Bubbytblog

Retirement

2008-06-12T06:53:00.002-04:00

It really is unreal for me. I am finally retiring from my teaching job of the last 29 years!! I have been teaching and in chinuch for 39 years, the past 29 at one job...one class...teaching 3rd grade. It is, at the same time, exciting, scary, It's hitting me, as I clean my desk, and do report cards, record cards etc for the last time.
Well...the excitement of my new career is there...our new venture is fun, lots of hard work, but different kind of self-satisfaction...no more seeing young minds open up when challenged...but also, no more of the chutzpa and downright lack of derech eretz I've seen recently (well, customers can be that way too, but it hurts more when it's from a 9 year old kid!!) Onwards!! hatzlacha to me!!

Puzzling behavior

2007-12-02T07:29:00.000-05:00

On Shabbos Shuva our rav said to pick one mitzvah and try to stick with it. Since I have been really bad about going to shul on Shabbos I thought that should be a good one to start. I have been going to the hashkama minyan almost every week (minus about 2-3) since then and I'm proud of myself. (it was freezing this Shabbos early in the morning!!)

My hubby is gabbai and I love watching him "perform." Every week he gets up to say the Tefillah for the govt, the tefillah for Medinat Eretz Yisrael, and the Tefillah for tzahal.

People sit through all three!! I understand (but don't agree) sitting during the tefillah for the medina since many people don't agree that the state of Israel is "Reishit tzmichat geulateinu"...fine, don't stand for that. But...the tefillah for our government. Even if you don't agree with the policies of the administration and have trouble with them...we're still in the medina shel chessed. Think back in history - In what other countries were Jews allowed the freedom they have here? I always think of the gov't spies spying in shul somewhere in Europe when I say kedusha for mussaf, as that is the supposed reason they put the shma in kedusha.

And the tefillah for "tzva hagannah l'yisrael". Ok, you don't believe in the medina, but we do have a medina and it is tzahal who is defending this medina so that your sons and daughters can learn in relative peace in their yeshivos and seminaries.
Daven for their welfare. It directly impacts on the welfare of those whom you love.

Accents and Learning Chumash

2007-11-05T15:47:00.000-05:00

Not the restaurant, even though I love it. I resent Dougies honing in on them and opening up on Willow Glen and Greenspring (isn't that called Hasagat gvul?).

I'm talking about regional accents. I've been married 3 days short of 37 years (our anniversary is Nov 8), and lived with a Baltimoron for that many years in Baltimore and on the accent quiz (I still have not figured out how to add links in the blog...help needed on that) I was told I have a North East accent, probably New York. Interesting...My grandkids sound more Bawlmawr than I do.

Last night I went to Rabbi Menachem Leibtag's chumash shiur sponsored by Shomrei. It was great...It was from Parshat Toldot, which I teach, so I especially loved it. This morning I went back for 3 more hours at the CJE...Wow!!

weight management

2007-10-14T11:52:00.000-04:00

well, after Yom Tov I'm back at it again...rejoined weight watchers last Sunday...and I lost 2.4 lbs this week. It's just a matter of self control...I just cannot fathom why it's so easy to say no to treif without hesitation...and when the same food item gets the OU (entemmans for example, or all those "treif named, under hashgacha restaurants in Israel i.e. KFC, Pizza Hut) we cannot control ourselves?? well I feel good about my accomplishment...but had to pay $12+ for 1/10 of a pound since I was 1/10 over what I had to weigh to get in free (since I am lifetime)...hopefully next week will be just as good)...

Where is Ahavas Yisrael?

2007-10-02T08:30:00.001-04:00

Why can't we get along? Yesterday seemed like the perfect day.
I was in Hershey Park, and I was amazed at the cross section of Jews there. There were all types...chassidim, misnagdim, MO, women in shaitels, baseball hats, no hair covering, pants, etc...all having a wonderful time...mostly with families...it didn't seem, as many would believe, to be a "hangout" ...it was just a nice day, with Jewish music playing in the background to spend with fellow Jews.

Tznius??

2007-09-24T13:34:00.000-04:00

For some strange reason we subscribe to the Yated Neeman. I say strange...because it really is not our hashkafa, but my husband likes the biographies and Torah articles. I have gotten used to not seeing pictures of women (they published my friend's husband's picture when SHE was honored by a chashuv organization.)

There was a letter to the editor which really disturbed me this week. The letter was entitled: "a breach of tznius...in my mind." He/or she writes:
"...We must not overlook the importance of tznius. In last week's paper, you wished a chosson and kallah mazel tov on their engagement and went so far as to list all their siblings. I find it very deeply disturbing that such a choshavaeh and frum paper is listing girls by name. I think it is a huge breach in tznius, especially during aseres yemai teshuvah.".

Now, don't get me wrong. I am a big proponent of tznius, but I (naively??) thought tznius was a manner of dress, the way you act, the way you carry yourself...since when is listing a girl's name, a matter of tznius???? Please explain!

Shana Tova

2007-09-12T06:42:00.000-04:00

Wishing all my (few) readers, (if there are many, please comment some time!!)Shana Tova. May you all have a happy and healthy new year.

refuah shlaimah

2007-09-06T22:23:00.000-04:00

Please say Tehillim tomorrow for my principal menachem mendel don ben chana serel who is having serious heart surgery. thank you.

"kosher alternatives"

2007-09-05T15:25:00.000-04:00

Beautiful article by Rabbi Eli Teitelbaum. http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=9834
Can someone tell me how to add da link??

Baruch Dayan Haemes

2007-09-03T21:59:00.000-04:00

I just heard the news that my former principal, my mentor, my friend, Leo Reich A"H passed away. My initial reaction was "I lost a second father." That is the way I thought of Mr. Reich. I had taught a little from 1969-1972, first talmud torah for my father, A"H, and two years (not fully two) at Beth Tfiloh. Yehudit was born in May, 1972 and I needed a job in September. It was Tisha B'av of 1972 when Mr. Reich called and offered me a job...it was a Sunday school class I remember, maybe two Sunday school classes...but that was the beginning.
Mr. Reich had confidence in this green 24 year old girl who thought she was a teacher. He led me, mentored me, taught me, groomed me, inspired me. To this day I say "Mr. Leo Reich made me into a teacher." He made sure I got teacher awards from the BJE. He even nominated me for a national teacher award. He boosted my ego everytime I saw him. That principal/teacher relationship lasted for 22 years. I left Ner Tamid when the hebrew school closed down and the only teachers left were me, Mr. Reich and Mrs. Reich. We remained friends...he always wanted me to treat him as an equal and call him Leo, which of course I couldn't. He was an unusual educator...he had faith in all the kids and remembered them years after they left Ner Tamid. The same was felt for all his TA boys. (and my hubby Alan was one of them, as Mr. Reich was his 3rd grade teacher.) Mr. Reich is now sitting in Gan Eden, I'm sure next to my father who was the same kind of teacher. They are comparing notes about their years in chinuch. I have yahrzeit for my mother A"H tonight, but when I light that candle in future years, I will always remember Leo Reich also. My students in school today will benefit from my friendship with Mr. Leo Reich. Yehi zichro Baruch.

