savoy096

When deciding what to write for my fourth and final blog post, I thought about the hedgehog and stray kitten that hang out together by my doorstep every night, how this year has almost flown by and what a crazy year it’s been, in so many transformative ways, and other random musings on life in Beer Sheva and medical school in Israel.  I feel compelled to write, however, about the thing that’s been keeping me up at night for a week. Last Tuesday, as friends and I were leaving the hospital after class, we saw an African immigrant being escorted out of the building barefoot, and shackled at his wrists and ankles. My heart sank, and I’m ashamed to admit that my immediate impulse was to avoid looking up at his face because I was afraid of what I would feel, and what I would be forced to confront. I did look at him, however, and I have no way of describing what I found, except to say that the man seemed dead inside—completely void of emotion and life, gaunt, like a ghost crossing the riv...

The desert surprises me, particularly the Negev. You find so many things that you would not expect to see here. Who would have known that people drive out to the middle of the desert for fresh farm-raised tilapia or goat’s cheese? When we stayed for a week in a desert farming community, we saw red-ripe tomatoes (yum!), crispy bell peppers (mmmm!), and beautiful flowers being grown out there. The Cambodian agricultural students there told me, “It is amazing the skill they have to make things grow out of the desert, in our country, we just defecate on the ground and something grows, yet we haven’t really learned to fully take advantage of even that.” A few days ago, we had another unexpectedly pleasant time in the desert. On the way to Sede Boker (which, until this trip, I had incorrectly heard and thought of as “Stable Care”), our friends took us to a kibbutz where they raised goats for cheese and milk. The kibbutz even gave out samples for us to enjoy! My kids especially liked watchi...

Hana Puppy Hi Everyone! My human friend is still tired from finals so I will be writing a special dog blog today.  My name is Hana Puppy.  The human friend calls me Puppy Guppy, Sweet Girl and You Big Naughty, but I also occasionally answer to double finger snaps and always answer to the sound of food bags rustling.   I’m about five years old and have been hanging out with my human friend for 3 of those years.  She’s okay for the most part, although I wasn’t too thrilled when she put me in a crate, stuck me in a loud and noisy dark place for twelve hours and then told me we had moved to a new place where there was no bacon. The human friend tells me this is for a blog on the internet.  I don’t know much about the internet other than that it’s where the human friend spends most of her time.  Still, between all the internet using and occasional class going, the human friend and I do have some fun adventures together. Sometimes we go for walks. Sometimes...

Dr. Shimon Glick, co-chair of the MSIH admissions committee, delivering a lecture on Endocrinology to first- year medical students at the MSIH. As I sat in Dr. Glick’s Endocrinology class looking at the backs of all my classmates on the day after Shavuot vacation, I was reminded that one of the things that I like about my class is that there is a lot of camaraderie. All of us, without exception, are generally good-natured, interesting, and personable. We share notes, help one another out, and invite each other to parties and get-togethers. We study and play together. There is a lot of maturity here. Many of us are married or are soon to be married. Many have served in a humanitarian capacity overseas. Almost all of us speak at least one other language. Others bring corporate work or graduate school experience to the mix. I have rarely been part of such a dedicated group of leaders and compassionate people. I know my classmates will all make amazing doctors. This past Shavuot, I was rem...

One of the best things about having children with you is that you get to go to the playground often. As a daddy, you get a special perspective on B7—a family-friendly city with slides, swings, and animal rockers on every block. I have to admit, at least for the little kid in me, that I have plenty of fun. Sometimes, in addition to all the new medical stuff I learn in class, I find out that I have been missing out on other important things in my education. Today for instance, I came home and was welcomed as usual by a ferocious herd of four precious, little monsters. They had stampeded from the other side of our apartment after their perfectly attuned ears picked up the sound of me unlocking the front door, and as soon as I stepped inside, they ambushed me with hugs and kisses. They proceeded to shower me with every detail of their day, simultaneously in high, squeaky, adorable voices. Then they asked me if I would take them to the park. Of course, I couldn’t refuse, and we proceeded to...

I’d like to share something I wrote last summer as I was settling into life in Israel. I know, I know, I should be creative and write something new and inspiring for you all to enjoy. However, the full weight of a month of finals is sapping me of free time and creativity. So this quick post goes out especially to those crazy folks thinking of joining us here in the desert next year. Can’t wait to meet you guys! 1. Never, ever wait in line. If you attempt to wait in a line, you will be waiting all day. Push your way to the front and stare down anyone who tries to cut in front of you. 2. Nighttime is the perfect time to wander the neighborhood alone. Everyone is out walking their dogs, running errands, etc. 3. On a similar note, only idiot tourists walk outside between the hours of 10am-3pm. No one else is outside, and every taxi driver will honk at you. They will also probably be laughing at how sweaty you are. 4. Hebrew speakers love to watch English speakers butcher their language, es...