Announcement: A Mother in Israel Has Moved

This blog has moved to
AMotherInIsrael.com

I've put up a few new posts to make up for being absent over the last few days, and more are on the way:
Grabbing the Chapper: A Model of Israeli Tolerance and Cooperation
Update List of Injured Soldiers and Civilians
Why I Moved My Blog to Wordpress
Breastfeeding: The Optimal Way to Space Babies

Or you can read them all at once here.

Happy belated Tu Beshevat!

Overwhelmed by Cooking? Check out CookingManager.Com

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I started a new blog about saving time and money in the kitchen, called CookingManager.Com. If you want to cook more from scratch, use your appliances wisely, and learn about the best ways to make the most of your food budget, check it out.


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What You Are Missing:

If you haven't signed up get updates on posts at AMotherInIsrael.com you might have missed:

A series on Pashkevilim, Anti-Establishment Wall Posters in Jerusalem

Abortion in the Religious Zionist Community

Tips on Staying Home and Staying Sane

Frugal Strategies for Young Families that Pay Off as Your Family Grows

How to Make a Sourdough Starter

Eruv Tavshilin and Shavuot Recipes

Breastfeeding and Introduction of Solid Foods: New Guidelines from the Israeli Health Ministry

The Week of the Police Robots

Dr. Chana Kattan: Large Families Yes, Demanding Careers No

Stepping Off Your Teen's Emotional Rollercoaster

And much, much more.

See you over there! Hag Shavuot Sameach and Shabbat Shalom

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Posts for the week of March 1 at AMotherInIsrael.com

Posts this week at A Mother in Israel's new location:

Army Service and Taxes: A guest post at DovBear.

Seed Experiments: Does Microwaved Water Prevent Seeds from Sprouting?

What to Do When the Elevator is Broken

Winner of Purim Basket Contest Announced

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef's Ruling about Women Reading the Megillah for Men

Links on the Megillah Ruling and More

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Guest Post: Breastfeeding and Working

Thanks to commenter Ariela for sharing her experience and recommendations. And as usual, don't miss the comments.

Working and Breastfeeding on AMotherInIsrael.com

Friday, February 27: New Posts at A Mother in Israel.com

Here are this week's posts at my new location, AMotherInIsrael.com:

Petach Tikva's Bat Cave.

Purim Costume Brainstorming.

Purim Basket Giveaway. The winner will be announced on Monday, March 3.

Creative Cooking Using Leftovers: Chicken Casserole.

A Week with No Shopping and Other Links.

Shabbat shalom!

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More New Posts at AMotherInIsrael.com: Goats, girls and prayer, parenting, tzniut and more

Join the discussions at my new blog, AMotherInIsrael.com If you're having trouble accessing the feed in your blog reader, try typing in amotherinisrael.com/feed.

Exclusive: Street Goats in Bnei Brak Don't miss these pictures.

Guest Post: Jewish Girls and Prayer. A discussion about educating girls in the Orthodox community.

Babies Need Company. What is socialization for babies?

Blog Notes. Comments on moving house.

An Uninspiring Letter to the Women of Ramat Beit Shemesh.
Rafi posts a letter he received on the RBS list, thanking women for dressing modestly.

News from Around the Jewish Blogosphere Carnivals, congrats and more.

New Posts at AMotherInIsrael.com

Here are the newest posts at my new location, AMotherInIsrael.com:

Guest Post: Jewish Girls and Prayer
News from Around the Jewish Blogosphere
Exclusive: "Street Goats" in Bnei Brak
Environmenal Dissidence

The RSS feed for the new blog doesn't seem to be working. Until I get it fixed (and probably longer), I'll continue to link to new posts here.

Updates on wounded soldiers

The list of prayers has been updated, with positive reports on several of the more seriously injured soldiers.

Dvir ben Leah's condition continues to be critical.
He has not woken up since he was wounded by a mortar
shell at the beginning of Operation Cast Lead.

Special prayers for his recovery are scheduled for TUESDAY
FEB 3 (10:20 AM NY Time/5:20 PM Israel Time)

Dvir’s family is calling on Am Yisrael to join in reciting tefillot (prayers)
and tehillim (Psalms) for their son.

