JessPDX: Welcome Yair Israel

My cousin Moriya in Israel had her second child last week, a boy named Yair Israel. Yair means light, and Israel was my (paternal) grandfather's name. And, my cousin Amir's wife, Mirit, is 3 months pregnant (they already have three kids). Amir sent me pictures of everyone. I don't know if I can really convey how happy I get every time one of my relatives there sends me pictures. Because I love them, and because my cousins have gorgeous children, but also because there is always a joy in their faces that defies what most of us here think of when we think of life in Israel.

I totally disagree with their politics (those of settlers in the West Bank) and I went to see a really interesting speaker last week, Jeff Halper, Director of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions, that confirmed that. But, the depth of their spirituality and joy in life (and I especially have always seen this in Moriya) goes beyond what I see in most people around here. And this makes me happy to see. Also makes me want to visit them. Here are some pictures.