16 Comments
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Oded and Pamela Ravek's avatar

יפה מאד! כל הכבוד!

Your wonderful writing brings such vivid imagery to mind that I can almost feel myself walking the streets of Eretz Yisrael alongside my family. Your words have a way of bridging the distance, making me feel closer to them and the beautiful (challenging, but beautiful) life they live there. Thank you for sharing your talent and heart—it truly means so much.

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Robbin Close's avatar

What a beautiful tribute to Joshua and his excellent writing style. Everyday at 3 in California, I know Joshua will send out another fantastic post to make me feel closer to Israel. Am Yisrael Chai ❤️🇮🇱🇺🇸

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Marion Gold's avatar

As an 87 year old woman, I can do very little for Israel. I have supported the Israeli wine industry for many years - both dry red and white - even when it was not the finest vintage. I buy a case at a time from an Israeli wine merchant - free delivery - and bypass the Canadian government’s wine stores.

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Stephen Korn's avatar

Joshua, now this article is definitely thinking and engaging outside the box! Well done! Are there actual live virtual tours we (in the diaspora) can sign up for? (Or just on YouTube) Thx

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Joshua Hoffman's avatar

Start on YouTube! You can go down the rabbit hole for dayssss!

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Stephen Korn's avatar

Thank you, Josh

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Susan Sullivan's avatar

This was wonderful! It brings back so many wonderful memories! We have spent so many happy times in Israel! We hope to return next year.

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Miriamnae's avatar

I buy from “Blessed Buy Israel.” 🕎🎶

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ryan's avatar

I grew up pre internet. Why was I fascinated by Israel? I sought out anything I could. There was no Birthright Israel. I discovered felafel and hummus. I listened to a half hour radio program in Hebrew that I couldn't understand on WEVD, "the station that speaks your language." They also had programming in Yiddish and English for Jewish interest. I listened to lectures on Jewish history and music on this station. So today....what is the excuse for the animus and the accompanying ignorance among young people. If not now likes to crow how young Jews are learning to turn against Zionism and support truly progressive movements like replacing Israel with the 25th? Muslim Arabic speaking totalitarian police state. Yet it is easier than ever for Jews to educate themselves about Zionism, Jewish history, Jewish civilization, Hebrew, Yiddish and Ladino for those with a computer. Or cell phone. By the way....food racism...the racist jvp and sjp and other groups claim that the Jews 'stole" Arab foods to make up for having no food culture of our own. See Claudia Roden's award winning Book of Jewish Cooking for the answer to those racists. Shakshuka, hummus, felafel, kubbeh.....all part of the Jewish experience and stolen by no one. Nor is the land of Israel...."stolen land" after 5 thousand years of recorded Jewish history....we are after all "the people of the Book." I could have written a lot more but keeping this succinct.

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Scott ROTHSTEIN's avatar

How about. support Israel (and your soul) by visiting Israel and volunteering while there on a mission. Check out JNS trips.

We are heading “home” to Israel next week! We will help Israel recover together.

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Jim Underwood's avatar

Thank you.

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Les Vitailles's avatar

Or the top way: redirect your charitable contributions to Israeli universities, schools and service organizations.

Skip the symbolic gestures and do something that will have a positive outcome in Israel.

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M Lucky's avatar

Hebrew then is a miracle language, a revitalized Indigenous language in a world of endangered tribal tongues.

We are in the International Decade of Indigenous Languages.

Hebrew lights the way of how to revitalize.

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Brian Jones's avatar

So what is the most popular Israeli beer, and if it’s not your favorite, what is?

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Joshua Hoffman's avatar

Goldstar and Maccabi. I prefer Goldstar.

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Brian Jones's avatar

Cheers mate

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