Ordinary to Extraordinary: Rabbi Wolfe Kelman and Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg March with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

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Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (left) and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. (center). At right is Kelman’s father, Rabbi Wolfe Kelman.

On this Martin Luther King Jr. day, I take pride knowing that my relatives, Rabbi Wolfe Kelman and Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg, marched with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. I’d like to share with you the extraordinary stories of these two members of my family.

Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg

My relative, Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg, was among the religious leaders who participated in the March on Washington in 1963 when Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. As an early and fervent ally to the civil rights movement, Rabbi Hertzberg used his platform, influence, and community to enact good in society at large. He also chaired the first Jewish Delegation to meet with the Pope. Rabbi Hertzberg became a “light unto all nations” by joining with other leaders to promote equality.

Martin Luther King Jr. (center) marches in Selma, Alabama, alongside Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel (second from right).

My other relative, Rabbi Wolfe Kelman, marched with Dr. King during the 1965 Selma-Montgomery marches. Kelman went from being the youngest member at the Goldfarb/Fish Family seder in 1930 Dynow, Poland, to playing an important role in a nation-wide movement for civil rights. As the executive vice president of the Conservative movement’s Rabbinical Assembly, he was able to mentor and guide the paths of hundreds of rabbis. He worked tirelessly to support his fellow rabbis, lead them in study, and act as a role model. By supporting the dreams and passions of individuals, Rabbi Kelman left a positive impact on the world.

In biblical tradition, we believe in the calling of “אור לגויים” (or la-goyim). This term refers to a responsibility to be a “light unto the nations.” As such, we have a moral obligation, handed down from God, to inspire the world by fostering a global standard of righteousness and love.

“I the Lord, in My grace, have summoned you,

And I have grasped you by the hand.

I created you, and appointed you

A covenant of people, a light of nations –

Opening eyes deprived of light,

Rescuing prisoners from confinement,

From dungeon those who sit in darkness.” (Isaiah 42.6-7)

The transformation from ordinary to the extraordinary is one that has always been particularly intriguing to me. Throughout our lifetimes, we are continuously given opportunities to make real, lasting differences.

I hope the extraordinary contributions of my family rabbis inspire you to go the extra mile and seek out opportunities for righteousness. I hope you too will strive to be a light unto the world. Even if the light of your goodness shines on only one person, you have done good in the world. Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. declared his own dreams for the whole world to hear and his message has reverberated through generations.

Further Reading

You can learn more about the extraordinary life of Rabbi Arthur Hertzberg here.

You can learn more about the extraordinary life of Rabbi Wolfe Kelman here.

You can watch Rabbi Levi Kelman talk about his father Rabbi Wolfe Kelman in this video:

I am proud to say that through the Pelican Peace Project I have been able to bring about that           previously unrealized peace between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain.

This is a picture of my family’s Passover Seder held in 1930 in Dynow, Poland. My grandfather Max Fish was present as was a young Rabbi Wolfe Kelman. Those individuals with hearts next to their names are my relatives who were murdered in the Holocaust.

In 2012, Rabbi Wolfe Kelman’s son Rabbi Levi Kelman led my daughter Lucy’s Bat Mitzvah in Jerusalem.

Ordinary to Extraordinary Lives: Eddy Goldfarb

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What was your favorite toy growing up?

Eddy Goldfarb was born on September 5, 1921 in Chicago to Jewish immigrant parents. When Eddy was just 12, his father passed away. Eddy and his 2 brothers had to work in order to support the family. Eddy worked a variety of jobs including delivering newspapers, being a tailor at a garment factory, selling goods from a pushcart, and working as a soda jerk in a drug store.

After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Eddy signed up to join the navy. He enrolled in a special program that trained officers to specialize in radar. He was sent to the University of Houston to study electrical engineering and then completed his training as a radar technician at the Naval Station Treasure Island. He served active duty on the submarine the USS Batfish. While onboard he invented a specialized radar antenna. Eddy had always dreamed of becoming an inventors, but during his time on the submarine he decided to specialize in a single field: toys.

