abnormal post

I was going to write about myself again. About summer in New York, about going back to school and about the Container Store. Something happened though, and changed my plans. While realizing it's not in the best interest of the blog, writing about something sad, serious and "local", I cannot write about anything else and I really feel like writing tonight.

Something very unusual happened to me an hour ago. I was crying from reading the news.
I can’t remember how long it's been since news had made me that sad. I have developed, like all of us really, a very thick epidermis and cynical gaze for the current events. Regardless of what side of the news I am, writing or reading; I never get too emotionally attached anymore.
However

An hour ago, I read about two young people, Liz and Nir, who were murdered in the heart of Tel Aviv yesterday, simply because they were gay.
I'm trying to think, since I read about their funerals, what made me weeping.
2 is not such a dramatic number. Not when you grow up in the Middle East. Disasters happen all the time. Planes crash, Tsunamis occur. It's not the scope of the tragedy.
It's not because it's Israel, not even because it happened a few blocks from my old apartment. Unfortunately we’ve experienced suicide bombers everywhere all through the 90’s.
It's not because they’re two beautiful, smart or innocent people. I didn't cry when young beautiful bright 20 year old boys died in the war. They're innocent as well.

I guess i'm thrown by how evil stupidity can get. In that sense, living in New York or Tel Aviv, makes no difference at all. I’m scared and I know it could have happened here just as easily. Today I’m not happier I’m here; I don’t feel more blessed or safer like I did after Israel’s elections as oppose to America’s. America is more religious, conservative and ignorant than Israel. Electing a black president was huge - but even he, the amazing Obama can’t formally support gay rights.
I am scared when people are killed because of idiocy and hypocrisy. For god’s sake. Alek*.

I hope that someone in power will act now. First to educate and then to grant people with the right to equally live their lives as peacefully as they can in the 21^st century, in a democratic country of their choice.

* yea right.

The Holy Tripod

There's a saying. In New York, even the non-Jewish are Jewish. Today in B&H, aka 'Dosiland' (ultra orthodox amusement park), I felt as non-Jewish as one can possibly feel ,among the nicest, sweetest religious people. Noticing my not so subtle Hebrew accent, I got treated like queen Ester. Then, the warm hospitality turned a little sour, when young Shlomo had to share another famous saying. "Any Jew, even the bum outside the subway, is more important than the most important goy... Yes, even from President Obama" he assured. Well, Shlomo, I am sorry to be the one that says that, but someone there lied to you. You are not more important than Obama, and maybe it's better this way. I know he meant well, and the last thing he wanted was to upset me by repeating a sentence that goes back hundreds of years, but it just doesn't work this way, and it really shouldn't. President Obama is more important then you and me, my good Jewish cameras and camera accessories expert.

Coming up next on the blog; "The Countdown; getting ready for Tel Aviv, summer 09"

How can you not have a huge crush on Obama?

The Cairo Speech. He had me at assalaamu alaykum



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