The PR Battle
In a recent machloket (disagreement) with an anonymous spouse, the topic of Israel’s failure to win the public relations war was raised.
The majority of world’s public opinion casts Israel as the big, bad offender. The allegation of Israeli air strikes as a disproportionate response seems more to be a statement about the disproportionate death toll. But Israel is well within her rights to defend the lives of her citizens and has shown formidable restraint these eight years of constant terror.
Finally. Finally, Israel and her supporters have taken the PR problem by the horns and are focusing substantial efforts on swaying public sentiment. Facebook, delicious, MySpace, Twitter, blogs. You name it and Israel’s supporters are speaking out on her behalf.
For more information on how you can help, visit here.
Answering Hatred
What continues to amaze me is the hatred and vile speech used by some to make their point. Some person stumbled into Frume Sarah’s world and left some very ugly comments. But beyond that, they were filled with hate and lies.
So let’s clear up some of that, shall we…
[And by the way, the poor grammar and spelling errors are the work of the commentor and in no way reflect the grammar of FS!]
Here they go again…
Tears for the poor “David” is falling to the ground convicting the world and the media as biased. Poor poor “apartheid” stat Israel that inspite it´s illegal occupation and violations against the International law and human rights still can´t crube these “subaltred”.
Apartheid refers to the racial policies set forth by the white minority that governed South Africa. It cannot accurately be used to describe the situation in Israel and Palestine. The West Bank and the Gaza Strip were not illegally seized by Israel. They were areas of land that came under Israeli control AFTER Israel was invaded by foreign armies. Those lands were lost fairly in wars that Israel did not seek. Many of the human right violations have been at the hands of the Hamas-controlled government which has squandered away the millions and millions of foreign aid that continues to be used for weapons instead of infrastructures.
You are NOT for freedom of speech. Don´t ly. Whos reality? Well, your “freedom of speech” only includes the “white” rightous forces and STATE propaganda of Israel. That´s good ISRELI STATE PR shekel spend!.
If I did not believe in freedom of speech, I certainly wouldn’t permit such vile and vitriolic statements on my blog.
My statement was directed at the thousands of protestors who carry signs not decrying the policies of the State of Israel but signs that call for the destruction of the Jews. When anti-government demonstrations rail against an entire people and advocate their death, a line has been crossed.
Israel planned this attack 6 months ago (read Haaretz) and have been very active to brake the truce all these 6 months. Why haven´t the media reported more abou that you think?
This so-called truce was never firmly in place as substantiated by the rockets that continued to be fired on the civilian population EVERY DAY that there was supposed to be a cessation of violence. Furthermore, the planning of a defensive action is in no way a violation of a cease-fire. Given that Hamas has been engaging in violence for the past eight years, I would certainly hope that Israel took some time to plan its reaction. My question is: why didn’t the media report each and every qassam rocket that was fired into Israel these past eight years?
Why haven´t the world reacted more about the fact that Israel has made Gaza into a CONCENTRATION CAMP? Why?
Using the language of the Holocaust is meant only to enflame those who support Israel. Palestine regulates itself with its own goverment and its own infrastructure. Israel pulled out of Gaza, remember? The conditions in Gaza are deplorable but the blame is misdirected. Hamas has reappropriated the foreign aid away from the populace.
Why don´t you disconnect your ideology blindness and see that the “biased” media the last 3 days have reported about nothing else that that the ground offensive is about the to take place. What kind of news is that you want?
Bias is certainly in the eye of the beholder. The media has reported much more on the plight of the Palestinian people with very little about what the people of Israel have been sustaining over the past EIGHT YEARS. Don’t even get me started on biased media.
“Great news! Today Israel droped a few less 1000 kilo bombs over Gaza and only managed/accidently to kill 10 humans/terrorists.”.
I have not heard a single news agency react with joy that human lives have been killed. Nor is there EVER dancing in the streets of any Jewish city when Israeli bombs kill any person — an innocent civilian OR a known terrorist.
After five days of this, I fear that the entire world will simply rise up against us. Yes, the US Government is supporting Israel’s moral right to defend herself. But at what cost?
