Life in California .X x V. ,OO

Hello everyone

New friends
Al and I on right

Playing around

  Life was good! It was the first time since we got married, I have seen him so happy and satisfied with his work!We made many new friends; some were parents of Karen's kindergarten class and others were teaching  with me at the same Hebrew School... Others were designers and costumers which Al met in his furniture business...

  Among the business men Al befriended, was Maurice Donenfeld, another Furniture Manufacturer, who's nickname was Marco... Al and Marco, who enjoyed each other's company, decided  to introduce their wives... We got together at Marco's Furniture factory and took off for lunch... Harriet and I 'Hit it of ' at first sight;  connecting right away by our common bond of 'yo-yo' dieting! The four      of us, were the complete opposites in many ways, but the differences did not stop us from becoming  "Best friends"! Al and Marco's furniture business, dealt with different kind of clients, which right away prevented any kind of competition...Al's dealt mainly with the Hospitality Industry (Hotels, private clubs and fine restaurants) While Marco catered mostly to the Home Furnishing Industry, which eliminated any business competition, between the two of them... The four of us spent a lot of time together: Dining out  go to the movies, get season tickets for two theaters and traveling together... Al and I ,who had several groups of friends, often invited all of them to our home, to celebrate some of the many holidays of the year.... Below are photos of several Jewish holidays...

Karen on Rosh Hashana	Sukot	Karen on Chanuka	Karen on Purim	Karen (right) Passover	on "Pesach"

   Our 'Gentile' friends (non Jews) would invite us to celebrate Easter and Christmas, which were new    for me and made it a delightful experiences... Besides celebrating the American holidays, we took the opportunity to celebrate American and other Ethnic holidays, like the 'Chinese new Year'...

Chinese New Year	🍀 Harriett and   I on "Saint Patrick"	Cinco de Mayo	Karen's and Shira's 4th of July cake	Halloween  Shira and Darlene	Thanksgiving Lyle is cutting the turkey

   Harriett's Playful inner child, was even bigger then mine! She insisted we call ourselves "The Four Musketeers!" I was the 'Youngest Musketeer' in our group of four and wasn't very experienced with the American way of life... Our daughter Karen was only four years old, when we met Harriett and Marco who had two older sons and a twelve years old daughter... They immediately embraced us as a part of  their family; insisting Karen calls them 'Auntie Harriet and Uncle Marco'. Harriett took upon herself, the job of teaching me how to bring Karen up 'Properly', in the 'environment' of the American schools... She was especially worried about the time, Karen would start Junior High, where her daughter Jolie was at that time... She suggested which classes Karen should be taking when her turn comes and was telling me how very important it was, to befriend the most 'Popular girls' in the class and try to win over the "Bitches" among them...It didn't help to remind my new friend, that Karen is still in Kindergarten, since according  to "Auntie Harriett", I 'Must' make sure that Karen will be a Cheerleader, because this is one of the ways to become 'Popular in school! ' She also instructed me which classes and after-school activities, Karen should be taking in order to be with the Most Popular Guys... I thanked Harriett for her good intentions asking to remind me all this in ten years, when Karen will become a 'Teen Ager'...X

 First grade

 Mirman school

 

   Karen was tested as a 'Highly Gifted' child and her kindergarten teacher and principal, recommended she skips the last year of kindergarten and begin first grade at the Mirman School for Gifted Students. She was only five years old, the youngest in her first grade class, when she joined this prestigious school... Years later I will regret that I did not keep her one more year in kindergarten, so she could have another year of care free childhood... After her third year at the Mirman School,we decided to move Karen to the Temple School of Stephan S. Wise, where she stayed for the next two years an later to  an excellent Private Middle School, named after the well known Rabbi -Solomon Shechter...

Karen's Bat Mitzva	Karen with her favorite teacher	Solomon Shechter Middle School	With favorite teacher/rabbi	Karen's"admirers"... at At her Bat Mitsva

   One memorable summer, Karen and a few other students, were selected from California's High Schools (As well as others all over the US.) to fly to Russia and join in what was called "The Peace caravan,which was combined of several Tour Buses, taking the American students to different parts of Russia, in order to meet Russian high school students and begin a 'Peace Dialogue' with them...Karen, who wanted to be with her friends in summer camp, was reluctant to go... I needed all the strength (and patience) a Teenager's mother could summon, to convince Karen, that this Amazing Opportunity, may be an important events in her life; where she and the other kids, who were "Hand Picked" to represent the American Youth would  be able to create the possibility of Peace with Russia; the Leading communist country in the world... 