After returning from the war, he moved to Chicago and began pursuing his dream of becoming an independent inventor specializing in toys. He also met and married his wife Anita.

The first toy Eddy invented where the Yakkity Yak Talking Teeth

The talking teeth became a huge success and Eddy was able to find business partners and promoters for his toys. In 1949 Eddy showed off the talking teeth and 2 other toys at the toy industry’s annual showcase in New York. This debut went over very well and served as a launching point for a wildly successful career.

In 1952 Eddy moved with his family to California. He set up a new workshop in their house’s garage. Though the business wasn’t an immediate success, it grew quickly through the 50s. By 1957, Eddy owned 3 buildings and had nearly 40 employees. He and his wife had 3 children during that decade.

Throughout the years Eddies invented over 800 toys and held over 300 patents. He made a variety of toys and games for many different companies. He was one of the few toy designers to experiment with video games early, but preferred working with physical toys. Some of his most notable toys were Kerplunk, The Bubble Gun, Battling tops and the Spiral Designer.

In 1998, Eddy partnered with his son Marvin to form a new company: Eddy & Martin Goldfarb and Associates. They have been designing toys together ever since. Eddy has received a variety of prestigious toy industry award including the Chicago Toy and Game Group’s Innovation Lifetime Achievement Award, Induction into the Toy Industry Hall of Fame, and being the first American to receive the London Toy Fair’s I.D.I.O.T. (International Designer and Inventor of Toys) award.

Even though he is 98, Eddy has never stopped inventing. He has turned his garage into a workshop where he continues to work on creating new toys. He has also added making devices for seniors to his repertoire.

Eddy Goldfarb is a man who has spent his life literally turning his dreams and visions into reality. His drive, ingenuity, and creativity are a powerful source of inspiration.

Further Reading:

You can learn more about Eddy Goldfarb’s extraordinary life here and here.

You can watch a brief message from Eddy here.

 

Ordinary to Extraordinary Lives: Baruch Shub

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Baruch Shub was born in 1924 in Vilnius, Lithuania. He was the second child of six in a Hassidic family. In 1940 he attended university in Vilnius, studying mechanical engineering.

In 1941 the Germans conquered Vilnius. Shub was able to put his engineering skills to use and was assigned a job making repairs to military vehicles. Later that year the Germans began forcing the Jews of Vilnius into a ghetto. Baruch and his older sister fled the city and began living in the town of Radoszkovice.

In Radoszkovice Baruch once again found work in a German garage. On March 11th, 1942, the Jews living there were ordered to gather in the town square. The Germans rounded up and murdered over 800 Jews including Shub’s sister. Shub hid in the garage where he worked, sparring him from this awful fate.

The surviving Jews of Radoszkovice were forced to live in a ghetto. While living there, Shub joined forces with other Jewish youths to start an underground resistance movement. They obtained weapons and planned to escape from the ghetto. Their efforts were abandoned when the Germans threatened to kill everyone in the ghetto if anyone went missing.

In 1943, Shub returned to his hometown of Vilnius. There he joined up with a group of resistance partisans. They launched several armed clashes with German forces that were attempting to round up Jews to bring to the concentration camps. Shub and his partisans enlisted with the Russian army. There he became a paratrooper and participated in many missions, including liberating towns conquered by the Germans.

In 1945, Shub was discharged from the army and emigrated to Israel. He was recruited by the Israeli military and served as an airplane technician during the War of Independence. He then worked at El Al airlines for 33 years where he achieved the rank of chief flight engineer.

Baruch Shub was an active proponent of Holocaust commemoration until the day he died. He gave many lectures about the dangers of antisemitism and Holocaust denial. He was the chairman of the Israel Organization of Partisans, Underground Fighters and Ghetto Rebels, and a member of the Yad Vashem Directorate. Baruch Shub died on December 20, 2020 at the age 79.

Further Reading:

You can listen to Baruch Shub talk about his experiences surviving the holocaust in this video:

You can read more about Baruch Shub’s extraordinary life here.

