ISSUE 156 - Sep/Oct 2010
Born in Israel to parents of Yemenite origin Ahinoam Nini grew up in America. From an early age music was a part of her life – first singing and composing in the school choir. Later she studied at the Rimon School of Music and her repertoire covers a great range of songs including blues, ballards ethnic and classical works. She has sung with and for many famous people, including the Pope at the Vatican. Now acclaimed internationally as a singer, composer and lyricist she will be singing for ESRA on October 17 at the Tel Aviv Performing Arts Center.
More...The ESRA Social club for youth with cerebral palsy recently celebrated 10 years by putting on a photographic exhibition. With the help of students who volunteer at the club and student photographers, the members of the club told their stories which were published in a booklet and their photos put on display. The club meets weekly in the Kfar Shmaryahu community center.
More...Rinna Samuel, a writer, writes about her memorable meetings with two of the most celebrated women of her time: Golda Meir and Dame Miriam Rothschild. Each of these formidable women made a lasting impression on her as she recounts how and why their names are imprinted in history.
More...Woolf Abrahams asks the question: Are long synagogue services necessary? And if so, why? He quotes several impeccable sources, including the writings of Professor S.C.Reif, former Director of Genizah Research Unit, Cambridge University.
More...The award-giving ceremony for the winners participating in ESRA Magazine’s third literary competition, “My Israel”, was celebrated at a festive reception, replete with wine and goodies. Carl Hoffman was there and reports.
More...First inhabited 2,500 years ago Apollonia archeological site is now the setting for music. Throughout the summer, on a Friday two hours before sunset there is a concert. All types of music are featured including Irish, jazz, cinema, folk and songs of peace. The atmosphere is always pleasant says Motti Zaslow, the music good and the setting beautiful.
More...The ESRA second-hand bookshop finds a treasure among some donated books, a 2,400 year-old manuscript: “The Art of Warfare,” written by Sun Tzu . Jane Krivine tells us about her quest for its literary value.
More...Avi Tanger is an amateur wine enthusiast who produces his own wine. Michael Brunert gives us some technical details about how and where the grapes are produced and information relating to the manufacturing process that Avi uses.
More...A “love letter” about a beloved Nanny. Meera Jacobson remembers her childhood in South Africa and her relationship to a special person.
More...FROM THE EDITOR

In this issue we try to raise all our spirits by bringing you glimpses of international support in real ways, a colorful palate of exhibitions, portraits of people who love and do for Israel, some light hearted articles and as always opportunities for you to volunteer and become involved in the country we love. Two articles show how people from overseas come to Israel to actively learn about us: “Looking Forward” describes the feelings of Christian Friends of Israel who spent a week here at a seminar during the memorial period of the Holocaust and Israel’s Fallen Soldiers, and in “Intensive Road to Arabic” of the feelings of young people who have come to study Arabic and Israel and its problems. In “Rotuma”, an island in the Pacific, we are introduced into another type of community living. There are so many examples of Jews abroad who translate their identification with Israel into active ways of showing it. We bring you two: “Dan David” who created the first photo booths in Israel and in the past years gives annual large money prizes to famous people who come here to receive it and Fred Monosson who filmed “Israel in Color” on every visit he made to Israel from 1948-1969 and whose films have been rescued and edited by Avishai Kfir. Also in this issue you can read about Israelis who give their heart and soul to this country: writing the biography of Golda Meir and getting to know her, Azaria Alon who did so much to protect Israel’s nature, outstanding volunteers in Netanya and Ramat Hasharon and the winners of ESRA’s “My Israel” literary competition. You too can volunteer - tutor English (English without Borders) or help handicapped children in the therapeutic horse riding program. A small country so rich in culture, we highlight five exhibitions, ESRA Events offers courses, lectures, trips, social groups, a musical treat in Apollonia, and books to read. The Food/Wine section features dessert wines and home-making wine, and fondues; keeping your intellect alive with bridge by playing boldly and safely and solving our crossword. The Sport column reinacts the month of the Mondial by viewers here, and tells you of the blossoming of Aqua Gym. Some light hearted articles to enjoy – on computers, living with snakes, bargain-finding. On the serious side, very useful information is brought to you on reducing taxes and on inheritance taxes and the administrative steps you need to do on becoming a widow. Yom Kippur is approaching and you can read what the day means to us and thoughts about our long prayers. Happy New Year to you all from our readers and from all of us at ESRA, Merle Guttmann Close



