A Savta’s Sighing and Sighting….

Measles, Terror Attacks, and Miracles…what do they all have in common?

After a very busy Chanuka Holiday with grandchildren galore, I have been busy with the aftermath of cleaning, laundry, simply trying to get the house straight before the next onslaught of Shabbat guests…One of my biggest worries was trying to understand half of my children who do not give vaccines; This morning I was finally able to get some kind of comprehensible explanation from a respected conventional Dr. who leans towards alternative; without going into details, I can now understand their viewpoint better and am relieved that in our developed part of the world the measles epidemic does not necessarily have to be considered life threatening for those who are taking care of health, diet, hygiene in general…

That was one of my biggest concerns… until the terror attacks started this week…they have “hit home” in the fact that it was our neighbor’s daughter who was seriously injured with her unborn baby who had to be delivered Cesarean and died last night. Given the name, Amiad Yisroel, he has certainly united our country. His mother, Shira’s twin in one of the many media reports enumerated so many miracles that had taken place with her survival…Today’s most recent terror attack near us in |Betel has shocked us all…

Here’s my “insightful” message: “Miracles, Big and Small, It’s hard to deny WHO’s Behind them All…being a “miracle baby” myself, there was no explanation how I survived almost 7 decades ago being born at the end of the 6th month weighing 1 pound, 12 ounces..When we can’t understand, when we feel helpless…having Faith in the One who created and runs the world…has helped…whether it is with children whose values may be a bit different than our own, or a time of such turmoil as we are feeling now. I just keep on praying that all will be safe, secure, healthy and happy; that those who are injured have a complete recovery and that true peace can happen soon….

Debbie Dan

Geriatric Consultant for Elderly Parents, Adult Children & Olim

Guidance about Living Options, & Community Resources

A Helping Hand with Debbie Dan

Israeli Cell: 052-391-9328

American Phone 347-448-4177

Email: debbiedan1@gmail.com 

 

Thankful, Thoughtful, Thriving….

This end of the “old” year and start of the new is a time for reflection…we are so very thankful for all of the good that Hashem has bestowed upon us this past year…2 new grandchildren(Peni’s now 10 monthh old Yishai and Bina’s 7 month old Tova Bracha); After a bit of a scare that the bakery would have to move, the famous Herby’s Bake Shop is staying in its present location “rolling in more dough” than ever especially at this time of year! Our children are following their passions: Shana is involved in a course to become a “Healthy life style” mentor along with continuing her translation business at home so that she can have “gan ima” for her stay at home 2 and a half year old. The big event of the summer was their Yitzie’s Bar Mitzva; nothing beats family reunions…I am happy that the Bormaster girls are taking dance/gymnastics while both boys are into basketball. Bina and her girls are involved in art and sewing; Bina this year is giving an art chug along with her work at the Matnas(community center). Shlomo loves his new high tech job while the Beychok boys are happy in first grade and gan 4…Meir is doing a great job as the bakery’s manager while Yona pursues her higher degree in counseling. Yedidya also just started 1st grade while little Maayani is in a more active play group.

Looking forward to Ayal and Yeela’s providing us with another grandchild right after the holidays(he/she will break the present tie!), “B’shaa Tova”..They are very happy in their home in Bat Ayin; Ayal has left the bakery to pursue his passion of gardening.  However in pressured bakery times as now he comes in to help.  Avi is also working away day and night at the bakery.  he takes off during the summer to be the security/logistics man with groups of students coming in to tour. Peni and family are looking forward to moving after the holidays to a more permanent home in Nofei Prat near Kfar Adumin where she has a job teaching 5th grade. Itamar is working in the ER at Hadassah hospital while in the nursing program at Machon Lev.