Israel in the past 12 days

2007-08-19T01:02:00.000-04:00

I am winding down on my trip to Israel...I leave in exactly 48 hours. Had a wonderful time...came specifically for Yaakov and Ilana's wedding and much of the trip centered around them, and aufruf, wedding and sheva brachos. Got to see some old friends, which is always nice, and reconnected with family members, and spent a lot of quality time with my sister, which usually doesn't happen as she works full time...
Was frustrated with no internet access in apt, no phone for a while, but that worked out. Now it's back to reality...family, back to school, Mostly Simchas, painting the house, the upcoming Yomim tovim...!! It's time...I'm ready!!

lost 3 pounds

2007-06-24T12:25:00.001-04:00

I joined a "fitness and nutrition" class at the JCC 2 weeks ago. The first 45 minutes of the class is with a nutritionist, who gives you a personal "food plan" (not diet)...it takes getting used to as it is not as "free and easy" as WW was, but I'm definitely eating more healthy than I ever did...and I lost 1.5 lbs. each week...the next 45 minutes is with a personal trainer...the machines. For the first 2 weeks there were 3 of us in the class with 2 trainers, today only two of us so basically it was really personal training...I'm excited...hopefully the hill between my sister and my apt in Israel won't be so overwhelming and "out of breath" when I go for Yaakov's wedding (not to mention I might find something that fits me in my closet to wear to the wedding and sheva brachot.) I don't know if I can maintain the momentum of eating this healthfully and strictly in Israel...but I usually don't gain there, as I walk everywhere.

school's out

2007-06-20T18:31:00.000-04:00

No more pencils, no more books...
Even teachers are happy!!
Happy Summer!!
I just never grew up!!

Happy Mother's Day

2007-05-13T10:30:00.000-04:00

My daughter Penny just posted a beautiful "Mother Days" blog so I decided to reminisce and write about Mother's day. First of all, I'd like to wish all mothers out in blogworld a big Happy Mother's Day to the 3 mothers in my life, my mother in law, may she stay well and active for many many years to come and the mothers of my grandchildren, May they also stay well and continue to be the best mothers they are.

A word about my mother in law. I have always appreciated her relationship with me as she always treated me as a daughter (and more times than not took my side on many issues). This has been especially wonderful in the past 18 years since my own mother passed away.

Mother's Day, when I was growing up, was a very important day in our house. Not so much in honoring my mother, but my grandmother, Bubby Zelda. We went to her house every mother's day and NOTHING could get in the way of that. I remember in about 1963 when Yeshiva University was on College Bowl in NY and I was able to get tickets to go see it...but no, it was on Mother's Day and I was not allowed to go (I went to the t.v. studio the week afterwards, their third and losing appearance).

My mother A"H was first and foremost a friend. Growing up we were very close. I only wish long distance was cheaper in the 70's that we could have maintained as close a relationship even after I moved to Baltimore. Baruch Hashem, my children are here and we are extremely close. I learned a great deal from my mother. She was a fighter. She had a rheumatic heart and had 3 heart valve replacements. She was never really 100% well while I was growing up but that didn't stop her from being a very active rebbetzin, a real ezer to my father A"H. She was very active in the Women's Branch of the OU, even chairing the Lady Bird Johnson Scholarship for Stern College for them. I'll never forget when she was on stage with the First Lady. She was educated. She always regretted never finishing college, but that didn't stop her from completing the entire NY Times Sunday crossword puzzle (in pen, no less) up until the Sunday before her stroke. She had an intensive Hebrew education, attending Shulamit High School which in those days was a very intensive Hebrew High school which met on Sundays and after public school. She later continued her Hebrew education, taking courses at T.I.W., part of Y.U., while I was at Stern. She worked at Stern in the Registrar's office and loved it. I still meet alumni who remember her from the office. She was a devoted Bubby, when she was well enough to do it. She once came into Baltimore, from NY, when Penny was in Morah Salfer's nursery class to go on a class trip to Safety City. I learned a lot about mothering and grandmothering from Bubby Shendel. I get a real thrill when I realize that 2 of my granddaughters are named for her. Penny wears her wedding band, and everytime I look at her left hand I am reminded of her. I miss you Mommmy. Happy Mother's Day. You too, Bubby Zelda.

Pesach, so far

2007-04-08T10:05:00.000-04:00

It is erev the last days of Pesach and I must admit I am really enjoying the chag. Those of you who know my identity, know that I have a business with my oldest daughter. She suggested, after a very busy Purim that I "man" the store and she prepare Pesach and we stay with her. The advantages to all of us are: it is far easier for 2 to move into their house than 6 into mine, they are one block from shul, letting her tired cpa, gabbai father a few extra minutes of sleep before hashkama minyan, she has a pesach kitchen where she and daughter #2 who also made pesach cooked for past few weeks. We also have a great basement "suite" including a full bath. They were most gracious and we thoroughly appreciate and enjoy the luxury of "not" making Pesach.

The Sedarim were lovely. First one was a biggie with 24 people at daughter #2's house. Son in law #2 led a great seder...acting like a chazan throughout Hallel. The nicest part though was when the 5 youngest grandchildren and their 2 second cousins stood on top of the steps leading down to the living room which was transformed into the dining room for yom tov, sang the Mah nishtanah together. Grandson #1, who is almost 11 stood at the bottom like a conductor, leading them. Such beautiful nachas. Also was beautiful, that there were 2 greatgrandmothers in attendance, Baruch Hashem. The second sedarim were quieter, we were with daughter #1's family and Daughter #2 was with her inlaw family at her home.

Thursday and Friday were spent at Target...afikoman shopping. Thursday with one family, Friday with the other. Friday nite we ate at good friend's and Shabbos lunch at our nephew and niece's house with her cousins who happened to be our good friends.

