tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22385325223404207962024-03-12T18:07:33.034-07:00Am Shalom Women's Israel AdventureA regularly updated (hopefully) list of things to do and read and discuss before we leave for Israel!Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-68551550386318754872008-02-11T08:27:00.000-08:002008-02-11T08:28:21.879-08:00DON'T FORGET.......your passport.Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-55684084234932268972008-02-10T17:05:00.000-08:002008-02-10T17:19:30.815-08:00Are you packed yet?The weather forecast for Jerusalem<br /><br />Wednesday 45/38, 60% chance of rain<br />Thursday 46/38 60% chance of showers<br />Friday 48/38 cloudy, 20% chance of showers<br />Saturday 50/36 partly cloudy, 10% chance of showers<br />Sunday 54/36 sunny, 10% chance of showers<br /><br />Woo hoo!<br /><br />I bought some of these <a href="http://www.rei.com/product/658659">compression bags</a> at Erehwon (but you can get them at REI, Target, or probably also Uncle Dan's). I think they'll make it easier to fit everything into my bags!<br /><br />I picked up some very light slippers at Target for about 5 bucks for the plane.<br /><br />I really like those face-wash wipes for travelling, a nice way to wash your face on the plane.<br /><br />Some interesting travel packing ideas: duct tape, mailing tube for posters, bubble wrap to carry stuff home in (although as I said, ship not shlep), extra ziptop baggies (all sizes, i ♥ the 2-gallon ones for all my toiletries)...what are some of your best travel tips?<br /><br />See you at the airport!Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-5799762232694164282008-02-09T19:00:00.001-08:002008-02-09T19:06:24.095-08:00Greening in IsraelJust as we are all getting together to use <a href="http://imabima.blogspot.com/2007/10/re-usable-grocery-bags-work-for-me.html">reusable shopping bags</a>, so too is the trend starting to catch on in Israel...<br /><br />Check out <a href="http://greenprophet.com/2008/02/09/jerusalemites-no-nylon/">this article about Machane Yehuda market</a>, where we'll be on Friday! And more here on <a href="http://greenprophet.com/2008/01/05/plastic-for-free/">plastic bags in Israel.</a><br /><br />(above articles are from the <a href="http://greenprophet.com/">Green Prophet</a>, a great blog about environmental issues in Israel.)<br /><br />and this one <a href="http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1202246344756&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull">from the Jerusalem Post.</a><br /><br />Let's see how many "green" things we can spot while we're in Israel...Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-20068414055242468122008-02-04T20:03:00.001-08:002008-02-04T20:08:39.636-08:00Ethiopian Children Need School SuppliesHere is the list of items as we discussed, that Ethiopian schoolchildren are in need of supplies. 45% of Ethiopian-Israeli children lack the basic school supplies essential to learning: books, pencils and other necessities. Israeli schools don't supply them and Ethiopian families can't afford them!<br /><br /><a href="http://nacoej.org/index.html">NACOEJ</a> (North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry) collects the school supplies and distributes them in Israel.<br /><br /><a href="http://nacoej.org/pdf/School_Supplies.pdf">The List:</a><br />(New and unopened packages...)<br />• Markers<br />• Construction Paper<br />• Calculators<br />• Post-it Notes<br />• Crayons<br />• Pencil Sharpeners<br />• Safety Scissors<br />• School Bags (Backpacks)<br />• Scotch Tape<br />• Metric Rulers<br />• Glue Sticks<br />• Erasers<br />• Pencil Pouches<br />• Geometry Sets<br />• Jump Ropes<br />• Deflated Balls<br />• Small Black Dolls<br />• Checker Sets (not Chinese checkers)<br /><br />Do NOT send:<br />• Binders<br />• Notebooks<br />• Loose paper<br />• Pads of paper<br />• Clothing<br />• Chalk<br />• Thumbtacks<br />• Non-educational toys<br />• Games requiring English<br />• Paperclips<br />• Food of any kind<br /><br />Feel free to bring as much or as little as you'd like. I recommend packing some extra garbage or plastic shopping bags to transfer the items into after we arrive in Israel. Joanne will arrange for pickup of the items.Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-44193621372701095082008-01-31T20:38:00.000-08:002008-02-01T12:17:25.809-08:00What are you going to read on the trip?Here are some paperback suggestions for books that you might enjoy bringing on the trip...