Israel you didn't know

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Are These Israel’s Real Goals?

After all the hype, glamour and expectation, the Israeli soccer team tied with the mighty England 0-0.

No goals for Israel.

No goals for England.

Nothing.

In front of 40,000 fans in the stadium and millions more in England, Israel and who knows where else!

In NBA or NFL terms, that means a full game (with all the commercials, timeouts, etc.) ending 0-0!

Go figure.

And the Israelis were happy, saying the result indicates good progress!

It’s not my job here to explain the mysteries of soccer, but I would like to consider the wonders of modern-day Israel.

Israel – whether we like it or not – is the Promised Land.

Promised by God to the Jewish people.

For what?

To play soccer?

To become another England or America in the Middle East?

I think not.

Of course there’s value in sport and in developing a western-style, democratic, educated society, but what are Israel’s long-term goals?

To be a nation just like any other nation?

Have we survived thousands of years of exile, persecution, pogroms and Holocausts just to become a nation like any other?

Were we freed from Egypt just to be able to compete against England in the European Championships?

Please correct me if you think I’m wrong, but I would guess Israel is here to achieve some piritually valuable goals.

After all, do we really need another America? Does God care if we beat England or not?

It’s a “Promised Land” so the Jewish people can leverage its intrinsic holiness as some sort of “light unto the nations.”

To take it a bit over the top, that means Israeli sports crowds should behave impeccably, with respect and courtesy for their opponents...

No swearing or curses during the game...
No violence...

OK. That’s maybe for the Messianic All-Stars in Jerusalem but you get the idea.

For if Israel has no goals but to score goals, why are thousands of IDF soldiers risking their lives every day?

And why are Hamas, Hezbollah & Co. out to kill us?

Pesach in 2007

This year, in the Hebrew year "Tash-oz" (5767) the Pesach holiday takes on an ever more special significance in Israel. Following last summer's war in Lebanon, and after the trauma that many Israelis experienced from the onslaughts of Ketusha missiles from the Hezbollah, Pesach in 2007 will remind everyone living in Israel and elsewhere how precious personal safety and freedom really is. Many Israeli soldiers are serving their country far away from friends and family; especially the ones known as lone soldiers or "hayal boded" in Hebrew. It is hoped that everyone will open their homes, and their hearts, to these brave young men and women who made the decision to come to Israel alone, leaving family members back in their home countries. We must also hope, and pray, that the three captured Israeli soldiers, Gilad Schalit, Eldad Regev, and Ehud Goldwasser, will soon be free and back with their families during the Pesach Holiday in 2008.

Celebrating Pesach in Israel

The Passover Season is even more special when celebrated in Israel.
The entire country becomes involved and this includes even grocery stores are restaurants, including 'fast food' ones where hamburgers are mostly sold in special rolls made from matzo meal. During the days proceeding the first Seder night, households can be seen vigorously preparing for the holiday by cleaning and throwing out unwanted items.

"Doing Pesach" becomes interpreted as a very thorough Spring cleaning, and most religious homes are already 'kosher for Pesach' as much as two weeks before the holiday really begins. The night before the Seder, families symbolically search throughout the house for pieces of 'hametz' which is taken outside and burned before Passover Seder eve. On the evening of the Seder, literally thousands of cars can be seen heading towards places where families will come together to partake in the Passover meal.

The first and last days of Pesach are official Israeli holidays, and even during the interim or 'Chol Hamoed' days many people are on holiday, often traveling to national parks and other holiday sites around the country.

Celebrating Times of Freedom

For those who aren’t aware, Pesach or Passover celebrates the redemption of the Children of Israel from forced bondage under the Egyptian Pharos. The holiday is celebrated annually for seven days from the 14th to 21st of the Hebrew month of Nisan.

For Jews all over the word, Pesach is a very special holiday as it also coincides with the beginning of spring. As an important reminder of leaving Egypt, the Pesach holiday requires observant Jews to eat special foods, especially 'matzot' or unleavened bread products, to recall the rush of leaving the house of bondage without having time to bake bread in the conventional manner. In the Diaspora, Jews must often purchase or prepare these foods ahead of time so as not to run out during the holiday.

