Proteksia, Democracy and Priviledge

A Mother in Israel is hosting Haveil Havelim this week here. She calls it the No Protektzia Needed Edition. So go exercise your democratic right to read interesting posts from the JBlogsphere.
In other democratic notes, Rehovot residents go to the polls to elect a new mayor today. The one we elected last year was convicted of graft so now we get a chance to figure out how we went wrong last time. Here's hoping we do better this time around.
We spent Shabbat in Mitzpe Ramon where we attended the culmination of Chodesh Irgun Fern Chassida and Baila both have posted about this Bnei Akiva tradition. It's the kick-off month for the youth activities. My youngest daughter is in charge of the girls organization in Mitzpe Ramon this year. In the picture above she is welcoming the newest members to the fold. The fourth grade girls are given a certificate of membership and they were very excited about it. The kids and their young leaders had stripped and painted a shelter during this month and on Saturday afternoon everyone and their parents turned out to see the fruit of their labors. They did a lovely job and it looks like it will be a great place to meet and hang out and maybe even learn something. The ceremony included a rousing flag waving presentation pictured below. I feel so lucky and proud to be here in Israel and see Jewish children waving our flag. After all these years I still feel it's a priviledge.