Festivities of October 2011

The festivals have come and gone ensuring us all a healthy sweet new year. Rosh Hashona (festival celebrating the beginning of the Jewish New Year) was had in Toronto. The Day of Atonement was observed in Miami, as was the festival of the booths. It was wet and wild in South Florida as the tropic summer months continue well into Autumn.

Queen Elizabeth visited Australia for afternoon tea. Speaking of leaders, Muammur Gaddafi was found and killed in Libya as the world watches the birth of another democratic nation. Time will tell. Violence continues all over the Middle East and North Africa, as does “Occupy’ violence from New York to Buenos Aires and back.

‎Finally, after 1941 days, Gilad Shalit returned home. It was a magical and proud moment as Gilad crossed the border and embraced his father. May G-d continue to protect and watch over us.

‎Perhaps it will be third time lucky for Sir Paul McCartney as he tied the knot to Nancy Shevell. In sadder news, technological geeks and Apple Mac fans mourned the loss of Steve Jobs. The face of Apple lost his battle with cancer, he fought hard and long but in the end he bit the apple.

Wishing all the Americans a very happy Thanksgiving and healthy Turkey consumption.
It’s starting too look a lot like Winter …….

September 2011

Happy Jewish New Year and Shana Tova to one and all. We spent the beginning of the New Year, North of the border in Toronto Canada, where the weather is 25 degrees cooler (than Miami).

September was busy as the world watched as the 10th Anniversary of September 11 took place. Special tributes and memorial were held in those places where lives were lost and the world was changed forever. A certain leader and known denier still claimed that the events that took place on September 11 2001 were an American conspiracy. Clearly, the world still needs to be cleaned of such evil.

Investment bank UBS were kept on their toes as suspected rogue trader Kweku Adoboli caused the bank to lose 2 Billion dollars. Social Media got updates of Adoboli’s activity as he updated his facebook status to "I need a miracle" before being arrested. How hopeful!

Stock markets continued to be battered and it seems that being a professional sportsman or woman is certainly one healthy way to make it rich in these tough economic times. Serbian Novak Djokovic pocketed $2.3 million USD prize money by winning the U.S open tennis.

Enjoy the remaining holidays and be nice to one another.

'Outwitting History' by Aaron Lansky

The language of Yiddish is here to stay, and Aaron Lansky tells a story of courage, perseverance and absoluteness. The story begins as Lansky is a college student with a love for the Yiddish language and Lansky ensures that the language continues to be a part of a partially destroyed 19th century. Lansky and some comrades collect and salvage Yiddish books. They save the language and they save the world.

Hurricane season and August

Hello readers and followers, I hope the past few weeks have been good and pleasant for you, wherever you may be.

I moved to Florida at the outset of the 2011 summer, and was warned that the weather would be unbearable, miserable and outlandishly temperamental. And so it has been. We have had patches of summer tropical rain whilst simultaneously having gorgeous summer sunshine.

The summer months bring about Hurricane season, 2011 brought about ‘Irene’. Though it didn’t wage its battle in Florida, it moved North to the city that never sleeps. New York City was able to once again create immense hype as they awaited Hurricane Irene (which was later downgraded to tropical storm Irene). This all came about in the same week that many New Yorkers (and other East coasters) experienced earth tremors.

On the topic of tremors, Wall Street continued to get a beating as world markets and currencies caused headaches worldwide. Google acquired Motorola for $12 Billion and Steve Jobs resigned as CEO of Apple.

London Bridge nearly fell down as rioters took to the streets of many English cities. London was a riot, as youths burnt buildings, looted and made a complete mockery of the Police.

Libyan nationals continue the war on Gadaffi, as they attempt to capture the dictator who now has a price on his head. Meanwhile in Gaza, arms smuggling and terrorism is in full effect (and people still believe the Flotilla was a peace vessel). Wishing a long life to the families of those who lost loved ones in the recent attacks on innocent civilians in the South of Israel.

During the last month, a former classmate of mine, Chaim Yonatan Zev Halevi ben Yael lost his battle to lung cancer. He battled hard, but in the end G-d wanted him back. May his family be comforted in this difficult time and may you only have joyous time from here on in.

As Rosh Hashona (Jewish new year) approaches, I want to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and sweet new year and may you all be written and inscribed for a beautiful, healthy new year ahead.

Miami Jewish Museum & Isaac Bashevis Singer

I had the privilege and pleasure of visiting the Miami Jewish Museum in South Beach this past Sunday. It was a rainy summer day and in between running between rainfall and puddles it was a good cultured experience.

