3rd of Tammuz

Revered, humble, caring and with a prodigious mind, a man who changed and healed the world with affection, devotion and dedication, left us on the 3rd of Tammuz in 1994.

Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, 'the Rebbe', was born to a family of Chassidic Jews in Russia in the early 1900's.

Russia, was the adversary of Judaism, the Rebbe was its friend.

In order to further and develop Judaism, the Rebbe looked elsewhere. The Journey continued to New York. The Rebbe escaped a treacherous Russia, and came to the United States via France, where he continued to build a movement which stands tall and proud until today. The Rebbe lived for all world Jewry, assisting those in trouble in places as far reaching as Vladivostok, Vienna and Venice. The Rebbe instituted and sent emissaries around the world to disseminate messages of hope, salvation and peace. The Rebbe infused into society a sense of respect and serenity. As Chassidim, we are the children of the Rebbe, that he never had. We, as the legacies of the Rebbe, have the obligation to espouse his commitments and aspirations, to make this world a better place for all. This is what the Rebbe wanted.

Today, we stand in unison, and celebrate the Rebbe's leadership. It is a day that reflection is required, a day that a visionary of our generation instructed us to strive for perfection, to become a better person than what we are.

May we merit the imminent redemption, speedily in our days.

Sled

World Cup 2010

After all the glitz and glamour off the field, the game of football (soccer, to some) awaits. Below are my humble predictions as to the group stages, which will consequently make up the round of 16.

Hosts South Africa tackle Mexico in the inaugural game, so waka waka and wave your flags and may the best team win.

Group A - France and Uruguay are my two teams to go through in this group. South Africa and Mexico to miss out.

Group B - Argentina are one of my favourites to take out the Cup, with Messi at the helm. Nigeria will be the other team to progress. The Korea Republic and Greece will have to wait another 4 years.

Group C - England and the USA will be too strong for the other group members, Slovenia and Algeria.

Group D - Germany will be pretty hard to beat and will take one place. Serbia and Ghana will fight out the other spot, and I feel Ghana, pretty close to home will grab the other spot. Australia may cause some headaches for the others, but not enough damage to advance to the next round.

Group E - The Dutch and the Danes will get a second bite of the cherry in this group. Cameroon can cause upsets and Japan can fluster their opponents, but Denmark and Holland are in a league of their own.

Group F - New Zealand will not win a game, and Slovakia will struggle against reigning champions Italy and the very unassuming Paraguay. Italy and Paraguay will be there for the second half of the tournament.

Group G - Labelled as the group of death, this group is a very tough one. Korea DPR will surely play their best football, but it won't be near enough to match the likes of Brazil, Portugal and the Ivory Coast. Brazil and Ivory Coast to progress.

Group H - Spain will grab one spot, and they may even take the cup. The other spot will go to the Swiss. Chile and Honduras can ready themselves for 2014.

Remember, anything can happen on the football field.

Mayhem to June

Hi all, I write from the Empire City, New York City. The summer has begun in the North as various worldwide economies attempt to assist the fiscal problem of Europe. I will admit, it’s all Greek to me. I have ventured off to North America, starting in New York, with a potential relocation to Canada (Eventual settlement in Israel).

I visited the New England city of Boston, Massachusetts during the month. My sister works at a school and Synagogue in the area. Boston is a University City, with Harvard, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Boston University making up some of the schools in the region. The Boston Celtics square off with the Los Angeles Lakers in this season’s National Basketball Association championship.

New York has been in the news of late as a Pakistani born naturalised American allegedly attempted to detonate a bomb in Times Square. Goldman Sachs also makes the news. United Airlines and Continental merge to make it one complete Unitedmental Airline. Stock markets were rocked and rolled. The Oil Leak in the Gulf entered day 40.

Great Britain elected David Cameron as their new Prime Minister, they can only hope, that England as their only representative at this year’s World Cup in South Africa can follow Cameron on to the victory dais. South Africa claim that all is ready for the month long competition that is sure to create much excitement around the globe. As for contenders, Spain look good, Argentina look formidable and Brazil must never be discounted.

Phony humanitarians set on a voyage toward Israeli waters to drop off ‘supplies’ to Gaza. In a bid to defend itself from barbaric individuals, Israeli Naval commandos took control of the flotilla in the Mediterranean and lives were lost. Israel has a right and a need to go into defensive mode in such situations. Apparently Israel does not have the right friends in the right places. Jewish people in the Diaspora and those not a part of the Jewish nation must lend their heart and soul to the Jewish nation’s plight in the Middle East. Vile, ruthless and merciless people surround Israel. Worldwide media sets upon Israel, as defensive operations are condemned and criticized. Say a prayer for this holy country, its people and its objective.

For some, summer has just begun, and for others winter is getting bitter. May the new season bring much joy, promise and productivity. When in the sun, apply sun cream for protection and drink plenty of liquids to avoid dehydration. Enjoy the outdoors by attending an outdoor theatre, Beer garden or rooftop bar. Pick up a book (or the iPad electronic book reader) and read something you always wanted to read.

Bring on June.

Peace. Sled.