S'fira Update

This post started before Pesach but I never finished it up, so bare with me.

Before Pesach

Chevron Chevron Meaz Ulitamid Chevron!

We had a Bar Mitzvah in Hevron for our good friends Michael and Ilana Fischbergers son Gabi. They arranged to have buses go from Efrat where they live. So Turs. morning we drove to Efrat from RBS at 7:45AM and got there 8:15AM when the buses were supposed to leave. B"H we got a great spot a the Efrat Mtnas right behind the bus. Most people were from Eftat and did not have cars. Some came from Jerusalem, and some friends from the US as well.

Both Grandparents came fro the US, David and Hanna Fischberger and Rabbi and Mrs. Avi Weiss from the Hebrew Institute of Riverdale. The Fischbergers are old time family friends with my in laws, and Elkie and my former employer both at the Hebrew Day School of Baldwin where Elkie taught a while and I ran a choir and at Camp Lavi where Elkie did Chinuch and I was the music director for a number of summers.

Elkie pointed out that she is amazed the on a Thursday morning 3 bus loads of people were just heading out to Chevron for a bar Mitzva. In the sates you can only do that on a Sunday and expect people to show up. Another example of how life resolves around life in Israel.

When we got to Mearat Hamachpela for Shacharit, I saw an Israeli couple taking pictures of each other and offered to get a shot of them together. On our way in the fellow asked me if it's ok for a Kohen to enter Mearat Hamachpela??? good question I didn't know, so I quickly called Benzi Thee our cousin who is a Kohen he infomed me the Rav Dov Lior said basically it's fine in most of the place. Although there are different rooms for all the Avot and Imaot, the actual cave is under the floor away from where we were. The fellow was happy to here that.

During duchening I saw Rabbi Weiss go up as one of the Kohanim and realized that he agrees it's fine for a Kohen. Rabbi Avi Weiss is very involved in Jewish activism especially of behalf of Israel. When shacharit was over I reminded him of the following story:

1st some background

When we were in camp Lavi one summer, and I had just started learning about Yishuv Eretz Yisrael by picking up some seforim in the Kollel like "To Dwell in the Palace" plus I was always concerned about what was happening in Israel like many of you reading this in Chul are. At that time I really started getting interested in the whole idea of Aliya, But I truly had a complete lack of Torah guidance on the subject of Aliya.

I tried to Explain to Elkie in the Yeshivas I went to growing up not only did we not sing the Hatikva EVER or do anything on Yom Haatzmaut, we didn't even know what they they were. They were never discussed it in Yeshiva of Spring Valley or any of the high-schools I went to. We learned about Yishuv Eretz Yisrael and Aliya about as much as Quantum Physics.

Baruch Hashem my parents decided to move to Israel from 1980-1984 at least we had a taste of Israel. Plus on Yom Haatzmaut we went to some parks and heard the "H" word Haatzmaut. I learned the Hatikva as a musician playing gigs for Shuls that wanted me to sing it.

Back to the story

So Rabbi Weiss came to Camp Lavi for a Shabbos and he is gona speak for the counselors. That would be to a bunch of single guys and girls who are interested in guys and girls. Being the open minded person I claim to be, I decided to see what he can possibly say that would have any interest to these kids. If you never heard Rabbi Weiss speak, think of him as an Uncle you like who really cares about you and talks to you like you were his only grandson. To my surprise the room was packed, (maybe it was mandatory for counselors to show up)

First he asked what is a Zionist? Then he explained it is someone who believes in the idea of the Jewish people returning to the Land of Israel and does so! He continued so I can not even consider myself a Zionist since I live in the US. The most I can say is I support Zionists.

Then He looks around the room and asks everyone with a serious and sincere tone, what are the Jewish peoples job here in this world??? Wow was it quite. a few people mumbled to do Mitzvos or whatever, didn't sell well. When everyone gave up. He quoted the Navi that says we are supposed to be "a light onto the nations" Or Lagoyin. or as Moshe Feiglin more specifically signs all his letters לתקן עולם במלכות שדי "To perfect the world in the Kingdom of Hashem" from Alenu.

