Rosh Chodesh Adar Increases Joy ראש חודש אדר מרבים בשמחה

שבועה הבא ראש חודש אדר תפפ"ז

Next week is Rosh Chodesh Adar 5787

While you're at it, visit all of Tel Ancient Shiloh. It's an amazing archeological site. For more information contact 02-578-9111 or [email protected].

אנחנו מתפללות במקום המשכן איפה חנה התפללה

We pray at the location of the Mishkan Tabernacle, where the Biblical Chana prayed.

Haikus About War, Weather and Life

It's amazing how much can be expressed in seventeen 17 syllables... Yes, I've posted many of my haikus over the years, and I think we're due for a new haiku post. I write a haiku, posting it on Facebook, every morning besides Shabbat and Jewish Holidays when writing and posting are forbidden. Sometimes I wonder if I'm being repetitive, considering that I write hundreds each year... Wow! Even I'm impressed 🤣 Following is a variety, as promised in the title. Enjoy, and please let me know in the comments which you like and why. Thanks.

long busy day planned

thankful to Gd for my health

each day a true gift

cold, grey winter morn'

exhausted from yesterday

but was lots of fun

suddenly sunshine

see weather changing quickly

winter in Israel

Gd created earth

but man's bad judgements cause war

VICTORY NOW, please

Holy Shabbat soon

trying to clear mind's worries

Gd willing, please help

new week, pray for change

weak leader endangers us

I can't ignore it

freezing cold today

glad my plans changed to stay home

will Zoom and walk here

Thursday so quickly

week sped by and didn't do

all that I had planned

never ending war

people, nations hate us Jews

comes from them, not us

I'm a nobody

my opinion doesn't count

but I'm not quiet

I never follow

popular fads, opinions

have mind of my own...

woke much too early

too frustrating forcing sleep

that refused to come

Thank Gd for Shabbat

just another few hours

special holy day...

pray for better week

may Gd gift leaders with wisdom

so far disaster

don't be fooled by words...

don't trust fancy promises

I don't see true peace...

Israel's enemies

want to believe all those lies

truth ruins their story

Shomron Beer-- Amber Oak בירה שומרון אמבר אלון

A few months ago I saw mentions of a new brewery called Shomron שומרון, and I knew I had to try them out. They're in my neck of the woods, lantzmen, as my grandparents would say.

The back story of the Shomron Brewery makes it even more important. The owner has to keep his identity a secret, because IDF service; brewing beer began as his post trauma therapy. When his therapist was helping him to heal via a hobby, he admitted that he liked to drink beer when home and not on duty. So, brewing beer was suggested. The popularity of his beer encouraged him to make it in commercial quantities, and he's still tweaking the formulas.

Doug Greener, the Beer Maven, reviewed the Shomron Beers in the Jerusalem Post, where the backstory is featured. I missed the tasting because of a minor, though very annoying accident on my way there. He later gave me two sample bottles of the Shomron Beer, one an IPA and the other this Amber Oak, which I decided to try first. The molasses aroma was strong and inviting; the flavor confirmed its natural sweetness, though nothing that could be identified as oak. Honestly, that didn't bother me. It was perfect on that winter evening, and I certainly wouldn't refuse it in the summer. I'd even offer it to one who doesn't usually like beer. It doesn't taste like a commercial beer. That's an advantage of craft beers... They are special. And yes, if you didn't get the message, I recommend the Shomron Amber Oak. 

Gd willing next week I'll try the IPA.  

Contact information: 050-297-5575 [email protected] ראשון עד חמישי - 09:00 עד 16:00 Sunday to Thursday, for orders click.

Annaconda-- Lots Better and Funnier Than Expected

 Last night my husband and I went to the movies... 

We used to be big movie goers, but in recent years it's rare. Actually, the last time was an occasion like last night. My husband's a retiree from the the Menachem Begin Heritage Center and now volunteers there, so he's invited to some of the staff events. This was a family event in Jerusalem's Cinema City. It included an "all you can eat" dinner in their VIP room, lots of pasta, pizza, salads and more plus a choice between two movies, neither which he had ever heard of. One was described as suitable for kids and the other seemed "childish," too, but we're a generation or two or even three older than pretty much everyone else who'd be attending. We agreed that if we didn't like it, we'd just walk out. Yes, the movie was ANACONDA.