Homes must be cleaned thoroughly to rid them of 'hametz' or leavened bread products. Foodstuffs not "kosher for Passover" are put away and even symbolically 'sold' to non-Jews, to be kept "in trust" until the end of the seventh day. The festive, ritual meal, known as the Passover Seder is participated in by families on Pesach Eve.

This special ritual, in which all members of the family participate in its observance, include the reciting of the Passover Hagadah, which tells the story of the ten plagues rendered by G-d to the Egyptians, and explains the symbolic meaning of all items eaten in the Passover meal.
The sparing by G-d of the first born children of the Israelites, as well as the miracle of the parting of the Red Sea, allowing them to cross over to freedom, also pays an important part in the meaning of this holiday.

Thus, Pesach is truly a Jewish "festival of freedom".

Have We Really Left Egypt?

Ayal Yerushalmi, an Israeli motor sports enthusiast and motorbike rider, took part in the Rally of the Pharaohs in Egypt. He had a serious accident that paralyzed him for life.

His sponsors (and employers) had not taken out suitable insurance for him and refused to take any responsibility after the accident.
And what’s worse is the Israeli courts accepted their argument.

Why?

Well, the bottom line was “they weren’t obliged by law to insure Yerushalmi in this particular situation.”

The law is an ass.

In contrast to real life sport in Israel, Frankie Dunn, Maggie Fitzgerald’s trainer in the movie,” Million Dollar Baby” does all in his power to ensure his paralyzed charge gets the best treatment and sticks with her throughout.

That’s just common sense.
Simple human decency.
And to hell with the law.

As the Jewish people approach Passover, the festival celebrating the Exodus from Egypt, what are we celebrating?

Freedom from the heartless, barbaric, murderous regime of the Pharaohs?

Freedom from the selfishness, immorality and promiscuity of Egyptian life?

Yes we are. Partly.

But leaving all that behind doesn’t make the slightest bit of difference if we don’t do what’s right and show care and compassion to our fellow human beings.

Yes, law is important, but caring for others is above and beyond.

15 killed over the weekend.

85 since the start of the year. No, it’s not Baghdad.
It’s Israel.
On the roads.

Jaffa oranges, diamonds and Israel Military Products aside, Israel is notorious for high numbers of traffic accidents and fatalities.

Sometimes it’s because they didn’t stop at a red light or a junction...
Sometimes it’s because they were speeding...
Or under the influence of alcohol...
Sometimes they lose control of the wheel...
Or fall asleep...

And the list goes on.
The Government and the Police wake up every so often and announce yet another new program to fight death on the roads.
The media play their part in bringing the gruesome pictures to the people.
And there are programs in school to teach kids of the dangers from a very early age.

And now, after a particularly rough start to the Year, the Internal Security Minister is calling for emergency measures. Again.

Something is not working here.
And it can’t just be human nature or human error. It can’t just be lack of care or the recklessness of younger drivers.
No, I don’t have a magic solution, but I know that much more can and should be
done.

Is enough money devoted to prevention?
Have we studied traffic rules and enforcements in countries with much lower accident statistics?
And applied the conclusions?

And have we taught our children well enough that the most valuable thing in the whole wide world is LIFE?

Ears, Hats and Pockets

Purim is the happiest day in the Jewish calendar.

The evil Haman had planned to annihilate the Jewish people and Queen Esther thwarted his wicked plan.

Haman was hung on a tree to dry and the Jews celebrate Purim to this day.

Lots of food. Lots of drink.

And lots of giving gifts to others.

That’s what Judaism’s all about I suppose!

Although we’d rather keep old Haman hanging in suspense, there’s an ancient tradition to...eat him in one form or another!

Hamantashen is a triangular-shaped pastry traditionally served on Purim.

The original recipe contained poppy seed filling. The name came from poppy seed treats called “Mantashen.”

