WE WANT PICTURES

Avremi and all, don´t forget for us lonely people in brazil----post lots of pictures!!!!

This blog is REAAAALLY quiet...

It must be that everyones houses are sparkling...
Our update: Kitchen kashered
Wine fermenting
matzos en route from NY with Levi (don´t worry if you didn´t know he´s there, he´s actually in chicago and stopping in Ny for a few hours to go to the Ohel and pick up the matzos)
Pesach is coming...............

This weeks thoughts

Communicating or Sending Signals

One of the skills that are central to human function is the ability to communicate. Jewish sources define the human being as “the speaker”. It is the fact that we can communicate that puts us in a separate class. Speaking and the ability to express ourselves adequately, is what distinguish us from the rest of the planet.

This is somewhat puzzling, as we know that animals too can communicate with each other. The Talmud tells us that King Solomon understood the language of the animal kingdom. Science has also confirmed that there is a form of communication that exists in the animal world. So why choose communication as the hallmark of humans?

There is a fundamental difference between human and animal communication. When animals communicate, they transmit signals. Animals issue status reports that identify the state of their world. They will broadcast signals that say “here I am” or “I am about to attack”. Their communication is all about the communicator and nothing to do with the listener. The animal does not consider the world of the listener. The content and tone of the communication is not modified to be more effective, and the transmitted signal will not be sensitive to the needs and the feelings of other animals. The animal reports on its situation – the listener is irrelevant.

Human beings have the ability to go beyond transmitting signals. Humans can use communication to form relationships with other people. When we speak to others we possess the ability to enter their world, to understand them and to relate to their needs. The purpose of human expression is not to send status reports. The function of our communication is to be less absorbed in our own existence and relate more to the world of the listener. We express ourselves in a way that the other person feels that we have understood them, empathized with them and have been sensitive to how they feel.

But this takes effort. Have you ever been in with a group of people where one person talks incessantly, completely oblivious to his/her surroundings ignoring the response of those that are talking to? They are not talking to others – they are merely imposing their world on the group. We are all at risk of sometimes slipping away from human communication, into animal signal sending.

So let’s take a step back and listen to ourselves. When we talk to other people do we understand them? Have we listened to them first so that we can relate to them and talk to their world? Are we just saying whatever is on our mind or are we making sure that we are properly understood? Are we venting or are we exploring ways for the message to be heard and effective? Are we sending signals or are we communicating? When we communicate we reveal the true soul of humanity.

From Moishe Gourarie

Hey Avremi,

Here's a picture of me on Purim if you can post it on the blog that would be very helpful, I don't have Picasa on my computer.
if you don't wanna post it well, then just enjoy it yourself pretty kool huh?
MosheG

- Moish - You don't need Picasa to post pictures. Just insert image into post. (Which of the three characters is Moish, btw?)

Pesach Nerves

I am having withdrawl symtoms not throwing myself into Pesach preaprations, cleaning, buying , organizing etc. After making Presach so many yaers its kind of weird. Don't worry Yossi by the time I get to Postville iyh I should be fully over my problem and very comfortable with this lifestyle.( Just kidding please save some jobs for me - anything - just not the lettuce) Avremi I can't find the spell check on this thing so PLEASE excuse the errors.

Where Oh Where is everybody?

Whats happening with everyone? Where are your weekly droshas, Michaeli? Your eloquent musings, Shimon? Esti, have you started cooking for Pesach? Cause, the blog goes on regardless.....Rochel Leah Fogel-we want an update!Moishe Gourarie, I miss your hilarious posts!Yossi, Rochel-leah, Hindy (btw, I called you, you never returned my call) our cousins, the Porushes, Kaniels, Kurtstags, Michael Katz, where aaaaare you all? Does noone have anything to say?????
Roll Call everyone!
and a gutten shabbos to you all.........

Moussiale and Yirmiyohu-Purim

Thank-you to Avremi who shlepped Moussiales costume from SA (it was originally mine, all the way from Japan, so its travelled somewhat) !
where is everyone elses purim pics (Porushes, Kaniels etc??)

Purim UPDATED with new PICS

We celebrated the first night of Purim this year a little differently. Instead of attending a big bash we, along with 3 other families (The Topols, Lazaroffs and Blums {Yes Esti, Mendel Blum's brother}) had our own little Purim bash in our home. Boaz Topol lained the Megillah. We hired a magician for the kids (and adults) and a fun time was had by all. Pictures can be viewed here.

UPDATE. More pics from Purim day here

Me and the Missus

At Sroly Lipskier's Lchaim