Abchu and Avraham

For the little great-grandchildren of Abchu and Leah, who laughed and played tag on the happy procession to the flowered gravestones, Abchu is ancient history, as old as Avraham Avinu, our collective patriarch who dared to break idols and listen to a mystical directive, "Lech L'cha" "Go to yourself, go to the land that I will show you, and I will make you fruitful in the land, and you will be a blessing". What did Abchu's father YRachmiel say when Abchu announced in 1933 that he was on his way to the land that was promised to the more ancient Abraham? And how can we keep vibrant that story of Abchu and Leah for these delightful little ones, born in Israel, taking Israel as a given? By laughing and skipping our way to the gravestones in a happy parade of generations each year. By celebrating their energy and their sweetness, on the day they became part of the earth.

Deliciousness

The Beethovenische Freilach. Simon and Daniel are in Victoria now, practicing a number for Randy's office party. And before this they were with Yoni in Montreal, playing klezmerized Beethoven. And Jessica wrote in an application to join a handpicked group of Rhodes Scholars and doctoral students from around the world on a mind-opening learning trip to Israel, that she wanted to reconnect with family here. Imagine how connected she felt when she herself recognized her Wolbromski characteristics, through meeting the relatives here. We had wonderful strolls through the boisterous fragrances of Shuk HaCarmel, and quiet late night talks, gazing at each other through the Chanuka candles' flicker. And visits with Bars and Wolbromskis and Kastons, connecting, connecting, connecting.

Molly Ann and Henry

Chanuka celebrates the miracle of our spiritual existence. I like our physical existence too, the knowing that we are here in this touchingtastingfeelinghugging right here world. When Molly Ann and Henry are here in Israel, I seem to know more certainly that my Canada world and my Israel world are both physically real. Molly Ann and Henry saw Mary Blum last Shabbat. And Mary Blum was with Mommy and Daddy the other day. The crystallization chain, from real to real to real, brings me a solid sense that yes! We are all here on this physical, earthy plane.
And gazing at the Chanuka candles tonight, knowing that Yoni and Mommy and Daddy and dear family all around are singing to similar flames, I somehow know that we are all seeing the same light, celebrating one simultaneous festival, singing one song. Happy Chanuka, everywhere!

How We Make Decisions

Jung says few, if any, of our decisions are made by the conscious mind. The psyche, that other 99 per cent, is steering us just as much now in our evidence-based rational world, as it ever was. What strong magnet pulls us home? A young boy leaves the rocks where he caught fish with his hands, looked out at Mediterranean waves, conferred with Jonah and the whale. He makes a home far across the sea. What pulls him back, to open, at age 58, a bistro mere steps away from the seaside rocks where he once caught fish with his hands, and sat for hours and hours on the rocks by the sea, until his mom called out, "Benino! Benino! It's time to come home!"
We plan. And our own psyche laughs and laughs and laughs.
Tomorrow night, our chefs will cook for a gathering of relatives, overseen and inspired by Benino, who has come home.