Jewish Cat Makes Music

I had the good fortune yesterday of a visit from my next door neighbor - Or. She wanted to play the piano. My cat Punkie was mesmerized by the sounds - he started to play with her. As you can see in the photo, she was startled.

He kept watching as she played - and touched the keys.

Feline music! PURRRRRR........

War or Peace? You Choose

Where have all the flowers gone?

How will we know how to live in peace if we do not know what it looks or feels like? None of us grew up with models of living in peace.

War and peace are flips sides of the same coin. They exist at the same time. I am committed to live an example of peace, by making it, even in war. I am not out to save the world. I am here to learn peace by living my life as responsibly as possible, no matter what is going on around me.

I have opened my home to my neighbors, whom two weeks ago, I did not know (not even one of them). We have decided to come together so that our children will learn something new.

Yesterday, instead of sitting in front of the television set, imbibing hatred and fear, we brought out whatever food was in the pantry and met at the corner park for a picnic.

No, it's not revolutionary. Strangers sitting in a park, sharing a meal. Not particularly dramatic.

Really? Which drama are you supporting with your focus???????


Look at these photos here.

Happy Chanukah from Israel

I spent the second night of chanukah making this movie.
If you want to know what I have been up to these last six months, watch this short film and you'll find out.

Hope you will be inspired. The music is new stuff I recorded for the holidays a few weeks ago, in an ancient Galilee cave. Please give yourself a true gift of peace, and save yourself a last minute trip to the mall (cuz it's instantly downloadable and green for the environment).

Accapella Peace Anthem Performed by Jewish Arab Ensemble

Rapeh et Libi - Ghalbi Fi Salaam - Heal My Heart

Please Heal My Heart
Please Heal My Soul
Let Peace Grow Inside Us
We will Know Another World

Please Take me to the True Place
The path of all I Dream
Of Love
Of Life
Of Clarity

We'll Know a Better World

The song was collectively written by Eliana Gilad, Arnon Friedman and Rania Haddad. The three of us: American, Israeli and Syrian lived in Paris around the time of the Oslo Accords.

Performing the song is the Jewish Arab accapella ensemble from Safed Ethnic Music college, where I headed the singing department. Performing with me are Zohar Lev, Shira Yaari, Sharon Levy and Hasan Kablan. The piece was performed at a year end concert in the City of Safed, center of Kabbalah - Jewish Mysticism.