There is an Isaac Bashevis Singer (and his artists) exhibit at the museum until September 2011 and I recommend that any fan of the literary great to go and check out the small, intimate exhibit at the museum. Singer lived his last days in the Surfside neighborhood of Miami and has a street named after him there. He was a prolific novelist of short stories, poems and more and was one of the greatest writers in the post World War 2 era. He keeps the Yiddish language alive.

The museum on its own is a small museum with interesting and wonderful information on Jewish Floridians, Cuban Jews and the Israeli connection.

More of July

Hurricane season became a reality (for approximately 24 hours) as Emily picked up over Haiti and the Dominican Republic and was heading towards the American Eastern Seaboard. Though it weakened and turned into heavy rain and flooding. The season continues.

A different hurricane was brewing in Washington as the Government and Politicians tried to make good with the debt deal. They procrastinated, fought, leveraged and finally brokered a deal. To further show the doom and gloom of the current debt crisis, it was revealed that Apple Inc had more money on hand than the U.S. Treasury (at one point).

A lone gunman went berserk in Oslo, Norway as he set off bombs in a Government building and attacked a Political camp, killing up to 80 people in a bloody rampage. The accused Anders Behring Breivik, claims the attack was needed to ‘save’ Europe from Muslim infiltration and that it would start a ‘necessary revolution’. Breivik’s attorney noted that his client appeared to be insane.

‘Borders’ the large bookseller closed its doors after filing for liquidation as the American dollar continued to weaken on international currency markets. Apple were in the news again as they launched their O SX Lion and the new MacBook Air into the Computer Jungle.

Music fans around the world mourned the untimely death of U.K. singer Amy Winehouse. Some say she joined the 27 Club alongside Kurt Cobain, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison. Others say she didn’t.

After 21 stages of cycling through the beautiful wine country of France, we wish congratulations to Cadel Evans and Australia on winning your first Tour de France. What a wonderful feat of skill, persistence and hard work.

Please continue to pray for Chaim Yonatan Zev Halevi ben Yael for a complete and speedy recovery and be kind to one another.

sled.

June to July and more

Hello Miami, hello summer. It is viciously hot in Southern Florida but enjoying the beautiful surroundings. Atlantic Ocean waves, tropical storms and Cuba is only a 100 odd miles away.

The world was shocked and speechless as a young boy, just 9 years of age was brutally murdered in Brooklyn, New York. The abduction and subsequent savage attack on a young, naïve, innocent child was shocking and disturbing. There really are no words!

Rupert Murdoch made huge headlines (not sure it was reported in his own newspaper) as he closed ‘News of the world’ after 168 years of tabloid scandal. Quite funny as the demise of the largest scandal newspaper in the UK came via a scandal, a phone hacking scandal.

Congratulations to South Sudan on becoming the newest independent sovereign country on Planet Earth. Africa welcomes you and your arms. Meanwhile, North of South Sudan, Libya continues their warfare as petrol prices soar. Greece and Portugal continue to have financial woes in Europe. While on the topic of finance, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) elected a woman to fill the top seat (vacated by Dominique Strauss-Kahn). In any case, I wish former French Finance Minister Christine Lagarde congratulations on her election as IMF chief - please behave yourself.

The so-called peace Flotillas attempted to sail in the Mediterranean but didn’t get far. They then thought they could outsmart the Israelis by attempting a Flytilla (same idea as flotilla but via the air, as opposed to the sea) but they failed. It was an epic fail. Intelligent Israeli security personnel made sure no flytilla or flotilla took place.

Americans (and some others around the world) have been glued to their TV sets for about 5 weeks as they saw the Casey Anthony v State of Florida case take place. It was Law and Disorder as Anthony was acquitted on all Murder charges. While another Anthony, Anthony Weiner was all but forgotten.

In the tech world, Google+ was launched to counter the other social network sites. Facebook hooked up a video chat with Skype and Twitter joined in on the Social Media Chaos. ‎

Japan beat the U.S.A in the women’s world cup soccer final. Rafael Nadal won the French Open and Serbia hasn’t had such a bright day in a long time when local son Novak Djokovic won his first Wimbledon title.

Wishing you all a happy second half of July and be safe in the 9 days. Say a prayer for a friend of mine, Yonatan Zev Ben Yael for a complete and speedy recovery.

Peace.

