WELCOME HOME NAGEL FAMILY!

There's a lot to catch up on since I haven posted in a while, but being that this is an Aliya blog the most significant thing that has happened in a while is that Yitzi and Aviva Nagel and family made Aliya yesterday Aug 3 2010. B"H

WELCOME HOME NAGEL FAMILY!

Apparently Yitzi's new name is Itzik. Perfect for an Israeli name, he'll fit right in. Yitzi's mom Shirley is my fathers 1st cousin, that makes us 2nd cousins. Aviva's family Silber lives in Israel in Neve Alisa in Karne Shomron. Of course they were there to greet them as well and were very excited and emotional.

I'm sure it was hard for the Nagles in America to bid farewell to them, however now they will have a great reason to come to Israel more often. Yitzi and Aviva have fulfilled the dreams of the Jewish people for close to 2000 years and are changing the destiny of their children to be a part of Jewish History in the Amazing process of Kibbutz Galuyot. The Nagles should be VERY proud of Yitzi and Aviva for making this courageous and bold move. Our Ariella made a welcoming sign for them and Yehuda finished coloring it in in the car on the way to the airport.

Nefesh Bnefesh organizes a great welcoming party as usual. They have food, cappuccinos, iced coffee. Apparently all the summer welcoming ceremonies for the 13 Nefesh Bnefesh chartered flights are booked, I guess it's good we registered a while back when we did.

We saw the Mayer of Beit Shemesh Moshe Abutbol there as well to greet Olim. Apparently 13 family's on the flight are moving to Beit Shemesh. We heard the there are 180 new Olim Children coming to Beit Shemesh this summer. That's enough for a new school!

Moshe Abutbol Mayer of Beit Shemesh (in sunglasses and suite)

There were about 85 singles on the plane who are joining the Israeli Army the current Israeli President Shimon Peres was at the bottom of the plane to greet the Olim soldiers. He shook every boys hand and kissed every girl.

We saw some other people we know on the plane. Rabbi Dovid Gottleib the young Rabbi of Shomrei Emuna in Baltimore left his promising and Prestigious pulpit and was on the flight with his family. Kol Hakavod Rabbi! They will be coming to RBS. The most effective way of teaching people in CHUL about Israel and Aliya is by example. Rabbi Gottleib joins at least 10 other pulpit rabbis who made Aliya this past year. The Rabbis are starting to lead the way.

R. Dovid and Ilana Gottleib and family

Stuart Katz and family were in the flight. They are friends from Woodmere. Their daughter Dafna was in our Ariellas class. Stewart got us a great deal on tickets with Israir a few years ago for the trip before we made Aliya perhaps the sefer torah was the one they used to use in the Israir flights. They are moving to Chashmonayim.

Stuart Katz

Our friends Shuli Germans last sister and family in the US were on the flight. All their siblings are here, now it the Parents turn. Each Aliya brings the possibility of a whole family living in Israel much closer, but someone has to make the 1st move.

Yitzi Aviva and family will be living in Ariel the largest city in the Shomron. We hope they come to us for a Shabbat and or a BBQ and wish them a GREAT and successful Klita. Perhaps we can bump them up from 2nd cousins to 1st cousin status. We hope to see more family from the US joining us here in Israel real soon. You can watch the Nefesh Bnefesh video of the Aliya at http://www.nbn.org.il/live

Marvin and Tirtza Jatkowitz from Monsey are the next Olim coming B"H at the end of the month. Tirza's mother Bubby Sarah was married to my grandfather Paul, stay tuned.

We had a VERY Special Shabbat guest, Jessica Myers from Lawrence. She is Danny and Frimmy Dalia Myers daughter and uncle Heshy and Aunt Esther's granddaughter. She is in Israel for the summer on a trip with "Mach Hach Baaretz". She had one Shabbat off from the program and decided to share it with us. We are very honored and happy she came. She came early on Fri. and never saw Beit Shemesh, She was curious to see town. I asked her if she likes Sushi and she said yes. So we decided to go shopping for sushi ingredients.

Elkie and Jessica

I took Jessica and Yehuda along. 1st we went to the fish store and got fresh salmon. Then we went to Shefa Shuk (the supermarket) on the OFF chance they would have avocados. I explained to Jessica that they are now out of season and very hard to find. They are normally 10-12NIS a kilo and if we are lucky enough to even find them they would be about 25-28NIS a kilo.

