So, where were we? Oh yes, Israel.
Five years ago this week I was preparing for my first visit to Israel. I remember the day I left. As I walked through the gate at Heathrow I saw the huge Magen David emblazoned over the EL AL plane’s tail and felt so excited. I sat next to a beautiful Scottish Jewess on the flight. We talked about Big Brother for a while and then she said: ‘You may not believe me, but Israel is a magical place.’ I told her I believe.
After we’d been silent for a while, she tapped me on the shoulder, pointed out of the window and said: ‘There it is.’ And there it was; the country I had dreamt of visiting for so long.
I’ve had some memorable arrivals to foreign lands in my time. When I went to Thailand as a 15-year-old who thought he knew it all, I realised within moments of arriving in Bangkok just how little I knew. As an 18-year-old I hopped around various Greek islands, and always savoured the moment when each new port began to take shape in my vision. And you can’t really beat rolling into Manhattan, can you?
Except you can. As we flew over Tel Aviv late that night, I was beyond excited to see it and to consider what lay ahead for me. My friends had warned me for weeks that I was building up enormous expectations for my trip. I always do for any trip, and sometimes they are met. Israel exceeded them.
After three days in the Dead Sea, I moved to Tel Aviv. It was strange being in Israel on the fifth anniversary of 9/11. If someone would have told me on that terrifying day in 2001 that just five years later I’d be sunbathing on top of the Isrotel Tower in Israel, as planes swept past, I’d have wondered where I got the nerve from. I’m not the bravest of people, I suppose I felt that Israel is worth digging deep for.
What is it about Israel? I love the sense of hope that is inherent in the state, including its moving national anthem. It is a vibrant, brilliant country and a remarkable one given both its youth and the circumstances it was created and built under. To me, etched into every part of Israel is an unwritten message: just look what is possible in life. Admirable and inspiring.
Anyway, I’m back. I wrote about why I stopped blogging in the JC. I don’t want to dwell any longer on those reasons, I would rather concentrate on positives. Thanks to the hundreds of people who wrote lovely messages to me after I stopped posting. It meant a lot.
I enjoyed taking a break. It’s always nice to remember what a big world there is out there. I have a brilliant and busy life as it is, so I was never naturally disposed to ‘activism’ anyway. But as I said, Israel is worth digging deep for. And to clarify, my break had nothing to do with any change of feelings about Israel; blog or no blog, you can bury me a Zionist.
Now I’m back, I’ll be posting on new topics including initiatives to counter cyber-bullying, and also the efforts to build a loving legacy for Amy Winehouse. However, my love and respect for Israel will probably always be at the heart of this blog. I might even find time to write about shawarma and the NaNachs from time to time. You know me.
I aim to keep this blog even more positive and upbeat going forward. There’s enough darkness and fear-mongering in our corner of the internet as it is. I’d rather keep things light. If that sounds a bit Christian happy-clappy then all I can say is that I’m neither Christian nor clappy, but I am happy.
I’m happy to be back.
May I be the first to congratulate you on your return to the ‘net? I’m so happy! The world is a better place with you in it, and the internet is so much brighter now!
welcome back.
Damn right. You bloody well ought to be back. Disgrace.
Great blog! So glad your back.
*you’re back -sorry for my horrible grammar mistake!
Good to see ya’ll back. Keep up the good work.
Made my day/week/year….good on ya Chas. Welcome back!
my finest moment….to learn you are back. Echoing the sentiments above by Annie. Im pleased you enjoyed the break but you were sooooo missed. Eternally grateful that you are returning X
Great to have you back, Chas! You may think you’re just a sensitive soul but I think you’re also very brave. It’s hard to stand up for Israel/Judaism with all the enviers about but then again it’s impossible not to.
Hear hear Chas, well done mate. Look forward to reading more as the weeks go on.
From a jolly Christian happy clappy.
Thank G-d We need you!!
My withdrawal symptoms have been alleviated.Thank you and welcome back.
Welcome Back my friend!!
Best news I’ve had all week.
Whoopee! That’s made my day!
Ditto!
D
Oops, smiley malfunction
Really happy that you’ve rejoined us, Chas. There’s so much to write about. Where to start?
Perhaps – Gaddafi is in the sewer – where he belongs.
Welcome back. Never forget
“illegitimi non carborundum”
(Don’t let the bastards grind you down)
Welcome Home
We all need time out occasionally.
To get perspective.
Welcome back.
Good man yourself Chas. Great to read your superb writing once more.
Welcome home; its nice to have you back.
Yay! I missed you!
Well about time! Glad to have you back – you’ve been missed!
Three cheers! I look forward to much more positivity and reason flowing forth into this sometimes dark and crazy world from your keyboard soon.
So glad you’re back and with such a positive, vibrant, uplifting piece too!
chas, you are a very special person and i am so happy you are back you have been missed.. x
GREAT GREAT GREAT YOUR BACK!!!!!
Best news I’ve had all day!
So glad you’ll be back blogging.
Yay!
Dear Chas ,
So glad You are back – Your return has put a smile on My face !
Best Wishes ,
Ian .
Fantastic! Really missed your blog.
So very very VERY glad you are back Chas. Really missed your insight, your smiles, your you!
Initiatives to counter cyberbullying…count me in. It was actually a topic in our support group this morning on twitter. BTW glad you are back. Rarely commented on your blog but liked it alot.
Chas! Good move!
Everyone here at FZY is delighted that you’re back online and excited to read your new thoughts – welcome back!
Great to know you’re back!! And its very good to know about the new scope of your blogging. I look forward to your next post.
Best,
Sergio
Chas, I know you’ve been involved with Stand by Israel, so hope you won’t mind if I use your blog to let people know that they are holding a demo in support of Israel just outside Downing Street this Sunday 28th August from 12.00 midday. If I can, I hope to be there – there will be flags and posters but take your own if you like. If people can make it, please turn up and lets show the other side of the story here in the UK.
Excellent news! And otherwise, what Geary said — which I would translate to “Davka!!!”
Welcome back.
Welcome back dear Chas. Your voice is needed. I personally missed it. You write that you are not a brave person, but I think otherwise. People who stand for Israel, for it’s right to exist, describing what’s happening there that most of the news will not tell is a brave thing to do these days. BTW you never never was swept to hatred of “others” while writing on Israel and it’s enemies. You also criticised Israel’s policies when it deserve it (and we Israelis are first to criticise Israel when thing go wrong). It’s really good you returned in spite of all the abuse you had to suffer. Thanks Chas
So glad to see you back! You are a ray of light.
Welcome back Chas. I didn’t realise how much I enjoyed your blog until it was gone. My daily internet routine just got so much better. Thanks.
Great to see you back, Chas. I only joined shortly before your sabbatical and I felt like I missed the Chas boat. Glad to see it a sail again! Safe travels.
Oh – and remember, if you ever visit Toronto – you’ve got a place to stay!
Welcome back. I have appreciate your honesty and integrity and long may you continue.
So very glad that you are back!
This has made my day – thank you for coming back!!
Thanks for coming back! I appreciate how hard the moderation task is, in these days of anonymous bile. It’s good to have a safe harbor here of people willing to support something, especially something as worthwhile as Israel, instead of tearing everything down.
welcome back! I kept checking periodically to see if you changed you mind – glad you did!
So glad you’re back. Welcome home!