Army Days and Nights

Michve Alon

Ramla

Tel Aviv

Purim in the city

I'm gonna cut the Tel Aviv municipality a break just this time, forgetting the crazy high Arnona bills we all get here. Purim was this weekend, which meant it's the peak time of the year to let loose, dress up and have fun. Every year during Purim there are hundreds of parties and events going on. The biggest are usually the random street parties that happen around the city. A few years ago, the biggest of all of the street parties were held at night in the Florentin neighborhood, but since things there got a bit too crazy and out of control, the municipality decided to step in and organize its own form of party for people who want to celebrate.

Since last year, they decided it would be best to switch things up and hold a tamer day time street party in the more posh northern area of the city on Shaul Ha'melech Boulevard right by the Tel Aviv Museum. Unfortunately, I had to work during the weekend, so I couldn't make it. Such is life in Tel Aviv, and in Israel for that matter. The extra Shabbat pay makes a difference. Nonetheless, the tradition continued and I heard it was a good time.

Tel Aviv Street Party FB Page

Nocturne

My favorite album of last year, by one of my favorite bands. I don't see anyone else putting out the of kind all around high quality songs and compositions as Jack Tatum.

Wild Nothing
Nocturne
2012

My Trip to Romania

When I was around nine years old, I remember seeing Bram Stoker's Dracula for the first time. Partly to blame for this overexposure at such a young age was probably on my babysitter at the time, and likely unrestricted HBO. It wasn't all her fault! I also recall watching Full Metal Jacket around this same time as well, which is a whole other post on its own. However, Dracula really stuck with me, and it wasn't until years later that I picked up the actual original novel by Bram Stoker to experience the true essence of the story. What hit me the most wasn't just the vampires and werewolves or any type of medieval superstition or fantasy that existed. There are plenty of those however, stories that are more than just myths as well. It was the portrayal and representation of a land and people which grasped me the most. The characterization of a land on the edge and periphery of Europe. One of the last frontiers to be explored.

Romanian Orthodox Church, Lipscani Quarter, Bucharest.

I told myself that one day I would visit, and I finally did last year. The Romania that I saw was a country filled with intricacy and mystery. A place mixed with a unique history blended with East and West, and a modernity that is often unrecognized. I think of all countries in Europe, Romania has to be the one who unjustifiably is stuck with one of the most mystifying reputations. Of course, whenever you are located, outside of mainstream Western Europe, general perception is usually going to be the only reality to form one's opinion, as with many other places and things. Ever since Romania joined the EU in 2007, albeit with many restrictions and limitations, all aspects of the country and its people were highlighted and on display. Of all former Eastern Bloc nations to turn to the West after the fall of communism, Romania is definitely one of the most interesting. It has yet to capture the attention of Western tourists such as the Czech Republic, mostly in part due to misleading myths and tales about Gypsies, and embellished stories of an exorbitant crime rate. All of these were just some of the reasons why I found Romania so intriguing and why it made for such an amazing trip. Here are a few pics from my time spent in Bucharest.

Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest. 

Nicolae Ceaușescu's megalomaniacal dream. A true beast of a building. The Palace of the Parliament. It really was unlike anything I had ever seen. Apparently after the Pentagon, it is the second biggest structure in the world in terms of overall size. Ceausescu demolished entire neighborhoods in order to construct it in order to lay plan to his vision of Bucharest as a preeminent European capital. Even though he is no longer running the show or anything else for that matter, his legacy still remains. The Palace of Parliament is the seat of the Romanian government to this today. 

Central Bucharest near Piaţa Romană

Carol I monument outside the library of the University of Bucharest

Winter ice skating by Piața Universității

Of all the cities I have visited in Europe, Bucharest especially left a lasting impression on me, and very positive one at that. It is not often on the itinerary of many travelers to Romania, and may not be the most aesthetically beautiful city compared to other European capitals, yet as you find yourself exploring each neighborhood in depth, the historical gems to be found are actually quite amazing. From neoclassical European architecture to communist and Ottoman influences in the midst of a modern thriving metropolis, there is really so much to see.

Life as a Lone Soldier

I was asked not long ago about what it was like being a lone soldier in the IDF or Chayal Boded חייל בודד  in Hebrew, and what the experience was like as an American. Of course, this question wasn't summarized exactly so easily. I would say however, that the experience is more than worthwhile, but not without its faults.  I wouldn't take it back at all for a second, but more than anything though, you should know and understand first hand on what you're getting into.

I would say this is imperative for anyone making Aliyah who falls within the age range of IDF service for Olim Chadashim, even if it is a shorter military service than the standard three years that most Israeli males serve. I did a shortened active duty service and was more than satisfied. Especially those getting drafted as per army orders.

