a balloontwister’s aliya saga

First off, a Podcast is a audio and sometimes video file of someone that is about something.

Sports, Israel, Torah, Music, Comedy…. could be anything.

A Ipod is not needed as the files are downloaded / played on your computer OR can be saved to your Ipod / MP3 player.

That said, I have gotten several comments about the first podcast I put together last week. I am going to try and have a new one every week that will discuss Israel as well as other subjects.

You can either suscribe to it if you have a ipod or go to the site and listen to it.

More about that later.

Its Monday morning and I’m back in Baltimore. It was great being home for the few days seeing some familiar faces. I had a really good shmooze with my friend Adiel Levin who was a reservist. I think I’m going to interview him for a podcast in a few weeks as he gave me some interesting insight into Israel’s Losing of the war.

We finally DID make it to the Kotel on friday. We first hit up Tal’s Bagels in the German Colony. It was very nice and the bagels were very good. Almost Goldberg’s good.

What a zechus it was to go daven at the kotel as Elul is now upon us. Being that we ate out both meals on shabbos we had time to go out and spend some time there. I cant recall being there that late on a friday afternoon. The plaza getting set up… tables.. sidurrim… I bet it was a big crowd friday night.

The Jet lag continued Shabbos as I barely got up on time… the good news is that I only had to go accross the street for minyan in the AM. The friday night sun gardens minyan is now a full time shabbos minyan so… we dont have to leave our street at all on shabbos.. talk about lazy anglos..

On the positive side…. it was REALLY hot over the weekend. Not humid.. but very sunny and hot.

Thursday night we had the Strausses over for an Israeli dinner… Pizza. I gave them a tour of Ramat Beit Shemesh. The highlight being, Avrumi strauss meeting Avrumi Strauss. Interestingly enough they both lived in Kew Gardens hills years ago. I wondered if they would turn Ron Silver in Time cop and merge into each other when they shook hands…. They didn’t but I did wonder what would happen. Nothing did. Although I did get some weird looks from both of them.

Thursday was also interesting as I had a balloon gig for kids at Nefesh B’nefesh. I saw Adam Neustader a friend of mine when we lived in Queens together. He just made aliya and is living in Modi’in. It was a nice feeling to see the “green faces” and the eagerness. Friday I had a gig at the summer ulpan “graduation” where they have the kids try to learn some hebrew. I really think its set up to give parents some time to get their lives in order. When you make aliya your entire life is turned upside down for the first few weeks. So the Iriya given summer ulpan as a babysitting service. Met kids from NY, Minnesota, Toronto…..they seem kind of rowdy.. and excited…

sunday…..(boy this blog is totally all over the place.. shabbos.. to friday.. to thursday… back to sunday..) I learned a new little trick to make my hebrew seem better. I took a hitchhiker for the first time in months and when I told him I was only living in Israel a year.. he said how good my hebrew is….

I think I may tell people I’ve only been in israel for a year…. for the next 10 years. Yoni liked that idea.

LAst night we hit the bowling alley in Petach tikva and one thing is apparent. I think the bowling skills is going to be skipping 2 generations. Abba can bowl.. and thats it. We’re just horrible. Lets see if the next generation is any good. Oy. Just pathetic. Michal remarked that ALL our scores combined were less than Abba’s last time he took the kids out. I think we should have gotten some NIS back.

After bowling, on the way to the airport we had a rough time finding a mehadrin restaurant in PEtach Tikva. Turns out the one we were told to go to.. closed up. This has been turning into a huge issue. I think the trick is to call your rav in advance and ask which rabannut is reliable or not. Its the weirdest thing being in Israel and not eating at places that are kosher… but not mehadrin. Some rabbanuts are good.. some are better…etc. Just very messy. So I did the next best thing. I got to the airport and went to the King davids lounge and had 3 glasses of wine and some cookies and pickles… (took a few apples for the flight too…).

Well, signing off….Gotta do some work before I fall asleep….yawn….;)

Flying at 1:30 am.. not that bad.

You’re sleeping right away…. but you land at 7pm wide awake… and thursday morning is kind of shot.

It was a different good bye this time at Kennedy. My folks were there and YOssi was there as well as Jerry Glazer who was on out aliya flight last year. Its not all fun and games in israel. Its alot of work for the kids and Penina. Just to bring the point home we haad to have a few bills read to us by neighbors. I think we have to go to speak to the property tax people and the lawyer about something… not really sure. Moshe starts school sunday so its off to school supplies and car pools… and tutors. So the flight home last night was like taking a deep breath. Summer is over.

