Each year The Valley Patriot honors two Valley Patriot writers for outstanding writing or taking the high road in public discourse while also taking very bold stands on some of the most important issues that shape our culture and our community. Columnists, reporters, and even letter writers are eligible for this award. It is given […]
By: Forest Rain – Sept. 2016 “Aren’t you afraid of the soldiers?” the reporter asked the old Arab man. A resident of Jenin, approximately 60 or 70 years old, was sitting on a pile of rubble. He was calmly sitting there, not doing much of anything. He was surprised by the reporter’s question. I watched […]
By: Forest Rain – June, 2016 On June 1, 2001 a Hamas terrorist, walked into a Tel Aviv dance club at the Dolphinarium and blew himself up murdering 21 young Israelis and injuring 132. Jenya Dorfman was 15 years old. The story below is not her story. Jenya’s story is that of a happy, dancing girl. A […]
By: Forest Rain – September, 2014 Or Turning from Gaza, to Hezbollah in the North Parents around the world are familiar with the child’s fear of the dark, the fear of monsters under the bed or in the closet. In most cases this fear is irrational and can be banished by simply turning on the […]
By: Forest Rain in Tel Aviv August, 2014 Again we are hearing news of negotiations for a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel. The world media seems jubilant. I am not. I don’t want a ceasefire. I want peace. Real peace. A ceasefire means ceasing to fire. It makes no mention of putting down weapons, or […]