Total Mayhem

Hi all, it was a month of total Mayhem, beginning with the death of Osama bin Laden and into the sea he was lade/laid. The World media went berserk as newspaper headlines and T.V programmes were filled with osamaganda. Obituaries were prepared, documentaries edited, blogs written and millions of tweets tweeted the death of the evil Osama. Done and Dusted.

It was a sad month for the Israeli Justice system as it said farewell to one of the greats. Former Israeli Supreme Court Justice Moshe Landau, who presided over the Adolf Eichmann trial and announced to Eichmann "This Court finds you guilty", passed away on the eve of Holocaust remembrance day he was 99. On a lighter note Israel celebrated 63 years of independence since 1948.

The computer war continued as ‎Bill Gates (Microsoft) wanted a communications aspect at the company, so they bought Skype for 8.5 billion cash. Stock exchanges greeted new companies to the exchange in May 2011. LinkedIn, the Professional social media network group went public. They can be found under the code LNKD on the NYSE. Pandora, an Internet radio station also floated as ‘P’ on the NYSE.

Anthony Weiner (a politician, but a human too) also went public, for the wrong reasons, on Twitter. He subsequently resigned from Congress.

Out in California, Arnold Schwarzenegger's marriage was terminated - (but he'll be back). Other discoveries were made in the Schwarzenegger household too.

The Icelandic volcano of ‘Grimsvotn’ erupted; it is probably a little easier to pronounce this volcano than ‘Eyjafjallajokull’ of last year. Another erupted volcano in Chile left thousands of passengers stranded in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa as dangerous lava filled the skies above the Southern Hemisphere causing hundreds of flights to be cancelled.

Many proclaimed, but the world didn't end. Either did the civil war in Libya and the killings in Syria and Yemen. Haiti has a new President - the singer Michel Martelly! On musical note congratulations to Azerbaijan on winning eurovision 2011.

Dallas was too hot for the Miami Heat as German wunderkid Dirk Nowitizki destroyed LeCon James and co in the NBA finals. Barcelona thrashed Manchester United in a messi night at wembley to claim the Champions League.
Say a prayer for our brothers and sisters in Israel as they continue to defend their sovereignty.

I hope June is a healthy and happy one for all. Regards from Miami Beach.

'The Brothers Ashkenazi' by I.J. Singer

Set in pre-war Lodz, during the years of revolutions, wars, pogroms and anti-Semitism comes a story complete with joy, tragedy, perseverance and triumph. The Brothers Ashkenazi, twins, Meir Simcha (Max) and Jacob Bunem (Yakub) are destined for success, in different ways. They both grow in wealth, affluence and influence, but learn that all one takes to the next world is a good name, a healthy reputation. As they grow in age, they grow apart, however brothers remain brothers.

The story is written with great detail and description about an era of Eastern Europe that was rife with commerce, development and hardship. Singer captures the movement, the fluctuation and craziness of the characters in exquisite thoroughness. Singer puts The Brothers Ashkenazi back together again.

'Sacred Trash' by Adina Hoffman & Peter Cole

Hoffman and Cole team up to write a narrative on what some called 'the 8th wonder of the world' - the lost and found world of the Cairo Geniza.

The book is about discovery, tradition and rescue of holy Jewish literature of 900 years in age from Fustat (Cairo) Egypt.

With a dynamic team of research scholars including, Solomon Schechter, S.D Goiten and many other 'Geniza' experts, the authors narrate a story of immense historical importance, filled with richness, colour, depth and lucidity.

What may be 'trash' to some, is a 'treasure' to others.

A Royal April

I write from Sydney, Australia after a wonderful visit to my homeland for Passover (Pesach). It was a fabulous trip, a first for MDL. We had precious family time plus we visited and saw some of the great Australian sites. Pesach, as usual in Anglesea was leaven free. Thanks to all the hardworking team for making a real beautiful Chag (holiday). Let us hope and pray that what we read aloud at the Seder “next year in Jerusalem” actualizes.

As the academic year winds down in the North, the South readies itself for ski season. New Zealand is still one of the choicest of options even though Christchurch lies in a heap of rubble.

Apparently #osamaisdead. Barak Obama announced to the world that Osama Bin Laden, the worlds’ most wanted man was captured and killed by American forces in Pakistan. Possibly Obama found Osama to boost his re-election campaign. Media sources have been waiting a long time for this newsworthy story including the broadsheet, tabloid and electronic newsfeeds. Conspiracy theories will be created and perhaps Obama was upset that he did not receive an invite to the Royal Wedding and in turn, Will and Kate’s media fame was overshadowed by the death of Evil Osama. Details to ensue.

