new thread
So I posted here a few months back, I'm living in Israel now. And I've found that long-haired men are few and far between, this in contrast to my observation only a year before I came as an immigrant, my last visit in December 15-January 16. I couldn't believe things had changed so much in just a year. But then look what I found when I went to synagogue this morning...
Okay, I'm kidding, obviously this is a picture of the Grateful Dead! It's tabbo to take photos in the synagogue on the Sabbath. (This is probably the one time I've regretted that...) But there was a kid having his bar mitzvah this morning, and his hair is mid-back length. As is his father's, albeit with a somewhat receding hairline. But I know the kid and his father, they attend regularly. What I wasn't ready for was that the kids also has an older, and a younger, brother both with hair even longer than him. (The boy's mother and younger sister also sport some copious hair.) But what REALLY made me feel at home was that there were a number of male friends of the boy AND of his parents, all with some serious long hair, visiting for the occasion.
Like most of you, I don't mind standing out a bit. I don't wear long hair specifically to be different, more in spite of being different. But this morning, to be surrounded by long-haired men and boys, was kind of refreshing!
Best to all...
Don
Hi Don,
That was a cool picture which had me going for a minute or two! LOL. Great to hear you ran into several longhairs at such a gathering in particular.What's it like living in Israel btw?I've never been there but always wondered especially with the threat of being so close to hostile neighbors.As for the hair that must have been refreshing to see.Being the only longhair in a large crowd makes you unique but seeing others gives you a sense of brotherhood too :)As always great hearing from you my friend.Cheers.
Mârk
Hey, Mark! You asked what's it like living in Israel, specifically with regards to the security situation.
It's really not something that Israelis think about much, day-to-day, except perhaps as much as residents of US cities think about crime and avoid certain areas. I live in Ashqelon, which is a city on the south Mediterranean cost just a few KM north of the Gaza Strip. Occasionally we'll hear a siren, indicating a missile flying our way from Gaza; it's happened a couple of times since I arrived here five months ago. Both times, the Iron Dome shot them down before they did any damage. But things have been quiet lately. I'm probably more aware of it than most constantly, because my son is in the army here and is right now stationed in Gush Etzion, on the 'West Bank,' where he serves as a combat medic to an armored battalion. Being retired from the US military myself, and having been stationed in a number of terror hotspots over the years (e.g., Greece in the 1980's), I'm probably warier than most Israelis about being in a crowd...I've been asked if I'm agoraphobic, but I'm really just careful.
The security bit aside, life here is great! Relatively laid back and friendly. A country of busybodies where, if you approach life with a bit of humor, there's an interesting situation to experience at every turn. Just don't drive here if you've got anger management issues!
Moreover, in a poll taken two weeks ago, 88% of Jewish Israelis said they were "comfortable" or "very comfortable being themselves" in their country. (Interestingly, the percentage for Arab Israelis was also quite high: 74%.)
That said, I am looking forward to travelling to Boulder, Colorado in a few days for my daughter's graduation from CU. After the festivities, she's going to take a few days off from her job and we're going up into the mountains. I'm looking forward to sailing on Lake Dillon at 9,000 feet above sea level, and cycling down (not up!) the Vail Pass. Two distinctly Coloradan experiences not possible here in Israel!
All the best...
Don
Hi Don,
Thank you for that information on living in Israel on a daily basis.Being I've never been there I wondered if people walked around always thinking there could be some sort of attack.With an enemy that close I would think its concerning.I'm glad that people don't let that aspect weigh to heavily on them and just enjoy life. The fact some men are growing there hair long is cool so I'm guessing its accepted overall in that country.
The trip to Colorado for the graduation should be fun.Sounds like you have a full plate of activities while there.I've only passed through airports there a couple times when I traveled to California and there was a stopover.Never actually spent time in that state but heard it a great place.Thanks again for your comments and safe travels my friend.Cheers
Mârk
One thing I would mention there are those who claim it is safer in Israel than it is in cities like Chicago and other cities.
My how things have changed. I had my Bar Mitzvah in 1967,
three years after starting to grow my hair. My mom was ok with it, the rabbi was not, but I persisted and kept it long.
I lived in Wisconsin at the time, there were three of us boys in the synagogue who had long hair, the rabbi was not happy.
Hey, LHIA! I don't think long hair on a bar mitzvah would have gone over too well when I had mine in 1971 in Miami Beach, either! (My hair only began to get long several years later, in high school and after.)
This was at a Masorti (Conservative) synagogue. A couple weeks back, my congregation hosted a gathering of the Masorti youth movement from all over the south of the country, and there were a few long-haired teenage males in evidence. I can't speak for the Orthodox, although logic would expect that they demand more conformity.
People who are new to Jewish life - not just here, also in the USA and in Australia - have told me that they were pleasantly surprised about the degree to which we are tolerant and accepting.
May it stay that way! All the best...
Don
