I remember a couple of years ago spending all Tisha B'Av  "craving"  the pumpernickel bread we had special-ordered at the Shomer Shabbat bakery in Great Neck, and then finally it was time to eat it.

I took it out of the bag.  It didn't feel like what I had remembered from all those decades ago.  It didn't have the old smell either.  But what has stayed the same?  Then I finally tasted it.  Yuch!  That's not my beloved pumpernickel!
The Jewish People! Judaism! The Land of Israel for Jewish settlement and sovereignty!

Well, I feel that way now that we're finally in the throes of elections here in Israel.  After almost three full years of craving another chance at the polls, I realize that these elections are no better than that pseudo-pumpernickel.

None of the main candidates/parties are campaigning for my vote.  There aren't even any empty promises.  I can't even pretend that they care about the future of Eretz Yisrael and Am Yisrael, the Land and People of Israel.

I want something very simple.  All I want to hear is that there is an Israeli political  party which states, plain and simple, that it's for

• The Jewish People
• Judaism
• The Land of Israel for Jewish settlement and sovereignty

I haven't kept these sentiments a secret.  I'd be willing to work with such a political party.  That's what my "virtual party" ZOT SHELANU is all about.

Until I hear of an Israeli Political Party which wants my support, I'll keep promoting my ideals on my blogs.  And I'll pray for it, like Chana did in Biblical Times.  This Thursday, Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, I'll be at Tel Shiloh, 9:45am, G-d willing.  Chana's prayers for a son, weren't for her personal maternal drive, it was to bring a new leader to help the Jewish People establish a Kingdom.  We need new leadership now!

I have the right according to American Law to vote in American Elections.  I've never voted.  It's not that I don't have any opinions about who's probably better,it's just that living full-time in Israel, I don't think I have a right to let my
I live in Israel. That's why I'll only vote in Israeli Elections
opinions go any further than my blogs.

Yes, I was born in the United States and lived there until a few months before what could have been my first elections.

And then we left.  We made aliyah.  We even changed our status so that we wouldn't miss voting in Israeli Elections.  Having multiple nationalities is convenient for travelling, since we don't need to get visas to visit family in the states.  But I don't feel that I'm an American in any other way.  We live in Israel, pay our taxes to Israel and it's in Israel we plan on being ad me'ah esrim, unit 120, the Jewish way of saying "until the day I die."

I find it offensive, even chutzpadik, when foreign leaders politicians give Israelis "instructions" as to whom to vote for.  I don't think Jewish organizational leaders should do it either.  None of them know what it's really like here.  My being a "nobody" lets me give an opinion, since I have no "authority."  And yes, I have no problems discussing Israeli politics with those who don't live here.  There's a difference.  Blogging an opinion is just that, my opinion.  I wouldn't tell an American that I understand their issues better than they do.  I look at the United States from a distance.  I live in Israel.  That's why I'll only vote in Israeli Elections.

Succot is supposed to be a joyous holiday. Here's a quick video of Shiloh's Simchat Beit Hasho'eva.  You'll have to click the embedded link, since I couldn't get it on the screen.

There are more of my videos here.

I've been on every Od Avihu Chai March, so far.  Generally I'm among the first to be waiting.  And each time I tell myself that I shouldn't leave my house so early.  What?  Am I a "fri'er," a "sucker," or fool?  So this year, I took my time.  I didn't rush.  And when I neighbor stopped me to tell me that she had just discovered my blogs on the internet, of course I spoke to her.  Then my phone rang:

"Everyone's waiting for you."

Oops!  Was I really that late?  But it was nice to know that I was expected to be there.

This time we didn't march to Jerusalem.  The first march to to Jerusalem where Moshe Keinan, Avihu's father set up a succah by the President's Residence.  He and a group of bereaved fathers even had an audience with him. After that we generally marched to the Kotel.  This year's route had more importance.  We walked in the nearby mountains.  It's important to show that we're at home here.

I've stayed close to home, so far.  I enjoyed the event at Tel Shiloh, but something was missing.  Something very important.  It was too much like a "country fair."  Yes, there were tours and theater and explainations of the history.  But the organizers didn't make an "Ohel Chana," a tent for women to pray.  There should have been a shaded area where copies of "Chana's Prayer" and siddurim (prayer books) and T'hillim (psalms) would be available.

At least Tel Shiloh isn't just open a couple of days a year.  People can come here to pray whenever they want.  I've been encouraging prayer in Shiloh for almost a year.  Women now arrive from all over the country.  My next gathering will, G-d willing, be Rosh Chodesh Cheshvan, Thursday, October 30, 9:45am.  For more information about visiting Tel Shiloh, call the office, 02-994-4019.

Enjoy what's left of the Holiday.

We walked through the mountains and paths in our Holy Land.  We passed the the sites of ancient battles.

And then we entered Shiloh.  Jews from all over were also in Shiloh, busy preparing for Tabernacle worship.

It is good to see Shiloh with many pilgrims.

Even if they're only having coffee, cake and ice cream.

Have a wonderful Succot Holiday!

ps There has been something strange with the blog posting site, so if the post doesn't come out properly, bli eyin haraa, I'll edit it later.