My bags are packed...

Hi, a quick check-in note today,

My bags are packed and I am almost ready to go.
I am a few hours away from getting on a plane to fly back to Chicago, almost two years to the day since I left my hometown. WOW!

Two and a half years ago I came to visit friends in Israel.  It ended up being a life-changing trip, to say the least. Take a look at my very first blog post if you want to know more. Click Here

So many things happened that trip.

One was meeting an artist at Carmel Market named Orna Barel.
Chating with Orna as she wrapped up my gifts, she looks at me and says, can I give you a blessing? How can you say no to that?

So there I was standing with hundreds of people walking by as they were getting ready for Shabbat with her hands on my head, receiving a blessing.
Holy Cow Batman!
It was super powerful. She said things about me that only I know or knew I needed to hear. One of the things she said was… Tamy, most people look at a desert and see nothing. Vast emptiness, sand, rocks, and earth. But really there is lots of life in a desert. Seeds will be planted and new life grows. 

Each time I am in Tel Aviv I go to see her. As soon as I walk up she smiles the biggest smile and says Tamy you are here! We are always so happy to see each other. She remembers my name and my story. We are kindred spirits. There is a bond I can’t explain.

Last week was no exception, even with our masks on; we were beaming as we spoke to each other.  
I told her it was time for me to go back to the States for now. I think I am supposed to help make connections between Israel and the US. One of my tasks is to share my love for this country with my other home country.

As I hope you can imagine, she channeled another blessing for me. This time helping me see how much I have grown, healed, and changed in these past two years. So true, b’emet!
I had goosebumps the whole time.

As I retold this story to my friend Michelle, ironically sitting in the exact same cafe I sat with my friend, Iris years before, Michelle said, that little caucus flower you just bought, that is you! You have bloomed into a beautiful new flower. 

Hopefully, my travel plans will work out. I am looking forward to seeing my sons, family, and friends. 
Looking for a new job and ready for the next chapter of my life. 
I will be in self-imposed isolation for two weeks 
(July 14-28) in Evanston, IL. 
My American phone number will be back on 847.212.3550. WhatsApp should still work too.

I am so in love with this song. Hope you will take a listen. Aliyah by Laeli
Here a few of my favorite lines:
I get to thinking about the time I’ve spent. 
Memories made. 
Where they went. 
A painted picture of the life I’ve known ten thousand miles from home.
I am a stranger in the land I’ve known ten thousand miles from home.
My heart is calling for Jerusalem, ten thousand miles from home.
Come find your way back home.

So dear family and friends in my best 
Arnold Schwarzenegger voice:
I’ll be back!
I know my time here in Jerusalem and Israel is not over yet, just changing.

Blessing you all with love,
Until next time, 
Tamy

Little last prayer tonight at the Kotel

Have You Put More Love in the World Today?

Love is a contagious thing

Hi friends, 
I’d like to tell you a little story that happened to me on the first of July. 
I needed someone to help me with Hebrew, my usual people were busy. I had to call my insurance company to ask them a couple of questions. Some of it was in English, that was great but then I pushed 5 for traveler's insurance and it was only in Hebrew. And not words that I knew.
I was having one of those moments, I was very frustrated. Not a happy camper.
As I was walking home I saw what seem to be a kind-looking man sitting on a bench. I’m not sure why but I decided to stop and ask if he spoke English. 
He said yes. 
I said could you help me listen to the choices and tell me which one I should push. 
He said of course. 
So he listened and as we waited I told him what I needed. 
And when the insurance agent came on the phone he asked her in Hebrew do you have traveler's insurance for the United States? 

לא, לא, לא!

I totally understood what she was saying. 
NO, no, no!
I asked him to ask again I’m already a member of this insurance company will that help?!

לא

We thanked her and hung up. 
I asked him if I could buy him and his friend some ice cream? How about a cold drink? Something for their help he said thank you no, we are fine. 
I said but you just really helped me and he said it was so easy, my pleasure. Have a good trip come back soon.

The whole exchange took maybe three minutes at most. 

Years ago one of my teachers, Rabbi Shohama Harris Wiener did a class on angels. You know the kind, those guardian angels, people who just show up when you need them. One of the questions she asked was was there ever a time when you needed something and surprise there was the person there to help you… 
Change a flat tire… 
     Give you a coin for the laundry machine… 
          Help you load up your car with your groceries. 
Reb Shohama tied those people to the angels who pop in to help us on our way. She cited the Joseph story when he is looking for his brothers. A man asks him if he needs help. We do know the man's name or where he comes from. His whole purpose it seems is to help Joseph.

In this last week's Parsha*, a Moab King wants to hire a “magician” to curse the Jewish people. The magician, Baalam can only speak words from G!d so instead of curses he blesses the people. This happens three times before the king gives up. 
My take away… sometimes things that seem like curses really blessings.
 
So on the first of July as I walked home I started thinking about who that man was and how he just happened to have a nice look about him and how it allowed me to ask him to help me. It’s not what I usually do. And as I kept walking the song More Love popped into my head. Billy Jonas asks 
Did you put more love in the world today? 
There is just one task and all that matter is the answer when the question asked. 
Did you put more love in the world today? 
More love on your way to the setting sun? 
There is only one measure when you can honestly say... I put more love
 
Which then reminded me of Shohama’s class and this week's Parsha. They all seemed to be connected. Reminding me that I too needed to put more love in the world. As well as be gr8ful for the people, things, ideas all who show up to help me. 

Starting in March my younger son and I kept a gratitude chart each day. What are you Gr8ful for? Some days it was hard to think of three things and why. Other days, they rolled right out of our heads with ease. 

Have you ever been tagged in one of those Facebook gratitude challenges? The one where they say every day for the next week write three things you’re grateful for and why. Then tag another friend. 
Dear ones, 
I am challenging you to post three things a day you are gr8ful for on whatever social media, your own private journal, whatever you pick. Write three things, people, experiences you are gr8ful for each day and challenge three other people to do the same. 
Hopefully becoming more aware of the blessings you have in your life, will make your life better. I believe this exercise will definitely put more love in the world. 


Here are mine for the past few days:

• I a profoundly gr8ful for all of you who read my blog and respond. I’m blown away every time. Really I am.

• I am gr8ful to the man on the bench for helping me with Hebrew.

• I am gr8ful to Bar and Guy at EuroCar for helping me rent a car from the other day.

• I am gr8ful to younger son for continuing our gratitude chart, even when he’s not in the mood.

• I am gr8ful to oldest son for keeping me looped in on all types of music.

• I am gr8ful to all of the people who I have gotten to know here in Israel. I have studied with them, shared meals and call my friends.

I am having a little send-off on this Sat night. If you are in the neighborhood come by to bless me as I return to Chicago. And then to where ever I am supposed to go next. Message me for more info. Facebook invite is here.

More life adventures and thoughts to come. 
with ahava, 
Tamy

PS
The parsha Balak is so much fun, a talking donkey even! Take a look. 

Pretend Yoga on the beach Tel Aviv

new baby pomegranates are on their way