How interesting, Shir! In America it's definitely being played as a civil rights thing, with the woman on the bus being called the next Rosa Parks (a black woman in the 60s who was tired after a day's work who decided one day to say no to being told to go to the back of the bus, Google will tell you much more than can be put in a post). Hubby and I were talking about it the other day, and I'll tell him that this is nothing new is Israel, but a new spin. I seemed to recall that there were concerns in some circles about the ultra orthodox's influence.

Oh, I know about Rosa Parks. And yes, the idiots in Israel are trying really hard to find new "Rosa Parks" everyday. And when they can't, they invent them - sending secular females reporters to get on these buses. Most times, nobody cares where they sit. Not to mention they're really not Rosa Parks - those young secular women don't live in the ultra-orthodox community. They won't have to deal with what ultra-orthodox women will have to deal with if they'll choose to sit in front (and some of them are brave enough to do so).

And yes, there is a concern about ultra-orthodox, because there are more than them now and Israel does need to rethinks their place in society (most of them don't pay taxes and don't serve in IDF, if I'll borrow republican discourse for a minute). But trying to spin it on women's backs, when misogyny and chauvinism are in the non-ultra-orthodox community as well (and of course - most of the ultra-orthodox community isn't lunatic) - that's bullshit. That's using women's rights as a political card, while doing nothing to promote it.

Congrats on your anniversary, and to your cousin, sj!

Shir, I'm sorry to hear things are so stressful for you at the moment. You were so sweet to come to the shiva. Was lovely to see you, too!

ETA

She thought it was a bit rude.

I did not! I was just very stressed when you were texting. Apologies if I was abrupt - was trying to get from my mother's house to my home to London to Israel in 24 hours. It was a little trying.

Dana, I'm really sorry to hear about your grandmother. I hope the hospice care is good. My grandfather had fantastic hospice care a few years ago.

Wonderful hospice care is a really good thing. I actually donate every year in my stepmom's name to the hospice that helped care for my grandma. They made a difficult time a little bit easier.

Our hospice facility was amazing. We were pretty stunned the last week Mom was there, and they made it fine and just let us be stunned. I can't say enough for them, efficient, unobtrusive, competent and compassionate. And the facility is beautiful.

Actually, I did have some thoughts about a week of such care and beauty in the midst of life, when one could enjoy and appreciate it. But that would imply the last week would be one of difficulty and plainness, so.

Gris, happy baby! Congratulations.

We don't have AC--in the heat of summer we do window fans for flow-through and to get stagnant air moving. In winter we keep the 'stat at 64. The coldest spot in the house is my closet and the corner of my bathroom where the toilet is--not.on. I keep a small oil rad plugged in on the lowest setting in that corner, just to knock the chill off the air. There's one cold wall near where I sit in the living room, but we keep throws at hand and if the chill gets too much I wrap up. We need to look into the insulation in that wall. Everywhere else seems fine.

I'm sorry, Dana. Hospice was really helpful when my mom's time came, and I hope they are for your family, too.

Congratulations, Gris and P-C!

I did not! I was just very stressed when you were texting

Oh, my bad.

Shir, I was wondering why I was suddenly seeing American newspapers reporting on what was happening at the Bet Shemesh school. I've been reading about it in Jewish and Israeli blogs and newspapers since the beginning of this school year, but hadn't seen any mention in mainstream American newspapers until this week, when it was suddenly everywhere. (And I've been getting frustrated with commenters on feminist blogs who are interpreting it as "Orthodox people hate women.")

Congrats, Gris!

P-C, that is awesome news! Good for your brother!

Dana, I'm so sorry about your grandmother. I hope that the hospice care ends up making things easier for her.

Dana, all sympathies for you and your family.

Congrats, P-C's brother!

Congrats, Gris and family!

The year is sure ending eventfully....