Ella Ben Emanuel

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Jul 12, 2025, 10:29 PM

The Great Israeli EV Splurge

Illustrative image, AI-generated, no rights reserved

2025 hasn’t been a great year. For anyone. Whenever I start to complain, I shut myself up by thinking of the families of hostages, of parents who lost their 19-year-old sons in Gaza, of people whose homes were blown...

Jul 8, 2025, 3:14 PM

Saying Goodbye to Britain for Good

pro-palestinian protest in London (source: Wikipedia)

A farewell letter to the country that raised me — and betrayed me

Jun 22, 2025, 2:35 PM

The Taste of Waiting

Today is Shabbat. The Jewish day of rest.A house was destroyed by a drone in the north—but apart from that, quiet. We swing from utter depression to hope. Today, the IDF spokesperson, who had previously told us that the operation...

Jun 18, 2025, 9:54 PM

War Diaries Day 5: How Insanity Became the New Normal

So welcome back again after a brief, albeit very eventful, hiatus to Day 5 of our war with Iran. I’m here to share a few honest thoughts. Firstly, forgive me if I sound disconnected, but I feel as if I’ve...

Jun 16, 2025, 10:58 PM

Day 3 of My War Diary: Welcome to….Nothing

Welcome to Day 3 of my war diaries. Historic events are still unfolding while the emptiness and fear kick in. And welcome to ….nothing. I could perhaps write a piece about all the things I’m not doing. I haven’t applied...

Jun 15, 2025, 11:55 AM

My War Room: How to Be Blind to Ballistics

Notes from a mother, teacher, and reluctant war correspondent Well I guess today I won't be talking about AI, or about menopause or the complexities of being a mother because my head simply isn't there. All my issues of last...

Jun 15, 2025, 6:04 AM

Friday 13th, 2025:

Today Israel attacked Iran. But the laundry still needed folding. I would love to say that my day, Friday, June 13th begins at some palatable hour this morning, after the sun has gently risen on another June day, when the...

Jun 8, 2025, 9:18 PM

What My Commute Says About Israel Today

Today, I’m going to talk about how I get to work. Oh no, you groan, picturing a train, a briefcase, some novels, and a laptop, or possibly the drowsy hum of a bus. But I’m talking about a commute...

May 30, 2025, 12:28 AM

We Deserve Cities that Work

I have a confession. As someone deeply patriotic and Zionistic, I’ve fallen hopelessly in love — with European cities. And I hate Israeli ones. Even though I live in the nation’s capital. To be fair, Jerusalem has its own rugged,...

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About Me

Ella Ben Emanuel teaches high school Diplomacy Studies and English in Tzur Hadassah and lives in Jerusalem. She’s a mother, grandmother, educator, writer, and occasional actress and comedian. With over a decade of teaching experience, she recently began publishing essays and fiction on Substack. Her writing explores education, identity, motherhood, and life in Israel, blending personal reflection with cultural insight and wit.