Renee, 85, Inbal Hadar, 25, a law school student, and Moon, a 4-year-old dog

Inbal and Renee met today for the first time during their regular stop at the neighborhood bench. Renee, who declined to give her last name, came to Israel 44 years ago from Romania. She still carries in her wallet a picture of herself at the age of 25. She was beautiful. Her daughter and two grandchildren live in America.

Renee: “When my husband was alive, I used to go vote. Now I don’t know. If I feel ‘O’ that day, I will go vote for Olmert.”

Inbal: “There is uncertainty and mistrust. I decided to overcome it and to vote for a party that supports the environment or for the Retirees’ Party so there will be someone to fight for them. I will not vote for either one of the three big parties.”

Inbal: “I hope that before Election Day, I will decide what cause is more important for me. I live in Tel Aviv and the air is polluted, so it is important to me, but I also care for the retirees. I’m sad the government cut their pensions, and it is hard for them to maintain a decent livelihood.”