Stories Appearing on Israel Insider

Go to the Israel Insider page for Brian Blum or click the links below:

The Blessing of a Broken Heart
Published on israelinsider.com on May 5, 2004

Three years ago, Koby Mandell, 13, was brutally murdered by terrorists. His mother's book describes her own religious and spiritual transformation since.

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Yom Kippur Groupies
Published on israelinsider.com on October 5, 2003

On the High Holydays in Israel, we found ourselves shul-hopping before discovering a place so unique it has developed its own fan club.

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How We Do It
Published on israelinsider.com on September 18, 2003

How do Israelis cope with terrible tragedies like suicide bombings? Israelis are like one big family. We all feel the pain and then we move on.

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Driving Through Terror
Published on israelinsider.com on September 10, 2003

I've been close to terror attacks before. But I've never tried to drive through the ensuing chaos.

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Eurovision and the Jews
Published on israelinsider.com on May 28, 2003

It's just a silly song contest. Sure, winning fills us with national pride, but reading into every little thing can make you stark-raving Euro-crazy.

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Scouting the Normal Life
Published on israelinsider.com on May 20, 2003

Israeli camping is more than just fun. Every nice wooded campsite is dripping with history and symbolism.

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SARS Travel Warnings Ironically Familiar to Israelis
Published on israelinsider.com on May 2, 2003

The World Health Organization warned visitors to avoid Toronto due to the SARS virus. Israelis know - we can't let terrorists or viruses get us down.

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Sushi for the Passover Observant
Published on israelinsider.com on April 15, 2003

"Kosher for Passover" designated foods should be appropriate for all Jews, but this is not so. Instead, custom defines what can, and cannot be eaten.

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War as Peace of Mind
Published on israelinsider.com on April 1, 2003

So far we've seen no action in Israel - no missiles flying overhead. This is a good thing, but after such a buildup, the quiet is almost anti-climatic.

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Seal Your Room, Open Your Mind
Published on israelinsider.com on March 25, 2003

My logical brain said nothing's going to happen in Israel, certainly not in Jerusalem. Yet like many others, I made efforts to seal a room in my house.

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Happy Pur-o-ween
Published on israelinsider.com on March 18, 2003

Once, long ago in Shushan, there was a king who loved throwing costume parties. And this at a time when his evil adviser was stealing candy.

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Get My Drift?
Published on israelinsider.com on February 26, 2003

It doesn't snow all that often in Jerusalem. But when the snow accumulates on the ground, the city becomes paralyzed and the children rejoice.

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Duct Tape Conspiracy
Published on israelinsider.com on February 19, 2003

Having experienced the first Gulf War, Israelis have extra insight into the use and origin of duct tape - we know it's effective in removing warts.

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Good vs. Evil
Published on israelinsider.com on February 12, 2003

We need to know where we stand. Evil is real, and there are good guys and bad guys. But hope is not dead, and the U.S. made its case against Iraq.

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A Matter of Life and Death
Published on israelinsider.com on January 28, 2003

Although I miss the simplicity of the American voting system, Israel is a real democracy and my vote will have a profound effect on our daily lives.

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The Final Frontier
Published on israelinsider.com on January 22, 2003

What better symbol for a borderless world than an Israeli in space, as far from fences and demilitarized zones as one can possibly be.

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Corruption Disruption
Published on israelinsider.com on January 12, 2003

Talk of corruption and bribe-taking is getting in the way of the really important stuff: there's a war going on and people are trying to kill us.

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Nation Under Construction
Published on israelinsider.com on January 12, 2003

Despite the economic downturn and the war, Israel has somehow been able to mount massive public works projects in every direction.

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Assimilation: A Sabra Perspective
Published on israelinsider.com on December 25, 2002

Many Israelis seriously consider leaving the country, yet when abroad, they miss their homeland and make plans to eventually go back home.

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Paradise Lost
Published on israelinsider.com on December 15, 2002

Somehow we manage to block out terror attacks of mass proportions, but when children are abducted from their front yards, it's just too close.

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Doughnut Quiche
Published on israelinsider.com on December 4, 2002

As much as I fawn over Krispy Kremes, I still have a special spot in my heart for the jelly-filled fried dough delight that is ubiquitous during Hanukkah.

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Swapping Holidays
Published on israelinsider.com on November 28, 2002

Do North American immigrants in Israel still celebrate Thanksgiving? Brian Blum does. But with a unique, only-in-Israel twist.

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Yuppie Falafel - the Chickpea's Twilight Hour
Published on israelinsider.com on November 21, 2002

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