As some of you know, a few years ago, our oldest son, Zev, after some time in yeshiva in Israel, joined the IDF as a Lone Soldier. After the army, he decided to return to North America, working in the U.S. on Capitol Hill, and then in university in Toronto. His long term plan was to make his life in Canada.
And then COVID hit, and everything changed, including Zev’s mind. On Lag B’Omer, we got an email from him saying he missed family and has decided to make aliyah (!!)
We were thrilled, but a lot of documents and paperwork had to happen, no easy feat during these times when government offices around the world were turned upside down. Only last Friday did his apostille FBI background check come through (yes, years ago they gave him a very big gun, but to make aliyah, they wanted to make sure he was not a wanted criminal).
Could it be that we could get him here before Rosh Hashana? No way, my husband said it wouldn’t happen, but I don’t give up very easily. And do not underestimate a Jewish mother’s desire to be with her young!
With a lot of help from many others (thank you, JAFI and Nefesh B’Nefesh — you rock!), who understood how important it was to unite a Jewish family before the chagim (holidays), and a lot of help from Above, Zev was issued a visa for entry and given a plane ticket to arrive from Toronto on Air Canada … today!
We are taught that the way you begin the year is how you will end the year. I hope I was filled with praise for G-d last Rosh Hashana, thankful for my blessings, for that is how I end this year:
Hodu l’Hashem ki tov, ki l’olam chasdo! I offer thanks to G-d for He is good, for His kindness is everlasting!
Good Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom, and Shana Tova U’Metukah — may we all merit a year of gratitude and blessings.
At Driving to Greatness, the MoMENtum Men’s Retreat in Orlando, Florida, we got real about our lives and our potential – and put ourselves in the driver’s seat. With educators Charlie Harary, Ari Shabat, and Harry Rothenberg as our guides, we tackled how to handle failures and setbacks, bounce back, and succeed the way we want to.
Did you know that there are Jewish laws about avoiding gossip? They are called lashon hara, literally evil tongue or evil speech. The gift of speech allows us to communicate. What we say can create waves of positivity, or trigger tsunamis of destruction. The world is both made and potentially destroyed with words – and we all know that if the pen is mightier than the sword, the tongue is even mightier.
For Jewish mothers with children age 18 and under
Participants only pay their acceptance fee and airfare
To participate in the Momentum Yearlong Journey, women must live in close proximity to a Partner Organization. See our partners list here. Please notify your Community Leader with any updates to your application
Mainly for the husbands of Momentum sisters
$900 for Momentum husbands
Each man get a scholarship of $2,100-$2,400
Partner Organization contributes $700 per man
The Israeli Government does not contribute to the Men’s Trips
To participate, men must live in close proximity to a Partner Organization. See our partners list here. Please notify your Community Leader with any updates to your application
Communication Preferences
