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Some call it being nosy or
intruding - but in Israel, it is a recognition that we are all
one country, with one future and one goal - to live here in
peace and happiness. We don't always succeed...sometimes because
outside forces intrude and sometimes because we ourselves don't
get along...but other times, help comes when you least expect it
- and we can comfortably say - this is something that would only
happen in Israel.
Help in Hebrew - Sent by Dvora:
A telemarketer called, selling
subscriptions to a Hebrew newspaper. I
said thanks, but my Hebrew isn’t yet good enough to merit buying
a subscription. Because this is Israel, I now have the woman’s
name and cell phone number in case I need any help, with
anything. Funny place this….I bet that lady sells a lot of
subs!
Help from the Neighbors - Sent by Yocheved:
My Chanukat HaBayit [House Warming Party]
is scheduled for 4-8PM later today. As I took out garbage before
heading to bed last night, an elderly neighbor with muscles that
bulls would envy came up to me. "Would you like it if I trimmed
the grounds for you?" he asked. "The weeds near the far part of
the property are unsightly for the party tomorrow."
I lost my voice I was so moved by his
sweetness, so I nodded "yes".
He is now doing an outstanding job of
trimming the entire grounds.
I usually pay a guy on his tractor to mow down the place 1X
monthly. I only have a 2-year rental and do not have the wish or
the funds to invest in professional gardening. I merely trimmed
the walkway with flowers to spruce up my borders, and covered
the area where I will plant my organic garden. Covering the
earth kills weeds and softens the soil for easier digging. I
plan to start next weekend.
After I dig the garden over, I will rake in
the compost I've been preparing. When I plant in the spring I
should have some ideal soil for carrots and other root
vegetables, plus a few fast-growing shade trees.
Meanwhile, a man I never spoke to before is being so gracious!
His son was my rental agent. This is so Israeli.
Going Shopping - by Miriam
Israel is probably the only place in the
world where I wouldn't be scared when someone looks at my baby
and asks if I want to sell him. Last week, I put him in his car
seat into the shopping cart and three different people came over
and asked me if there was another one on the shelf like that
one; or if I was sure I wanted that because if not, they'd be
happy to take it. If someone asked me if I wanted to sell my
baby in the States, I'd probably grab my son and run. Here, I
just smiled and asked how much they wanted to pay...and they
just smiled back! And when I got to the checkout counter and
little Avi was crying, one woman behind me helped me load my
groceries onto the counter, while another came and helped pack
up. That's SO Israel.
Holiday Speeding - by Chaim
I was rushing to my parent's house in Karnei Shomron and got stopped by the police. I told them (the
truth), that my sister had just had a baby and I was on my way
to my parent's house to spend the holidays and see my new niece
for the first time. He told me that if I continued to drive like
that, my niece wouldn't have an uncle...then he let me off
without a ticket! He asked to see my license - that was fine.
Then he asked to see the registration for the car. I explained
that it was a company car - he checked the forms and then he
told me to tell the company to give me a better car!
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