Comments on: So, Shifra Cornfeld (the Dead Friedmans) Won

By: kathy@Newport Beach Wrongful Death Attorney

kathy@Newport Beach Wrongful Death Attorney — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:26:26 +0000

I always visualized Israel as very different than the picture you have above.

By: Harry Kallmann

Harry Kallmann — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 07:53:13 +0000

My faith in humanity has been recreated by the decision to vote for Shifra by a large margin.
There was no doubt in my mind that she should be the winner and by a big margin. Unfortunately this does not always materialise, when the chips are down. How could anyone compare the way she came across to the public sensitive, learned, pretty and all other assets one could expect facing the crude uneducated comments of her rivals with calm and educated reasonings which could not possible be refuted. More strength to her and lots of luck in all her future undertakings. I am 85 years old and am in love with her.

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:08:05 +0000

Wow, the subtleties of Israeli culture! There does indeed seem to be many subtle variations – and some not so subtle, I guess – in that interesting country. As far as the racial divide in the US where I live, one hopes with the same spirit Mark writes that someday the differences will simply result in your standard average blend. Already, in my lifetime, the movement in that direction is truly amazing. And heart-warming. First tolerance, then understanding, then unconditional acceptance. Not a bad goal.

By: Israeli Mom

Israeli Mom — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 09:47:18 +0000

I hear you about the melting pot. I am a mudblood myself half Tunisian and half Polish. I consider myself full Israel, neither Ashkenazi nor Mizrahi, or both, if you like.

I actually don’t think this divide is about the actual ethnic origins of a person. I think this is a cultural thing. Actually, Einav Boublil said as much last night when asked about the meaning of “Dead Friedmans”. She mentioned that her best friend is “a Russian” and is not a Friedman.

I blogged about it being a cultural rather than a purely ethnic divide in my previous big brother post here:
http://www.israelimom.org/general/214/booblil-and-the-israeli-arab-conflict-big-brother-thoughts.html

I don’t know how blacks in the US view Obama, but in Israel, it’s very possible to be Mizrahi by birth and Ashkenazi by cultural association. The Mizrahis we’ve had at top positions in the military and government were hardly Boublils

By: Mark Schwartz

Mark Schwartz — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 08:55:01 +0000

Ever since I made Aliya 4 years ago, I still hear about Ashkenazim versus Mizrachim. I hear about the Israeli Ars, and his BMW etc.

Every character in האח הגדול was very special for me, and I really lke each one for who/he is.

After 60 years this country has in some ways become a melting pot, with Ashkenazim and Mizrachim intermarrying and having producing very handsome, healthy children.

Some day we will see a Mizrachi Prime Minister, just as my land of birth, has finally elected a man of color as president. I really would like to think that we are moving on and leaving this Ashkenazi – Mizrachi thing behind. I remender about 30 years ago when they called us AshkeNAZIm.

In closing, I voted for Shifra because in my opinion she deserved to win. She is smart, lovely, charming gorgeous, and most importantly, she is so good to her family. Shifra has won my heart and I wish her nothing but happiness, good health and everything wonderful which our short time on earth can offe.