Shabbat December 29-30

December 29th Parashat VaYechi

It’s been a while since I posted, which is multifactorial. No trips to Israel, a very busy late summer and fall, and then the events of October 7th and the subsequent war against Hamas. Yes, there has been a lot to write about, and I am sure we have all written our share on what is currently going on in our communities. Whether you are directly involved by having friends and family in Israel, or you are an academic or a student on campus, or are even living in a city like Montreal, Toronto or New York, it’s obvious that we are living in very troubling times. I plan on writing a bit on reflections on what’s going on in Israel, but that is being saved for at least 2-3 posts to focus on important family events. 

 

To start, I am going to reach back a couple of weeks and share the simcha that we were privileged to be part of in Cleveland on Shabbat Chanukkah. We celebrated the Bat Mitzva of our granddaughter Talia Bella, or Tali, as everyone calls her! The Montreal contingent of Barbara, my Mom (AKA Grandma) and I descended on Monty, Daniella, Tali and Ezra in Cleveland on the Thursday prior to the simcha. Friday morning, we were treated to a very fun “Grandparents Day” at Fuchs Mizrachi School, where we joined Ezra for a fun pre-Shabbat Sing-a-long. 

Then, on to the next big event. We were joined by members of the Wagner family, Elan from Israel, the Mazer Family and friends of Monty and Daniella from the cities that Monty had done medical training, including Buffalo and St. Louis!  And what a party it was! First and most important, Tali is an incredible young woman, bright, poised, confident, friendly, and very, very kind and caring. She is also a superb big sister to Ezra (age 7) who is always an important part of Tali’s world. It’s really fun to see how well they relate. Daniella and Monty planned an amazing weekend, with a beautiful Friday night dinner for family and out of town guests at their synagogue; Shabbat morning the synagogues services were led by Monty and his friend Max Gornish, with Ezra singing with Abba (Monty) on the bimah for a key part of the service (that was awesome). The services culminated with Tali presenting a d’var Torah (Torah Lesson) about Channukkah to the entire congregation. She was well prepared and pulled it off flawlessly. The entire congregation was invited to a “kiddush” sponsored by Daniella and Monty but featuring (among many other great foods) Babka from Chezkie’s Bakery on Park Ave in Montreal. If you have not yet had Chezkie’s Babaka, well, you just haven’t lived 😉

After a fun family lunch and the afternoon services (which included a d’var Torah from Elan), many of the gang went to the best kosher restaurant in Cleveland (Mendel’s KC BBQ, which we had been to Thursday night). 

But the piece de resistance was a Sunday night Hanukkah party for Tali and her friends (and of course other family members and friends). There was great music and dancing, fantastic kid-friendly food, and lots of ruach. Tali was everywhere at once, dancing with her friends and really appearing to enjoy the moment. It was a very fitting Bat Mitzvah celebration. 

Fast forward 2 1/2 weeks and we have arrived in Israel! We are at the beginning of a few new adventures. First, we will be celebrating another family milestone, our grandson Shlomo’s Bar Mitzvah, a week from Saturday. Second, we be spending several months here on Sabbatical as Bruce will be working in research with the Pediatric Food Allergy Unit in Sheba Hospital at Tel Hashomer in Tel Aviv. So, lot’s more to share in the coming weeks and months.   

We also have completed some upgrades in our apartment which we planned on our trip last summer. This was actually all carried out while we were in Montreal, following along by video and WhatsApp messages, under the watchful eye of an amazing designer named Linda Dekel. We now have a new kitchen and 3 brand new bathrooms, and the place looks really great. A good start to our several months long sojourn. 

We are now preparing for Shabbat in Petach Tikvah with Gila and Ariel. But of course, we had to have some minor Israeli mishap….we rented a car on Wednesday on arrival, but did not use the car on Thursday. This morning as we packed up the car, guess what? It did not start! So of course, we called Hertz and they pleasantly said that the repair person would come within 3 hours! So helpful…Anyway, happy ending, the service person called me about 30 minutes later that he would be there in 10 minutes. A quick evaluation, and a new battery, and we were on our way. 

So, stay tuned for more updates with commentary and current events interspersed. We’ll keep you posted with our unique perspective!

Refuah Shelema to Paltiel Rafael ben Esther

Refuash Shelema to Aliza bat Chaya

Mazel tov to Haim Fruchter and Family on the recent Bat Mitzvah of Sheelo, daughter of Yacov and Ryla!

Happy Birthday to Uncle Peter!

Happy Birthday to Sheila!

Happy Birthday to Alvan!

Happy Birthday to Debbie!

Happy Birthday to Elaine!

Happy Birthday to Shlomo!

Happy Birthday to Gail!

And to all a Happy 2024, may it be a year that brings more peace and understanding to the world.

Shabbat Shalom!

Barbara and Bruce