Avram Piha

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Sep 9, 2013, 5:24 PM

Musings of an ex-Shasnik

This is one of those things I typically only bring up around election season: Almost 10 years ago, I voted for Shas. I was debating between Likud and Shas, and was swayed by a few books – the first...

Jul 13, 2013, 10:17 PM

From Baghdad with Love

I spent Sunday morning with my landlord ensuring we were leaving his apartment in good shape. When he confirmed all was ok, I handed over the keys and asked him if he had time to tell me a little...

May 19, 2013, 9:23 AM

The Last Month in Israel … in Ladino Sayings

When I read Sarah’s “Sometimes you need Yiddish to get the job done” last week, not only did I think it was a great read, but I also thought something similar should be done in Ladino. My father’s family...

May 3, 2013, 9:42 AM

Out of the blue, into the green

Illustrative photo of Israel Defense Forces reserve soldiers taking part in a surprise drill on an army base in northern Israel, April 2013. (photo credit: Shay Wagner/Israel Army Spokesman via Flash 90)

When the call comes and you have to put on your 'rarmy boots,' kiss the kids goodbye and report to reserve duty

Apr 11, 2013, 9:42 AM

A Christian, a Muslim and Me

"There's a sign for a multi-faith prayer room," my wife said and off I went to see if it was a fitting place for shacharit. I found the room on the 2nd floor of the 3rd terminal, and walked...

Feb 17, 2013, 8:13 PM

Ten down … no more counting

As I got off the El Al flight on February 17, 2003, I smiled nervously...I had done it. I had done what my parents had done some 20 years earlier. I had come home. I was nervous but I...

Nov 17, 2012, 9:27 PM

Despite the ongoing Operation (or can we call it a war now?) in Gaza, Shabbat started as normal in Jerusalem. I took my four year old son to synagogue, while my wife stayed with our two year old and...

Jul 14, 2012, 11:00 PM

… And on the Bus

I was deep into the chapter in In Ishmael’s House, which discusses Mizrachi Jewry’s interaction with Zionism during World War I, when I heard a discussion on the Tal Law taking place right in front of me. I looked...

Jul 5, 2012, 8:32 PM

A few weeks ago, I got an e-mail from Telfed, the South African Zionist Federation, informing me of an upcoming documentary they were showing in Jerusalem: In 1948, immediately following the Declaration of Independence, Israel was attacked from all sides...

Feb 21, 2012, 7:26 PM

Blurring the Point: Selective, Star-struck Coverage and its Aftermath

On Wednesday, February 11, Aharon Davidi passed away at the age of 84. Even though Davidi was a famed paratrooper whose leadership was key during the Suez War and Six Day War, his passing received little press coverage. My...

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