Summer Number 7, 2012 Let the good times roll

July 10 – I’ve had some bad recent travel experience with delayed flights, weather, lost and damaged luggage (at least 4 or my last 5 trips).  I’m not superstitious and I am not one to mutter “kenahorras” (bli ayin harah for the Hebrew speakers in the blogosphere) as my grandmothers might have.  But I have to say, my initiation for this trip has been smoother than any in the last 5 or so years; 15 minutes from airport arrival to being through security, only to find an empty people mover at Dullles and free wi fi that connected on the first try.  Maybe this shaliach mitzvah (mitzvah messenger for our many Mitzvah Heroes Fund donors) business is finally starting to click with the  force that controls travel.

I start this trip in a slightly different mood than other recent ones; the non-profit world is tough right now, some of our Mitzvah heroes are scaling back, refitting or transitioning to new leadership, need is increasing for recipients of non-profit services, governments are cutting back, and as volunteers, we haven’t been able to really spend time developing donors at Mitzvah Heroes  Fund.  While our aims are serious, we are not right now able to make the serious time commitment it takes.

I’m excited to spend time with friends, taste new and familiar food and wine, explore some new destinations (is there a Negev tiyul in my future to check out the wine scene there?).  I have a meeting planned at the teen village Yemin Orde with director Chaim Peri that I’m excited about, a chance to talk to the Rabbanit Kapach about whatever she wants to teach me, and many other great people.  I feel  having a car will open up new opportunities to explore, and I hope to take full advantage of it.

Thanks to my supportive family and colleagues for indulging me in this venture.  I ‘m excited to be sharing time with Abby, seeing my nephew Micha, working with Danny Siegel and Arnie Draiman, catching up with Rabbi Paul Freedman and the many other great people I will interact with over the next three weeks.  The next update may be steak and wine, so stay tuned.