Gersten Family News

Elazar's Chanukah Gan Party

2011-12-24T19:55:00.003-05:00

חנוכה שמח גדול היה פה

Elazar had a Chanukah performance/party in Gan. We were very impressed at how well Elazar did considering we figure he doesn't understand a word his teacher is saying. This is his first time in a Hebrew speaking Gan. It must have been the sufganiah he was promised if he didn't make any mistakes!!!

As I'm sure you know from the older kids it was the usual 'playing music and having the kids dance in circles and do hand motions while holding various paraphernalia'. But of course it was Elazar's first time, so we all have to make a big deal out of it.

Elazar was fabulous and the whole performance went without a hitch...well almost...

Bubby and Grandpa's 'Thankful' Visit

2011-12-24T19:35:00.003-05:00

Bubby and Grandpa spent a little over a week with us. They rented a car so they could visit friends and family in Be'er Sheva and Beit Shemesh, later in the week.

Ima took advantage by checking on the new project in Mispeh Yireecho, so they could see 'their guest room'. She showed Bubby and Grandpa around the neighborhood, as well as set them up with a real estate agent to look around Ma'aleh Adumim

On Thursday, we celebrated Thanksgiving the 'Israeli' way -- dinner at Burger's Bar.

Elisheva took Friday off from school and went with them to an Art Exhibition on Rechov Betzalel. They also stopped by the Shuk Machaneh Yehudah to pick up Challahs and Cake for Shabbos

Eli Weiss joined us for Shabbos adding a little from the other side of the family to the balance

Ezra went with Bubby and Grandpa to one of the Jewish Museum in Yerushalayim, which included a stop for ice cream.

On this trip, we made sure Bubby and Grandpa went to the airport on the right night and they arrived in plenty of time to return the rental car 'without a scratch'.

Succos 5772

2011-10-18T05:57:00.003-04:00

This year, one of our neighbors was away and offered us their Sukkah, which we happily borrowed and built downstairs in addition to the small Sukkah on our Mirpeset [balcony]. Although we had to walk the two flights down, it was nice to have a Sukkah big enough for the entire family to eat around the table (and room for guests) for the Shabbos and Yom Tov meals.

Fay was able to get some pictures with the kids in their new Yom Tov outfits on Wednesday afternoon, Erev Succos

The kids and I still manage to sleep in the upstairs Sukkah, but we have to rotate nights of "sleeping with Abba". Elazar doesn't quite understand the concept of "rotating" so he has been sleeping in the Sukkah every night while Elisheva and Ezra do the rotating (Noam even slept in the Sukkah on the first night)

On Friday the kids and I took the #2 bus and went to the "giant slide" park in Ezras HaTorah. On the way back we stopped off and visited Rav Azarya Berzon who was in Har Nof for Succos. He sent regards from Uncle Josh and Aunt Lisa from Kew Gardens Hills where he is teaching this year at Lander College.

Motzai Shabbos, Elisheva and Abba attended a Bat Mitzvah of some friends in the neighborhood, a nice family from Passaic, NJ, who are having a trial year in Israel with the hopes to make Aliyah. Afterward we went to the Derech Etz Chaim Simchas Beit HaShoava with Yehudah Katz from Reva LaSheva at the Rosh Yeshiva's Sukkah

On Sunday we entertained our friends the Zeevi (nee Fox) family who usually invite us to their Sukkah every year, so we were delighted to return the favor. Cousin Julius happened to be in Jerusalem (he went to Birkas Cohanim earlier in the morning) and joined us for lunch with the Zeevis

Elisheva and Ezra joined me Sunday night for the Simchas Beit HaShoava with the Bostoner Rebbe at the Boston Shul, as well as a 10th Yahrtzeit Shiur for R' Aharon Soloveichik in the Sukkah of one of our neighbors.

Monday Abba went to visit his Rebbeim, Rav Romm and Rav Koenigsberg, in the neighborhood, but only Noam wanted to go "bye-bye".

