May Their Memory Be a Blessing

I love the Jewish tradiition of remembering our loved ones who have passed.  Remembering them keeps them alive in our hearts and in our minds.  It is like they are still with us.

Here's the memory of my family at Temple Israel in Long Beach, California:

Remembering Esther Feingold Schneider and Tom Schneider

Today, 10-30-17, my father and I went to find the grave of my great-granadmother, Esther Feingold Schneider.  We knew it was in the same cemetary of my father's Uncle Tom Schneider, the Beth Olam Cemetary at Hollywood Forever in West Hollywood, California.

It took awhile, but we found Esther and then we found Tom and his wife Henrietta and Tom's son Milt "Mitzy" Schneider who died when he was young after being thrown from a horse.

Below are some photos to help remember them.  It was very emotional to think that I'm descended from someone who was born in 1872 and to get "to meet her" today.  My Great-Uncle Tom Schneider was the oldest of her eight children.

My father tells me that his grandma was the sweetest grandma ever who had presents wrapped in advance for he grandchildren!

Esther Feingold Schneider

My Great-Grandmother Esther and My Grandpa Max Schneider in front of his jewelry store in downdown Long Beach on Pine Avenue sometime sin the 1950s

My Grandpa Max and His Brother Tom Schneider inside Grandpa's jewelry store - I'm guessing the mid-1960s

Uncle Tom and My Brother Billy

Dr. Ron Wolfson Got Me to Remember My Wonderful Jewish Grandparents

Fannie and Max Schneider - 1928

Dr. Ron Wolfson came to Temple Israel and spoke on Friday evening 10/27, Saturday morning 10/28, and Sunday morning 10/29, 2017.  Each talk he gave was about the books he has written. 

The Sunday morning talk was called "The Best Boy in the United States of America."  It was really fun hearing Dr. Wolfson share the stories he had to tell about his life.

Remembering loved ones keeps them alive and that is a very special part of Jewish tradition.

As he described his grandfather, I remembered my wonderful Grandpa Max.  Dr. Wolfson's grandfather gave his grandchildren huge hugs and kisses and sat in a big chair.

When I was a child, my dad took us to Grandma Fannie and Grandpa Max's house every Sunday.  We'd park whatever car we drove then right in front of the house at 232 Granada in Belmont Shore, Long Beach, California and when the three of us got out of the car, Grandma and Grandpa would greet us on the door step and Grandpa Max would always put his arms around me and squeeze me hard and give me a huge kiss and hug.  Grandma Fannie would kiss me and I'd immediately wipe of the lipstick.

Max and Fannie in the 1960s

Grandpa Max was truly excited to see us and knew somehow that those hugs he gave us every Sunday would stay inside my soul.  Grandpa Max was the kind of grandfather and father that made us all feel safe and while he was alive, my dad seemed to know that everything would always be alright.

Lynnellenn, Billy, and Jo Ann Schneider - 1962 - In Front of Grandpa and Grandma Schneider's House in Belmont Shore - The Street Still Looks the Same!

Like Dr. Wolfson's grandfather, my Grandpa Max sat in a huge chair all day long on the Sundays we visited and we would surround him and just talk.  Grandma Fannie sat at the corner of the couch and knitted.

Grandma Fannie liked to write.  At the end of his talk today, Dr. Wolfson shared a letter written to her sons by his mother that was left for her sons to read after her death.  I cried when I heard him read the letter because I knew my Grandma Fannie would have done the same thing.

I miss them both and wish so much that I could go back to being a little girl in the 1960s and wish my Grandpa Max could hug me and my Grandma Fannie would kiss me.

Disturbing Article About Ultra Orthodox Fundamental Cult

The link below links to a really upsetting story....and it is not just about ultra-Orthodox Jews. Religious fundamentalism has torn many families apart.

I don't talk about it much, but when I was young, shortly after I quit competitive skating, I was sucked into a cult like group. I think my parents must have been sad like this parent who wrote this article, but It passed.  I live my life now grateful for every day with my children and friends.

I also have recently watched "One of Us" on Netflix and the stories there are really disturbing. "One of Us" is not an example of all ultra orthodox or Hasidic groups, but so very disturbing.

• How I Lost My Daughter to Religious Fundamentalism - BY KARIN BROOKE

Hiking With My Friend Rhonda 10-28-17

It was fun to take a spur of the moment hike today with my friend Rhonda! She is a "free spirit" like me and it was fun to talk and be together and talk about our kids. Her kids are younger than mine, but we have so much in common since we both homeschooled our kids and love our famiiles so much. A fun afternoon it was!

My Time Is My Most Precious Possession and I Want to Share It With You!

This song, Precious Possession (I'll Give You My Time) is one of my favorite songs by the Jewish music group Sababa.

I live my life every day wondering who I can reach out to and share "my time" with.  This song says just that.

I want each person who has touched my life to know that I want to share what really is "my most precious possession," my time, with them if they want it,  just as the lyrics of this wonderful song says...

Also, I love Sababa's songs!

 

Blessing of the Jewish Pets 10-22-17

My absolutely favorite thing that happens in Colorado Springs is the Blessing of the Jewish Pets which happens every year during the time we read Parsha Noach!