Dear Friends,
Don’t ever think for one minute that the dog(s) and probably cat(s) in your home don’t know when you are planning to; “G-o A-w-a-y.” I needed to spell it out for you in case any of your pets hear you reading this email out loud and start feeling ‘agita’ assuming you may be leaving them for a bit.
Shoshi and I have started our preliminary packing preps by placing various papers and things on some tables. Mookie and Max have begun to feel that ‘something treif’ is going on when they observed too many drawers being opened and stuff taken out of them. We may call it: just sorting out what to take; they call it: “THE END OF THE WORLD”. Once our suitcases will be brought into the house from the garage, Mookie will put on the most tragic and guilt evoking face one has ever seen. As it is, our carry-on bag is in the bathtub so that the guys won’t see it- I think I am only fooling myself.
The way the scenario will play out will be as follows: My suitcase, open on the bed and Mookie immediately jumping into it, ready to go to Israel. I move him away and proceed to place clothing into it; Mookie jumps back into the suitcase, (not at all bothered that there are clothes there) and begins to scratch a comfortable spot for himself in the suitcase for the flight to Tel Aviv.
Me: “Mookie, I can’t take you with us.”
Mookie: staring at me.
Me: “Mookie, we won’t be gone that long, honest.”
Mookie: staring at me…now with tears in his eyes.
Me: “If I could, I would, but I can’t, besides, you’ll have fun at home with your brother Max.”
Mookie: turning his head away and looking at me through the corner of his eye.
Me: “How about this: I’ll get you some doggie toys from Israel and a photograph of an Israeli army or kibbutz guard dog. Is that OK with you?”
Mookie now gets off of my suitcase and moves over to Shoshi’s.
God knows what she’ll promise him!
As our temple Israel pilgrimage begins this weekend, we carry all of you in our hearts and thoughts. You are in our prayers as we are in yours. We will place your notes in the Kotel, give your tzedakah dollars to individuals in need and together, experience one of the greatest of moments for any Jew: walking, exploring and celebrating the blessing of being in the State and Land of Israel and as have our ancestors, dor dorim, throughout the generations.
Shalom al Yisrael- May there be peace for Israel.
Shoshi still has about 33 names of US Army soldiers in Iraq, serving with our temple member, Will Woldenberg. They are awaiting your card or letter letting them know they have not been forgotten. Contact Shoshi at her email: ShoshiLipson@aol.comby tomorrow morning for her to send you the name and address of an American hero.
Shabbat Shalom and see you in temple tomorrow evening (6:30 PM Summer Shabbat schedule).
Shalom u’l’hitraot,
Rabbi Lipson