The rest of the kids were too absorbed in their "purchases" from their 50 NIS Sukkos shopping spree with Ima at the toy store earlier that morning. Later that night Abba went with our neighbor Mr. Berko to Rav Geldtzailer's Simchas Beit HaShoava. We were hoping Julius would be there but I guess he had gone back to Beitar where he is staying until early December

Tuesday, Elisheva had some of her friends from Sneef [Jewish youth group] as part of their "Sukkah Hop". We hope to fill you in with more happenings after Simchas Torah...

Ima's "Condition"

2011-10-10T13:52:00.006-04:00

I decided to publicize Ima's "condition" and hopefully you will all call her or e-mail her and give her some TLC before Succos. Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur were tough. I think as the "children" get older it's getting harder for her. Maybe I should help out more...Well, I have to go out to Maariv now...

This is not my creation. All credits and rights reserved by the copyright holder

Bowling Trip with Saba

2011-08-22T08:36:00.006-04:00

On Tuesday Saba accompanied us and the kids for a bowling trip.

Elisheva, Ezra and Elazar bowled the first two games, but started to get tired

So Ima Abba and Saba started bowling randomly for them in the third game.

Scores:

Elisheva: 1st Game 81 (2 spares); 2nd Game 93 (3 spares)

Ezra: 1st Game 86 (2 spares); 2nd Game 87 (1 spare)

Elazar: 1st Game 72; 2nd Game 75 (1 spare)

Afterwards we went to the nearby mall and had lunch. Ima picked up her latest and greatest umbrella stroller, Abba picked up his Rav-Kav, and here is some video of some of our bowlers

Saba in Motion

Elisheva's Turn

Ezra's Technique

Saba Comes For A Visit

2011-08-18T11:41:00.002-04:00

Saba arrived in Har Nof on Monday with Uncle Lazar, Esti, Tova and Aliza. They stayed for lunch. It was nice for the cousins to get together.

Tuesday's bowling trip will be a separate post

On Wednesday Abba, Ezra and Saba went to Geula to pick up a new Talis for Saba. Then we headed to the Kotel for Mincha.

Saba and Abba learned some Mishnayos in the enclosed Beis Midrash area at the Kotel. Ezra took this picture

and while we were learning Ezra took the opportunity to capture some interesting images around the Kotel Plaza.

Saba was in the mood for a good falafel, so we took him to Shalom Falafel, the 'best in town'.

Just in the neighborhood...

2011-07-29T05:12:00.002-04:00

Sorah Yitta and the kids happen to be in the neighborhood so they dropped by. Oh my how the kids have grown. We offered for them to join us for dinner, but they had already eaten at Jerusalem II down the block...

Even though Sorah Yitta and David live relatively close by in Ramat Beit Shemesh, it seems like ages since both families got together last.

Noam and Bayla Sima practiced their 'tango'

Devorah and Shaul entertained us with puzzling riddles

and Tzvikee enjoyed playing with Elazar and his toys

Just drop by anytime you're in the neighborhood...

Jessica Felber Comes for Shabbos

2011-07-07T12:12:00.003-04:00

Jessica was in Israel this summer for a couple of months on a learning program. She has been staying in the Old City and commuting to Har Nof each day. She contacted us last week that she as "in town" so we invited her for Shabbos.

Jessica came on Friday afternoon bearing gifts of Marzipan and fresh cherries (much more Chasuv than the classic 'flowers' or 'bottle of wine'). As expected the kids pounced on her immediately and didn't leave her side the entire Shabbos. We went for a nice walk on Friday night after dinner. Jessica read books and played board games with the kids throughout Shabbos. She even taught them the 'finger' game and the 'cup on the table' routine.

Jessica is in Yerushalayim for another month or so and she promised us she would be back before heading back to California.

Elisheva's Concert

2011-06-27T15:09:00.002-04:00

Elisheva played her recorder at the year end concert at her school, representing the 3rd grade. I can personally attest that Elisheva has been practicing and practicing and practicing around the house for a long long time.

