It was 4am and the gunfire was intense as the thud of explosions shook our building. No it was not Beirut in the 1980's, it was my apartment building in Caracas in 1999.
The policeman who lived one floor below us was the target, but my bedroom window was directly on top of his, and we were in the line of fire.
We huddled on the floor and waited for it to end.... and then three nights later they came back for round two.
Like many of you, I have spent time in different cities and countries around the world as part of my studies, work in the Jewish Community or time with family. These have included plenty places in Central and South America, England, Israel, Canada and more.
Thank G-d in most of these places, I dealt… Read More »
About two months ago, my daughter asked me to remove the training wheels from her bike and teach her to ride without them. The big day finally arrived, and we unscrewed the training wheels and were ready to go.
I recently had my annual physical with my Doctor and thank G-d all is well. As we finished the physical part of the checkup, we then spent about fifteen minutes chatting about life, our children, their interests, his visits back to his hometown in Pakistan where he is going for the first time in over three years this summer, what village life was like for him when he grew up, his elderly mother, faith, and so many more topics.
Camp Gan Israel has had another amazing week so far with the dozens of campers who are enjoying the camp.
and a trip to Wardsberry Farm, lots of Sports, Arts and crafts and so much more.
Camp Gan Israel has gotten off to an amazing start and a truly fun filled week of activities.
We are so grateful to our amazing counselors and teen helpers who are helping the campers enjoy such an amazing week.
On Sunday night we sat in the audience and watched our daughter Chana deliver a beautiful short speech at her High School Graduation in Brooklyn. Seated with dozens of her classmates, all beaming with pride and enjoying this tremendous milestone, we couldn't help but be so happy and grateful for this moment.
This afternoon at a pre Shabbat program at a local nursing home I was joined by several residents and their caregivers or family members.
This past Sunday we hosted a beautiful and meaningful year end Hebrew School celebration for our dozens of students and their families. The celebration included awards to the students and remarks and comments by staff, students and their parents. It was then followed by a short tour of the students Art Projects which were connected to topics they have been studying, and a delicious brunch.
This week as I drive down the Masspike or through some of our own local towns, I see the American Flag going up in many places as the country prepares to mark Memorial Day.
As a parent of young children, I cannot begin to fathom the terrible murderous rampage and bloodbath of young children and their teachers that happened today in Texas.
Good Morning Students & Parents,
Do you ever talk to people and feel like they are not really there?
After Shabbos last week, we found ourselves once again in the aftermath of a terrible racist mass shooting. This time in a Supermarket in Buffalo with the victims nearly all being members of the local Black Community. The hate filled murderer hated Jews and especially Hassidic Jews, but said that they could be targeted at a different time and this time he focused his bullets on innocent shoppers in the supermarket. 
The days are longer and the warm weather is finally here for us to enjoy. I love Spring not just because everything is in bloom and coming to life, and not just because it is warmer outside, but also since the daylight hours and the sunshine last for much longer.
I grew up in England and had a great childhood in the UK, I also live in America and am tremendously grateful of the blessings of this country and all that it provides to all of its inhabitants. Yet at the same time I feel intrinsically and deeply connected to the Land of Israel, and to the millions of our brethren who live there.