Binyamin


About halfway through the year, our street name was changed to Binyamin. Now Waze identifies the new street and all is well. We can get Burgers Bar. 

We are fortunate to be moving in 5 days (wow!) right around the corner to another rental house in the project. And the next big focus is, we hope, a permanent home that we can call our own. 

Words I shared with our current neighbors before exiting the group chat:

Dear neighbors:

Before things get busy... we want to express our sincere gratitude for the warmth, kindness and support that you showed us throughout the year. We feel fortunate not to move too far (Sun, Aug 2 to 30א on ראובן). 

Befitting words to our street and thoughts as we approach 9 be'av (may it be our last 🙏)  - 

Devarim perek 33 pasuk 12 states "לבנימין אמר ידיד ה' ישכן לבטח עליו חפף עליו כל היום ובן כתפיו שכן." 

Rambam goes on to explain the meaning of 'Yedid Hashem.' Why is Hashem described as a friend? And how does this fit into the bracha Binyamin received? 

When we help one another and our community the שכינה resides amongst us, consequently friendships begin to blossom and grow. We choose our friends, and Hashem, chooses us. The Tribe of Binyamin was blessed to have the promise for the  temple to be rebuilt in its nachala, a dwelling where we can flourish as individual families and as a community - - true Yedidim and שכנים. 

As in this very pasuk, you've emulated the namesake of this street, providing support with deep sincerity and kindness. And in that merit, may we see the return of our בנין עדי עד, celebrating good moments together and simchas. Wishing health, geula shleima and continued love to am yisrael. 

Please continue to be in touch, 

The Vogel Family 🌸

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Carmei Gat

Image
Drive 30 minutes south of Beit Shemesh, pass the hills of the Rama (short for Ramat Beit Shemesh), and you will find flat meadows that appear endless. Kind of like a scene of the Little House on the Prairie. The terraine is so green, while listening to Shabbat music on the radio you can't help but think "wow, זוהי ארץ נהדרת" (this is an amazing land). We spent shabbat in Carmei Gat, a newly developed town under the municipality of Kiryat Gat (kind of like what Washington DC is to Silver Spring - - especially when Woodside started and there wasn't a dedicated building). The government is investing efforts in this new community as the next hub of the South, that it will be approximately the size of Moddiin.  To give directions, this literally is yashar yashar yashar ve smola.  A mix of Anglo families and Israelis, there is a very nice balance of culture, out of town vibe where people ask where you are from, streets that make sense, quiet a
Read more

Unemployment in Israel

Finally thought we had things together. Bought an apartment, employed in Israel, kids in school. What could possibly rock the boat? Well, these days loyalty and job retention isn't easy - - perhaps even a generational shift that's gotten out of hand. But that's a conversation for another time.  Today we will discuss the unemployment process in Israel and the very fascinating experience that it is.  First, your employer by law must call you in for a shimua. You have every right to hire a lawyer and ask for a document of all the claims. Just understand that a lawyer isn't a magic wand that'll keep you the job. In most cases there's some type of management problem or toxic work environment - - or maybe you simply were not the right fit. Know that you will receive and invoice. The shimua in Israel is supposed to be a fair hearing where the employee can listen to feedback from their employer and then go about to improve themselves. Unfortunately this isn't always
Read more

Employed

Image
In total, 28 places interviewed at till finding the place that Goldy Locks would say is "just right." There are a variety of work spaces in Israel. Some shared rooms with 4 people packed into it. Others completely remote and from home, but no benefits. The list was pretty specific.  1) Keren Hishtalmut 2) Pension 3) Increased vacation days 4) Sick days paid from the first day 5) Private office (a plus) 6) 10 bis 7) Laptop and cell phone 8) Flexible hours 9) Not 8.5 hour workdays 10) One or more days a week from home 11) Respectful salary 12) Amazing people and honorable place  Luckily, and a blessing, all the above was checked off.
Read more