We walked into the store and saw avocados, as I was looking for the price, a woman standing there said they just announce the avocados are 6NIS a kilo. I said REALLY???

she said no kidding. I guess Jessica brought Mazal with her. We picked out 3 good and soft ones for shabbat and got another 4 hard ones for the next week.

When we got to the cashier a funny thing happened, she rang up the avocados and saw 6NIS a kilo. and said really is that the price, I said yes they are on sale. She checked us out, closed her register, and told the people behind us she'll be right back, she then ran to the avocados to get some for her family for shabbat. We were laughing only in Israel. We went home and made great sushi for shabbat. I showed Jessica some new sushi tricks, watch out Supersol of 5 towns, you now have some competition. Jessica helped before during and after Shabbat, she is very friendly and has excellent Midot, great job Lawrence Walfish's.

Going back in time, Yehuda had a party for his gan which was very nice.

Yosef gets a big Mazal Tov! he made a Siyum on Chamishe Chumshie Torah. (the 5 books of Moses) His yeshiva made a BIG siyum event and the big rabbis in town came to celebrate with them as well as Mayer Moshe Abutbol. It makes you feel like you really belong here when the Mayer of your city comes to honor 3rd grade making a siyum on the Torah. Well it's now official Yosef learned more by 3rd grade then I did by 8th grade! Next year they start Mishnayos and finish Navi.

And finally:

Since we have been here 2 years, I was looking for a good air show to bring the family to. When I was in Camp Sdei Chemed in 1982 they took us to a spectacular air show which I will never forget. Although we went to the Tel Nof air base on Yom Haatzmaut to see planes and 1 or 2 flying, that was not a full air show, and I could not find one anywhere else.

In the beginning of the summer I was looking and the Nefesh Bnefesh yahoo group and saw a message that they have tickets for the air-force graduation ceremony which hosts a full air show. I immediately signed up for the FREE tickets at the Nefesh Bnefesh website. Good thing I did that they got rid of the 200 tickets they got right away. I had to drive to Jerusalem in Fri to pick up the exclusive tickets for the show in Sun. Apparently this was a full dress and flying rehearsal for the actual graduation later that week.

Exclusive tickets thanks Nefesh Bnefesh

Sunday we drove to the Hatzrim Air Base in Ber Sheva and saw a spectacular Air-show. Security was very tight there were soldiers everywhere, and you were NOT getting in without those tickets.

Before the show we checked out some of the planes helicopters missiles and equipment. Yehuda only wanted to where his Chayal uniform. He was the hit of the air base everyone loved him.

Soldier Boy

Hercules

Sikorsky

F16 fighter plane

Many planes were flying in unison in tight formation doing incredible stunts. If you have never seen an F16 flying at about 500 miles an hour right over your head, you haven't seen speed! we had to hold our ears for that it was very loud, and very fast. I tried filming the F16 flyover but it but it was to fast for the auto focus to catch it clearly. Of course when the show was over, we got a minyan in the parking lot and davend Mincha and Mariv.

Lots of people

Till next time have a great summer.

Shlomo

The US Walfish's are here.

It's been kind of busy here the last few weeks.

First, as you all know we had the honor of hosting cousin Ari for a week. What a week it was!! Shloimie and I picked him up with his Savta Pittsburgh from the Bet Shemesh train station. they came back to our house for some lunch then Savta went back to her Mother. By the way, i forgot to mention that when we first saw Ari he gave me the BIGGEST hug- it was so great to see him. he grew so much. He is almost as tall as me! and he looks so mature in his new glasses, and boy can he do such cool tricks with those glasses!!

So, we waited anxiously for Yosef to get home from school. I watched for Yosef down the block and when i saw him coming, Ari stood behind the front door to scare him as he walked in. it was so nice seeing Yosef's face when Ari jumped out from behind the door! It was as if they've never been separated! Shira and Ariella were just as happy to see him come in, i don't know if it was him that they were happy to see or if it was the Entenmann's donuts that he brought!!

That was on Tuesday. ..On Wed, Ari and I went food shopping together. I showed him around the store.I bought him some tic tacs and he liked to see the Fruity Pebbles written inn Hebrew.

By the time we got home, Ariella and Yehuda were getting home so he was busy with them for the rest of the day.

