This past week, I found myself traveling “Back to the Future”.
On Sunday, Dov and I drove to the Dead Sea, beta-testing awesome locations to be included in the Ultimate Trip Guide for Purim. Our first stop was to the past, to the first Beit Hamikdash, with Guy Erlich smelling the Balm of Gilead, the perfume used to anoint the Kohanim. Afterward, the time machine transported us to the future, and we witnessed the preparation of the perfumes used in the coronation of the Kohanim in the Third Beit Hamikdash.
On Monday, I traveled to the Beit Shemesh offices of Israel365, joining the talented and passionate Israel365 staff, as the digital marketing and content specialist.
As Rabbi Tuly Weisz, introduced me to the team, I found myself headed “Back to the Future” Destination, the year 2000 at the Yeshiva University Office of Communal Service, where Rabbinical student, Tuly Weisz was presenting his newly published articles spotlighting victims of 9/11.
Traveling years into the future, I peered into the Israel365 conference room and saw myself seated next to talented colleagues and close friends, brainstorming, collaborating and executed strategies, designed to promote the beauty and religious significance of the Land of Israel with the world.
Returning to the present, I zipped my coat and prepared for my next trip, accompanying Rabbi Tuli Weisz to the Meir Panim soup kitchen in Jerusalem. A freezing day, I quickly warmed up, helping to serve lunch and chatting with friendly new olim from Spain.
Soon, the time machine beckoned, this time headed to the past. Driving down the highway towards Gush Etzion, גבעת עוז וגאון Givat Oz ve Gaon , the time machine returned to that horrific summer, hearing the fate of the three kidnapped and murdered boys.
My spirits lifted, as I returned to the present. Rabbi Tuly Weisz and I joined Women in Green, and welcomed and planted olive trees with US Congressman Andy Barr and Andy Harris.
Traveling to the future, I watched my great-grandchildren throw a frisbee, amidst the fully grown olive trees, inside the blooming and blossoming Israeli nature reserve, under the sovereignty of the Jewish people.
Today, Erev Shabbat, the time machine transports me back to a Sunday matinee at the Hillel Community Day School auditorium in North Miami Beach, Florida. I watch my younger self, dressed in costume, boldly crossing stage left and reciting memorized lines. My gaze shifts to the handsome man standing in the audience, shouting “Yocheved” and taking Polaroid pictures – Grandpa Irving – Yitzchak ben Yosef, Irving Eichenbaum a”h. Traveling back to the present, I hug your namesake, Charlie Yitzchak, and am comforted that your memory is intact. We remember you today, on your seventh yartzeit, and hope to continue your legacy.
Shabbat is quickly approaching here in Israel. The time machine is parked, and I hope to spend Shabbat, mindfully focused on the present.
With the help of G-d, the future holds more High Energy adventures… I’ll keep you posted and hope you will “Go With
