GUEST ATRIST

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KALANIOT (Anemones)

 by Esther Sadeh

The blooming of Kalaniot brings me to HAIFA, Israel’s port city which sits along the Mediterranean Sea. The city spreads from the port to the mountain, where I was pregnant with my first son Eligar, and when my husband and I lived, on Carmel Mountain. At the time, my husband was working on his Master’s degree at the Technion, and I worked as a Travel Agent. The view from the mountain was wonderful, specially in the springtime. The fields had Kalaniot blooming in vibrant red, pink, purple, and whites. I remember walking in the flowering fields with my husband, friends, and later the stroller in the fields. Later on, as my husband and I journeyed to France there were amazingly similar views and memories of life and the colorful Kalaniot that bloom throughout the Mediterranean Sea countries. I love the name Kalaniot as it has Kala, a bride of bright colors, a delight to our soul. 

This brings me to Tel Aviv where I spent my childhood. Tel Aviv was in the beginning of my history, abound with fields of flowers, especially during spring, and walking with my friends on the fields, and bringing Kalaniot to my mother. We named the British soldiers Kalaniot, because of the red beret they wore.

In Israel, one of the most popular songs at the time was Kalaniot by Shoshana Damari, who had a deep and dramatic voice, which was also a reminder of how successful Yemenite Jews acclimated and contributed to Israel’s culture. When Natan Alterman (composer) and Moshe Vilensky (song writer) introduced the song Kalaniot, it became an international sensation. It was song filled of a small world of flowers that tie together in the web off life, the peoples of the Mediterranean region.

That time in history saw many immigrants who came to Israel, specially the Jews from Yemen. 

It felt like the unification of the country was underway: myself of Poland heritage and Yemenites of Damari all listening to her accent made a feeling of ONE. No wonder that period was a unique time. 

And the song: Kalaniot (Anemones) Kalaniot by Alterman and Vinesky

Link to Shoshana Damari: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaL7mllWVG4 

Reddish, red-haired

Kalaniot Kalaniot

Kalaniot of dew and grace /charm

The evening comes, the sunset on the hill burn 

I am dreaming and my eyes see 

the proud descended young girl descendent

To the valley, and it blazes with fire of kalaniot ( anemones).

She’ll pick flowers to put in a bundle,

And in the path covered by dew to Mother she rushes-

Calling out to her:

Look what I brought in the basket.

Subset on the hill will blaze and gp out

But kalaniot will always boom.

Storme will thunder and roar greatly

But kalaniot will always bloom.

Years pass, the sunset blazes again

The girl g grew, her beauty is endless,

Going the Vally with heart chosen

And again kalaniot bloom in it.

Her heart chosen extend hands to her

And she’s laughing and bedewed

She whisper to him between the kisses

Look what I gatherer in the basket.’

The does of love will be forgotten

But kalaniot always bloom.

For the vows are light as smoke,

But kalaniot are always the same.

Years passed, suns blazes in the hill.

The girls is grandma already friends

Her granddaughter goes to the garden’

And again kalaniot bloom in it.

And the girls calls to her: “look grands what I Brought you”

In conclusion, the song is my Life, I love it, may the kalaniot remind us of the relationship between us and nature and beauty. No wonder I always surround with images of Kalaniot (painting, murals and the flowers). Kalaniot, Kalaniot… 

On Eagle’s Wings:

By Esther Sadeh

I’m flying on Eagle Wings… dreaming and listening to my brain. I stop and enjoy it. I was listening to Rabbi Marc, and I was inspired by the beautiful poem he read on Eagle Wings. I can’t be more lucky that Rabbi Jack, also, composed a song on Eagle Wings, which I love. In Hebrew, Va’essa Otchem al Kanfei Nesharim Ve’avi etchem ally, and in English before you on Eagle Wings and brought you to me (from Torah Parashat Yitro). If you believe in next world (Olam Haba), I probably would be a bird. No wonder in my teens I was a Bird Watcher. No wonder I was attracted to Willy (my husband) because he always preached YOU CAN DO IT no matter of obstacles you meet. I hear Willy, my late husband, saying it to us now.

As an adult and being in the world of business I fell in love with Jonathan Seagull’ book, which is a story that is timeless and inspirational. It is the story for people who follow their hearts and make their own rules, and for people there is more living than meets their eyes. How many people in life doing are doing this? Probably rare and very few.

I imagine to continue for a few more years after surviving health issues. Though, I cannot wait to become a bird. I probably will enjoy flying high, enjoying the view of calm, beautiful sceneries, like nature in the mountains, which I love. These days, days with Covid 19, I am learning how to live differently. In my apartment, I’m going deeper into myself, going deeper in my Compassionate Listening, exercising almost every day by computer, trying new recipes, talking by phone to more people, expressing my love to my family and friends, and of course to have new hobbies including writing stories Life is too short. I realize that one of these days I‘ll be closer to Willy (my husband). But more important to see all of you from above with love flying high.