Run in with Israeli Police Take 2

Yep you read it correctly... if you remember my blog post from the summer you will remember that I was walking home and got "pulled over" because the police thought I had drugs.

Well I got "pulled over" again. Not for the suspicion of drugs but for drum-roll please....

JAYWALKING!

Yep I got stopped by the Israeli police for jaywalking. Here is the story....

I was walking home from school like I normally do and I started crossing this very small one-way street (when I say very small I mean the crossing could not be more than 10 ft long). All of a sudden, I heard a man starting yelling at me. I knew right away what had happened. The little man was red and that I had crossed the street, I had just jaywalked.

I decided that I would forget all the Hebrew, I knew and act like a dumb American. The police officer started yelling more at me and I just looked at him blankly, telling him that I don't speak any Hebrew. I wasn't the only jaywalking culprit, the police officer also "pulled over" a young orthodox family. The police officer asked us for our IDs in Hebrew, and I continued to act dumb and say I don't understand. He finally said ID to me in English, so I gave it to him.

After the Orthodox family was given a 100 Shekel fine (about 30 dollars), the Police Officer started talking to me. He asked me if I knew what I had done. I said no. He then told me that the little man was red and that I wasn't following the rules of the road. I acted surprised and was profusely apologetic, telling him that in NYC where I come from, everybody just walks across the street.

After our short discussion, he called his supervisor. After a two minute conversation he handed back my ID and in a thick Israeli accent said... "Ethan, be careful."

As I continued to walk away, relieved that I did not get a ticket, I saw the police officer grab 3 more people for jaywalking.

I couldn't believe it was a Jaywalking "speed" trap.

Next time you are in Israel. Make sure to look both ways before cross the street, the drivers are crazy but the jaywalk traps are even crazier.

Peace,

ERBP

PS: I still Jaywalk

Baruch Hashem Jews are Dentists

Yep I had a cavity. It sucked. But I decided to try my hand at some medical tourism and call a dentist in Jerusalem.

Here are some highlights from my dentist appointment.

1. On my dentist's bookshelf he not only had books about dentistry, root-canals, and other fascinating teeth books, but I also noticed that there was a copy of the Torah, the Talmud, and famous Rabbi's interpretations. I wonder what the Torah says about teeth whitening... I might write a rabbinic responsa on that.

2. You might not know this but Israel is known for being on the forefront of technology. Many big time companies including Intel and Google have offices and factories in the Holy Land. My dentist was on the forefront of technology too. There were two flat screen televisions in the exam. One in front mounted on the wall and one on the ceiling for when you were put back in the dental chair. The TVs not only had 100 channels, but they also could show you where your cavity was, where you should be flossing more, and the speed of the drill as it went through your enamel.

3. During my consultation with my dentist prior to my filling, he told me that he could operate on me right then and there. Unfortunately, I told him I had to go back to class and I would reschedule. With a sigh of relief, he explained that would be better for him too as now he could go next door and pray Mincha (the afternoon prayer service). Only in Israel...

Don't forget to floss!

--ERBP

BIG NEWS for KOTEL6!

Kotel6 is the 2nd Best HUC-Year in Israel Blog!!

Check out the award here.

(my grandma is going to be so proud of me-- even though I did just receive an email from her with the subject line... "No blogs lately." the email's body went on to read "still love you though -- love gma")

The award givers did did challenge me to blog more though. So stay tuned because in the upcoming days there will be blogs including....

1. A reflection about Yom-Hashoah (Holocaust rememberence day in Israel)
2. A visit to the dentist in Jerusalem
3. And Another run-in with the the Israeli Police

Catch you all later,

ERBP