Second J-Blogger's Convention

I got into the elevator to go to the first workshop. A man steps in behind me and shouts "I'll Call Baila???!" My big, fat head thinks, "I'm famous!" until I realize that he was reading the words that were sprawled across my chest on the sticker graciously provided by NBN.

Still, I had a ball.

I hitched a ride with One Tired Ema. (She really is tired. I tried to comfort her, but I think saying, with a big sigh, "Just wait 'til they're teenagers" wasn't all that helpful).

Truth is, I didn't exactly learn anything from the convention. The organizers have their agenda and that's fine, especially since I'm on their side. They organized a great event at a beautiful venue (Beit AviChai--I really enjoyed that photo exhibit, did you?), with good food, all for 50 shekel. I have no need to be snarky or cynical.

Only thing is, I wanted more socializing time. I wanted to talk to bloggers I have already befriended and to meet new ones. Not enough time.

Second thing is, I'd like to see some of the smaller bloggers represented. You know, the regular Joe who doesn't necessarily reach or try to reach thousands. Just sayin'.

Over at RivkA's blog, a bunch of us are talking about a more informal gathering (no sponsors, no agendas, just a bunch of fun people hanging out). Stay tuned for details if that does indeed come together. It was good to see RivkA in person.

I forgot to bring my camera this year, durnit, so I can't post pictures, like I did last year; but the convention was fun because these great bloggers showed up:

West Bank Mama, who was to shy to say hello last year. Did you know all her kids are boys? And all of mine are girls. Hmmm.

Mom. Now why wasn't she on a panel?

I saw Batya, but didn't get a chance to say hello. She looks amazing. (See I told you we needed more socializing time!)

Jameel presented, trying desperately to hold on to his anonymity. At least he didn't wear that smiley face thing; it's really doofy.

Gila, who helped me accost Dudi Stark of NBN so we can get interviews.

Ruti. I love your blog title (but you see Dave's point, right?)

Sandman--you see there really wasn't enough time for socializing.

Dave "the-delete-key-is-your-friend" Treppenwitz.

Risa, a blog I am just getting to know.

It was great talking to Pnina, another person crazy enough (didn't you say that to me once, Ruti?) to make Aliyah with teenagers.

And of course, the star of the day, Benji, who was great. Go check out his new Rosh Hashannah video here.

For photos of the convention, see Jacob Richman's site. (And SZ, I'm not going to caption 6,000 photos).

Haveil Havalim is up The Reform Shuckle.

Here's looking forward to the third convention....

The nation mourns

I was going to put up a quick post about the J-Bloggers Convention, but came home to the news that Assaf Ramon was killed earlier today in an Israeli Air Force F16 Air Crash. Assaf was the son of Astronaut Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli in space, who was killed, along with the rest of the crew, in February, 2003 on board the Columbia Space Shuttle.

Suddenly I don't feel like talking about how much fun the convention was.

Suddenly I just wish there was a way to erase the pain the Ramon family must be feeling.

You know when something really, really bad happens, some sort of tragedy, you might start believing, "Well, now I'm safe. I've paid my dues already. My kids have paid their dues. It'll be okay now". I wonder if Rona Ramon thought this when her son Assaf announced he wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and be a fighter pilot for the Israeli Air Force.

Prime Minister Netanyahu said, "It is rare that a private tragedy pierces the heart of the nation with such strength. Today we all grieve the death of Assaf, who fell from the heavens like his father Ilan. There is no comfort, only tears.”

It is indeed a very sad night here in Israel.



(Picture courtesy of the Muqata)

Empty nest

Well, Liat informed us she had a Shabbat Ulpana (when the entire grade goes away for the weekend) and Tali told us she had a Shabbat Bnei Akiva (youth movement weekend). When Orli heard this, she said, "Whoa, I think I'll sleep at a friend's house, if you don't mind."

I didn't.

So, yes, Isaac and I had a weekend sans kids. All snickering aside, it wasn't as fun as I thought it was going to be.

Don't get me wrong, it was very relaxing. VERY.

But last night, as Shabbat was about to start, Isaac wished me a Shabbat Shalom, and left for synagogue. I went to light the candles, and the house was silent. I have to admit I had a moment there. A moment of panic. A glimpse into the future. A subdued home. And I didn't like it.