We got a great reception last night. Several signs on the door. People coming over to say hi. Milk and breakak in the fridge and a cake on the table. I think Penina made some great friends. Interestingly enough the cake was from someone I bought powdered milk for and the milk and bread was from someone we buy hot dogs for. Ironic.

I also had a great with my friend Adiel who was in Lebanon fighting. I got a better idea of the war. He is just so upset as many reservists feel they just wasted their time. He said they were given orders. And then orders were taken away.

He was on and off a bus 15 times. He was eating only sandwiches for a week. Had his first hot meal…On tisha b’av ironically. He said the higher ups had no idea what they were doing. We’ll get into this more another time. He admits that israel lost the war as no objectives were met and that its just round one.

Its 9am and its quiet in the house. I was the first one to go to sleep at 1am and the only one up. As I walked out for davening… it was really quiet in the streets. No school for anyone so no buses. NO cars around. A very weird feeling. Many of out neighbors haven’t come back yet.

I hear that Kenny flew back last night and Avrumi Strauss IS in town. I hope to introduce Avrumi strauss to Avrumi strauss (the israeli one) that should be really fun. Maybe like when Captain Kirk met Captain Kirk when he got split up in an old episode.

Tamar did NOT throw up on the plane. Breaking a personal streak of 2 times. The kids behave well as Israir was fine. The wife had an incident involving a diaper and a flight attendant… but you’ll have to speak to her. I am under orders to keep her OUT of this blog. Sorry Malkie.

The kids like the slippers that were given out to all passengers. Yoni as he was leaving the plane took a few pairs from the floor. Clean ones I hope, to give to a few friends. Talk about a cheap gift.

Well, hopefully I’ll make it up to Jerusalem to daven at the kotel. Been a while since I’ve been there and it would be a great way to bring in the new chodesh.

Have a good day,

u.d.

Mazel tov to Menachem schonfeld. A new gadol in Klal Yisroel. He should be with g-d’s help able to follow in the footsteps of his parents and grandparents - In Torah and in Chessed. Sad to say but we need more gedolim as we have lost many over the past few weeks.

In the past I would have said that Israel should have gone further… Being Israeli now and knowing a reservist…. I’m not as gung ho as I would have been. Its easy to say that Israel should have kept fighting… but… there were 500,000 jews that were living in schools, bomb shelters… as well as thousands of soldiers that were putting their lives on the line.

Will there be peace?

I doubt it. Unless there is a disarming of hizbollah, sad to say, but I think we will be in a worse matzav. They will get better rockets and they will be getting more people that will join their side. I think from hearing news reports and quotes from soliders you can hear both sides. Reservists that just want to go home to their wives and children as well as some being angry that they had to stop in the middle and how they couldn’t finish their jobs.

The main thing will be in Lebanon can in fact stand on its own. I don’t think they are strong enough to disarm Hizbollah. We have to keep in mind that its not the army or the politicans that are pulling the strings. Its H-shem that does and we lose that perspective when we are tuned into CNN or other news stations.

Over the weekend Penina came down to Baltimore and we spent shabbos is GeorgeTown and sunday touring D.C. There is a very nice chevra at the shul, Kesher. Its a modern place and it looks like the shul is very open towards young people. Friday night the place was packed with youngsters from the neighboring colleges I think. An interesting moment was in the rav’s gemora shiur. Not only were women in attendancem but a young woman asked a shtark question on Rashi’s pshat. The torah and the thirst for learning is not only held by yeshiva boys anymore I guess. This was the first time I think that I was in a gemora shiur with women attending. When a woman said kadish at ma’ariv.. I wasn’t as surprised. I think I heard a lady say kadish once in the Lower East side. The most impressive thing was the chazzan, a man, on friday night used the carlebach simcha lartetzecha, My favorite one, for lcha dodi. Georgetown is actually very nice. Cross between Cape Cod and the village. Upscale yuppies and students in a very pretty setting near the river. Very expensive I hear as well.

Sunday we went on a segway tour of D.C. Segways are those scooters that are freestanding and that almost balance by themselves. After watching a short training video and a training session we were zipping down Penn. Avenue up and around the historical buildings. Getting stares from everyone. It was alot of fun. The best way to see the area. I think its too much to walk all arounf the mall and memorials. SO a scooter or segway was perfect. I only partly crashed 2 times. Trying to take pictures while riding… not a good idea as I bumped the curb and almost fell off.

Well, I’m going to try and do some work.

