Those tailor fitted trousers doesn't just 'happen' There' re many things that I didn't know about living in Israel. The big things you more or less expect. Such as the seasons being upside down from those in the Southern Hemisphere. and thatChristmas day is just a regular work day here in Israel. It is however the small things that you don't know that makes you feel that life in Israel is a constant learning curve. Nearly everything that has to do with raising a child in Israel, you learn as your eldest moves through the Israeli education system. Parent-teacher meetings are held in the presence of the child. My eldest daughter's first-grade teacher must have known that 'overseas' children are not brought to these meetings and just said to me at my very first meeting: "Next time bring the child too." I also didn't know what the expected gift was for a bar/bat mitzva school friend. This is when you phone up one of the Israeli moms of
Screenshot taken from i24News.com Israel's Independence Day is actually celebrated over two days. On the first day we remember all the fallen soldiers who died since Israel declared its first independence in 1948. Officially it is called the 'Memorial Day for the Fallen Soldiers of the Wars of Israel and Victims of Actions of Terrorism'. This day is somber and sad and I always cry my eyes out when the stories of the fallen soldiers are shown on television. There are wreath-laying ceremonies all over the county and every Israeli stands quietly when sirens ring throughout the country to acknowledge their sacrifice. The second day is PARTY time! Just about everyone is either having a barbeque or picnic or going to the beach. The fun is however bittersweet. The sadness of the previous day and the human cost of living in a Jewish country cast a deep shadow throughout the day. When and where are the torches lit? The end of the first day and the start of the second day is bridged