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WHITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAYJ LLY 22, 1981, PAGE 9 Between You and Me By RUTII COLES I In Israel, in order to be a realist you must believe in miracles. David Ben Gurion. Where do all these superlatives come from about a tiny country called Israel, so many miles across the sea and what do they mean? From all sides and for a long time I have listened to friends who have lived in or visited Israel and their revelations are astounding. They talk of magic, peace, a very wonderful kind of peace which takes them far away and above all the petty irritations of everyday life back home. Some have difficulty expressing their thoughts, words they say are so empty. For many who have travelled all over the world this experience is above all else and the most rewarding. For some it means a return trip in the near future to confirm their thoughts and to renew their faith in mankind. Today I listened to a well travelled friend who almost talks in awe of her visit. She was truly im- pressed with the people, their customs, their way of life and the country as a whole. A long flight from Canada to Israel, non-stop ex- cept for refueling the plane and a late arrival at night. From the Tel Aviv airport a run by bus to Jerusalem to a medium priced hotel where a large punch bowl full of delicious fruit juice awaited them in the lobby. This seems to pertain to all hotels, a gracious gesture and one much appreciated by all the guests. Many of the hotels have roof gardens with swim- ming pools. Umbrellas, tables and wonderful food which you phone down for and eat by the pool as you bask in the sun. Every evening a tray of fruit is left in your room, large, crispy dates, Java oranges and all the assor- ted tropical smorgasborg, anything you could desire, herrings, sardines, always lots of cheese, similar to the Greek cream cheese, bagels, of cour- se, and all the wonderful fruit. Everyone finds the people gracious, agreeable and eager to please. This, I am told is not overdone. The city folk are very cosmopolitan in their dress and way of life; beautifully dressed women and well groomed men. In the country the dresses were longish and the hair covered as a protection against blowing dust and sand. The Bedouins, nomads who wander and live in tents or under strips of canvas also live in limestone caves in the hills. The children play about and sometimes you see them pulling and prodding a donkey along the way, often a difficult task even for an adult. Tourists can stay in a Kabutz, either holiday or working ones. They have a choice of American food or Kosher, both of which most people enjoy. Dormi- tories or double rooms are available, clean, spar- sely furnished with tile floors and everyone does their share when it comes to clearing dishes and washing them. In the Kabutz everyone shares and shares alike, they all work hard and put in long hours. The children are cared for and taught by the people in the community. Elderly parents are welcome as long as they can pull their own weight and I'm sure they are great baby and child sitters as the Jews have great respect for family. They raise their own crops and livestock to provide for their own needs. LESLIE'S. MUSIC CENTRE NEW HAMMOND PIANOS SA LE 1100 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa SUMMER STORE HOURS 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 1 1 579-6239 1 There is a feeling of great prosperity and, of cour- se, little idleness. This is why they have been able to succeed while others have failed, a belief in them- selves and their much loved country. The word magic is used so often; peace is always mentioned and one hears the expression, "you take on peace of mind." Stress disappears, it is wiped out and one young chap told me his high blood pressure just left him in no time and became nor- mal again. In such an old world atmosphere the anxieties of the new world seem so futile and wor- thless, almost as though they did not exist. I have felt this in far away lands, often high in the moun- tains, a feeling of detachment comes over you and you become one with yourself. Sunrise church services on the Mount of Olives with the sun rising and casting a golden glow over the Mosque behind the walls of Jerusalem. Com- munion in olive wood egg cups, the whole experien- ce never to be forgotten. Bus loads of people are taken to the Jordan River to be baptized and many visitors take home holy water to be used again and again through the years. Tourists and natives sit on the banks of the Sea of Galilee far into the night singing and in the early morning they watch the fishermen bringing in their catch. St. Peter's fish, flat like a sun fish are a great delicacy and are eaten with lime juice squeezed on them, a great favourite with people far and near. The Dead Sea is surrounded by spas and many thousands go to these health spas to benefit their health with the mineral waters, both hot and cold springs so beneficial to many. To swim in the Dead Sea is a unique experience and because of the salt content bodies just roll over and over. It is im- possible to right yourself and to stand on your feet so there is a pole provided, somewhat like a dock, extending out into the water which you grab, hold onto and walk in. I'm told it can take ten minutes to make it to the pole as you roll about! The handicrafts are beautiful; many are made of olive wood and mother of pearl. The bazaars like those of Mexico are colourful and fascinating but the vendors are less aggressive. The children are often there in the shops running about dressed in colourful costumes. Money in great amounts has come to Israel from many sources, the Rothchilds and the Brofmans to name a couple. Many thousands of famous people in the arts and in particular show business, have donated money. The university is an architectural gem as many other buildings are. A wondérful tribute to Billy Rose, a sculptural area which is a marvel in itself. Trees are planted in memory of many people in- cluding my friend's late husband, a gentile bank manager in Ontario whose clients had trees planted in various places. This all seems to bring the Bible into focus and makes it come alive. So most tourists feel a rebirth of interest in their early training on religious mat- ters. To me it all seems to be a contradiction, magic and foremost, a feeling of peace. On the other hand guns and terror. To sum it all up the words of Maurice Samuel have great meaning, "For others a knowledge of the history of their people is a civic duty, while for Jews it is a sacred duty." ,q~pP~ Classified A ds Sell Call 668-6111 Roman Catholic Churches. ST. JOHN T HE EVANGELIST HOLY FAMILY 903 Gif fard St. 668-3676 Masses at St. Paul's School 200 Garrard Rd. 576-2098 MASSES MASSES - Saturday, 7 p.m. Saturday, 7 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m., 10:15 a.m., 11:15 a.m. "Know that I am with you always; yes to the end of time." '71 Mal has western theme "Western Days" will be the theme of the downtown mall to be held by the Whitby Cen- tral Business District Area Improvement Board on July 25 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The mall will see Brock Street closed to traffic from Colbourne to Mary Streets. The event will feature entertainment by coun- try and western bands, wrist wrestling, a best legs contest, a dance demonstration by the Inta Leja School of Dan- ce, body painting, Andy Hathaway's balloon animals and a mechanical bull.