"Jerusalem Marathon" posted by JUDITH MAGAZINE

They gathered near the Knesset. High school girls in modest skirts, color-matched with running tights, yeshiva students sporting brand-name running shoes. Soldiers in uniform and start-up employees before the start of their workday. Individuals, friends, youngsters, and athletic adults, the experienced and those here for the first time, everyone wearing the same lime green dry-wear shirt. All waited for the announcement that would kick off the race.

The sky was blue and promising, the early morning air crisp and refreshing. A perfect day for the Jerusalem Marathon. The main event, 42.2 kilometers long, would take the runners through downtown Jerusalem and north all the way to Mt. Scopus. The race circuit snaked through the Old City’s Jaffa Gate and along the narrow alleyways of the Armenian Quarter. Out Zion Gate, around Mt. Zion, up a steep hill to the old train station, and through the German Colony. South to the Arnona neighborhood, back towards the city center, and down the home stretch to the finish line at Sacher Park.

Read the rest of the story on JUDITH MAGAZINE.

Israel at War with Iran

Israel lives in a hostile neighborhood and we do what we need to do to protect ourselves. I am not a supporter of our government, but let's put politics aside for the moment. And yes we want the war in Gaza to end immediately and all the hostages to come home, but right now we are focused on this.

Iran's nuclear program and its growing arsenal of ballistic missiles is an existential threat. It has lied to the world about uranium enrichment and whether it's conducting tests on nuclear weaponry. It has openly stated that it seeks Israel's destruction. Iran is the enemy not only of Israel, but of the United States as well.

We are under attack. Drones with explosives are heading our way at this very moment, and we can expect missiles to follow. We could not let this situation continue. We will protect ourselves even if we are doing this on our own.

Thank you to everyone who supports us in this mission - because you are supporting our very existence. We are strong, we will make it through this, but your continued support will help us through this difficult time.

Photo by Aaron Ovadia on Unsplash

"Last Will and Testament" - short story

We are writing to you on behalf of our client, the Estate of Kevin Gladstone, who passed away on March 2, 2023. Please accept our condolences during this difficult time.

 A smile crossed Martin Gladstone’s face. The day had come. Kevin Gladstone, his uncle. The man was filthy rich. Or rather, had been filthy rich. No condolences were necessary. For Martin, this mail was the bearer of excellent news.

 A meeting with a probate lawyer acting on behalf of the estate has been scheduled in our offices. Your presence is requested as you may be named as a beneficiary or have a legitimate interest in the estate.

 

The estate. The family estate. Martin knew all about estates.

The letter was just a formality. He was familiar with its contents, knew what it would say in advance. He had been waiting for this moment. The Gladstone inheritance would soon be his.

Read the rest of the story at New English Review.