Lieberman (of blessed memory) wrote in a letter to me in 1972 the following: "If a newspaper tells of a rape, a murder, a theft, a hijacking or any act contrary to recognized good social behavior, I hold my breath till I can't find a name that sounds Jewish. A crime by one Jew is a crime by all Jews. That's the way it has been, that's the way it will always be." He wrote that

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-38223780715074870222008-04-18T12:17:00.003+03:002008-04-18T12:31:14.524+03:00

When Pesach falls on Saturday night as it does this year, there are some complications regarding the search for and burning of chametz (anything with leaven). This morning (Friday) we burned all the chametz we found in our search last night - and when I awoke to the smell of fire, I realized that YES INDEED, the main chametz-burning station in my Jerusalem neighborhood (Nachlaot) is RIGHT OUTSIDE

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-38409538488215974012008-04-18T10:36:00.004+03:002008-04-18T10:42:22.147+03:00

FYI - no one named "Anonymous" gets to have his / her comments published on my blog. If you have something to say, have the courage to use your name.But I will respond to "Anonymous" 's accusation that I "hate Muslims." Far from it. I love them like I love everyone created in G_d's image. What I hate is radical fundamentalist Islamic Jihad-ism and what it has done / is doing / intends to do to

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-57135407791157459102008-04-18T08:07:00.003+03:002008-04-18T08:13:08.774+03:00

This just in ... and it would have never happened if it had been a Moslem man saying his prayers at the rear of the plane!FYI for uninformed readers...this Orthodox Jewish man was reciting the Shemona Esrei of Maariv, and it is forbidden to move from the place you begin the prayer until you finish the prayer, which is why he couldn't return to his seat until he finished his recitation.Halacha (

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-41089799313619638842008-04-14T17:40:00.005+03:002008-04-14T17:57:03.812+03:00

First "Tyule"("field trip") of the season today with my Ulpan class, we went to Cesarea and Zichron Yaakov on what has been so far the hottest day of the year. At Cesarea all the "grown ups" were doing grown-up things, but I (and the one lone child who accompanied his mother) ran to the ocean to stick our poor tired very overheated feet into the wonderfully refreshing Mediterranean Sea.At Zichron

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-3198000283264317732008-04-06T17:28:00.003+03:002008-04-06T17:37:26.798+03:00

Only in Jerusalem can a couple of Russian women stop me on the street and ask, "Efo ha ohel Christos?" ("Where is the tomb of Jesus?") and I can reply: "Which one?"We then discuss if they are looking for the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (located inside the Old City) OR the Protestant alternative, "Gordon's Calvary," located outside the Old City walls just northeast of Damascus Gate.Once we

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-56491393246680445442008-04-04T14:29:00.004+03:002008-04-04T14:38:25.220+03:00

Nestled in Jerusalem's Mahane Yehuda Shuk is "David Dageem" (David's Fish), which I call "Dudu Dag" ("Dudu" is the nickname for David and "Dag" is "fish" in Hebrew).Pictured here is Yoseph, all of 22 years old and the expert in all things fishy - the cooking and cleaning and preparation of, as well as history, origin, etc. Buying fish for Shabbat at Dudu Dag is a weekly ritual I've come to love -

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-51432483386409650982008-04-01T07:09:00.003+03:002008-04-01T07:15:28.151+03:00

A small but important meeting of "Shul by the Shore" in Jerusalem took place at Cafe Rimmon when SBTS Alumni Caroline Schlagel and her Israeli boyfriend Radik came to town to visit. Pictured here is Caroline (a fellow Sagittarian world-traveler) with me at Cafe Rimmon. Rabbi Abba Perlemutter - where are you when we need you? Visit www.shulbytheshore.org to find out more about the best place in

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-4730652150710683112008-03-27T18:34:00.002+02:002008-03-27T18:51:11.028+02:00

In what has to be described as a miracle on par with the parting of the Red Sea or manna raining from heaven, yesterday I passed my Israeli driving test and today I received my Israeli Drivers License (a very VERY tired but relived me pictured here holding the "temporary").Although I grew up on the Los Angeles freeway system and have spent 35 years driving under the most intense and hazardous

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-8961873915317988222008-03-27T18:22:00.003+02:002008-04-01T15:00:16.058+03:00

In honor of my 1-Year Aliyah Anniversary, I offer the following “Top Tens”:Top 10 Quality of Life Improvements in Israel in the last 30-Something Years** “30-Something” is a period of time reckoned from 1974, the year I came to Israel for the first time with a Jewish Federation kibbutz Ulpan summer program. “The 70’s” refer to that trip as well as my next visit in 1976, during which I lived in

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-16969863621884782042008-03-27T09:17:00.005+02:002008-03-27T09:35:03.916+02:00

