Have You Considered Iceland?

AACI in conjunction with our official travel agency, Ophir Tours, is pleased to be offering a kosher tour of Iceland from June 13-24, 2011. 

Never heard of anyone you know visiting Iceland? Well, now is your chance to be the first one to know about a great thing. Iceland has long remained an enigma, a vague mix of Vikings and glaciers for the unitiated. However, tourism to Iceland has exploded in the past decade; last year’s eruption of Eyjafjallajokul volcano particularly put Iceland on the map for those people who did not realize that it is less than 5 hours flight from New York. (The New York Times recently rated it the 4th best place in the World to visit in 2011.)

Iceland is an incredible tourist destination, and a great way to get a break from Israel’s scorching-hot summers. First settled in 874 C.E. by Norwegian seafaring people, Iceland is a photographer’s dream land, with clean air, picturesque fishing villages, blue glaciers, fjords, and wildlife. The streets are clean, locals speak fluent English, and, with the downturn of the global economy in 2008, prices are better than ever.

Many people now stop over in Iceland on their way across the Atlantic, but AACI’s 10-day tour allows you  to see the entire expanse of the country with the peace of mind knowing that all aspects of the tour are kosher. Stops will include the famous Blue Lagoon, Reykjavik, Pingvellir (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and much more driving around the entire island.

For full details regarding the itinerary, please click here: http://www.aaci.org.il/articlenav.php?id=43#iceland

See this great video about Iceland

For questions, please call David at 02-566-1181 ext. 314.

To book, please call Livia Berman 09-777-7100.

$5990 USD per person for AACI Members

Single supplement: $950 USD
Non-AACI supplement: $75 USD

All photos courtesy of the Iceland Tourist Board.

Sources:

http://intransit.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/22/after-the-volcanic-cloud-a-bright-spot-in-iceland/

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/09/travel/09where-to-go.html

http://www.icelandtouristboard.com/

http://travel.nytimes.com/2006/06/18/travel/18ring.html

thanks once again to Katie for this post.

Celebrating Sarah – Truly Young at Heart!

You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.
- Winston Churchill

It is well known that AACI’s success is due to the many dedicated volunteers who have been willing to share their time and talents over the years to advance the organization. I had the pleasure of meeting one special volunteer, Sarah Peters, who has chosen to commemorate her 92^nd birthday by becoming a member of AACI’s Eleph Alaphim. *

Sarah, the youngest of six children, was born and raised in Wales. Although her husband, Harry (z”l) was from London, they chose to live in Cardiff. In addition to raising a son and daughter and running the household, Sarah worked in the wholesale clothing business.

On a visit to Israel in 1968, Sarah and Harry became members of AACI which helped them in their decision to move to Israel. After making aliyah in 1975 with their children and settling in Jerusalem, they became actively involved in many organizations as volunteers. Both taught English with the B’nai Brith organization. Sarah was also involved in Emunah activities.

Sarah’s relationship to AACI strengthened when she began attending the Wednesday morning Senior Programs at AACI with her brother. (In order to attend, she had to promise him that she would be quiet and not ask any questions!)  It didn’t take long for her to become Program Chair for the seniors. For nine years she organized the weekly programs which included preparing the roster of presenters. Sarah recalls her days phoning recommended lecturers to invite them to participate in the programs. With no budget, she had to work her charm to convince people to lecture for free. The programs were (and continue to be) a success and very popular with many senior AACI members.

When questioned why a Welsh woman would join AACI, she points to the wonderful friends that she has made here throughout the years. In her words, “The Americans and Canadians were the only people I met when I was in ulpan.”

Sarah found many avenues to contribute her talents to AACI. She formed the first AACI Entertainment Committee which included creating a choir. She admits that the reason she organized the choir was because she loves to sing and has the unique ability to remember all the words to songs.

