tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post8724844257211953605..comments2023-09-10T12:26:24.511+03:00Comments on Israeli by Day, American by Night: I Must Be Moving OnIsraeli by Dayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03372641972664155753noreply@blogger.comBlogger102125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-50298335935418251192022-06-13T04:03:44.669+03:002022-06-13T04:03:44.669+03:00Hi, Danny. After all these years I am still missin...Hi, Danny. After all these years I am still missing your blog. Vivianne Bakola, Greece. Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11772264420233094738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-36354536909885780442013-03-23T21:56:52.384+02:002013-03-23T21:56:52.384+02:00Chag Kasher VeSameach
Still miss your blog immense...Chag Kasher VeSameach<br />Still miss your blog immensely<br />Please, take care, DannyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-13217258589532131842012-05-01T18:31:32.057+03:002012-05-01T18:31:32.057+03:00Sam - Thanks for the comment. I also get some nos...Sam - Thanks for the comment. I also get some nostalgia when I reread some of these posts. I'm going to catch up on your blog! Have fun over there in England.Israeli by Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03372641972664155753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-82682554668634979552012-04-20T02:43:26.645+03:002012-04-20T02:43:26.645+03:00I miss this blog! It was a great read, especially ...I miss this blog! It was a great read, especially when I was making my own way in Israel. I'm no longer there, but rereading your posts has brought on a wave of nostalgia. I hope your life post-blog has been nothing short of wonderful!misshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11235182271307738422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-5606625991737960612012-01-04T16:53:34.287+02:002012-01-04T16:53:34.287+02:00Ben - Thanks! Ezrachut is definitely way harder t...Ben - Thanks! Ezrachut is definitely way harder than the army.<br /><br />Anonymous - Thanks for your post. Good luck to your daughter, and definitely know that she'll have the time of her life. Don't hesitate to shoot me an email if you have any questions (the email address is in my profile on here).Israeli by Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03372641972664155753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-12525582432703457112012-01-04T05:49:20.003+02:002012-01-04T05:49:20.003+02:00Outstanding!!! כל הכבוד לך My daughter just made a...Outstanding!!! כל הכבוד לך My daughter just made aliyah and will be enlisting in the next few months. Tzav Rishon was today. I've been reading a lot of the entries and just can't shut off my computer! Thank you! I'm sure she will be reading with the same interest as mine. Your writing will help her as she also finds her way as a lone soldier. Wish I'd have done this when I could have, but גם אני ישן, יותר מדיAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-91809717209812732742011-10-02T15:45:32.764+02:002011-10-02T15:45:32.764+02:00Great posts. Good luck in the ezrachut!Great posts. Good luck in the ezrachut!Benhttp://www.idf-law.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-44265252502463017842011-08-18T03:21:39.250+03:002011-08-18T03:21:39.250+03:00Anonymous posts and Anna - thanks a lot for the co...Anonymous posts and Anna - thanks a lot for the compliments and I hope you enjoy reading. I miss the army and my friends immensely, but it's a really nice feeling to still have an audience for my old writings. Thanks again!Israeli by Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03372641972664155753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-10493697608785982012011-08-17T12:09:13.253+03:002011-08-17T12:09:13.253+03:00Just wanted to say thanks. I just recently found y...Just wanted to say thanks. I just recently found your blog, and have enjoyed (heckishly so!) reading about your experiences. <br /><br />And this is coming from a young Scandinavian girl, who really hasn't got anything to do with Israel. I guess I'm just troubled about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.<br /><br />Thanks for sharing all this.<br /><br />- AAnnanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-54203076395170598712011-06-18T06:56:00.718+03:002011-06-18T06:56:00.718+03:00http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4083429,...http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4083429,00.html<br /><br />just discovered your blog..I love it! I saw this article tonight, thought you might be interested :)<br /><br />really great writing! and thank you for your service to Israel! Hope you start up again with the blog some time soon!