What is a "friend"? Even the world's most genius people have not yet managed to define exactly what a friend is, and what makes someone your friend. I think that it is a feeling – when someone is your friend, you just feel it. When it comes to me, there are two qualities that my friends must have; in this article I'll introduce them.
The first one is loyalty. There is a saying stating that "the dog is the man's best friend" because the dog stays loyal to its owner, no matter what happens. I don't think my best friend should act like a dog, but I do think he should be loyal. A person who is nice in person but says horrible things about you behind your back, is not a friend – because he is not loyal. Loyalty is the basis of any kind of relationship – a romantic one or a friendly one. I believe loyalty concludes all the very important qualities a good friend should have; reliability - because only the people who stay loyal are reliable, and understanding - because a person who is not loyal would not bother to understand you. This is why I find this quality so important.
The second important quality is that he should be someone who I have things in common with. People who are completely different might be great people to argue with, but I don't think that a person who has nothing in common with me, can be my friend.
But, just like I said in the opening paragraph, friendship is something which is very hard to define. There is an exception to every rule, and sometimes, you can find out that your best friend is your biggest enemy. However, I believe that a friend simply has to be loyal and have things in common with me, as long as I don't want the relationship to be hypocritical and boring.
Excellent work
(100)
Daphna
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Chasing Community Giving
A recently published research shows that one of every four Israeli teenagers does volunteer work and practices community work in his spare time. This is a decent achievement, but still not good enough. I see so much potential of giving in my schoolmates, but most of them do nothing about it. I believe the school can easily encourage the pupils to be more active in their community.
The city of Holon offers a variety of places to volunteer in, for every type of person. From youth groups and nursing homes to animal shelters and charity organizations. I believe any pupil can find his way to contribute the community. The problem is that most teenagers spend most of their time in front of the computer and television, without even knowing that these kinds of organizations exist.
Therefore, the school can encourage students to become familiar with them – a fun day at the local animal shelter or a visit to a nearby home for elderly people, will sure make the students feel that they enjoy giving and they might consider volunteering as a habit. The school can also encourage students to be active in youth movements by contacting the movements and inviting them to the school, or vice versa.
But, we should not throw all the responsibility on the school. The students, who prefer occasional pleasures such as watching a comedy program or web surfing on Facebook, need to understand that this is fine - but this is not what they want to remember from their juvenility(ww.). A little bit of volunteer work or community activism can change and add interest to one's life and above all – contribute to society.
Great!
(100)
Daphna
The city of Holon offers a variety of places to volunteer in, for every type of person. From youth groups and nursing homes to animal shelters and charity organizations. I believe any pupil can find his way to contribute the community. The problem is that most teenagers spend most of their time in front of the computer and television, without even knowing that these kinds of organizations exist.
Therefore, the school can encourage students to become familiar with them – a fun day at the local animal shelter or a visit to a nearby home for elderly people, will sure make the students feel that they enjoy giving and they might consider volunteering as a habit. The school can also encourage students to be active in youth movements by contacting the movements and inviting them to the school, or vice versa.
But, we should not throw all the responsibility on the school. The students, who prefer occasional pleasures such as watching a comedy program or web surfing on Facebook, need to understand that this is fine - but this is not what they want to remember from their juvenility(ww.). A little bit of volunteer work or community activism can change and add interest to one's life and above all – contribute to society.
Great!
(100)
Daphna
Monday, May 3, 2010
The Trip to Egypt
19 Ha'Hail St.
Holon
April 19, 2010
Dan Cohen
CEO
Perfect Tours
48 Ramat HaHayal St.
Tel Aviv
Dear Sir,
My name is Avshalom. I'm 35-years old and I'm really interested in traveling around the country and abroad, also(מיותר). In the past years, I went to Germany, Switzerland and France through your travel company, and I am a very satisfied customer. Nowadays, I'm organizing a trip by myself. I would like to collect some details relevant to the tour I am planning.
For many years, my friends have asked me to organize a trip to the far Giza, which is in Egypt. Only recently, I (have) decided to carry out the mission. Except of(ww. - for) the Sphinx, and the Great Pyramids of Giza, I'd like to receive information about special, unusual places and sights that can be found in Egypt. The place should relate to both Egyptian and Jewish history. Please let me know of less-known but equally interesting attractions from the times of the Pharaohs, the Second Temple era, et cetera.