Some joker distorted it to “Hamantashen” which means “Haman's pockets” in Yiddish.

Some authorities claim he wore a three-cornered hat, (how do they know?) and that’s why the pastry is triangular.

In Hebrew, the pastry is called “Oznei Haman,” Haman's ears.

This could be because he was rather embarrassed when his evil plot was revealed.
Could his ears have been red?

Was Haman the first Communist?
Or maybe he should have just listened to his mother, who asked him to buy her one of these collectors-item sterling silver Hamentashen

Check out some other original jewelry and great Purim gifts at israel-shops.com

And give your loved ones an earful this Purim!

Our Own Worst Enemy

Whether it’s Amir Peretz thinking he can gain some much-needed popularity by dismantling so-called ‘illegal’settlements...

Or Peace Now thinking their activities really will bring peace now...

Or the religious infighting by those who think they have a God-given right to impose their views on others...

Or Israel’s leaders or sportsmen trying to make us into a nation like any other nation...
It all boils down to the same thing. We are our own worst enemy. Because we don’t understand who we are.

The Jewish people are a people unlike any other.

Chosen by God not in a racially superior sense but to represent a monotheistic, moral and ethical way of life in this world.

In other words, chosen for responsibility.
Certainly not an Oscar Hollywood will award this week!

And the world hates us for symbolizing conscience and moral responsibility.

Hitler said so explicitly:

“I am freeing man from the restraints of an intelligence that has taken charge, from the dirty and degrading self-mortifications of a false vision known as conscience and morality...”

He also knew that the Jewish ‘threat’ was embodied in every single Jew, whether that Jew was the greatest Rabbi who ever lived or the most self-hating assimilated Jew on the planet:

“If only one Jewish child survives, without any Jewish education, with no synagogue and no Hebrew school – it is in his soul.”

Ironically, Hitler had a clearer understanding of who the Jewish people – and what they have
accomplished – than millions of Jews do today.

Amir Peretz, Peace Now, religious coercers Israeli leaders, and every Jew....

Before you choose to be like everyone else,look deep into your souls... and see the JEW!

Starting Afresh

Israel’s Police Commissioner just resigned and a new one has already been appointed...
The new IDF Chief of Staff, Gabi Ashkenazi, has just begun his termof office...
And Jacky Matza, Director of Israel’s Tax Authority, also resigned yesterday.

As I walked up the steps to my house,I stopped to admire the fresh pink blossom on the neighbor’s peach tree.
I walked a few more steps into my garden to observe the buds beginning to grow on our magnificent fig tree.

Spring is in the air in Israel.
It’s time for renewal.
Because that’s how the Universe works.
It’s embedded in Nature.

And it’s part of us too.

Today is the first of the Hebrew month of Adar, and the Jewish calendar and liturgy make special provisions for every new month. It reminds us that we can always renew ourselves. Every month. Every day if necessary.
We can decide to resign our old selves, our old habits or those annoying character traits...
We can decide to resign our jobs and follow that dream we’ve always wanted...
We can decide to fire our fears and take control of our lives...

And that’s wonderful!
If we realize that change and renewal is the way the world is supposed to work...
If we realize that changes in Governments and public positions are perfectly natural...
And we realize that we too can renew ourselves at any given moment...

We need never be depressed!

There’s always hope! There’s always a way out. After every resignation comes a new appointment, a new opportunity.
And the Jewish people know that better than most. It’s what’s kept us going for so long!
So whether it’s the Police, the IDF, the Tax Authority or ourselves, let us hope that all renewal is as sure and delicious as my peaches and figs!

The Solution to Evil

I was in England a couple of weeks ago.

Prime Minister Tony Blair was being questioned for his possible involvement in an honors scandal.
And nine Muslims were arrested in Birmingham for allegedly planning to kidnap and behead a Muslim soldier in the British army.
In Israel, the Prime Minister/President is always under police scrutiny.
And the IDF are arresting Hamas, Jihad and Fatah activists every day.