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-51473242884882436002011-06-03T16:11:24.603+03:002011-06-03T16:11:24.603+03:00I miss your posts and wherever you are, I hope you...I miss your posts and wherever you are, I hope you are happy. I really do<br /><br />VivianAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-90139230428476723862011-03-14T17:00:25.459+02:002011-03-14T17:00:25.459+02:00Just in time for the cherry blossoms, which, makes...Just in time for the cherry blossoms, which, makes me a bit sad thinking about what the Japanese are going through. <br /><br />Anyway, good luck!<br /><br />JudithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-76163173224121658422011-03-14T16:04:35.829+02:002011-03-14T16:04:35.829+02:00Anonymous - I finished the army, but if the circum...Anonymous - I finished the army, but if the circumstances were different I would have loved to have a career in that army. It just doesn't work like that over there, though. Oh well..<br /><br />Judith - I am moving to the Washington DC area. Not quite Jerusalem, but I'll make it.Israeli by Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03372641972664155753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-74339829980018172382011-03-14T02:38:51.695+02:002011-03-14T02:38:51.695+02:00Thanks! I refuse to sign up for twitter but enjoy ...Thanks! I refuse to sign up for twitter but enjoy reading the feeds on the internet. <br /><br />You're not going to tell us where you are moving to, are you? :)<br /><br />JudithAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-5724863130070952802011-03-07T04:38:29.054+02:002011-03-07T04:38:29.054+02:00Hi Danny,
I really enjoyed reading about your exp...Hi Danny,<br /><br />I really enjoyed reading about your experience in the IDF. Be interested if you continue on in the IDF or get out and move on.<br /><br /> Best Regards - BradAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-45712009268167383312011-03-06T21:57:06.413+02:002011-03-06T21:57:06.413+02:00I got a lot of messages in the recent past about k...I got a lot of messages in the recent past about keeping up with the life and times of Danny. If you're so inclined, follow me on Twitter. I'm not a big fan of the service, but hey, I'm Generation I... I just made that up, by the way. Gen Internet. Gen I. Catchy, right?<br /><br />@israelibyday is the name to follow.Israeli by Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03372641972664155753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-62310900815577349042011-01-24T10:41:55.043+02:002011-01-24T10:41:55.043+02:00Dave I just had to say. You are fully entitled to ...Dave I just had to say. You are fully entitled to your opinion. Many Jews probably feel the same way.<br /><br />But let me say a few things. In Israel, Jews, at least for now, will determine, for good or bad, what happens to the country, and in turn Jews living there. A Jew from New York might live there, but he has no authority or power besides a vote. In fact, in WWII prior to entering the war lets just say the US wasn't exactly helpful in saving Jews overseas, even rejecting refugee vessels, Jews living in NY or not. After the war the US used SS agents as their own. <br /><br />And than as someone of German heritage, let me tell you a story. Once upon a time, Jews in Germany were considered as part of the fabric of society. They were German first, Jews second (if that), antisemitism was very rare. Then came the first world war, Jews such as scientist Fritz Haber almost single handily prolonged the war. Other Jews joined by the thousands wanting to help. They were fighting for their country, or so they believed, even killing other Jews fighting for other nations (France etc).<br /><br />And than, a few years of German hardship later, suddenly they were enemies,their blood spilled for Germany not worthy apparently. You think the US is different? Maybe. But it doesn't take much to sense when the crisis hit the US rumblings of Jewish bankers/power surfaced. It wasn't much, but Imagine what will happen if something catastrophic happens, like the crisis that hit Germany. Jews had far more history in Germany, than Jews in the US have now, and still look what happened...<br /><br />That's the difference, of being a Jew in Israel and a Jew somewhere else. Things might change, Israel might, but as a Jew in Israel, for now at least, you know you are protected, whatever happens. Also, It is important for Jews abroad, because it works to save Jews, like it did in Arab countries, and Ethiopia (let's not get into "real" Jews). Without Israel, Jews are at the mercy of the caprices of people who do not share their history, and in many cases are threatened. Loyalty was/is and always will be an issue, Israel or not. In the least, Israel is an insurance policy for Jews.<br /><br />Good luck to you, I hope in the future, if a major crisis hits, those in the US will remememer your service. Those Jews serving Germany weren't so lucky, hope things have changed (history says different).