Sarah also enjoyed writing funny poetry and wrote her own words to songs which she also performed. The choir was asked to perform at many AACI functions over the years. One year, Sarah came up with the idea to write a play for the AACI Thanksgiving Dinner. Picture this: A proper Welsh woman, now a citizen of Israel, tying a piece of ribbon around her head with a feather in order to portray an American Indian in the play!

Sarah was also an active member of the AACI advocacy group that worked to ban smoking on buses (remember those days?). She was very involved in the national campaign and is proud of the results.

Touring the country on AACI Study Vacations was also one of Sarah’s favorite activities. Sarah raved about the excellent guides on the trip and said she enjoyed seeing Israel “with very intelligent eyes”.

For many years Sarah painted in acrylics and later began to sculpt after someone offered her a few free lessons in sculpture. After the first two lessons, she was totally captivated. Her home is filled with her beautiful terracotta sculptures, mostly of people. She takes great pride in her work.

Sarah continues to enjoy the Wednesday morning series for seniors and is enthusiastic about the stimulating programs that are offered. She also participates in the AACI bridge group. It’s clear she’s still sharp in her organizational skills and hasn’t lost her initiative. When the elevator was out of service one recent Wednesday, she knew she wouldn’t be able to climb four flights of stairs to meet her friends for an afternoon of bridge. That didn’t stop Sarah! She picked up the phone and organized a taxi to pick up her bridge partners and bring them to her home to play.

Two years ago when she turned 90, AACI made a party in Sarah’s honor, complete with a cake decorated with a Welsh flag. Sarah recently celebrated her 92^nd birthday with family and AACI friends when her Eleph Alaphim plaque was uncovered on the donor board in the lobby of the AACI Glassman Family Center.

When asked why she chose to donate to Eleph Alaphim, Sarah responds, “I know everybody up there listed on the board at AACI. Why shouldn’t I be there too?” She notes that there is still plenty of room left on the board for additional names and she hopes that her action will encourage others to follow her lead.

She also said that she would like to serve as a personal example to her children. While she is confident that her children understand the importance of giving to charity, she wanted to teach them that it’s not only about giving to people in need. She told me that she feels that when there is something that you are involved in…an organization that you love… it is so very important to support it.

some of Sarah's family that joined in the celebration

It is evident that Sarah has given herself, both in her effort of time and money to contribute to AACI and we are so grateful to have her as a dear friend and life member.

As you said in serenade, Sarah… (click to view video clip)

Don’t you know,

that it’s worth,

every treasure on Earth,

to be young at heart.

For as rich,

as you are,

it’s much better by far,

to be young at heart.

Mazal tov, Sarah! We wish you many more years of good health, joy and nachat. May you continue to be a source of inspiration to your family, your friends and your AACI community and always remain young at heart.

*Eleph Alaphim donors pledge $1.00 per day for three years, equivalent to about 1250 NIS per year for three years. The donation can be made in payments. If you are interested in more information about becoming a donor, please speak to Bryna Lee Jacobson in AACI’s Development department.

Tel:  02-5661181 ext. 324 email:  bjacobson@aaci.org.il

The Holocaust Survivor Cookbook

On Monday January 10th, 2011 AACI was pleased to welcome Joanne Caras, author of “The Holocaust Survivor Cookbook,” to the Dr. Max and Gianna Glassman Family Center in Jerusalem.

Joanne Caras first set out on this labor of love in 2005 when she visited her son and daughter-in-law, olim chadashim, Sarah & Jonathan, in Jerusalem and they ate at Carmei Ha’ir. Joanne was so impressed with this soup kitchen (see below) that she devised a way to fundraise for Carmei Ha’ir while at the same time commemorating her recently-deceased mother and other Holocaust survivors.

“The Holocaust Survivor Cookbook” is a wonderful anthology by Holocaust survivors and their favorite memories associated with Jewish food.  The following is an excerpt and recipe from Holocaust survivor Sophia Machtinger of Brooklyn, New York. (p. 232-233) Sophia survived deportation to Aushwitz, Stutthof Concentration Camp, and a forced march across Czechoslovakia. She emigrated to the United States in 1949.

