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How to avoid the bad news
Israelis are sometimes tempted to avoid exposure to bad news,
and consider turning on their television sets about 10 minutes
after the news broadcast has begun.
Similarly, some Israelis avoid the front pages of their newspapers
and look for the more humourous stories.
The following are random examples of what I found when I
followed the above procedure.
Hotel with a Heart: The Club-Hotel chain has adopted a policy
of playing host to children suffering from incurable cancer.
The youngsters and their families are accommodated in otherwise
empty suites for three days and nights, and afforded all the
luxurious pleasures which come with the rooms.
A Brush with the Law: Many rabbis had ruled that strict observance
of the Sabbath forbade even the minor effort required to brush
one's teeth on that day.
Rabbi Ovadia Yosef has issued a new ruling: ''If one's breath
smells, he is permitted to brush his teeth, but should not
wash out the toothbrush until after the Sabbath.''
Student Ingenuity: Old-timers recall when a student at the
Technion took up a post at a street corner soliciting contributions
''to preserve the memory of Uri Dan''.
When asked who Uri Dan was, he would reply, ''That's me''.
The proceeds were given to charity. Uri grew up to become
a well known journalist.
Trains Run on Time: Israel is proud that its trains run on
time. But if any train reaches its destination late by more
than 30 minutes, the passengers are entitled to a fresh ticket.
A Dog's Life - and Death: Trained dogs play a vital role
in revealing the location of hidden explosives, thereby saving
many lives. Often they are killed in the process.
The army has set up a special cemetery to provide them with
dignified burial.
A generous American donor has provided funds to erect a suitable
memorial tablet in memory of fighting dogs whose place of
burial is unknown.
PROTECTION RACKET: The Neturei Karta, the anti-Zionist Charedi
sect, has banned the placing of armed guards at the entrances
to their synagogues and yeshivot on the grounds that the very
act indicates a lack of faith and confidence in the protection
of the Almighty.
Peres Booked for Inconsistency: Shimon Peres, former Foreign
Minister, has called for establishment of a Palestinian state
alongside Israel. Critics have reminded him of what he wrote
in his book 10 years ago: ''If a Palestinian state is established
it will be armed from head to foot. It will provide bases
for the most extreme terrorists, armed with anti-tank and
anti-aircraft weapons.''
What has changed? the critics ask.
People of the Book: A recent international survey has established
that 69% of Israelis systematically read books, with an average
of eight books per person per year. But this puts Israel only
in seventh place in the world, led by New Zealand, the Czech
Republic, Ireland, Germany, Australia and Sweden. The USA
is in 10th place.
Tit for Tat: A Jewish resident of Lod, living in a mixed
neighbourhood, was disturbed by the early morning amplified
sounding of the muezzin calling Muslims to prayer.
He decided to get even, and installed a loud speaker on his
roof from which, early each morning, he blared out the 'Shema
Yisrael', accompanied by cantorial selections.
At last reports, his Jewish neighbours were not enthusiastic
about his reaction.
The Jewish Mother's Dream: The Herzlia Gymnasia high school
in Tel Aviv has introduced a pre-med course for its senior
class in co-operation with the Ichilov Hospital.
The pupils will study anatomy, patients' rights, medical
ethics and more. Some study sessions will take place at the
hospital. Presumably many of those taking the course will
thereafter register at medical schools.
Email
him at uri@urigeller.com
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