Update... Several days late.

It's almost my blogs birthday... Again.

Every time I think about it, it gets harder to believe. But I've had a blog for almost 5 years. My blog began on Sunday, May 29th, 2005. It's unbelievable.

I've had my fair but small share of visitors. They've come and gone. They've silently browsed through my stupidity, giggling to themselves. Perhaps they commented anonymously, or even allowing me to know who they were... But I appreciated every single one of them...

When I started the blog, I was but a budding young Bochur with so much life ahead of me. An ambitious kid in Hong Kong who had found a way to express his thoughts and emotions in his 'own' website. It was so exciting when I first discovered it.

And now... now I am a settled Yungerman with two little Kinderlach (who are going to bring Moshiach btw), a wonderful wife and an awesome community of Yidden in Los Cabos, Mexico. I still keep this blog updated, simply because it has practically become part of my life. I don't like imagining life without this web address to visit and see the Etzem of how I've lived these last few years.

It's wonderful in other words.

...

Ober... yeah!

I can finally fit into the pants that I bought right after the wedding. So that's exciting. Oh! Did I forget to tell everyone that Sonia put me on a strict diet??!! Yep!! I'm dieting. I have certain foods that I cannot mix. I can only eat at meals and my snacks must be of only a fruit or a vegetable... It's hard. But like I said before, thank G-d I was blessed with a wonderful wife... Which reminds me; Did I also forget to mention that our anniversary is in another 2 days??

I'm out of ideas! (*Read the following in a whisper. I don't want Sonia to find this out: If someone could please help me out with some sort of present or something cool to do on an anniversary, I would really be grateful. You can even privately email me with an idea... I really need help here!!)

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This week is going to be crazy. But it's one of the last ones before we leave for NY for the wedding, so I'm excited about that.

Tomorrow I have a Chassidus class with three girls... Then I have a Bar Mitzvah class with the Bar Mitzvah boy... Then I need to go and put a Mezuza up for some Israeli guy who just opened up a show room... Then I need to call the hotel and make sure that they got all Kosher ingredients for the Bar Mitzvah on Thursday

Tuesday is another two classes, plus Kashering the hotel kitchen and everything... oy!

Wednesday is when the hotel begins cooking for the BM, including 2 more classes.

Thursday morning is the Bar Mitzvah. I'm going to be wiped out from it... And then I have another class to give... I'm not in the mood man!!!

***

I made quesadillas tonight. Corn tortilla's, with melted cheese and spicy omelet to boot... It wasn't as delicious as I hoped for. But it was good.

Are you getting bored yet?? Maybe I should just post some pictures man!!

Ciao for now!

I hope the Canadiens win tomorrow night's game... I'm very upset about it all.

Which reminds me of something that I haven't seen on any of the sports blogs out there.

While the habs beat Washington and Pittsburgh - two of the best teams in the league - in the previous two playoff series', their backs were really up against a wall and their lack of pressure to win was what actually made them play calmer and better.

In other words, The Habs didn't expect to win each of those series'. In fact, nobody did. They went into each of their elimination games just to have fun and see how far they can send off the opposition... It worked and they won.

However, with this series against Philly it's very different for two reasons.

1 - They are not really the underdogs anymore. There is lots of pressure on them to win this one, simply because everyone thinks that they can. It's precisely why they're messing up so often and giving the games directly into the hands of the Flyers.

2 - They keep boosting their confidence and making as if they can bounce back, because they "Know how to win in these elimination situations." They DON'T know how to win. There's no tactic. It's called desperation and the habs are missing it. They think that they can casually go into game 5 now and play as if they know how to win, because they've done it before... Well, they're going to lose tomorrow night!!! I'm afraid that they're going to lose bad!! They need to get desperate. Stop making as if they can win this 'easy' team and actually play with desperation.

And that's my hockey rant. In case you don't understand a word I'm kvetching about, GOOD! You should never know of these Tzures!

Good night.

My Canadiens post

Montreal is going through a mental transformation.

Mainly because our team was the last one to enter into the playoffs and we recently beatWashington, the best team in the league in 7 games, to advance to the second round.

Last night we beat Pittsburgh, the Stanley cup champions from last year in game 7...

If this isn't a devoted Montreal fan, then I don't know what it.

After game 4 of the Washington series... Apparently we played badly.

After Game 7 of that same series, when the Habs advanced to the next round, this guy Sal was contacted again by the same radio station.