<br /><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Source-Novel-James-Michener/dp/0375760385/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201840781&sr=8-1">The Source</a>, by James Michener<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Days-Sea-Novel-Exodus/dp/1590710665/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201841201&sr=1-1">Seven Days to the Sea</a> by Rebecca Kohn<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Nice-Jewish-Girls-Growing-America/dp/0452273978/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201840821&sr=1-8">Nice Jewish Girls: Growing up in America</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lost-Tribe-Jewish-Fiction-Edge/dp/0060533463/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201840887&sr=1-3">Lost Tribe: jewish fiction from the edge</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/S%C3%A3o-Journey-Abyss-Portugals-Stolen-Children/dp/0964587602/ref=sr_1_7_s9_rk?ie=UTF8&s=books&s9r=8a1080b61145d87201118a2ef098092b&itemPosition=7&qid=1201840887&sr=1-7">Sao Tome: Portugal's Stolen Jewish Children</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Seven-Blessings-Novel-Ruchama-King/dp/0312309163/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201841060&sr=1-1">Seven Blessings</a> by Ruchama King<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ladies-Auxiliary-Ballantine-Readers-Circle/dp/0345441265/ref=pd_sim_b_title_4">The Ladies' Auxiliary</a> by Tova Mirvis<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mystics-Mavericks-Merrymakers-Intimate-Journey/dp/0814751970/ref=pd_sim_b_title_33">Mystics, Mavericks and Merrymakers: An Intimate Portrait of Hasidic Girls</a><br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Queenmaker-Novel-King-Davids-Queen/dp/B000HWYJNU/ref=pd_sim_b_title_1">Queenmaker: A Novel of King David</a> by India Edghill<br /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Three-Cups-Tea-Mission-Promote/dp/0143038257/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1201896988&sr=8-1">Three Cups of Tea: Promoting Peace One School at a Time</a><br /><br />What are you reading???Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-64593761779207534112008-01-30T20:18:00.000-08:002008-01-30T20:19:51.943-08:00It Snowed in Jerusalem!Check out these <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="http://mahrabu.blogspot.com/2008/01/white-jerusalem.html">great pics</a>!<br /><br />A maybe once a year event, if that. <br /><br />Pretty!Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-11913678874532416312008-01-28T17:25:00.000-08:002008-01-28T17:31:54.232-08:00Have People Given You Cash?When people hear that you're going to Israel, do they hand you a dollar (or more)? Wonder why they are doing this?<br /><br />Jewish tradition teaches that giving tzedakah before a trip (both by the traveler<br />himself and also the well-wishers) will help to insure safe passage. In addition, our tradition also teaches that travelers to Israel should not travel empty handed, but should take with them tzedakah to dispense once in Eretz Yisrael, so it is customary to hand travelers to Israel small bills to carry with them. Not only is this a mitzvah, but it is also said to insure safe passage, because Judaism teaches that one traveling to give tzedakah is on a mission for God, and therefore will be protected along the way.Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-27076608348496166532008-01-23T19:16:00.000-08:002008-01-23T19:31:46.057-08:00Packing List...as promised<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bJSQgD1fglo9bTQ5UKpd3I5rtFHZrr_ScTzYitxwGWL3GKN_2okev0s3sWGDvqAGWdtPqYxX5i2oWtKzzje5hzl_wBq8ZtS-mnFvfZ3XtAxHEx9b84XTpFJxsu8FAo02OLIT9gXiHUc/s1600-h/suitcase.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6bJSQgD1fglo9bTQ5UKpd3I5rtFHZrr_ScTzYitxwGWL3GKN_2okev0s3sWGDvqAGWdtPqYxX5i2oWtKzzje5hzl_wBq8ZtS-mnFvfZ3XtAxHEx9b84XTpFJxsu8FAo02OLIT9gXiHUc/s200/suitcase.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158880236228613154" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Carry with you on the plane:</span><br />- passport**<br />- driver's license<br />- credit cards<br />- traveler's checks (if you're using them)<br />- cash (American & Israeli)<br />**Make a copy of the main page of your passport. Leave a copy at home with someone. Bring a copy with you. I recommend making copies of all your important things like credit cards and drivers' license and leaving them at home with a trusted soul.<br />- Medications<br />- Nosh/Gum/Hard candy (of course, snacks available in the airport and you'll be fed on the plane)<br />- One change of clothing<br />- Reading material<br />- Bottle for water (you'll have to fill it after security)<br />- Toothbrush/Toothpaste<br />- Eye-wear products (contact case, solution, glasses, etc)<br />***Don't forget the toiletry restrictions -- <a href="http://www.tsa.gov/311/index.shtm">3-1-1</a>...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Basic Travel Wardrobe</span><br />- Jeans/khakis (maybe one pair shorts for Masada)<br />- T-Shirts, Long Sleeve shirts<br />- Skirt/Dress for Shabbat (pants are perfectly acceptable but bring one skirt just in case you want to go to a different synagogue in the morning)<br />- Jacket - preferably waterproof<br />- Sweater/Sweat shirt<br />- Swimsuit<br />- Pajamas<br />- Undergarments<br />- Socks<br />- Comfortable walking shoes/Sneakers<br />- Jewelry (bring very little)<br />Note: Layered clothing is recommended for comfort.