I looked it up on the internet first to get a bit of an idea as to what to expect. It didn't sound impressive at all, but the evening was free. We even travel for free... So we figured there was nothing to lose.

To be perfectly honest, we had no positive expectations... but within a few minutes we were mesmerized...

ANACONDA is a movie within a movie and a comedy. It's fantasy for sure. That's genre #1, but I was reminded of John Belushi, not just because the main character is heavy. If there's such a thing as a John Belushi genre, this would be it... John Belushi in the Jungle.

Apparently an anaconda is a dangerous jungle creature, whether fact or fiction, it's irrelevant. The acting was great; the characters seemed totally real, though it was obviously unrealistic. We recommend it, and yes, there were people who walked out in the middle... 

One more thing... it's a clean movie, neither nudity nor sex. You can take your kids.

PS I took these pictures of the screen while watching the movie. We sat in the back row, and the footrests didn't work in many of the seats. It was still comfortable, lots of upholstery... so different from the Jerusalem movie theaters from way back when.

Looking Forward to Rosh Chodesh Shvat

 

We'll pray together in Ancient Shiloh, exactly where the Biblical Chana had prayed for a son.

I've been inviting women to join me for Rosh Chodesh Prayers in Ancient Shiloh, the actual site, proven by archeology and the Tanach/Bible for well over twenty years. It's available by public transportation. Spend the day at Tel Shiloh, contact information +972 2-578-9111 and [email protected].

Schnitt's Triple C-- WOW!

To be honest, I'm wary when given a can a beer, rather than a bottle beer, but I must admit that I think that drinking that can of Schnitt's Triple C changed my mind. Please forgive me for not leaving you in suspense...

To be honest, I did get a bit fouled up trying to open it, but I did manage to pour the beer, slowly for sure. As you know, when pouring beer slow and easy is better than force. So it was for the best.

The aroma was sweet citrus, davka reminding me of the mystery citrus fruit growing in my yard, which is some sort of cross between a sweet pomelo, grapefruit and orange...

The taste was pleasant plus, suiting all four seasons, winter, spring, summer and fall.

Schnitt labels the Triple C as an American Pale Ale, and it's one of those ales which has made me lose the taste for white wines. I don't know if I'm the only one who has experienced this, but I now prefer a good Pale Ale a lot more than white wines. 

There's no strange sticky aftertaste either, which accompanies some beers. Give Schnitt Beer a try.

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #41: Locked Out Of WC in CBS Until...

I'm sure that all of you can relate to my panic when I couldn't enter the Public Toilets in the CBS Jerusalem Central Bus Station on the departure floor.

Maybe I'm visually impaired, but I couldn't find any clear instructions, neither Hebrew nor pictorial on how to unlock the door. That's besides the fact that the space between the bars is awfully restrictive. A couple of people left, but they were too rushed to instruct me. And I did look panicked, besides obviously a senior citizen. 

Miraculously a much younger woman arrived, pulled out a "magic key" from her bag, pressed it onto something and the door suddenly opened for me. I was extremely grateful, to put it mildly. Then I followed the simple logo into the Ladies Room...

Men on the left, and Women on the right...

Thankfully the toilets were clean and reasonably well-equipped. I didn't photograph inside, because I didn't want to annoy anyone, nor have to explain about this series of blog posts. 

I used to consider the CBS to be a convenient and reliable location for those in need of the loo, but now I'm not sure. I'm pretty nervous about relying on them in the future. As you can guess, I was relieved and happy to make my way out. 

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #39, Wonderful Surprise-- WC at Bus Stop

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #38, Gan Sacher Room for All

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #37 Jerusalem's Safra Square's Renovated

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #36 Cinema City- Not Just for Intermission

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #35 Pleasant Surprise at the Jerusalem Central Bus Station

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #34 Binyan Clal Public Toilets Renovated

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #33, New Public Toilets Downtown

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #32, Har Chotzvim, Not The Gas Station

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #31, Good Deal in "Supersol Deal," Givat Shaul

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #30, Speedily Out of Order at New Train Station

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #29, Kotel WC, Prayer Come True

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #28, Machane Yehuda WC, Fright at First Sight

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #27, CBS Revisited, Worth The Shekel

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #26, New Kraft Stadium, Complaining May have Helped

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #25, New Park, New Loo

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #24 Horse Park WC Staff Horsing Around

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #23 For One Shekel in the CBS

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #22 "High Tech" Loo, Not for Use

Pishers Guide to Jerusalem #21, Perfect "Pit Stop" on Emek Refaim

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #20, Gan Hasus, Horse Park, Like Russian Roulette

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #19, Center 1 Has Gone Downhill

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #18, Shuq Loo for You Ladies

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #17, At Least It was Clean

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #16, Iconic Location-- Nauseating WC

Pishers Guide to Jerusalem, New Loo #15 Up Close

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #15, New Guy in Town

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #14, Mega Yuck!