Would it be too simplistic to suggest that
a. Power corrupts
b. Fundamental Islam is a real threat to the civilized world?

Would it be even more simplistic to suggest the solution to these two problems is in our hands?
1. We should not actively be looking to attain positions of power.
If we are worthy in our deeds and actions we will have power bestowed upon us.
Take the example of Moses at the burning bush. He argued with God for a week,
claiming his unsuitability to be a leader.
(And if Bush had also taken Moses’ lead, maybe there would be a lot less burning in Iraq.)
Moses was such a good leader precisely because he didn’t want to be one.

2. The answer to evil is good.
No-one has ever solved the problem of irrational, insane, inhuman terror.
No threat, no punishment, no army and no government.
Just like in the movies, it’s good versus evil, cops versus robbers.
The world is finely balanced. It could go either way.
But the more good each of us does will counteract the evil they do.
They think they know what’s right.
We know what’s right (otherwise why make a fuss of Blair, Olmert, Katsav, John McCain or anybody else?)

So let’s just do the right thing. For the world’s sake.

The Only Comfort

I’ve just returned from a condolence
visit to England.

My grandparents – 96 and 94 – lost their eldest daughter in Israel after a long and gritty struggle against cancer.

There are no words. No comfort.

The Jewish custom allows friends and acquaintances to visit the bereaved for seven days after the funeral. So at least my grandparents were overwhelmed with warm and caring visitors from morning to night.

But there are no words. No comfort.

My grandfather was the British Army chaplain at the time the Allies liberated Bergen-Belsen in 1945. He’s seen his fair share of suffering.

And he said his own personal grief pales in the shadow of the suffering of the Jewish people.
But still... a child is a child.

And there are no words. No comfort.

We can never know why there’s suffering... Or why the Jewish people have had such a generous supply of it...

But now we have a Jewish State and a Jewish army. And we have a faith that has lasted since the first Jew in the world was asked to sacrifice his own son...

And that’s a comfort.

Taking Responsibility

So IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz resigned.

Is that good? Bad? Should he have done it sooner? Your opinions are welcome.
What is beyond argument though is that he took responsibility. And that is surely worthy of praise.

From the sixth day of Creation, humanity has had a problem taking personal
responsibility. Eve blames the snake - Adam blames Eve.

We are masters of excuses and explanations. We can always find a reason not to do something or blame someone else for our misdemeanors.
Remember! When you point a finger at someone or something else, three fingers remain pointing at you! (Try it)

As a wise man once said:

“You are the only problem you will ever have and you are the only solution. Change is inevitable. Personal growth is always a personal decision.”

Dan Halutz has reminded us of one of life’s inevitabilities.

Whether we lead an army, a nation or just our own daily lives...
If we can’t take responsibility for our thoughts, words and actions, can we expect to grow?
Can we expect respect from others?
Can we respect ourselves?

So say it out loud today:

“Sorry. I was wrong.”

The Real Thing

Today’s headline in The Jerusalem Post:

“IDF delighted with new head of UNIFIL”

Condoleezza’s here again to discuss roadmaps.
And Ehud’s deliberately holding back on attacking Gaza because he wants to show the world we’re serious about peace.
Meanwhile...
Hezbollah are regrouping after the summer... Gilad Shalit, Eldad Regev and Ehud Goldwasser
are still in captivity... And the Palestinians have fired over 100 Kassam
Rockets into Israel since the so-called ceasefire.

Israel is REAL!
I remember a Ministry of Tourism slogan some years back: Israel Is Real!

Yes, Israel is real.
But so are Hamas rockets, Hezbollah Katyushas and Ahmanijad.
When are we going to realize that we cannot rely on UNIFIL, Condoleezza or the world to get us out of this mess?

We have a strong army. We have a strong spirit.

But when are we going to get real? Before... or after it’s too late?

One Soldier. One Army

I gave Chaim a ride today. Chaim’s a 20-year old soldier.
And he’s getting married in two months time.
Until that wonderful day, he’ll still have to carry out his routine army duties with his elite unit in Shechem.
Chaim and thousands of other young Israeli soldiers are putting their lives on the line every day.

