Tragedy and heroism

Dear all,
Sadly, a little boy, Nitai Ruyami, was killed in a fire in his home in Keshet, a yishuv in the Golan. He and his sister were pulled out of their burning house by a neighbor. Eliyah, his 11-year-old sister, is still in serious condition at Rambam Hospital in Haifa.
This quote is from HaAretz: "I heard the mother crying for help," said Amichai Gil, 24..."I woke up and ran outside with my father. Several people and I tried to enter the second floor, by the stairs, but it was impossible. The house was full of very thick smoke. We thought we could get in through the window. Someone brought a ladder, we climbed...At some point I understood that every minute was important to save the two children. I covered my face with a wet towel and went inside. It was impossible to see anything. I felt around until I felt one of the children's beds. I took the child and passed it to the people waiting at the window, and I went to search for the other one. I eventually found the child on the floor and brought it out too."
I am utterly moved by this story, and think it a) should be front page, and b) the headline should have been, "Neighbor risks life for kids." Because Keshet is a lot like Cochav HaShachar, I can see it all happening. For those who want to doven for Eliyah's recovery, her name is Eliyah bat Ayelet.

Month Old Movie of The Baby

Adina at The Beach

I kill me

Last night I made curry with raita and in a flash of inspiration, put a sign on the front door saying "Rachel's House of Curry" with a picture of an elephant, put on Indian music, and lit incense. After figuring out what was happening, Adina put her hands in Namaste and started chanting, "Ommm, ommm."

A Few Living Room Shots

Sara B.

Random Shots

My Sourdoughs

Flour, water and a little salt

News

Hello all! News from the Hershbergs: We had a wonderful time with my father, who came to study at the Hartman Institute for a week. Highlights included playing poker with the big kids, getting a first-hand tour of a nearby archeological dig and stories of meeting Israelis in Jerusalem. May he continue to build his connection to the Torah, the Land of Israel, and the Jewish people.

I actually have been reading some good books, thanks to my largely-neglected book group that did the preselecting for me. Yehoshua and I both loved The Yiddish Policeman's Union, and I am almost finished with Meir Shalev's A Pigeon and a Boy.

Sara is rolling on to her side and making concentrated, intentional moves with her hands. She can grab a toy with a little help. Mostly what she does is smile. Smile at whoever smiles at her, smile when she's crying, smile especially big smiles at Yehoshua and Yoshe Ber. Usually I bring her into Curves with me, and this week when I didn't everyone asked where she was.

Yehoshua has been hot into sourdough bread. After a lot of technical problems, we got the bread machine that was a birthday present from my parents up and running - we blew out a converter with it and I cried. Now BH the thing works and we are all playing with it.

I am trying to lose weight - exercising a good amount, but of course totally frustrated that it's going so slowly. Those of you who have been there know. Also, working on a quilt for Eefan (Ethan) Nevarez, with big alef-bet letters in autumn colors.

Looking forward to our trip to the US!