R. Weiss continues, in order for US to be a NATION that is a light onto the Nations, Hashem gave us a land called Eretz Yisrael in which to BUILD this exemplary nation. This can not be done in Riverdale, Long Island, Brooklyn or NJ it must be done in Israel. In other words Hashem gave Am Yisrael, Eretz Yisrael to fulfill it's destiny. That is our purpose in this world.

(Then continues R. Weiss), If I can go back in time and change one thing, I should have made Aliya when I was younger. (The room was dead silent), It's not that I haven't done good things here in the USA (which he has done plenty) it's just that I am not part of that Jewish destiny here. (I wasn't blinking). Then he continues, well you can say why don't I go now??? your right, I can go now. BUT it's much harder when you get older, I have a community here, commitments family. He continued, You guys are all single and young, if you want to go a college here and get a degree no problem go for it, but after that SERIOUSLY consider making your future in Israel and be part of Jewish destiny forever, It's MUCH easier to do this when you are young.

I was in a state of shock. I NEVER heard a Rabbi speak so frankly about Israel and Aliya especially admitting that he made a mistake about this or anything for that matter. In the Yeshivas I went to Rabbi Avi Weiss would probably not even be considered a serious Rabbi, yet I KNEW that he was speaking the Emet (truth) and this was the Torah and Hashems perspective on the issue. I told Rabbi Weiss that his passionate speech was the straw the broke the camels back for me. He appreciated the feedback, I then asked when he is joining us, he said B"H soon.

Hashem should help him get here soon.

I was at the Bank on Friday and picked a number to get in line, it was number 770. Since it was at number 739 I figured I have about a 10 minute wait. So I took my ticket with me got some fresh Norwegian Salmon from Dubi Dagim for sushi then went back to the bank. When it was my turn I showed the bank teller my number and said I guess I'm Chabad today. She got the joke an laughed. In case you don't know Chabad's head-courters are located at 770 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights. Plus in Kabbala there is a lot of significance to the number 7, 7 days of the week, 7 years to Shmita, 7 cycles to Yovel. Sufice to say Habad puts a lot of significance to 770. To be an all good sport, I stopped by the Chabad Shul located at the bottom of the Merkaz (Shopping Center) and left the 770 ticket on a bookshelf, who knows maybe it will make someones Shabbos. I like the daily simple little things in Israel that can only happen here. I don't think Stefanie at Capital One in Flushing would understand what 770 is.

The only story I can share about 770 is when we went to Ariella Morahs wedding Nechama Katlarsky who taught her at Gan Chamesh Chabad of the 5 towns. It was raining the entire time. However the Chuppah was set to be outside of 770 rain or shine. All the people were at the chuppah with Umbrellas including us. There aren't that many other people we would have stood outside with umbrellas for at their chuppah, but Morah Nechama is very special and we would stand in the rain for her. As she came out of the building, We saw the wind blowing the clouds away, and it stopped raining. She walked down the isle, went though the chuppah, Not a drop of rain, then after the chuppah was over, her chosson stepped on the glass we all went inside and the rain resumed.

טסת שנתי

Ulpan time do you know what טסת means?

Ok times up...

TEST

hweeeeeeewww that was tough!

A written test is a מבחן but a car test is a טסת!

Something you do not look forward too. Anyway I go for may annual test or in the US inspections, after a whole fiasco of getting the car approved when I imported it last year I thought this would be easy. WRONG! Think again. I took Yehuda with me to the test, thought it would be fun. The guys at the test place were nice and friendly I was chatting with them about the car, I showed them the "AISH" licence plate on my dashboard had some small talk, I thought everything was fine. When I was done they told me to go to the office to pay. The lady shows me the paperwork with about 7 violations! Needs turning signals on the side, change the direction of the tailpipe, a fire extinguisher, safety vest, rear reflection stickers, a blown bulb, and Shinu Mivne. Apparently the car was registered the wrong way and I had to change the registration! in Talpiyot Jerusalem. I went to My mechanic across the street. It was Tur. he told me to leave it by him he will fix it all up, to make sure he is in a good mood I told him to change the oil while he's at it. I switched to synthetic oil in Israel, which you change one a year and is more expensive. It should have been about 1000NIS total. Yehuda and I were now stuck in Beit shemesh with out transportation home, I tried hitching but did not succeed, so we walked to the MAIN entrance of Beit Shemesh by BIG shopping center and got on the 14 bus. Yehuda likes the bus, which goes through the entire Beit Shemesh Rama Alef and Beit. 50 min later we were home. When we were getting off I asked if there was a more direct line and was told the 12 goes from BIG though the back-road to RBS-A about half the time, next time.

