Zimra Vigoda, at The Blogs

Jun 2, 2024, 5:48 PM

(Not So) Silent Allies: Tales of Support from My Journey to Germany

During the war, I am hesitant to travel abroad, especially with the massive anti-Israel rallies and sentiments spreading across the globe. Leaving Israel felt daunting and uncertain. However, to my surprise, I encountered many kind individuals who, despite being...

Mar 6, 2022, 5:14 PM

Featured Post

Strangers and a house with sticky walls

Pictures of refugee children from Eastern Europe trigger memories of an early childhood journey to freedom. It's the post-trauma I didn't know I have.

Feb 3, 2022, 8:28 PM

Mama Bear Learns to Let Go – Jewish Disability, Awareness & Inclusion Month

February 2022 “Ok, Ima (mom), here is the surprise, but close your eyes first”. “Open them”, he said. I did and what I saw made me cry. My 19-year-old son, just back from Germany, got himself a tattoo of a Mama Bear carrying...

Jan 16, 2022, 1:36 PM

The Day I Discovered Colleyville

I was busy kvelling on Facebook about my son, Amit's wheelchair basketball team’s win in Hannover, Germany when the N12 news flash came in, “An armed person is holding hostages in a synagogue in Texas”. I immediately switched from the...

Nov 4, 2021, 4:27 PM

Plot Twist – Playing Wheelchair Basketball in Germany

Ever since Amit left for Germany to play wheelchair basketball for Hannover United, my dead grandmother has been haunting me. Well, not literally, but for the past 4 days, I fall asleep each night with the same intrusive thought,...

Aug 10, 2021, 1:29 PM

Leaving the Nest and Chasing Dreams in the Days of COVID

“Ima, where are you?” she asked. “Just getting back from the bus station. I dropped Yoav off so he can get back to base.” I answered. “One down, two to go,” she joked. “Oh, earlier, I dropped Roi at the station so...

Jul 22, 2021, 1:20 AM

Beyond Ben and Jerry’s – BDS and Berkeley’s Glass Houses

“Are you sure you want to wear the shirt with the Hebrew writing on it?” I asked my 14-year- old daughter. “Well, it doesn’t say ‘Israel’ on it, it’s just the ranch logo (where she rides), I think it’ll be...

May 16, 2021, 6:36 PM

On a Wing and a Prayer – Flying Towards Mayhem

“Sazi, it’s Money Time! United is canceling flights and I need to make sure I can get home. Please, get me back to Israel from California…somehow…“ I begged my good-fairy travel agent of the past 15 years. “Are you sure...

May 9, 2021, 1:02 PM

The First Flight Out – A Mother’s Day Respite 2021

Image Zimra Vigoda - Celebrating reuniting with my brother

“Would you like some headphones?” asked the double-masked flight attendant skipping through the half-filled plane about to embark on the notoriously long, 15-hour flight from Tel Aviv to San Francisco. I shook my head and said, “No, thank you”. I thought...

Jan 23, 2021, 5:27 PM

Good guinea pig, bad guinea pig

“So when are you getting your second shot?” I asked an old friend who I’ll refer to as “Molly”. “Oh, I’m not vaccinating yet”, She answered. Surprised, I asked her why not, assuming that she had a rare condition preventing her...

About Me

Zimra was born in Budapest and grew up in New York City. She immigrated to Israel in 1994 and for the past two decades has worked with diverse for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Currently, she serves as a resource development expert on the Civics and Shared Education team at the Center for Educational Technology (CET) in Tel Aviv. Zimra is mother to 4 children, ages 12 to 21. Inspired by her 16-year old son Amit, a lower limb amputee, she is passionate about competitive wheelchair basketball and spends much of her free time rooting for her favorite teams. Today, she and her family are living in the Negev.