Lily 17

Ever since the successful negotiations with the IDF, Bakehila has changed tone. They ax conspiracy theories; replacing it with coverage of how ongoing negotiations concerning parttime students are going.
Now Ruth Esther and Nathan think those conspiracy stories were a hoot, ridiculous, not one ounce of credibility.
As I get to know Yakob better, I realize he's crackers. Yes, he's nice, well mannered, well read; and yes, he is open minded on as many topics as your average North American.
Unfortunately he is totally into conspiracy theory. Never in his wildest dreams would it occur to him that some Haredim simply quietly leave of their own choice.
Anyone he knows of who has vanished; he is 100% certain the sinister IDF is behind all this. And of course, I am somewhat morally guilty for working for this same IDF.
The deafness, he handles well, obviously coached by Nathan.
Now I could live with the fact he's nuts over one topic. Come on, name a man who is not. Be it sport, politics, religion, academic research, whatever; every man has some degree of obsession in his life.
What I find difficult to handle is his superior self-righteous attitude, that all Haredim are morally superior to other Jews. What started as promising, fades into the sunset.
Ruth is philosophical about it, knew Yakob was a bit crackers, just didn't know how much. Neither of us allows this to impact our friendship.
Nathan wishes me better luck next time. Kind soul that he is, he promises to check up on the reputation of anyone else I should happen to meet. I know some westerners would be offended, tell him to mind his own business. I don't, I know his heart is in the right place. I've become part of his family; he feels a duty to protect me.
At work it is unlikely I'd meet anyone. I am a sort of hero for giving them back their library, but two factors militate against any informality.
First, no one handles the deafness well. In their view, it only happens to old people. Ergo, I am an older person with a well preserved face.
Second, the soldiers believe I am Haredi. Lotta clues pointing to this. My very modest dress style compared to seculars who let it all hang out. East European look, as opposed to sabra look. Name, Lily Lichtenbaum, has a more Haredi ring than secular. Also, I arrived here because I knew Esther and live in a Haredi neighborhood.
Everybody is polite, but I doubt if I will find either friendship with female soldiers or romance with male.
In the residence itself, gradually people drift away, start to return to Canada or USA. Gripes include internet too expensive, too much bureaucracy, the feeling Israel just didn't deliver the unique experience they thought it should.
The last one puzzles me. If you hide out in your apartment, surf day and night, how open are you to receiving the Israel experience?
As replacements arrive, a surprise, Naomi from Canada arrives, ends up in this same building.
Holder of the two year tech diploma she rapidly finds her way into the public library system.
She earns double the legal minimum wage; myself just over minimum. I am not envious; merely happy she succeeds.
Our paths cross far less than I would have expected. She socializes with workplace people; I have largely been absorbed into the Haredi world.
Nathan and Ruth don't like her at all. Nathan is too polite to state why, but Ruth is clearcut in her views. Dresses like a prostitute, disgrace to the whole neighborhood.
To be honest, she is right. Naomi is considerably worse than most of the original residents. Pretty much everyone here has found a workable compromise, somewhere between Israeli secular look and Haredi look.
In fact, there are storekeepers who refuse to serve Naomi. That is news to me, they've never done that with other building residents.
In the end, the uproar dies down. She finds a secular boyfriend to move in with, vanishes from the area.
Ruth looks uneasy, not knowing how to start. See she and Nathan have been talking, feel they really do need to get away a bit. The problem, they couldn't just leave the children with anyone, hafta be someone they like, trust.
I'm flattered. And no, it's no real hassle to get a week of vacation.
They head off to a hotel in the north for a week.
It's an enjoyable time. The children are well behaved throughout, go out of their way to be helpful to Aunt Lily.
I'm glad I was able to be helpful.
Shortly after my return from vacation the Captain and I are summoned to a meeting in the videoconference room. We take our chairs, see that a Colonel and General will be speaking. They have a secretary who will type their speech into closed caption. I will type my own replies.
The Gen starts by stating I will be receiving an award for merit. There was a petition by the soldiers, glad the library problem was finally sorted out by a capable person.
I thank him.
With a smile, Gen asks how it was I chose to study in the library field.
Why not? Just always liked being around books.
But I mean, you could have gone for tech jobs which paid lots better. X-Ray or paramedic for example.
Well yes I could have, but money isn't everything.
He asks what it is I like to read for recreation.
Everything, but I'm much more into historical fiction.
Read much on the circa 2000 people?
General, who would not? Are they not larger than life, crazier than most before or since? There simply never has nor never will be a time like that again.
And now he's laughing, admits he too loves circa 2000 fiction.
He then enquire whether I just stay with Jewish authors, or read others too.
I reply, overall half and half.
It's all very friendly, but I'm aware of the Col's eyes on me. Staring, evaluating.
As the meeting ends, Capt and I leave. Watch out for those people.
How so?
Your word what I say goes no further?
Agreed.
Time travel; they were sizing you up.
I gasp.
Awkward grin. They'll try and bribe you. Just one trip, come back a Major.
Meaning if I get back?
Bingo, they've had some transmission problems.

(So ends Part 2; the blog could be inactive for several months as Part 3 is prepared.)