Sun they call me to come down to get the car, Motti the owner shows me the tie-rods by the front wheels were very loose so he changed them and did a wheel alignment, it was over 4000NIS in total big difference. The car does feel good now. It would have been nice to have known this before getting there. I go to Jerusalem to the old Misrad Hrishu to find Gal. Gal means wheel and this guy in in charge of approving all the wheels in Jerusalem. Perfect name for him. He looks at the paperwork and looked at the car, then asked who approved this car? I said YOU! so he made a face went inside wrote some stuff up, then told me to go have the car weighed. I zoomed out found the place had it weighed, about 2000 kil. Went back to him, he then approved it again but changed the tile to a commercial vehicle. Apparently that what needs to be done for all Vans. He must of messed it up the 1st time.

Yosef just had tournaments for Kong Fu and is getting better at flips and cartwheels. He gets to practice with Yehuda quite a bit too.

Right before pesach Ani Levin A"H had an Hakamat Mazeva (Unavailing) at the Beit Shemesh Cemetary. I went. Her brother Avi Feldman and his son Heshy Feldman were in for Pesach as well as Ani's daughter Aviva & Zalmie Unsdorfer from England along with the Thees and some other people.

The in-laws are here!

That's right my in-laws came for Pesach they decided to keep 1 day like we do in Israel.

That's the position of the Chacham Tzvi, Rav Kook, Rav Salanter of Jerusalem, and my Rav, HaRav Dovid Bar Haim. They say it doesn't matter who you are or where you live, when you are in Israel you keep 1 day, when you are in Chutz Laaretz you keep 2 days. That is the Takana, like duchening and all other matters.

They had a great time enjoyed the Seder. They couldn't get over how Yosef read the whole Hagada and understood what was going on. We explained that he understands Hebrew plus learned all of Shemos which is in the Hagada quite a bit, so he knows what's going on.

1st day chol hamoed we went to Genay Yehoshua or known as Yarkon Park in Tel Aviv. Yehuda brought his NEW bike that Grandma got him. It was very nice, my mother-in-law didn't seem to have a problem hanging out in the park instead of having a 2nd seder and 2nd day yom tov.

The next day we went to dear Park in the gush with the boys. They have the 2nd longest zip line in the world, it goes from one mountain to the next.

Yehuda is Bob the builder Jr.

And loves to hold and touch pets

It was a bit sad to see this sign, which belongs in Gush Katif.

When we were done we made a BB'Q in a park in the Gush.

Ari Walfish (Big one) from Monsey Favie and Chanies son came to us for Shabbat, and seemed to have a nice time. We showed him Shiras Math in Hebrew, he seemd to be the only one who understood it so far. We'll show it to my dad when he comes for Shavuoth.

Ari Walfish Jr. Our nefew Naftoly an Yales son came to Israel with his Safta, he stayed by us for a week. He is Yosefs age and had a great time together.

He spent Lag B'omer here and helped prepare a big bonfire with Yosef and his friends.

Naftoly told me to do interesting things with Ari, things that will have an impact on him and that he would remember. So I took him and Yosef for the 1st time to the Har Habait! I took them to the Mikvah with me for the 1st time, and explained to them that the Har Habait is serious and not a playground. We met with Moshe Feiglin and some freinds and they behaved very well.

from the south

from the east

from the west

We told Ari his job is to come back to Israel next time with the rest of his family for good!

He promised to do so, were counting on Ari.

Purim Sameach

I just finished up the post for Chanukah as well so you can check out the next post too.

I'll get to Purim soon but 1st some catchup.