“Each Holocaust Survivor has a different story to tell from his tragic war. This is my life story and my legacy to my children, the Jewish People and the World, with the hope and belief that mankind might learn a lesson from the past, that this history may never be repeated, and people must try to improve the World and provide a better future for generations to come.”

Sophia Machtinger’s Chinese Cookies (parve)

1 egg

1 cup white sugar
2 3/4 cups flour

2 sticks of margarine, chilled

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

3 tsp almond extract

6 crushed walnuts or peeled almonds

Preheat oven to 350F.

1. Combine flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, crushed nuts, and margarine in a bowl. Crumble with your hand or two knives until the texture resembles coarse oatmeal.

2. Add the egg and almond extract. Form into a ball.

3. Roll the dough into individual balls smaller than a walnut. Flatten with your palm. Glaze the cookies with beaten egg white and a piece of nut if desired.

4. Bake for 12-15 minutes. Do not allow to brown.

All proceeds from sales of “The Holocaust Survivor Cookbook” benefit Carmei Ha’ir. Carmei Ha’ir is not your average soup kitchen. Founded in 2003, the project’s guiding principle is “dignity,” turning clients from recipients of assistance to active contributors of society. Carmei Ha’ir serves 500 meals a day in a beautiful, restaurant environment where anyone can come in and eat; upon leaving, diners pay what they can. In recent years, Carmei Ha’ir–located near the Mahane Yehuda–has also expanded to include school lunches for needy students and family food baskets for Shabbat.

http://www.carmeihair.org.il/

AACI Annual General Meeting with Tal Agassi as our Keynote Speaker

AACI’s Annual General Meeting!

You don’t have to be a “Big Shot” to attend…The annual general meeting is an important part of our non-profit’s self-governance, and we invite all AACI members to come out and participate in this important process.

This upcoming Tuesday, January 25th AACI is hosting its annual general meeting starting at 6:30pm (refreshments from 6pm) at the Dr. Max & Gianna Glassman Family Center in Talpiot.

 

 

 

The agenda includes:

-a keynote address by Tal Agassi, Vice President of Better Place (Electric Car Company). Members who participated in the AACI tour of Better Place last fall will know that this is an Israeli-owned company truly at the forefront of developing alternative sustainable forms of transportation for our ever-changing world;

-reports from AACI President, Asa Cohen; AACI Executive Director, David London; and AACI Treasurer, Judy Ann Cohen;

 

-the presentation of “Volunteer of the Year” awards to four deserving members for their innovation, dedication, and support of AACI at each of our locations around the country;

 

-voting on proposed amendments to the AACI constitution; please see click here for details: ttp://www.aaci.org.il/articlenav.php?id=239

 

-the election and installation of proposed board members, officers, and committee chairs for 2011; (please email frontdesk@aaci.org.il to make a recommendation)

 

Pre-registration is requested. Please call one of our front desk volunteers at 02-566-1181.

 

Suggested donation:
10 NIS for members
20 NIS for non-members

 

Looking for young budding artists in Israel!

AACI is sponsoring a Children’s Art Show in honor of Israel’s 62nd Independence Day.   This is a wonderful opportunity for all children to be creative and to share their talents with the community.  We AACI’ers will benefit from viewing the colorful, expressive, spontaneous works which will be displayed on the walls of the AACI-Glassman Family Center in Jerusalem in the spring.  Youngsters ages 5 to 13 are eligible to participate; entries will be considered in 3 age groups – 5-7, 8-10, 11-13.

The theme of the show is “My Country”. What does that mean to your son or daughter, or your grandchild, or a favorite student?  Maybe it’s a neighborhood or a city or people or a favorite place to visit. Or perhaps it’s a holiday, Shabbat, the landscape, birds, sports teams or symbols of the State.  The children can paint or draw what they want using water paint, markers, crayons, pastels, acrylic or oil paints; collages are ok but please no sculptures or constructions.