A Symphony of Light

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Accomplished Jewish composer, producer, songwriter, singer, and musician Gabriel Mann composed a deeply moving song for Hanukkah.  His song “Or Zarua/We are the Light” is about the powerful and brilliant ideals embodied in the light of the menorah. Please take a moment to listen to this inspiring piece of music.

What a beautiful song! In addition to being a musical treat, the song’s message is multifaceted and inspiring. The chorus says, “We are light, we are love, we are hope, we are one,” a perfect mantra for the many magical meanings of the menorah.

Lighting the Menorah allows each of us—adults and children—to participate in the ongoing miracle of renewing the light of Judaism, generation to generation. In doing so we recognize that today we are blessed to be able to do so freely, without fear of persecution. Saying that “We are light” and “We are one” talks directly to how each Hanukkah we celebrate how we as a people continue to thrive and brighten the world.

This does not apply only to Jews, but to everyone. We are all brothers and sisters, all part of a beautiful community called humanity. “We are one”

Furthermore, “We are love, we are hope” embodies how the shining light of the Hanukkah menorah is a symbol of hope and peace. These inspiring ideals blaze in both the candles’ light and in our own hearts and souls.

In a year full of darkness, this song is a beautiful blessing shining bright with light.

The Infinite Light of the Menorah Shines From the World’s Tallest Building

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On September 15th, 2020, a historic peace agreement, the Abraham Accord, was signed by four countries: Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel and the United States.

On December 10th, 2020, history was made again when Dubai hosted the first Hanukkah celebration since the signing of the Abraham Accord.

This momentous celebration was held at an equally grand location: the Burj Khalifa. Towering over the city, the Burj Khalifa stands as the tallest building in the world.

The event was hosted by Rabbi Levi Duchman, a prominent Jewish figure in the UAE. The night featured prayers, speeches, musical performances, a candle lighting, and much jubilation. The most stunning part of the celebration occurred when the façade of the collosal Burj Khalifa lit up in a spectacular show of blue and white, in honor of the occasion.

Every year, we look to the shining light of the Hanukkah menorah as a symbol of hope and peace. This year, that hope became a reality. The light of togetherness and peace burns brighter than ever before – a light that welcomes the people of all nations to join together in peace and brotherhood.

You can watch a video of this magical and historic Hanukkah celebration here.

Further Reading: 

You can read more about this incredible celebration here.

You can read more about the Abraham Accords here.

You can read about a different historic Hanukkah celebration in Bahrain here.

Breaking Matzo’s Virtual Hanukkah: December 10th, 2020

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On December 10th, 2020 I held a virtual Hanukkah celebration with my daughters Caroline and Lucy, live on Zoom. It was a magically fun time and a meaningful way to help shine the light of Hanukkah into the dark of winter. In addition to spiritually stimulating discussion, we go over how to make a variety of tasty latkes and how to play dreidel. You can see our virtual Hanukkah celebration below.

Spectacular Synagogues: El Ghriba Synagogue

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I recently visited Ras Al Khaimah and met a friend from Tunisia who told me about the amazing El Ghriba Synagogue and inspired me to write this blog.

Throughout the world, there are a variety of synagogues with unique, impressive, and incredible features.  This includes the Mikve Israel Emanuel Synagogue on the island of Curaçao, Hungary’s Dohány Street Synagogue and the Great Synagogue of Rome. I’d like to talk about another magnificent synagogue still operating today: El Ghriba Synagogue in Tunisia.

El Ghriba Synagogue is the oldest synagogue in Tunisia and one of the oldest in the world.  Also known as Djerba Synagogue, it is located on the island of Djerba.  The Jewish community has deep roots in Djerba. It is said Jews have lived there for over 2,500 years. El Ghriba is located in what was once the Jewish village of Hara Seghira and is now known as er-Riadh. There are several other synagogues and prayer houses on Djerba, but only El Ghriba holds the Torah. This was purposely done to preserve the synagogue’s place as the center of Jewish life on the island. El Ghriba means “the marvelous” or “the strange” in Arabic, a moniker that refers to the synagogue’s storied origins.