May this Gregorian year of 2009 be one that sees a lasting peace.
Whose Reality?
People protesting at Israeli embassies and consulates. They just want their voices to be heard. Well, where were those voices all of these many months that rockets were falling (and exploding) into populated areas of Israel? And while I believe in free speech, I question any protest in which the signs attack not the policies of the government but make slanderous and hate-filled statements against a certain group of people.
Why is it that the world doesn’t give a bit of interest in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict until Israel takes a firm stand and says “enough!”?
It isn’t as though Israel woke up this past weekend and thought “hey, why don’t we open fire on Gaza just for kicks?”. It was a calculated reaction to the constant barrage of rockets.
Why is it that no one reports that the IDF has slowed their airstrikes and will most likely begin a ground offensive as a pointed move to avoid as many civilian casualties as possible? A move, by the way, that is far riskier to the Israeli soldiers than the airstrikes are.
The news agencies have taken their typical biased position. For a better idea of what is really happening, head on over to Jack. He’s complied a variety of good reads on the subject.
Birthday Blowout
It’s the Year of the Jewess!
OK, not really. I’m making that up. Over here in Frume Sarah’s World, however, we’ll be celebrating the birthdays of several of my contemporaries whom I hope to be when I grow up.
How does this mom manage to do it? Three small children, an active rabbinate, PTA newsletter, and blogger extraordinaire! On top of it all, she does fun art projects and cooks on a regular basis.
So happy 32nd birthday to
the Ima. In honour of her big day, she is engaging in g’milut chasadim (act of loving kindness). Head in over to her place and read more about it.
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Sidenote: Mazal tov to Susanne who is now Rebbetzin Evan Rosenhouse. May your love build up the House of Israel!
Chanukah, I Hardly Knew Ya
The last I remember, it was Sukkot. Missed Simchas Torah and Thanksgiving. And Chanukah too. Missed all three family get-togethers and the one at shul.
To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of Chanukah. So the fact that it seems to have snuck right past me is of little consequece. It’s more that I see how swiftly the time has passed with me not accomplishing very much.
Oh sure, I’ve spent some quality time with my pillows. And I’ve redcorated the house, organized my study, tried lots of new recipes, and finally lost that extra 50 pounds I’ve been hanging on to for so long. At least I’ve done all of those things in my imagination. The fact is that while I’ve whiled away the hours, not one of those things has been accomplished. Not one. To be fair, I have been really ill with stupid meningitis. I’d like to say something stronger but stupid works just as well and won’t affect my family-friendly rating 🙂
In any event, Frume Sarah intends to take a more positive tone with no further mention of the aforementioned illness until an update in mid-January after the visit with the neurologist. Stay tuned for frummie musings and shavua tov!
Santa Assault
Sitting at lunch with a girlfriend today. Deep in conversation about the plight of Jewish 20/30-somethings. I saw him out of the corner of my eye. Huge red suit. White beard. He approached us and all I could think was “scary!”. I had never been so close to Santa before.
SC: Have I taken care of you girls?
FS: No, but it’s OK. We’re Jewish.
SC: Oh, that’s OK. Hanukkah Harry told me how much Jewish girls like to suck…candy canes. (Placing two on the table.). I’ll be sure to tell Hanukkah Harry the next time we have schnapps what nice Jewish girls you’ve been.
And with he drove out of sight…merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.
Ongoing
Should it have been handled differently? Who’s to know. What I do know is that it is time to call in a specialist.
My two month anniversary was this past Shabbos. That’s how long I’ve had meningitis. I am, without question, much better than I was at the height of the illness. But I am in no way over it.
*headaches
*fatigue
*muscle weakness
*difficulty walking
*memory deficits
*nausea/vomiting
Just some of the residual problems. So my primary doctor has referred me to a neurologist. And I was really releived because I want my old self back.
Only it’s not that simple. The neurologist to whom I was referred is booked until mid-January. That is just not acceptable and the one lesson I have learned through all of this is that I am the only one who will advocate for me. So I rang back my doctor with the names of two other neurologists who came highly recommended to me and am waiting to get the OK from her.
