DON'T RAIN ON MY PARADE!!!

Barbra Streisand is in Israel! First time since 1984! Royalty is in the country. And we know how to treat royalty...we quickly awarded her an honorary Ph.D from the Hebrew University!!!

Bubbie Channah A'H always told me that fish and company stink after three days. 

I think I know what a good host is like and what a good host is supposed to do.

But what are the rules for a good guest?

At the awards ceremony, our royal guest decided to take a stand and with all the cameras shooting and the microphones working said: and I quote from the Jerusalem Post:

"It's distressing to read about women in Israel being forced to sit in the back of the bus," she said, "or when we hear about `Women of the Wall' having metal chairs thrown at them when they attempt to peacefully and legally pray."

She was referring to isolated incidents in which ultra-Orthodox men tried to force women to sit separately at the rear of buses that go through their neighborhoods, as well as more serious clashes in which ultra-Orthodox Jews tried to prevent women donning prayer shawls and carrying Torah scrolls from praying at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, the holiest site where Jews can worship. 

Thank you so much Barbra. We all feel better now that you have pointed this out to us! See without you mentioning it and bringing it back to the attention of the world press we wouldn't have known!!!

How dare you!!! Thirty years you have not been here! And the first thing you do is open your mouth and say THAT!?! How about, "Thank you Israel for standing up for women's rights against those primitive few who would take them away?" No. That never came out of her mouth.Maybe no one told her that we don't accept that sort of behaviour here in Israel. If so don't you think she should have gotten her facts straight first? Or does being royalty make you right no matter what?

Now, let us not forget her generosity and many contributions she has made to this country. Thank you! A million times thank you! I mean that!!! We are a small country and appreciate and need all the help we can get from our friends!!!

But...what rights does that money give you in return? How much do we owe you besides a big honest heartfelt THANKS!!!

When I first moved to Israel in 1970, any package received from abroad had to be picked up at customs where they decided if and how much of a fee was going to be charged on the goods. This was far before computers and we all knew that going there meant waiting in a long line until it was your turn.

One afternoon I was waiting. It was summer. No air conditioning. People were hot and tired. All of a sudden a woman, who was obviously from New York by her accent said. "What is taking you so long? You're so damn slow! In my country of America no one would have to wait like this. Do you know who I am? Do you have any idea how much I've given to this country?"

Silence filled the room.

The little clerk looked up at her and said, "On behalf of Israel, I want to thank you. I have only given my son to this country."

A long time has passed since that afternoon but it is tattooed on my mind.

Oh, and by the way, in case you ask...tickets to her two concerts sold for at least...at least...$700 each!!! At today's rate that is 700 X 3.60= 2,520 shekels! The equivalent of a month's rent!

Bubbie Channah A'H also said that you don't pish where you eat!

People...people who love people...

Have a great day...stay safe...and thanks for dropping in.