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #13, Hadar Mall: What Public Toilets Should Be

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem # 12, Center 1, Usually OK

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #11, Never Fear The Rami Levy WC

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #10, At Least There were Toilet-paper and Soap

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #9, Watch Out for Peep Holes!

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #8, Kupot Cholim to The Rescue!

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #7 A Supermarket to Avoid. Plus WC Tips

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #6, Bring Your Own Paper

Pishers' Guide to Jerusalem #5, Mamilla Mall Where Modern Stinks

Don't Be Afraid, A Pisher's Guide to Jerusalem #4

Historic Jerusalem Building, A Pisher's Guide to Jerusalem #3

A Pisher's Guide to Jerusalem #2 

A Pisher's Guide to Jerusalem #1

Bus Changes, Again, Finding a New "Pit Stop"

Almost Chanukah and Rosh Chodesh Tevet

 

Like in ancient days we go to the site of the holy Mishkan השכן Tabernacle, where Chana prayed. Yes in Tel Shiloh Hakeduma. I've been inviting women to join me for Rosh Chodesh Prayers for well over twenty years. 

There's lots to do in Ancient Shiloh, an amazing Biblical archeological site, which is easy to get to. There are activities for children of all ages, not just serious stuff for adults. For more information contact +972 2-578-9111 or [email protected]. 

Israeli Autumn, A Poem

after the first rains

every drop

a gift from Gd

rebirth
new leaves

autumn in the Holy Land

Jewish Nation

after two thousand year exile

returns to life

Autumn scene

orange tree

branches for next year's fruit

bursting with color

before this year's is ripe for eating

multiple generations

like branches of loving family

beautiful fall season in Holy Shiloh

Promised Land

promised by Gd to the Jewish People

Rosh Chodesh Kislev, Women's Prayers at Tel Shiloh

Every Rosh Chodesh a group of women come to Ancient Tel Shiloh to pray where the biblical Chana prayed thousands of years ago. Chana's successful prayer for a child is one of the most famous stories in the Bible. She promised Gd that if He gave her a son, she would return the child to Shiloh to serve Gd and the Jewish People. There was nothing selfish in her prayer.

In response Gd gave her a son, Shmuel Hanavi, Samuel the Prophet, who led the Jewish People after the High Priest Eli died. His great accomplishments included anointing the first two Jewish Kings, Saul and David.

Join us on Rosh Chodesh.

There are many activities and exhibits in Ancient Shiloh which is an active archeological site. For more information contact 972 2-578-9111 and/or   [email protected].

There's public transportation on bulletproof buses.

White Rabbit Beer with Israeli-Grown Hops

Last night I attended a fascinating and enjoyable event at which White Rabbit Beer introduced its new truly Israeli beer. Instead of imported hops, the hops are locally grown. 

We all came White Rabbit by public transportation, which is easy from Jerusalem and Shiloh via Ariel. There are lots of buses and even the Tel Aviv lightrail. The special festival continues right now until 4pm. 

If you can't make it, contact them  +972 3-624-2783 and/or [email protected].

Sorry I don't have time to make this longer and more detailed.

I definitely enjoyed the new beer and recommend it

Here's the Beer Maven, Doug Greener talking beer business

White Rabbit Brewery, 12 Hata'asiya Street, Tel Aviv

Photos which don't include me were taken by me. Various other people photographed me. 

Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan is Soon

There will be two days of Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, the last of Tishrei and the first of Cheshvan. The women who come to Tel Shiloh to pray together on Rosh Chodesh voted to Pray together on Wednesday, 22/10/2025, the 30th of Tishrei at 8:30am.

We sing Hallel and pray Rosh Chodesh Musaf together, and it's very special. 

There's lots to do in Tel Shiloh, Ancient Shiloh Hakeduma. For more information about Tel Shiloh +972 2-578-9111 or [email protected].