a balloontwister’s aliya saga

Mazel Tov and welcome to the big boys club, dani.

I made the trip from Baltimore to Staten Island and back to go to the big Strauss Bar mitzvah. What a fantastic time I had. From staying at the Litchy’s to the davening and Layning to seeing all the guys.

Also, a Mazel tov to the gordon / Lewin family and the Reves family. This shabbos was the sheva brochos in Staten Island… which meant that The balloon guy had to find a place to stay on the island. Hotel 31 niles was booked.

Well, the lichtsheins loss is my gain. Despite having gum, candy and israeli chocolates stolen b the kids…. I had a great time. And yes… the pecan pie was great.

Now the asparagus…

Shabbos lunch at Lord Kornius was great too. I thought it was a bit weird that they locked the boys outside during the meal.. but it was quiet…and there was plenty of food for the rest of us…

kidding.

The Bar mitzva was fantastic. The strausses despite being Giants fans are really great people. Despite living in Chootz Laretz.. they really have Israel of their minds andthey are very involved in alot of community projects. I;ve dealt with avrumi on different IT and programming issues.. and I learned 2 things.

He really is smart.

I really don’t have much of a clue.

Kidding….(guess which part?)

I also found out that people really DO read the blog. KAzan was upset that I didnt talk about him enough. I mean all he had to do was pay for the chinese meal on chl hamoed in Beit shemesh…. and I wold have dedicated a week to him. The guy thinks he can pay for a pie of pizza and I owe him my life… nerve of that guy.

I am also thankful that I didnt say anything bad about JAck Newman last week. Someone sent him my blog from last week. Its actually a huge deal that Abe and his son mendy as well as uncle jack are gaboim. I did it for a year or so.. and it burned me out. Jack runs a very tight ship. Despite a huge crowd at the 8 am minyan and around 23 aliyahs.. he still kept it quiet and moving along. … of course beign a black belt doesn’t hurt. I hear he once used a gartel as nunchuks when someone was talking once. The guy has black marks on his face to this day.

But the best comment was from Big robbie.

“I love to read the blog and hear how yudie moved to Baltimore”

Thanks robbie.

Have a good night… please stay tuned for tommorrows podcast. My brother dovid will be interviewed on his charity bike tour in the negev and donations are being accepted to raise money for the Alyn Hospital.

J