Freeways and Freedom

Last night we arrived in Silver Spring, a suburb of our Nation's capital, and our new home. Our road trip lasted 8 days, took us through 8 states, and totaled more than 1500 miles.

Along the way we did a couple of fun Urban Adventure Quests (in Memphis and Nashville), toured Graceland and the Country Music Hall of Fame, earned 3 Junior Ranger badges (Hot Springs National Park, Little Rock Central High, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park), and spent a wonderful Shabbat full of Southern hospitality in Nashville. Oh, and we had a tire blow out along the way as well. That was fun.

By the end we were wearing down and as it turns out I came down with strep, so we pushed ahead and arrived a couple of days earlier than planned in order to celebrate Independance Day with family.

Enjoying a family BBQ and watching the fireworks in Washington on TV I just feel thankful to be here. Thankful to not be driving today. Thankful to be on antibiotics. But more importantly thankful to be with family. And thankful to live in this great country. With all its flaws (many of which are right here in DC) America is an amazing place with amazing people (including the very kind mechanic in Arkansas who sincerely offered to call his wife if we needed help to get to a hotel). Democracy and freedom should never be taken for granted. The fact that we can just get in our car and drive from state to state. The fact that we can all vote for the candidates and issues we believe in. The fact that we all have a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These are freedoms we should appreciate. We may have many different political views. But we should always feel like one nation with a common foundation.

Driving through the South reminded me again how big and how beautiful America is (special shout out to the Shenendoah Valley in Virginia). If you have not taken a road trip recently go do it. And try to fit a National Park in to your journey. You do not have to fly around the globe to see beautiful places. There is so much to see here at home.

But it is not just the physical beauty. It is also the beauty of our core values. There is no Blue America and Red America. It is everyone's America. And we have to learn to live with one another in harmony. As the song states:

This land is your land
This land is my land
From the California
To the New York island
From the Redwood forest
To the Gulfstream waters
This land was made for you and me

Hi Yo Silver (Spring)!

Tonight is our last night in Houston after living here for the last 6 years. I sit here in an empty apartment after a long day of movers taking everything I own and loading it onto a truck that we will hopefully see again in Silver Spring, MD in a couple of weeks. And yet, everything that really matters is right here with me, with my amazing wife and kids by my side. Tomorrow we begin a road trip that will take us through Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and Maryland. We are looking forward to seeing some great things along the way. And we are even more looking forward to living near family after 15 years of living in the South. But before we turn the ignition and start on the next part of our life journey I'd like to take a moment to reflect back on these past 6 years and what they have meant for me.

It has not always been easy being a Principal of an entire school. But what an honor and joy it has been! The kids here in Houston are amazing. And I have so enjoyed getting to watch them grow and develop. On a typical day at work I would be visiting with 4 year olds one moment and talking with seniors the next. I would teach a lower school Mishna class and then daven with the Middle School. I would be doing conflict resolution between two students and then a few minutes later be working on a Chesed program. And over 6 years I got to know so many kids and watch them grow up before my eyes.

There were hard days, of course. Days when it seemed that no matter how hard I worked there was never time to appreciate the progress because it was immediately on to the next task. Days when I would be unable to sleep at night thinking about all the people who needed my help. Days when it felt like my office was a revolving door of unsatisfied people expecting me to solve all their problems. But there were many more good days. Days when I knew that even though there was always more work to be done (Lo Alecha HaMelacha Ligmor) it was ok because the joy was in the process, in the work, in the trial and error. I grew a lot here as well and any time you are in an environment where you are both growing and helping others grow at the same time you know you are in the right place.

Living through 4 floods in 3 years was really hard. We all helped each other through it and it is something we will never forget. But I would be lying if I said I don't get nervous still anytime heavy rain is in the forecast. Life has challenges wherever you go, and we have definitely had our fair share over the years, but every time I realize that we are about to move close to family it gives me such chizuk and excitement.

I started this blog 6 years ago on the eve of our move to Texas. I called it the Rodeo Rabbi and, though I have not written as often as I would have liked, I think I have been able to capture at least some of the highlights of our time as Texans. I am not changing the name of the blog, even though we are moving to Silver Spring. If anything, it reminds me of my dad's love of The Lone Ranger who used to say "Hi Yo Silver!" before riding off into the sunset. Well, every sunset is just a sunrise somewhere else. So while the time has come for the sun to set on our time in Houston we will take a moment to look back at the beautiful view behind us and then head off to our next adventure full of excitement and joy for we have a lot to look forward to.

My Grandparents' 1st Yartzeit

This week marks one year since both of my father's dear parents passed away within 5 days of each other in January 2017. As you can imagine, burying two grandparents in one week, and seeing my father sit shiva for both of his parents at once, was not easy. My grandparents lived long lives and had much to be proud of. Looking back now, a year later, their absence is still painful, but I am filled with wonderful memories and am shaped by the core values they passed down to us. How lucky I was to have two such grandparents and that my own children knew them as well. On this 1st yartzeit here is a summary of some of the reflections I shared about them at their funerals:

Grandpa (Yisrael Ben Haskel Mendel HaLevi) - 25th Tevet

"Mi Ha'Ish Hachefetz Chaim Ohev Yamin Lirot Tov - Who is the man who values his life? The one who loves his days to see the good."

