Raanana Second-Hand Bookshop

May I, through your columns, say a huge 'thank you' to all of you who donate such wonderful books to the Raanana Bookshop. Without your continued help and support we would be unable to function as well as we do. The amazing, huge selection of kids' books, for example, has to be seen to be believed.

As usual, our shelves are overflowing – we now have three rooms of books as well as hundreds of books on the steps at the entrance. Our policy now is that we can no longer accept paperbacks or hardcover books (novels) whose publishing date precedes 2008, nor can we take encyclopedias of any kind. Sorry! And please, please dear book lovers, may I ask you to always ask a bookshop volunteer to look over the books you are kindly donating before you leave the shop. Please do not leave books on the steps, in the foyer or in the street. Last week someone left four bags of books strewn outside the gates in the street. It took me a long time to sort them, and climb up and down the steps numerous times, but thankfully, no-one from the municipality saw them, otherwise ESRA would have had to pay a steep fine.

We are aware of and fully appreciate the parking difficulties in Klausner St, (there is a parking meter on the corner of Klausner & Herzog streets – (first street on the  right after the ESRA shop). So if you have many books to bring, please call us at the bookshop (09-7480541) a minute or two before you arrive at Beit Fisher and we will come out and take the books from your car at the gate.

Thank you very much for your understanding. 

Cynthia Shapiro, Co-coordinator, ESRA Raanana Bookshop

Making sure you renew your driving license before your 65^th  

My driving license expires on my 65^th birthday, but I didn’t receive the necessary papers and was scared that it would expire and I would have to take a test - I have been driving since I was 18. I looked at the Ministry of Transport’s website, tried to renew it online, but got a message that I couldn’t because of my age.

So I phoned the License Bureau of the Ministry of Transport, found someone who spoke English who told me to download a form, take it to my GP who duly ticked and signed it and then to the optician who gave me the necessary one minute eye test, signed the form and charged me NIS 60. I then sent the form by registered mail (NIS 37) to the address listed, and waited. Cost so far: NIS 97.

Three days later I called the license bureau where they told me that because I would be 65 I couldn't download a form, but had to go to one of their registered opticians to do the eye test and send the completed paperwork online to the Ministry of Transport. You do not need to go to your GP.

I duly went to the optician for the same one minute test as I’d already had, paid NIS 40 and the form was sent online and I was given a copy. The optician advised me that because the expiry date was imminent I should phone thelicense bureau the following day, which I did. Cost to date: NIS 137.

There is no English option on the Ministry of Transport.s license bureau phone, only Hebrew, Arabic and Russian. Perhaps ESRA can take this up with them. I pressed 1 for Hebrew on all occasions I phoned them and managed to get someone who spoke English. She asked for my ID number, my date of birth and my name, and reassured me that they had the form and that I could pay by credit card for my new license, which I did – NIS 220 - and she gave me a confirmation number. (Yes, I gave my credit card details over the phone to someone I didn’t know!).

I was then told I had to go only on the following morning to the license bureau in Rehovot Canion, and only between 8 am and 1 pm. At 8.30am there were two clerks -  one  of whom wasn’t dealing with the public, and there were only three people in front of me - take a ticket style.

I gave the clerk my ID, she printed a temporary license and said I would get the new license in the snail mail in two months! The temporary license is valid for six months, has my name in Hebrew and English, my address and ID number. The temporary license has the same number as my regular license.

When I spoke to a policeman friend and told him that the renewal papers hadn’t arrived, he said “it’s quite normal”! So if your license needs renewing please make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to do it in. 

Evelynne Goldman
Rehovot

The website in English of the Ministry of Transport’s Driving License Renewal is: http://www.gov.il/FirstGov/TopNavEng/EngSituations/ESDrivingLicenseRenewal/ESDDrivingLicenseRenewal

Ruth Reuven cont

Dear Merle,

So many good intentions I had to write to you earlier - to tell you how pleased Ruth was to see the greeting in the magazine, to share with you the excitements of all the parties that were organized in honor of her 100th birthday. But the summer arrived with its challenges to function normally and its fun times and so here we are - and now I have this compelling desire to thank you for an amazing year - which you unleashed. Exactly a year ago, you called me (out of the blue) and told me that Rika Meyerowitz collects clothes for the ESRA shop from Ruth Reuven, a 99 year-old lady, living in Nofei Hasharon retirement home and thinks that the latter should be written up for ESRA MAGAZINE  as an outstanding volunteer. You asked me whether I would interview her and write the article. Why me? Why me? To this day I still don't know what made you call me and what made me ignore my self-doubt and agree...... I have come to believe that it was orchestrated from ABOVE.