Have a good day y’all,

J

Been over a week since the last one… maybe a week in a half.

The question thing was pretty much a bad idea.

“I can’t spend more than 25 seconds dealing with Yudie and his nuttiness.. more than 1 minute will cause serious damage”

I hear you. I feel that way sometimes myself.

SO I spent August 3rd in Baltimore. This year’s TIsha B’av wa alot different than last year’s.

There are many more reasons to cry this year. While last year we were in the middle of the gush katif disengagement, I had no idea what was going to happen. We were thinking that at the last moment that perhaps SOMETHING was going to allow them to stay.

I also thought people’s lives would be able to go on.

Wrong. and Wrong.

In baltimore in Shomrei Amuna, they had several videos throughout tisha b’av. The one before mincha was a 30 minute video on people reflecting on their lives PRE disengagement. Just the thought of people having their efforts over the past 30 years thrown away and destroyed in enough to make you cry. And coupled with the fact that the current war, I feel, is a direct cause of the disengagement has made me cry even more this tisha b’av.

The day after I drove to the catskills as I was twisting balloons at camp hasc. A friend of mine Rabbi Mischel from RBS is running the camp and hired Yudie Ballooney for the folks there. Little did I know that the events of the day were: Yudie Ballooney and Rabbi SOlomon from Lakewood. I didn’t get to meet the rav, but I was honored to be a part of making these kids and adults happy for a little while. Its incredible seeing all the counselors and helpers, wheel and take care of the people who are in the camp. I know I could never have done that. Takes someone with a special neshama to spend their summer this way. These are boys and girls ages 18-21 I think. Some hang in woodbourne or in the city. But these are dedicated to helping the kids and adults with special needs have a great summer. It was especially rewarding to see my friend Jeffrey Goldgrab there. Living in Staten Island with him and seeing him change from a small scrawny kid who I once ran over in a softball game to REALLY turning into a special person. I draw alot of strength seeing the youth of tommorrow being so involved in chessed. I think when I was 20 I was in college for the summer and was a counselor in day camp somewhere. But these kids are just different than my chevra was. or most chevras for that matter.

He’s going back a second year to Reishit so we’ll see him g-d willing in Beit Shemesh.

Last shabbos we spent in Monsey and it was an interesting shabbos. I just spent several hours listening in the car friday to Rav Leff on my Ipod. He gave several speeches on and befre tisha b’av and spoke about many different topics. One hit home was the huge difference between US and Israel .The philosophy in life and material objects or “toys” as the rav would call them. I’m not going to get into this. Although its kedai to go to Rav leff’s website and download his drashot. Sunday was spent in Camp dina visiting my daughter, michal. Its interesting how many people I know that send their daughters there. Guys from high school, elementary school. One guy who learned in israel and was there several times before as well. I clearly remember staring at the coke can in hebrew in his house. Another friend of mine who has israeli parents. Both live in the US, while I’m living in Israel. I guess you can never tell who gets the “bug” to make the leap.

Its been a quiet week here in Baltimore. Unfortunately, in Israel its anything but quiet. My friend Adiel Levin was called to serve in the reserves and I’ve been keeping him in my thoughts in tefilla and during the day. When I asee a report about reserves… my heart just stops for a second. Although I should really be shuttering at any mention of soldiers. Every one who is killed or injured is someone’s friend, brother, or father.

I caught a glimpse of a website that mentioned a reservist was killed from Michmas. A settlement near ma’ale adummim. I mention this bec. my friend micha has a brother that lives there. Turns out it was the son of a friend of Josh Males. Josh also had a friend of his killed a year ago in another incident. A civilian killed a week ago used to play softball with the captain of my current team. Its difficult and while we are gung ho in driving out hizbolla there is a huge cost to this. The numbers dont affect us when its US soldiers because we dont have a connection to them. Israeli soldiers are our people.

This week has also seen a shift in public and world opinion. France has caved, no surprise and just hours ago the US told israel not to escalate the war. Just hours after the Israeli GOv’t announced that they are going to expand their ground offensive. First time in this tekufah that we’ve seen any words out of washington that hasnt totally supported Israel in their operations. We’ll see if Israel backs down, although I don’t think they will. With over 3,000 rockets hitting israel over the past few weeks most in Israel support the operation. Even the left parties.

Well, I’m going to sign off. Mincha then Ma’ariv then the daf and then a shiur from Rabbi Hauer. Busy night…..

