Like most Americans, I likely fall on the wrong side of Morrissey's proclaimed "Thankskilling", but as President Obama noted, this is something nonetheless wear as a badge of honor. All I can say is, Happy Thanksgiving, Chag Hanukkah Sameach and COYS!

A Day in the Life

I can be awfully critical of Israel and many of her policies, especially when I wake up and read the news and hear about additional plans to build eight hundred or so new settlement units. However, I'd be doing a disservice if I didn't mention some of the great work that is being done at the same time by so many people. From the recent IDF delegation in the Philippines helping with disaster relief in the aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan to the doctors and soldiers aiding and keeping guard on our own borders continuously. It's fair to say that these are the real reasons I'm proud to be Israeli.

Howler Magazine. One of my favorite most recent discoveries. There really aren't too many publications like it out there covering football, especially those based in the US. The magazine is published only quarterly, which helps in making each issue all the more dynamic. More so, specifically, the art work and photo compositions you'll find inside are just absolutely stunning, as is the overall layout. Add that to the excellent writing within its pages and it's easy to see why each issue is worth the wait.

More Heat

Only because I'm still kicking myself for missing Henrik Schwarz when he made it out here last year and played at The Block, and more importantly because I miss Berlin.

The Commander

I didn't think I would be saying this, but Cristiano Ronaldo at this stage of his career is an all around better player than Lionel Messi. It's just the reality.

Nightfall at Tze'elim, IDF Urban Warfare Training Center.

Untitled

To say that Jamie xx has been on top of his game lately is really quite the understatement since everything he's released so far has just been that good. This recent mix happens to be especially brilliant.

Berlin Days

Even though summer is now officially over and the beaches have emptied out by comparison, the pulse of the city hasn't slowed down by any means.

The Goethe Institute of Tel Aviv provided the most recent blast of culture and excitement for all of us living in the White City with their month long cultural exchange expo which focused on highlighting the dynamic experience of Berlin and bringing it all the way to Israel. They really pulled out all the stops also, from art exhibits to resident DJs and beyond. While the many stark differences between the two cities are pretty clear, if any place can comparatively come close to matching Berlin with a similar DIY ethos though, it's Tel Aviv. Not since the very awesome Kafkanistan exhibit a few years ago can I say I've experienced anything coming close to as interesting and entertaining as some of the events over the past month.

Of course, there's no Curry 36 and it can't match days spent strolling through Prenzlauer Berg or hanging out in Friedrichshain, and those long nights at some random Neukolln dive, but I'll take it as the next best thing.

Just some quick food for thought. From this vantage point where I'm sitting, it's easy to get caught up in all the hysteria being exhibited by our prime minister right now regarding Iran. If cartoon drawings of bombs and incessant threats of ballistic missiles hitting not only Israel, but the US mainland also aren't enough, I don't know what is. Thankfully though, shoot from the hip diplomacy is not exactly in these days.

It seems with each passing international appearance Bibi is doing his best to ensure that Israel remains a punching bag for criticism. I like to think that it's not too late to rearrange the mess though. That doesn't mean it'll be easy. The extent that Netanyahu has managed to shatter Israeli credibility around the world with his continuous misguided policies, and disastrous disregard for all standard diplomatic norms is something that won't be so simple to put back together. I'm not ready to through in the towel quite yet however. That being said, the decision to reinstate Avigdor Lieberman as Israeli Foreign Minister following his acquittal on corruption charges is just another in the long line of decisions by this government that leaves me just scratching my head.

Humans of Iran

While I recognize with clarity what the meaning of a nuclear Iran would be, and believe me, it's nothing I take lightly. However, just like many, including those in Israel with the type security credentials I can only dream of, I also do not consider the prospect of a nuclear Iran to be an existential threat to the State of Israel. Thankfully, unlike what Prime Minister Netanyahu says, it's not 1938. The Jewish people and the State of Israel are strong and well prepared and ready and able to defend ourselves. I can't predict what will happen, but I know that at the end of the day, the winds of change are in the air, and there's no way to ignore that. If we don't show the will to exhaust all avenues of diplomacy, I can't see how it's possible for Israel to save face on the world stage.

Hold Your Breath

I don't know what else is left to be said about Toronto mayor Rob Ford at this point, but now we have this, and there's no turning back.

Here is the latest update courtesy of the Egyptian Army on their most recent operations in the Sinai, specifically the fight against the terror and drug smuggling network that's entrenched itself there. You can see, it's pretty much as lawless as it looks.

Near the village of El-Mahdia. Egyptian Army FB

Ongoing operations in North Sinai. Egyptian Army FB

Suspected militants. Egyptian Army FB.

Pomp and Circumstance

In The Name of Teenage Angst

Since Halloween practically doesn't exist here, I often find myself living vicariously through others, especially friends from back home who go out in NYC and party and have a great time each year.

While dressing up is not necessarily my thing at this stage of the game, I can however appreciate quality effort when I see it, especially when it comes to getting creative with a costume. So far though I haven't seen anything yet that remotely compares to Katy Perry's get up as Jane Lane from Daria from last year, in what's easily one of my favorite looks ever. Not to mention her friend Shannon Woodward, who just happened to nail down one of the most iconic characters of our generation on her own.

 

חודש טוב

Our little plot of land in the heart of the Middle East. You really get a sense of how dense and populated the areas around the coastal strip are. And on the flip side, just how vast and barren the Negev is. Same goes for Sinai in Egypt, which is all the more concerning given the the type of instability and lawlessness that exists there right now.

וואלה