We had 3 days of Purim in Jerusalem this year because of the calendar anomalies plus the fact that we live in a "walled city," thus qualifying and compelling us to celebrate "Shushan Purim" as well.Everyone is still walking around with Purim hangovers and evidence of various Purim injuries - limps, bruises, black eyes, etc. - can be seen beneath both black hats and white kippot.I came as my True

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-70143349409935923942008-03-19T19:40:00.004+02:002008-03-27T09:29:19.360+02:00

After 18 torturously long days without personal computer technology (thanks to the Great Robbery of March 2nd), I've been restored to the world of electronic communication thanks to the chesedic stylings of Jay Winston, Yeshiva boucher and "mule" par excellance. B"H for my new laptop which arrived with Jay today.I'm BAAACCCCKKKKKK!!!!

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-87041302484623637302008-03-10T17:09:00.004+02:002008-04-01T15:06:48.648+03:00

The Good - this week is my 1-year anniversary of arrival in Israel - Aliyah - AND my son David has joined me here in Jerusalem this week as well...pictured here with me in what has now become family tradition - ("let's go to the Kotel and take our pictures together!")The Bad - I was robbed last Sunday. Laptop, TV, Jewelry...all GWTW. The laptop really hurts. And no, I did not have "insurance,"

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-82200164193387523942008-02-17T13:48:00.003+02:002008-02-17T14:02:57.328+02:00

Spectacular, sunny and pleasant today in Jerusalem, cats and people are taking in the rays with a watchful eye on the skies, as we're expecting a 20 degree (Farenheidt, not that wierd Celcius thing) drop in temperature within 24 hours, followed by a snowstorm.Even though we remember daily in our prayers that HaShem delivered us from Egypt, we still hang out in the land of Denial (de Nile -duh!),

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-10590890724025631282008-02-03T16:40:00.000+02:002008-02-03T16:55:48.621+02:00

In what can only be described as new heights in the lowest of the low, Islamic Fascist Terrorists strapped bombs onto the bodies of two women with Downs Syndrome and let them loose in a crowded marketplace, detonating them and killing 99 people in Iraq today.They've used the poor. They've used their own children. Now they are using the disabled. Who's next? If anyone had any small vestige or

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-50830370530272023182008-01-31T10:23:00.000+02:002008-01-31T10:38:15.522+02:00

Took Jesse to the airport, where he flew away to America, land of hot and cold running comfort. Found the one and only Nesher "taxi" (a big cargo van which holds 10 people plus the driver) willing to go to Jerusalem in the snow. We drove behind a snow plow and a police car - literally the ONLY car on the icy road last night - until we climbed the hills ascending to the Holy City and saw....not "

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-83030344709289117612008-01-28T22:04:00.000+02:002008-01-28T22:10:41.737+02:00

Here I am practically cuddling with my "Neft" (kerosene) - filled radiator - my new best friend. "Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but here it's so delightful - so since there's no place to go, let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!"Either there will be snow or this is just another bogus weather report, like the alleged gigantic storm that never materialized in December. For all this bluster

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-46268496544544801662008-01-27T14:14:00.000+02:002008-01-27T14:42:13.489+02:00

Pictured here are snapshots from the Great Mabul ("Flood") of Nachlaot, which began for the general public several weeks ago when temperatures plummeted below zero every night. Suddenly, in Nachlaot, which can easily be described as "funky / cool" (read: old and rickety but filled with really cool people) neighborhood, the Mabul was upon us. Not a street was spared. Pipes broke, "Dude Shemesh" (

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-88748425739301008332008-01-25T13:01:00.000+02:002008-01-25T13:08:01.063+02:00

Jerusalem Post:The bitterly coveted Holy City of Jerusalem has known its share of wars and battles as it passed from one conqueror to another. But now, a different sort of feud is heating up involving scores of cities around the world.Jerusalem is facing off against 67 other cities in what is being dubbed the clash of the 21st century. And, as befits the modern age, the battle is being fought on

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-39703854192280258282008-01-23T17:20:00.000+02:002008-01-23T17:26:33.298+02:00

(IsraelNN.com) Hundreds of thousands of PA Arabs crossed the Gaza-Egypt border Wednesday after masked Hamas men bombed the border fence in at least 15 locations. 350,000 crossed to Egypt, the United Nations says.Almost the entire metal border fence has been torn down. Some of the Gazans crossed back into Gaza after buying gas, cigarettes and other supplies in the Egyptian side of the town of

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-76295127137729525262008-01-14T12:53:00.000+02:002008-01-14T13:05:23.821+02:00

LESS THAN A BANANA REPUBLICby Emanuel A. Winston, a Middle East Analyst & CommentatorRegrettably, it has come to pass that over time the "kleina menchen" (small men) who purport to lead Israel have dropped the Jewish nation down to being a shtetle, or as is more commonly known, a "Banana Republic".To observe an American President come to Israel and make political speeches advising the nation of

