I read in this news article a few minutes ago, that Yitzhak “Ike” Ahronovitch has died at the age of 86. He was the captain of the Exodus ship, the famed ship that failed in July 1947 to take Holocaust survivors to Israel.

May his memory be for a Loving Blessing

You can read the full article here.

Jew Wishes…Peace to you all.
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© Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 – 6th of Tevet, 5770

December was an extremely busy month for me, as I am sure it was, and still is, for many of you. I didn’t read as much as I would have liked. A few of the books were started months earlier, and I finally managed to finish them in December.

Here is a list of the books I have read, so far, in December. It will be updated if I finish any others before 2010. Some I have reviewed, but most I haven’t had the opportunity to write a review of, yet.

Anne Frank: The Book, the Life, the Afterlife, by Francine Prose
In America, by Susan Sontag
Rachel Sarai’s Vineyard, by Deborah Rey
Clara’s War, by Clara Kramer
Chains Around the Gates, by Naomi Ragen
Year of Wonders, by Geraldine Brooks
Total Immersion: A Mikvah Anthology, by Rikvah Slonim
Light the Candles, by Joan Holub
Dinosaur on Hanukkah, by Diane Levin Rauchwerger
The Coffee Trader, by David Liss

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Jew Wishes…Peace to you all.
© Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.
Wednesday, December 23, 2009 – 6th of Tevet, 5770

I am going to take the lead from Ilana Davita, and post a listing of my favorite books that I read in 2009. The ones I am posting, I have also reviewed. I think it is an excellent idea!

If you choose to participate, leave a link in the comment box. While you are at it, why not leave a link in Ilana Davita’s comment box, also.

Here are my lists, in no particular order:

Non-Fiction:

My Father’s Paradise, by Ariel Sabar

The Journal of Helene Berr, by Helene Berr

Kahn & Engelmann, by Hans Eichner

Hunting Eichmann, by Neal Bascomb

Gertruda’s Oath, by Ram Oren

To Heal a Fractured World, by Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks

Fiction:

Wandering Stars, by Sholem Aleichem

City of Thieves, by David Benioff

The Cellist of Sarajevo, by Steven Galloway

The Town Beyond the Wall, by Ellie Wiesel

Snow in August, by Pete Hamill

Rashi’s Daughters, Book III: Rachel, by Maggie Anton

The Polski Affair, by Leon H. Gildin

The Jewish Husband, by Lia Levi

Rachel Sarai’s Vineyard, by Deborah Rey

Friendly Fire, by A.B. Yehoshua

Siddurim/Prayer Books

The Koren Sacks Siddur, by Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks

A Jewish Woman’s Prayer book, by Aliza Lavie

In essence the majority of the books I read are ones I enjoyed for one reason or another. There are a small percentage of them that I haven’t entirely enjoyed, or haven’t garnered something from.
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Jew Wishes…Peace to you all.
© Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.

Tuesday, December 22, 2009 – 5th of Tevet, 5770

After an extensive three day search, the well-known Auschwitz sign “Arbeit Macht Frei” has been recovered by Polish police. The sign was stolen three days ago, and five individuals have been arrested.

The sign has been cut into three pieces according to the police.

You can read this news article for more information.

Update: According to this news article update, “it appeared to have been taken by common criminals seeking profit“.

Tonight at sundown the eighth and final night of Hanukkah begins. All of the candles on the Menorah will be lit. There will be wonderful illuminations!

Place your Menorah where all who pass by can see it. Recite the Blessing. Get your Shamash, “Helper Candle” out and light it, and then light the all of the eight candles, from the left to the right, starting with the newest candle position.

Celebrate this last and festive night of Hanukkah with good books, with wonderful music, with Lasting Hanukkkah Gifts, by performing a Mitzvah, by contacting those you have not seen or spoken to in a while, by dedicating this last night of Hanukkah to all family members, by eating chicken soup with matzo balls (or another favorite meal), and most importantly, by making tonight a festive night filled with tradition and wonderful memories to last throughout the years.

I have my memories of also celebrating the sixth night of Hanukkah with Sarah, Allan, and my grandies Emily and Logan to carry with me. I treasure those moments…the light in Emily’s eyes when she saw the menorah being lit. And, I loved Logan’s little hand touching the bottom of one of the candles.

One of the menorah photos was taken on the back side of the menorah…making it appear that the candles are not in correct order.

I enjoyed watching when Emily decorated in the living room, and when she clapped for joy as she saw the decorations glistening.

I love how she was peeking through the white branches of the Hanukkah bush, looking at me and saying “I see you”. Oh, a heart-melting moment.

How could I ever forget her enthusiasm when she opened her gifts, and also opened Logan’s presents.

And, Logan, who managed to crawl/inch his way close to her, how could I forget his little hand reaching out to touch his toys…

It was cute to watch Emily gobble down the matzoh ball soup I made…and the baked chicken and vegetables. And, I got to see Logan eat peas for the very first time…they looked wonderful on his face! He is now eating solid food in between being breast fed, and last night was the first time that peas were introduced to him. Emily chose them for him. She loves them, herself, and are her favorite vegetable. Such a sweet big sister!

I remember last year, while on the 405 Freeway in California, a car had a lit digital menorah on its roof. It was such a marvelous sight within the darkness of the night.

Shabbat Shalom, everyone! Happy Hanukkah!
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Jew Wishes…Peace to you all.
© Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.

Tonight at sundown the seventh night of Hanukkah begins. On this night I remember my dear Bubbe, and my dear Nana, with love. May their memories be for a loving blessing.

Place your Menorah where all who pass by can see it. Recite the Blessing. Get your Shamash, “Helper Candle” out and light it, and then light seven candles, from the left to the right, (the newest lit first on the left), as you face it. Recite the blessings. Celebrate with tradition, joy and by dedicating this night to a family member, and also by cooking and eating chicken soup with matzo balls, or a favorite family meal.

Mazel Tov to my dear friend Rachel on her special day!
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Jew Wishes…Peace to you all.
© Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.