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-70290482506194328022011-01-23T17:48:28.059+02:002011-01-23T17:48:28.059+02:00Thanks, Ruby. About mailing directly to IDF soldi...Thanks, Ruby. About mailing directly to IDF soldiers, I'm not sure how to do that from overseas. I tried to find some sources on that, and the only response I got was from the IDF Spokesperson Unit, and they only directed me to FIDF website. I think you guys could contact them - they seem to be a good organization, and we certainly appreciated them during our time in the army:<br /><br />http://www.fidf.org/Israeli by Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03372641972664155753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-71320173874941270132011-01-21T13:54:46.479+02:002011-01-21T13:54:46.479+02:00I just found your blog and I've been reading -...I just found your blog and I've been reading - good stuff!<br />My brother's 13 and he's already talking about joining the IDF. I'll definitely get him to read your posts.<br />Again, thank you.<br />Also, I was wondering what the best way is to send letters to IDF soldiers - when my cousins, nieces & nephews found out we could send them online, they wrote & drew (we're o/s). I'd prefer an actual mailbox or something though.<br />G-d bless you all for the hard work. We appreciate it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-42544211817248773002011-01-12T00:09:52.901+02:002011-01-12T00:09:52.901+02:00Well good luck with the officers' course. Hav...Well good luck with the officers' course. Have a good long safe career!<br /><br />Officers in the IDF are chosen very differently than in the US military. At least for the army (opposed to Navy and Air Force, but there are similarities there too, but exceptions for fighter jet guys and special things like ship captains), every single person starts as an 18-year-old private. Everyone is together, there is no military college option, or college to officer course like the ROTC. Everybody goes in at 18, and through hard work and what not you can get selected to go to "commanders' course," so you become a squad or platoon sergeant (the earliest possible chance is after 8 months of training - but most go later to this). Then if you distinguish yourself even more at that point, then you can go to officers' course. They generally sign an extra year and a half, so they do 4.5 year services, or so. Make sense? It is so merit based that most of the officers I encountered, in infantry, were the BEST soldiers. I mean, they ran the best, they had the highest motivation, they were perpetually happy, they had the hardest work ethic, etc. The officer slogan in the IDF is something along the lines of being the first in battle, being the one to run ahead of the group, something like that. It's a different army where even colonels are on the very front lines, with their guns, shooting etc. Look at the history of the Yom Kippur War and the ranks of the guys lost in tank battles. Pretty inspiring to go into battle with a lieutenant colonel next to you.Israeli by Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03372641972664155753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-29527299723858917262011-01-11T21:22:52.520+02:002011-01-11T21:22:52.520+02:00I went four years enlisted, went to college, and w...I went four years enlisted, went to college, and will finish the second half of OCS this summer. Officer training is difficult, but the enlisted route is far more demanding and requires much more sacrifice in terms of body and mind. Being prior enlisted (or in your case prior-service) really helped at OCS, as the Sgt. instructors are often sick of dealing with college kids with no military, let alone combat, experience.<br /><br />How does a commision in the IDF work? Does it require anything beyond a certain amount of time in service? <br /><br />I read about the Mahal program when my first enlistment was up, but I decided to to go to school instead. It sounds pretty interesting, plus the Chayal Boded program seems to ensure you are somewhat taken care of. Next time I go to Israel will be for a vacation, nothing more nothing less.Davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-34288743418937930252011-01-11T21:04:24.292+02:002011-01-11T21:04:24.292+02:00Dave - sorry, misread your part about the OCS... ...Dave - sorry, misread your part about the OCS... I bet it'd be mighty tough, though. <br /><br />malls *and* buses.Israeli by Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03372641972664155753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-14791032073137524322011-01-11T21:02:42.666+02:002011-01-11T21:02:42.666+02:00Yeah, again, we have different views. As I said, ...Yeah, again, we have different views. As I said, Israel is under constant domestic attack and it does need good soldiers like you and me. After you finish with the Marines, you should check out Mahal for a short stint with the IDF.<br /><br />I don't mean that defending the US is trivial - I just mean that Israel is under a greater need for defense than America, since the global war on terror is fought daily in their malls on buses, and not for America in faraway lands.