Donna Grushka, Chairperson of the AACI Art Shows Committee, explains the idea of the show:  “It is important to encourage all children to express themselves artistically – we are trying to provide the venue and opportunity for as many kids as possible to show their work.  And we hope that the theme is one that everyone can relate to on some level.”  A big opening event to inaugurate the show will be held on May 5, 2011- with child-appropriate refreshments!!!

Since children probably do not read the AAC I newsletters or even this blog, we need YOUR help to get the information out to our target audience. Donna calls on parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, classroom teachers and after school chugim teachers to tell the kids about the art show and to provide the materials (paper and supplies) to encourage them to participate. Please spread the word by forwarding the information to your friends, kids’ teachers and relatives–young and old.

Please note: Entries should be delivered in person to AACI Glassman Family Center in Jerusalem or sent in the mail from February 1 – March 3, 2011 only so don’t delay! Please read the guidelines on the AACI website http://www.aaci.org.il/articlenav.php?id=132#kidsart carefully.

And Hmmm…by the way,  just how would you visually express “My Country”? Give it a try!

Wednesday Night at the Movies

Do you love watching quality movies? Do you find it hard, sometimes even expensive, to get your hands on an English-language movie in Israel? Well look no further.

AACI is pleased to announce a new, monthly cinema club meeting at the Dr. Max and Gianna Glassman Family Center in Talpiot.

Gary Levine, a long-time movie buff and AACI Member, is interested in bringing the glamour of Hollywood to Jerusalem. This is not just about the latest blockbuster with big explosions and scantily-clad women; this is about viewing movies that have entertained us while they have impacted society and culture, either through their content, cinematic technique, or historical context.

The first film Gary has selected is the classic black & white film It Happened One Night (1934), starring Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert. Directed by Frank Capra, It Happened One Night won 5 Oscars, including ”Best Picture,” and is often featured on many “Top 100″ lists of the best movies of the 20th Century.

“Spoiled heiress Ellen “Ellie” Andrews (Claudette Colbert) marries fortune-hunter “King” Westley (Jameson Thomas) against the wishes of her extremely wealthy father (Walter Connolly). He retrieves his daughter before the marriage can be consummated, but then she runs away. Boarding a bus to New York City, to reunite with her new spouse, she meets fellow bus passenger Peter Warne (Clark Gable), an out-of-work newspaper reporter. He recognizes her and gives her a choice: if she will give him an exclusive on her story he will help her reunite with Westley. If not he will tell her father where she is and collect the reward her Father has offered for her safe return. Ellie agrees to the first choice.. ” (Courtesy wikipedia.org)

And watch for upcoming selections, in future months:

Wednesday, February 16 – My Man, Godfrey (1936)
Wednesday, March 23 – What’s Up, Doc? (1972)

So and come enjoy a Hollywood movie classic on the big screen at AACI Jerusalem! See you at the movies…

“It Happened One Night” film screening

Wednesday, January 19 at 7:30pm

Host: Gary Levine

Dr. Max & Gianna Glassman Family Center
37 Pierre Koenig/2 Poalei Tzedek, Talpiot

Pre-registration suggested: 02-566-1181

Suggested Donation: AACI members NIS 20/non-members NIS 25

(contributed by Katie, guest blogger)

A Shepherd’s Journey from the Galilee to the Foreign Ministry

“If you will it, it is no dream.” – Theodore Herzl

One of our goals at AACI is to introduce our members to the incredible array of people who have positively impacted Israeli society. One of these individuals is most definitely Ishmael Khaldi, Israel’s first Bedouin diplomat. AACI Jerusalem is pleased to welcome Ishmael Khaldi to the Dr. Max & Gianna Glassman Family Center in Talpiot this Wednesday, January 12th at 7pm. For registration, please call one our volunteers at the front desk: 02-566-1181.

