Tuesday 29 November 2016

Preparing for a Sale - the Stress Free Way


I love being creative in all kinds of ways. It's been a tough week here in Israel and what better way to de-stress and gather fresh ideas than spending an hour creating. My Mom and I had a wonderful time preparing greeting cards for our next sale. You can see just a few in the image above.

We now have:
- 34 greeting cards of various different shapes and sizes with more still to come. Prices for these range from ₪10 - ₪20.
- We have a set of stunning fridge magnets with scenes of Holy Sites in Israel and suitable verses going for ₪10 each or ₪40 for the set.
- We have a range of art: - hand painted cushion covers, hand painted T-shirts (only a few in stock), drawings in pen and ink, spiritual drawings. Prices for these art / craft items are ₪100 - ₪200
- Still in the area of art we have a number of original paintings selling from ₪500 - ₪10 000 depending on the size and complexity.
- 4 albums for kids photo's selling for ₪20 each
- Books, we have both second hand and new, original as follows: 
Second hand books selling from ₪10 - 40
In the range of new books we are very excited to have:
- "Tuvia Finds His Freedom" by Eliyahu and Shoshanah Shear selling for ₪45. We have both English and Hebrew copies.
- "Why Unicorns Eat Lavender" by Rosemary Kahn selling for ₪40
- "Relationships" by R.A. Kahn selling for ₪50

We are waiting for our copies of "Healing Your Life Through Activity - An Occupational Therapist's Story" by Shoshanah Shear. I really look forward to selling this one.  

We will probably have more items on sale, this is the start. So do be in touch to come and purchase, or to place a custom order for a gift or gift voucher. Remember, a percentage of the proceeds goes to assist in building our Torah-Healing centre. Very, very exciting goal. Come and be a part of making wonderful things happen.

Sales are currently by appointment, do be in touch to schedule your appointment, you will be so glad you did!

We look forward to hearing from you.

Occupational Therapist, healing facilitator, certified infant massage instructor, freelance writer and co-author of "Tuvia Finds His Freedom" and author of "Healing Your Life Through Activity - An Occupational Therapist's Story"



Friday 25 November 2016

Israel Needs You

The video below was produced a year or more ago. The words are very appropriate to what we are currently facing.



It is impossible to put into words what I am feeling right now. Not for the first time I say, there are no words! How can one express the feelings that stir knowing that thousands and thousands of Jews are homeless. We go about our activities, preparing for the Holy Shabbat knowing there are many without homes. Not due to a natural disaster but due to fires set alight by people. 

This reminds me of the very, very harsh reality I saw as a student working in the burns unit. It reminds me of the horrors I saw working in physical rehabilitation. Over the past 12 years, there has been an increase in natural disasters, globally and so, a new role has developed for occupational therapists in the area of disaster relief. You can find out more about this one of the chapters of my new book, "Healing Your Life Through Activity - An Occupational Therapist's Story". However, much of what is discussed is for natural disasters, being homeless due to a fire that was set alight intentionally is a different dimension and requires totally different intervention.

For any Jew who reads this, please take on a Mitzvah, learn some Torah, do Tehillim, learn Hallachah to know how to live in this world as Hashem wants us to. The land of Israel needs your Torah, Tefillah and Maasim Tovim or Tzeddakah. For anyone who wishes to learn Torah or to set up a learning schedule, we invite you to sign up to learn with Rabbi Eliyahu Shear. We have learning online and in person. Be in touch to find out what other ways you can assist.

As we prepare for Shabbat of Parshat Chaya Sarah, remember our Patriarch and Matriarchs. Remember the promise made to Avraham our Father. Remember a little closer to today, the Shabbat Project and increase your observance of Shabbat, even though there will not be anyone to organize a large event. Make sure you light Shabbat candles on time and have your home ready to begin Shabbat. If you are not sure of how to keep the laws of Shabbat, you can learn these laws with Rabbi Shear. 