All we hear are the headlines:

“The IDF arrested 11 Hamas activists in Shechem
last night.”

“The IDF captured the leader of Islamic Jihad
in Jenin yesterday.”

“IDF bombs Ramallah”

But let us remember that our IDF is made up of lots of Chaims and Davids and Jonathans...
They have mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters like you and me...
And they’re not reading this on their computer in the comfort of their warm and cozy homes.
They’re risking their lives so the people of Israel can live a normal life and so you can come visit in perfect safety...
Remember the IDF in your prayers today, think of those brave young men...
And spare a thought for Chaim’s bride...

Thoughts for the New Year

January 1. Not the Jewish New Year but nevertheless a good opportunity for reflection, resolution and hopes for a better 2007.

So how have we started 2007 in Israel?

The Iranian threat... More Lebanon War fallout... Will the IDF be able to recover and implement the expected reforms?

When will Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev come home?

And we’ve just given another 2,000 guns to the Palestinians, who continue to fire Kassam rockets at Sderot and Ashkelon.

Oh, and we haven’t had nearly enough rain yet...

But what’s new?

How did we start 1997?

Iraq expelled members of the U.S. nuclear inspection team... The IDF redeployed in Hebron... “New wave of terrorism feared”... And PM Netanyahu said this after an Israeli soldier opened fire at Palestinians in Hebron on January 1, 1997:

“I again call on all Palestinians and Israelis, inside and outside of Hebron, to act and demonstrate responsibility and restraint. We have to live side by side with each other. This has been ordained by history and by geography. We have to do so in security and coexistence. The way of peace is the only way to assure that we achieve these aims, it is our only alternative.”

Plus la change, plus la meme chose.

Or as King Solomon said, “There is nothing new under the sun.”

On the other hand...

The number of new immigrants from the U.S. and U.K. reached a 20-year high in 2006... The Tel Aviv Stock Exchange rose 2% today... and Shachar Pe’er, our international tennis star (ranked 20^th in the world), began the year with a win!

But let’s face it. In 2007, as in 1997, and really since 1948, there are seemingly no convincing military or political solutions on the horizon.

The solution is evidently beyond the bounds of natural courses or causes... yes, as we have learnt throughout our turbulent history, the people of Israel would be wise to look heavenwards for salvation.

Happy New Year!

Shalom to all our Customers,

We would like to thank you all for your messages of comfort and support.

It was truly heartfelt to receive so many e-mails and condolence cards from so many people from around the world.

On behalf of the Hauerstock Family we would like to wish you long life.

Andrew Hauerstock was the founder and manager of Israel Military Products.
We hope to continue at IMP as he would have wanted it, celebrating all that
is great about Israel.

In this spirit, you will be glad to hear that we are back and that business is as usual here in the heart of Tel Aviv.

Looking forward to hearing from you soon.
Be sure to check out our store for updates on NEW PRODUCTS and SPECIAL OFFERS.

My Meaningful Learning Experience by Gelfand Asya

“Asya- always try to put yourself in the customer’s position- and form their work backwards” was one of the many words of advice I received from my former boss and good friend Andrew (Andy) Hauerstock. “An Important Lesson I Learned in School” was neither one lesson, nor did it take place in a school building: instead, it was a period of time while working with Andy during the two years that I studied at Tel Aviv University. Upon recently finishing my job at Andy’s retail store, it began to dawn on me the magnitude and impact he had on my life - on several levels. Prior to being his employee, I had known Andy for a few years through my boyfriend; because of his friendship with my boyfriend I never felt comfortable with the idea of working for him as a sales manager in his store. Further, I always believed that I was too naïve to be a salesperson. However, Andy influenced and encouraged me both on professional and on personal level. Indeed, as I left Israel to study in San Francisco, he was one of the people that it was most hard for me to leave.