If you're thinking of volunteering to serve in the IDF through Garin Tzabar and are bit younger, I wouldn't be concerned as much since the support system provided there is generally excellent. Garin Tzabar recruits often more than other Olim tend to enter the army with higher levels of Hebrew and receive a general higher overall preparedness level. Mahal on the other hand, I wouldn't recommend as much. I've heard some stories through friends who have served through this avenue and have not had the same type of positive feedback regarding their path to service. I was told in many cases that the benefits for lone soldiers through Mahal were not the same, this makes sense since Mahalnikim are not Israeli citizens. Clearly though, my non-partisan opinion is reserved for those regular Olim who've received their Tzav Rishon after about a year or so in the country, and soon enough find themselves serving in places like Michve Alon for two or three months unsure what to expect and where exactly they'll be going. Whether in combat or in support positions or as simple jobnik, the motivation to be there, and to serve and contribute is all you need to come away with a worthwhile experience. Even if you end up pulling hours on end of mind numbing guard duty like me in the most random of bases in the army, at the end of the day, it's still worth it.

In regards navigating the unending bureaucracy that is the IDF, or better yet that exists in Israel in general, I will have to leave that to another post, or maybe ten.

Daydeams

Every time I have the longing for that real winter feeling that I miss so much, one of my favorite passages from The Captain's Daughter always pops into my head, where the protagonist Pyotr, on his way travelling to his military outpost finds himself stuck in a blizzard, awake, yet dreaming in his carriage. Reality and dreams coming together. 

Prague 2012

Some Thought and Reflection

After going back and listening to Holy Fire a few more times (say five?!), it's now painfully obvious that I'm just not totally feeling it. I still get the overall Foals vibe shining through, which still makes it better than most records out today, it's just doesn't compare to Antidotes and Total Life.

For good measure, I just threw on Antidotes. I remember why I used to listen to this album everyday.

Remembrance of Things Past

It seems to be always true that the days of past times are often the ones we long for the most. Part of my initial fascination with this country had little to do with religious ties to the land or any type of messianic or biblical justification. In fact, this association seemingly always used exclusively is one of the things that bothers me the most. As a completely secular Ashkenazi Jew, my kinship is with my people, those who sacrificed to fight for and build this country, so as Jews we can live freely in our own homeland, safe from irrational antisemitism, a free people in charge of our own destiny. Strong and Proud, respecting and preserving the rights of all citizens, Jew and non-Jew alike. Sadly, this is a demographic of Israeli who have been slowly dissipating from Israeli society in recent years. Their roots and history won't be forgotten though

The most important to me personally has to have been the Jewish Brigade, which was formed as part of the British Army during World War II and consisted of Jewish volunteers from Palestine. The brigade saw action in Italy and Greece. When the war ended, many brigade members remained in Europe in order to assist in aiding Jewish refugees and helping them reach Palestine. It is also known that certain members formed assassination squads following the war and participated in acts of vengeance against Nazi officers who had gone into hiding. Tom Segev's The Seventh Million touches on this little known historical page quite well.

Jewish Brigade in Europe 1945. Palmach Museum

 Paratroopers mission in Yugoslavia

Palmachnikim. Palmach Museum

If there are visitors to Israel who find themselves spending some time in Tel Aviv, I would highly recommend taking an afternoon and going to see the Palmach Museum in Ramat Aviv just north of the city. Being that the Israel of today is so radically different from its days of independence and nascency, if you have a chance to visit, I would definitely recommend taking the time.

IDF style

Just a few other Olim Chadashim. Likely Michve Alon graduates also. 

במחנה

Berlin

I miss you.

Courtesy of M.Shamoon

Winter IDF style

Even the slightest amount of snow is something worth getting excited about when it ends up happening in Israel. This winter's snowfall certainly has taken things even further. 

Heavy snowfall in northern Israel. Bamahane.

במחנה

Cayucas - Cayucos

It's so uncharacteristic for me to be listening to uptempo, upbeat music at work, especially when in the office on the weekend, however, when it means being there with good buds, it makes for an appropriate time to buck a trend. Indie Pop on Indie Shuffle will do it. I haven't gotten over the feelings of guilt quite yet.

The Spies of Warsaw

Surprisingly, this is the first time I'm finding out that Alan Furst's novel The Spies of Warsaw was recently made into a BBC miniseries. Historical fiction is my favorite, and there is no one who can richly recreate the atmosphere of the period leading up to World War II in Europe like Furst. I can't wait for this.

Michve Alon

Some old pics from '08 - '09

Strangely, sometimes I find myself missing the army. Apparently the new graduation certificates from Michve are much nicer now than in my time. Still, can't compare to Tzevet 4, Machlaka 1 of Plugat Alon.

Prisoner X

Note to the Israeli Establishment: You can't gag the internet

M I D W E S T

Hüsker Dü

In a Free Land

9/5/81 7th Street Entry

Prague

Charles Bridge