DEAR FRIENDS,
June 2025 | Summer Edition
There's no getting away from it – the days are going to get hotter. And hotter. If it turns out that I am wrong I will cheerfully concede. But when summer comes to Ashdod it means it gets hotter. So, at the risk of sounding like an alarmist, drink more water. One of the most contributing factors to ill health is dehydration, something that is at the root of many evils. That is why they hook you up to an infusion of saline (fancy water) whenever you need any treatment to replace the water missing from the body. GOOD GRIEF! I sound like a medical journal. Let's move on to nicer thoughts.
Think of all the happy things that water does for us. It quenches simple thirst. It washes away dirt and sweat. It's the stuff you put in a pot to boil an egg or help cook whatever strikes your fancy. It makes water slides slippery and lots of fun. It removes shmootz (rhymes with 'puts' and is a general Yiddish term for dirt) from our clothes, dishes, floors, hair, balconies etc. It is something you can splash around in and have fun, It turns water wheels which for many, many years have been used to grind all sorts of things. It is the medium in which goldfish live. If you add some salt to it then whales and millions of other creatures like tropical fish and carp live in it (and those fish provide us with food). (not the whales, unless you go to Japan where, I understand, they do eat whale flesh). And whales and fish are not the only creatures who live in the vast oceans. There are seals and penguins that are cute andentertaiining. In years past the baby seals also provided fur for coats, but that is now banned.
There are probably a hundred more things that water provides us with. I promise not to add them here if I think of them. But all this is given to make my point, which I almost forgot. DRINK MORE WATER. The fish will manage.
And Here's Somethimg New!
There's a charming little park that not many of us know about. I don't know what it's called and it may not have a name yet. The best way to go there is down Rehov Oved Ben-Ami and cross Moshe Dayan Boulevard. On the other side of Moshe Dayan the street changes its name to Valos (why?) and if you want to enter the park you have to – well – park your car somewhere. I did it on foot (a long haul but worth it). So now you are on Valos Street. Continue for about twenty meters. There is sand on your left and apartment houses on your right. Everywhere you look there will be fences and boards telling you about what is coming next. Anyway, after about twenty meters you come to a circle. Go left and you come to a wide sidewalk that will continue to the right. Just follow that sidewalk and you come to – ready for this? – a LAKE. It's artificial, of course, but it's beautiful. The lake is on your left and on your right there are machines for doing exercise for people who want to prove that they are ninjas. Keep going and you come to a cool playground for kids and a little further on is another even cooler playground. Shade and benches and tables galore and, thankfully, a toilet for those of us who do not have iron bladders. Now you can leave the park and get back to the road on your right (which is now called Rehov Egoz) or, if you continue left you come to the Marina. If you fancy fishing you might find a boat for hire to take you out to sea. Or you might go on until you are guided by the fences and the signs (for future building and who wouldn't want to live in a place like that?) to The Hof, which is a restaurant with good food, or back to the road.
It took me a while, so don't try to do it all at once. And go with a friend! You can ooh and ahh together and sit and have a picnic (don't forget food and WATER). I thought it was charming. Give it a try.
And have a wonderful summer!
Don't forget! In times of stress:
Call the Moked Ironi 106 from a landline or *10681 from a cellphone to report a problem or to get help with one. Someone will take your information and help you. There are various organizations that have phone lines to help you in stress. USE THEM!
Emergency Numbers
Citizens Rights in an emergency situation (Hebrew)
https://www.kolzchut.org.il/he/ (need to google translate if you do not know Hebrew)
Israel Home Front Command (Pikud HaOref) Phone: 104
This is the official address for Israeli citizens during these times:
https://www.oref.org.il/en
Israel Police / Phone: 100
https://www.gov.il/en/departments/israel_police/govil-landing-page
MADA – Ambulance / Phone: 101
https://www.mdais.org/en
National Fire and Rescue Authority / Phone: 1299
https://www.gov.il/en/departments/firefighting_and_rescue_israel/govil-landing-page
Emotional Support
Association of the Deaf in Israel
Contact: +972 52-6033505 / Website:
https://www.deaf-israel.org.il/contact-us
Al-Anon Israel serves friends and family of alcoholics
https://www.al-anon-israel.org/
Crises Intake for U.S. Citizens in Israel
https://cacms.state.gov/s/crisis-intake
Eran Hotline
Sponsored by the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration to provide emotional support, is open for immigrants to Israel in English, Russian, Amharic, French and Spanish between the hours of 4pm and 9pm at *3201. Website:
https://www.eran.org.il/helpline-for-olim-eng/
Ezer Mitzion
- psychological support: 1800808100
- special for people 60+: 1800802030 (between 8am and 8pm)
- want to volunteer?: 0732477777
- need medical equipment?: 036144500
- Bayt Cham: *9518
- Special professional hotline, for free, for boys, for girls, in English also: *8147, 24/7 *for more
- info: m1599503232@gmail.com
Get Help Israel
https://gethelpisrael.com/
Help Line for Holocaust Survivors
https://www.k-shoa.org/index.php?language=eng
Number to call is *5105 or 03 5682651
Kav LaOved – Workers Hotline
Foreign aid workers are able to check regulations via this link:
https://www.kavlaoved.org.il/en/
Leket food Bank in Israel
https://www.leket.org/en/volunteers/
Mashaabim Center
Parenting and family in an emergency:
https://hoseneastgalil.org.il/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Parenting-and-family-in-an-emergency.pdf
Health Funds
Meuhedet *3833 – 3 for English
Maccabi *3555 – 4 for English
Leumit *507 – 4 for English
Clalit *2700 – 4 for English
English News Resources:
i24News: https://www.i24news.tv/en/
Ynet: https://www.ynetnews.com/
Israel National News:https://www.israelnationalnews.com/
The Jerusalem Post: http://www.jpost.com
Ha’Haretz: http://www.haaretz.co.il
The Times of Israel: https://www.timesofisrael.com/
Arutz Sheva: https://www.israelnationalnews.com/
Other Helpful Resources:
Libby – Israel Digital Library
LIBBY for the Southern Evacuees Click here
Behavioral guidelines while driving a vehicle during sirens
https://www.oref.org.il/12487-16149-en/Pakar.aspx
Choosing a Protected Space – Pikud HaOref
https://www.oref.org.il/12487-15895-en/Pakar.aspx
How to explain the war to our children: A guide for parents
https://www.oref.org.il/12487-15895-en/Pakar.aspx
The Silent Radio Broadcast Stations Activated During Shabbat
https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/12102023_2
Foreign Embassies in Israel