Ishmael Khaldi was one of 11 children raised in tradional Bedouin family in a remote village in the Galilee. The family lived in a simple, two-room tent without electricity or running water for the first eight years of Khaldi’s life. Bedouins enjoy a unique history and culture, one of the most important tenets of which is that Bedouin hospitality calls for the unconditional respect of others. As a boy, Khaldi often dreamed of a different life. He recalls his grandmother, Nof, telling stories about life working alongside Israel’s first pioneers…sharing the trials and tribulations of the land.

Despite such simple upbringings, Khaldi defied the odds and went on to earn an M.A. in Political Science from Tel Aviv University. He served in the Israeli Defense Forces, before taking a job with the Israeli Defense Ministry and the Israeli Police Force. Khaldi was then selected to represent Israel in the Foreign Ministry, where he functioned as the Deputy Consul General of Israel for San Francisco from 2006-2009.

Khaldi’s new memoir is “A Shepherd’s Journey: the Story of Israel’s First Bedouin Diplomat.” (2010) The memoir explores how his unique background has brought remarkable perspective to his professional and personal relationships with Jews, Muslims, and Christians. His experience working in North America and the Middle East have made him an invaluable resource for understanding the complex dimensions of life in Israel. Above all else, Khaldi speaks to groups about how one should not be defined by their circumstances,

“I am a Bedouin and Bedouins are Muslims … (but I am) an Israeli above everything.” -Ishmael Khaldi

Ishmael Khaldi: A Shepherd’s Journey

Wednesday, January 12 @ 7pm
AACI Glassman Family Center (Jerusalem)
37 Pierre Koenig/2 Poalei Tzedek, Talpiot

30 NIS for members
40 NIS for non-members

The Treasure of Reading Made Accessible

I recently came across a true treasure in Israel— the AACI Mary and Ben Cohen Library for the Visually Impaired and Homebound located in the AACI – Dr. Max and Gianna Glassman Family Center in Jerusalem.

 

Here one can find CDs, mp3s and audio cassettes of “talking books” in English as well as a fantastic collection of large print books. The well-stocked shelves are filled with novels, mysteries, biographies, Judaic texts and non-fiction books. Hebrew readers can take advantage of the Central Library for the Blind, Visually Impaired and Handicapped in Netanya, but the Cohen Library is the only place in Israel with materials in English for the visually impaired and learning disabled, filling an important need in our country.

 

I had the pleasure of meeting Naomi Katz, the founder and director of the Cohen Library for the Visually Impaired. (There is so much to say about this impressive woman, that I decided it merits a separate blog entry.)  Naomi explained that the materials are important not only for those with sight challenges but also for those who are homebound or in hospitals or nursing homes. Audio books can help pass the long hours for those going through medical treatments like kidney dialysis. Students and adults with learning disabilities such as dyslexia also benefit from the library’s resources.

 

Naomi makes an effort to get good literature and the most popular books for her clientele. Most of the large print books and audio books are acquired through donations from the U.S. Through contributions, Naomi is able to order materials on line through Amazon and Doubleday, the largest suppliers of materials for the visually impaired and audio books.

 

The library is operated by Naomi and a staff of 25 volunteers who serve the members five mornings a week from 9:30 am – 12:30 pm. The work of the dedicated library staff includes receiving the public, ordering materials, keeping records, preparing packages to send out to members, cataloguing material on computer and more. Additional volunteers are welcome!