Andy owns a retail business in Israel and for a long time we have been debating should I work there or not. The business is directed mostly towards tourists and consists of a store and a web site that sell Israeli-oriented t-shirts and memorabilia. Andy’s store has been an icon for generations of tourists, since its opening in the late seventies. The business had gone through many changes, adapting to political and economical situation in Israel, yet retaining its patriotic core. When I started working there I had only a vague idea of what I was really getting into.

While working with Andy in his store, I encountered and serviced a variety of people that I could never imagine I would meet: people from different religions and cultures, tough customers as well as “too nice” ones. With Andy’s “hands-on” guidance I learned the basics of business not only through a loss and profit tables, but also by knowing how to approach each person in the best way. Andy taught me that not only price matters, but more importantly - attitude. Some customers like to be asked about themselves, others like to hear your own personal story, while some simply prefer to be left alone. Reading people and their characters is one of the most important features that a salesperson must posses and implement. Watching and learning from Andy- as to how he addressed and read customers, I began to gain the confidence to employ such sale tactics. Even more importantly, over time, I created my own style and found my own selling methods that resulted in an unexpected success. Andy had taught me the essence of sales and work better then any business school.

On a personal level Andy essentially became both a role model and symbol of hope as I saw him battling a fatal and rare form of cancer- while at the same time remaining a family man and dedicated business owner. Having lost my own mother to cancer a few years ago, I was not sure if I could deal with watching someone else for whom I deeply cared about also fall victim. But actually Andy’s approach towards his disease was unique- he refused at any cost to let the cancer beat him. When I met Andy, he was already more than 5 years with the disease and explained to me how he had done research on the internet, had gotten involved with support and medical communities and had essentially created his own roadmap for various experimental and cutting edge cures. Instead of letting other people- doctors included, to decide his own fate, Andy took his fate into his own hands. By all medical statistics, he has lived many years beyond what anyone would have predicted and continues to remain vibrant and healthy. Seeing such hope and determination has taught me an important lesson for life: to be less fatalist and pessimistic, never to give up and to enjoy life as much as you can.

As I now enter a new phase of my life here in America, there is no doubt that from a personal and professional level, Andy and his lesson are always over my shoulder. We remain in close contact and I still find myself confiding in him whether its regarding which courses to take, what type of job to look for, or simply adjusting to life in America. As Elie Weisel wrote, "Just as despair can come to one only from other human beings, hope, too, can be given to one only by other human beings", indeed, Andy is one of my primary sources source of hope, light, and confidence.

Thank You

Dear Valued Customer,

Israel Military products would like to extend its infinite appreciation and gratification for your support for Israel and the Israeli population over the past month. Although it was a difficult time for many of us here and stressful, we were very heart-warmed and grateful for the number of emails, letters, faxes, prayers, etc. expressing support and solidarity for us from those of you around the world. For us, there is nothing more powerful than knowing that beyond our immediate surroundings there are people who

care for us and hope for our well being.

As many you know already, the UN called for a cease-fire between Israel and Hizbollah on August 14^th. , thus ending a nearly 40 day conflict. Throughout the conflict Israel experienced a great deal of criticism from the rest of the world, condemning the army for conducting missions which endangered the lives of Lebanese civilians. Of course, for those of us here, we know these are preposterous claims. There was nothing more reassuring for us to receive a daily influx of positive feedback from our customers. At the moment, we hope for a durable and fair resolution to the problem with Hizbollah that will place the Israeli population out of harm’s way.

In addition, we would like to inform our customers that we know personally that Israeli soldiers have expressed their utmost appreciation for the overwhelming support they have received in terms of prayers and concerns for their well-being. World-wide support contributed greatly to boosting their morale through the complicated and emotional times over the past month. For us here at Israel Military products we understand the value and importance of every individual that contributes to the military effort and we made sure to tell the Israeli soldiers, who are also our customers, of all the support we have been receiving from our customers. Their reaction was something beyond words.

Once again, we would like to thank our customers the world over for your continued support for those us here in Israel and we hope to continue to help you with you shopping needs in the near future.