Uncle Reuvaine and Sacotta Speigel now Shefi-Gal שפי-גל Made a Bar Mitzva for their sons Bar Mitzvah after Chanukah. For those who don't know, when my grandmother Frimmy who'm all the Frimmy's are named after passed away (before I was around) my fathers father Paul Zt'l married Sara Speigel. To us growing up as kids in Monsey she was Bobby Sarah. She had a bunch of children from her 1st marriage some of whom moved to Monsey and davened with us in Beis Yisrael like the 1st Shul in Monsey ever. In particular we Walfish boys always remembered Reuvane and Tolly they were our local uncles. After My grandfather Paul passed away when I was 5 they moved on and we didn't see much of them.

After we moved to the 5 towns sent our girls to Shulamith where Niomi Hishberg (The Older sister) codirects and Yosef to south shore where R. Chanina Hertzberg is the Principal, we became reacquainted and very close with the Hertzbergs. When we moved to Far-Rockaway for 3 years we even popped in to their house from time to time. When I came to check out RBS after we started building the house, I knew Reuvaine was in RBS and Tully had JUST made Aliya. I visited both of them, and over time have become close with them. Reuvain is a very special guy who has a great positive attitude and is always doing things for others. B"H we have already shared in a number of smachot together and look forward to more B"H.

Left to right after the beam; Tully, Marvin Jatkowitz, Friend, Reuvane, Bubby Sara,

Bina, Bar Mitzva Boy, Tirza, Elkie, Sacotta with new granddaughter, Me.

Bina and Elkie

Bina also has a daughter living in RBS so for her this is a natural place to visit when she is a way from the 5 towns.

Our Brother and sisterinlaw Jay and Nehama Blumenreich from Ranana made a Bat Mitzvah at the Azrieli Center Circular Tower in Tel Aviv. Great place great food. They made arrangements to cover everyones parking which made everyones evening. Jay seems to be getting over his Blumenaspendaphobia very well now. Nehama spoke spectacularly as usual. The entire complex if very modern and state of the art. There is a Mall at the bottom of 3 towers. A Square, Triangle and Circle. We were are the top of the circle building, apparently they just completed the square one so now it is complete. Definitely worth checking out if you are in Tel Aviv.

The only thing that surprised me was when I was looking to wash for Motzei. I asked the lady behind the bar where the Netilat Yadayim station was, she said wash in the bathroom! In NY this would not bother me at all, but being that we are in Israel and most people wash before eating, I would have liked to have seen a washing station especially in an upscale nice restaurant but I guess it wasn't in the blue print. On my way to the bathroom I bumped into the Mashgiach, and made a comment to him, he apologized and took me to a restaurant across the hall that had a washing station. He told me most of the parties in the party room are Chiloni so they don't have a station. I told him they should have one and give the people a choice since at least there is a chance someone MAY wash if they can see the station from their table. He agreed with me, I then showed Elkie and the kids where to wash, and we all had a great time.

Top of the tower

Yehuda is bob the builder jr. and a very busy little dude B"H, he goes to gan loves doing things with me like fixing things around the house, drilling holes, I taught him the difference between a flat head and fillips screwdriver. I was once on a latter and asked Elkie to hand me a needle nose plier from the tool box, she said huuuu??? so Yehudah ran over to the tool box and got me the needle pliers for an assortment of pliers and wrenches. He helps me spray the bugs off the orange tree, we go on lots of tiyulim and every now and then he catches up on his drumming.

Press Play

Mid winter vacation visitors

Ariellas BFFL Naomi Krupka came to Israel for the 1st time. In case you are wondering BFFL is Best friend for LIFE! duhh. They became best friends when we moved to Far Rockaway and remained so even when Ariella went to a different school Kahal, till now. She came as a Bat Mitzva present with her parents. Rayla Krupka is our cousin Heshy Feldmans wife Eves sister. So Ariella and Niomi are kinda related too. They were very happy to see each other. I helped Ariella find a Broken heart necklace on Ebay that says "Best Friends For Life" it's a heart split in half with 2 chains, when you put them together they are complete. Hopefully the Krupkas will be here more often and more permanently so they can match it up all the time.

Ariella and Niomi

Shimon and Yehudis Levi were here for a bit, we were trying to get together but they were busy visiting the children and grandchildren and we were busy with life. We have an open door to anyone visiting and understand when people are busy and can't make it here on a short trip, we managed to meet them Motzei Shabbos and took them to the airport we ate bagels in the car on the way to the airport and and a nice chat.

