Dateline Jerusalem — I am often told that I am too optimistic about life and humanity, that I bring humor to my
articles, essays and emails about situations that would cause others to lament.

Dateline Jerusalem — It must be my age, or I am jinxed. Everything I touch seems to break, tear, unravel, crash to the floor or disintegrate. Even I seem to be falling apart. I cannot claim that “they don't make things like they used to” since I was made so long ago.

Dateline Jerusalem — I have just finished sitting shiva, the Jewish ritual of mourning for seven days after the burial of an immediate relative, my father, may he rest in peace. I thank all of you who have sent condolences and shared with me your memories of my father.

Dear family and friends,

As most of you are aware, my father Stanley Greif, A”H, passed away on Shabbat. It is often said that a Jewish person who dies on Shabbat (Sabbath) is a tzadik (a righteous person). I think everyone who knew my father thought of him as a righteous man. The fact that he passed away on Shabbat only confirmed what we knew to be true.

Dateline Jerusalem — I am getting a lot of frequent flyer miles, domestic and international. I flew into Israel at the end of the week, enjoyed delicious Shabbat meals and fantastic conversation at the homes of friends' Friday night dinner and Saturday lunch.

Dateline Jerusalem — Never a dull flight! What is it about me and flying? This
little old grandmother (height-wise, not width) always seems to be the one pulled
out of line by airline or airport personnel. This time I was actually frisked!

Dateline Jerusalem — I am still in the states, but G-d willing hope to return “home” next week. I say “home” because although I am still a U.S.
citizen, from the first time I stepped off the plne and touched ground on a visit to Israel over 30 years ago, I felt like I was “home.” The goosebumps
on my arms and shivers that go from the top of my head to the bottom of my feet made me feel that way. They still make me feel that way. And
everyone I know seems to have the same reaction. The home of my ancestors is my home today, my home for the last three years.

Dateline Jerusalem — I am still in the States, and I cannot help but compare Israel and the U.S. I was amazed to
find that gasoline averaged about $3.40/gallon in California. Gasoline in Israel is measured by the liter, not gallon,
but doing the conversion it is equivalent to about $7.60/gallon.

Dateline Jerusalem — I have the best friends in the world, from all over the world. When learning I was traveling to the U.S. for some diagnostic tests that were unavailable in Israel for several weeks, they included me in their prayers. Thanks to Hashem (G-d) and the “power of prayer,” I am fine (I think).

Dateline America — It has been two years since I was last in the U.S. Thank G-d I arrived safely after a 12- hour flight from Tel Aviv to New York, 5-hour wait in the airport terminal at JFK, another 3-hour flight to Florida, and 3 _-hour drive to the first destination of my journey (normally less than 2 hours).