An enthusiastic group gathered together recently at the modern, Netanya Municipality Senior Center above the Bank Leumi for the kick-off event of ESRA Netanya's new Culture Committee. Board members decorated the room, which felt like an intimate club. Tables were covered with blue tablecloths, bright pink bougainvillea, vines and plates of homemade cakes. The event, titled "I'm in a Jewish State of Mind", was moderated by Yori Yanover, a journalist and Senior Editor of TheJewishindependent.com. It brought together four Anglo bloggers writing in Israel:
Brian of London, http://www.israellycool.com/
Paula Stern, http://israelisoldiersmother.blogspot.co.il/
Batya Medad, http://shilohmusings.blogspot.co.il/
Stephen Leavitt, thejewishpress.com.
The panel members ranged from two years to well over 30 years living in Israel, so it was a varied set of experiences they depicted. The bloggers introduced themselves with a short background of their aliyah experience and a bit about their blogs and how they came to write. The moderator had each panelist answer a series of questions, including what were their favorite and least favorite things about living in Israel and what they would change about Israel if they could. Yori also inquired what positive things they thought that Anglos have contributed to Israel and what their most controversial or most popular blog piece had been about. The forum was then opened up to comments and questions from the audience and a lively and upbeat interaction ensued. The evening was presented with much humor, wonderful stories and stayed away from divisive discussions of politics and religion. It was insightful, informative and entertaining. We thank all of the panelists for their contributions and also the Netanya municipality for contributing the space for this wonderful kick-off event of the ESRA Netanya Culture Committee. Watch the ESRA calendar closely for our future offerings which will be diverse, educational, entertaining and fun.