I pray that Hashem gives us “Koach”(strength) to continue doing all that we want to do. Grateful that Herby loves his profession with which he should continue to provide his scrumptious baked goods to his many customers for many years to come.  I hope to continue to help children with our wonderful “jewels” along with volunteering with seniors, a bit of work in consulting along with “learning”…

Wishing everyone a very Happy, Healthy, Fulfilling year, us Dan Clan

Bar Mitzvas, Bat Mitzvas, Barbecues, Bashes…

What a wonderful summer this has been with many family and friend reunions at “simchas”…The next best thing to standing under the chupa with a “child” who has found her “bashert” is to be at the Bar Mitzva of a grandson or the Bat Mitzva of a granddaughter who has suddenly become an “adult”(according to Jewish tradition), being responsible for his own “mitzvot”…It has truly amazed me how our first grandchild suddenly sprang up, eager to run to prayers 3 times a day while in the midst of a good book or computer game….

The best is reunions of spread out family…time being together is so precious…In the olden days as our children were growing up here we suffered heavy traffic and crowds to do all kinds of vacation activities.  Now our children like to come where we are, where there is a wonderful pool, a little “zoo”, wonderful parks, better weather than humid city or southern weather…We just stay put..In 2 weeks when all the kids are going back to school, Herby and I will take off for a long weekend up north for our R&R before the hectic Holiday period…

Wishing y’all a very happy, healthy end of the summer….

Debbie Dan

Geriatric Consultant for Elderly Parents, Adult Children & Olim

Guidance about Living Options, & Community Resources

A Helping Hand with Debbie Dan

Israeli Cell: 052-391-9328

American Phone 347-448-4177

Email: debbiedan1@gmail.com 

A Thoughtful Thankful Thursday….

Yesterday as I was listening to the horrific news hour after hour of the catastrophic death of 10 teens as well as others injured from the sudden flash flood that hit Southern Israel….I was very thoughtful and thankful…Just a few days before I had been in my favorite place, the Ein Gedi spa with a friend for a bit of R&R; my son, the security man on trips with European teens was also hiking in that area the same day I was…

Even as I returned home from geriatric counseling  some elderly in the Jerusalem area during the past few days, the skies opened and more rain than anyone has seen this time of year simply came pouring down…We pray that G-d gives us rain as a “blessing” and not a “curse”…now we see why….Rain can do so much good but can also damage…

What can we do?  Look into ourselves, pray and improve.. ….it is that time of year between the holiday of freedom(Passover) and our receiving our Torah(Shavuot)…we are counting the days and weeks until that holiday when we are working to improve ourselves….It just so happens that I was at a Torah class yesterday morning discussing this “Sefirat HaOmer” time…a fragile time for farmers who are hoping their wheat crops are not destroyed by rain; it is a miracle when all grows and works out just right…

We need to be thankful for what we have at any age and stage of life(finding a wife, no strife). Everyday little miracles deserve a big thank you, to a G-d who takes care  of us-old and new….

Debbie Dan

Geriatric Consultant for Elderly Parents, Adult Children & Olim

Guidance about Living Options, & Community Resources

A Helping Hand with Debbie Dan

Israeli Cell: 052-391-9328

American Phone 347-448-4177

Email: debbiedan1@gmail.com 

Why this Pesach was Different from all Others….

Whew!  It is now the day after the Spring holiday of Pesach for which we are told we do not need to do “Spring cleaning” but for which most of us do…the opportunity to organize/de-clutter our homes is spiritually uplifting…the more I throw out, give away or put in re-cycling, the better I feel! Due to the “Time Bank” in which I am a part, I was privileged to have an “organizer” come a few weeks before Pesach to help me organize my organization and decide who should do what when(between some students who helped and my own son and husband who were able to do more when the bakery worked less and less…) One difference between this year and all others was that I was able to go into the holiday a lot calmer than usual….feeling “on top” of the situation…

Although it is a “baker’s holiday”…Herby loves trying out Pesach recipes at home. This year he took over the “new”oven we had to get when our old one just konked out(of course right before Pesach) so that I made dishes on top of the stove while he used the oven. I made less than usual, our children brought a dish or 2 and helped a lot…