 

Membership in the library costs NIS 100 per year and currently serves over 200 people living throughout Israel. Books and audio materials are mailed directly to members through the free national mail service for the blind. There is both a printed and an online catalogue which members can use to select materials. (For more information about membership, phone 02-560-0912 or send an email to library@aaci.org.il )

 

A psychologist and artist by profession, Naomi entered the library world by chance. About fifteen years ago, friends of Naomi from the U.S. contacted her after their parents passed away. The family wanted to do something in Israel in memory of their parents, Mary and Ben Cohen, z”l. They turned to Naomi to help them find an appropriate venue to receive the donation of the many books on tape that their parents had accumulated. There was no English library in Israel for the visually impaired at that time so Naomi approached AACI with the idea of creating one. The library was first housed in the former AACI building before moving to its current location in the new, larger premises in Talpiot. The Cohen family donated the seed money to get the library started and has continued to donate funds to the library throughout the years. Additional funds are received from the government, Federation and private donors.

 

The library’s reputation extends beyond the borders of Israel. People living abroad have also contacted the library inquiring about its services. Recently, a librarian in Addis Ababa sent an email to the library saying that they had no materials for the visually impaired in his country and asked for any extra materials that could be shared with them. Naomi and staff complied with the request and sent off a box of duplicate books and tapes to Ethiopia.

 

Making reading matter accessible to the English speaking public is an important service provided by the AACI- Cohen Library for the Visually Impaired. There are several ways you can help to support this project. If you have or know of a source for donations of new and used material for the library, please inform the librarians. Volunteers are welcome to join the staff to help with the organization and provide service to its members.  Funds are also needed to provide new materials to the library.

 

 

Contact information for the AACI – Cohen Library for the Visually Impaired and Homebound

 

Location: AACI – Dr. Max and Gianna Glassman Family Center in Jerusalem.

Corner of 37 Pierre Koenig and 2 Poalei Tzedek, Talpiot
Hours: Sunday through Thursday from 9:30 am to12:30 pm
Phone: 02-560-0912
Fax: 02-566-1920
Email:  library@aaci.org.il

 

Chanukah, Oh Chanukah!

Don’t be misled by the summer temperatures—Chanukah begins this week! Although our friends in the southern hemisphere are accustomed to celebrating Chanukah in the summer, here in Israel (and back in the United States and Canada) we are used to warming ourselves up by the burning Chanukah lights and sizzling potato latkes and covering up the additional kilos from those jelly filled sufganiyot by putting on a sweater or two!

The first night of Chanukah begins on the eve of the 25^th of Kislev which corresponds to Wednesday, December 1^st this year. The lights of the chanukiya remind us of miracles, both old and new. As new and veteran olim, we experience the miracle of living in Israel today and being granted the opportunity to shape the character of our Jewish State.  Although each of us may only be one small light, working together we shine brighter and can make a difference.

And who knows? Maybe there will be another  Chanukah miracle and rain will begin to fall. Rain or shine, AACI has a host of activities planned around the country to brighten your holiday and to keep the children on school vacation happy. We wish you a Chanukah filled with light and joy! Chag Urim Sameach!

Jerusalem

All activities take place at AACI – Dr. Max & Gianna Glassman Family Center, 37 Pierre Koenig / 2 Poalei Zedek, Talpiot, Jerusalem (except for the photography walks)

For children

Story Time with Mimi

Tuesday, November 30^th, 4:15 -5:30 PM

Ages 4 and up

Pre-registration required – call 02-566-1181

Cost:   AACI members NIS 20/non-members NIS 30

Chanukah Magic Show

Sunday Dec. 5^th, 2:00 – 3:00 pm

With the Master Magician The “Great Shmoolonzo”

A spectacular presentation of Illusion with fire effects in honor of Chanukah

Cost for adults and children: AACI members NIS 25 / non-members NIS 30

For adults

Chanukah Celebration

Thursday, Dec 2^nd

6:30 – 8:00 pm – Reception, buffet dinner and live musical entertainment

8:00 – 9:00 pm – Rabbi Chaim Brovender, continuing the series of Great Jewish Thinkers presents Rabbi Nachman of Breslav – Chanukah Lights

co-sponsored by AACI and WebYeshiva.org

Cost: AACI members and WebYeshiva.org members NIS 30/non-members NIS 40

To RSVP: Call 02 5671719 ext 0, or email chanuka@WebYeshiva.org

New Art Exhibition

Visit the Quiltworks by Maxine Forman and

Fine Crafts from Kibbutz Neot Semadar

at AACI.

