Rachelli Prawer, at The Blogs

Rachelli Prawer

More in love with my land and my people every day

Dec 6, 2024, 11:08 AM

Melbourne 2024: Jews, wake up and smell the smoke!

Sifrei Torah rescued from Adass Israel Shul after the arson attack (Yeshiva World News)

Our enemies know the power of fire and the national memories it evokes, but we are no longer exiled and defenseless – we have a refuge

Sep 2, 2024, 10:55 PM

‘By any means necessary’

The destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70CE, a painting by David Roberts (1796-1849). (public domain)

“If you got… certainty, you’ll be willing to do anything to bring about the end you want. It’s the oldest human problem, Lyra, an’ it’s the difference between good and evil. Evil can be unscrupulous, and good can’t....

Aug 11, 2024, 4:53 PM

We named her Hope

Street view in Efrat, Gush Etzion: banner reads "Hope is mandatory". (courtesy)

עוד לא אבדה תקוותנו" (התקווה, המנון מדינת ישראל)" “Our hope is not yet lost.” (Hatikva, Israeli anthem) I know I’m not alone in dreading this time of year and waiting impatiently for it to pass — these weeks leading up to...

Jun 23, 2024, 2:40 PM

Featured Post

Spoiler alert: We will win. But what role will you choose to play?

Jewish history shows that the end of the story is predetermined. But our role in it, and our destiny as individuals, is not

May 29, 2024, 1:15 PM

How to exist in a lonely world

From the river to the sea, Israel stands alone (images via X, formerly Twitter)

(סוטה מט:ב) "על מי יש להשען — על אבינו שבשמים" "Upon whom can we rely? On our Father in heaven." (Sotah 49b) My son needed a time-out on Shabbat. Not exactly an unusual occurrence, but this occasion had a silver...

Mar 24, 2024, 1:29 PM

Our mouths shall be filled with laughter

A screenshot from Eretz Nehederet's satirical sketch on the US congress hearings on antisemitism (YouTube, screenshot)

“The charm that repels a boggart is simple, yet it requires force of mind. You see, the thing that really finishes a boggart is laughter. What you need to do is force it to assume a shape that you...

Feb 22, 2024, 11:04 PM

What is in a flag?

The flag currently flown on my front fence, as part of my settlement's "a flag for every house" initiative. (courtesy)

The two triangles of the Magen David face opposite directions. But they interlock to create something bigger than themselves. Let's remember that lesson. וְחָנ֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אִ֧ישׁ עַֽל־מַחֲנֵ֛הוּ וְאִ֥ישׁ עַל־דִּגְל֖וֹ לְצִבְאֹתָֽם:" (במדבר א:נב)" “The children of Israel shall encamp troop by...

Feb 8, 2024, 3:01 PM

Featured Post

The kindergarten’s ‘wishing tree’ made me cry

Some, to be sure, wish for a dog or a bunny, but it's telling that more are thinking about the soldiers and the hostages

Jan 25, 2024, 10:20 PM

Our hope is not yet lost

War is an iron fist gripping our hearts. At times, we get used to its pressure and somehow learn to put one foot in front of the other anyway. At other times, those difficult ones when we need to...

Jan 11, 2024, 9:46 PM

Shir la-ma’alot: Jewish song in times of crisis

In my last post, I explored the idea of cultural tools that have helped us evolve generational resilience as a people over millennia of adversity. More recently, we have again turned to during these tools to help us cope...

About Me

Born in Melbourne, Australia, Rachelli made aliya to Israel 7 years ago, and currently lives in the beautiful Judean hills of Gush Etzion with her husband and 3 children. She works as a doctor and freelance medical writer.