Think Again - Next Year in Jerusalem

I feel somewhat of a traitor. We were all looking forward to our sons Mendel (Lipman) Gestetner’s wedding in Hadera Israel. It was going to be one of those incredible family celebrations of a lifetime. All of us were going to converge as family onto Isreal for a full two weeks and just party at Mendels and Sheva’s (Lipsker from Boston) wedding. We were to meet together with the Lipskers and have the privilege to spend time money (lots) and excitement in our beautiful country. Alas it was not to be, and we have had to pull the wedding from Isreal. The party planner was not offering any refunds, and both families made the decision that we would not bring our young grandchildren on both sides to a country where we may have to run from safe room to safe room. So we have had to make the difficult decision to move the wedding. I am saddened for us and for Israel but will not allow it to cloud our gratitude that we will celebrate a beautiful wedding. The wedding was planned to be moved to the Tri-State Boston area but it is Summer in the U.S and high season and high wedding season and the cost was proving to be prohibitive in U.S dollars. We eventually chose Cozumel Mexico. You may ask where is Cozumel. I’ll tell you it has fallen off the world atlas and and off the end of the world. It is in the Caribbean Sea off the coast of Mexico, a place still plagued by pirates. The main thing, it ticked the box of a destination Kosher wedding, a place with two competing Chabad Houses. Four kosher restaurants a daily synagogue, mikvah and Holiday Resort. The Chabad rabbi is Rabbi Dudi Caplin, which just happens to be our chazans brother in law. He is Rivki Koncepolski’s brother! It’s a small world especially if you are Jewish. It made it easier for us and the Lipsker’s to decide who organized the entire wedding and Shabbat Sheva Berachot that we and all our guests can spend together. The wedding will take place at the Intercontinental Hotel of Cozumel. The invitation is coming out. I know we are only 4 weeks out, but the invitation will be posted asap.

Some nations have an indigenous umbilical chord to their country of birth. The Germans call Deutschland their fatherland. The Russians call Russia their motherland. In Australia the indigenous have a Dreamtime. We the Jewish people have a different type of relationship with our indigenous land. Our relationship with Israel is that we have chosen each other, through history narrative and engagement. We chose each other through commitment and connection. G-d at the very beginning of our birth as a nation, chose this land and promised it in the Bible to our parents, the patriarchs and matriarchs, our forefathers and mothers, Abraham Isaac and Jacob, Sarah Rebecca Rachel and Laya and ever since we have kept the faith and the choice until death do us part. We, the Jewish people are married to the land, we are as husband and wife. we put effort and fight for each other each and every day through good times and tough times. We have now been married for so long together, we are not going to let go of each other, we know each other and understand each other, and besides there is nothing better out there, and we are still in love. Israel is not perfect, but nor are we. We bring out the best in each other. Judging by Eurovision this week we are indeed amazing for each other. In fact we would die for each other. I must confess, I am still in love with Israel.

I am comforted, in the knowledge that Mendel and Sheva will make their first home in Israel. For those who do not know our Mendel is graduating this Sunday night at Beersheva’s Ben Gurion University of the faculty of Medicine as a doctor. Mendel will be a doctor. I now have a doctor in the family. It is an immense source of pride. Mendel has chosen to do his two years compulsory hospital internship as a doctor in Israel; he could have chosen a hospital in North America where he would have made more money but has chosen Israel and feels privileged that he can practice medicine in Israel. Mendel has not chosen yet his specialty, but he is leaning towards pediatrics.

The latest big news hot off the press is that Miri is right now on a plane to Israel. We at the last moment purchased a ticket to Israel and have chosen to support Mendel to be with him on his big graduation Ceremony night. Miri is on her way via Bangkok to Tel Aviv to be at graduation. What an experience, what excitement, what a privilege to see your child graduating in Isreal. Miri is jumping out of her skin at the prospect that she is on her way to the graduation. Mendel has promised to pick her up from the airport. He will take her to his studio apartment in Jaffa and is planning a morning breakfast overlooking the Mediterranean Tel Aviv Beach. Miri will be away for a full five days she arrives Thursday 6,00am and leaves Sunday night 1.00am. It’s a magic carpet ride but she would not miss it for anything.

The wedding is now confirmed for Thursday night June 25th at the Intercontinental Hotel Cozumel Mexico. We will post the invitation which will give details of hotels.

Other big news, our esteemed Gabbai Harry Schnapp and his wife Dr. Billie Schnapp have left for a 3 month Sabbatical to Israel. How lucky for them. They will come alive again from the experience. In the meantime, we are calling on all our reserves for Shabbat Morning Services for someone to fill the very big void left by Harry. We need someone to make a commitment to be amongst the first ten and you will be in line to winning the lucky door prize.

Further exciting news, the marriage of Guy Sussman to the beautiful Sarit who we just met a few weeks ago is going ahead in Israel. Mazal Tov to Janine and Harry Sussman. Proud of you all and can’t say that I am not a little bit jealous. The Sussman’s are celebrating their wedding mid-June. Mazal Tov

Next Year in Jerusalem for all of us

As always L’chaim

Praying for a quick victory in the Middle East and for real peace in Israel

See you in shule