There are several stories of how the synagogue was founded in the 500s BCE. The exact details have been lost to history and a variety of legends surround the temple.

One of these legends is that the high priest Tzadok and other Israeli rabbis fled to Djerba after the destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem. These holy men brought with them a stone from the first temple and used it in the construction of El Ghriba Synagogue. Some say this sacred stone was incorporated into the synagogue’s floor, others that it is a part of the entrance archway.

Another legend says that a holy rock fell from the heavens and landed in Djerba where a mysterious woman appeared and had the synagogue constructed.

Another story is that a deeply religious woman named El Ghriba lived alone on the land where the synagogue now stands. One day her house caught fire and she perished, but her body did not burn or rot. The local Jews saw this as a miracle and a sign and built the synagogue there in honor of this holy woman.

One final legend says that a Jewish refugee fled Israel with a Torah scroll from the temple in Jerusalem. Upon reaching Djebar she died of exhaustion and El Ghriba synagogue was built on the spot she perished.

While the exact origins of the synagogue aren’t known, what is known is that the original synagogue was destroyed in the 1500s by the Spanish during a military incursion into Tunisia. A new synagogue was constructed in the late 1800s and has been used since.

El Ghriba Synagogue’s importance is not just in its history, but in its modern-day relevance as well. Every year thousands Jews from all over the world make a pilgrimage to the synagogue during a multi-day festival centered on the holiday of Lag BaOmer. These pilgrims are welcomed not only by Djerba’s Jewish population, but residents of all religions and creeds. The pilgrims visit El Ghriba synagogue to pray, light candles and give alms. It is the only occasion each year where men and women are not separated at the synagogue.

There is a local tradition that visitors write down their wishes on eggs and leave them on the floor. In particular unmarried women write their names on these eggs which are left to cook in the heat of the synagogue’s many candles. The cooked eggs are returned to the women who eat them, ensuring they will soon be wed.

Furthermore, each year as part of the pilgrimage two large processions are held. Participants push a large wheeled chandelier that is draped in colorful veils. It is referred to as the arusa or “the betrothed” due the veils’ similarity to bridal veils. The procession is full of dancing and music. It is meant to resemble a wedding ceremony, but instead of celebrating the bond between two people it celebrates the bond between the people of Israel and God.

The synagogue’s exterior is modest but inside it is built with the intricate details and colorful designs of the Tunisian and Moorish styles. The walls are lined with tiles and adorned with hand painted blue ornaments. Originally the synagogue had 12 windows, one for each of the tribes of Israel. However, due to expansions and reconstruction the building now has additional windows. Some of the interior columns inside the temple have been left incomplete. This is done purposely; nothing is perfect except for divinity so it was decided that the synagogue would always be left incomplete. Originally there were both an open and an enclosed prayer area, but the open area was later enclosed in part of a renovation to accommodate having more people in the synagogue. Now there are two main halls, one is a prayer hall and the other contains the Torah itself.

El Ghriba synagogue is a monument to the deep history of the Jewish people and their strength to endure through the centuries. It is also a symbol of hope for the future. The Jews and Muslims of Djerba have lived together peacefully for centuries. They stand as a shining example of peace and brotherhood that the rest of the world should strive for. El Gribha Synagogue is a place of history, celebration, faith and joy. Truly it is a sensational synagogue.

Fun Facts:

The Jews of the island of Djerba wear a black band around their pants, symbolizing the destruction of the first temple in Jerusalem.

It is believed that Djerba is featured in Homer’s Odyssey where it is referred to as “The Land of the Lotus Eaters”

Further Reading:

You can read more about the annual pilgrimage to Djerba and the incredible interfaith celebrations that ensues here.

Curaçao’s Continuous Cross-Century Chanukiah

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Which holiday traditions mean the most to you? 

When it comes to celebrating the Jewish holidays, one of the most important aspects is tradition. Every holiday has its own foods, rituals, and practices. These traditions are a way to explore our past while preparing for our future. Tradition ensures that the history, culture, and legacy of the Jewish people live on. 

