December 14, 2020

Absolutely Incredible Jellyfish

(Credit Video: Andy Blumenthal)

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December 13, 2020

@National Aquarium


































(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)


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December 12, 2020

Teach Your Children Well

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "Teach Your Children Well."

I am grateful to write that I had my first grandchild, a wonderful baby boy, thank G-d. Now, as with all children, comes the next very exciting part which is, please G-d, to raise and teach him to live a good life of Torah, family, hopes and dreams.

We teach our children, even as we learn along the way ourselves. Two critical things we have from Hashem to help us on this journey: we have the Torah as our holy guidebook, and we have our soul and conscience as our inner voice exhorting us, right from wrong. These are the tools that we go forward with to try and perfect ourselves and the world, and to teach our children to do the same.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)
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December 10, 2020

My Wonderful Opa

Remembering my wonderful Opa (grandfather) at Chanukah time. 

He was the President of Congregation Ramath Orah on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in NYC. 

I used to be so proud of him standing up at the bimah (podium) and giving the Shabbat announcements every week and everything he did to care for the synagogue and community.

Also, I loved to go up and sit next to him by Ark where the holy Torahs are kept. 

He was an exceptional human being, as was his son, my father (and my father's siblings, my Uncle Sid and Aunt Ruth). 

Good to the core people!  People of faith and family!

I miss my Opa and Oma (grandmother) as well as my dear parents very much. 

Like the Chanukah Menorah, they were the light of my upbringing and set me on a path to go forward with my own family. 

Chanukah is a time of miracles and I feel that I have seen them not only in our history, but in our lives today!  ;-) 


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December 9, 2020

The Sound of Silence

Thought this was pretty smart. 

To listen, you've got to shut your mouth and be quiet. 

"Listen" and "Silent" have the exact same letters. 

Now will you be silent and listen to other people?  ;-)

(Credit Graphic: Andy Blumenthal)


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December 8, 2020

Two Asses and A Horse

Thought this was an interesting saying that I heard:

 Two asses can't sit on one horse.

Maybe a less eloquent way of saying that two kings can't sit on one throne!

But the imagery of the first one is funnier!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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December 6, 2020

Kiddush for Friday Evening by Andy Blumenthal

Kiddush for Friday Evening (start of Shabbat).

By Andy Blumenthal.

In the spirit of my father, זצ״ל, Manfred Blumenthal.

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Making Things Right When There Is Still Time

Please see my new article in The Times of Israel called, "Making Things Right When There Is Still Time."
 
Over the years, I heard bits and pieces about him, including that he was ill, and I tried through my other friends to reach out to him. Somehow, it never worked, and more time wore on. Recently again, when another old friend lost their parent, I read something that reminded me that I still had unfinished business with my friend that I had hurt. So now was as good a time as any to reach out.

Somehow hurting someone never really goes away. Those feelings are sort of immortalized in time. The hurt is tangible and become concrete in the genetic fabric of our souls. My soul told me that it was time to try to correct for a mistake I made. You never know how much time is left, and it is important to try to make things right.

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

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December 4, 2020

Awesome Vase 4 Shabbat Shalom

Awesome purple vase for Shabbat Shalom!

Love the cool designs on it and all the colors and shapes. 

Tops off a week of hard work and creativity and eases us into the day of rest and spirituality. 

All it needs is some beautiful flowers to go into the vase and voila!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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December 2, 2020

How To Keep A Secret


This was a saying from the movie, The 2nd, that I liked:

Three people can keep a secret. 

When two are dead!

It's similar to when you ask someone a question that they don't want to answer and they say:

I can tell you, but then I'd have to kill you.  

Both of these make a lot of sense, LOL.  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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December 1, 2020

Ice Cream Correctness


Thought this was a nice advertising for ice cream in the food court at the mall. 

It's funny that they painted this over some doors, and you can see the lock in the center, right under the "Bomb Pop."

In the age of radical terrorism, I wonder if that's the best name for ice pops geared for children (and adults). 

I think we need to consider being emotionally intelligent and politically correct.

Since it's red, white, and blue, how about rebranding it as the American Pop (with no ticking time bomb association)!  ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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November 30, 2020

Doing A Double Take


Wow, I had to do a quick double take driving past this police officer. 

No, he wasn't telling me to pullover and stop. 

Actually, he isn't telling anyone anything. 

He's a statue standing on the corner in Chevy Chase, Maryland. 

Makes you look and slow down! 

Heck, who needs real people anymore for anything! ;-)

(Credit Photo: Andy Blumenthal)


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November 29, 2020

@Underground Railway Trail










(Credit Photos: Andy Blumenthal)


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