Spending my second Shabbat here in Argentina will be another very interesting experience. The mixture of Sephardic Jews and Lubavitz out reach Chaseedeem in this rather bustling non- stop Beunos Aires is amazing. The Sephardic Jews mainly of Jewish Syrian descent have numerous shuls in Argentina and seem to be the dominant Jewish group here. The Lubavitcher Chaseedeem sent by their leader Rabbi Menachem Mendel Scneerson are here for outreach to Jews. It seems every shul is either lubavitch or Sefaradi and they seem packed.
Most outsiders do not really want to live in Argentina, that seems abundantly clear. Its fragile economy and history of political upheaval makes life rather unpredictable. The two extreme terrorist attacks on the Israeli embssy and Jewish community building gives a backdrop to the all Jewish happenings in Beunos Aires. The Jews were and seem to be a soft target and Police can be seen at most Jewish sites especially Lubavitz Chassidic sites in the Once.
My Grandparents are buried here and I accompanied my mother to see those graves for a last time. It was a very moving experience.
Its an experience that I will not forget.
Friday, November 26, 2010
Beunos Aires, Argentina
My whirlwind trip to South America is winding down as I am going home in a few days. The noisy hustle and bustle of this enormous city is incredible as it is unnerving. Will be glad to say goodbye to this place.
A few days ago we visted the Igazu Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil in an amazing incredible show of beauty.
The main purpose of coming here was to visit my grandparents graves and make sure both my uncles were buried like Jews. The first was accomplished, the second remains to be seen. The Amia Building after it was destroyed is a small fortress amd looks nothing like it did before its destruction.
Thai place is ok for a few days, two weeks is a bit much though.
A few days ago we visted the Igazu Falls on the border of Argentina and Brazil in an amazing incredible show of beauty.
The main purpose of coming here was to visit my grandparents graves and make sure both my uncles were buried like Jews. The first was accomplished, the second remains to be seen. The Amia Building after it was destroyed is a small fortress amd looks nothing like it did before its destruction.
Thai place is ok for a few days, two weeks is a bit much though.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
It’s been a year
It’s been a year
No one really can know how it will feel when you need to say goodbye to someone who is irreplaceable. It’s a searing aching longing pain that goes to the bottom of your soul and seems to rise and fall depending on what you do and where you are.
A particular difficult day is the YORTZIET or yearly comeration day. That is today as I write thse words. In many ways those very difficult moments of parting which happened a year ago come back again with all that entails.
There are those that say that no one is ever really ready for a passing of a parent, no matter how old or sick. I feel how true this saying is today.
I remember very well my own father lighting his Yartziet light for his parents twice a year and going to shul to say Kaddish on their souls. He was after all the only surviving son of those parents as the others were murdered by the Nazis. I would accompany him on occasion to these shul visits and remember always reusing the Yartziet lights as glasses to drink out of later.
The stark reality that time has transformed us from children to adults is somehow difficult to grasp and comprehend. We will always be our parents children and saying goodbye may be natural by very painful.
A year has gone by and the tears have been flowing.
I was taught by my Father never to give up, no matter what.
He continues to live through his children and his grandchildren.
Our love for him will not stop but get greater as time goes on.
His memory should be a blessing for all who knew him.
His loving Son
David
No one really can know how it will feel when you need to say goodbye to someone who is irreplaceable. It’s a searing aching longing pain that goes to the bottom of your soul and seems to rise and fall depending on what you do and where you are.
A particular difficult day is the YORTZIET or yearly comeration day. That is today as I write thse words. In many ways those very difficult moments of parting which happened a year ago come back again with all that entails.
There are those that say that no one is ever really ready for a passing of a parent, no matter how old or sick. I feel how true this saying is today.
I remember very well my own father lighting his Yartziet light for his parents twice a year and going to shul to say Kaddish on their souls. He was after all the only surviving son of those parents as the others were murdered by the Nazis. I would accompany him on occasion to these shul visits and remember always reusing the Yartziet lights as glasses to drink out of later.
The stark reality that time has transformed us from children to adults is somehow difficult to grasp and comprehend. We will always be our parents children and saying goodbye may be natural by very painful.
A year has gone by and the tears have been flowing.
I was taught by my Father never to give up, no matter what.
He continues to live through his children and his grandchildren.
Our love for him will not stop but get greater as time goes on.
His memory should be a blessing for all who knew him.
His loving Son
David
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