Aunt Chani Walfish came in for a short visit too, we spoke on the phone but she headed down to Eilat for a few days and ended up settling for the phone chat.

Chavie Epstein popped in one day, she was staying by sisterinlaws in Beit Shemesh, so it was a local stop for her. She came with Sarah who is a regular guest by us. Apparently Chavie and I share a lot of the same opinions about the Chinuch system or should I say LACK of Chinuch system in the the US. She was happy to hear about Yosefs Talmud Torah and how he is doing. He just started sefer Devorim in 3rd grade B"H.

Chavie, Shara Epstein and the boys by the Orange tree

That's it! We officially have a Tipesh-Esrei in the house. Shira just turned 15! She is doing very well in school B"H working very hard, we took her out to Burgers Bar for her Birthday oooooooo'

The Burgers bar in 5 towns and Brooklyn started here, remember that next time you stop by Burgers bar.

The other week we went to a BarMitzva at the Kotel of Elkies good friend Rachel and Seth Kellers son. They had another one last year and we posted pictures then. We got a great parking spot at the top of the Old City before going down. On the way down to the Kotel it started Snowing Hailing Big time, if you look closely at the photo you can see it. Yehuda was laughing it was the 1st time he saw snow and the 1st time for us since we are here. It's NOT like snow flakes in NY they are little white snow balls. Compared to a flake they are big and thicker.

We had a delicious breakfast at "Between the Arches" behind the Kotel great food again! When we were done we headed up towards our car, I said let check out Aish Hatoras new building. They just finished it and put a Large model of the 2nd Temple on the roof. We walked around a bit and found it, went in and asked to see the roof, the woman asked if we were with a group I said no just us, BUT Aaron Hoch is my uncle. She said ohhh he was just here, sure no problem. Like they say it's not what you know but who you know. "Protexya" Thanks Aaron. If your ever want to check out the Aish roof just say you know Aaron:)

They did a great job with the place, and you have a nice view of the temple mount with the golden dome currently occupying it. B"H we should be around to watch them build the 3rd temple on it. We hen went shopping in Geulah for some Purim stuff. That was lots of fun. Yosef stayed in Yeshiva that was more important.

When we were all done we tried calling Rav Chaim Pinchas Sheinberg since we wanted to stop by and get a bracha with the kids. He is Bli Ayin Hara 99 years old. One of the Major Tzazikim alive today. He was living in America in the early 1928's ]went to Europe to learn in the Mir. He met with the Chofetz Chaim and is well known for wearing 100 pairs of tzizith for secret reasons. He was married to his late wife for over 80 years one of the longest marriages in recorded history. We have our own history with him. When Elkie went with a few friends to get a bracha for Shiduchim, he only told Elkie she will meet her Bashert soon. When Elkie get back to her room THAT night, her mother told her Moshe Fruchtandler called while she was at Rabbi Sheinberg about me. We have other supernatural stories with him as well. Suffice to say he is the REAL deal. I think Elkie just wanted her money back:)

We found his place in Matisdorf were waiting outside a few minutes till 4PM when he meets people. Then we knocked on his door. There was no answer. After a few minutes we figured perhaps he is not in. As we were leaving a young bachur came out of the elevator to go into the apartment, he told us the Rav is in ENGLAND at 99 years old doing some fundraising for his Yeshiva Torah Ohr!!!

I told the kids I don't want to hear any more complaints about anything ever until they are 100! He gave us his cell phone and said Motze Shabbos is a good time call first.

So we took a picture of his door and left. We called back Motzei Shabbos and he said come on over. We all jumped in the car including Yosef this time and zoomed over. He is very alert for someone 99. Apparently he doesn't sleep much at night since he doesn't want to miss shachris at Netz. After he gave us brochos I told him I give him a bracha Until 120.

Menachem Lerer that's My Brother Menachems nephew called he was in Israel and wanted to pop in. We get friendly with him when we were in Far Rockaway all the kids know him.

He jumped on the 417 bus from Jerusalem and was here in an hour. Yehuda found a new buddy.

And FINALLY Purim!

