I’m living on Kibbutz Nir-Oz in the Western Negev in Israel. I teach at Ma’ale Habsor Regional High School and have been for the past 12 years.
My interests are ADHD and teaching kids to work with it. I write poetry as an expression of all that I absorb. I believe that using the arts as a tool for focusing our students is a better tool for life than simply advocating medications and leaving it at that.
Since I work in Otef Azza (the area east of the Gaza strip), I have been loathe to write honestly about what I’m experiencing. This is mostly due to the fact that if I speak of qassams I cause my family in the U.S. and Canada to worry, for no reason, for worry does nothing but eat up the worrier. Since speaking to students in the area of Sderot and Sha’ar HaNegev, I know that speaking about what’s going on is the only way to honestly share our predicament.
Expression is the best way to personally cope with trauma and anxiety.
I may choose to be personal or simply a vessel for others, but this blog is for talking about things.
may 17/2008
11 Comments
April 28, 2009 at 5:05 pm
up is up! glad to hear your flying on your energetic creativity wheel. thanks for dropping by, dear soozen
April 28, 2009 at 4:26 pm
judih, wanted to drop by and see what is UP with you! Life here has been full and busy. Creativity is flowing again and the dams have crumbled (which were self constructed.) Loved what you wrote about creativity and inspiration. Thank you as always.
Love and Peace!
March 8, 2009 at 10:31 pm
Moses’ Footprints
(Adapted by James Leigh 2009)
When Moses saw the Lord in the burning bush
He took off his shoes
As he stood on holy ground
Later in life he pondered
As I travelled the desert
Even the wilderness
I would look back
And see two sets of footprints
I knew You were with me
But as I looked
I often saw in the toughest times
You were not there
I could only see one set of footprints
“Where were You?”
It was then that I heard a small voice
“My beloved, I was there carrying you!”
January 17, 2009 at 4:17 pm
thanks, walt. appreciate that
January 13, 2009 at 9:26 pm
I am amazingly speechless.
Such wonderfulness in the midst of mayhem.
My thoughts are with you and with the good
work you are doing.
keep your vision,
walt
October 25, 2008 at 5:23 am
Judih, Your writings are always revealing and
comforting to us in snowy Canada. Keep up your poetry, interviews, and reactions to the good and bad in your environs. You have a keen sense of
the influence of your surroundings and an ability to share your emotions. Keep writing.
Love,
Mom and Dad
June 22, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Hey, sistah-j…
Nice place you have, here. I look forward to reading more. Thank heaven for bookmarks.
lw
June 22, 2008 at 3:42 pm
Judih – Anything I Write in regard to your plight will seem prosaic, I’m certain; surely, how is One to truly know-know? Yet, I am inspired (& not solely conscripted – LOL!) to contribute; inspired by your indomitable Poetry, & resonant indomitability. To wit, I have fwrd. the Link to this Blog to three, dear Friends, the 1st. an erstwhile 15 yr. resident/Journalist/Writer, Jerusalem & about, a Psychologist/Hebrew U. Grad. who’d frequented Israel, & Sabra, whom coincidentally is ret. next wk. for a month to reunite w/Family. Perhaps I shall also compose/share a Piece, where appropriate… Blessings, Direqh EL – H’H.
June 18, 2008 at 3:43 pm
Good to read your posts. I will add your blog to my favorites. Thanks Dave
May 20, 2008 at 7:42 pm
And how do we say “worry” in Japanese? We probably paint in sumi-e to disperse worry.
Hope you’re well, hope you’re fine. Love your photos, Ali.
May 20, 2008 at 2:58 pm
Judih,
Saw your comments on my blog (thanks for those by the way – so nice and encouraging – I will keep it up!) and followed you to your blog. This is so wonderful. What a good and important forum. It’s good to read your honest yet hopeful writing, even though it can’t help be but worrisome.
Love,
Ali