Moreover, I would also (like) to hear details about the prices. It is well known that entering historical places is no longer free nor cheap. I'd love to hear whether there are various ways to enter these sites with less money; bonuses, benefit cards, et cetera. In addition, I would like to hear about the accommodation. We would like to stay in a small, nice and inexpensive hotel, which is close to all the historical places(ww. - sites) in Giza.
In conclusion, I am sure that if you help me, my trip to Giza with my friends will be an unforgettable trip, and(מיותר). (New sentence) I hope to(ww. - you) help me to(מיותר) organize it the best way you can, since I am very pleased with different trips you have already organized. I hope to hear from you as soon as possible.
Best regards,
Avshalom Cohen
(93)
Daphna
Holon
April 19, 2010
Dan Cohen
CEO
Perfect Tours
48 Ramat HaHayal St.
Tel Aviv
Dear Sir,
My name is Avshalom. I'm 35-years old and I'm really interested in traveling around the country and abroad, also(מיותר). In the past years, I went to Germany, Switzerland and France through your travel company, and I am a very satisfied customer. Nowadays, I'm organizing a trip by myself. I would like to collect some details relevant to the tour I am planning.
For many years, my friends have asked me to organize a trip to the far Giza, which is in Egypt. Only recently, I (have) decided to carry out the mission. Except of(ww. - for) the Sphinx, and the Great Pyramids of Giza, I'd like to receive information about special, unusual places and sights that can be found in Egypt. The place should relate to both Egyptian and Jewish history. Please let me know of less-known but equally interesting attractions from the times of the Pharaohs, the Second Temple era, et cetera.
Moreover, I would also (like) to hear details about the prices. It is well known that entering historical places is no longer free nor cheap. I'd love to hear whether there are various ways to enter these sites with less money; bonuses, benefit cards, et cetera. In addition, I would like to hear about the accommodation. We would like to stay in a small, nice and inexpensive hotel, which is close to all the historical places(ww. - sites) in Giza.
In conclusion, I am sure that if you help me, my trip to Giza with my friends will be an unforgettable trip, and(מיותר). (New sentence) I hope to(ww. - you) help me to(מיותר) organize it the best way you can, since I am very pleased with different trips you have already organized. I hope to hear from you as soon as possible.
Best regards,
Avshalom Cohen
(93)
Daphna
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Application to Yale
24 David Hemelech St.
Tel Aviv
May 1, 2010
Mr. Stathis N. Kalyvas
Head of the Political Science Faculty
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut
U.S.A.
(Dear Mr. Kalyvas,)
My name is Avshalom. I am twenty seven years old. I am writing this letter to you because I am interested in studying for my second degree in your faculty. In this letter, I will explain why I think I fit the program and why I want this specific faculty.
I have recently completed my first degree in the Political Science faculty of(ww. - at the) Tel Aviv University. During the(ww. - my) studies, I was constantly at the top of the class. I am interested in getting my second degree diploma in Yale.
I would like to be very successful in the field of Political Science and I am convinced that the faculty in Yale is the best one for me and for every student who wants high-level education. Yale has been home to some of the world's foremost political scientists, including Gabriel Almond and Robert Dahl. I am planning to be as experts(ww.) as they were and even better.
In conclusion, I think I fit the Political Science program at Yale and I ensure(you) I will do my best and will not damage the faculty's good name with lack of success (phr.). I would be thankful if you send me an application form.
Thank you for your assistance,
(Sincerely yours,)
Avshalom Cohen.
(92)
Daphna
Tel Aviv
May 1, 2010
Mr. Stathis N. Kalyvas
Head of the Political Science Faculty
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut
U.S.A.
(Dear Mr. Kalyvas,)
My name is Avshalom. I am twenty seven years old. I am writing this letter to you because I am interested in studying for my second degree in your faculty. In this letter, I will explain why I think I fit the program and why I want this specific faculty.
