Tel Aviv Diary- September 29-October 4-9, 2019 - Karen Alkalay-Gut
ovtober 6, 2019
what a year we have before us. so much unnecessary pain to so many people will continue to be created by a few narcissistic people at the top. We are not supposed to pray for anything, especially before the day of atonement, but if i can wish for something - i wish that we get some responsible leaders. September 30, 2019 We enjoyed being disappointed by Babbo's - a michelin starred restaurant - looking for every flaw and bitterness. Even though there was not much to complain about. i think i would have preferred complaining about an unsalted chicken soup. but there was the Marolo grappa which made everything else worthwhile. or unimportant. Still, Rosh Hashana should be about continuing a tradition. And every synagogue should be open to all for this.
want to feel creepy? go to the KGB museum. While they are explaining about all the hidden cameras and weapons that were used by the KGB you can feel they are taking your picture, your data, your history, your relatives in the soviet union... That was what we did with the kids - who thought this a wonderful place. I think i'm worn out to enjoy kinkiness, and somehow i miss the sense of community on Rosh Hashana. don't tell anyone.
October 4 2019 "God gives nots to people with no teeth, " they say in Yiddish. And here we are - in the city of endless possibilities - and with neverending sore throats and aching legs. i didn't go to services even though i think i found a place nearby, and didn't go to my brother's in new jersey. never mind. at least we are beginning to see friends. tomorrow should be better.
Think of the Metropolitan Museum. Many people I know think it is beneath them - but whenever i go there i gobble up every room. i have to get a few hours in.
i was just informed that i won the Robinlicht Prize this year. i have no idea what this means, but i'm thrilled. The article on Jessie Sampter came out in Hebrew here. I just contributed a few lines here and there, but i think it would be important to write about her. A poet with an ideology is so hard to find. October 2, 2019 I don't want to write about New York, but we have been wandering the streets for weeks and the number of people sleeping in doorways has increased exponentially from the years before. the number of people with no back teeth, the number of people who limp has increased in proportion to the number of new skyscrapers. that's all i can say. about the politics here..
whi