I realize that there are only a certain number of workable hours each day but any doctor who is comfortable making a meningitis patient wait several weeks to be seen is not the right doctor for me.
To be continued…
Enough
I’ve had it. I mean, I’ve really just had it!
I was looking forward to writing about how I got through an entire day (Tuesday) without a nap. Until I awoke on Wednesday with a headache and an aching neck. I was home in bed by 5:00pm on Wednesday, but two days without naps was just a bad choice.
Today was hard. I had two important meetings today and even with a solid nap in between, I am wiped out with a very sore back and a headache.
I’ve read just about everything on meningitis. So I know that recovery is slow. And I know that depression accompanying a long illness is common. I am just so tired of being…tired. Of the pain. Of the confusion and lack of stamina. Of being unable to fully participate in my life.
Thanks for listening.
Appropriate Expectations
Report cards came home today. Third grade is the first level to use letter grades and Beernut is in the 3rd grade this year. So I was understandably anxious as I slid the report card out of its manilla envelope.
His grades were fine. Good, I suppose, by most standards. Here’s the thing: what should be the standards for this particular child? How do I know whether my expectations accurately reflect his abilities?
My instincts tell me that this kid is an A student. And an A did appear. The B’s were paired with an S for effort — leaving me with the impression that his teacher would agree with my instinct.
I know what it’s like to be an academic disappointment. Scads of report comments (“Frummie is a bright girl, but isn’t living up to her potential” or “Frummie is a careless student” and so forth) would attest to my lackluster record. It has taken me years to work through the nagging sense of mediocraty. I don’t want my son to have the same self-doubts.
Poppyseed, as a Kindergartner, received her very first report card. I sat her down to review it and explained that there were two possible effort markings.
FS: “Poppyseed, you can get either an S (“using great effort”) or N (“needs to work a little harder”).”
Poppyseed: “I choose S.”
Cute.
FS, leaning in for a hug: “Poppyseed, you’re growing up too fast. Please slow down.”
PS: “Oh Mommy, I’m not in control of that.”
I know, Poppyseed. Nor am I.
A Beltway Chanukah
I realize that that our calendar is very confusing. I also realize that it is hard for some to understand that Jews don’t celebrate Christmas.
Take the White House.
Here is the invitation that was sent for this year’s Chanukah reception:
It’s a little tough to make out, but down on the lower right-hand side there is a Christmas Tree in the sleigh. Yup. A nice evergreen, its life brutally chopped short for the edification of Yuletide celebrants, smack-dab on the front of a Chanukah invitation.
Now. I don’t mean to imply that the White House should refrain from sending out Christmas cards. Nor do I have anything against this particular card. In fact, I think it is a very lovely portrait. Just inappropriate for a CHANUKAH card!
Let’s take a look at the actual invitation:
Very nice. We can quibble about the correct spelling of Chanukah (Hanukah, Januka, Khanuka, etc.) ’til the cows come home and we would be hardpressed to reach a concensus. What I found odd is that this “Hanukkah reception” was held the week before Chanukah actually begins. And an actual Chanukiah (on loan from the Truman library) was lit by President Truman’s grandson, Clifton Truman Daniel, and Ben Gurion’s grandson, Yariv Ben-Eliezer, and WITH the blessing recited. The menorah had been a gift from David Ben Gurion to President Truman as a symbol of their friendship. It was just a little strange seeing the Chanukiah lit as though we were already in the midst of the festival.
From what I understand, a good time was had by all. Full remarks made by President Bush can be found here and a video of the remarks and a lovely vocal presentation by Kol Zimra can be found here.
I leave you with what has to be the best picture; Mrs. Bush and the mashgichim.
Frume Sarah is Shabbos-observant -- in a Reform way, that is. Please note that from Friday afternoons until one hour after sundown on Saturday evenings, Frume Sarah will be unavailable, in observance of the Jewish Sabbath.
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Thank you for your understanding...and gut Shabbos!!! 
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