April 1st brought snow to New York (this is not a April fools joke) while a Government shutdown was avoided in Washington D.C. The Australian Dollar continues to strengthen and a high of 1.10 USD was recorded in late April. Meanwhile the Japanese government approved a quake budget of 4 trillion Yen to assist in the cleanup and recovery after the mass earthquake and tsunami. Samsung is suing Apple, but that seems to happen every day.

It was a Royal April as Will and Kate tied the knot in London. Thousands upon thousands came to London to see David and Posh Beckham’s outfits (and Kate’s dress). The Empire State Building turned 80 while Israeli teenagers got a taste of Justin Bieber as he performed in Tel Aviv.

Fighting continues in the Middle East and Africa. In Libya, NATO attacked Gaddafi and succeeded in killing Gaddafi’s son (G senior still on the run). The fighting also claimed the lives of notable Journalists Tim Hethrington and Chris Hondras. In the Ivory Coast, French forces captured dictator Laurent Gbagbo. Syria has problems too, as does Bahrain and was forced to cancel its Formula 1 championship race.

Manchester United will not win the treble this season and Fernando Torres finally broke his goal-scoring drought for Chelsea (at a cost of 50 million pounds). Sri Lanka might have been bribed to lose the world cup final (but India and Tendulkar were the better team).

Yom Hashoa, the day of Holocaust remembrance passed and we remember all the pure and holy souls who died in the sanctification of G-D’s name during World War 2. Yom Haatzmaot, Israeli Independence Day approaches and let us all join in unison and pray that the ‘David’ can once again defeat the ‘Goliath’ and keep Israel safe.

Dayenu.

'The White Tiger' by Aravind Adiga

Set in India, The White Tiger is a dark comical fiction work of literary par excellence. Adiga creates the character 'Balram Halwai' and sets off on a frenzied, passionate and detailed journey of modern India.

Corrupt politicians, impoverished citizens and the affluent are all targeted in Adiga's portrayal of the realities of day-to-day India.

It is a story within a story, about a chauffeur turned entrepreneur and his courageous, yet cunning plan, to leave the 'chicken coop'.

March Madness

Hi, March has come and gone and so has Purim, Patrick’s Day and Passover is looming. If you thought the New York winter had departed, think again. New York was blessed with some more snow, hail, icy rain and temperamental weather.

The world witnessed a most savage, cruel and cowardly attack as terrorists murdered five members of the Fogel family in Itamar, Israel. May those who perished be an eternal light for the Jewish people and may their memory shine and eliminate evilness. Meanwhile, a Jerusalem bus is blown up and the world remains silent. However, we are the ones who build! Am Yisrael Chai (the nation of Israel is very much alive).

Violence and war is still brewing in Libya, Syria and Yemen (and other places) as rebel groups attempt to overthrow current leaders. Allied forces have made been employed to try and fight the evil. There has been talk of arming Libyan rebels as they battle with Gaddafi (or however you spell it). Ivory Coast is dealing with its own civil war too.

Japan is rocked into a state of chaos as a mammoth earthquake and subsequent tsunami causes mass carnage and death. Nuclear reactors were affected and radioactivity escaped into the atmosphere (nuclear-ism – the state of Japan).

The Australian dollar continued its ascent, while the Japanese Yen posted a 16-year high against the United States dollar. AT & T mobile joined forces, while the New York Times started to charge online readers.

Elizabeth Taylor passed on she was 79. She also was married 8 times to 7 husbands. The Charlie Sheen craze died down and Apple gave birth to their latest child, iPad 2.

For cricket lovers, the World Cup continues in the sub-continent, where India will play Sri Lanka in the final. Ricky Ponting stepped down from the Australian captaincy; Michael Clarke didn’t exactly step up. The Australia Socceroos beat Germany in a friendly somewhere in Europe (not sure why Australia can only win friendly games when they count for nothing). And for completeness, the 2011 baseball season started with a New York Yankees victory.

Wishing everyone a very happy Passover and whatever everyone celebrates. Celebrate freedom, remember the slavery and rejoice for the upcoming redemption. And remember; just be kind to each other.

'The Jew in the Lotus' by Rodger Kamenetz.

A group of Jewish men and women trek to India to meet with the Dalai Lama and to explore the link between Judaism and Buddhism, if any.

