Planet Israel – From the Inside. Things always look so different from the inside. When you stand outside, looking in, it’s impossible to get close enough to really see. From the outside Israel looks dark and foreboding. This blog will focus on the infinite points of light that can be seen only from an up close and personal view – and that’s where I sit.
For the past 14yrs, I’ve lived on a small Moshav (the term for Israel’s once-upon-a-time agricultural collectives) smack in the country’s heartland on Israel’s narrow 12 mile waistline that runs from the Mediterranean Sea to the populous Arab city of Tulkarm, In fact, from my living room window I have a splendid view of the Emek Hefer valley and the Tulkarm lights that glitter in the night sky.
While I now enjoy an insider’s view, not having been born or raised in Israel, I have the benefit of the added perspective of an outsider. My first 27yrs were spent in and around most everywhere except Israel. Although the bulk of those years occupied space in the NY area, a good chunk of time was devoted to remote villages from Ecuador to Nepal, as well as major cities from Vancouver, Canada to Kunming, China, and the Aztek temples of Macchu Picchu and Cuzco, Peru to the Mayan sport theaters of Lamanai in Belize and Palenque in Mexico. The world was a fascinating place and I loved NY. But on my 2nd visit to Israel I knew that was home. And so it has been and remains – the love of my life, or one of them…A love I wish to share with all of you out there who only get to see the side that sells newspapers or makes political careers.
This is the world of Israel – an amazing place filled with outstanding people doing wonderful, unique things in all professions, in all walks of life, the best for gourmands, and oenophiles; significant contributions by scientists, artists; environmentalists. If you look closely, it’s all here – so stay tuned and see Planet Israel from the Inside.
~Carice Witte Shoshtari
carice-
you never cease to amaze me. I look forward to the next installment. I will also send this to my mother. Love, Linda
By: linda (schwartzman) nevins on October 9, 2007
at 5:35 pm
Hi Carice==I just loved reading your blog–thought it was beautifully written and a terrific intro as to what is coming–I found myself hoping that you would mention Westport in your long list of places that you have been—actually your life sounds as interesting the artist you wrote about.
Looking forward to hearing more===Lois
By: Lois Schwartzman on October 9, 2007
at 11:13 pm
The story behind my wave sculptures might make a good article for your ejournal. I collect ancient marbles from the coastline of Israel and turn them into sculptures that have a historic narrative. I have a pps presentation that explalins more. please send me an email address and I’ll pass it on to you.
Best wishes,
Janet gino
By: Dr. Janet Gino on March 11, 2008
at 2:48 pm
Hi Janet,
Your wave sculpture work sounds perfect for a blog post on Planet Israel. I’ll be in touch soon. Looking forward to interviewing you.
Best,
Carice
By: planetisrael on March 11, 2008
at 4:39 pm
At our 60th…
“The hinge of possibility,” George Eliot wrote 17 years before Herzl first wrote about Zionisms, is that among the Jews “there may arise some men of instruction and ardent public spirit, some new Ezras, some modern Maccabees, who will know how to use all favouring outward conditions, how to triumph by heroic example, over the indifference of their fellows and the scorn of their foes, and will steadfastly set their faces towards making their people once more one among the nations.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/12/opinion/12kristol.html?ex=1226203200&en=a3
0a28c0ee3ba26d&ei=5087&WT.mc_id=OP-D-I-NYT-MOD-MOD-M044-ROS-0508-HDR&WT.mc_e
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This appeared in the New York Times earlier today. I found George Eliot’s vision of Israel to be one of the most powerful I have read. It catches the sense of possibility that all humans have in making the world a little bit more aligned to their sense of right and wrong.
The group of Jews who have immigrated to Israel have sacrificed so much. Often, it seems as if what they attain is hard won, but then one must check the value of the State that they are building.
By: Laura Shenkar on May 19, 2008
at 9:03 pm
Carice, it really good adventure to read your article. I real ly want to see the inside of Israel now.
Rithy
By: Rithy on September 16, 2008
at 4:35 am
Hi Rithy,
I’m really glad to hear it. That’s what the blog is all about. Best, Carice
By: planetisrael on September 19, 2008
at 5:13 am