Middle America and an author book signing at the Torrington Fair.

 I just returned   from a book signing at the Torrington fair in Torrington, CT where the Torrington library sponsored an author each week for the summer long fair. It is in the western part of the state bordering on the Litchfield hills.  Torrington itself is an example of small town America.   Now you might ask, "How well did a book about life Israel sell in small town America , and who would buy such a book?"

Well what I found out is that there for all intent and purposes is an Christan alliance with Israel , and it is getting stronger. This is in stark contrast, I am happy to say,  to my younger days when the Jews and Christians were not the best of friends.   Who bought the book? Well it seems that there are many Christians making a pilgrimage to Israel and they were hungry to read a book about the culture of the land written by an American, in their own language. American.  I met a minister who told me he was in a joint project with a lady rabbi to do a study of the chronology of the bible. He, the old testament and she, the new testament. Now, if that isn't an alliance - what is?  
Now what I say to attract interest to the book is that it is similar to three other books. The Hobbit for its adventure; under The Tuscan Sun for it's cultural acclimation in a Mediterranean  country; and Eat Pray Love for the similar experiences about living out of America messages the book teaches. Well, small world, someone who knew the author of Eat Pray Love bought the book. I even sold a book to a Jewish couple who said , " We are Jewish , we will get the book" and I sold one copy to someone who even went to the bank to withdraw the 20$ and came back a half hour later because he wanted the knowledge in the book. He was an engineer who traveled to different lands too. I was so happy to have him have the book , I forgot to sign it, but he reminded me of that. I also prepared a video of the nature scenes in Israel I filmed and called it Meditative and Exotic Sights and Sounds of Israel. I sold one of these too.

Below is the page I prepared with the concepts the book deals with. It was a good idea to do this because people want to know what they are paying for. In this economy, I don't blame them.

                                     
Shalom!        
Looking at changes in American and Israeli cultures over the last two decades,  "Leaving Home, Going Home, Returning Home: A Hebrew American’s Sojourn in the Land of Israel" is an intelligent study of Israeli life , identity, roots and culture form a Hebrew American’s experience and offers a unique perspective on what is quirky, endearing, baffling, and infuriating about Israeli culture.  A seasoned world traveler, Jason Mark Alster M.Sc shares his adventures of moving half way around the world to Israel (Aliyah).  Readers are reminded on every page that moving to a new place, or even moving back home, is not about courage, determination; it is about anticipation and the joy of discovery, new places, new friends, and new dreams. It's a true adventure of seeking roots and  following your dreams.

 If you want a better understanding of life in Israel, this book is for you!
Twelve of the many concepts the book deals with:
1: Making a decision to move to another country.
2: Can an education in one country prepare you for living in another?
3: Health risks associated with a change in diet.
4: International marriage and dual national children.
5: Keeping in touch with roots and the Mother country.
6: What does “American” mean outside America.
7. Jewish - Israeli, or Israeli- Jewish; – What’s in a term.
8: Are all democracies alike?  A comparison of two democracies, Israel and the USA.
9: What is unique about Israeli culture?
10: Media coverage of Israel and the Middle East?
11:  American individualism vs. the  outrageous ;  Israeli consensus  vs.  bureaucracy ?
12:American fun compared to Israeli fun.
With  Amazon.com  and Kindle  jasonalster@gmail.com
 Invite Jason for a lecture about life in Israel and an author signing.

https://www.createspace.com/1000252310

What does Morsi Mean for Israel ?

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/04/opinion/what-does-morsi-mean-for-israel.html?ref=opinion
What does Morsi mean for Israel

What Does Morsi Mean for Israel? By Thomas Friedman
www.nytimes.com
The election of the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, Mohamed Morsi, as president of Egypt is bound to affect the peace treaty with Israel. see link.