Elisheva brought home a note that parents should provide 'Augah Beitit' for the reception after the concert. While all of the Israeli parents brought in their store-bought Osem cakes known as 'Augah Beitit', Elisheva's American Ima figured that she was supposed to bake a 'homemade cake' just like the note translates into English. Naturally, Elisheva was the pride of her class when she presented one of Ima's delicious chocolate cakes, with whip cream for the entire class

Elazar's Gan Party

2011-06-27T14:33:00.004-04:00

Well, the school year is coming to and end, and Elazar had his Gan Party at Morah Chani to finish up the year

Elazar makes such a lovely flower...

Having a grand time clapping along...

And cutting up the rug with his dance partner

Noam Making Himself Comfortable

2011-06-27T13:49:00.004-04:00

So this is what Noam does when he is home alone with Ima and everyone else is out of the house all morning......

Yom HaAtzmaut in Gan Sacchar

2011-05-23T08:08:00.004-04:00

Elisheva, Ezra, Elazar and Abba met up with Zeidy and Aunt Rochelle in Gan Sachar for a Yom HaAtzmaut Picnic. It's a national holiday, the equivalent of July 4th in the States.

The public parks are packed with families from all over the Yerushalayim area who come to picnic, barbecue, etc. Vendors come from all over to sell everything from silly string, to noisemakers, to 'giant blowup Israeli Flag hammers'. Ima and Noam decided to sit this one out, but we managed to have fun without them.

Aside from the picnic that Aunt Rochelle prepared, Abba, Elisheva and Abba kicked around the soccer ball.

Even Elazar found what to do to entertain himself

Zeidy, Aunt Rochelle and Elisheva took strolls around the park down the shady trails and we were all treated to ice cream and cotton candy by Zeidy.

Before we went home we visited Farfar, whose apartment happens to be across the street from the park, with a nice view of the Park and the Yerushalayim skyline.

Ice Skating in Yerushalayim

2011-04-26T09:23:00.002-04:00

No, it's not Parkwood Ice Skating Rink, but it's about the best you're going to find in Yerushalayim. -- and certainly in April during Pesach vacation.

Elisheva after finishing her "gold medal" routine

Ezra looks like a bird on ice -- I guess that makes him a penguin

Sessions are only a half-hour and it's better not to think how much they're charging you or you won't even enjoy the half-hour you have.

Elazar is a Big Boy Now

2011-04-26T09:13:00.002-04:00

Ezra's and his entire Gan went to visit the Bostoner Rebbe shlit"a of Yerushalayim at the end of Adar. The Rebbe taught Elazar the aleph-bet and made the hebrew letters "as sweet as honey". Elazar put on his first pair of Tzitzit and made a nice brocho.

The Rebbe sang Dayenu and Mah Nishtana with the children. Thus concluded the formal part of the program

Afterward we all returned to Morah Chani's Gan for the more festive part of the program, where Ezra had his traditional "chair ride" with refreshments and "pekalach".

Purim: When Things Are Not Always As They Appear

2011-03-30T03:50:00.002-04:00

For some reason the kids don't like to get dressed every morning of the year, nor do they like to get into pajamas, but for some reason they can't wait to get dressed for Purim. They even talk about it for months before.........Kids - go figure!!

I haven't figured out why a baker needs a pocketbook when she takes hamentashen out of the oven...

This reminds me of the commercial for Frosted Mini Wheats when I was growing up.

You want to clip my fingernails? Let me show you how it feels!

We might have put a little too much itching powder in Ezra's beard...

Everybody, come together for one group shot! Where's Ezra?

Okay, fine, one silly picture!

Noam's Got a New Way to Walk

2011-02-07T12:27:00.004-05:00

It's official....

Noam just received his license to walk...