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Toiletries</span><br />- Tissues (small pack will be useful)<br />- Sunscreen<br />- Deodorant<br />- Brush/Comb<br />- Shampoo/Conditioner<br />- Pre-moistened towelettes (great for face washing on the plane and while travelling)<br />- Makeup/Moisturizer<br />- Talcum Powder<br />- Toothbrush/Toothpaste/Dental floss<br />- Q-tips<br /><br />- Electrical Converter (as needed)<br />- Camera/batteries/charger (film? anyone?)<br />- Folding bag/Nylon duffle bag (for stuff to bring back)<br />- Umbrella/Rain poncho<br />- Sewing kit<br />- Safety pins<br /><br />You know yourself...bring what you need most...<br />bandaids, aspirin/tylenol, prescription drugs, tampons, anti-diarrhea meds, laxatives, eye drops, pepto bismol, motion sickness meds, decongestants....all things are available in Israel but you might not be able to get "your" brand, or we might not be right there. We'll have a first aid kit on the bus for minor scrapes.Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-24597275807630557142008-01-23T08:46:00.000-08:002008-01-23T08:48:01.808-08:00Update - Hand Luggage Allowance - YAY!Hooray! As of January 7th, passengers flying in and out of Heathrow are now allowed TWO pieces of hand baggage. Yippee!<br /><br />Click <a href="http://www.britishairways.com/travel/bagcabin/public/en_gb/role-tradecustomer">this link</a> for details.<br /><br />Kippah tip to Julie Hart. Thanks!Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-78285698534021906062008-01-14T20:22:00.000-08:002008-01-14T20:24:11.725-08:00Exchange Rate & ReminderCheck this out...an exchange rate "<a href="http://www.oanda.com/cgi/convert/cheatsheet">cheat sheet</a>"!<br /><br />See what the exchange rate is today...or anyday.<br /><br />Kippah tip to Sari!<br /><br />Don't forget to visit my <a href="http://imabima.blogspot.com">other blog for Tu B'Shevat fun</a> all week long plus giveaways!<br /><br />Plus, packing list coming soon...Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-37294734479000172202008-01-13T19:46:00.000-08:002008-01-13T19:48:27.140-08:00Israel Loves Trees!Visit my <a href="http://imabima.blogspot.com/">other blog</a> for a <a href="http://imabima.blogspot.com/2008/01/for-love-of-trees-tu-bshevat-is-coming.html">whole week of Tu B'Shevat fun</a>.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://imabima.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc126/imabima/tubshevatparty.jpg" alt="Birthday Party for the Trees at imabima.blogspot.com" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tu_B%27shevat">Tu B'shevat</a> is the Jewish holiday celebrating the "new year (or birthday) of the trees." The name comes from the calendar date on which it falls: Tu is the Hebrew equivalent of 15 and Shevat is the Hebrew month in which we are in right now. Tu B'shevat was originally a day when the fruits that grew from that day on were counted for the following year in regard to tithes.<br /><br />In modern times, it is celebrated as a Jewish "Earth Day" -- celebrating trees, planting trees, and reflecting on environmental and ecological issues. This year, Tu B'Shevat falls on Tuesday, January 22nd, next week.<br /><br />Over the next week leading up to Tu B'Shevat, I'm <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">celebrating green</span> at <a href="http://imabima.blogspot.com/">Ima on and off the Bima</a> with a Birthday Party for the Trees!<br /><br />No party is complete without party favors, <a href="http://imabima.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">so visit all week for giveaways and winners</span></span></a> -- giveaways will be posted <span style="color: rgb(0, 153, 0);">today, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday</span> so come back each day this week!<br /><br />Go there now for an awesome giveaway from Eco-Libris:<br /><br />A new organization, <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:130%;" ><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.ecolibris.net/index.asp">Eco-Libris</a></span>, is trying to balance out our books -- planting a tree for every book. <span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-size:130%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">They've generously offered to plant 10 trees for one lucky reader</span></span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">,</span> with accompanying stickers to put into your own books to proudly show your "tree offset" and your commitment to the environment.Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-91063485843836979832008-01-10T07:30:00.000-08:002008-01-10T04:56:42.109-08:00Want some understanding of Israel's Political State?Here's a great site to check daily, a comic called <a href="http://drybonesblog.blogspot.com/">Dry Bones</a>.<br /><br />A political cartoon that has been published since the 1970s. Three days a week, he posts new toons and on Tuesdays and Thursdays what he calls "golden oldies." He also includes the "stories behind the cartoons" which are very interesting and helpful.<br /><br />Here's today's entry....<br /><a href="http://www.drybonesproject.com/blog/D08113_2.