Can't Keep Up!

It's only Sunday, and I am tired already!

Today was the last day of Ofek2 (an afternoon program for gifted kids) -- the kids from the juggling class presented a short performance.

My son juggled two diabolos. I thought he did a great job.

I videotaped it. (do you still call it videotaping if it is a digital recording??)

I wish I knew how to upload the recording onto the computer!!

Afterwards, Moshe, my son, and I went to Shavua HaSefer (Book Festival).

What can I say, I LOVE all those books!!

It was fun going with my son too. He is interested in a lot of things. It was fun just browsing and discussing topics that came up when we saw interesting books.

This year I hope to go back at least one more time. I would love to go with my daughters too.

The one book I wanted to find was not available -- Kayitz Katom (Orange Summer), by Esther Shtreit-Vertzel. We'll have to get it in one of the local bookstores.

We did get the most recent Shay Charka book, La'Azazel Im Babba (לעזאזל עם בבא). Last year, we purchased ALL of Shay Charka's 11 books, but we missed the day when he was at the book fair to autograph them. This year, we made sure to be there when he was there and asked him to autograph them all! He was a really good sport. I am not sure who is a greater fan of his, my kids or my husband!

(btw, Shay Charka also blogs (in Hebrew); check it out his blog here)

When we came home, we discovered that our daughters had been busy little elves and had tidied up both the living room and my youngest daugther's room. Tomorrow night we are hosting an Erev Banot (girl's night) for the girls in my youngest daughter's class.

As my mom used to say: No rest for the weary!



Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA

Books, Books & More Books

We did it! We went back tonight!

Boy was the book fair crowded!

I almost did not go. I was tired. My back hurt. I knew that I would be happy if I decided to go. But I was feeling kind of sluggish. Moshe would not tell me to come. "It is up to you," he said, careful not to put any pressure on me.

A jumped at the chance to go: "Can I go? I don't have school tomorrow!"

I decided to push myself and join them. After all, it was the last night of Shavua HaSefer HaIvri (Hebrew Book Week).

Y came home, just as we were leaving, and jumped on the bandwagon.

And then we were four. (MD was at a sleepover birthday party)

We arrived and were immediately caught up in the festive atmosphere. Y met tons of friends. I did too.

Once again, we passed by Olam HaTanach. Maybe next year...

Moshe picked out a few more books. (elah ma? -- what else did you expect?)

I did too.

Last year, I really wanted to get Yerushalayim V'Chol Netivoteha (Jerusalem -- A Walk Through Time), published by Yad Ben-Zvi. My problem: I could not decide whether to purchase the book in English or Hebrew. The Hebrew version is slightly more comprehensive, but it is easier for me to read in English. I decided to wait until "next year" to decide.

A year passed and I still did not know which version to get.

The Hebrew book is nicer, in hard cover, and cheaper. The English copy is more expensive, comes only in a soft cover, and is in two volumes (making it lighter, but less durable).

I really wanted the Hebrew, but I worried that I would not use it as much. I knew that I would use the English.

"I want to just get both" I said to Moshe.

"So, why don't you?" Moshe asked.

Just like that. The solution was so simple.

Normally, I would be filled with self-doubt.

Not this time.

I will use both copies.

When I want to go on a particular tour, I will read about it in English first, then I will read the Hebrew.

Even if I mainly use the English, it is still worth it to have both.

When my kids are interested, they will read the Hebrew.



Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA

No More Room on Our Bookshelves!!

My husband and I both have a serious illness.

My name is Rivka and I am a bookaholic.

I do not allow myself to go to bookstores anymore. It is too dangerous. I cannot leave without a book.

The pile of books next to my bed became unmanageable! So, two weeks ago, I moved all the books to the coffee table in our living room. (they are still there)

Mysteriously, a new pile has already formed.

We need to build more bookshelves! (but who has the time....)

This week is Shavua HaSefer (National Book Week). In the plaza of the former Jerusalem train station, all major and minor publishers have set up stands where books are sold at discount prices. (I suspect that some publishers raise the base price before the sale begins...)

Last year, Moshe and I went together, and exhibitted tremendous self restraint; though Moshe did go back a second night. (see post)

This year, Moshe was determined to go several times to Shavua HaSefer, so he would have enough time to browse. He was like a little boy, trying to figure out when he could go to the candy shop! He has been twice already!

Tonight, we went together (Moshe's third visit).

I was tired, but I am glad I went. It was nice to walk around together.

We looked at books, discussed all sorts of interesting topics, and, once again, exhibited extraordinary self-discipline.

But I am not patting us on the back yet....