Noam's first birthday

2011-01-20T13:01:00.005-05:00

Back to back birthdays for Noam (1) and Ima (29+1) brought a Pizzaleh dinner, cupcakes for dessert (and balloons) all courtesy of Grandpa and Bubby.

Noam, the birthday boy, seemed to be more interested in the clown figurine on top of the cupcake than the cupcake itself.

Great Neck Visitors

2011-01-20T12:58:00.003-05:00

In January, we had an unexpected and pleasant surprise visit from Moshe Jensen. He just showed up at the doorstep and luckily I was home with the boys while Fay was out running errands. We spent some time together in the afternoon catching up and playing with the boys. Unfortunately, Elisheva was still in school. Moshe was in Israel for a couple of weeks before he would start his Spring '11 semester in college

Moshe was actually our second surprise visitor from Great Neck that day. Which is like lightning striking twice in Har Nof, even though it was a clear and sunny day Rabbi Josh Lewis, formerly of Great Neck, NY, and currently of Highland Park, NJ, was visiting Israel with a group of Rutgers students whom he teaches. Just happen to run into him on the streets of Har Nof, and we were fortunate enough to host Rabbi Lewis for Shabbos lunch along with our good friends Betzalel and Elisheva Vogel.

We welcome and encourage all of our Great Neck extended family to drop by when they are in the neighborhood

Ezra's Chumash Party

2011-01-20T12:55:00.004-05:00

Ezra had his 1st grade Chumash ceremony and received his Chumash Beraishis. The organizers decided that the best way to go about doing this was to make both classes of 50 students and there parents wait around, while each student gets called up from their seat and take 90 seconds to talk to some Rabbi that they have never met, but are told 'he is a great Rabbi'. If you do the math you can see that we were waiting for quite some time. This is all before the children performed their songs, etc.

Then, when your son is called up you are supposed to fight your way through the crowd to the front to take your close up of your son getting his siddur from this Rabbi who is not part of the school but is transported in just to give out these siddurim to these children whom he has no relationship with.

When it was Ezra's turn, I decided to stand up on a chair in the back, lift my camera with one hand over the crowd and point downward, and let my zoom lens do the work, but this is the best picture I got out of 6 tries.

That is Ezra's teacher with the microphone, who called him up and the anonymous Rabbi with Ezra. I'm curious if the administration of this school understands what message they are conveying to the kids when they bring in someone who the kids don't know who is the only individual in a room of 200 people wearing a black jacket and black hat, whom they are told is 'a great rabbi', whereas all the other students, teachers and rebbeim almost without exception are wearing kipah serugah. Anyway, I will keep the rest of the commentary to myself.

Anyway, at least after Ezra received his Chumash, we were able to get a nice shot with Ima and Noam.

Ezra and I are toward the end of Parshas Toldos in our own learning together. We hope IY"H to make a siyum on the Torah by age 10, in accordance with Pirkei Avos 5:25

8th Night of Chanukah 5771

2011-01-20T12:52:00.003-05:00

I know its already Tu B'Shvat so it doesn't make sense that I'm posting up Chanukah pictures, but we either have to move the inventory backlog, or save them and pass them off for next year's Chanukah.

After Abba lights it's Elisheva's turn.......

then Ezra.......

and last but not least -- Elazar!!! please be careful with that candle...

Elisheva the Photographer

2011-01-08T18:53:00.003-05:00

A little while back, Abba was given a digital camera with a broken display screen by an owner who didn't want it anymore, which led to Elisheva receiving her very first camera. The camera works fine, but bear in mind there is no eye-hole to look through, so without the display its literally 'point-and-shoot'

Here is some of Elisheva's work...

Elazar has become a common 'target' and always seems to be available for Elisheva's new hobby of photography

Elisheva has also learned to turn the lens on herself and has made her own image a frequent 'focus' of her attention

Sometimes she even lets Ezra get into the act...

As soon as her tooth came out she made sure to record it for posterity

Elisheva is always on the lookout for the future bright new stars and models of tomorrow...

