eglash.com

She may be only 6 years old, but ELA EGLASH is already displaying her
philosophical side. For awhile now she has been asking us, her parents, “Why are we here? Why were human beings put on this earth and what are we supposed to be doing here?”

Patiently, we, her parents, have explained to her that this is the million-dollar
question. It’s what many before her have tried to find out. Unwilling,
however, to give up on finding the answers, ELA announced the other
day that she might have an explanation after all, for why we are here,
here on this earth, living:

“What if we are all Bratz dolls being played with by a giant?” she asked.

“A very good question ELA and a very good answer. Keep the
philosophical analysis on life coming… maybe you will make that
million dollars one day!” [Parents' reply.]

My 1st experience at Garfinkel’s New Method Hebrew School Picnic:
In early Spring 1941 my Dad enrolled me in Mr. Garfinkel’s Hebrew school. I was 8-1/2 years old, having had prior harsh experiences at a Hebrew school in the vicinity of 10th & Lloyd St.[Rakov's, a masochistic tutor!] The 5+ years I spent being educated by a most brilliant, masterful, dedicated teacher and storyteller, Mr. Garfinkel, were the most meaningful and exciting learning period of my life.

My first Garfinkel picnic experience occurred during July (maybe August?) 1941. My parents, younger sister, brother and I “shlept” on a bus all the way out to Jackson Park. There was a huge crowd of adults and lots of kids scampering about. I remember my first ever “Penny Scramble,” scrounging around searching for shiny, new pennies in piles of sawdust or wood shavings. There were several kinds of races for all age groups; lots of prizes for all. Free vanilla Dixie cups for all kids! I loved the excitement and intrigue of watching couples engaging in the “Egg Toss” and witnessing the miscues splattered all over the “missees!”

I remember the dedicated picnic organizers, especially Danny and Manny Holzman, who were among others who were instrumental in making the Garfinkel New Method Hebrew School picnics so successful and memorable.

Papa Norb

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Steve. He lived in Sau Paulo, Brazil. Steve was 10 years old and he loved going on cruises. His favorite movie was The Titanic. One day, Steve went on a cruise with his family to Australia from South America. When the ship was in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, he was playing with his ball and then he looked over the edge of the deck and the boat turned right and he fell down into the water. He tried to kick with his feet and float and he screamed so loud but no one could hear him. He started choking on the water and then saw the boat go away from his sight. Suddenly he felt a sting in his leg and he got unconscious. Steve woke up and saw himself in a bed and he looked around and saw a lot of diamonds, gold, sculptures and a lot of coins in a chest.
When he stood up, he felt the sting on his leg and he started to run out of the room and then he saw that he was in the kingdom of India. He ran out of the room and then out of the kingdom through the door. He ran through forests with a lot of elephants, donkeys, and lots of animals.

He passed the forest and he climbed up a mountain and there he saw a small house. Steve entered the house without knocking on the door. There he saw an old man floating in the air (called Guru the magician). Steve asked the old man “Where am I?” and then the Guru fell down and the Guru asked “What are you doing here?”. Steve said I got lost on a cruise and fell off a boat and the Guru said “Do you want to return home?” and Steve said “Yes”. The Guru said “I am going to give you an ashram”. Steve said “What is an ashram?” The Guru said “ An ashram is a an exercise for being a Guru and when you are a Guru you can get back home”. Steve did a lot of exercises like meditation, praying and fighting. In the end the Gura said “You are ready to be a Guru”. Steve went to the meditation room and lit up all the candles around him. Steve started to meditate and closed his eyes and said, “Oooooohhhhhhhhhhhhhmmmmmmmm” and then Steve opened his eyes and found himself on the boat but his leg still hurt from the sting, but Steve was happy to be back home!

The END

GEFEN: We were so proud of Gefen as she got a 98 in Math! She came home so excited. “Gefen the Sugar Maven” – Typical Gefen morning on Shabbat: Gefen asks, “Can you make pancakes?” Daddy replies, “No, as we don’t have any flour and but I will make French toast.” Gefen says, “Great!” and requests chocolate spread on her French toast. Daddy says “No.” Gefen says, “OK, what about syrup?” Daddy says, “Fine.” Gefen says that she wants to pour the syrup. Daddy says he will pour the syrup. Gefen agrees. Daddy makes the yummy French toast and comes to pour the syrup. Gefen attempts to “press” Daddy’s hand in order for more syrup to come out. Daddy knows the “trick” and reacts quickly to avoid too much syrup being poured! Breakfast continues with no more incidents!

ELA: Recited her first reading from the prayer book and chanted the Kiddush this past Friday night. She was quite proud of herself [as well as we were]. Ela continues to be an excellent swimmer. She is now anxiously awaiting a competition in Jerusalem. Ela continues to do great in school and has numerous friends, constantly getting invites from classmates for playdates. She is a very serious student and always immediately finishes her homework. The other day Ela was the life of the Bar Mitzvah party for friend, Idan. Usually she does not drink Sprite or Coke but Mommy and Daddy allowed her an exception for this night. Ela claimed to have had 9 Sprites, repeatedly returning to the bar for more!

BEN: Ben has been playing Flag Football every Sunday at Kraft Field. Pops Mike takes Ben to every game as he also is the assistant coach and sometime Quarterback. It was on a cold Sunday night that Dad was playing Quarterback and Ben ran a beautiful slant 15 yards out where Dad hit him with a bullet-like pass in the chest as he scampered 75 yards for a TD. What a great moment! Ben had fantastic grades in school; loves playing on the computer at www.totallyjerk.com. He created a really cool boardgame as a project for his English class and Mummy spent hours making up the questions which focused on various aspects of Israel. Ben is a really great 11 yr. old!

ELA: Recently Mummy took out her riddle and joke book from England and asked Ela, “What gets wet before it dries?” Ela thought for a moment and said, “A Towel!,” which was correct! No one else in the family got it right. Ela is doing great in school and has loads of friends. Her best friend is Shai, who either sleeps at Ela’s or Ela sleeps at her house.

GEFEN: She’s getting more excited about going to camp in America this summer! Gefen did great in school and got high grades in English. She has several close friends and just has a wonderful disposition and soul! Gefi has a photographic memory and actually remembers things from 5 or 6 years ago! Gefen is not an early riser; it is not easy to move her in the morning and Daddy sometimes has to remind her 10-15 times to dress, eat, etc. So, this morning, Daddy recorded his voice on the phone and now he can press “play” and it will say “Lets go Gefen!”

Take a look at Anydate.com and see the Satellite Image Puzzle
which is a fantasic gift for all ages. Also look at our birthday newspaper
Enjoy!