Purim in RBS really Rocks! Har Nof and Bayit vagan were the Major places in Jerusalem but RBS has now rightfully become a major attraction on Purim. People used to go flocking to Har Nof but now Shira had a friend from Har Nof sleeping here. Since Jerusalem celebrates Shushan Purim the next day Shira go to go there as well. I have a friend in Shul R. Ari Enkin who claims that The Ancient Tel Beit Shemesh was a walled in city at the time the Jews entered Israel. Since it is connected to Modern Beit Shemesh we should celebrate Shusham purim too. He does both days. Chaim Heinaman was at us a few weeks ago telling us his Yeshiva Beis Yisrael is sending 3 buses to RBS that's the whole Yeshiva!

The days before Purim it RAINED and Rained and Rained! we needed that, but were all hoping it would stop on purim. One of my friends said we need rain let it rain. I said if Hashem waited this long he can put it on pause for a bit and resume after purim. Fri night like clockwork it stopped raining so people can go to shul. It rained while we were in shul, then stopped so we can get home dry, then all Fri night poured buckets. After seeing this happen many times in the US as well it's amazing that people can think Hashem doesn't get involved in our lives.

I was supposed to play the Aish Kodesh Purim Party After Shabbos OUTDOOR with a 3 piece band, Rain would kill it and there is not enough room inside. I think our Rebbi Rav Shapiro (The Piazezna Rebbi) was davening that it should pause Motzash. Considering that he is a real Tzadik, I think his teffilla was answered it stopped enough for a great purim party, it was a bit cold but I got some heaters blowing on my hands which helped. LOTS of people came from all over. It was great.

Shira was a Show girl, Ariella a tie-die thing, Yosef a Ninja and Yehuda a Chayal, I was Breslav and Elkie was a Mommy.

Purim day it did not stop. People were knocking on the door all day. Yeshiva Boschrim coming in the house dancing. People collecting, Our block was packed with people. Cars with people hanging out if it. Yosef found a pirate walking down the street and challenge him to a dual.

Pirate vs. Ninja

When Chaim Heinaman and the boys came it started raining pretty hard so they hung out by us a bit. He grew his hair long so he could shave it and look like and old man. We eat the seuda by our friends the Michaels, I took an hour nap then had to run to Jerusalem for a Shushan Purim party gig for Shalavim for Woman in Bayit Vagan. I played for them last year I guess they liked it.

I'll TRY to post more often and shorter.

Till next time Shalom.

Chanukah Sameach חנוכה שמח

Chanuka, Chanukah, Hanuka, Hanukah,
Chanika, Chanikah, Hanika, Hanikah, Sameach

or Just חנוכה שמח

hweeeew!!!

It's great to celebrate Chanukah once again is Israel.
If your in America imagine all the Xmas stuff you see everywhere,
Supermarkets, Banks, Post Office, Streets, Rest Stops, etc...
then imagine instead of Santa and all those trees, Chanukiyas Draidles
SUFGANIYOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!

It really is cool!!! Everyone is into it. It truly is the one thing that unites everyone in Israel no matter where they live or come from.

Motzash we went to Jerusalem Uncle Aaron and Aunt Feigy Hoch from Toronto were in visiting their kids, so they threw a Chanuka party near Frimmy and Yitzchoks Levies old apartment.

I was nice to see them.

On Mon. I went with my friend Dovid Shirel from Chevron to check out the Sheraton in Ramat Gan by Tel Aviv, for the upcoming Manhigut Yehudit Dinner in Israel. Elkie drove me the entrance of Ramat Beit Shemesh about 3 miles from our house and Dovid stopped at the entrance on Rt 38 to pick me up. We check it out, nice hotel nice people half of the staff are Chareidim from Bnei Brak. I had about 5 sufganioy they were everywhere.

Last years dinner was in Jerusalem. Dovid said it's funny when they were thinking of making the dinner in Tel Aviv he said ehhhhh I'm not sure if I want to do it there who knows what we may have to deal with. Meanwhile when it was in Jerusalem we were dealing mosly with Arabs. The head waiter and other staff members, but in Tel Aviv we are dealing with Chareidim!

Go figure, That's another big lesson of why it's silly to label people and places.