And then in the second round, the Canadiens got shutout in game 3 against Piitsburgh. Sal was upset again. When his son called the radio show, they needed to get him on call as well just to find out THE TRUTH!!!

Fuh-geh-duh-bow-dit!!

I remember watching Shimmy Weinbaum arrange the most beautiful Chanuka rally for children all over the world several years ago. In fact, it was the Chanuka after Mumbai... There was a webcast of many different countries, including the candle lighting in Mumbai.

Children from all over the world came together in Achdus. It was the most amazing sight to behold. thousands of kids sitting together in 770. I was all emotional and choked up for most of it.

Shimmy stayed up nights, barely eating, barely sleeping and barely living (so to speak).

The rally happened, when all of a sudden, Tzfatim began sprouting from every corner of 770, distributing their missianic (missionary) leaflets and flags.

The innocent children had no idea what this was and cluelessly took what was offered to them. Within 2 minutes, the entire 770 changed colors into a bright, yet obnoxious yellow color... The one that is associated with this fanatical group.

Shimmy Weinbaum went nuts. He lost it. Yes, it was in front of the children and he should not have done it... But after all the effort he had put into the Peula that he made, who could possibly blame him?
My heart melted in agony, watching Shimmy screaming and salivating at these intellectually disoriented people. But it hurt him so bad, to watch his event deteriorate so quickly and dramatically in front of his very eyes.

It's happened at the unity 11 Nissan rally years ago.
It happens by any event that is organized in or around 770.
It happened again at the great parade.

It's why I've come to believe that Crown Heights is the most difficult place to do Shlichus... Simply because there is the most amount of garbage, sitting lazily around our center of the universe and waiting for their next chance to pounce and spew hatred in the form of a loving message.

And the pictures

The food getting started

Golan, our new Israeli. He helped us manning the grill.

Sonia is going to hate me for putting up this picture... But, I'm putting it up to show you the horse that she rented in the background, waiting to trot around the beach with a thrilled little kid sitting atop. It was a huge success and I think this picture gives a nice description of the atmosphere at the event.

People brought their dogs... Another atmosphere pic.

I Chapped some tefillin... Obviously!

The horsey rides.

Sonia was kind enough to make me a plate. If not for this, I would not have eaten the entire barbecue. I really needed this!

Two Israeli's went off to get firewood. I thought they would set it up into a big and beautifully laid pile. But they dumped it all on the beach and told me to light it.

I followed orders and we had ourselves a real nice bonfire.

My darling, sweety, bare footed, darling little Yingele - Kein Ayin Hora!!!

Giving the Dvar Torah before lighting the flames.

I don't know why, but this is one of my favorite pictures. We look like aliens. It's really just the setting sun blurring out the photo.

Beginning the Kumzitz... The next bunch of pictures is our Kumzitz, which people actually enjoyed and participated in.

Shaul, you can see Michael - The new Mexican Marine that we met on the beach a few weeks ago. He's sitting to my right in the picture. He's the most delicate and pure Neshama. I love him!

Crowd looks nice in this one.

I think this one was the nicest one taken. Just my opinion.

Sonia and the Kalla

We had about 40 people at the barbecue.

Sonia arranged a pony ride for the kids. It was amazing. The community and I as well couldn't believe that Sonia actually found a rent'able pony for so cheap and so entertaining for the kids and arranged it all alone. It was amazing and the kids absolutely loved it!

All in all, we had a really great time. Except that we worked like animals bringing the grill, tables, chairs, Siddurim, food and all the other stuff that were needed to the beach. Then Shlepping it all back when the event was done.

Na-Nach #1

Here are some pictures of our Lag Baomer event last night. It was beautiful and everyone loved it. Baruch Hashem!!!

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I have a new series which I'm beginning. We're going to call them Na-Nach's.

Na-Nach is the Roshei Teivos for "Not for Neshei Chabad's.

Basically, as a Shliach, I'm inevitably going to have Shlichus stories. Some of them are inspiring and Jewishly Kosher. Those are fitting to perhaps one day be submitted to a Neshei newsletter.
However, our new addition of stories, the Na-Nach's will be those humorous or depressing stories that you would never see in a Neshei Chabad Magazine.

And so...

Last night by the bonfire, I got into conversation with two of our Israeli locals here in Cabo. They are both intermarried and have children Hoyo Loi Sihye.