Stay focused on what we need to do as a Jewish nation. When you pray, remember to pray for rain, Israel needs rain URGENTLY.

Shabbat Shalom

Occupational Therapist, healing facilitator, certified infant massage instructor, freelance writer and co-author of "Tuvia Finds His Freedom" and author of "Healing Your Life Through Activity - An Occupational Therapist's Story"

Thursday 24 November 2016

Occupational Therapy, Private Practitioners Group Begins


We have exciting news! In a recent post, I invited OTs working in Israel to join a network group for OTs interested in working privately or already doing so. OT stands for Occupational Therapy. I have tried for a few years now to get a group together, I am happy to say we had our first meeting this morning. Our first session was spent getting to know each other and discussing our needs and goals for the group. We shared some experiences of becoming licensed as an OT in Israel and some areas of interest in terms of OT practice.

I am very excited that our first meeting has happened. The next meeting is scheduled for 21 December at 9h30. The meeting lasts an hour and takes place virtually. Currently we are using Skype with webcam. If we reach more than 9-10 members we can explore other online conference options.

If you are an occupational therapist working in Israel and are interested in joining our group, please do send me an email. We'd love to have more OTs join us.

I'm looking forward to the next meeting. Hope you will too and link in too.

Occupational Therapist, healing facilitator, certified infant massage instructor, freelance writer and co-author of "Tuvia Finds His Freedom" and author of "Healing Your Life Through Activity - An Occupational Therapist's Story"



Sunday 20 November 2016

Enjoying the Beauty of Autumn

Autumn is most definitely here. We feel the cool evenings and the cold mornings. Or is it the other way around? Many of the trees in the area are either ever green or the leaves change colour and drop off almost too quickly for the tree to really be noticed as changing colour. However, there are a few trees that are just glorious to look at.

I love the light streaming through onto our autumn trees in the image above.

This one reminds me so much of a painting I did on silk some years ago of falling autumn leaves. The painting is available for sale if anyone is interested.


The three trees looked so beautiful just a few days ago. This morning when we walked past, the leaves were almost completely gone and the trees? Well just a few twigs really.

It is amazing how the seasons change and so important to take some time out from your busy day to enjoy the beauty of nature. It helps to keep us focused on what life in this land is all about.

Have a wonderful week


Friday 18 November 2016

Calling Occupational Therapists in Israel






Are you an occupational therapist working in Israel? Are you interested in working privately? Our Private Practitioners Group is finally starting. Our first meeting will be on Wednesday, 23 November 2016 at 9h30 sharp. The meeting will take place virtually so you will need to have Skype with webcam.


We aim to have a meeting once a month, on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 9h30. The meeting will be 45 minutes with potential to be an hour if we prefer.

In this meeting we will be getting to know one another and sharing our goals for being successful working privately in Israel. 

If you are interested in joining the group, please be in touch via my website. You can also sign up for the newsletter, when signing up please indicate that you wish to join the newsletter for OTs working privately in Israel.

Looking forward to hearing from you

 


Thursday 17 November 2016

Finding a Solution to a Frustrating Problem


Yesterday I had an experience that reminded me why I wrote my book that has just come out. I thought I was being so productive in going into a library that specializes in large print and audio books for the visually impaired. I mentioned that I had just brought out a book to promote my profession of occupational therapy and asked if I were to convert the book to audio or bring out the book with large print if they would be interested in a copy. The question turned into at least 5 min and probably more like 10 minutes of questions being asked about what the book was about and what I do. I was asked if I had even worked in the profession. My answer, "yes, the largest section of my book draws on my work experience to illustrate the wonderful profession of OT."

"Why did I include so much of my work history?"
My answer: "Well one reason was to prove that I most certainly have worked in OT and yes, even here in Israel."

"Really, well then why do you need a book? Why aren't you just working in the profession?" they asked.

That's an interesting way to receive an author. To answer her question, " in order to work with our clients, they need to know what we offer and why they might need OT intervention. Writing a book that is now in print offers the opportunity for potential clients to understand what OT is and this empowers them to request a referral in the event that their doctor has not referred when necessary."