Psalms to be recited: 13, 25, 30, 103, 112, 142

For Psalms in Hebrew and English, please visit:

http://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt2601.htm

May he and all the sick and injured have a refuah shelaima--a complete and speedy recovery.

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Link for list of injured soldiers and civilians who need prayers

List of injured Israeli soldiers and civilians, updated daily.

This is a sticky post and will remain at the top. Scroll down for recent posts.

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Ynet: Screaming babies ignored in Israeli maternity wards

In a personal column in the health section of Ynet, clinical psychologist Yair Tzivoni describes his experience in the hospital after his wife gave birth. While she went with a friend to the maternity ward, he brought the new baby to the nursery to await washing, blood tests and immunizations. His own daughter slept, but others screamed. The babies were supervised by one nurse, busy with her routine tasks. She completely ignored the crying babies.

Click here to continue reading.

View all posts at the new location, AMotherinIsrael.Com

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Exclusive: Official Haredi Guide to Modest Necklines

This document is entitled: "Common Pitfalls Regarding Necklines." At the bottom (cut off) it reads: These pages have been viewed by Rabbi Nissim Karelitz Shlit"a and Rabbi Moshe Shaul Klein Shlit"a from the rabbinic court of Rabbi Vozner Shlit"a.*

Click here to continue reading.

Shoes and fashions

After completing my errands I decided to collect a sample of fashion photos with my new camera. I wanted a shot of the slutty, jewel-studded platform sandals in little girls' sizes, but was stopped by an owner unfamiliar with the concept, "There's no such thing as bad publicity."

All in all I think the religious fashions have improved over last year, although I wouldn't wear most of these necklines:
Click here to continue reading Shoes and Fashions.

Questions to Ask When Choosing a School for Your Children

We're approaching the time of year when parents make decisions about schools for their children. With the oldest, some parents believe they will find the perfect school. But it's much more likely that they will have to make compromises. This post, geared toward choosing an elementary school, will help you think about the issues.

How to find information:

• Ask parents with children in the school. Keep in mind that their information will be biased. Once children are settled in a school, parents sometimes need to justify their decision to themselves and may minimize issues. They may also have an interest in encouraging parents to send to their school. And not all parents are equally aware of a school's internal problems.
• Ask parents who chose to send to different schools. I find that you can learn the most from parents who had children in a school you are considering, but pulled them out or chose a different school for subsequent children. Of course, such parents have their own biases. Sometimes they blame a school for issues that it could not control.
• Talk to teachers, volunteers, and others who have interaction with the schools. Do they have biases too? You bet.
• The school itself. Go to the open house for prospective parents, read its literature and website, visit classes, and schedule a meeting with the principal. A school may gloss over problems, but it's important to see how it presents itself to prospective parents.

Below are suggestions of questions to ask. You won't want to ask every question to every school, but you need to decide what matters to you. As you talk to other parents, you will get more ideas.

Technical concerns

• Location. Don't discount convenience. An extra hour of commuting is hard on the whole family and adds cost--make sure it's worth it. Or it may be a convenience, because it means less babysitting time. If your child will travel on a school bus, check that there is appropriate supervision and safety measures including seat belts and insurance.
  
• Facilities. Is the school clean, including the bathrooms? Is there room outside to play? Ask about a library, computers, and sports facilities.
• School schedule. Find out about half-days, afterschool programs, and extra-curricular activities.
  
• Fees. Include tuition, insurance, school supplies, meals, transportation, gifts for staff, and class activities. Ask if there are scholarships and how they are distributed.
  
• Class setup. How many kids are in a class? If there is more than one class in a grade, how are they divided? Will the class stay together, or are they redistributed each year? Are classes split up for certain subjects and if so, are they split randomly or by level?

General Concerns

• Violence, "behavior" problems, and learning issues. Despite strict admission standards, there will be kids who hit or disrupt class. You need to learn how the school deals with these issues. What is their policy regarding violence--and is the policy followed consistently? Can the school accommodate children with learning disabilities or giftedness? If the school employs a counselor or psychologist, how often are they present?
• Access. How easy is it to reach the school and talk to staff and are they pleasant? I've encountered schools that don't answer the phone, making me wonder how I could reach my child in an emergency.
  
• Atmosphere. How do you feel when you are in the school--tense or calm? What is happening in the halls--are kids running around or working quietly? Listen to the way the administration speaks with staff, and the staff with students. Is the principal or vice-principal on-site and accessible?
  