Pre revolution palace	A welcome with bread and salt	The Americans' gift (Karen on the left)	The tomb of the unknown soldier	Karen and Stalin

In a museum (Karen in red)	On the left with her new friends	In the center with Russian teens	With a little Russian girl	With a Russian officer

   Two years later, when the Berlin Wall came Tumbling Down, I would say to Karen:"Do you know     how Powerful you are? Look at what you are capable of doing!" To which she answered, like a typical teenager: "Oh Mom!"...  Summer camp was always one of the greatest sources of fun and joy, for our daughter! Besides making new and lasting friendships, she enjoyed the out doors life of Swimming Horseback ridding, Mountain climbing and many other activities; like meaningful conversations and discussions with her new friends. Each summer Karen would climb a step higher in the Camp: from a Camper to a Junior Counselor, then a Dance Instructor and the coveted position of 'Song Leader'! In the camp she would eventually meet her first " Real Serious boyfriend" Jonathan and would have a  two years relationship, which would last for three years...

"Summer Time and the Living is Easy"	Karen and Jonathan	Jonathan and Karen	Madly in love	With Robin and boyfriends

   The Buckley High School was another great experience! Unbeknownst to us, most of the students in   this school were the sons, daughters, nieces or nephews, of well-known "Stars" of Hollywood's Movie and Music Industries. Our home was filled with happy teenagers,who's company Al and I truly enjoyed which seemed to be mutual... Karen told me how one of her new girlfriends, who's father was a well known Actor, told her how annoying her Dad's Fame was, since people would stop them wherever they went, to ask for  an Autographs... "Your mom and dad are the first 'Normal parents' I got to know Karen!"  She said."What was your answer? I asked her. Karen looked at me and winked: "As you well know mom the ward 'Normal' is Relative" And we bouth started to laugh...

  Below, Karen's at school and during the celebration of her Sweet Sixteen party, in "Dar-Ma-Grab", the        popular Moroccan Restaurant in Hollywood, where we often visited and took our gusts to dine ...

  Below, graduation from High School! An Emotional Event for the student, as well as for their families...

   My father-in-law, Al's dad, often talked about the fact, that time is passing away to fast,"Before you know its over!" He used to say... Only now, as I look at the photos in this post, I realy understand...The photos above are showing our Karen at her High school graduation, getting ready for collage. It seems     as if it was just yesterday, when I took her to the "Mirman School for the Gifted", when she was only    five years old... It seems that just yesterday, I was standing behind the fence of her school, when she started First grade, wiping the tears from my eyes... Now, Karen was getting ready to leave us and go       to collage in Washington D.C...After one year only, she would come back to California and transferred   to the University of Santa Barbra, with her new friend Tammy... A year later, Karen would move again this time to UCLA... I was concerned, that Al and I started a bad habit of school-changing, during her  most formative years and told her so; she laughed:"Don't worry Mom, one of the most impotent thing which you taught me, was that if we are not really happy with something, we can always change it!" 

   After Karen received her Driver License, I finally had more time to farther my Metaphysical and  Spiritual Knowledge... I talked Al into going with me to a seminar named EST, which was one of the    most important 'Mind Expending' experiences, I have ever went through! I took other seminars like "Chinese Energy Healing, Aroma and Essential Oil Therapy and the Healing Vibrations of Sounds        and Colors..."  I also studied Clinical Hypnotherapy and "Mixed together"my new knowledge, with    other kinds of information regarding our Spiritual Growth; information which I have been gathering through out the years.... My work as a Clinical Hypnotherapist was a great source of satisfaction. I had      one more wish I accomplished, when I received my PhD degree in Human Behavior, from New  Port University...  One of my nephews in Israel said to his parents: "Shira is the only one I know, who never stopped going to school!" 

With Love and Light,
Shira

A Trip to Manhattan . V, XX (Change red print ?). OO

Hello everyone,

Cousin Marcia

Waldorf Astoria

   Shortly after Al's cousin Marcia, moved to L.A, she volunteered    to stay at home with our five years old Karen, so Al and I could go on a well needed short vacation by ourselves... We used this opportunity to have a reunion with Al's childhood friends from New Jersey, who became my close friends as well... This group came to visit us in P.R (Getting Engaged) and later, were guests at our wedding in New York  We decided to meet an in Manhattan for five days and were excitedly making plans! Because of Al's past Hotel connection; he was able to arrange large and beautiful rooms, at the famous Waldorf Astoria Hotel... We haven't seen most of these friends since our wedding and everyone was delighted and excited to be together again!

   We began our day with a 'Loud breakfast' at the hotel's dinning room; trying to make plans for our five days together in the "Big Apple"... This was not easy to do; with ten people who have different opinions... However,  we eventually came to an agreement... We'll begin the day by climbing the stairs of the 'Statue  of Liberty' and later, take the elevator, to the Tallest Building in the U.S: The Empire State Building. We decided to take a walk in China Town, have lunch and visit the Museum of Natural Art, see a show in Radio City, look at galleries and antique shops and go on a visit of Central Park... All the places I got to know when I lived in Manhattan, before I left for Puerto Rico and met Al.   (♪ New York, New York, It's a Wonderful Town! ♪).