This was the first  year that all children and grands were together(29 of us)…all but one family squashed into our home..we were lucky to find a home nearby for that one. Although it is nice that everyone could be together, it is simply too many for a seder when I would love to hear what grandchildren have learned. Having been at a smaller 1 family one last year, I am eager to go back to smaller, taking turns, less overwhelming Seder…We will have to be happy with everyone getting together at our annual Pesach picnic at Gan Sacher where the kids can play, run around, adults can gab, etc…This year we did it on the first day of Chol Hamoed which was wonderful.  There was still time for those who wanted to travel, tiyul and go into the last day more relaxed(we used to get together on that last day of chol hamoed).

Wishing everyone a Happy Spring, getting back to routine, Happy Israel 70th Independence Day with much Health and appreciation of all the good in life….

Debbie Dan

Geriatric Consultant for Elderly Parents, Adult Children & Olim

Guidance about Living Options, & Community Resources

A Helping Hand with Debbie Dan

Israeli Cell: 052-391-9328

American Phone 347-448-4177

Email: debbiedan1@gmail.com 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy, Sad, “Crazy” times….

While here in Israel we are having summer weather in what is still “winter” time, I see that in Northern America there is snow….While we are still feeling the simcha(happiness) of Purim and new grandchildren in the family, I heard the sad news of the passing of 2 special “Southern” ladies on the same day…one in Greensboro, N.C. and 1 in Jerusalem {who we had known well from Memphis…..}

Bec Davidowitz who just passed away at the ripe old age of 96 was my mom’s good friend…She and her husband, Ben came to Danville, Va., opened a small jewelry store after working at first for another jeweler… Ben David’s Jewelry with much work and dedication became the biggest store in the area, now run by their 2 sons…Bec, such a warm, nice person was always a good friend to our whole family; they eventually moved to Florida where when my daughter did her national service there she felt like she had a “home” to visit.  I am sure that the many members of the Danville Aetz Chayim Synagogue of which she was an active member are greeting her in “olam haba”(the next world)

Ethel Schiffman at almost 95 was always an eye sparkling, positive, warm person both in Memphis and Jerusalem. She worked at the Memphis JCC for many years and when she and her husband Sid made aliya, they continued to work and volunteer..she was active and “spry” until very recently…Everyone truly loved her from her many great grandchildren to my children to all of her many friends and acquaintances…

We know that death is part of life…even when someone has lived such a full one…but it is still so hard to let them go…May their memory be a blessing for us all and may we remember all of the positives…..

Debbie Dan

Geriatric Consultant for Elderly Parents, Adult Children & Olim

Guidance about Living Options, & Community Resources

A Helping Hand with Debbie Dan

Israeli Cell: 052-391-9328

American Phone 347-448-4177

Email: debbiedan1@gmail.com 

 

Thankful and Thoughtful….

With Thanksgiving behind us and the holiday of miracles,Chanuka, before us, there is much to think about.  As we sat around our Thanksgiving table(we now have our festive turkey dinner on the Friday night Sabbath), we all mentioned something for which we are most thankful…The “small” things of just being with family, good friends in a warm environment; being able to live, raise our families in our own country where we are conscious of so many miracles each day…to name a few…

For me, especially after being at the birth of our newest grandson almost a month ago, just life itself is such a miracle…I have written before about my own miracle of birth at the end of the 6th month, weighing just 1 pound and 12 ounces(750 gram)…Yishai, our new grandson weighing 4.04 kilo(more than 8 pounds) had a bit of a hard time entering the world….having the privilege of being with my daughter during the birth, I saw once again the true miracle of having a healthy baby…..

As a retired Savta(grandma) who lives close to this beautiful baby and his big sis, I get to take the 3 year old to and from gan(kindergarten) most days…Along the way she stops to observe fallen colorful leaves to crunch, pretty winter flowers, airplanes flying above, talks about her friends and activities, etc….What a wonderful feeling to have her remind me of all of those fun things…walking with a grandparent to whom you can tell and talk about SO much….