This task (writing for ESRA MAGAZINE) seemed too big for me and after the two interviews I had with Ruth, I kept asking myself how I would do justice to Ruth's life. Little did I realize that Ruth's personality, her fascinating stories would ignite something in me and turn the article into a 'peoples’ article; what intrigued me most were the silences, the messages between the lines. There were question marks that bothered me, mainly 'why did such a special person project so much sadness' so I asked if I could visit from time to time. Little did I know that the initial mutual rapport between Ruth and me would grow and develop into a relationship of such deep caring that we'd become an essential part of each other's lives. 

During this past year I have had the privilege of being there for her, using my professional experience to help her when needed; expanding my knowledge of history, literature, and more; being inspired by her wisdom and humor. It was especially exciting to get to know Ruth's biological daughter from Leeds and her family in Israel, especially a granddaughter of her 'Kinder' daughter, and to be an enabler in organizing the family party for her 100th birthday which took place on June 17. There were almost 40 people there, mostly young people whom she hadn't seen for many months.

The great-granddaughter prepared a short film about her for the occasion. Here is the YouTube link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CDYXjwjasU&feature=youtu.be

But I feel especially gratified to have been a catalyst in building her family tree, transforming the information she had written in a narrative form and information she has in her head onto the 'My Heritage Family Tree Builder'. This is the software used to record the genealogical information at the Beit Hatfutsot Data Base where I volunteer once a week. Ruth's tree consists of 180 names, all remembered by her with many stories and details attached. I am in awe of her memory. It took three months to complete and it was planted into the data base on the day of her 100th birthday.

On July 2, I took Ruth and her granddaughter to visit Beit Hatfutsot, the data base and the Mahal exhibition. The visit was documented by Beit Hatfutsot and placed on their website. See the link:

English: http://www.bh.org.il/news-item.aspx?100261

Hebrew: http://www.bh.org.il/he/news-item.aspx?100261

You have no idea how excited the museum's staff and volunteers were to see Ruth check her tree. This experience has made me wonder whether the Museum and ESRA could co-operate on a project of collecting and recording family trees of seniors who do not have family to do it for them?

Finally, as a result of attending Ruth’s birthday party arranged by the HOB, I also met Nechama Mazor, the journalist who filmed Ruth's visit to the Netanya College when she was 98. It can also be viewed on You Tube, Google רות ראובן –סרטונים.

Merle, little did either of us know how a single interview for ESRA MAGAZINE would impinge and affect so many lives. 

Esther Tolkin
Netanya

Suggested tour to Sakhnin

The Towns Association for Environmental Quality (TAEQ), an Arab group headquartered in Sakhnin, are founding partners of the Middle East Israel Green Chamber of Commerce.  A trip to their complex in the industrial zone of Sakhnin would make an excellent future ESRA tour destination. Its technologies are similar to those at the world famous green think tank of Amory Lovins in the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Snowmass, Colorado headquarters.

Daniel Berger
Lod

In praise of the medical service at Meir Hospital

By Meira Applebaum   

Jack and I were visiting the new Jewish Museum in Philadelphia, PA in the States when Jack suddenly slid down a wall and found himself on the floor. This was the first time in his life that my husband had "passed out". We were shocked and worried since this was the start of our vacation in the States. We were scheduled to attend a family barmitzvah and to see old friends, with lots of plans along the way. The museum sent a team of medics and a stretcher, and began to move Jack to a local hospital. Jack had other plans. After his blood pressure checked out normal, we carried on our vacation with our friends and family.

However, as soon as we returned to Israel, we visited our local MD who ordered a battery of tests to determine why Jack had fainted. The second test was a halter monitor he wore for 24 hours, which showed that his resting blood pressure was very low. We were in the midst of test # 2 - a CT - when we received a call from the department conducting the halter test to come immediately for the results. That evening, we took the report to our local doctor who ordered Jack to get to Meir Hospital's emergency department early the next morning - urgent. Nu - what was going on? So at 7:30 a.m., we appeared in the emergency department with the results of the halter monitor. Jack was put on all kinds of machines to test his blood pressure and pulse rate. At this time, working in the emergency ward, we met a charming young doctor from South America who explained that Jack probably needed apacemaker installed. She recommended we see Dr. Shetbon immediately. Before we had time to think, Jack was placed on a stretcher and wheeled from emergency to the next building which includes the heart department facilities. Dr. Shetbon was waiting for us. He had just had a cancellation, and a "slot" for surgery was immediately available. Did Jack want it? My husband did not hesitate for a second. Before we could turn around, Jack was on the operating table having a pacemaker implanted. All this took two hours from the time we had entered the hospital.

