a balloontwister’s aliya saga

Had a busy morning and afternoon.

I went to the Jewish Heritage Museum and the Babe Ruth birthplace and museum. Both in Downtown baltimore. It was pretty interesting. At the Jewish Museum they had an exhibit that showed Jewish Summer camps and the importance of it. They had a display of camp caps and shirts going back 100 years… in the box was a Camp Dina cap, Camp Dora Golding for Girls. Pretty exciting. It showed grossingers pictures, the concord, Summers at miami beach, atlantic city. It was a fundraising event so admission was free for me, even though I clearly did not look like I was a fine shmecker. Everyone had nice clothes on. I had shorts, sandals, pirates cap. Covered with sweat from biking dwn from the light rail. I actually got into a conversation with an older gentleman and his wife, turns out I know their great nephew in Ramat Beit Shemesh, Yehuda Goldreich. This fellow was collecting for magen david Adom.. so I guess it wasn’t free after all.

The babe ruth museum was interesting. Some movies, artifacts, the room where he was born. NOthing too exciting, but if you are in the area and like baseball, its k’dai to see an O’s game and see the museum. The only problem with seeing an Orioles game, is that one of the teams playing is going to be the Orioles. With the three weeks and not being allowed to listen to music I have to hear about how inept they are. Its going to be a long three weeks.

I took my bicycle which I bought and that fixed up last week and brought it on the light rail and did my thing. BOth museums are a mile from each other so.. what the heck. Passed by Camden Yards were the Orioles play and saw the inner harbor. ALot of tourists millling around. Convention center, aquarium, boats…. other stuff….. Several sites to see in Downtown baltimore. Not too far from patterson park where I play softball. Its not that far from the jewish area and the light rail is only $1.60 each way.

I got back to my office to do some work and see the news coming from Israel. While I was sitting here my phone rings and Leslie Palma from the Staten Island Advance wants a few words from me about the goings on in Israel so pick up an Advance and let me know if there is anything from Leslie. I told her how strange and frightening it is to hear how far the missles are landing. I just heard that Northen Tel Aviv is now receiving warning. If Tel Aviv does get hit, G-d forbid I feel a major turn will take place in the hearts of liberal or moderate Israelis. They will no longer be able to claim that only the fanatical settlers are getting hit so its no big deal. I’ve already seen quotes from politicians that are already turning on olmert and will not back him from another disengagement. I also fear that if Israel does not clean up Hezbolla Northern Israel will NEVER be the same. When I was north Pessach time, I didnt give it a second thought. Not sure if we will ever have that feeling again. Similar to a post 9/11 world in manhattan taking a subway. And if WE are nervous, then the tourists will never come and the tourists that have been coming by the planeful will cease and lead to economic hard times. SO let’s hope and daven that this either ends quick or it ends decisively.

Well, I’m going to hit the Fitness center and then head to daven and say tehillim at the shul here.

Have a great day,

J