What a life you led, Grandpa. Immigrating from Russia to America, working your way through pharmacy school, marrying the love of your life, fighting in World War Two, owning your own pharmacy on the Lower East Side, and raising your two boys to be committed Jews. It is hard to believe that you are gone, though we were so blessed to have had you for 103 years. 

I learned so much from you. You always taught me to give 110% to whatever I did. You would say, "whatever you decide to study in school and to do for a career, do it to the best of your ability." You showed us what work ethic meant and built Levitt Pharmacy with years of dedication and hard work. You believed deeply in education and were always so proud to hear of our progress. You even used to emphasize to me how important it was to sit up straight with good posture.

You also taught us to be proud Jews, standing up for Israel (your Hebrew name) and for Jews in need.  And of course, you are the reason we are a family of proud Leviim. You and Grandma supported the Chafetz Chaim yeshiva in so many ways. You gave your sons a Jewish education. When I would visit you in NY and we would go to shul together you would always tell me how much it bothered you that people around you in shul were talking. I also remember the army stories you would tell us about having to stand up against an antisemitic officer. You would read the Jewish Press each week and follow Israeli news closely.

I loved hearing your many stories, especially when they would crack you up. I can still hear your laugh. But every lesson had not only a punch line but a lesson as well, usually about doing the right thing.

You loved Grandma more than anything else and saw your self as her protector and provider. And you had such pride in your sons and grandchildren. I hope we will continue to make your proud as well. You used to walk with a bit of a side to side waddle, something I seem to have been the only Levitt to inherit, but when I think of you I think of someone who always carried himself with dignity. I hope I will follow in those footsteps as well.

Every Friday you would take pleasure in giving each of us Brachot over the phone. I can still hear the sing song way you would recite the Yevarechecha. This taught us how much we were loved and how much we should love each other. But the truth is that just having you as our Grandpa was the biggest bracha of all.

Grandma (Minna Bat Sarah) - Rosh Chodesh Shvat

"Minhah (Minna) Meitzar Karati Kah Anani B'merchav Kah - From the narrow place I called out to God who answered me with the Divine Expanse." (Psalm 118:5)

How do we say goodbye to both you and Grandpa in the same week?

You and Grandpa were married for 75 years! He was your protector and you were his Eishet Chayil. You would share one glass of seltzer together. And you would walk arm in arm. And yet, when Grandpa said something you disagreed with you would say with a smile "Irving, don't talk." Oh, can I see that smile of yours and hear that laugh. You loved to laugh and your joy was contagious.

You always cared about others. You were a tireless volunteer for so many organizations. Together with your mother you did so much for the Chofetz Chaim yeshiva (whose sisterhood is named after your mother Sarah Gordon to this day). You also would look after individuals from shul or down the block to make sure they were ok. You would go to many shiurim and had much respect for Rabbis. And wherever you would go you would make new friends. 

But you cared even more about Family. Your parents lived in the apartment above you and you would take care of them. I have many fond memories of driving over the river and through the woods to grandmother's house for Thanksgiving, where all the extended family of uncles, aunts, cousins would gather in your home to celebrate together. Your home was always the place that brought people together. Shalom Bayit was so important to you. I remember you telling us the story of your father Abe (for whom I am named) who gave up his stake in the family business rather than allow it to create a rift in the family. You loved all of us grandchildren and our spouses, and had such joy in all of your grandchildren and great grandchildren (all of us equally and in our own unique way). I am so glad my kids knew you - what a bracha to know your great grandparents.

The way my father and mother showed you Kibbud Av V'em is a model for me to follow. Abba would call you every day and say "Hello Mama Shayna!" And Ima would always look out for you and check in on you.

I always felt close to you Grandma. You would let me be a kid in your house (banging pots, spinning the coffee table...). You would sing, laugh, tell stories. And you were the most amazing cook (Kreplach, Sweet Potato Pie, Cole Slaw...). I used to love walking to shul arm in arm with you on Yom Tov when you would visit. Even last Thursday when you clearly weren't well you gave me a smile and a wink when you came out and saw me sitting at the kitchen table.

"Sheker Hachein V'hevel Hayofi Isha Yirat Hashem Hi Takum." Grandma, you had Yofi and Chen, but you were also a Yirat Hashem. You would bless the shabos food before eating it with the words "Lechavod Shabbes Kodesh," and, although Grandpa usually gets the attention for giving brachot the truth is that you gave the most beautiful heartfelt brachot as well. Any Goodness, Joy and Humor, Emunah that we have comes from you. We will do our best to live our lives and to raise our children to be like you.

Every Havdalah, Grandma, you would close your eyes, say goodbye to shabbos, and bless the coming week with the Gut Fun Avraham...

Grandma, I don't know how to say goodbye to you. All I can say is: 

"Az D'Liba Heiligeh BUBBY Kodesh Geit Avec" - we will do our best to honor you by living lives of "Tzum Maasim Tovim Und Tzum Allen Gutten Amen"