The last days we are eating most meals with the G's and one meal and my mother in laws. It has really been great..thank you girls for "taking us away" for Pesach. We really really appreciate it.

Daytrip to NY

2007-03-05T07:29:00.000-05:00

I realize I never blogged about my day trip to New York with eldest granddaughter, E age 12 1/2. What fun. We went up on Superior Tours, a bus that makes round trips to NY everyday from a shopping center a mile away from here for a mere $55. It let us off at Rockefeller Center where we went to SaraK's office to see her and let my laptop recharge. From there we walked up to CafeK for breakfast...then down Broadway, stopped at Gap (12 year olds love to shop...)I had deja vu of shopping with her mother, but Thank G-d those genes didn't pass totally to E...she's not as intense as her mother when it comes to shopping and doesn't have the never ending stamina her mom has.

We stopped at the M&M store (she loaded up on weird colors...making small packages for her 3 siblings, which they loved). Then to the Hershey store (more chocolate), Toys are us. 2 hours after breakfast we were in front of J2 where we just had to stop for Pizza...then onto Macy's, Daffy's, H&M and other stores in Herald Square (we walked the entire day). At that point we decided to cab back to Rockefeller Center, pick up my laptop. Now I grew up in NY...and never knew that there was a whole "city" under Rockefeller Center. (How that eluded me, I don't know...) and now there's a kosher restaurant down there too...Mendy's. so we went to Mendy's bought supper, took it out and ate it watching the skaters at the ice skating rink in Rockefeller Center.
The bus back to Baltimore picked up at 6 pm right outside the skating rink so it was perfect. It was also a perfect day..we had a lovely time.

Purim

2007-03-05T07:14:00.000-05:00

What a day...what a week...what a couple of weeks...in the business my partner/daughter and I have been gearing up for Purim since ... the day after Chanukah (no joke!!)By Tu Bishvat we had samples of all our shalach manos ready to photograph and put online...we did, son-in-law #2 made webpage...sent out a myriad of emails to let everyone know...offered 5% off on all orders before Feb 15...ran ads in WWW and advertiser letting people know...so why why why did most orders come in last week...starting on zayin adar...with a bunch on Friday and some even motzay Shabbos and on Purim (we were sold out at that point and I had to quickly scramble to put together some)...we tried to be organized...and were, to a point...but this last minute stuff threw us for a loop!! Baruch Hashem we did very nicely this PUrim...but this last week...it was exhausting...!!

Our Seudah was lovely...our regulars plus one set of mechutanim...hubby promised not to bring up politics...but he did...so the discussion got heated..as every year!! The food ended up being good...(considering I cooked it all yesterday). My side dishes were from Accents...Mrs. Accents came in yesterday for the 3 shalach manot I had to make up -- so I said, only if you can get me some side dishes from Accents...which she did...potatoes and those yummy grilled veggies.

The G kids came over to see their grandparents and E was just so excited to see 3 Bubbies (Bubby Susan was there too). HB thinks I should sell my chicken soup..if only he knew my secret!!

Other son in law, Meyer did a great job reading megillah!! Yasher Koach for all the readings both Saturday night and yesterday!!
All in all it was lovely...Now we got to think about Pesach!!

On another note, please daven for Gilad Hillel ben Bracha Mirel a young man, son of a friend who was just diagnosed. You can read the unbelievable journal his family put online and leave comments of chizuk at http://www.caringbridge.org/cb/viewJournal

Netani's siddur play

2007-02-11T07:59:00.000-05:00

Enjoyed the Siddur Play. They did something very nice...every child had his/her parents/family come up to get the siddur with child. Very nice and personal.

Nachas from einerklach

2007-02-04T19:12:00.000-05:00

Ezra won the brachos bee in the second and third grade division in Yeshivat Rambam. Netani will have his siddur play soon. Cannot wait to attend.

Purim

2007-01-31T07:11:00.000-05:00

It's been a long time...lot's going on...much reflection, things I cannot write about.
Purim is almost here..at least in my business that is. We have been spending the last 2 weeks working on mishloach manot for the business. We have 34 beautiful baskets that people can buy. MANY THANKS to my son in law (presence) who put it all up on the web for us at www.mostlysimchas.com. (maybe he'll now teach me how to put that as a link.) The problem with the business is...by the time Purim rolls around I am so sick of shalach manos that I just only want to send my one "chiyuv" and that's it...so if you feel I'm slighting you by not sending you...don't be offended, it's an occupational hazard on my part.

Yahrzeit Siyum

2006-12-24T18:12:00.000-05:00

Alan and I went to the first Yahrzeit Siyum in memory of Harav Asher Naftali Freed Z"L, a good friend who was niftar last January 1st (7th day of Chanukah, 6 months after being diagnosed with stomach cancer. Asher and I had an interesting relationship. He was the only Orthodox Chaplain at UMMC for the last 3 years of his life. At the same time he was studying for a degree in pastoral counseling. He needed a typist, to weekly type his verbatims for class. These were actual verbatim conversations he had with the patients he visited. He was very caring and spiritual in these visits.

For me it was something more -- Asher provided me with a link to my father A"H. Aba also was a hospital chaplain (joke was...when I was in H.S. he left prison chaplaincy and became a hospital chaplain - a friend asked across a crowded NYC subway car: "Is you father still in jail?" I answered, "Nah, he's in the hospital now, he likes it much better." You can imagine the horrified looks which were aimed at me.)

Anyway, back to Asher, A"H. My father also took a degree in pastoral counseling while I was in college. Everytime I typed one of these verbatims for Asher, (some weeks there were 2)which I did over a two year period, I thought of Aba. I thought of his discussions with us, on how he treated dying patients, or unbelieving patients, how he comforted them, counseled them, just held their hand without saying a word. I was reminded of how Aba used to insist on taking us to hospitals (where we waited in the lobby while he did a quick visit with congregants) so that we could go on a family outing afterwards.

I thank you Asher for bringing my Aba back to life for me over those 2+ years that we worked together. I hope that Asher and Aba are enjoying each other's company in Olam haba, rehashing hospital chaplaincy stories. Yehi zichram baruch!!

More Nachas

2006-12-20T19:49:00.000-05:00

Today's nachas came from Daniella and Gila. Both are in Bais Yaakov. Daniella is 4 and in Nursery and Gila, 5 is in Kindergarten. Today's Chanukah performances were precious. They were very similar, having been directed by the same music teacher. I did, though, feel like I was back in NY on the corner of Herald Square near Macy's where the Salvation Army people were ringing their bells. At one point the girls rang their bells while the music teacher played "I have a little dreidel" on her keyboard. Tomorrow I head back to Rambam for Ezra's Chumash play. Happy Chanukah to all.