Therefore, today’s “tip” for us grandparents…our role of just listening to our grandchildren for whom we are so thankful  is HUGE…no matter their age or stage, our “ear” is great to be near! Miracles of life are with us each day, so appreciate them in every way!

Debbie Dan

Geriatric Consultant for Elderly Parents, Adult Children & Olim

Guidance about Living Options, & Community Resources

A Helping Hand with Debbie Dan

Israeli Cell: 052-391-9328

American Phone 347-448-4177

Email: debbiedan1@gmail.com 

“After the Holidays(Acharei Hachagim)”-Back to Routine????

The word “routine” brings to mind a sameness of everyday activities that gives us a relaxing feeling since we more or less know what to expect…However in my case, as a very active senior citizen every day is different since there is no real routine…I wake up each morning having to jog my brain into remembering which day it is and what I am doing…a day to rush and get out early to make wonderful shiurim(classes), or able to rest a bit longer to go volunteer in our local Golden Age Club where 3 days a week such wonderful exercise is offered ranging from “Paula”, Yoga and Bone Density exercise…together with interesting classes and wonderful social group.

This month is also Senior Citizen’s Month when there are special discounted activities offered all over Israel. Although we have had a bit of rain here this is the season to see many seniors groups on various “tiyulim”(trips).  During this month I myself offer to give a session on “Dealing With Aging Parents”…based on my personal and professional experience.(I will be speaking here in Betel for our “Time Bank” group on Nov. 20th at 8p.m. at our Matnas).

To sum up…the after the busy holiday period…when we think we look forward to going back to “routine” does not exist for us busy seniors when everyday brings something new….as I write this I am awaiting the birth of a new grandchild…all should go well-“B’shaa Tova”!!! Happy, Healthy Senior Citizens’ Month and “Back to Routine” to all…..

Debbie Dan

Geriatric Consultant for Elderly Parents, Adult Children & Olim

Guidance about Living Options, & Community Resources

A Helping Hand with Debbie Dan

Israeli Cell: 052-391-9328

American Phone 347-448-4177

Email: debbiedan1@gmail.com 

Everything is for the Best….

Memories……As we are approaching the “High Holidays,”we are looking back upon the ups and downs of the past year….While we have been having heat wave weather here in Israel, America has suffered from hurricanes, much displacement, damage and despair..

There has been a lot of “new” during the past year….new homes, jobs, friends becoming grandparents for the first time, family celebrations…looking forward to more “news” in the coming year…

This past weekend was my 50 year high school reunion of George Washington High School in Danville, Va.  As many of my former classmates most of whom I have not seen in 50 years, were partying and remembering our “class of ’67” I could not help but reminisce about other events of 50 years ago….

Our graduation was in June on a Friday night…since it was our Sabbath, I did not go…instead I spent that Sabbath with good, close friends in Richmond. It must have been right after or even  during the 6 Day War when we were praying for Israel and felt euphoric when they won the war….I just happened to have a Shabbat guest for lunch this week who told of his experience of volunteering to help Israel, his first time there, at this crucial time….

Although I was very disappointed that this 50 year reunion was at such an inconvenient time for those of us in Israel to attend, everything is for the best since right after the Holidays,we are expecting  new family “additions” which I would not have wanted to miss! In seeing some of the pictures, I have not yet recognized anyone…so that maybe it would not be such a good feeling to see how everyone has “aged”! No matter what, we are all “young” at heart….

My “tip” of the day is to keep active and gay to drive those “doldrums” away!

A Happy, Healthy New Year to y’all,

Debbie Dan

Geriatric Consultant for Elderly Parents, Adult Children & Olim

Guidance about Living Options, & Community Resources

A Helping Hand with Debbie Dan

Israeli Cell: 052-391-9328

American Phone 347-448-4177

Email: debbiedan1@gmail.com