• Student body. How diverse is it? Even parents who value exposure to other lifestyles and cultures may draw the line at their child being the "only one" in a particular category. Will your child know anyone in his or her class? It's not necessary for a child to go with a large group but it helps to know one or two children from before. Are you comfortable with the parents in the school?
• Staff. Is recess well-supervised? What happens when a teacher can't come and a substitute isn't available? What are the teachers' qualifications? Do teachers send their own kids to the school? In a religious school, find out whether the school's outlook match that of the teachers and parent body.
  
• Management and organization. Look for a school where the staff works together, with the administration in control. Are parents notified of events well in advance, and if so, do the dates stick?
  
• Gender equality. If the school has separate classes for boys and girls, are there differences in class hours, facilities and curriculum?
• Curriculum. Find out what kids are learning, at all grade levels, and with what texts. How many teachers does the child see each week? Ask how much homework is expected per grade level? What methods are used and how are special needs accommodated?
  
• Graduates. Where do most of the students continue their studies?
• Admission standards. Who is admitted into the school? If there is testing, who administers it and are the tests used for any other purpose? Sometimes, standards are lowered for younger siblings of current students. This is one area where the school may not tell you the whole story.
  
• Does the school suit your child? You might prefer a prestigious school, but the child would suffer from too much academic pressure. A school that is right-wing religiously could create a conflict for a child whose family is less observant than the school standard.
  

So loyal readers, what is important to you when choosing a school? Let me know what I forgot.

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A long speech and a double-duty Torah reading

Chanting the Torah takes skill and preparation, so traditional synagogues assign someone to chant the weekly biblical portion. Sometimes members take turns, while some synagogues hire a professional. Lion of Zion is one such professional who often writes about the intricacies of the cantillation symbols.

My husband has been chanting, or "leining" as it is known in Yiddish, since before his bar mitzvah. He has prepared every portion at least once and tries to review each week, since he never knows when he will be called on in a pinch.

A few weeks ago he arrived in the synagogue to learn that the neighboring synagogue sought him as a last-minute replacement. My husband declined, as he was scheduled to read in ours. But when the rabbi got up to speak before the Torah reading, my husband decided to check if he was still needed. He asked our son to run and get him as soon as the rabbi finished.

He got to the second synagogue just as they were taking out the Torah scroll. They were glad to see him. I don't know whether he speeded up his pace or not [he just told me he did], but he returned in time to catch the last twenty minutes of the rabbi's speech.(*) Fortunately the rabbi has what to say.

(*)Depending on the length of the weekly portion, reading can take 20-40 minutes.
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Israeli Army Chaplains and Sabbath Observance

Our Shiputzim posted a letter about army chaplains accompanying soldiers to the Gaza front. The letter's author, YAR, and YAR's brother, one of the chaplains, are relatives of "Our Shiputzim."

I'll wait while you read it.

On Shabbat, our rabbi spoke about this incident and the question of Sabbath observance by chaplains. He maintained that there was absolutely no question that the chaplains were permitted to accompany the soldiers, Shabbat or not. Apparently the army employed Druze drivers (not mentioned in the letter quoted in Our Shiputzim) to minimize the violation of the Sabbath by Jews. The rabbi insisted that this was unnecessary.

Let us pray for the day when we will no longer need to ask this type of question.

Unfortunately, I have needed to post an updated list of injured soldiers and victims, including additional names. Thanks to those who have sent updates and corrections; I passed them on.

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Updates and list of injured soldiers and civilians

UPDATE February 10:
This blog has moved to AMotherInIsrael.com.
The latest update can be found at this link:
Update on Injured Soldiers and Civilians
If you came here from another website please notify the blogger or webmaster of the change.

I am reposting the following from an email list called Survival During Hard Times. Please send updates or corrections to mominisrael@gmail.com.

When Jews pray for the sick, they include the patient's Hebrew first (and middle) name, the word "ben" for son of or "bat" for daughter of, and the mother's Hebrew name.

Updated February 2, 2009

Please pray for our wounded soldiers and civilians. This list below is
incomplete. Please send us any more names that should be included
here, mother's names where missing, corrections and/or any other

updated info about the condition of these soldiers.