Bar B Q on Chanukah

2006-12-19T05:59:00.000-05:00

How wierd was it that on Chanukah, yesterday, it was 72 degrees in Baltimore, and we celebrated our family Chanukah party with a barbecue?? It was lovely. The kids are definitely growing older, minimum of fights, arguments...they all looked so cute on the floor bentching together. Wow...what nachas. It was beautiful. Much thanks to the niece and nephew who hosted!! (and all others who helped in every way!!).

Grandparents' Day at Yeshivat Rambam

2006-12-18T22:08:00.000-05:00

Had a lovely time at Grandparents' Day at Rambam. They served a lovely lunch followed by the third grade play. Then off to class with the grandsons. I spent first period with Zevi in Morah Caela's class making a keara page for their Haggadot. They start on their Haggadah in September when they start learning Sefer Shmot. Interesting idea. Then I was in Ezra's Hebrew class where they made plaques for their grandparents and wrote little compositions on Saba V'savta. I spent only a few minutes in first grade with Netani, because he had the most guests: Eliana and Aunt Pessie were with him too. All in all it was a lovely, nachasdik day with the boys.

We're home

2006-12-04T06:46:00.000-05:00

We're back in Baltimore. But this title is deceiving. I felt "at home" in Israel too. It was a wonderful trip. Recap of what we did since I wrote last. Tuesday the baby was born. Her name is Batsheva Yocheved. They liked the name Batsheva and Yocheved is for my mother a"H, Shendel Yocheved. Since there are 3 Shendels and Yaffas in the family already they opted for Yocheved which is beautiful. My grandson Netani woke up Thursday morning and announced to the family, before they had heard: "Esther's baby's name is going to be Batsheva." None of us can figure out where he pulled that one out of, but he was right!

Wednesday we went into Yerushalayim, spent a little time in Geula-Meah Shearim after spending a delightful bus ride with Bubby Minni. We were going to go to Hadassah Ein Kerem to visit Esther, but the bus took too long in coming and we would have been late, going to Susan and Danny's for dinner. One thing about taking buses in Israel. We felt totally safe, but (and it's a big but) it takes forever to get places!! Another but..you really get to see the people that way. I love the sign next to the seat behind the nehag (driver): "mipnay saiva takum" (please get up for the elderly). Wow, only in Israel. We spent Wednesday evening at Danny and Susan's house, with Mumsie (Susan's mom) and the Myers: Gadi, Miriam, Yonatan and Rachel, Susan's brother , sister in law, and nephew and niece. We had a nice time (and ate too much!!)Wednesday was also a little nerve wracking as there was a strike of municipal workers which closed the airport. We didn't know if we were leaving Sunday morning or not.

Thursday Alan opted to spend in RBS and I went to J-lem. The strike was over so no more worry about that. I did go to Hadassah and saw Mark and Esther but not Batsheva Yocheved. It was a long trip for too short a time to visit. Then I went and met Debbie, an old friend of 46 years. We were in Camp Moshava together in 1960, Morasha for many years, and Central and STern. We reconnected about 15-16 years ago when our daughters were in Camp Yedid together. We lost track about 8 years ago when she moved to Israel to remarry. Well after much searching I found Debbie (it helped that at the OU convention someone else from our sTern days said: Guess who I saw at a wedding this week: Debbie A. Wow - I called her and we met Thursday. It was like peeling away all those years. it was Great!! Then I went into Geula/Meah Shearim to do my shopping for school, MS, gifts etc. Every night at about 10 we spent about an hour or two with Rashie and Asher which was very special. It's the only time I am so close with my sister, (physically I mean) We are neighbors around the corner from each other.

Friday we went to the Merkaz in RBS, bank, shopping, supermarket etc. Then back to apt to pack, clean for Shabbos and prepare for our Shabbat guests, Danny and Susan and a friend of Yaakov's who stayed with us.

Shabbos (or Shabbat in Israel) was lovely. We ate with the Reicherts all the meals. Met everyone's special friends and extended family (Elly and Josh). Saw the Mel REicherts who made aliyah. Davened in the new Rav Soleveitchik shul, which they conveniently built right behind our apt. (it's lovely). Shabbos was over too soon and we packed entertained the Chazons, old friends from LIC and before we knew it ...4 AM Sunday morning came and we were picked up to go to airport. Definitely too short a trip and hopefully we'll be back soon.

Got home, read the WWW and realized how wonderful Baltimore is as a Jewish community. It's really wonderful that our lives include these two wonderful places. Baruch Hashem.

Mazal tov! It's a girl!

2006-11-28T07:58:00.000-05:00

Esther just delivered a baby girl a few minutes ago. Today Alan and I decided to take it easy and just stick around the apt and RBS.

Sunday night we went to Neve DAniel to visit the Twerskys. They are doing great. Their house is beautiful. Aunt Gladys is really truly here. It took us 2 hours to get there and home. We had lunch Sunday afternoon with Dvorah and then took rakevet (train) to J-lem, took the longest bus ride to the tachana merkazit and then met Rashie to got to Neve Daniel. It's actually a 20 minute ride from RBS to Neve Daniel, but without a car it took 2 hours.

Monday we were scheduled to go to Esther and Mark's for dinner. We stayed around RBS during the day, walked to the mercaz, ate felafel there and did some shopping. Alan found a Feldheim Book sale so he was pretty much stuck in that store while I "shmyed" around. Went into J-lem on the 417 to Geula with the thought of walking up to Yafo and George. I found out that an old friend of mine DEbbie's hubby owns an electronic place at that corner so I wanted to go into the store to find out her cell phone number. (more about that later). While walking up rechov STrauss Esther called and said that last nite was not a good nite. She went to Dr. and she was in early early stages of labor.

We decided to meet Rashie and Asher and go out for supper. They were in J-lem at a meeting so they told us to meet them on the 14 bus. We were to get on first in front of Lev Yerushalayim and call them and they would get on a few stops down. We did, although until they called us we didn't know they were on bus, it was so crowded. We went to the German Colony to Emek Refaim which is delightful. We ate at Burgers Bar which was very nice. From there we took the 14 bus further to Talpiot to see where Miriam works in a woman's martial arts gym. New place very nice. She is their Bat Sherut, doing 2nd year Sherut L'umi.