Thurs. i had some things to do around the house so Ari hung out and did some reading/hw. Then Shloimie and I took him to the candy store in town. He saw a sour spray candy that he said his Mother would NEVER let him have that. so I, being the good aunt that I am, said "Great, let's buy it!!!" so we did and i think he enjoyed it.

Friday, Ari went to school with Yosef. I packed him lunch, drink and snack like Yosef and he went off to learn. He said it was fun. He liked the fact that Yosef gets "so much recess." He liked it so much that he decided to go back again with him on Sunday, which was a short day bec. it was Lag Ba'omer. We had a fun time here for LAg Baomer. everyone was making Medurot (bonfires) all over the neighborhood. Motzei Shabbos we all went out to light the one that Yosef and his friends' have been working so hard on. We brought hot dogs, marshmellows... We all had a fun but but boy did we smell like fire when it was over!

Also, on Friday when the boys came home from school, Ali and Rechi came over to visit. They wanted to see Ari. We decided to go on a little tiyul with them to Beit Guvrin. They had fun going thru all the caves. Even Ali and Rechi did it. then they left after a little while bec. they needed to get back for shabbat.

Monday, we gave Yosef the day off so he can spend it with Ari doing something fun.

Shloimie got an email that morning that moshe feiglin was going up to the Har Habayit in the afternoon so Shloimie took the boys to the Mikva in the morning then we took them and Yehuda into Yerushalayim. I took Yehuda to the kotel and they did their thing with Moshe.One of Yehuda's friend's from Gan was having surgery that day bec. they found a brain tumor. B"H she is totally fine now but it was very scary so when Yehuda and i went to the kotel, we said some Tehillim for her. He said Tehillim every day for her in Gan so he knew the whole perek by heart. I hope his davening helped her get better!

After the Kotel, Ari only wanted to go bowling but i explained to him that he can do that in America, he didn't come to israel to go bowling! It was Shloimie who recommended it originally but then when it was a choice of Har Habayit or bowling, we opted with bowling, sorry Ari!!

Then we went to Talpiot to a mall there which had the most incredible ice cream. We've haven't tasted ice cream like that since we're here so we all got ice cream then walked around the mall for a while. Yosef and Ari had fun trying on all different kinds/colors of kippot.

tues, Ari was already going back to his Savta. so Shloimie and i drove him back to his Savta Rabba's assisted living in rechovot. the place is GORGEOUS !! they were all sitting down for lunch and Shloimie only wanted to eat there but we decided not to.

On the way there we stopped off at the cemetary for Ari to see Oma and Opa.

It was very hard saying good bye to Ari and his savta. We had such a great time, We hope he comes back to visit us again soon, hopefully with his parents and siblings. and by the way, whoever else wants to visit, please feel free. we have room for everyone.

Thank you to Yael and Naftoli and Ari for sending all the great presents/snacks.. We LOVE it all.

By the way, i asked Ari what the best part of his trip was..... He said "going to the mikvah!!" i guess he really likes swimming.

On to our next visitors-

Mom and Dad arrived here on Wed, morning. The kids (and us) were waiting eagerly for them to arrive. The kids were all in school when they got to our house and then Savta came with me to pick Yehuda up from Gan. He was SO happy to see her.

when the kids all came home, they all got their goodies that Savta and zayde brought. and they were, of course, so happy to see them.

On Thurs. they spent the day in Jerusalem and then on Friday we all packed into our car and headed up north to Kibbutz Lavi for shabbos. We haven't been away for shabbos in so long that i forgot what/how to pack! and I was the queen of packers in NY!!!

Shabbos was so nice in the hotel. Not having to cook or clean off the table was well worth it for me! The food was very good and plenty of it, the kids went to the hotel's playground on shabbos afternoon with Savta and I took the girls swimming after shabbos.

On Shabbos afternoon, the hotel gave a walking tour of the kibbutz. It was so interesting to see how people live so differently on kibbutzim. It reminded me of when we were in Camp Lavi. I kind of feel that we live like that here but in a little more civilized fashion.

Sunday morning we went on a jeep ride for about an hour. Ariella has been BEGGING us to go jeeping for a while so i'm glad we were able to fulfill her wish- FINALLY! Zayde got to sit in front with the driver and the rest of us sat in the back bouncing around. It was really a lot of fun- The breakfast that we had just eaten also enjoyed it but thankfully didn't come up on anyone:)

We were able to see the land that Dad's Father bought many,many years ago. there was (& maybe still is) a discrepancy as to how much land they really own. Nobody was able to figure it out- don't ask me why. but we took pictures of it and Shloimie only wants to build a tzimmer on that land and make lots of money. Too bad there's no running water or electricity there so I don't know how much of an attraction it will be for vacationers!

