The Bridge

https://youtu.be/FROz6morJZc?si=ur9PM8OJ-nd9tKNZ 

        David Fishof created a rock and roll fantasy camp for survivors of the Nova Festival.

  Aside from being incredible rehabilitation for these survivors its a window into the music world I never 

   knew existed. 

          Fishof is a modern orthodox Jew , grandchild of holocaust survivors who has been an agent to musicians, and has created  rock and roll fantasy camps for years. A rock and roll fantasy camp is where non professional musicians come to play and learn from professional musicians for about a week. 

In this version of the camp they had to make sure those who participated did not express any anti Israel sentiment while these survivors were on the program. 

          It is heartwarming to see how these survivors blossom and the kindness of the musicians. The hopeful vibe of the California music scene makes you feel like you are there. 

         Footage from October 7 is sprinkled throughout the film to remind people what these young people have survived. 

         This film is such a gem because it explores the lives of Nova Survivors in such a unique way . It tells the story of healing and tragedy simultaneously without being preachy. Not an easy feat. 

          This film is meaningful for Jewish people and for anyone curious about what happened on October 7 and those who survived it. 

Boy George:We Will Dance Again

    I have always been a fan of Boy George's music and my heart is warmed by the song he  wrote about October 7. I admire Boy George's moral clarity to do what is right. The song is has a beautiful haunting quality to it. Thank you Boy George for being a mensch.

https://youtu.be/jZ29Cp3I1ik?is=KQ4JA5sbg8BraaP2

Mamdani's Tisha B'AV Rant

    The mayor of New York , yemach shemo , made an anti-Israel about how he wishes he could arrest Netanyahu when he comes to NYC, but he can't because its against the law. It was such a load of garbage, but it did make me think . He is afraid of the Jews. We are  a threat to his Islamic takeover. When he reveals how evil and libelous he is it makes my connection to Hashem and Judaism even stronger.

      When I  see Jerry Seinfeld smirking when he is confronted with the Anti-Zionist protesters I totally get it . This is exactly how I feel. They are such morons and are so non-sensical its hard not to want to laugh. 

      As Tisha B'Av approached Hashem wanted us to remember that unfortunately we are still in galus, and we need to mourn the destruction of the temples and we will also see the third one rebuilt. 

 

       

     

The Choices we make.

   My Aunt E passed away this past September.  Her dad passed away when she was 3 years old. Aunt E  married my uncle when they were both 63.  Both had been divorced. They had both lost children. They were married for 7 years until my uncle passed away. 

    Aunt E was one of the most positive and kind people I have ever known. Most of the years I knew  her I didn't know most of her life's story. 

     In a world where people are so focused on their trauma as an excuse for their horrible personalities and actions, Aunt E was a reminder to all that there is another way. Being a good person is a choice. One could be dealt a bad had but not let that define them. That's what Aunt E did. She was given a lot of lemons but was always kind to others, had good advise , a joy to spend time with and I miss her dearly. 

Omer Shem Tov

The Jewish People

      The most surreal aspect of our modern age is that something happens around the world and then we can immediately see it on our phones . It makes world events even more intense. For the past ten years seeing people davening at the kotel in real time during wartime has been the most intense . During the past 16 months seeing people give an impromtu tour of the remains of Kibbutzim that were massacred or the Nova festival site gave a reality to the situation like never before. One can  give condolences in real time on intsagram to people one has yet to meet in person.

       Whenever the Israeli hostages were released this year or last year we feel like we know them. Because we do. Literally. We have seen videos of them constantly on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, podcasts. Their families were advocating for them on every platform . Its not that any of this would be less upsetting 30 years ago, but it wouldn't have felt as present to me half way across world. 

        I spent two years after high school studying in Israel so I always feel connected to Israel. In every Jewish prayer we as Jews are reminded of our spiritual connection to the land of Israel. This war has bonded me even more with my people. I feel their pain and I feel their joy. I have heard Israelis say that they feel more Jewish since this war began. 

         I am always pained that it often takes a tragedy to bond people together even more than during tranquil times. Whenever I post a hostage poster it makes me feel more connected to my people and it makes me wonder what way I can feel so connected when there is peace. time. 

         Torah and mitzvot connect all Jewish people but the bond is deeper than observances. We are family. 

          

        

Nova Exhibit NYC

 When I first heard that there was going to be an exhibit to remember the Nova music festival massacre  I really did not want to go. I was afraid that it would be too intense. Two days after  four hostages were rescued from Gaza, there was a hate demonstration in front of the festival exhibit  and I  thought now I have to go . I went last  Monday. 

 I'm very glad that I went. It was very intense  and very meaningful . The exhibit was created by survivors of the massacre. There were pictures of those were lost.  The videos were not too graphic. It tells and shows what happened while respecting the deceased. 

  A few things really stuck with  me . The  pop up tents. Same darn pop up tents as the campus hate encampments. Things can be used for love or for hate.  The other thing that really stuck out was was how very young most of the people at the nova festival were, Sure , we see the faces of those who were massacred, and we see their ages.  Until I saw the endless photos on the memorial walls with photos  of the massacred people it didn't really sink in.   One young man was a triplet conceived through IVF. Others died trying to save others. There would be obituaries  saying the deceased was  such a lovely boy,  . It was then that it sunk in how young most of these victims were. 

   The Nova Festival was on the last day of Sukkot and on Simchat Torah. There were a few tables of clothing and other things left behind. Among the shoes, phones and tote bags were kippot and  siddurim. There was a book called Hashem loves me.  

   In one area I found a bunch of pictures of sisters Roya and Norelle Manzuri  and  Norelle's boyfriend Amit Cohn who were murdered at the Nova festival. On the back of the picture  there was tefillat haderech.- the  Jewish travel prayer. Next to the pictures there was  a note saying please take one of these to remember our children , I'm just tearing up  just writing this . I took a card and will most certainly think of them when I use this when I travel. I will think of all of those who so tragically lost their lives there.  . 

   At the end of the exhibit there is a wall with the faces of the Israeli hostages and a few videos about them. There are also notecards where one can write condolences and place the cards at various points in the exhibit.  There was an area of art that people made to remember those who were murdered and even poems of hope for the future. There also is an area where one can sit and collect one's thoughts . 

    As I am writing this the exhibit has closed in NYC. I suppose I have to thank the hate demonstraters  of June 10. They made sure that I saw this exhibit. Scooter Braun , the facilitator f this exhibit extended  this exhibit because he felt that it was important more people see this exhibit. I am not sure that any of the brainwashed were in attendance but the extended opening gave time for more people to memorialize this atrocity and for that I am grateful.