They were discussing going camping and how beautiful the weather was etc... I was casually eating the last of my burger and partaking in the convo, although I'm no maven when it comes to setting up camp and living out in the wild. At least not nearly as knowledgable as these elite Israeli IDF unit-persons-army Mentchy's.

So while the conversation is happening, one of the daughter's asks her daddy in front of me

"Aba, is the Rabbi able to come camping with us one time?"

Everyone looked at me to see how I'd reply.

"Of course!" I said with a smile. "Except of course if the camping is on Shabbat or holidays."

Thus began a new conversation. The Israeli's were intrigued with what could possibly be wrong with camping on Shabbos or Yomtov... We wouldn't use electricity!! We certainly don't need to drive!! We can bring Kosher food and pray all day!! Isn't that the most beautiful Shabbos a person can have.

Here I was able to comfortably join in to the heated discussion. I began to explain about the possible issues that might arise with camping on the beach. No Eruv! Walking on the sand when it is not necessarily needed! No light at night and the various problems that might come up...

They were interested in all this.

"Rabbi," ask Gil, one of the two Israeli fellows... "If we would prepare the bonfire on Friday before candle lighting; Would we be able to add pieces of wood to the fire on Shabbat itself?"

I smiled and explained to him that no, that would not be allowed on Shabbos.

"Well," he smiles, as he jerks his friend Eran in the ribs... "We don't need to worry about that problem. We have our own Goyim who can do the work for us!"

They both laughed.

I looked down and finished my burger. But deep down, in the bowels of my heart, I was rolling with laughter.

Not for a N'shei Chabad!!!

And therefore, this is the first of my na-Nach's.

Ciao for now. Next up... Pictures of the barbecue.

The post-post

I drove a bit today, which meant that I had some time to think things over... That's never a good thing with me.

Hehe!

I see that I am getting some heat for my last rant against the Great Parade. Perhaps it was sort of out of hand. but then it wasn't. Let me explain.

Every responsibility comes with the sacrifice for criticism and negative feedback. It's part of the greatness and responsibility that comes with accepting difficult jobs. It's why Presidents are always criticized and portrayed as horrible people. It's the job of the nation to be picky and expect only the best from their commander in chief.

Having said that, I must commend the Great Parade for the tremendous job that they made doing this parade. The fact that I was so negative and nasty to their work means that the job they did was that much more beautiful and therefore deserving of some sort of critical eye... hence my cruelty to their devotion and tremendous sacrifice for spreading Yiddishkeit.

In other words, I'll try and make it more simple.

I made a small and seemingly insignificant Lag Baomer event. We had only about 40 people on the beach, with a small barbecue and a bon fire Kumzitz afterward. It was nice. But it was also very safe.
I was too scared and perhaps lazy to go out there and take responsibility and accountability for a huge and world changing event.

Because I played it so safe, I was safe. If anything would have gone wrong, nobody would have gotten upset. Nobody would have been frustrated and annoyed. It was a small and safe event that we had here in Cabo.

The staff who organized the great parade however were different. They agreed to take upon themselves the humungous responsibility of arranging and presenting a once in a lifetime parade! They went out and advertised it as the most amazing and perfect parade in history. They really went all out with everything. From MBD, Avremel and Lipa, to the marketing techniques that they employed, along with the T-shirt, pre-registration, seating maps and all... It was presented to be a flawless and perfect occasion.

Therefore, with so much on their shoulders and such a huge and beautiful event, even the smallest and perhaps unnoticed mistakes get blown out of proportion and are scrutinized, analyzed and finally criticised.

I was therefore only fulfilling my job as a devoted blogger in this cyber world... It was my duty and right to speak harshly of such a beautiful and historic event.

Thoughts and stuff.

I'm sitting in Cabo and watching 'the Great Parade'... What a great parade it truly is.

- Forget movies. I watch great parade's and I cry.

I spoke to someone from our community on Friday morning and he told me that he's been smoking week since he was about 12 years old. He's about 55 years old now. But what's interesting is, that he used to always be very macho. Now, because of all the grass he's smoked, he's become extremely sensitive and finds himself crying at the stupidest things...