I have recently completed my first degree in the Political Science faculty of(ww. - at the) Tel Aviv University. During the(ww. - my) studies, I was constantly at the top of the class. I am interested in getting my second degree diploma in Yale.
I would like to be very successful in the field of Political Science and I am convinced that the faculty in Yale is the best one for me and for every student who wants high-level education. Yale has been home to some of the world's foremost political scientists, including Gabriel Almond and Robert Dahl. I am planning to be as experts(ww.) as they were and even better.
In conclusion, I think I fit the Political Science program at Yale and I ensure(you) I will do my best and will not damage the faculty's good name with lack of success (phr.). I would be thankful if you send me an application form.
Thank you for your assistance,
(Sincerely yours,)
Avshalom Cohen.
(92)
Daphna
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Virtual Schools
The idea of "virtual schools", is a modern phenomenon which takes the technology of the 21st century into the traditional way of learning; sitting in class, in front of the blackboard. The "virtual classes" takes(gr.) place in(ww.) the internet, where students virtually learn as much as(מיותר) subjects (as) they can learn in school. This way of learning is not widely popular, but without a doubt, it is much more
Where is the rest? I'm very disapointed.
(30)
Daphna
Where is the rest? I'm very disapointed.
(30)
Daphna
Thursday, December 3, 2009
A High Price to Pay...
........................................................................................................................ 7 Herzel St.
........................................................................................................................ Holon
........................................................................................................................ February 17, 2010
Ms. Gilat Simon
Principal
Kugel High School
1 Motta Gur St.
Holon
Dear Madam,
I am writing this letter to you because I think the price of the annual journey to Poland from our school is too high. This is a voyage which is very significant to Israelis, Jews and people in general, and I think everyone should join this trip if they can. Every year, a large number of students want to take part in this significant journey, but most of them don't go, eventually. Some of these students don't fly to Poland since their families have financial problems, and they can't afford a trip to Poland. In my opinion, this fact is not a reason for these kids to miss this trip… but that's barely their fault.
The problem is simple – the school's teachers encourage us to go to Poland and they say it's very important. They're absolutely right, but they unconsciously oppose the school's hidden ideology - who cant pay, can't fly. I know Kugel High School wants more students to join the trip, but it is almost impossible considering the high price, and this trip is too important to miss just because of financial causes. In my point of view, there is no trip more important than this significant, life-changing journey. Many of my classmates couldn't afford joining the trip, though they deeply wanted too, just because the price was too high. Is that reasonable? I am sorry, but I don't think so.
Kugel High should do much more to subsidize the trip for the students. It is possible. Youth movements like HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed, in which I am active, and others like HaShomer HaTsah'ir, take much less money for the trip, and their trip is not so different from our planned trip. Speak to key people in the government and the municipality, and ask for their help. I am sure that they will be more than happy to help. If they won't, well, I think that reflects something very depressing about the education in our country.
Sincerely yours,
Omer.
........................................................................................................................ Holon
........................................................................................................................ February 17, 2010
Ms. Gilat Simon
Principal
Kugel High School
1 Motta Gur St.
Holon
Dear Madam,
I am writing this letter to you because I think the price of the annual journey to Poland from our school is too high. This is a voyage which is very significant to Israelis, Jews and people in general, and I think everyone should join this trip if they can. Every year, a large number of students want to take part in this significant journey, but most of them don't go, eventually. Some of these students don't fly to Poland since their families have financial problems, and they can't afford a trip to Poland. In my opinion, this fact is not a reason for these kids to miss this trip… but that's barely their fault.
The problem is simple – the school's teachers encourage us to go to Poland and they say it's very important. They're absolutely right, but they unconsciously oppose the school's hidden ideology - who cant pay, can't fly. I know Kugel High School wants more students to join the trip, but it is almost impossible considering the high price, and this trip is too important to miss just because of financial causes. In my point of view, there is no trip more important than this significant, life-changing journey. Many of my classmates couldn't afford joining the trip, though they deeply wanted too, just because the price was too high. Is that reasonable? I am sorry, but I don't think so.