We came home late, to the news that the Dr. told Esther to come in the night if things progressed, which they did and she went in around midnight. Today we walked around RBS delivering things to people. Saw cousin Rochel Taragin and daughter Aliza. Now it's just lazying around apt, working on work and writing blogs and listening to music and Alan is...sleeping for a change. We both never get to really veg out like this in Baltimore, ever...it's been great!!

Thursday night - Sunday Morning

2006-11-26T03:31:00.000-05:00

Well the suitcase(s) did not arrive Thursday night so we had major changes in our plans. They called to say only one was coming on Friday. So we decided to go into J-lem for a few hours. Went by bus and cab straight to OU convention. Saw some of Baltimorons but not too many other people. They were at dinner so it was boring. Decided to go to Geula. Got ripped off by cab drive who conveniently "forgot" to put on the "moneh". ALT was so annoyed...I think we're walking everywhere from now on.

Geula: walked around a bit, but since we were tired decided to take 417 from there back to RBS. The bus took about an hour to come. But we made friends on line. Another couple our age who have apt in RBS. They have daughter in Kiryat Sefer so they come over pretty often to see 6 grandchildren. It turns out their daughter was in CAmp Sternberg with Hud many many years ago and we were at the same wedding this summer in NY. small small world...we had the hour's wait on line and then the hour's trip back to RBS together.

Friday morning old friends from Alon Shvut came for brunch. Always love getting together with them. We just seem to take up wherever we left off last time (that being about 15 months ago). Since we were going to J-lem for Shabbos and we didn;t get the suitcases yet (they called - only one was being delivered on friday and we didn't know which one). I decided to go to the mercaz (major RBS shopping center) to buy a robe since I had nothing to sleep in at the moment. well...R and A drove me there and when I got there I realized I took Alan's belt pack with only a few shekels in it...no wallet. I almost went back (about 20-25 min walk) when I bumped into fellow BY teacher M. Adler. She lent me $20 in shekels and I bought a robe, took a cab back with the few shekels Alan had in belt pack and in the meantime one suitcase came (not the one with the sleepwear, or hose).

We took bus into J-lem and another bus to Rechavia to the Kormans. We had an absolutely wonderful shabbos with them. I was surprised when Zev said he wanted to go to Kotel for mincha/kabbalat shabbat. It was wonderful. Saw Elly and the Kleins and a few other people I knew. The main language spoken was English. There are so many people visiting kids in yeshivot, seminaries because of Thanksgiving vacation. We walked back to Kormans (about 1/2 hour walk) and I ate like a pig...between the walk and not eating since brunch I was starved. Esther and Mark were with us and we really enjoyed being with them all. Esther looks so cute, but uncomfortable. Hope the baby comes while we are here!!

Shabbos I just stayed in apt and rested. After Shabbos Zev drove us to Kraft stadium where we watched one of Danny's teams play football. It was a beautiful night and from there we walked (Didn't I say we'd do a lot of walking?) to the Rennasance Hotel to the OU. It was well worth it...WE saw so many people from our past. It was great. We got a ride back to RBS with the Spigelmans and had a great time.

Today we're meeting Dvorah K for lunch and tonight going to the Gush to visit Cousins Y and G and Aunt G who made aliyah this summer. Will continue later and hopefully figure out how to post pictures.

Btw, last suitcase arrived this morning. Must go unpack before we go out!!

We're here!!

2006-11-26T03:30:00.000-05:00

This post was written Thursday, but never appeared so here it is again:
Pinch me...we are really here.
Zaydie and BubbyT arrived in Israel this morning after what felt like a 2 day trip. We left home 2 days ago...and took British Air to London. We got in 8ish in the morning and spent the bulk of the day taking the "big bus tour" of London It was fun until it started raining. We had so many hours to kill as the flight to Israel left at 10:30 PM.

We hopped off the bus at one point to go to the 4th Starbucks we saw in 3 straight blocks. We got back to Heathrow (we went on the underground both ways - very pleasant and straight ride - about 45 minutes each way) early so we worked on the computer. Unfortunately Heathrow does not have free WIFI, but we managed to kill a few hours.

Trip to Tel Aviv went quickly. Slept most of the way. Got there and alas...only 2 of our 4 suitcases made it. Kudos to Dr. T. who suggested dividing our clothes among different suitcases. Zaydie got all of his, but I'm missing my sleepwear and some shabbos clothes and shoes, all the stuff we bought for my sister's family and the apt and misc other stuff which I probably don't realize.

They claim that one suitcase is on the flight coming in this afternoon and we should expect it to be delivered tonight. Where is the other one?? BA says that it could be on that flight too, but we won't know until later on. This all put a damper on our plans to go to Jerusalem tonight. We;ll sleep in RBS and go for Shabbos.

I'll try to continue posting every day and will try to post pictures also.
Regards from the Holy Land!!

"Walking in the Dark" Update 2

2006-11-05T07:32:00.000-05:00

This past week Frank S. of Project Ezra gave my hubby a present: a full neon yellow reflective vest. Hubby wore it home from shul. Not too many diparaging comments, but one positive comment. The Baltimore Sun driver, who drives around every Friday night delivering parts of the Sunday paper in the neighborhood stopped his car, rolled down his window and thanked him for wearing it. He said: "You don't know how many of 'your people' I've almost hit because they walk in the street in their dark clothing and I cannot see them." (Walking home Friday night in the dark we saw a family in the street with a stroller and little kids who were impossible to see.) Project Ezra will be giving out FREE of charge reflective belts (not the full gear). They are white and not too terrible looking. I will be carrying them in my store eventually if people want to pick them up. Kol hakavod to Project Ezra for taking this suggestion and doing something about it immediately.

Rudeness

2006-10-24T17:31:00.000-04:00

I just came home from a weight watcher meeting. I joined in 1999 and have been up and down the same 10 pounds since then. Last week, after Yom Tov, (not fitting into last winter's clothes) I decided to go back. I am a life member and usually go once a month to "weigh in". If I am within 2 lbs of my goal I go free. Last week I was 5 lbs above goal and had to pay. So...I really tried hard this week and I was down to +2 above goal and didn't have to pay. Another woman says to me: "I don't understand why you come here," intimating that I don't need WW, which might be true in some people's minds, but when my clothes don't fit and my hubby says: "BubbyT, time lose a few." I jump back on the wagon. Why don't people just mind their own business??