Also a farewell to The Kenigs as they are heading to Israel in the AM. Be safe kenneth. Maybe the kenigs will want to stay and make aliya…stay tuned…

Be well,

j

Before the year in review blog I thought I’d see who has been reading and following up with the Akselruds in their first year of Aliya.

How about… the one with the most correct answers gets a prize… i.e. Sushi from Ossie’s or something fresh or… a balloon …maybe a felafel…

I’ll give you until wednesday night to email me the answers… deadline… hmm….. 8:00 right before the fast starts…

1. What street do the Akselrud’s live?

2. Where did Yudie take Jeff Kazan for a hike?

3. Which of the Akselrud Children go to the same school?

4. What is a Chug?

5. Which Shul does Yudie daven in, when he’s in Israel?

6. Where were the Akselrud’s for Pesach?

7. Which Seminary girl from Staten Island came to the Akselrud’s for succot?

8. Why did the Akselrud Succa fall down?

9. What kind of car do the Akselrud’s drive?

10. Which hospital does Yudie go to twist balloons?

11. Which Nachal the Kenig girls go to with the Akselruds?

12. How many times did the Akselruds go to EIn Gedi?

13. Where is the Air force museum?

14. Where did Yudie work in Israel this year?

15. Where did Yudie work in the US this year? (three possible answers, 1 point per answer)

16. Which Staten Islander invited the Akselrud’s to a bar mitzva at the Kotel this year?

17. How many times did Yudie get upgraded on a El Al flight this year?

18. Where does Penina go for her Coffee drinks in Israel?

19. How many times did Penina’s parents come to Israel this year?

20. How many times did Yudie’s parents come this year?

21. How many times did Avi Waldman come to ISrael this year?

22. How many times did Aunt Ruthie come this year?

23. What were the Akselrud’s looking for in the Mediteranean sea succot time?

24. Who is attached to the Akselrud’s house?

25. What is the name of the neighborhood where the Akselrud’s live in RBS?

26. Why did Yudie go to Chevron this year?

27. Where did the Akselrud’s go jeeping?

28. How many hebrew tutors did yudie have this year?

29. Why did the Akselrud’s go to Ashdod this year?

30. What does Yudie do for a living?

31. What does Penina do?

32. How many times did Yudie play flag football this year?

33. What food did yudie disparage in RBS this year?

34. Where did yudie play drums this year? (2 places, fyi)

35. What is Nes Amim?

36. Where did yudie’s cousin Zanvy learn this year?

37. Where did Dovid Pretter learn this year?

38. Who is the Israeli Korn?

39. When did the Akselrud’s go Bowling?

40. What company had a private shuttle that Yudie took to work?

Good luck. I think it will be close between Goldie, kenny, beena and Korny….
Email me the answers….
J

A huge yasher kokach to Yudie and Aviva Zuller who hosted a BBQ to raise money for the people that are being displaced in the North Of Israel. I emailed yudie earlier and told him how I was very proud of him. I would have loved to be there but to go 3 hours from Baltimore….. well… a bit too far for hot dogs. Spinach pancakes suit me fine. Penina said it was crowded and was too hot…. I’ll hear more about it tommorrow I’m sure.

Tommorrow is moving day as I head out of my studio apartment and into a house with 2 other guys. In a different area of the jewish community here and a bit closer to work I think.

Shabbos was nice .. hey shabbos in flatbush… whats not to like? “kids, no carrying today”.

“huh?”

I was impressed that my blog is making a royshim on people other than my parents. I think Goldie and Abe zlotnick know practically every blog entry. I may get them a subscription to a magazine or something. If this is the most interesting thing they read….

I sat by shalosh seudos and thought to myself that this week will be the 1 year anniversary of our aliya date and what a year it has been. Before I reflect on it I think we should reflect on another event that happenned a year ago. The 9 days last year were the last few days of Normalcy for the people of gush katif. I spent a few minutes looking at the friends of gush kattif website.

I cried at my desk.

Jews being thrown out of their homes. Shuls aand homes being destroyed. What has it gotten us? missles fired closer from south and north. We gave them confidence to continue to harass us. Incredible.

Sunday we all went to chelsea piers and the wax museum in TImes square. It was interesting how much “shtus” I know and how little the kids know, Boruch H-shem. Big difference between museums in israel that show H-shem’s miracles.. i.e. war e al. and the wax museums that show Rappers, actors, and ru paul, the man who dresses like a woman. I felt bad when yoni asked who that was.” Er.. thats a man.” Well, I’m going to sign off as my battery is almost gone. Past 11pm. THe laptop battery too.

J