An incredible instance  of a tradition that has  endured throughout the ages can be found on the island of Curacao. Here, one can see a Hanukkah Menorah that has been used every year for over three centuries. 

Congregation Mikve Israel-Emanuel on Curaçao has the honor of housing the oldest continuously used hanukkiah/Hanukkah menorah in the world. It was first lit in 1716 and has been used every year since then, over 300 years of holiday celebrations.

The menorah was donated to the Jewish community of Curaçao in 1716 by Jacob Yesurun Henriques. It bears the inscription “In the year, ‘beaten for the light’ to kindle an eternal flame,” consecrated by Jacob de Ephraim Jesurun Henriques to the Holy Congregation of Mikve Israel.

The menorah is made of ceremonial silver, crafted by Dutch silversmith Pieter Van Hoven from Amsterdam. It is inlaid with floral and leaf motifs, a popular style at the time and a particular specialty of Van Hoven. Silver working was an incredibly popular craft across Europe in the 1700s and Congregation Mikve Israel-Emanuel has an assortment of impressive examples of this artform. Furthermore, the menorah is unique for its use of oil lights instead of candles.

In 1703, the Jews of Curaçao established a new synagogue in the city of Wilemstad. It was later demolished in 1730 to make room for an even bigger one. In 1732, temple Mikve Israel was completed and remains the oldest, continuously operating synagogue in the Americas. Their menorah serves as a reminder of the congregation’s origins, as it was used both in the new and the old synagogue. 

During Hanukkah, the menorah is hung on the synagogue’s southern wall. Originally, it was hung on a simple hook, but as the decades passed, additional platforms and supports were built to secure the menorah and prevent it from falling. 

During the rest of the year, the menorah rests in a display case in the Jewish Cultural Historical Museum for all to witness and enjoy. When the holiday arrives, however, it is placed back in its special space so it can again illuminate the synagogue for eight nights . Throughout the holiday, the synagogue upholds a tradition of reserving the menorah-lighting for the children. Additionally, families are encouraged to bring their own menorahs to light in the synagogue, resulting in a cross-congregation symphony of lights. 

It is truly heartwarming  to see a community carry on such a beautiful tradition for so long. By coming together as a community to light the same menorah year after year, the Jews of Curaçao are both literally and figuratively shining an eternal light, cutting through the darkness, and carrying on the tradition of their people. 

Further reading:

You can learn about the world’s oldest etrog and the lessons you can learn from it here.

You can read more about the history of the Jews of Curaçao here.

You find my recipe for Curaçao style charoset here.

You can watch me talk about the incredible Jewish community in Curaçao here:

Andy MSC Divina

Andy disembarking from the Divina

I would like to give a special acknowledgement to the MSC Divina. September 2019, I disembarked from the Divina to go to the Great Synagogue of Rome. In March 2020, I went from the ship to see the Mikvé Israel-Emanuel Synagogue in Curaçao. Truly the ship lives up to its divine namesake, helping me to see some of the most historic, spiritual, and moving synagogues in the world all while providing unmatched hospitality. I can’t wait to see what wonders the MSC Divina will take me to next!

A Pelican Pass Over

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Birds have always been something of great importance to me and my family. My mother (of blessed memory) had an avid interesting in birdwatching  which you can read more about here. Of all the birds in the world, the one that means the most to me is the pelican.

My mom’s nickname for me was “pelican”. In 1985, my mom said that my middle initial “P” was not only for Philip but also for “Pelican”. My mom said I was like a pelican because the pelican is the only bird that can bite off more than it can chew and handle it.

The pelican is a weird and wonderful bird. Poet Dixon Lanier Merritt put it best with his famous words:

Oh, a wondrous bird is the pelican!

His beak holds more than his belican.

He takes in his beak

Food enough for a week.

But I’ll be darned if I know how the helican.

Not only does the pelican have special significance to me, this incredible bird has special significance to the State of Israel.