We might go again on Saturday night!



Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA

Happy Birthday to Me

"I got you a gift for your birthday" Moshe whispered to me, as we were going to sleep Monday night, reminding me that my birthday had arrived (according to the Jewish calendar, each new day actually begins during the night before the new date).

"That's sweet," I answered, as I drifted off to sleep.

"I'll give it to you tomorrow," he said, "on the day of your birthday."

"OK," I answered, only briefly wondering what he could possible get for me. (I am not into Jewelry or other traditional gifts)

But the next morning, we rushed off to the Brit (ceremony of circumcision, marking the entrance of a Jewish boy into the covenant of Abraham) of Moshe's sister's 8 day old son. The morning was spent in joyous celebration of someone else's birthday. I didn't even remember my own.

Later in the afternoon, we were all home, in anticipation of the snow storm. I went into my room, to rest, and surprised my husband and daughter, who asked me to leave the room. As I left the room, I suggested that my room isn't the best place to prepare surprises for me. My merry elves, agreed, but did not move their workshop.

A few minutes later, Moshe gathered the kids together to sing "Happy Birthday" to me. Y presented me with a "Happy Birthday" sign, and was a bit insulted when I noted that everything was spelled correctly. (I thought I was complimenting her....)

Then Moshe handed me the gift (which Y proudly announced that she had wrapped). I could tell it was a book. And, once again, I wondered what kind of present Moshe would choose for me.

As I opened the wrapping paper, I saw that it was actually two books. Then I noticed the gold covers, and knew what books they were.

Background:

Every year, shortly after Pesach, for one full week, ALL books in Israel are on Sale. This week is called Shavua HaSefer (Book Week) and it is a wonderful Israeli tradition. In Jerusalem, there is a large, outdoor fair, open from morning until late at night. Each publisher has a small stand and it's possible to wander for hours, from stand to stand, examining hundreds (thousands!) of books)

Moshe and I wanted to purchase updated map books and siddurim (prayer books), so we waited for Shavua HaSefer, when we'd be able to get everything in one place, and on sale. I thought Moshe would go by himself, but he thought it would be fun to go together. So we made a "date."

When we arrived at the fair, I thought we'd kind of walk around, look at a few book stands and absorb the atmosphere. Even if we had the funds to buy more books, we were out of space on our bookshelves. Nevertheless, Moshe wanted to visit every single publisher's stand (and there are a lot!). I could have skipped most of them, but Moshe found books that interested him in almost every stand.

There were a few stands that interested me, mostly the stands of publishers who publish Israeli history books and books for tour guides (I had hoped, before I got cancer again, to resume my work as an educational tour guide). Ariel Publishers had many interesting books, including a book by Prof. Eilat Mazar, about her archaeological discoveries at Ir David (the City of David). But the book that really caught my eye was a gold covered book with pictures of Jerusalem at the turn of the century (late 1800's to early 1900's). "There is another volume," pointed out the salesman, "one is of the Old City, and the other is of the New City."

Moshe and I stood there, flipping through the pictures. "Look at this one," I kept saying to Moshe, transported back in time to the places that I know so well. I knew Moshe wouldn't object if I wanted to purchase them, but I was acutely aware of our budget. Reluctantly, I put the books down. We moved on.

As we moved from stand to stand, it became clear that the fair was going to close before we had time to visit every stand. "I want to come back tomorrow," Moshe declared. "That's fine with me," I responded, "but you're coming on your own. I don't have the patience to do this again." It worked out well, because the store with the siddurim (prayer books) didn't have enough of the kind we wanted, and would bring more the next day.

Over the loudspeakers, we heard the announcement that the fair was ending for the day. On our way out, we passed the Yad Yitzchak Ben Tzvi stand. It was huge, and had many books that interested me. I almost bought one of the Jerusalem tour books, but I couldn't decide if I should get it in Hebrew or English. The Hebrew version is a bit more comprehensive, but the English is easier for me. I hate decisions, so I put it off (until next year...).

Not surprisingly, we were among the last to leave the fair.


Back to the Present:

As I pulled the books out, I was touched that Moshe had remembered how much I loved those books.

"But we didn't get them on sale," I blurted out, without thinking.

"We didn't?" Moshe asked, with a sly grin.

"You bought them during Shavua HaSefer?" I asked in disbelief.

Moshe just smiled.

He had bought them, and hid them for 6 months, so that he could give them to me for my birthday.

"Thank you," I said, as the tears rolled down my cheeks, "thank you."



Please daven (or send happy, healing thoughts) for RivkA bat Teirtzel.

With love and optimism,
RivkA