The conversation continued a bit, going off track and becoming frustrating but the last question blew me away. One of the librarians asked: "Did you study anything dear?"

Oh dear! Even with showing the cover of my book and letting them know I have written a book to promote my profession and that I have 25 years working experience, the whole conversation came down to did I study anything. I realized that the time given and questions answered had not made much of a difference. The one major lesson I learned was that yes, there is need for the general public to gain understanding, appreciation and recognition. I also learned how invaluable the teaching from OT is that a person can not be healthy in the absence of meaningful occupational therapy. 

It never ceases to amaze me how many encounters I have in Israel where I am told to do something other than what I do. As the image above shows, "Do what you love."

I wrote a book about occupational therapy because I love the profession and I want others to find out why that is."


The book is available online on:

CreateSpace eStore: https://www.createspace.com/6406489

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Your-Life-Through-Activity/dp/1535161604
                      
Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Healing-Your-Life-Through-Activity/dp/1535161604
                                          
and will be available on other online stores shortly! Contact me for orders or further information.


Wednesday 16 November 2016

Introducing Our Super Moon

Over the past few days there has been talk of a super moon that would be visible the night before last. Yes, yes, I really should have posted this yesterday, but I was busy with my new book, so better late than never, right?

Well, to get back to this moon that was supposed to be super. I do not understand what the fuss was about. In the image above, the street light was more impressive than the moon. What did intrigue me though was the mini moon evident above and to the right of the moon / star.


In this next image, the mini moon seems to have shifted and is now almost right above the so called super moon. I'd love to know more about this mini moon.

As for the super moon. Well I have seen the moon in the night sky that looked much larger than this one did. In any event, here are my two efforts at photographing what was visible. 

Did you take a look at the moon? Was it large? Was it any different? What made it so super?

Have a very blessed day


Wednesday 9 November 2016

A Visit to our Bridal Gown Gemach by an IDF Soldier


Yesterday we received a phone call from someone interested in our bridal gowns. After a few minutes of our talking in English, she asked if I speak Hebrew, answering yes the only Hebrew I heard was "Hevanti"  - I understand. With her clear American accent and sweet voice, I presumed she must be an Olah Chadashah. The conversation continued ending with our arranging a time for her to come to view the bridal gowns.

To my surprise when I opened the door, the sweet voice was of a young female Israeli in the IDF. Could still be an Olah I suppose. I took an interest in the fact that she is in the army only to learn that the service she has been assigned to is to teach Hebrew. Now that had me really interested! I did not know that our soldiers teach Hebrew. I wanted to find out more but we had a goal here and off we went to view the bridal gowns.

I had a great time with our IDF soldier who teaches Hebrew. To my amusement we spoke only in English and it was special to have another Kallah take interest in the bridal gowns that we have available. As she was leaving I discovered that her parents made Aliyah, her father is American hence her strong American accent, but she was very proud to state that she was born and raised in Israel.

The experience left quite an impression. Firstly, it was good to see that some who are born in Israel are able to speak a fluent English just from speaking English in the home. Secondly, I learned something new about the IDF. Perhaps the ulpan is for those who come into the army without enough Hebrew. Thirdly, it was nice to hear that our Bridal Gown Gemach was once gain top of the list for viewing bridal gowns. Lastly, it was an honour to have one of our soldiers in our Bridal Gown Gemach. It felt really good to be able to give back to someone who spends her time giving to our country.


Tuesday 1 November 2016

Appreciating Jerusalem, Rain and All!

As the rain begins to fall with the changing seasons from summer to autumn, I look out at the view and the beauty of Jerusalem. It does not matter what the weather, Jerusalem is such a magical and special place.Take a look at the video below for some ideas of just how special Jerusalem is




Have you visited Jerusalem? Did you gain anything from watching the video?

Let us know your thoughts and impressions in the comments below.

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