The family headed North to Amy’s hometown for Pesach. Sam had a fabulous time with his cousins and grandparents, and dad enjoyed some relief from Atlanta’s insane pollen count. Read on for some of my favorite photos from the visit, or head straight to the full photo gallery on Flickr.
Above, Sammy and his grandma play a duet.
At the second Seder, we also celebrated Taylor’s birthday. Unlike that cold April day 13 years ago, it did not snow. That happened two days later, after we returned to Atlanta.
And to entertain the little ones, we headed off to the newly renovated Strong Museum (of Play). They now have a wonderful butterfly (and moth) habitat, as well as much-improved interactive displays that Sam and Jaimey just loved.
Our synagogue, Shearith Israel, held what they called ‘Mitzvah Madness’ today, an event which called on the entire congregation’s family and friends to give something back to the community. Activities included fixing up the synagogue’s women’s shelter, creating art for local hospitals, and ‘Goodies for Good Guys,’ delivering cookies to several area firehouses. With the bonus promise of letting the kids explore the fire engines and station, we opted for the cookie delivery detail. And let me tell you, Sam had a blast. Trains may just have been replaced by fire engines in Sam’s fascination hierarchy. After presenting the cookies, the fire fighters gave the kids the full experience: touring the building, sitting in the driver seat on one of the engines (plus blowing the air horn) and even guiding a hose as they sprayed a huge arc of water. Click here for the full gallery.
I’m trying to make it a policy that I’ll post at least a short review on anything we are watching from Netflix, mostly for the greater good my own recollection. Anyway, I’d seen a preview for Everything is Illuminated sometime last year when Amy and I had actually managed to see a movie, the I Heart Huckabees indie flick. Anyway, I recall being charmed by the visuals and the storyline of an American Jewish writer going back to Russia to find the people involved in his grandfather’s life and his escape from the Germans in WWII. The film was charming at times, disturbing at others, and in my opinion a must-see for anyone who traces their ancestry through Eastern Europe and the Holocaust. A great performance by Elijah Wood, the grandfather (who at times reminded me in mannerisms of my dad), and the goofy rapping Russian guide. I’m putting the book by Jonathan Safran Foer on my ‘to read’ list. Four stars.
Meant to post this yesterday, but little Sam kept us busy. The folks over at JibJab.com (you know, the guys who created the ‘This Land is Your Land’ piece before Election 2004?) have created a new animated film, this one titled ‘Matzah – Hip Hop Fo’ Hebrews.‘ Featuring a Jewish rapper who looks and sounds a lot like Eminem, this is a must-see before the first Seder tonight. And remember ‘Let my peeps go!’