<br /><br />Shaving, taking orders, and not sleeping is pretty much every combat experience, isn't it? I think you'd also be surprised at the level of seriousness in the IDF.Israeli by Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03372641972664155753noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-46603918573373501762011-01-11T20:51:42.668+02:002011-01-11T20:51:42.668+02:00Your right, we just have different world views. Fo...Your right, we just have different world views. Fortunately in both Israel and the U.S.A. we have the right to express them. <br /><br />I have travelled to Israel multiple times (including with the military) and always felt as though I wasn't needed there. As important as Israel and Zionism are to me, I know it's not my home. Furthermore, the politicians in Israel dont do much to entice Jews like me to pack up and leave the U.S. (but that's another topic). If things were to change in the United States, or I could see that Israel truly needed me, I would be on the first El Al flight to Israel that I could find, but at this time that is an unrealistic thought. <br /><br />As to the idea that defending the United States is somehow trivial compared to Israel, you must remember that Israel is just another nation. It is no more Jewish than certain neighborhoods in New York City. It was created by humans, not HaShem. Its foreign policy is not the expression of Judaism, it is the policy of a political entity that wishes to live unthreatened and secure. You use the word "amorphous" to describe the U.S. as if the national status of Israel is somehow unique compared to America. Your service in the IDF is no different than Americans who served in the Foreign Legion, or the Rhodesian army; you served in a national army to fight for something you believe in. It may seem like a higher calling, but at the end of the day you are serving under a flag that claims to represent something, but has no monopoly on the people it represents. <br /><br />Anyways, OCS would be a breeze if you’re used to giving/taking orders, shaving every day, and not getting any sleep. You might be pleasantly surprised in the differences you would find serving in a volunteer force as opposed to a conscripted army. <br /><br />Hope to hear from you soon.Dave USMCnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8554337268732390744.post-91204250563731798792011-01-11T19:23:13.935+02:002011-01-11T19:23:13.935+02:00Dave - sometimes I do consider the US military, bu...Dave - sometimes I do consider the US military, but I've been through all the b.s. of being a grunt, and it is not that appealing to start at the bottom again. But honestly, if I could go to OCS, I would consider it. The only thing that makes it a definite no is my family. I put them through one army, I don't need to do it again.<br /><br />I suppose, Dave, that we have different versions of history. For me, and for Zionists in the past 150 years or so, the Land of Israel is the Jewish homeland and is the birthright of every Jew, no matter where he or she may be, and no matter how religious they are, or how strongly they even may feel about it all. Zionism had no need to anticipate a state like the United States, one protected physically from threat, as well as one with a strong belief in religious tolerance. There was no need, and there still is no need, because Zionism is deeper than simple security of the Jewish people. The Jewish people is an ethnicity, and ethnicities have homelands. Israel is that place, and no country replaces that. I do not feel guilty that America is a safe country for Jews. Do you feel guilty that America has provided a relatively safe haven for the Jews? Do you feel like you owe this amorphous United States your life? I feel like a patriot, and I believe in the rights and liberties of the US and the Constitution and so on, I truly do, but I don't feel like I owe George Bush or any other president my life in Iraq. You think by dying in Iraq, or killing non-compliants in Iraq, that an American soldier is somehow fulfilling his debt to America? I don't see it that way. Contrary to what you said, I think it's much less complicated than that. Here's what's so simple:<br /><br />Israel is constantly under attack, and I wanted to help. <br /><br />And I did. I stopped terrorists from entering Israel, I stopped terrorists from acquiring weapons, and we stopped them when they had weapons from killing either us or ciivlians. I helped the security of Israel, maybe on the micro level only, but I kept some civilians and IDF soldiers from dying and I feel like that was an honor as a Jew that I deserve just as much as any other Jew living anywhere deserves. That's OUR honor.<br /><br />Anyway, no biggie.<br /><br />DannyIsraeli by Dayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03372641972664155753noreply@blogger.com