Yes, we talk the talk. But we also we walk the walk. Me? I fly the fly.

Shalom Yeladim:

I’m going to teach you a Hebrew saying using the word holech – which means “walk."

Ani holech al zeh is a favorite phrase which means I’m going to go for it.

There’s a reason I want you to know this. We just held our first national walk day – and believe me, it got a lot of people thinking and more important, walking. I’m going to walk you through “why”. Up until 10 years ago you hardly ever saw a fat kid in Israel. We were a nation that lived outdoors. Kids walked back and forth to school. When they finished their homework their mothers said: “Go outside and play. Be back in time for dinner.” We gladly obeyed orders and played soccer, shot some hoops, climbed trees, did a lot of bike riding and got rid of a lot of energy. By the time supper rolled around we had a healthy appetite that never made us gain weight.

All of that has changed. We’re not all heavy, but there sure is a difference in our size. Now our parents drive us back and forth to school. When we finish our homework we don’t step outside of our bedroom – unless of course it’s to watch TV. During non-TV time we’re glued to our computers, playing games, chatting through Facebook. You know the routine. It’s just like yours. And you know what? Our parents are doing a lot of the same things. Which means they’re not so thin either.

I guess people at the Health Ministry looked around and said "enough is enough! We’ve got to do something." So they made this past Wednesday Israel Walk Day. The radio commercial made everybody feel guilty. It used a man’s voice and went like this: Exercise? I do it almost every day. I almost do it on Sunday, almost on Monday, almost on Tuesday, almost on Wednesday, almost on Thursday, almost on Friday, and on Saturday? I rest, of course! That’s why this Wednesday all of Israel is going to walk at 6 p.m.

Me? I burn up my calories flying. So I flew from place to place to hear everyone’s reaction to the radio spot. And the one response I heard most of the time? Ani holech al zeh. How about you?
See you… Zvuvi

Bet You Can’t Cats Me

Shalom Yeladim:

You know that cats love catching flies. I know that cats love catching flies. Then why am I going near them? Because Israel is now the home of international cat shows. We just held one in Ra’anana and it was just like a fashion show – it even had its own cat walk!

On October 23rd, Haifa will host the Royal Cat Club International Cat Show.

Cat shows in Israel??? Up until five years ago there were too many stray cats on the streets. The Ministry of Environmental Protection had to step in to help solve the problem. Today, we still have stray cats, but we also have a new phenomenon: supermodel cats with long sleek legs, knockout bodies and enticing eyes. We’ve got pure-breds, rare breeds, you name it.

How did all of this happen? It has to do with the Russian Olim – immigrants from Russia, now living in Israel. They love domesticated dogs and they are also crazy about aristocats. What a lineup they have: Golden Persians, Scottish Straight Hair, Cornish Rex, Russian Blue, Siamese, you name it. The one I like the best? Canadian Sphynx. They are the cutest because they are hairless, wrinkly and pink.

I bet you think I like the Sphynx cat because the Egyptian Sphinx is one of our neighbors. That’s part of it, but not the whole reason. They’re just like me. A Sphynx cat is extroverted, has LOTS of energy, and is very intelligent, curious and affectionate.
Hey Sphynxie…over here…it’s me Zvuvi. Let’s play Cat and Fly.

The Chagim were lots of fun. Now it's back to school.

Shalom Yeladim:
It’s me Zvuvi, and this time I’m with my cousin Zehava. We’re sharing with each other what we did over the Sukkot vacation. So many tiyulim – that’s Hebrew for trips (day trips, weekend trips, you name it). We went sailing, trekking in national parks, did some bike riding up north, date picking down south, saw lots of plays and performances for children and went Sukkah hopping whenever we could. You see, we’ve been on vacation since September 21st! Who says that “school” isn’t fun? We ended the summer vacation with the first day of school on September 1st, then BINGO, it was erev Rosh Hashana, then Rosh Hashana, erev Yom Kippur and Yom Kippur followed by Sukkot, Hol Hamoed, and finally Shmini Atzeret together with Simchat Torah (BTW – we celebrate both on one day). And now you know what it is in Israel? It’s Acharei Ha’Chagim – which means after the holidays. In fact, if you wanted to get anything done this past month, everyone would have told you “Acharei Ha’Chagim” – which is the entire country’s way of saying you have to wait until after the holidays. So, if it’s Acharei Ha’Chagim and school is about to start again, do you know what that means? It means that this time there’s no playing around. School is going to be for learning, learning and more learning with a little fun in between. Acharei Ha’Chagim is a nice way of saying it’s time to be serious and get work done. Now let’s see --- how many more weeks until Hanukkah? One…two…three…Oof, Zehava just told me to get real and pack my school bag. Gotta go.Le’Hitraot…Zvuvi