I was surprised and happy to see hand-made shmura matza in the wild in Israel with the cRc hechsher from Chicago...

According to INN Chicago is at the forefront of shul members being prepared to protect the shul and its congregants form anti-semitic attacks against these institutions.

An organization has been founded, called "CCL Shul members" made up of a membership of Jewish shul goers who have all applied for and been granted concealed carry licences.

The organization offers courses in advanced frearms training and forms of situation specific training. They work to ensure its members are keeping on top of training how to respond in the worst situations, which we all hope never happen, and keep their skills sharp and are aware of the latest innovations and tactics.

After a few attacks and the discussion became heated about Jews carrying guns in shul, many were nervous that it would lead to a gun culture, but even worse that we would have many under-trained people carrying guns responding in highly tense situations and putting even more people at risk. An organization like this can be a real solution in ensuring proper training and abilities.

more observations in the USA (Chicago):
* the situation with the meshulachim is not nearly as bad as I have heard it made out to be. I might be wrong, and maybe this is just a quiet season for them, maybe they don't travel now because people are on vacation, I don't know. but it does not seem so bad. Some days there are none in shul, some days there are a few. Either way, it is far less than what we get in Israel on a daily basis.
* people are extremely generous. They give to all the meshulachim no matter what they look like.
* as few as the meshulachim were, some of them really have no etiquette or manners. Some were fine - went through the shul collecting from whomever would give and walked out when they finished. Others were pests and stayed longer and asked repeatedly and followed other meshulachim around to ask from people giving them who might not have given him when he asked.
* squirrels, alleys, and water
* it rains, even pours, in the summer. and it is warm/hot at the same time
* family is great, as annoying as they can be to each other at times.
* I still think surprises are dumb, even when they work

* in Israel I am basically a news junkie Since I have been in the USA I have hardly checked the news at all. I have no idea what is going on, and dont really care. The little bit of news I have heard is all about Trump and Clinton

more observations from the USA (Chicago):
* I don't see runners anywhere. In Israel no matter where I go (running or driving) I see runners and bikers. I did see a few people that looked like they were biking to work.
* in the 2 shuls I have been to so far, I have yet to see anybody pull out a cellphone to check their messages. I stopped myself from doing so thinking that the Israeli shouldn't do it if the locals aren't. I don't know that it added to my kavana at all, but that is what happened.
* walking briefly through a supermarket - food is cheap and plentiful (in quantity, quality and variety and package sizing)
* I think the above also sheds some light, in my mind, on why America suffers from an obesity problem.
* the topography is so flat. and so much grass.
* squirrels
* i find myself thinking of distance in miles again rather than kilometers

Chicago West Side Synagogues, part 6. focuses on area between Roosevelt and Douglas boulevard streets on west end in greater Lawndale area

Chicago West Side Synagogues, part 4. focuses on area between 14th and 16th streets in greater lawndale area

this was very interesting, in general for people interested in Jewish life from the early 1900s, and especially for people from Chicago.. it is all before my time, obviously, but I still found it interesting, and even heard a few familiar names..

Chicago West Side Synagogues, part 1


Chicago West Side Synagogues, part 2. focuses on west garfield and austin neighborhoods



Chicago West Side Synagogues, part 3. focuses on area between 15th and 18th streets in greater lawndale area

this kid had a near-death experience. He was declared clinically dead.

The part I find interesting is that he is wearing a Chicago Bulls t-shirt.



And one of the most famous and widespread photographs of Gilad Shalit when he was abducted by Hamas to Gaza, had Shalit wearing a Chicago Bears hat.

What's the fascination of Israelis with Chicago sports teams?

Still, to this day, Israelis ask me, when hearing I come from Chicago originally, about Al Capone and Michael Jordan.

Maybe after this postseason we will start seeing Israelis wear Chicago Cubs paraphernalia as well...

in Chicago..

A reporter from Chicago was in Israel over the summer working on a couple of projects. While here, he came up with an additional idea - meeting with some Chicagoans living in Israel and talking to them about aliyah.

I can't believe not a single one of them mentioned the Cubs..

The videos are not embeddable, so I will just post the links to the two interesting articles.. enjoy..

Finding Chicagoans in the Holy Land

Chicagoans make aliyah (with videos)