Bring Light and Color to your holiday.The exhibit runs from Nov. 24 through Jan. 6. There will be a gallery talk on Dec. 20 at 6 pm.

Chanukah Photography Walks

Dec. 7:   Old city, meet at 4- 4:15 at Zion Gate.

Dec. 8:   Sha’are Hessed, meet at the corner of Ussishkin and Keren Kayemet  at 4 – 4:15 pm.

Cost: AACI members NIS 35/non-members NIS 45

Each walk will be about an hour and a half.  Call Douglas at 052-2679-327 to pre-register. Participants should dress warm and if there is a chance of rain, phone ahead of time to confirm.

55+ / – Singles

Chanukah Party

Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 6:30 pm

with music, dancing and socializing. Latkes, Israeli salad and sufganiyot will be provided by the Jerusalem Culinary Institute

Cost: AACI members NIS 45 / non-members NIS 55

Please pre-register – call 02-566-1181

Netanya

Beit Oleh America Netanya AACI, 28  Shmuel  Hanatziv, Netanya, 42281

Tel: 09 833 0950 email: info@netanyaaaci.org.il

“Menorahs, Dreidels & Oil”

Wednesday, December 1^st

A full day Chanukah tiyul guided by Adi Zarchior

The day includes a hike on Tel Yodfat, where Josephus, a general at the time of the Great Revolt of the Jews against Rome, was captured. Meet with artists and see hand-crafted chanukiot, dreidels and other art connected with Chanukah, visit an oil press and learn about the manufacture of olive oil through the ages and its many uses today, and visit a Beeswax workshop to make your own beeswax candle.

Cost: NIS 203    Optional Kosher lunch at Druze restaurant: NIS 55
For details and registration, call 09 833 0950

The Pzazz Jazz Chanukah Concert

Sunday, December 5 at 8.00pm.

The PJ Jazz Ensemble will treat you to an exciting Chanukah concert with the best of Dixieland, swing, jazz and blues. Joining the Band will be renowned jazz saxophonist Jacques Sany and Dixieland trombonist Amnon Ben Artzi.

Tickets: Members NIS 70  Non-members and at door NIS 80.

Price includes coffee and donuts.

Call 09 833 0950 for more information.

“The Life and Times of Bar Kochba”

Sunday, December 5 at 10.30am

Lecture by Marjorie Glick

What do we know about Shimon Bar Kochba, leader of the last attempt to regain independence for a Jewish nation, a State of Israel, until our very own time?  Come find out!  Call 09 833 0950 for more information

Creative Photography Workshop for Youth

(12-16 years old)

Wednesday, Dec. 8 from 9.30am-2.30pm.

will be taught by Tom Langford, a professional photographer, digital retoucher and website designer. Call 09 833 0950 for more information

Central

76 Ibn Gvirol Street
Tel Aviv (1st Floor)
Tel: 03-6960389

E-mail: jsinai@aaci.org.il

Four Chanukah Drama Workshops for the Family

December 3-9

led by Meirav Zur, a professional actress

Workshops include:
1) We’re Such a Drama Queen & Princess: A Workshop for the Bat-Mitzva’s & their Moms!

2) So Glad We’re Related:  Parent-Child Workshop for a mom/dad & their 3^rd– 5^th-Grader.

3) So Glad We’re Related:  Parent-Child Workshop for a mom/dad & their 7^th-9^th-Grader.  (English)

4) It’s All Relative:  Family-Duo Workshop for ADULTS only!  Pairs of Adult Parent-Adult Child, Sibling-Sibling, Couples, or Cousins. (English)

For more information click here

“BETTER PLACE”

Tour of the Groundbreaking Electric Car Center

Thursday, December 9th at 11.30am

Chanukah Tiyul – Bring your driver’s license and test-drive an electric car.