May we only hear good news and may they all be healed b'ezrat HaShem

(G-d willing).

Today Feb. 2, 2009, Army Radio announced that Aaron Yehoshua ben Chaya
Shoshana is being transferred from Intensive Care to rehabilitation BH.
He was the soldier who returned to his troops in Gaza the day after his
wedding and was seriously injured in his head. May HaShem continue to heal him and bless him with a long life, a happy marriage and healthy children.

The Yeshiva World » Update on Some of the IDF Wounded »
Frum Jewish News_

(http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/news/General+News/29686/Update+on+Some+f+the+ID F+Wounded.html)

Update on Some of the IDF Wounded
February 1, 2009

Following is a report on the condition of some of the wounded from the Gaza War.

2nd-Lt. Aaron Yehoshua ben Chaya Shoshana continues to astound physicians Baruch Hashem, and before Shabbos, he was able to ambulate with the assistance of a walker. If you remember, he sustained a serious head injury in the war and his prognosis was grim at best. Aaron made international news when his story broke, that he left his wife the morning after their wedding to return to his troops.

Dvir ben Leah 21, a Golani Brigade soldier, was critically wounded in the fighting. His father, Tzviki, reported on erev Shabbos that the family continues tefillos and remain hopeful as he shows very slight signs of improvement. Dvir’s family is calling on Am Yisrael to join in reciting tefillos and tehillim for their son on Tuesday, 9 Shvat (3 Feb) beginning after Mincha, at 5:20PM (Shkia). Tehillim prakim 13, 25, 30, 103, 112, and 142 will be recited.

Li’el Hoshea ben Miriam also sustained a serious head injury. In my last reported, I explained that following a day-long surgery, he opened his eyes and said a few words. I spoke with his father, Effie, on Sunday morning, and Li’el has since undergone three surgeries, with the latest yesterday, on Shabbos, lasting three hours. “It is really hard. I am trying to be strong but each surgery gives hope, but then there is another. His head is full of holes” states Effie in a tired voice. I asked how Chagit, Li’el’s young wife is doing. Effie told me he sent her with her parents to a hotel for Shabbos while he and his wife remained with Li’el.

Neriya ben Rivka was also seriously wounded and also in Soroka Medical Center, but in a different department that Li’el. He is reportedly speaking with his family.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)

This message was forwarded to us:

Netanel ben Mazel Tov, Israeli soldier wounded in his right arm and
leg, asks us to convey this message: "Thank you for all your prayers
for us soldiers. All the prayers help. May G-d repay you only good."
Then he beseeches us to pray for his buddy Ben, who needs prayers far
more than he does. Ben ben Batya is in critical condition.

Please pray for our wounded soldiers and civilians. Please send us
any more names that should be included here, mother's names where
missing, corrections and/or any other updated info about the
condition of these soldiers.

May we only hear good news and may they all be healed b'ezrat HaShem
(G-d willing).

Wounded Soldiers:

Gilad ben Aviva Shalit – soldier kidnapped by Hamas more than 3 years
ago & Hamas claims he was injured in Israeli air-raid. They also say
they are no longer interested in him. We don't know what has happened
to him or how.

Roi ben Dina – very seriously wounded 1 day before the cease fire;

Ben ben Katie – very seriously wounded 1 day before the cease fire;

Ido ben Rachel; - was almost d.o.a. on arrival at the hospital, but
BH is alive but in need of a lot of prayer;

Li'El Hoshea ben Miriam – critical (enoshot) head injuries See update above.

Wahal Mijan (Val Jenam?) – critical (enosh), has metal shards in his
brain, has had 3 operations & doctors are battling to save his life;

Ben ben Netiva – critical (enosh) with head injuries & has had 1 hand
amputated & doctors are battling to save his other hand;

Ben ben Batya - critical (enosh);

Neriya ben Rivka – very serious head injury; See update above.

Dvir ben Leah – very seriously injured legs and is not fully
conscious; See request above for special prayers.

Noam ben Aliza - one leg amputated; doctors fighting to save the
other;

Aharon Yehoshua ben Chaya Shoshana - He got married Thursday night.
Friday he went into Gaza. He was critically (enosh) injured head
injuries Jan. 12. He needs our tefillot desperately;
Re-gained consciousness 20.1.99 and has been removed from life-
support BH but has a way to go until full recovery. See update on top.