After the jeep ride the driver dropped us off at the Kibbutz Lavi furniture factory. they made furniture for over 4500 shuls in America, as well as across the world. they make the benches that people sit on in shul. Next time you're in shul check the back of the bench to see if it has a "Lavi" logo. They do beautiful work.

On the way home we stopped off at a place where they show you how bees make their honey and make silkworms. the kids were rather bored and VERY hot and uncomfortable. Dad seemed to have enjoyed it. we ate a small picnic lunch there and Mom and Dad bought us a jar of honey to use for Rosh Hashana-Thanks!

After a nice long weekend, we headed back home and the kids had school on Monday. Mom and Dad went back into Jerusalem and i prepared for shavuos, which was the next day.

Shavuous was very nice. The weather was beautiful. Dad and Shloimie stayed up all night learning in one of the local shuls nearby. Dad was impressed with the Rav, Rabbi Danny Myers, who i happened to go to camp Raleigh with, So i find that funny.

Anyway, when Yom Tov was ending for us, Mom and Dad were preparing for their 2nd day, so we have on video us making havdala and Dad making kiddush.

I guess that's a first in our family. Shloimie and i went out a little after out chag was over and when we came home, the Fass's were here visiting mom and dad. They live in Bet Shemesh now and since yom tov was over for them, they came over to visit.

Isru chag for us (2nd day for them) Yosef went to school for half a day and the other kids were around. We joined Mom and Dad while they ate their lunch. While they were in shul in the morning i did more food shopping for shabbos. we were having Ali, Rechi, Sara Epstein, and chaim Heinemann. So i spent the rest of the afternoon cooking for shabbos,

Dad went to see Yosef learning in Yeshiva

Shabbos was really nice. We were a packed house and B"H we had room for everyone. Chaim slept by his friend who's a neighbor of ours but everyone else slept here and it was so nice getting together with them. We felt bad that ali and rechi have never been to us for a shabbos yet and we hope they will come back again soon.

After Shul, Ali told me that he likes our bungalow colony very much!

Dad sponsored part of the kiddush on shabbos by our local shul across the street since it was his Father's yahrtzeit that day.

Shabbos afternoon Mom and Dad wanted to take Yehuda to the park across the street but Yehuda insisted on finishing his davening. He took out his little siddur and proceeded to daven for about an hour, going thru all the tefillot that he says in gan everyday. He's already got the "RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR" down well, like a real israeli. Dad was quite impressed that he would rather daven than go to the park..what a tzadik!

Motzei Shabbos, some of ali and rechi's kids came to visit Mom and dad. Aviva, Ahron, and Chaiki and their spouses came. We sat outside on the mirpeset, since the weather was gorgeous.

Sunday, mom and dad were leaving back to NY so Shloimie and i went out with them for a little brunch, It was the first time that we had some time alone with them. We enjoyed our brunch except the waitress was having a hard time getting us the water that we asked for about 100 times, other than that the food was delicious. We went to Cafe Ne'eman, which is a favorite of ours.

Mom and Dad left to the airport and B"H had a safe flight home. We hope you come again soon. We always look forward to your visits! and zayde's Hop-a -raytas!!

Now, we are back to normal life (whatever that means.) The heat is slowly creeping up on us. Mom and Dad gave us money towards buying a pool for Yehuda's birthday present. Shloimie decided to upgrade and get a bigger pool that we can all use since it will be a HOT, LONG summer.

Leave it to Shoimie to do tons of research as to which pool to buy and we finally got a nice one that we can all go in.

the kids are enjoying it a lot. It's not as big as shimmy and Rachel's but it's a close second. We put it on our front mirpeset and the kids' suddenly have so many new friends!!!

Yesterday, Shloimie put up a tarp across the front of the mirpeset so that no one can see in.This way the girls and I can go in also.-Thanks Shloimie!!

i think i've just about covered it all until now. Forgive me if i bored you or left any pertinent info out. i've been working on this for 3 days already.

Wishing you all a safe summer. Have fun and stay cool!!

Regards from RBS-

Elkie

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.