(tour with English guide lasts 1 ½ hours)

Cost: AACI members NIS 15  / non-members NIS 20  (not suitable for children under eight)

For more details or to register

(pre-registration required!)  Call 03 – 696 0389

South

Community Center in Beer Sheva
Matnas “Yud Aleph”
11 Mordehai Namir St.
Shchunat Yud Aleph, Beer Sheva
Tel: 08-643-3953

mgreen@aaci.org.il

A combined Thanksgiving and Chanukah celebration took place last week and was enjoyed by all the participants!

Happy Chanukah!

No Need to Sing the Turkey Blues

Just say the word “Thanksgiving” and our brains go into sensory overload as we whiff the stuffed turkey cooking in the oven, visualize the deep red cranberry sauce and orange sweet potatoes, taste the scrumptious pumpkin pie, hear the crowds roaring at the local high school football game and conjure up images of the extended family lounging around together watching the Macy Parade in New York.

Although we have many ways in Judaism to express our gratitude and appreciation for the blessings in our lives, when Thanksgiving time comes around in Israel, something is often missing for former Americans and Canadians (who celebrated Thanksgiving on Oct. 11 in Canada). Even veteran olim are often nostalgic as they recall memories of their family holiday celebrations in North America.

I still remember my first Thanksgiving in Israel in 1977. Living on a kibbutz in the western Galilee, we had dinner as usual in the communal dining room. The “delicacies” on our plates (eshel, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, white cheese, a hard boiled egg and a slice of bread) were a far cry from the holiday foods that our families were consuming that day back in Philadelphia and Boston, expanding the distance between us and arousing feelings of homesickness.

There are many American and Canadian Israelis who feel the message of the holiday translates across oceans and borders and continue to celebrate Thanksgiving here. It’s not so simple. Have you had the experience of begging the butcher in the supermarket to secure a whole turkey for you for the occasion? Even if you were able to acquire this prized possession, after triumphantly shlepping home “Horace” (as my mother fondly called our bird), much to your dismay you discovered that there was no way you could cram it into your Israeli-size oven, definitely not designed to cook a whole 25 pound turkey.

No need to surrender. Come to AACI and surround yourself with other American and Canadian Israelis for a special Thanksgiving celebration. There are several ways to commemorate the holiday. All activities will take place at the Dr. Max & Gianna Glassman Family Center in Jerusalem.

Children (ages 4 and up) are invited for a special Thanksgiving story and craft project with Mimi on Tuesday, November 23 from 4:15 – 5:30 pm. A great way to pass on the traditions of the holiday!

The National AACI Seniors will hold their own Thanksgiving festivities on Wednesday, November 24 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. The program includes guest speaker David Macarov, emeritus professor of the Hebrew University School of Social Work, who worked with the head of Aliyah Bet in America before coming on aliyah in 1947, served in the Haganah and was chief cryptographer for the Israel Air Force. In addition to a traditional Thanksgiving meal (kosher mehadrin) there will be live entertainment. Cost per person: AACI members NIS 100 / non-members NIS 125.

On Thursday, November 25 (Thanksgiving Day in America) there will be a Thanksgiving feast at 6:00 pm. This is the first time this event will take place in our new center. Don’t miss out on a full kosher (mehadrin) Thanksgiving meal complete with turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and entertainment as well. Cost per person: AACI members NIS 115 / non-members NIS 130.

All above events require immediate reservations. If you are interested, please call AACI at02-566-1181, jlmprog@aaci.org

Thanksgiving is followed in America by “Black Friday”, the day holiday shopping officially begins. While we may not have stores in Israel giving away plasma TV’s for half-price at 5:00 am, you can always visit the shuk with Sybil Kaplan and see what bargains await you there!  (For more information, click here)

Now if we could just have the four day weekend to go along with our Thanksgiving meal, we would truly have a perfect holiday.

Happy Thanksgiving!