Our kids were more than a little upset. "Mom - get another opinion", I heard from all four! But Jack was firm in his immediate trust of this until-now unknown doctor to us. He was always a quick judge of character. It turned out that our newly met surgeon is the expert in the field of pacemakers and is very well known all over Israel and even abroad. Within an hour, Jack was over the surgery, and soon regained full consciousness.

He was moved to a room a few floors down in time for lunch. Our second doctor was a charming young lady form the U.S. who was thrilled she could speak to us in English.  Jack spent one night in the hospital. His only complaint was the loud machine in the hall which kept him up most of the night. Otherwise, he was fine. He ate a good breakfast and by midday was ready to go home. We were dismissed with an invitation to visit our doctor in 10 days to remove the stitches.

This entire procedure took exactly 28 hours. We were treated royally. Each person who came in contact with Jack was polite and efficient. The bill? Nothing!

I am writing this in praise of Meir Hospital for their fantastic efficient service and for our health care in Israel. When you need it - it is there for you.

Meira Applebaum
Kochav Yair

Renewed friendship

In ESRA MAGAZINE # 166 you published an excellent consumer green-oriented letter by Eli Lato. In 1995 I struck up a friendship with Eli Lato and his mother at the environment seminar at Kibbutz Gezer. Before she made aliyah to Israel, Eli’smother, rest in peace, was awarded a number of environmental awards by New York City for neighborhood gardens she helped establish in the Bronx. After losing contact with the Lato family for many years, the letter from Eli that you published, and your kindness in relaying my message to him to renew our friendship, is greatly appreciated.

Daniel Berger
Lod

More tips on fuel saving

Concerning Angela Benjamin’s letter in ESRA MAGAZINE 166, page 13: 

The Middle East Israel Green Chamber of Commerce would like to suggest a fuel saving, repair saving and environment saving tip concerning the operation of your motor vehicle, especially if it is mechanically sound.

To reduce friction on your engine’s parts, and to greatly extend your oil drain intervals, switch to a high grade synthetic motor oil, buy lifetime foam air cleaners for your car  as well as oil filters that filter the dirt in your oil to 1 or 4 microns rather than the standard 2.5 micron filters.

By doing this, and having an oil sample taken for analysis at your vehicle manufacturer’s suggested oil drain interval, you can go 160,000 kilometers and more between drain intervals.

If up to date on 1984 Auto technology, your service station will know this. In 1984, the Amsoil Corporation, pioneers to Mobil in synthetic lubrication systems, developed this consumer and environment lubrication system in association with the Hatco Chemical Company and the Hastings Filter Company. 

Daniel Berger – Co Founder, Middle East-Israel Green Chamber of Commerce

Thank you for the Drum session

Thank you ESRA for a unique experience enabled by your financial aid, namely a course in drum playing. This took place on July 30, 2012 as part of many activities arranged during the summer.

As you know, these girls at Bayit Cham come from disadvantaged families that cannot afford to indulge in cultural activities, and with your support you have given them this opportunity. The workshop was directed by Chen Zimbalista, a world- renowned percussionist. The course was more than just another informal activity. It was a cultural affair and exposed the girls to another side of the musical scene and percussion instruments from Israel and all over world. The girls experienced the joy of music-making by participating with the artist and, of course, enjoyed his performance on the various instruments he brought along with him.

The girls were requested to join in the music-making and improvising – Chen managed to draw out even the shiest and most reserved girls.

The course left a taste for more and when it ended the girls refused to leave.

Thank you for this special course and all your generous support for the home’s resident girls during the year.

Yaffa Cohen
Director of Social Services and the team of Bayit Cham, South Netanya

Vertigo and how I handled it

I am 77 years old.

In 2010 I suffered a severe attack of vertigo. I was also feeling very unsteady when I walked and felt insecure. When I moved about in my apartment, I had to hold onto the furniture to stop myself from falling.

I remember seeing a letter in ESRA MAGAZINE from a reader about an excellent physiotherapist named Oz Zur who specialized in my problems. I made an appointment for a consultation with Oz, and in the first meeting he treated the vertigo and I immediately felt better. For a few days, I had to be careful how I moved but it was no problem. Oz also examined my body, massaged my aches and pains and gave me a series of exercises in his surgery and told me what to do at home.

I saw Oz regularly for quite a long period and, gradually, I began to feel so much better. I am walking better and feel much more steady and secure. I have had one or two attacks of vertigo as I understand there is no absolute cure, but a quick visit to Oz and the problem is solved.

If anyone is having any of the problems I had, I heartily recommend you make an appointment with Oz and I know you will, with his expertise, feel as well as I do. 

Mira Gold
Raanana

A magnificent production

Thank you for the copy of ESRA MAGAZINE. It has evolved into a magnificent production over the years. Well done to you and the team.

Dee Shemma
Herzliya