On the other hand
November 14, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
The signs of the approaching Festival of Chanukah are everywhere, from sufganiyot (doughnuts) in a myriad of flavours and colours in shops, the aroma of latkes in the shuk to candles and menorot in supermarkets. Read more
Broken glass and shattered illusions
November 12, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
One would have imagined that the night of 9 November 1938 in Germany would have shattered forever any lingering illusions that one could appease Jew-hate by negotiations and reason. Read more
On the other hand
November 7, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
The days may be getting shorter and the temperatures may be dropping but Israel’s groundbreaking innovations keep coming despite the change of seasons. Read more
Fault lines
November 5, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
For as many years as I can remember experts have been predicting that we are overdue for “the big one.” Read more
On the other hand
October 31, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
While thousands of Australians and New Zealanders are stranded overseas, for over a year in some cases, Israelis are free to leave and return to the Promised Land. Read more
Rock Solid
October 29, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
The term “rock solid” can be described as something or someone you can trust not to change or disappear. Read more
On the other hand
October 24, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
There is a noticeable change in the air as we transition from the endless sunny days of summer to the gathering clouds of autumn, lowering temperatures and the uncertainties of winter. Read more
Incoming high tide warning
October 22, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
The high priests of climate change are predicting that in the near future we may be engulfed by rising ocean levels. Read more
On the other hand
October 17, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
Israel is a country of striking contrasts in climate and geography, in its ethnicities and faiths. Read more
Useful Yidiots
October 15, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
One of the best definitions I have seen of the term, “useful idiots” is One who is seen to unwittingly support a malignant cause through their ‘naive’ attempts to be a force for good. Read more
On the other hand
October 10, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
It looks as though the 4th wave of the Coronavirus plague is waning in Israel and that has been achieved without lockdowns. Read more
Somewhere over the rainbow
October 8, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
As we read in the Torah portion, Noach, the rainbow became a symbol that God would not destroy the world by flood again. Read more
On the other hand
October 3, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
Whew – the holyday season is finished and the country is slowly returning to normal activity. Read more
Brick walls
October 1, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
In our journey through life, we more often than not encounter brick walls. Read more
On the other hand
September 25, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
We are in the midst of the intermediate days of Sukkot (the Festival of Tabernacles) when Israelis take to the road, nature parks are filled to capacity and schools are on vacation again. Read more
What’s in a name?
September 24, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
The simple answer to this conundrum is – “quite a lot it seems.” Read more
On the other hand
September 19, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
By the time you read this the sound of hammering and electric drills will be heard the length and breadth of Israel. Read more
Yomai Hadin – Days of Judgement
September 17, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
We have, according to Jewish tradition, ten days in which we can hope to alter any Divine decree made about us on Rosh Hashanah. Read more
On the other hand
September 5, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
Shana Tova – may this coming year be one in which we vanquish the corona plague, we can all return to normal communal activities and joyous occasions can be celebrated together. Read more
One step forward and two steps back
September 3, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
It’s that time of the (Jewish) year again when we take stock of the past and pray for a better future in the year ahead. Read more
Imbecilic insanity
August 27, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
Former United Kingdom Prime Minister, Tony Blair, is reported as having called the American Administration’s total pullout from Afghanistan as imbecilic. Read more
On the other hand
August 22, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
Having done very well at the recent Olympic Games, Israel is now eagerly looking forward to the forthcoming Paralympics. Read more
Questionable friends
August 21, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
“In life, we never lose friends, we only learn who the TRUE ones are.” Read more
On the other hand
August 15, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
Experts warn us that the climate is changing and temperatures are rising worldwide. Read more
Whistling in the wind
August 13, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
Trying unsuccessfully to change something which cannot be changed is the simple meaning of “whistling in the wind.” Read more
On the other hand
August 8, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
Israel may not be a world power in the sporting arena but nevertheless, our sportspeople at the Tokyo Olympics still managed to bring home some coveted medals. Read more
Band-aids don’t work
August 6, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
Trying to staunch major traumas with band-aids is a losing strategy. Read more
On the other hand
August 1, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
Temperatures are soaring, Ben & Jerry’s is melting and Israelis are taking their families away to exotic places for a vacation. Read more
Boycotters’ fiesta
July 30, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
Fiestas originated in pagan traditions and became celebrated events under Spanish rule. Read more
On the other hand
July 25, 2021 by Michael Kuttner
Boycotts are all the flavour of the week with Ben & Jerry’s freezing their ice creams in Judea, Samaria and Jerusalem. Read more