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-59966608716300553542008-01-09T19:31:00.000+02:002008-01-09T19:54:55.536+02:00

The word on the street here in Jerusalem is that spectacularly unpopular, criminally implicated, desperate to hang on to power Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's nose has lodged so firmly up the ass of visiting U.S. President George W. Bush that emergency paramedics have been called to the scene.Olmert's fawning and brown-nosing nauseated Israelis and New Olim from the United States as well. "Air

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-42556543139856666902008-01-09T13:38:00.000+02:002008-01-09T13:51:08.212+02:00

Walking home from a meeting I ran straight into George W. Bush's motorcade proceeding up Gaza Street to Agron and King George (pictured), on his way to the King David Hotel. At least 10,000 police stationed along the way tried to tell me I couldn't walk home this way, and yet...there I was, walking home. Immediately after the motorcade passed, activists raised the pictured poster art, a picture

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-18631705461773202152008-01-08T11:03:00.000+02:002008-01-08T11:08:42.036+02:00

Israeli police are not thrilled about the concept of "Free Speech" when it comes from right-wing activists. From the Jerusalem Post: Six youths were arrested Monday night in Jerusalem as they were hanging anti-Bush posters ahead of the American president's visit.The posters depict Bush, Olmert and Peres wearing Palestinian kaffiyehs, with a banner running "accomplices to terror".The youths told

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-20733096304733553882008-01-08T10:48:00.000+02:002008-01-08T10:57:58.746+02:00

American President George W. Bush is coming to Jerusalem tomorrow - and, in what can only be perceived as an historic moment of truly Biblical proportions - he is to be presented with "Megillat Bush," a scroll prepared by the leaders of Torah Judaism in which the opportunity for him to either bless or curse the Jewish People is laid out in no uncertain terms.Will Bush be like King Cyrus of

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-28178642116145156562007-12-27T17:25:00.000+02:002007-12-27T17:31:49.657+02:00

Just an hour ago here we heard that Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in Pakistan. Immediately I assumed Musharrif had to be behind it, and not far behind that thought, that we (the United States, probably the CIA or some covert National Security operation) are behind it. Even if that isn't true, the radical Islamic fundamentalist terrorists will believe it is. Not only will Pakistan be totally

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-60598369103253238742007-12-27T17:18:00.000+02:002007-12-27T17:20:56.181+02:00

...And today's winner in the "the more things change, the more they stay the same" category...The Jerusalem Post reports:Robed Greek Orthodox and Armenian priests went at each other with brooms and stones inside the Church of the Nativity on Thursday as long-standing rivalries erupted in violence during holiday cleaning.The basilica, built over the grotto in Bethlehem where Christians believe

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-37466289428739833842007-12-27T17:09:00.000+02:002007-12-27T17:16:41.843+02:00

Pictured: me and Jesse inside Tel Aviv's Club Barbi. Outside: freezing cold (yet, somehow warmer than Jerusalem, which is beyond freezing). Inside: pretty damn cold. Wearing a thick wool coat, sweatshirt, sweater, thermal underwear, stockings, jeans AND a skirt along with scarf, gloves and boots...and I'm still cold. Luckily we were there to hear our friend Bruce Burger (www.rebbesoul.com) play

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-88256035661993653772007-11-29T18:36:00.000+02:002007-12-02T17:45:40.881+02:00

First-born son Jesse Jae Kude arrived in Israel for the very first time last night after being subjected to the kind of airline security check a 26 year old non-religious looking male with a one-way ticket might experience flying in our Post-911 world.Offical "Godmother" to all the Kude Children, "Aunt Amy" Wachtel, who met Jesse at JFK to shepherd him from Jet Blue to Israir and help him through

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-30282214722882666252007-11-28T14:10:00.000+02:002007-11-29T17:33:38.243+02:00

The first-ever New Jewish Congress took place yesterday at Jerusalem's Renaissance Hotel. Attended by Jews of all kinds, everyone united in agreement that our gathering was the "Anti-Annapolis," an outraged response to the Olmert government's suicidal determination to relinquish even more land and, worse than anything, divide Jerusalem.Prof. Hillel Weiss opened the Congress by reading from

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8114388588485113727.post-43322533247908108752007-11-26T10:05:00.000+02:002007-11-26T10:25:30.104+02:00

Yesterday (Sunday) I went to my bus stop early to catch the bus to Nishmat, where I have Chumash class from 3-6pm.Normally the bus comes every 20 minutes. Yesterday I waited over an hour and a half until the 22 showed up, packed to the rafters with irritated commuters. They barely had room to squeeze me in to the front of the bus, where I was literally sandwiched between the security guard, the

Lorelai Kudehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01938582267173437667noreply@blogger.com0