I’m still helping others tour and strengthen a love affair with our beautiful country

ROLLER-COASTER RIDE

The excellent article “When will tourists return to Tel Aviv?” (June 26) resonated.

I have been a tour guide for 20 years, and you pinpointed many of the pitfalls and hardships that is the roller-coaster ride reality of an industry totally dependent on the vagaries of an ever-changing world.

The answer to the question, of course, is unclear. What is clear is, we’ve got to flow with it! Flexibility, innovation and creativity are actually survival!

For example, I was booked almost every day in June, and went from 95% to 0% in two days. So I started working on itinerary planning, rather than exclusively guiding. Israelis who don’t have time, knowledge or wherewithal to plan their domestic vacations can ask me to do it for them – I send them custom-made schedules, with on and off-the-beaten-path plans, that meet their individual needs. I make reservations, even obtaining a discount here and there.

It yields only a fraction of the income, but I’m still helping others tour and strengthening a love affair with our beautiful country, which is my passion.

And I can do it, capably, while I wait for the tourists to return. I’m hoping it’ll be soon!

ESTI HERSKOWITZ

Ma’aleh Adumim

KICKING HEELS

“When I’m 64” by Richard Shavei-Tzion (June 26) was full of truth, but sad and depressing to me.

At the age of 86 I realize that although we cannot choose, and especially in these very difficult times, we do not know what tomorrow will bring. I have therefore adopted the mantra of living every day as if it’s my last.

Of course, we have to be prepared, and I personally have tried to keep my finances in order, and like you, my children are well aware of my wishes. However, we can either sit down waiting for the call and feel miserable, or appreciate all the blessings we are lucky enough to have, and continue to enjoy ourselves as much as possible.

It is a sad fact that some people will suffer lengthy cognitive and or physical disability, but this is by no means the norm, particularly in this retirement village where I live. I even recently started attending line-dancing classes and love every minute of it!

May we all live to 120, with big smiles on our faces, kicking up our heels for many years to come!

JOY COLLINS Tel Mond

VIVIAN FOR UN

Rarely have I enjoyed the benefits of such an uplifting, inspirational article as that written by Vivian Bercovici (“Wanted: Principled foreign policy,” June 26). She managed to cut down to size the super-boy, liberal antics and dreams of Justin Trudeau, who still rules Canada with a minority government.

In the same article she eloquently described the colossal failure of the United Nations to live up to its expectations – a corrupt snake pit obsessed with the vilification of Israel. Right on.

Where has Bercovici been for the past several years? We need more like her, saying it like it is. I nominate Bercovici as Israel’s representative to the UN. YIGAL HOROWITZ

Beersheba

REMEDIAL RESPECT

Regarding “Light unto the nations” (June 19): I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the Chabad movement, which treats all Jews with love and strives to increase unity among the Jewish people.

However, love and respect were glaringly absent in the manner in which Chabad’s governing council forced Chani Lifshitz, a Chabad emissary in Nepal, to withdraw from lighting a torch on Independence Day. The letter ordering Lifshitz to decline the invitation even included an implicit threat that failure to comply would jeopardize her children’s education.

This well-deserved honor could have showcased to the entire country the wonderful work that Chabad does with Jews of all stripes. Instead, insensitivity and meanness prevailed. The bitter pill that

Lifshitz had to swallow was compounded by the fact that the letter failed to state the reason for the decision, raising suspicions that the governing council’s motives were indeed nefarious.

To her credit, Lifshitz reacted to this grave insult with dignity and grace, refusing to be drawn into the torch-lighting controversy. These esteemed rabbis could use a primer on treating others with respect – perhaps a remedial course taught by Lifshitz is in order.

KENNY FISHER Jerusalem

BEG TO DIFFER, EDITOR

Regarding Barry Newman’s letter (“Polite Pedalers,” Letters, June 19) and Elliott Wartski’s response (“Enabling Editor,” Letters, June 26), I wish to point out that I found Newman’s letter about the Danish cycling culture (and the probable behavior of Israelis, should such measures be adopted in Israel) interesting and enlightening, while finding Wartski’s response, which insulted the letter writer and failed to relate to the subject matter of the letter, superfluous.

I feel convinced that I am speaking on behalf of many readers when I request that the Magazine also takes “under advisement” my positive and interested reaction to Newman’s letter – and the contents of it. RHONA YEMINI

Givatayim