Well, I should have told him that the same is true with going on Shlichus.
Since moving on Shlichus, I find that I cry randomly when seeing 'Jewish pride' on display. Especially when it's something to do with Jewish children.
When I'm at the Kinnus and I'm impressed with Yiddishkeit that seems nonexistent in Cabo, I cry.
When I hear or see an event with thousands of Yidden who come together to davven for a fellow unknown Jewish person who's in prison and is on the verge of being sentenced Ch'v to life in prison, I cry.
When I watch little Jewish boys and girls reciting the 12 pesukim at the great parade, I cry.

Beautiful....

I'm writing this during the parade. As proud as I was during the whole beginning of the parade, I see that the second half of the parade was a disaster.
From the Israeli Messianic Yechi that was loudly and violently bellowed after the 12 Pesukim, I was worried that it would have the wrong effect on the crowd. Especially if there were Flatbush, Williamsburgh and Borough park Jews at the parade. But then, watching on, it seemed like there were no schools from any of those communities... Which makes me even more upset. It's most likely that all the other Frum schools in New York didn't want to join the parade, because -knowing that it was Chabad run - they were expecting one of these fanatical outbursts and that would disrupt their entire education pattern... How right they were!!! It's so unfortunate. I think that Crown Heights has one of the hardest Shlichus' in the world. Every single event they try to do, it's inevitable that the Israeli DIBS are going to make a huge Chilul Hashem! There's no way to control it. Someone needs to seriously figure it out!!! It's disgusting!

(Just to clarify, I say Yechi. I believe in Yechi... But I don't believe that the Rebbe wanted it to be shoved down people's throats to the extent that these Israeli's so carelessly do it.)

And then the parade continues...The floats begin passing by. People worked day and night to prepare these floats and they are beautiful. Each float needs its recognition and salute.

The Hecht brothers are talking over each other and it's very annoying and extremely unprofessional... But I'll let that pass.
The marching bands are wonderful. It's such Jewish pride and so nice to see.

But then disaster strikes!

The 'sparks boys choir' is introduced. The Hecht brothers ask that everyone pay attention to the other side of the road at the choir.

The children from the choir also worked hard to be able to perform at the parade (even though everything except for the solo's are prerecorded and the kids are all lip syncing the words... I know. I worked with the choir).

However...

However...

Which way should we look?? Should we pay attention to the children passing by the Rebbe's stand and deserving of individual attention from everyone? Or should we pay attention to the beautiful choir and their 'off tune' soloists, who are also deserving of attention?

It was horrible. A marching band from Lubavicher Yeshiva came down the road, but nobody paid any attention to them. The choir was singing and they needed to continue moving down the road... All their hard work and practice went in vain. Absolutely sickening!

Sonia and I were watching this all from the comfort of our home here in Cabo, yet our stomach's were churning. It hurt me to watch these sweet little children get ignored. I felt equally sad for the choir who were also sort of ignored. You could see that they were also flustered with their lack of attention. The Hecht brothers were trying to still bring attention to the passing parade, but it made matters worse. It was neither here nor there. At least the kids singing was prerecorded... That way, they all sounded excited and energized while singing.
The choir should have had their own, exclusive time to sing, and then give EVERY SINGLE child who passes by the Rebbe a chance to be seen and counted among the special soldiers in the army of Hashem.

I finish off this parade video with a sad feeling in my heart. It hurts to watch that.

And so my questions are:
- Where was the thinking in planning the parade? Couldn't they have had this a bit more organized and figured out??
- How can we get the Hecht's to properly prepare for the parade, so that they don't talk over important video's and entertainer's?
- How can we take care of the Israeli problem in Crown Heights?
- Is there a better and more impressive way of getting clowns at the parade? I was very unimpressed with the clowns... They are Bochurim after mashke no doubt!!! They are not professionally made up. Their faces are basically slapped sloppily with face paint. It looks horrible! They all hang around and dance with each other, instead of spreading out into the crowd and making the kids freilach! They also are bothering the marching band kids who are parading down the road and need to focus on their routine. oy! I'm such a kvetch.
- Why am I so negative at this time of day?

I think I didn't sleep enough last night. I'm sorry. But I think that I bring up some valid points!!

nunu!!

Credit needs to be due to the commitee who arranged the parade. It was a huge event and I'm sure there was a big Kiddush hashem!

Anyways, we have a small little barbecue for the community tonight!

I shouldn't criticize the beautiful parade. I'm a horrible person!

A frielichen Lag Baomer!!

May Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai bless us with harmony and love for one another.