Daily LIfe and the big picture...

Monday
2/2/15

      It was a good morning at Chugim school.  Worked with 3 sets of kids. Of particular interest was twin girls, who I had also worked with last week. They are 10th graders. Parents are from the Ukraine.  One describes her interests as math and science and the other as a writer and artistic.  They recently collaborated on a project to make an anniversary book for their parents and took great delight in explaining how they kept their project "a secret" until the celebration dinner with their parents.  They paid for the cost of the binding with earnings from one's work in the library and the other had save money from working this summer in a science museum.
     The creative twin researched the internet and found a summer program at Brandeis for gifted H.S. students who want to study science. She thought this would be a good program for her sister.  They asked me to secure more info about this, as they asked their teacher who did not know anything about it.  They do not have guidance counselor in the school.  I was able to speak with someone at the local Haifa-Boston connection office and forwarded the contact info to the student.  It was nice to feel helpful.  Once a social worker, always a social worker...
  When ordering lunch today the shop keeper explained that every 7 years the country lets the land remain unplanted, as prescribed in the Torah. This is happening now. Therefore many of the fresh vegtables, that I am enjoying, are imported from other counties.
   This afternoon, I ventured on my own to find a manicurist,  about 6-7 blocks beyond the neighborhood I am familiar with. Was successful and on my walk back to the hotel,  came upon several of my fellow travelers out and about.  It made me feel that this is  my (temporary ) neighborhood. 
    This evening, we had a guest speaker, an expert on terrorism.   Very sobering.  My take away, is that no one or two countries can possibly deal with this alone, it will take a multi nation coalition.  It is remarkable that Israel can function as well as it does in the middle of such a hostile environment.
    Tomorrow afternoon will be a tour of a major hospital/ trauma center. Guest speaker there will speak about emegency medical care.
  I have seen reports of all the snow at home continuing.  So sorry you are all dealing with such a harsh month.