Yosef Chaim ben Ziva – very seriously injured on the entire left side
of his body- has regained consciousness BH but is still in intensive
care;

Mor Mordechai ben Orna – very serious leg injures;

Moshe ben Chana Malka – has had hand amputated;

Aviv ben "Sarah Imenu" – serious condition

Raphael ben Dina – was very seriously injured; no longer in life-
threatening danger after a successful operation BH but has a long
road ahead to full recovery;

Oren ben Ilana – seriously injured shoulder & hand – has had 1 finger
amputated;

Ronen Chai ben Leah – seriously injured;

Ron ben Havatzelet – seriously injured with shrapnel over all of his
body;

Eitan ben Sarah – very serious leg injury;

Gal ben Hedva – serious facial maxillary injuries from shrapnel;

Netanel ben Fanny – very seriously injured;

Nechemia Shalom Dov Ber ben Arlene - He is recuperating from an
operation to remove shrapnel that had exploded in his eye. He is in
stable
condition, with burns and bandages all over his face, head and arm.
The family asked that everyone say Tehilim for a complete recovery;

Avraham (Avi) Aharon ben Shoshana Raizel – moderately wounded Jan.
14, 2009 by anti-tank missile;

Yehoshua ben Naomi

Edward ben Sarah – serious hand injury;

Ran ben Merril – moderate shoulder injury;

Idan ben Nadi – moderate shrapnel injuries;

Yitzchak ben Navah - moderate shoulder injury;

Netanel ben Navah - moderate shrapnel wounds;

Netanel ben Mazal Tov – shrapnel wounds to legs, fractured right arm,
ear drum injury;

Geva ben Avital - moderately injured;

Rotem ben Leah; moderately injured;

Ohad ben Bracha – moderate facial injuries;

Or ben Rachel – Moderately injured;

Itai ben Rina – moderate abdominal injuries;

Ron ben Bailah – moderately injured;

Moshe ben Dinah – hand injuries;

Eran ben Batsheva – hand injuries;

Avishai ben Miriam – leg injuries;

Maxim ben Olga - light lower leg injury, operation to remove shrapnel;

Yisrael ben Ilana - light shrapnel injury to an ear;

Yo'ad Ido ben Frieda Elka- light shrapnel injuries;

Idan ben Liora - light shrapnel injuries;

Nadav ben Miriam (Maria) - light shrapnel injuries;

Sagi ben Osnat – light shrapnel injuries to his leg;

Tal ben Anat – leg injuries;

Omer ben Dorit – light shrapnel inuries to legs;

Lior ben Mazal – leg injuries from shrapnel;

Evgeny ben Elizabeth – leg injury;

Chaim Moshe Naftali ben Ruth Reizel – lightly injured

Shachaf ben Dalia – light hand injuries;

Tom ben Chana – hit by shrapnel in ribs next to lungs;

Yakov (Koby) ben Orly – facial injuries;

Yakov ben Yardena – neck and back injuries;

Gal ben Aliza – leg injuries;

Moshe ben Pnina Rose

Oleg ben "Sarah Imenu"

Daniel ben "Sarah Imenu"– shrapnel wounds near eyes;

Yaakov ben "Sarah Imenu"- hit by shrapnel in his neck that
miraculously missed his jugular vein BH;

Moshe ben Pnina Rose

Wounded civilians:

Or'El Ben Angela - age 7 son of Angela and Avi Alizrof who was
very seriously injured in GRAD attack in Beersheva today, Jan.
15.Doctors are battling to save his life. Both were riding in a car that took a direct hit and they were thrown out of the car seconds before the car blew up and caught on fire. Witnesses said it
was a miracle. Angela is a nurse in Soroka Hospital. Her little 7 year
old boy is very seriously injured with metal shrapnel in his head.