Kugel High should do much more to subsidize the trip for the students. It is possible. Youth movements like HaNoar HaOved VeHaLomed, in which I am active, and others like HaShomer HaTsah'ir, take much less money for the trip, and their trip is not so different from our planned trip. Speak to key people in the government and the municipality, and ask for their help. I am sure that they will be more than happy to help. If they won't, well, I think that reflects something very depressing about the education in our country.
Sincerely yours,
Omer.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
"Tell me that you'll open your eyes..." – the story of George Stoyonovich.
George Stoyonovich is the main character in Bernard Malamud's short story "A Summer's Reading". George is a 20-year-old young man who lives in a poor neighborhood of immigrants. Along the story, George tries to find something to do with his life, on the one hand but he also shows amazing laziness and idleness, on the other hand. I identified with George, because I can understand what he's feeling - I can be very lazy too, and I can sometimes feel just like George, that I need something "real" to do with my life.
George is very skinny and he is a descendant of a Polish family who immigrated to Bronx, New York City – growing up in a neighborhood of many immigrants, where everybody knew everybody. He quit school at the age of sixteen, most likely because he was uninstitutional and couldn't handle the teachers' demands. George always cared about what his environment thought of him and always wanted to be liked. Still, he didn't really have any friends or acquaintances, and the only three people in his life – after his mother's death – was(gr. - were) his father, whom we don't know much about, his sister Sophie, who's never at home because she finances the family, and last – but not least – Mr. Cattanzara, George's "change maker", the person who led George to educate himself and find his happy ending.
George does the same thing every day - he has a daily routine which is lazy. He doesn't seem to enjoy it very much, because he is always looking for something to do with himself. He becomes sick of anything he tries to do with his life, and he does nothing. But finally, George learns his lesson thanks to one important person; Mr. Cattanzara. Mr. Cattanzara is George's neighbor, whose life story greatly resembles George's life story. Mr. C is very smart and intelligent, and still – he couldn't manage to educate himself like he should have done. Mr. C directs George to do the right thing, and tells him not to "do the mistake he did". Mr. C is the only person who knows how to help George, based on his own sad experiment.
In my idea, George is the excellent example to show what happens when you're just too lazy. I think George is smart but intelligent, but he just couldn't educate himself within an institution like regular school or evening courses. That's completely fine but it's also a waste. When I was reading about George's daily routine and lifestyle I felt sorry for his blindness – he just couldn't see that he was wasting his life on… nothing. So at the end, when he counted off 100 books and started to read them, I felt serene and happy – because for the first time in his life, George was able to open his eyes.
Excellent work! I'm so proud of you.
(100)
Daphna
George is very skinny and he is a descendant of a Polish family who immigrated to Bronx, New York City – growing up in a neighborhood of many immigrants, where everybody knew everybody. He quit school at the age of sixteen, most likely because he was uninstitutional and couldn't handle the teachers' demands. George always cared about what his environment thought of him and always wanted to be liked. Still, he didn't really have any friends or acquaintances, and the only three people in his life – after his mother's death – was(gr. - were) his father, whom we don't know much about, his sister Sophie, who's never at home because she finances the family, and last – but not least – Mr. Cattanzara, George's "change maker", the person who led George to educate himself and find his happy ending.
George does the same thing every day - he has a daily routine which is lazy. He doesn't seem to enjoy it very much, because he is always looking for something to do with himself. He becomes sick of anything he tries to do with his life, and he does nothing. But finally, George learns his lesson thanks to one important person; Mr. Cattanzara. Mr. Cattanzara is George's neighbor, whose life story greatly resembles George's life story. Mr. C is very smart and intelligent, and still – he couldn't manage to educate himself like he should have done. Mr. C directs George to do the right thing, and tells him not to "do the mistake he did". Mr. C is the only person who knows how to help George, based on his own sad experiment.
In my idea, George is the excellent example to show what happens when you're just too lazy. I think George is smart but intelligent, but he just couldn't educate himself within an institution like regular school or evening courses. That's completely fine but it's also a waste. When I was reading about George's daily routine and lifestyle I felt sorry for his blindness – he just couldn't see that he was wasting his life on… nothing. So at the end, when he counted off 100 books and started to read them, I felt serene and happy – because for the first time in his life, George was able to open his eyes.
Excellent work! I'm so proud of you.
(100)
Daphna
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