I just had to share the latest experience of how culturally different Israel is from the states.  My daughter just came home from Ariel (the after school activities program).  The activity was to paint the walls of the new building they are in.  Each group was to choose their own theme or design.  My daughter's group chose "togetherness".  What did they paint?  A large head of a girl with lots of hair FILLED WITH LICE. Each girl chose the LICE that she liked best, then, painted her name next to her chosen creature.  All the Israeli girls thought this was just the cutest thing.  My relatively new olah child came home rather queasy...

Tsivya Tezza ‘02