 I always get a laugh when Mr Friedman gives a warped opinion. Maybe his know it all New York Times opinions is what is really wrong with  how the world sees America today? Listen Thomas, until you read my book - you will never understand  Israel. Understand this, it is Egypt and the other Arab nations that have to APOLOGIZE to Israel for wanting to " THROW HER INTO THE SEA". Jordan's King Hussein is the only Arab leader who apologized to Israel for this and mistakes made in the past. he was a honest man more than Mubarak.  Without this apology  there will be a COLD PEACE because Jews like me will never visit Egypt or any Arab land until they apologize. I would never feel safe there cold peace or not. A cold peace is a two way street too. In the new generation in Israel and the world the non apologetic Jew is here to stay and it is in the Arab world's interest to have peace with Israel too. Those who do not understand this point miss the point that Israel is a Spartan nation today. Her children , my own included , have been through things no one else had and survived to become like steel. Looking all around at her "brave" neighbors lately, I think you get the message.

New Magazine for Olim

A magazine helps those moving to Israel by having a support community. All power to them. Aliyah magazine.

Aliyah magazine

Israeli technology rocks

I was giving a new talk on the  Israel USA special relationship recently at the West Hartford Senior Center bagel breakfast when someone asked a question. " Did you hear about the technological advancements Israel has made that are miraculous".  Actually working on scientific projects in Israel and working with their top scientists I knew about it, but did not talk about my own contributions. That is in the book. Well , better than an author signing, I gave a talk about the topics in the book- Israel USA. I used political satirical cartoons like DRY BONES to make some of the points in the talk and get some audience participation. One satire cartoon showed father Simpson choking his son under the cation " All in the family" relating to the Israel USA family relationship. There is love in the family , but there is the father son relationship too.
Well one research work I did in Israel was to develop and propose an objective physiological of concentration in ADHD - attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. I used the GSR - galvanic skin response to show that under certain conditions the GSR is ADHD is different than in other children. I published this unfinished proposal with many techniques for using the GSR biofeedback as a protocol in helping ADHD under the title video " Guide to GSR Biofeedback Techniques for the Natural ADHD Practitioner".
Guide to GSR Biofeedback protocols

This video shows ground breaking methods that good results can be obtained in helping ADHD naturally in a less expensive format and maybe even superior in many instances than that obtained by neurofeedback or EEG biofeedback alone. I always opted for a multi modality approach.





Proposed objective physiological test for ADHD

Syria downs Israeli // that is Turkish jet

An enlightening mention of middle east propaganda where a Turkish jet is downed by Syria and is changed to a speculation that it is an Israeli jet. You can see the point. Syria has an Israel jet  kill ratio of minus 100. So when they shoot down a jet fighter from a neighboring country that is not " Jewish" they have a problem explaining it and say " It is an Israeli kill".

RT new mentioning middle east propaganda quandry  YOUtube story from RT news

https://www.createspace.com/1000252310

Tel Aviv vs Israel

A news article says Tel Aviv in Israel out. While I loved Tel Aviv, it reminded me of other big cities. That's why I moved to Zichron Yacov - like Napa Valley wine country it is. This article would be like saying New York in  New York out ( NY state ). I would hear Israels call tel Aviv the capitol ( not Jerusalem) and the rest of  the country a province, Out side of tel Aviv you still had the pioneering feeling of living in Israel, but you also get the feeling the powers to be really don't care about you. witness the rocket attacks on Sderot. Like Sinclair Babbits book title,  Main Street, I loved the fact that most small towns in Israel have that one main street down the middle with all the action on one street. Thus a chapter in my book- Main Street Israel.

Not complimentary Jokes I heard about this though -about Zichron Yacov in the early days. It is a "one donkey town" or about another semi major town - not Tel Aviv-/ afula,  " it's the armpit of the country.  Actually, Zichron Yacov  is one of the prettiest new old places in Israel donkeys included. tip for tourist. If you come on a weekend and sit at the cafe on the main street you are likely to see famous Israeli's / actors/ singers/ visiting ( if they are not out of the country)  and you can't miss them because there is only one main street.


Tel Aviv in israel out is the notion of this article.

Jan Kardys - Unicorn Writer's Conference, is Guest on Meet The Author WCTV14

Jan Kardys is a guest on Meet The Author WCTV 14

Jan give writer's "tricks of the trade" and makes the show very interesting.

https://www.createspace.com/1000252310