It's not as rude as what happened to SephardiLady at www.orthonomics.blogspot.com/2006/10/rudest-most-unsolicited-advice-you.html but I was still annoyed at her rudeness!

"Walking in the Dark" Update

2006-10-24T15:25:00.000-04:00

Good news. I have been in contact with Project Ezra. They are pushing this important issue up to the top of their "to do" list. They are thinking of having boxes of reflective vests, belts, or harnesses (they have to figure out which is best) in all the shuls for people to borrow on Friday nights. Now we just have to get people to use them.

If anyone has any input as to what to order, please comment. I know they look nerdy, but maybe we can push this as the "latest style" in Baltimore.

Tehillim request

2006-10-23T16:58:00.000-04:00

Last night, a local 5 year old boy was playing on the playground at BJ’s in Owings Mills, and fell off. At the time, they thought he was ok, but when he went home, he started vomiting up blood. He ended up having emergency brain surgery last night at Hopkins.
Ephraim Moshe ben Baila Chaya

Walking in the dark on Shabbos

2006-10-22T07:56:00.000-04:00

We are a "walking sakana". On Sukkos there was a terrible tragedy of a frum boy run down and killed by a drunk driver while crossing the street after shul in Philly. On Yom Kippur there was a 58 year old man crossing Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills, NY who was killed. We have no light in front of our shul. Shomrei Emunah. (I heard a rumor that one is coming). Kids and adults just run across, not looking, in their dark suits, coats, raincoats. We are all (me included, I hate the broken up sidewalks) guilty of walking in the streets, like we own them on Shabbos and Yom Tov. Maybe we should look into wearing reflective belts, shoulder harnesses or the like, to make us more visible at night? Is it halachically permissible?

Parents: watch your children cross. Don't let them cross alone when there is no light. Any comments on the matter would be appreciated.

Simchas Torah Memories

2006-10-13T07:07:00.000-04:00

Down memory lane once again. As I have mentioned before, Adath Israel, the shul I grew up in was not particularly populated by shomer Shabbos families. Nevertheless, many people attended on Shabbos and Yom Tov. We had very active youth participation, many of whom, to my father A"H's credit, grew up to raise good frum families, both here and in Israel.

We were a strong group of teens, of all ages. We took it upon ourselves to "make" Simchas Torah for the shul. I remember one particular year we took over the shul. I made signs beforehand, informing the kahal that they were in Congregation Anshei Mishagoyim. The boys took over the davening, sermons, president's message etc (I guess we girls were the "audience").

Every year they had an "auction" before hakafos, auctioning off only the "ata Hareisa". The women all bandied together and every year "bought" one recital of "ata Hareisa" for my father, the Rabbi.

Once I got a little older, I got bored with staying in A.I. and I was already a camp goer and /or in college and had many friends in Boro Park/Flatbush so I headed out there every year for many years. I either spent Yom Tov at my Bubby's house, or in Flatbush with my friend Susie's family. For a few years, Yavneh, the OU Collegiate organization had a "shabbaton" or I guess "Simchaton" in B.P/Flatbush over the Yom Tov. We ate together, walked together, shul hopped, etc. Simchas Torah night we always walked to Boro Park from Flatbush. We all stood on the corner of 47th STreet and 14th Avenue in front of Machzikei Talmud Torah...crushed in a sea of people - having one big camp reunion. I was always told by "old" Boro Parkers that this was nothing compared to 47th Street between 12th and 13th Avenues in the "old days" when they closed off 47th Street in front of my Bubby's shteibel.

I remember seeing hakafos in a sefardi shul on Ocean Parkway. It was the first time I saw a sefardi Sefer Torah. I remember going to Chaim Berlin for Hakafos on Friday afternoon, erev shabbos Braishis, late in afternoon. I did this for many years. One year on erev Shmini Atzeres, when I had plans to go to Bklyn, I got a call from friends, J and B, a brother and sister, who lived in a small town in Jersey which was more of a spiritual midbar than my town and on the spur of the moment, I cancelled my Bklyn plans and told them to come to us for Yom Tov.

Remembering a few Simchas Torahs since I'm in Baltimore. I remember the Simchas Torah while engaged. 2 weeks before our wedding. I was sitting in Glen Avenue, looking down at Hakafos from the Ezras Nashim and kvelling, looking at my future hubby. I remember the year(s?) they closed off Park Heights Avenue between Glen and the JCC, for hakafos in the street. I remember the year my daughter #2 was born 2 days after Simchas Torah. That year my hubby hurt his foot on Shmini Atzeres and everyone was sure we were in Sinai Hospital when we didn't go to hakafos. I remember the many years my daughters went down to Norfolk, VA to help make Simchas Torah there. I felt they were following in their Zaydie Y's footsteps, helping to spread Yiddishkeit.
Now I must stop and go cook so we will have a simchas yom tov this year.

Have a very wonderful Yom Tov and may today, Hoshana Rabbah bring everyone a "piska tova."

Lack of Manners

2006-10-12T18:53:00.000-04:00

I had to pick up granddaughter #4 at the JCC today. She is enrolled in their preschool. I was trying to round the corner in front of the Early Childhood entrance when lo and behold I was stuck behind a car which was double parked. The driver was easy to spot, standing near the doorway because she kept looking at her car and at me. There might have been enough room for me to pass her car but I didn't want to chance scratching her door with my minivan. There was room in front of the car she double parked near. Why are people inconsiderate?

Potential Chilul Hashem

2006-10-11T08:30:00.000-04:00

Maybe I'm wrong, but I feel I was in a situation which might have been a potential chilul Hashem and it really bothered me.

I was shopping at Target with my 3 oldest granddaughters - our chol Hamoed "trip" since both mothers were unavailable, one working, one laid up with a bad back. It was bubby's turn to "entertain".

I had a pretty full cart. "Hello Kitty" comforters that I promised Gila and Eden for their birthdays in September (no, I'm not lazy, they were out of them when I went closer to their birthdays), Eliana's purchases with her bat mitzvah present - Target gift card, a big box of new pots and pans which I need desperately and various odds and ends which probably added up to more than 10 items.

There were many cashiers available and I got on line behind someone, when the "10 or less" cashier motioned for me to come over. EVen if I had less than 10 (don't think so) The first 3 items took up the whole check out counter. The line was empty when I got on but as we were checking out, the line grew and I received dirty looks from people. I'm almost sure one woman behind was thinking "Oh those frummies, with their shaitels, and lots of kids, just taking advantage of the empty checkout at 10 or less."