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px;" src="http://www.drybonesproject.com/blog/D08113_2.gif" border="0" alt="" /></a>Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-5265543965794122482008-01-09T07:25:00.001-08:002008-01-09T07:29:55.674-08:00Tzedakah Opportunity #2: Sderot Bakery OrderingLynne posted in the comments of the previous post, and also in an email -- but I wanted to post it here as well, an idea for bringing hostess gifts of tzedakah to our Shabbat dinner:<br /><br />Lynne writes:<br />as you know, sderot is truly a city under siege. its 24,000 residents are under constant DAILY bombardment...from THOUSANDS of rocket attacks. we can help by ordering hostess gift boxes of cookies from the sderot bakery. they cost 20 shekels each --about $5---and they will be delivered to our hotel before shabbos on february 15. then we will have great gifts to bring to our host families and we will be helping a sderot business as well.<br /><br />Here's a link to <a href="http://www.stogether.org/sderotchallot">the organization setting this up</a> (is this what you found, Lynne?) <br />Here's a link to <a href="http://www.mererhetoric.com/archives/11273807.html">another post</a> describing this mitzvah project.<br /><br />It sounds like everyone wants to do this one, so let's see how far in advance we have to order (I bet we can wait til our February 4th meeting)...Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-75700981767078179632008-01-07T10:37:00.001-08:002008-01-07T10:39:41.092-08:00Tzedakah OpportunityWe will make decisions regarding Tzedakah opportunities in Israel at our next meeting. Between now and then, I'll be posting some ideas/options for everyone to consider. Please feel free to send me your suggestions and I'll be happy to post them here for everyone to read.<br /><br />From Sari:<br /><br />People Traveling to Israel<br /><br />A donation of 1,000 pairs of alpaca socks has been made to Israeli soldiers. But we need people traveling to Israel to take them. <br />If any of your congregants are going to Israel and would like to take socks - from a dozen to a duffle bag - it would be a real mitzvah. <br />The socks will be picked up in Israel by a volunteer from the Packages From Home program that provides essentials for Israeli soldiers. <br /> <br />For information and to arrange a delivery, call Morene at 312-641-8568. <br /><br />I'm not sure if these socks have already been picked up but perhaps we could arrange for another donation of socks through some local merchants. <br /><br />Keep the ideas coming! Feel free to make comments (click below on "comments") to start a discussion here about this project or others.Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-66979085623900045142008-01-03T08:07:00.000-08:002008-01-03T08:08:24.878-08:00Counting Down...I just spent a half hour on the phone with the Israel-end of our trip, a woman named Tali, and Rachel, our travel agent. We went through the itinerary and discussed other information about the trip. I will be posting more in the next few days so stay tuned!!!Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-31002874675823974742007-12-30T18:54:00.000-08:002007-12-31T12:10:57.570-08:00Judaism as Pop CultureListen carefully to this song. See if you notice any Hebrew phrases that you know. I think it's incredible how much Judaism is a part of regular life in Israel, part of its pop-culture references. Where else is the biblical story a regular part of modern culture?<br /><span style="font-style:italic;">(This is Sarit Hadad, a beloved Israeli singer)</span><br /><br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/mBxJbnVE1Vc&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/mBxJbnVE1Vc&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-48587861666500860162007-12-29T20:22:00.000-08:002007-12-29T18:22:03.022-08:00Jerusalem...My Favorite City(just click on the play button to make it play right here!)<br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/L5SAbiYZud8&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/L5SAbiYZud8&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-49392368311634587402007-12-27T18:48:00.000-08:002007-12-28T15:08:20.418-08:00Cool Facts About Israel(just click on the "play" button to play it right here)<br /><object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WV6K08RFRQs&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WV6K08RFRQs&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object><br />kippah tip to Gail:-)...thanks!Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-36395439856500612322007-12-26T19:43:00.000-08:002007-12-26T16:05:56.057-08:00Baggage Allowances from British AirwaysHere is the information about baggage allowances from <a href="http://www.britishairways.com/travel/baggag/public/en_us">British Airways</a>. Don't overpack!Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-87349765286363447552007-12-25T18:58:00.000-08:002007-12-25T19:20:54.938-08:00Books to Read Before Your TripHere is some suggested reading before your trip to Israel<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">General history & politics</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">1001 Facts Everyone Should Know About Israel</span> by Mitchell Bard<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A History Of Israel and The Holy Land</span> by Shimon Peres and Michael Avi-Yonah<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Israelis: Ordinary People in an Extraordinary Land</span> by Donna Rosenthal<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Scars of War, Wounds of Peace: The Israeli-Arab Tragedy</span> by Shlomo Ben-Ami<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Case for Israel</span> by Alan Dershowitz<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">His Brother's Keeper: Israel and Diaspora Jewry in the Twenty-first Century</span> by Yossi Beilin<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">What Israel Means to Me</span> by Alan Dershowitz<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">O Jerusalem </span>by Larry Collins<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Still Life with Bombers</span> by David Horovitz<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Real Jews</span> by Noah Efron<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Gideon’s Spies </span>by Gordon Thomas<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">From Beirut to Jerusalem</span> by Thomas Friedman<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Israel: A Spiritual Travel Guide</span> by Lawrence Hoffman<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Literature</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Exodus</span> by Leon Uris<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Source </span>by James Michener<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">The Blue Mountain</span> by Meir Shalev and Hillel Halkin<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">A Tale of Love and Darkness</span> by Amos Oz and Nicholas de Lange<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Mafriah ha-yonim (Sifriyah la-am) </span>by Eli Amir<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">In the Land of Israel (Harvest in Translation) </span>by Amos Oz<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Voices of Israel: Essays on and Interviews With Yehuda Amichai, A.B. Yehoshua, T. Carmi, Aharon Applefeld, and Amos Oz</span> (S U N Y Series in Modern Jewish Literature and Culture) by Joseph Cohen<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Open Closed Open Poems</span> by Yehuda Amichai<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Home to Stay</span> by Danny Gordis<br /><br />(See the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Getting-Ready-to-Travel-to-Israel/lm/R1QGIG9QXZR3Q7/ref=cm_lm_byauthor_title_full">list on Amazon here</a>.)<br /><br />What have you read before a trip to Israel? Leave a comment to share other books.Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-26123339402786538122007-12-25T18:52:00.000-08:002007-12-25T19:21:16.599-08:00Israel Electric Current<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/graphics/13G.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px;" src="http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/graphics/13G.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />If you plan to bring small electrical appliances to Israel, keep in mind that Israel uses a 220 volt electrical current and the outlet types are different as well (two circular prongs). In order to avoid "frying" any electrical items, bring a voltage converter (note: this is already built into most laptop computers). You will also need a simple adapter to plug your items into the wall.<br /><br />One place to buy an adapter is <a href="http://www.walkabouttravelgear.com/13G.htm">here</a>...<br />also, <a href="http://www.worldtraveler.com/Category.asp?CategoryID=268">Kaehler</a>, which is in Highland Park, carries a bunch of adapters.<br /><br />Anyone find any other places to buy? Leave a comment here to share.Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-56034483130199464832007-12-25T18:49:00.000-08:002007-12-25T18:58:02.794-08:00UpdateThings all seem to be worked out on the room front and those who wanted to share are sharing...singles are singles. Seems all good!<br /><br />All of the questions that were posed at our meeting are being confirmed with the Israel end of things and I am going to have a conference call next week with them to get all the details in order. Then I will hopefully have all the answers for you! Stay tuned.Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2238532522340420796.post-13083349716040856212007-12-17T19:42:00.000-08:002007-12-17T19:43:31.673-08:00Welcome to the BlogHi ladies!<br /><br />I hope that you are all getting excited about the trip, I know I am. On this blog, I will post, probably 2-3 times a week until we go, different things I think are interesting, answers to questions, articles, ideas, etc...<br /><br />Check back often for updates!<br /><br />Call or email with questions!Phyllis Sommerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16654761832717723000noreply@blogger.com0