On several other rare occasions we've been alone, without the children. The stars align and they are all away for Shabbat. But with Liat turning sixteen soon, I sometimes feel like I'm hurtling into the future. When those stars align and all are away, I like it alot less than I used to.

Still, Isaac and I both had a good laugh when we sat down to eat. Because I shouted, "YOUR TURN TO DO THE DISHES!!! CALLED IT!!!!" And he immediately responded, "YOU CAN'T CALL THAT!!! I DID THEM LAST WEEK! IT'S YOUR TURN!!"

Glimpsing the future aside, it really was a nice weekend. After all, we have to live in the present, don't we?

Shavua Tov, a good week to all.

9/11: Remember and Honor--Terence J. Manning

To commemorate 9/11 this year, I decided to participate in Project 2996, which I found through westbankmama. Project 2996 is an attempt by Dale Challener Roe to have bloggers remember and celebrate the lives of all 2,996 victims of September 11. I know other Jewish bloggers are participating in this project, including Isramom and SuperRaizy. (If you are remembering and would like me to link your post, drop me a line).

I have chosen to remember and honor Terence J. Manning, who died while attending a conference at Windows on the World at 1 World Trade Center. His wife, Megan was a colleague of mine at HASC, a pre-school for special-needs children. I never met Terence, but from all accounts, he was a unique, energetic man, who proposed to Megan under the Eiffel Tower. He was a doting father to his two young daughters, whom he used to take to the beach every day in the summer.

On September 11, 2001, Megan was at work. I have a memory of hearing her talk to her husband, who told her he was in the stairwell trying to leave the building. Then she left work and didn't return for several months. Megan faced her devasting loss with grace and strength. It has been many years since I have seen Megan, but I do think of her often in the context of this day that changed her world, and our world forever. I will always carry her and her family in my heart.

Of Terence, Megan has said, "His life was full of laughter and adventure. He left us with no regrets."



(Source: New York Times Portrait of Grief)

Haveil Havalim and Welcome Home

Haveil Havalim #233 is up at Joshuapundit.

And tomorrow morning a planeload of new olim arrive from America on the last NBN flight of what has been an amazing summer for Aliyah.

Welcome home.



(Click on picture to see the whole schedule).

State of the union address, or can you believe it's been two years?

Today we begin the third year of our Aliyah.

People ask me how we're doing. Most of the time I give my stock answer: "We're doing good. There are some bumps in the road, but overall we are happy". I want people to know that life's not perfect or easy here, but in spite of it we are okay. You guys, however, deserve more than my stock answer--you deserve honesty.

We are okay.

I would even venture to say better than okay.

The honest truth is that we all have our difficult moments related to our move. It can be a moment of missing someone we left behind. It can be a moment when we want to express something, but the words just don't come out fluently in this new language we have come so far with. It's adapting to a different work culture. It's getting a bank statement and avoiding it, because it's just easier than trying to decipher it. It's trying to find that sense of community we had, but took us years to achieve. It's watching your kids struggling to find their place. It's feeling like an immigrant.

People also ask if I ever regret making the move. The only thing I regret is not doing it sooner, because I think alot of the things we struggle with are a result of our--ahem--advanced ages. But there would have been other, different struggles I'm sure. (But I would advise those of you thinking of making the move: do it when your kids are young.)

So, no, I don't regret our decision to make Aliyah. I've always felt that I, as a Jew, belong here. And even on the most difficult days of acclimating to my new life, I remember that and feel okay.

I like the way I ended my anniversary post last year so I think I'll end it the same way:

Who knows where the road ahead will take us? I have no idea. But for today, I am happy, living here in G-d's country, and grateful for all his blessings.

Oh well, it was nice to be nominated

Just wanted to let you all know that Bad4shidduchim has won the Send-a-Blogger contest. She will travel on the last NBN flight of the summer, blog about her experiences, and attend the Blogger's convention. Bad4 writes about, well, you see the title. (For those of you needing more clarification, she writes about her dating experiences in the orthodox world). I have to admit I've only read her occasionally, but I've always enjoyed what I read. I'm looking forward to her take on the NBN experience.

Congratulations, Bad4. Looking forward to meeting you at the convention.

(Sigh. I guess I'll go unpack my bags now).