Aliyah 2020

 A scene from a street celebration on the first day of Chanukah.  Jerusalem is truly alive! More images from the celebration...Creativity abounds here! We are in the midst of a pandemic and people are truly wearing masks (most that I see) and not celebrating Chanukah in the synagogues (at least the ones that I would be going to).  We are not lighting candles together with Yehoshua and family nor having meals together. Yet, on the street, where fresh air is plentiful and space available for social distancing, there is a true sense of celebration.  I love that about this place!

  Like many of you here today, I had been hoping to celebrate Ben’s 100 th birthday with him in just a few weeks. As we gather today we do so to pay tribute to the 99 years that his presence graced this Earth and to express our sadness that he is no longer with us. Thinking about Ben now many of us might say that he managed to grow up without growing old.   What do I mean by that?   All of those of us who knew and loved him, recognize that he used all the days of his life in a way that made a difference to so many.   Yes, he was one of Tifereth Israel’s elder statesmen, but even up to the time when the synagogue went virtual in March due to COVID 19, he was not one to shy away from coming out for services nor programs.   I still have an image of him sitting in my family room last Purim, dressed in his costume, a bathrobe with a crown on his head ! No matter the weather conditions, no matter the time of day, Ben was present to lend support to those who gathered ...