Tuesday Night Yoel Baruchen that's Roni and Aviva Oldest son, got married at Binyame Hauma in Jerusalem to Nechemi Hammer. She is very sweet was very with it at the Kabbalat Panim, Elkie and I introduce ourselves to her, we are the Olim cousins. Oooooooohhhhhh
It's pretty cool we sort of have this celebrate status here. You should try it out some time.

I told her I have seen over 2000 Kallahs at there wedding and she was very PRESENT in the moment, taking it all in. The Chuppah was on the roof and everything was very nice Israeli style wedding. Yossi & Tzipora came in. So far I am the Only Walfish that made both Baruchin kids weddings, I was also at Shiras wedding 6 years ago. You guys can catch up on the next 2 B"H.

Trips:

Most schools are off however, Yosef is in a Talmud Torah. They just finished Bamidbar and will finish Devorim by the end of the year. Then they will finish all of Nach, and Mishnayos.

Suffice to say every day counts. However we took Yosef out on Thurs and went to Masada. Shira and Ariella both took a friend with them. The last time I was there was about 26 years ago. Well it's still there! Shira decided to hike up the mountain with her friend, we decided to take the cable car up and PERHAPS hike DOWN. since the hike up normally takes 1&1/2hours + and the cable car takes 10 min. we decided to kill some time before our assent. So we ate lunch. Elkie liked that. EVERY time we get to ANY place "LETS EAT LUNCH!" can I digest my breakfast???

Noooooo lets eat lunch. My dear Mother is the same way. Well positive side is, less things to shlep around, if you can still move. We took the cable car up and apparently shira made it before we got into the cable car. She made it in 38min! pretty good.

Mount Masada

We met my percussionist from NY Gilad at the top. I haven't seen him in 2 years. I gave him a big hug. He is from Israel was living in NY a few years then came back to Israel. He was touring with some of the top Latin bands in the world and is one of the finest percussionists I have ever seen. Plus he is a real mench. It was a real privilege to work with him a number of years.

I was on on a gig with him and somehow we started talking about the Torah, so he made some sort of face. So I ask him you don't believe G-d gave us the Torah? So he shyly said I don't believe in G-d! I was shocked! I have worked with many Israelis and never heard that, especially from a musician. So I ask him how do you think we got here? so he spit out to crap he probably heard from some high-school or college professor, from Amoebas etc...

So I looked at him and said "Gilad tell me something, how is is possible for you to play with SUCH soul if there is no G-d???" He was speechless and smiled. If you've ever hear Gilad he is not just a Great Percussionist (and drummer) I know plenty of Top Broadway show percussionist as well, Gilad plays with soul, even if your not a musician you can hear it. He knows that more and Anyone. We have been very close since then. I just wish I had some larger gigs here in Israel so I can call him and jam with him again.

Elkie Yehuda Yosef and Shira and friend took the cable car down, Ariella her friend and I walked down, it took over an hour and Yes at my age it is not easy. But B"H we made it.

Friday Yosef was off. We had a local group of people in Beit Shemesh getting together to take an office tiyul hike/tour of the mountains south of Ramat Beit Shemesh. I toolk Yosef and Yehuda. Our guide was Gil a fellow Israeli I know a bit who davens at the Carlebach shul. He knows the mountains cold. We walked around and saw the old ruins of entire old civilizations that used to live right here in RBS. They dug 20 Meter wells and dug water collecting systems out of the bare rocks. It is pretty amazing, he wanted us to all make sure they don't just bulldoze over the entire area which is officially a national park and nature reserve to build new housing.

Ramat Beit Shemesh Alef in the background

Very Ancient Water systems carved in the Rocks

I have very mixed feelings, on one hand he is right we want to preserve the past, on the other hand if they said the same thing about RBS A where we live there would be a town there now.

There have to be a way that both can work. Perhaps build in the lots of places that do not have ruins there 1st, then if you do go into certain areas and find some thing of significance, perhaps preserve it even in the middle of a modern new city. I met the Mayor of beit Shemesh Moshe Abutbol at Yehudas play in gan, I told him about an old mikvah right up the block from the gan, and that people just though garbage in it, It should be cleaned up and preserved. He said he will come back with his antique guy and look into it. Well see what happens.

Till next time.