I really felt bad. Lesson: we always have to hope our behavior doesn't cause a Chilul Hashem even if we are not the cause of our behavior.

Why so loud??

2006-10-09T22:43:00.000-04:00

Just came home from the annual TA sponsored Chol Hamoed concert. This year the Yeshiva Boys' Choir and Eli Gerstner. Question: why does it have to be so so loud?? Moadim l'simcha to everyone.

Sukkos Remembered

2006-10-05T06:58:00.000-04:00

Sukkos brings back many memories growing up. The most pronounced memory is not having our own sukkah. As I mentioned in my Yom Kippur post I grew up in "concrete city"...a 13 story Co-op building in Queens, NY, surrounded by many other 13 story Co-op buildings and many blocks of 6 story city housing apt buildings. No place to build a Sukkah. So Sukkos was an adventure. We would eat, along with 4-5 other frum families (the only frum families) from the shul. My mother A"H was an expert in making meals that didn't need to be kept warm. One of my favorite Sukkos side dishes is cranberry sauce, mixed with mandarin oranges, and canned grapefruit slices (drained of liquid, of course).

We used to shlep our food down 4 flights of steps and over to the shul in one of those "N.Y. wagons" - the kind all the old ladies walk up and down the streets of NY with. There was a comaraderie among the families and in some ways it was fun. The second night of Sukkos there was always a "Simchas Beis Hashoevah" where all the congregants came. It didn't matter if you were frum or not, whether it was a workday or not (Yom tov not withstanding, they worked the next day). It was great as a teenager as we always stood outside the sukkah socializing.

I remember many sukkos in college when my good friend DZ came to spend Sukkos with us, as she had even less, growing up in a nonobservant home in the boondocks of L.I. I'll never forget the shock which registered on DH's face when he came for Sukkos when we were engaged - and how we spent Sukkos. There was real mesiras nefesh to eat in a Sukkah. Much different than his mom's sukkah where she passed the food into the sukkah from a window in the kitchen.
Once married, and in a house our first sukkah was a 6'x7' canvas job which went on our grass. Not very comfortable, nor very conducive to sitting in for many hours. I remember the first year in our house when my parents A"H came for Yom Tov. It rained the entire week. We ate in the Sukkah, maybe once.

I remember visiting a neighbor's sukkah that year. It was decorated beautifully with all the childrens' artwork and projects. Since DD was only a year old when we moved, I cried...when will we ever have a decorated sukkah? Needless to say, over the years we had DD#1 and DD#2's beautiful decorations + grandchildrens' decorations.

When we moved into the present house I said, Now I want a real sukkah. So we sat down with DD's blocks and cardboard, and basically I designed it. We hired DS, a friend's son who helped DH build it (or the other way around, DH helped DS build it). It had 2 windows. It had a door. It was a pleasure just sitting in it.

We entertained many in this beautiful Sukkah. I remember having a "singles" meal many years ago. B"H I think all of those singles are married with many children of their own (some grandchildren even). One Sukkos evening we heard an alarm go off. It seemed in the distance. We had some of our "bochrim" over that night. Well, we didn't check where it was and all of a sudden, a policeman sticks his head at the window. It was OUR alarm. He checked through the whole house. Unfortunately, he left EVERY light on in the entire house. We had to sleep with all the lights all of Yom Tov.

We are at a different stage now. After 25 or so years of shlepping the heavy heavy boards DH said, we are not putting up a sukkah. How many boys helped DH put up our Sukkah! There were many over the years, including for the last 13 years our dear SIL's. Now they have their own to put up, so we will share theirs. It's not the same and I miss it. I hope the BB family, in whose home our beautiful wooden sukkah now resides will have many wonderful memories in it.
Chag Sameach to all.

Yom Kippur remembered

2006-10-01T12:19:00.000-04:00

As I have written I grew up in this small section of Queens...not many religious people..but a filled shul on Rosh Hashanah/Yom Kippur or, as it was called back then the "High Holidays" or was it the "High Holydays"? I don't remember. Shul was packed for Kol Nidre. My father, the Rabbi, always gave a Kol Nidrei Sermon...

I remember being really small, going home early with my mother...and she tucked my sister and I into bed, Yom Kippur night folding the blanket under my feet...it was warm and cozy and I taught it to my grandchildren who beg me to cover them the "Bubby S... way." Everytime I do, I think of Yom Kippur.

I remember being 11 years old and hiding with my best friend Judy F...in the last row of shul because we were fasting, much to the dismay of our parents...and only showed our faces again after tekiyas sh0far to brag: we fasted the whole day!! I don't think it has ever been as easy a fast as the year before my bas mitzvah!!

Another Yom Kippur...We lived in a co-op...13 or 14 stories high...we lived on the 4th floor and had to walk down 4 flights of concrete steps and then walk the 2 blocks to shul..well one Yom Kippur morning I fell down a flight of those concrete steps (ouch)..it was hard sitting in shul all day that year.

We never went home for the "break"...just hung out in Aba's office...except the year, when I was in H.S. and Rhoda, a friend from out of town who was going to school in NY came for Yom Kippur...then we went home for the "break".

I'll never forget the contests we had with the boys across the mechitza for who could stand the whole neila...I don't remember much about the spiritual aspects of Yom Kippur but these are a few of my Yom Kippur memories...

After getting married...I remember being deathly sick my first Yom Kippur months after getting married...that "deathly sickness" resulted in DD#1 about 8 months later!! I remember my father in law trying to get me to break my fast on a meat meal...I almost puked at the table...

Two years later, while home with my year + daugther I remember people coming home from shul saying there was war in Israel..the Yom Kippur War had broken out...for many years DH davened for the Amud at various minyanim...

I remember so clearly Rabbi Brown A"H's crying during shmoneh esray, the years we davened in his minyan...so many memories ... and the comfort of hearing the same tunes year after year at our present shul...and the beauty of hearing the entire shul davening together k'ish echad b'lev echad...

May it truly be a good peaceful healthy happy year for us all in 5767.

More reminiscing

2006-09-30T21:04:00.000-04:00

Time for more reminiscing ... saying kedusha at mincha reminded me of visiting my bubby a"h when I was growing up...(I was at mincha after RAbbi G's shabbos shuva drasha)...my bubby's second husband, whom I never knew since he was niftar when I was a toddler was a chassidishe rebbe who had a shul in Boro Park - a shtiebel ... my bubby maintained the shtiebel, by herself until she was nifteres in 1976. the first floor was the shul, a big dining room (the ezras nashim on shabbos) and the kitchen. all the other living areas (living room, bedrooms etc) were up one flight of stairs...we used to visit Bubby Z almost every sunday, and many times I would visit for Shabbos and/or Yom Tov. Well...I got to know the shortened kedusha very well, by heart...for everytime we were there that there was a minyan and they were up to kedusha, we stopped what we were doing, stood up and said kedusha...

