July followed by August

Hello world, I hope my words find you well. I write this update as I return from the sunshine state of Florida, where a group of us, went south to celebrate the marriage of good friends. The celebrations were joyous, emotionally charged and filled with laughter. On a personal note, this was my first trip down to Miami and I must say, it really is an impressive city. I managed to see famous Collins Avenue that runs down next to the Atlantic Ocean, ate at some nice kosher eateries and suffered, but survived the hot temperatures of the Florida summer.

The wedding was spectacular. There is always added joy and happiness when the wedding is that of a close friend. We spent Shabbat in Aventura at the famous Fairmont Golf resort and we attended Shabbat services and ate our meals at Chabad of Aventura. The meals were especially nice as we recounted stories, sang songs and consumed alcoholic beverages.
Sunday was wedding day, and we marched the groom to meet his bride under the Chupa. The bride circled the groom seven times and the blessings ensued and the couple were wed. The reception was lively as the band introduced the bride and groom to a shocking remake of some lady gaga song. The food was delicious and the drinks were flowing. It was a great night.

During the month we fasted and cried over the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem as the New York City summer rain fell. The Australian dollar regained strength and crept over the 90’s, as did the weather. Apparently, July of 2010 was the hottest ever-recorded summer in New York City.

And so it is.

The month of Elul has begun, and repentance, prayer and charity are in full swing. I wish you all a month of health, wealth, happiness and personal reflection on the past year. Wishing you all a happy New Year and don’t forget to greet the King while he is in the field.

Up and above.

I write from 36,000 feet above the ground. I am en route to Miami, Florida for a friend's wedding.

Technology is really a wonderful thing, especially inbuilt wifi on aircraft. The internet company gogo has made 'wifi with wings' possible. The Wall street Journal can be read electronically. Shares, bonds and stocks can be traded. Video conference calls can be conducted. Judaism can be disseminated.

Safe travels

4 Weeks of June and the Vuvuzela.

Hi readers and followers and a warm welcome to summer on this east side of Northern America. Blue and white skies adorn New York City as a sign of support for Israel's defensive on phony Humanitarian 'aids'. Lurking in waters off the Israeli coast, intending on causing harm instead of assistance, will not be tolerated. A foul stench of rotting turkey was evident, as the majority of world media calls Israel 'murderers'.

I had the special merit of having a private audience with the Biala Rebbe of Israel. I thank Matthue and Itta Roth for organizing and hosting the holy Rebbe.

Football (soccer) fanatics went crazy during June and July as the 2010 World Cup kicked off in South Africa. Rhythm, lights, African unity, the sound of the Vuvuzela and some incredible skills were witnessed. Congratulations to winners Spain and well done to the other 31 nations who partook in this colourful tournament. Football faithfuls now look forward to the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

During the month I graduated with a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Technology in Sydney. Another rewarding moment. New York City bid farewell to the V and W subway lines, as Australia said goodbye to Kevin Rudd as its Prime Minister, replaced by Julia Guillard.

Insane scenes at Wimbeldon, where an epic fifth set battle amounted in basketball type scores. Lebron James signs with Miami. Big deal.

We find ourselves in the Hebrew month of Av, a month where destruction befell the Jewish people. However in times of distress extra strength is found amongst us. Let us use this additional power to overcome our enemies and we should merit to dance in the streets of Jerusalem to the sounds of the Shofar and the Vuvuzela.

Sled.

Spain rule in South Africa.

Congratulations to Spain on their 2010 world cup triumph. Commiserations to the Dutch, they were outplayed in a dull game which promised so much, but delivered nothing.

It truly was a spectacular month of football.

World Cup Final and 3rd place playoff

The 2010 soccer World Cup final will be an all European encounter as defending Euro champions Spain take on the in form Netherlands.

The Spaniards led by leading goal scoring sensation David Villa, started the tournament in the most disastrous of styles as they went down to the Swiss. No other team in the history of the World Cup has lost their opening game and then gone on to lift the ultimate prize. Spain have a chance to create history by winning their first world cup in their first finals appearance.

The Dutch have have won every game en route to the final, and are equipped with a depth of talent from the back to the front as they attempt to win their first world cup too. They have toppled favourites Brazil and giant killers Uruguay and have scored, defended and are well organised squad.

The third place playoff will feature the Germans against the gallant Uruguayans led by the wizard, Diego Forlan.

May the best team win.

sled

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.