Moshe Refael ben Aliza Chaya – shot and badly wounded head by
terrorists Jan. 19 in Binyamin region

Gavriel ben Sarah from Sderot – child in severe shock from kassam
attack;
Yakov ben Rivka - very seriously injured from kassam rocket;
Bat El Hila bat Phoebe –age 31 seriously injured abdomen from kassam
rocket that fell in Netivot, has undergone 7 operations;
Gila bat Odelia – moderately injured by kassam attack in Netivot;
Gila bat Chana - age 56, shrapnel in back and severe post traumatic
shock from witnessing neighbor killed in kassam attack Netivot;
Yakov ben Miriam – 83 wounded rocket explosion suffering injuries to
left leg and blood vessels, also damage to hearing and sight;
Michael ben Anna, 23 seriously wounded left leg, has undergone 6
operations and will need at least 4 more;
Avi ben Chamo – about age 60, lightly injured shrapnel in cheek from
kassam fired on Sderot;

Kidnapped & Missing Soldiers:

Ron ben Batya (Arad)
Guy ben Rina (Hever)
Tzvi ben Pninah (Feldman),
Yekutiel Yehuda Nachman ben Sarah (Katz),
Zecharia Shlomo ben Miriam (Baumel
Majdi Halabi

Soldiers who Have Been Healed of their Wounds – Baruch HaShem (thank God)

Yedidya ben Shira
Elishama Shalom ben Rivka Leah

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Michael Pollan on food marketing sheds light on baby formula discussion

An interview on Alternet with best-selling author Michael Pollan (In Defense of Food) ties in to our recent discussion on breastfeeding and formula marketing. Emphasis mine:

Michael Pollan (MP): I remember my mother dutifully giving us all margarine instead of butter. She would say, "Some day they're going to figure out that butter is actually better for you than margarine," and we thought she was nuts. In fact, it turned out that margarine was lethal and butter is fine.

Alternet's Terence McNally (TMN): She was still feeding it to you suspecting that would happen...?

MP: The authority of mothers was essentially destroyed by the food industry. The $32 billion a year in marketing muscle out there has undercut culture's role in determining what we eat, and culture is a fancy word for your mom.

TMN: Just to emphasize that number, that's not the food industry, that's the food marketing industry.

MP: That's advertising, studying us, packaging, figuring out how to get us to eat more.

TMN: Food industry folks say, "We don't think we should regulate this sort of thing because Americans believe in individualism and free choice, but we're all for public education." So maybe we'll throw $100 million of education up against that $32 billion of marketing.

MP: $100 million is one snack food's annual budget. The entire USDA/FDA effort to educate people about food equals one chip. [laughs] There's no contest. They control the information about food.

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Pictures of Israeli Soldiers Treating Palestinian Weapon Smugglers

I received these pictures today along with the Hebrew text below.
For redistribution to all:
Pictures of Israeli soldiers rescuing Palestinians from a tunnel (used for smuggling weapons) in Gaza.
In the most moral army in the world, instead of blowing up the tunnel, they [the soldiers] rescue the one who is trying to kill you.
After smuggling weapons they [the Palestinians] receive:
Medical care, blankets, a cup of tea.
I remind you what the three reserve soldiers received when they went into Ramallah [in Samaria in the West Bank] . . . by mistake!!
That is the difference between us and the Palestinians.
[MiI: There were two. One of them lived several blocks from my home. When his wife got the news she went to stay with a family member living on our street. Even before the victim's name was announced we watched as the reporters gathered in front of the building. The two soldiers had been brutally tortured and murdered.]


New blog posts can be found at A Mother in Israel.

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Central Area Instructed to Prepare Shelters (awaiting confirmation)

Update: I'm still waiting for confirmation of this story. I haven't heard of a public announcement by the Homefront Command.

Breaking news via Jameel:

Update: There was no announcement about this on the 3:00 news.

2:04 PM IDF Homefront Command starts to distribute emergency directions for Rocket Attacks...in Tel Aviv. (source, see below for scanned copy)

With Hamas Rocket ranges now reaching 60 kilometers (as reported here at the Muqata, from Israel Radio), the IDF Homefront command has started preparing for the eventuality that Hamas rockets will reach the Tel Aviv area. Also included is the Beit Shemesh area, Modi'in, Ramla, Lod, Bnei Brak, Rechovot, Holon, Givaatayim, Petach Tikva...

That's us, folks.

UPDATE: Jameel calculates that Petach Tikva, where I live, is just outside of the sixty-kilometer range. So we are okay for today.

Ynet has more (now in English). I will try to update with more information during the day.

You can also follow my updates at Twitter.com. My user name is @mominisrael.


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