From the Editor - 223

We sat at an editorial meeting for this magazine discussing, amongst other subjects, what should feature about the Israel-Hamas war. It would be 19 months since October 7, and we had published in previous magazines many moving and varied articles. But life has its own twists and dictates. I came home from the meeting to find "A Trip down South", a poem sent me by Karen Kripor who felt she and we all must continue to speak out about the atrocities of 7/10. A few days later I received an article by Nicky Basuk, who too had been on an ESRA visit to the Gaza Envelope, and was devastated and enraged that for one day we became the Jews of the Shoah, without a country, without an army, without a government. Rob Simmons captured Gaza scenes in his amazing photographs. Next came a poignant poem by Orli Summers, "The Raw Unpolished Truths that We Hold" about the fragile ceasefire and the torturous wait for those still held captive. Wanting to do something positive, Accent Quilters are sewing what Carol Novis terms "hug rugs" for Nirim residents, personalized to the recipients' color choice and incorporating something important to them.

I love memory stories. Lisa Starr regales us with her stories about Meatland, a Raanana icon renowned for its brisket, tongues, biltong, et al, saying "that 18 months after Meatland closed its doors, we still reminisce in our staff WhatsApp group". David Buirski reveals an amusing example of how you can turn a public relations disaster into a triumph, the story of the launch of Israel's premium beer in 1964. It's interesting to read about village life in Israel in the 1940s written by Meir Schory who was placed with a foster family on a moshav in the Sharon region. David King recalls an assignment he was given as a volunteer policeman, to check out a bicycle accident and how he assumed non-granted authority, ordering the victim to go immediately to the hospital.

Lots of ESRA news, including a report by CEO Sunny Marshansky of crisis to growth in 2024 and an Impact Report in figures and sums. Yolanda Woolf and David Toubkin write about an Intel-ESRA project and the achievements of young minds who have embarked on a journey into the world of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Our Haifa Bookshop, according to Wendy Blumfield, has surpassed expectations and has become a community hub with several activities taking place there each week, all run by volunteers. Cecily Spungin and Susan Kurnedz welcome our readers to avail yourselves of ESRA's Emotional Counseling Services, and also, those of you who are troubled, to write in your questions.

Our youngest, very talented, writer, Miri Polis, just turned 17, gives us insight into two people. One is the enchanting Shimon Horowitz, Nahariya's musical man, who for four years daily pedals his colorful, flower-adorned tricycle through the bustling streets, transforming the atmosphere with a captivating medley of sounds that resonates deeply with residents and visitors, especially in these troubled times. The other is Professor Jeffrey Kaplan, who is conducting research at the Galilee Medical Center in Nahariya, working on a new treatment for acne – says Kaplan, "every day holds the potential for a groundbreaking discovery". Whilst on health, Professor Jesse Lachter writes on colon cancer protection. Cardiologist Dr. Morton Leibowitz writes on the creation of a cardiac rehab center at Meir Hospital in 1997 based on vigorous aerobic exercise as an effective tool in the prevention of the origin and the progression of cardio-vascular disease.

Sheila Patz, just turned 100, told Pessy Krausz of her secret of long life: "… structure, curiosity, learning, Jewish values and facing one's challenges…" Another take on a successful life, is retired Professor Berry Pinshow's analysis that for him it was having the chutzpah to seize opportunities when they presented themselves, regardless of how unprepared he felt … the courage to act affirmatively when opportunities arise.

Read about our cover's artist, Darius Gilmont, and see more of his Judaic paintings in the article on him by Cindy Moritz. Rabbi Ariel Pollak, a special young man, has remade Kehilat Sinai in Tel Aviv into a compassionate, open, international (multi-lingual) center of Jewish song, Jewish prayer, Jewish learning building a close community of all ages and backgrounds, writes Martin Sinkoff.

With summer approaching, some suggestions for outings in Israel – the ancient city of Akko, the Secret Museum, the National Library, Zichron Yaakov, Bet Guvrin National Park, an overwhelming experience writes Lydia Aisenberg, and the Hussein Lookout which memorializes Colonel Hussein, the brave Druze IDF commander killed in Southern Lebanon in 1996. There are also trips and hikes by ESRA. For trips overseas, Mexico City seen through Jewish lens by Jeffrey Winter, as well as Morocco.

Articles on finance – US-Israel Tax Compliance by Alan Deutsch, and Yadin Kaufmann launches "A Good Option". On law – Unmarried couples also need a will by Judy Rinot, the Abolition of the UK Non-Dom by Assaf Hasson, and Continuous Power of Attorney by Guy Carmi.

The Jettison King by bridge correspondent Alan Caplan, Humor by Jennia, book reviews, Israeli wines by Sinkoff, our challenging Crossword.

I pray that just as the Jews left Egypt on Pesach, all our hostages will be out of Gaza.