Reflections Before My Trip Back to the Holy Land
After almost 3 weeks in Perth, I am flying back to Israel early tomorrow morning with the realization that this may be the last time I spend with my dad alive.
I thank G-d I was given this opportunity to spend such quality time with dad, given I have lived on the other side of the world for the past 7+ years.
On a perhaps related matter, I am re-evaluating the future of this blog, which takes much of my time and effort, and a not insignificant amount of money. While in the past I have seen the value of it as exceeding the cost, I am now not sure. It is but a small fish in a veritable sea of pro-Israel blogs, and shows no sign of growing. If I hang up my blogging boots, the message will likely still get out there, and I can perhaps spend the time and effort on other worthwhile pursuits.
Of course, I realize my current frame of mind is coloring my judgment, but perhaps this is the correct perspective.
In any event, I have over 20 hours of flying to decide.
About the Author
An Australian immigrant to Israel, Aussie Dave has been blogging since early 2003.Filed Under: My Charmed Life
Please don’t. I understand you feel like shortening the lines and preserving your energies. But believe me, every voice is important, and your special, drastic-sarcastic voice is irreplaceable.
I read your blog daily and when I hear bad or absurd news, I always ask myself: what will Aussie Dave say about it?
If you stop blogging, I will respect your decision but regret it, and you will be sadly missed. You may consider blogging LESS but please…. please don’t shut the basta.
All the best to you and your father, and welcome back home.
May HaShem bring comfort to you and your family and bring you back to us safe and sound, Dave.
I hope you continue to Blog. I read many pro Israel blogs, I like yours the best. If you don’t continue, I understand. I wish you well in any other endeavor.
Stan
I like your blog too. There are other pro-israel blogs, but probably none as funny.
Dear Dave,
I know these must be very trying times for you. How does one really cope with a parent’s fatal illness? Does one really manage to cope?
But please do not stop blogging. I am a frequent visitor, I even manage to squeeze in a little comment or two.
We need every available voice in these all too murky days. You know what say they – the pen in mightier than the sword. And yours is a mighty sharp one. It would be a shame to put it away.
May the Lord comfort and give you strength, and watch over you and your Dad!
Your dad’s name has been on my shul’s Birkat Cholim list for ages. It will remain there as long as it takes, even ad 120. Though that doesn’t sound good, it has its advantages.
Please don’t stop blogging. This is one of my favorites that I view every day.
Don’t go Dave…you were the first blog that I discovered.
But, I’m also a firm believer in going out when you are on top (ala Seinfeld).
Dave,
Your blog is the one I turn to when I want to know what’s really going on in Israel. I read you first in the AM and then later on. I always can count on you to update after the sabbath. My prayers for your father and family. Israel needs all the “independent” voices she can get.
Respectfully,
Ken
As an almost daily visitor for years now, I certainly hope you’ll reconsider this idea and keep on blogging, it’d be a shame otherwise
Also, I think you’re wrong, you say that “(this blog) is but a small fish in a veritable sea of pro-Israel blogs”, and while it is true, pro-Israel blogs are still just a small island in the middle of a neutral or anti-Israel ocean.
Dave…My dad battled Pancreatic Cancer back in 1999…It is the toughest of battles in which a positive outcome is rare…As time fades away from that nightmare only fond positives memories remain of the mensch my father was…The good times and the love I was lucky enough to be raised into and taught as I became a man..I am hopeful you will continue your blog if at all possible…In this world of hateful leftist Islamic propaganda and mainstream media bias we need all the help we can get…You blog is a favorite of mine…G-d Bless
My heart goes out to you and your family. You are indeed “honoring your father [...] that his days may be long upon this earth”.
Of all the Israeli blogs out there there are only four of five I visit regularly, and I visit yours daily, sometimes more often, and I very often put links to your posts here onto other blogs.
If you really feel you must stop blogging then so be it, but I’ll miss you, as I know many others will.
I don’t think it’s a decision you should have to take now anyhow. If you don’t feel up to it so take a break, see how you feel when some time has past. Your blog is important to many people, and of course to the cause of hasbara, but more important things are happening in your life at this time and it’s right and proper you should concentrate on them.
Shalom Dave, may peace be with you and your family in these difficult times.
Your blog and Meryl’s blog were the first Israeli blogs I was ever exposed to – over 4 years ago! Now I am going to Israel this year. A small part of that is because of the blogs. I really hope you would reconsider ending the blog. But, you have to do what is best for you. However, after all these years I have not stopped visiting your blog just about every single day.
I do hope that you find peace and you have my prayers in this very painful time in your life.
yeh, i read it almost every day. don’t shut it. as an australian jew considering making aliyah, i find it extremely relevant.
I always liked your sarcasm and your refreshing way of
commenting…
It would be very great if you continue blogging.
But I hope you will make the right decision for yourself.
I know I will miss your blog.
Dave, don’t leave us!! You are the first person I turn to every morning, because I know from here in Los Angeles, whatever has happened in Israel has happened and I can hear it from you. We are all in the hands of HaKodesh Borchu, and you have a gift. You reach many – don’t throw that gift away.
With tears I wish your father a complete refuah –
Love, Nana
Never chipped in to a blog before, but did today. Even if you decide to shut down the blog, thanks for all your posts.
Numbers 6:24-26
You can’t step back into a river, at the same place, twice.
SO, while you’re thinking about what to do next; perhaps, it’s wise to learn a little from experience? There’s no InstaPundit out there, coming into the global market, from Israel.
Glenn Reynolds gets about 300,000 page views per day. (And, a while back I read that he earned about $40,000 per month, from his activities. To say nothing of the fun he gets posting photos he takes.)
While some blogs do cater to a “one way stream,” I’m reminded the gold that came into Charles Johnson’s hands with Rathergate. But it’s old now. And, you can’t just keep whalloping the left, thinking you’re on a high horse, named Rathergate.
If you had invested in a house? And, the neighborhood were good. Then the shape of your house wouldn’t matter. You’d gain equity.
It’s an interesting thing, too, about milestones. We’ve all had them, someplace. But the footprint, itself? Goes down in silence.
I wish you luck. And, if experience is any indicator, you should at least see why the shekels don’t come. Since some blogs? Have ways of putting together the news that makes them very tempting links to try.
At least your dad has to be proud of all the people you’ve met in this virtual world. Wishing you the best. Carol Herman
Dave,
I don’t know what else I can add. Everyone here has expressed just about everything I wanted to say. This is the first blog that I open every day. I check you before the news because your blog is so well written and your comments are so on target. Please don’t go!
I always keep your dad in my prayers and hope that somehow things turn around for him. Carol is right – I’m sure that he is very proud to have a son like you. My best wishes for you and your family and I hope to see you around.
Dave,
You know that you are one of the models many of us strive to be.
It’s true that there are more pro-Israel blogs and it isn’t the novelty it was four years ago. Still (I believe, perhaps against all evidence that) there appears to be value in numbers. Several blogs making similar points raises the visibility of the issue.
Without you, the rest of us will just have to do heavier lifting.
Whatever you do, hatzlacha as a lot of us wish to emulate you.