The Great White Pelican migrates from Eastern Europe and Asia to Southern Africa each year. Their migration route takes them through the Middle East and Israel. Throughout the 1900s coastal swamps and wetlands have been drained or dried out across the pelicans’ migration route in Turkey, Syria, and Lebanon. This loss of water sources combined with other Middle Eastern countries encouraging pelicans to be shot has driven the more and more of the pelicans to avoid these countries and fly through Israel.

This might seem like a harmless animal fact, but if left to their own appetites these pelicans could over consume fish from local fisheries and breeding grounds. This could devastate the environment and destroy Israeli pisciculture. In order to prevent this from happening Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture stepped in with a program to feed the pelicans themselves. During the three-month period in the fall when the pelicans are migrating the birds are given meals 3-4 times a week at the Bahan Reservoir in the Mediterranean lowlands. Each year 200 tons of fish are eaten by the over 75,000 pelicans that stop in Israel. Once they feed, the Pelicans resume their journey southward.

Pelicans

The forward thinking of the Nature and Parks Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture has helped protect the local ecosystem and fishing industry, but it had another benefit: the opportunity for incredible bird watching. Birders of all levels can enjoy the spectacle of tens of thousands of pelicans joining together for this feast of fish.

By feeding the pelicans the Israeli government has ensured that the birds get the food to sustain their migration, the local ecosystem remains vital, fish farmers can stay in business, and avian enthusiasts across the globe can enjoy spectacular sight. This is truly win, win, win, win. All in a day’s work for the persistent, precocious, and playful pelican.

Further Reading:

You can read more about Israel’s feeding of the pelicans here and here.

You can view the incredible sight of this pelican feeding frenzy yourself in this memorable videos:

Pelican Peace Project And The Sign From Pelicans From Professor Leshem

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Given my relationships in the Gulf and Middle East for the past 20 plus years, I created a Pelican Peace Project to bring together my friends from Bahrain, Israel, and UAE to create community and commerce and demonstrate the possibilities of the Abraham Peace Accords. On Friday November 13th, 2020, I am leaving for the UAE to lead my first Pelican Peace Project Peace Mission.

What a delightful surprise to receive the following email and videos from Professor Yossi Leshem the day before my trip:

Dear Friends,

Since the draining of the Hula Valley in the 1950’s, the draining  of coastal swamps during the previous century, and the drying out of water sources along the pelican migration route in Turkey, Syria and Lebanon, Pelicans are fed in Israel reservoirs, in the Mediterranean lowlands.

They are fed with fish purchased by the Nature and Parks Authority and the Ministry of Agriculture. about 200 tons of fish every fall for the 50,000 migratory pelicans.

Once they feed, the Pelicans can continue to migrate to the swamps in south Sudan.

I am sending a presentation of a feeding in Bahan Reservoir:  https://bit.ly/2ItIK6A

In addition, a number of videos, so that you will can enjoy the impressive feeding:

  1. https://bit.ly/36iwVIb
  2. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VCy_Kf7Otpw
  3. https://youtu.be/jVSMKMY20R0

Best regards, Keep safe,

Yossi Leshem

Professor Yossi Leshem is a Senior Researcher in the Department of Zoology in the Faculty of Life Sciences at Tel Aviv University and is the founder and Director of the International Center for the Study of Bird Migration at Latrun, Israel. He has worked at the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel (SPNI) as a guide, as Director of a Field Study Center, as Head of the Nature Protection Department, Initiator and Director of the Israel Raptor Information Center, as Executive Director and as the Chairman of the SPNI Council. He has been involved with many aspects of nature conservation and bird research. He has partnered with the Israeli Air Force on numerous occasion, saving lives and money by decrease the number of aircraft collisions cased by birds by 76%. He won the Mike Kuhring Prize for his achievements and research in 2005.

My mother (of blessed memory) Myra Yellin Outwater Goldfarb had met Professor Yossi Leshem a number of years ago as part of a bird watching and preservation conference in Israel. She wrote an incredibly moving article on the experience that you can read about here. Yossi Leshem spoke at my mom’s memorial service in NYC in November 2016.

His timely message of pelicans in the Holy Land is a blessing and a sign of more blessings to come thanks to the Pelican Peace Project.