Rodger Kamenetz gives a personal tale of spirituality, mysticism and renewal. Kamenetz is a brilliant writer, who captures the scenes and happenings as they unfold in Dharamsala, India.

Zalman Schachter-Shalomi leads a dialogue between Judaism and Buddhism, Rabbis and Monks deep in Northern India.

Read and absorb, so you can learn and then teach.

Jubilant January and fabulous February

I’m back after a brief hiatus from the world of blogging. I hope everyone has settled in to this new year of 2011. During the latter stages of 2010 I married the most wonderful and gorgeous girl in the world. It was magical. It was beautiful. It was divine.

The New Year in the North brought much snow, crippling the city of New York. It was warzone type stuff filled with disorder, chaos and more. Many lessons were learned from the weather; never trust the weatherman! (Additionally, rain boots are very useful)

During January, England somehow regained the Ashes, but were beaten by minnows Ireland at the World Cup (for cricket fans). Japan narrowly beat Australia in the Asian Cup (Soccer/Football). It was heartbreak all over. On a happier note, I celebrated my birthday – thanks for the wishes.

Unrest across North Africa continued as mass protests in Egypt took place. I called it, the wild wild (Middle) East. (Other North African countries had demonstrations too, but this is nothing new.) The Egyptian people were keen to overthrow President Hosni Mubarak, and they succeeded as Mubarak stepped down after a violent Egyptian revolution. Libyans continue to kill each other, as the nation attempts to bring down Colonel Gaddafi (More on this story in next month’s post).

Thousands of kilometres away, down under in the motherland, wild winds and torrential rain destroyed communities and towns in Queensland, Australia. While across the Tasman a massive earthquake caused unbelievable damage and loss of life in Christchurch, New Zealand (now known as Crisis Church).

Pirates still continue their hijacking in the waters off of Africa, while petrol prices soar and currencies fluctuate. Apple unveiled the latest iPad 2, and Steve Jobs looked very proud as he showed the world, his latest swanky device. The Oscars were decided, and Charlie Sheen and John Galliano made headlines (and fools of themselves) for various reasons.

One of my good friends bid farewell to bachelorhood and I congratulate the new couple on their journey. At the wedding I witnessed a very interesting dance. Mazal Tov.

We find ourselves in the lunar-Jewish Month of Adar. It is a month of joy and triumph. It is a month of luck and rescue. I wish everyone a very happy Purim and may it be so joyous that you cannot tell the difference between Gaddafi, Sheen and Galliano.

"Burnt Books" by Rodger Kamenetz

Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav and Franz Kafka. Need we say more!

Burnt Books is a highly enjoyable analysis of a Torah legend, Rabbi Nachman and the literary great, Franz Kafka. Kamenetz, an academic from New Orleans travels to Uman, Ukraine for the annual New Year pilgrimage to the grave of Rabbi Nachman. Equipped with a Kafka coffee mug and a rich knowledge of Kafka, Kamenetz explores and examines the two lives of these men.

Both burnt their books, both told tales and both died at a young age.

Was Kafka a reincarnation of Rabbi Nachman?

Please read with the utmost 'simcha' - joy.

Shalom Mor - 'Sipri li'

The very talented Israeli guitarist/singer Shalom Mor has a new song out called 'Sipri li'. Shalom has played for international artists Idan Raichel and Matisyahu, amongst others.

Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhZzOsBdkv8

Our very own white Australia day (in New York City)

January 26 is Australia day. It is a day in which Australians (both in Australia and abroad) will at some point refer to their beloved country as the 'sunburnt country', or "I still call Australia home", they might even chant the proverbial Ozzie, Ozzie, Ozzie, whilst consuming beer and partaking in a genuine Australian themed barbie (barbeque).

The national anthem, 'Advance Australia fair' will be sung and the Australian flag waived by the many inhabitants of this multi-cultured Island. Australians will boast that they have the best beer and beaches, and who could argue with that?

26 January 2011 in New York is a grey winter day, mixed with white snow flakes - however February is just ahead.

I still call Australia home.

Happy Australia day.

'Zeitoun' by Dave Eggers

Set in New Orleans, this is a true story of a Syrian born American, called Zeitoun. In the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Katrina of 2005, Zeitoun who has remained in his hometown of New Orleans, uses his personal canoe to rescue the elderly and whomever else in need of attention. During these times of anarchy and total lawlessness in New Orleans after Katrina, Zeitoun is wrongly arrested and incarcerated.

The story is one of faith, courage and reward and is a lesson that physical destruction and human defilement can sometimes be restored.