I remember visiting for shabbosim, before my single uncle was married and before he was in the army...and he used to serve Bubby's "kiddush"...the same thing every shabbos...piping hot lukshen kugel (kept in the oven all night long)...what we used to call "vanilla" and "chocolate"..the vanilla kugel was an ordinary salt and pepper thin lukshen kugel and the "chocolate" was a very sweet almost Yerushalmy kugel...and soft "nahit"...for those who don't know what "nahit" is...it's arbis or chick peas...there probably was herring and kichel too...but I just remember my uncle and his cronies cutting the kugel in the kitchen and then serving it to the baalei batim...

I have wonderful memories of Bubby Z...when my turn came to be a grandmother I knew I wanted to be called "Bubby" because of my memories of her...

She was an excellent seamstress...if only I would have saved those beautiful wool pleated skirts she made me for my daughters...she would walk down 13th Ave in Boro Park...look in the window of the children's shop (the name I cannot remember) and then go home and without a pattern, copy the dress/jumper/skirt in the window...the only thing she ever refused to make me was a purple pleated skirts...purple has been my favorite color forever...and she wouldn't make me a "fad" color...so that was the first skirt I ever bought..I must have been about 13 years old!! what memories...may her memory be a blessing to us all and may she be a meilitza yosher for us at this time of year.

Tomorrow...memories of Yom Kippurs past!! Gmar Chasima Tova

Driving granddaughters

2006-09-27T14:53:00.000-04:00

Went to bed last night with the beginnings of a cold...ugh...I guess it's a combination of cool nights and evenings, hot days and lots of snotty nosed students (not to mention grandchildren with runny noses!!) UGh...I hat feeling like this...DH let me sleep late today...I didn't hear him stirring at 5 am...he did call at 7:15 to "wake" me..but I'm happy I awoke on my own an hour earlier. I hate rushing in the A.M. well...I still didn't get my preferred parking spot near the building...5 minutes earlier would have made the difference..and by the time I got inside...with my two preschool grandchildren who are my "carpool" the whole elementary was dismissed to make their way to their classrooms so the going was a little slow..gotta get up a little earlier tomorrow..and just leave a bit earlier...it's my "carpool" day off, so it's just getting me to school..so that should help..enough ranting!! Don't get me wrong...I love taking the granddaughters...they are sooo cute in the back..their conversations are a riot!!

2006-09-24T21:38:00.000-04:00

Yom tov was lovely...20 people Friday nite...kids, hubbies, their kids, nephew, wife their kids...little noisy and messy..but lots of blessings!! days were nice...shul both days...went very quickly I must say...good meal motzay shabbos at dd#2...all in all a nice yom tov!! back to the real world tomorrow...up early to eat b4 the fast. Gmar Chasima Tova to all. BubbyT

2006-09-22T08:14:00.000-04:00

Erev Rosh Hashanah brings back memories...of Rosh Hashanah pasts...when I was a child...my father became Rabbi of a shul in Queens, NY when I was 2 years old...I remember in my childhood -- the trials and tribulations of building that shul...they said it couldn't be done..but my father, A"H prevailed...one year Rosh Hashanah we davened in a storefront...I remember being very very scared of the chazzan when he fell "korim" during aleinu..it scared me for years...I remember that memory from the store "shul". I also remember a little boy asking if I were the RAbbi's daughter and I asked my mother "what's that?" (to my parent's credit they never put that yoke upon us...you have to act a certain way because you are the Rabbi's daughter)...We also davened in a tent under the steel frame of the new shul...then the shul was finally built...on usual Shabbosim it was divided in 1/2...one half for the sanctuary and 1/2 for the social hall but on the Yamim Noraim (or High Holidays) as they were called, it was packed to the back...most of the congregants were not observant..only a handful of shomer shabbos, but to my father's credit...many of their children went on to become observant through Y.U. seminars, many attending Y.U. and Stern and now their children are way to right of them. My father believed that shul should start at 8 am and end promptly at 1 on R.H. His feeling was that, those who wanted to daven it all would be there at the beginning but why be matriach the kahal to stay late in the afternoon. Musaf always started at 11 and ended at 1...He also limited his sermons to not more than 20 minutes...I don't ever remember my father writing or practicing his sermons but they were always relevant, up to date and lots of times had to do with current events. Of course, my mother and sister and I had to sit in first row...so everytime we got up the whole ladies' section got up..even if we were going to the bathroom..or standing to straighten our skirts..the women behind (who had no clue about davening) got up..very humorous. The Baal Tefillah for Musaf was the same every year...I still remember his tunes and when D.H. got a job davening for R.H. one year I was the one who taught him some of the tunes (LOL...with my terrible voice) I remember my mother, A"H, who was not a well woman, felt sick one R.H. we were sitting in the first row, next to the mechitzah which was in front of her and to the side...it was terrible so after that we got seats on the aisle...I think that is why, to this day, I demand an aisle seat for R.H. I cannot sit between people or too close to the wall/mechitzah. Tashlich was always at a park near the East River...a great time for socializing...and my parents always visited the former president of the shul after Tashlich. Don't remember more of R.H. growing up...will probably reminisce about Y.K. and Sukkos over the next few weeks.
Best wishes to all for a shana Tova.
BubbyT

2006-09-21T07:07:00.000-04:00

I think it is only appropriate that I start this blog on erev erev Rosh Hashanah...after lurking and reading blogs for the last year+ I figured I might as well add my two cents to world opinions. The only thing I want to say now is that I wish everyone a happy and healthy new year...a year full of good health, happiness and may your wishes be answered by Hashem l'tova..for good!!
I have lots to be thankful for and I especially want to thank Hakadosh Baruch Hu for the bracha of an extremely close family unit...we are blessed...all our children, grandchildren, mother in law, many nieces, nephews, cousins..all within a few miles..it's truly a bracha...just miss our siblings and many relatives in Eretz Yisroel..but feel they are close too, when we visit yearly. I thank Hashem for all our good health and happiness...and all the brachot He bestows upon us. I thank Hashem for all our good friends...and they are many!! For anything else I have forgotten to be grateful for..Thank you!!