I’m saddened.

Ever since Wednesday I’ve been looking at my kids and can’t stop thinking of Charlie Kirk’s wife and children. What has happened to the soul of our country? When did violence become the way of life? Sean Hannity and Alan Combs, Curtis Sliwa and Ron Kuby, Rush Limbaugh and Elton John, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia, Mario Cuomo and Al D’Amato, all of them had special friendships despite being on opposite ends of the political spectrum. We used to talk to each other, disagree with each other, debate with each other and then grab dinner and drinks together.

Why the animosity? Why vitriol? What’s up with the violence?

President Trump was almost assassinated. American citizens are condoning the butchering and raping of Jews in Israel. People standing by as a woman is burned alive on the New York subway, neighbors witnessing a state representative and her husband being murdered point blank in Minnesota, parishioners being shot up at a church in Kentucky, firefighters murdered upon arrival on scene in Idaho, cops gunned down in Tremonton, Utah, two Israel supporters executed in DC, a teenager slayed in his school bathroom in Baltimore. What the actual heck? It’s worse: Shoshana shared with me that thousands of people on TikTok are celebrating Charlie Kirk’s murder; unfathomable.

We must do better.

In this week’s Torah portion, Ki Savo, we read about the first fruits and tithes brought to the Holy Temple in Jerusalem, at which time Jews make a special declaration in which they recognize with gratitude all that G-d has given them. I once read that “gratitude is the birthplace of joy” and it’s so true.

When we are fixated on what we don’t have or what we want, we tend to be unhappy, always finding the next “hit”, the next purchase, the next experience, that will bring us inner contentment. Yet if we choose to be focused on all our current blessings, the many gifts that G-d has already given us and all the people around us who have been so kind and gracious to us, we tend to be happy with our lot and live much happier lives.

Too many Americans are angry. Angry at everything: Political anger, anger towards our system of government, angry about their lot in life, angry at their parents and teachers and everyone in between. Their anger towards Israel is only the latest excuse for their unhappiness. It’s like they wake up in the morning looking to be angry and to express hatred towards someone or something. It’s mindboggling. Don’t we see the blessings in our life? Most of them are scrolling on their $1,300+ iPhone while sipping a $11 latte and complaining about the “terrible” country of America, instead of thanking G-d for living in this incredible place called the USA. We should be grateful and celebrate that we live in a free country and if you disagree with someone and it really bothers you, grab a coffee and chat and agree to disagree for heaven’s sake.

Find your joy on the inside and stop being so miserable!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!

On Tuesday morning, after a long summer break, I drove Chaya to the airport for her 8:00 AM flight back to Lubavitch Girls High School in Chicago. As I walked through the airport doors I began to smile; my beloved BZN was back. There was parking available close-by, it was pleasantly quiet and there were no insane lines with busloads of overwhelmed travelers. It was tranquil and I enjoyed it immensely. I kept thinking of what the airline agents put up with all summer long. Sure, it’s their job, but too often, travelers, me included, let out our travel frustrations on them even though they really don’t control the challenging reality of air travel these days.

In this week’s Torah portion, Ki Seitzei, we read about the Mitzvah to return a lost item to its rightful owner. In Judaism it’s not considered a “nice gesture”; it’s mandatory to care for a lost item that we find, until it’s returned to the one who lost it. “Eilu Metzios” is an entire chapter of Talmud that discusses the specifics of how to care for lost items, what we are responsible for and what’s not included, and how we can fulfil this beautiful Mitzvah in the most efficient, and conducive, way. I love this precept because it brings home the interconnectedness of humanity and how we could, and should, show up for each other.

When we returned from The Netherlands one of our suitcases didn’t arrive. Furthermore, the agents on the phone were giving me the runaround with inaccurate information about its status. Yet, amid the headache, along came Carlton, a “red coat” elite Delta agent at BZN and he tracked down the people at KLM in Amsterdam, got precise info, ensured that I was compensated for the delay, and the suitcase was delivered to our home. He didn’t have to, he could’ve told me to call the “Baggage” department, but he didn’t, and it’s thanks to him that it arrived back in one piece. Nobody likes losing stuff, but it’s nice to live in a world where people help each other retrieve their stuff, not taking advantage of their loss.

Now if we could only track down Chana Laya’s 24Six in Seattle-Tacoma Airport :)

Thank a gate agent; it’s kindness that makes the world go round!

May G-d guard our brethren in Israel and the world over from harm and send us Mashiach speedily. May G-d protect the armed forces of Israel and the United States wherever they may be!

‍