Chanukah in Boston in Israel

2010-12-03T02:55:00.003-05:00

Abba and the kids (minus Noam) spent the first night of Chanukah 5771 with the Bostoner Rebbe of Yerushalayim at the Boston Shul in Har Nof. Elisheva watched from the Ezras Nashim

while the boys waited patiently in their seats

well....

they waited as patiently as they could for a while, but the Rebbe's Chanukah lighting takes about an hour from beginning to end. (I was very proud of them for lasting as long as they did).

Then, it was time to give out the sufganeot [jelly donuts] and Chanukah Gelt.

When we got home, we brought home a sufganiah for Ima, and we were treated to homemade pan pizza and Latkes.

Hope that everyone in the extended Gersten Family is enjoying a Chanukah Samayach.

Life Behind Bars

2010-11-01T15:21:00.003-04:00

Once these rascals start crawling and cruising around the furniture they are downright dangerous, willing to put anything in their mouth no matter how dirty or how much they resemble a 'choking hazard'.

There's only one thing to do with these outlaws. You gotta put 'em behind bars

Don't let that slobbery face and puppy dog eyes fool you.

Trip to New York - Part III

2010-10-05T07:37:00.004-04:00

On Monday morning, Abba and Ezra dropped off Uncle Joshua at Lander College after Shacharis. Ezra was being shy, but we managed to also meet, Yakov Hill, Jeff Mally, Moshe Schaffer, Isaac Manaster and Jon Savage. We also gave R' Shmulevitz a copy of Saba's new book in memory of Savta.

Even though it was raining hard and Abba had to put a quarter in the meter, we still stopped off at the Towne Variety on Main Street to pick up Abba's new backpack. It was the same exact backpack and the same exact price as Abba remembers when he bought his last backpack there about 6 years ago.

We came back to Great Neck and did our banking and post officing. Abba dropped off Ezra and went to pick up Zeidi and bring him back to Great Neck. After 'trying' to organize the garage, we all went to Mincha/Maariv and then Zeidi treated everyone to Chinese at Cho-Sen Gardens. Zeidi and Ezra had the chicken nuggets and Abba and Avigdor had pepper steak. Saba stayed home and ate leftovers.

Trip to New York - Part II

2010-10-05T07:23:00.004-04:00

On Motzai Shabbos, Ezra and Abba made a Shiva call with Grandpa to Margaret's daughters house in Great Neck. We also made another Shiva call at the Honigs, close friends of our family. Ezra met Shaun, Abba's childhood friend, and his family, and we looked at some pictures of when Abba was the same age as Ezra. We came home to help Grandma Libby and Aunt Merrill with their luggage and decided to go to sleep early and get an early start

Because Saba's car wouldn't start (he ended up getting a new car on Sunday), he needed to use the van and Grandpa decided that I should take his car (really Gail's car) while they were still in Israel (coming back Monday night).

So, early Sunday morning we dropped off Grandpa in Fort Lee and made it to Elizabeth in time for the 8:00 Elmora Hills Shacharis. Ezra spent the morning with Grandma Rhoda and Grandpa while Bubby was teaching until noon. Bentzy and Michelle came over with the kids and took Ezra and Abba to Costco to go grocery shopping. After a game or two of sequence, a Snow White movie and a big lunch of Yom Tov leftovers, Ezra and Abba got dressed to go to Landon's wedding

We drove up in time for the end of the bedeking. Saba was honored with reading the Kesuva, while Ezra and Abba went up to make the 4th of the Sheva Brachos. Ezra was one of only a few children their and had a good time dancing and making new friends. We also had a chance to see Aunt Lisa, Uncle Shimi, Yosef Avraham Elchanan, Uncle Avigdor, the Berns family, Lisa Felber, Aunt Jean, and cousins Rachel, Celia and George Blumenthal.

Ezra, Abba and Uncle Avigdor helped organize Sheva Brachos by Benching since all the other clergy seemed to have left already. We got home very late and went straight to bed.