It’s hard to believe that Israel’s founding prime minister, David Ben-Gurion, banned the use of Yiddish in Israel, though an exception was made for visiting stage artists. These days, Yiddish is taught at cultural centers and universities, and not all of the students identify as Ashkenazim – or even as Jews.
The old Yiddish saying “It sounds better in Yiddish” happens to be true. There’s a certain very expressive vocal inflection that accompanies the text, which simply doesn’t come across in translation.
For those who want to join a Yiddish conversation, sing Yiddish songs, or read a Yiddish story, Yad Ben Zvi is introducing a weekly six-session course in Yiddish taught by Mordechai Yushkovsky, beginning Wednesday, May 6, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. In addition to language, each session will focus on Yiddish culture.
Miracles at Hadassah
■ MIRACLES TAKE place every day in Israeli hospitals, but we hear about them only when physicians succeed in defying the odds or make successful use of new medical technologies. Hadassah Medical Center has had an amazing record of miracles, some of which were indirectly rewarded on Israel’s Independence Day when Prof. Avi Rifkind, the noted trauma expert, was awarded the Israel Prize. Rifkind believes that everything possible – and the seemingly impossible – must be done to save a life. He has repeated proof that it works.
A miracle, though not in his particular field, recently occurred at the hospital’s Ein Kerem facility, when a 16-year-old girl was brought by her parents to the Pediatric Emergency Department and was saved from a severe meningococcal infection, thanks to the emergency room team’s rapid identification and diagnosis.
What made her case miraculous was that her symptoms were not typical. However, the speedy attention she received enabled quick identification and instant treatment, which prevented deterioration of her condition and possible death, which often happens with meningococcal infections.
Dr. Daniella Fedelberg, a pediatric resident, recounted that the girl was admitted on Friday afternoon in a severely diminished state and was barely conscious. She was neither communicating nor responsive. According to her family, she had a fever and had vomited several times. This information, coupled with neck stiffness, which was discovered on initial examination, immediately pointed to meningitis, even before laboratory tests had been completed.
The girl’s mother said that on the previous night, her daughter had complained of acute pain in her left hand, and the next day began vomiting and suffering from severe headaches. Later that day, the parents wanted a doctor to come to their home because the girl was too weak to go to a clinic. The parents, assuming that their daughter might be dehydrated after vomiting so much, thought she might need an infusion.
A neighbor, who is a nurse, came and connected her to fluids. The girl felt a little better and went to sleep. But later, when the parents checked on her, she was barely responding. Alarmed, they called for an ambulance, which took them to Hadassah’s emergency room, where tests were immediately performed.
Dr. Oren Gordon, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases, began intravenous antibiotics and other essential primary treatment for meningitis. The medics also took a CT of the girl’s head and did a lumbar puncture, which showed that the patient’s spinal fluid was very cloudy and contained pus – a sign of bacterial meningitis. The antibiotic treatment was then increased to target more resistant pathogens.
The parents’ realization that there was something acutely wrong with their daughter, their quick reaction, the rapid response of the medical team at Hadassah, and the speed with which treatment was administered saved the girl’s life. “It’s very exciting to see her on her feet and recovering,” Fedelberg said.
What's Rabbi Ian Pear up to?
■ IT’S DIFFICULT to find a rabbi who hasn’t written a book or who is not contemplating or in the process of writing one. It seems to go with the territory. Rabbi Ian Pear is no exception. His book The Day the Devil Went on Trial has received favorable pre-sale reviews.
The official Jerusalem book launch will take place on Thursday, May 7, at 7:30 p.m., at the Shir Hadash synagogue, 1 Jacob Rubin Street, near Emek Refaim. Pear will be in conversation with Prof. Russ Roberts, president of Shalem College and host of the popular podcast EconTalk.
Stating the obvious
■ ARE ACADEMIC surveys conducted simply to confirm the obvious? Given the findings of a public opinion poll conducted on April 23-24 by Nimrod Nir and Gayil Talshir of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, the answer would appear to be in the affirmative.
The survey, which polled 1,325 Israeli adults, showed that Israelis are deeply divided over the outcomes of the ongoing conflicts with Iran, Hezbollah, and Hamas. The respondents also expressed growing concern about national morale, international standing, and political leadership.
The findings echoed television and radio news, and headlines in newspapers and periodicals.
While 40% of Israelis are against a ceasefire with Hezbollah, nearly 60% are in favor of direct negotiations with Lebanon.
Much as they admire the US, some 41% would like to see the resumption of fighting in Gaza, even though this would annoy US President Donald Trump and create a crisis in Israel-US relations.
Approximately half of those surveyed do not believe that Iran has been weakened.
A disturbing finding indicated that 27% of Jewish citizens, and 40% of Arab citizens, are considering leaving the country.
More than 70% of respondents noted they are concerned that Israel will be isolated from the world, and that this will have a negative impact on long-term security.
A welcomed sign
■ DESPITE CEASEFIRE violations in the North, there were indications in Jerusalem that the war with Iran may be over and that summer is almost here. Last Friday, all the coffee shops in and around Mahaneh Yehuda were packed, and the market was so crowded that shoppers were almost on top of one another. A welcome sign – in any season.
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