  By the end of the third day, some of us (mainly the women) had blisters on our feet, after walking all over town... We were X ex-hosted, and deciding to spend the early part of the following day, at the hotel ordering Room Service and meeting in the lobby for a drink, before our evening activities. We should  have Dinner in one of the finest and well known restaurants, in Manhattan and later, see a show in one     of the theaters, on 37 Street... Albie (my husband) who used to be the Food and Beverage Manager at   the Hilton Hotels in Puerto Rico, had some "Gastronomical Connections" with several restaurants in      Manhatten so after dinner, we would go to see a show, which our friends reserved sits for, well before    our arrival... On the fourth evening, after a delicious French dinner, at one of the 'known restaurants'       we walked to 42nd street, heading for the theater, 'Rubbing Elbows' with women in Evening Gowns     and well dressed men, wearing tailored suits and ties... As we were walking towards the theater, I suddenly had a strange experienced, which I can only describe as being "Out of this world!"

Broadway and
42nd St. (day)

Broadway and
42nd St. (night)

   "The part which I call "I", slipped out of my body through the Crown Chakra (the soft part of the baby's head) floating about 40 feet above, like a tiny golden cloud... This "New I", was looking down at "Shira" who was walking with our group of friends, talking and Laughing' while 'Shira' below, seemed to have      a wonderful time... I was 'floating above without a  'Body!'  I was a part of enormous, pure and refined ''Loving Energy', a kind of "Transparent Intelligence" which I suddenly realize was GOD... This "Loving Energy", was encompassing every one and everything, I  understood and realizing how 'All' was 'One': The grains of sand, a drop of water, the Human race, the Animal and Plants kingdoms, as well as our planet Earth and others like it! I was 'Awe Stricken', realizing that just like me, the entire universe is made  out by 'Shimmering Threads', of the same pure Light and Love, which was enveloping me...  

   It seemed as if I was "up there" for eternity and at the same time, just a few seconds...The next thing           I remember, was sitting in the theater with our friends, engulfed by Aromas of expensive perfumes...           I didn't tell anyone, about this amazing experience, not even my husband, for fear people may think           I am "Out of My Mind" (Which in a way I was) Nor did I share this amazing experience until now...

Our friends from the East Coast---	Karen with the Torah	Karen with parents and grandparents	Lighting the candles	Our friends from the West Coast

  About two years, after my "Spiritual experience" in Manhattan, Al and I were invited by a couple of    our friends in L.A, for a BBQ... I was introduced to the hostess' younger brother, who has jut spent a    year in Israel, as part of his up coming Ordination Requirements of becoming a Reform Rabbi... The     two of us talked about Israel and the, that unlike the United States, where one can choose between  Orthodox, Conservative and Reform Judaism; In Israel there was no other choice: There was just the          Orthodox Movement! After I talked for a while with this young man, I said: Judging by the way you      talk and present yourself, I could never imagine you as a Rabbi...You seem like a Hippy more then a  Rabbi..." He looked at me and smiled; "You are very perceptive Shira!  Actually, I used to be a Hippie     and lived in a commune in Northern California, until one day, as I was sitting on a tree stump at the    middle of a small grove, I went s through an amazing experience!"  To my astonishment, this future  Rabbi, proceeded X to describe the' Very Same experience, which x I went  through in Manhattan... X"Floating out of the body, through my crown chakra, being enveloped by an incredible Loving      Energy and experiencing Unity, Love and the feelings of Oneness, which connects each particle,              in God's creation...  X Can you see why, after such  powerful, spiritual experience, I would decide             to become a Rabbi!" He said... For some reason, I did not share with him, My almost 'Identical'    Spiritual Experience... Even now, so many years later, I can not understand why I did not...

 With Love and Light,
Shira

Los Angeles -- City of Anglels. (My 4th, 5th and 6th MSE ) XX (red?) Why Red? V, 00

Hello everyone,

   About a year after Al and I met, he told me about a strange problem, he suffered from... One of his glans, would occasionally swell up, causing him to feel weak and dizzy, which would forced him to         be in bed for two or three days... In spite of the several doctors and the  medicines they prescribed         no  one was able to fin the source of this problem! Throughout the first six years of our married, this 'Annoying illness', would come for a visit' several times each year... I was having a 'Health Issue' of       my own...Migraine Headaches' I began to suffer from, when I was in high school in Israel The pain     was  sever, I needed to take very strong, Prescription Medication and get into bed to sleep it off...

  Shortly after we moved to California, I read a book about the Transcendental Meditation (T.M) which became popular, after being introduced in the U.S, by     it's creator: Maharishi Masha Yogi. I shared this information with my stubborn   and resisting husband, suggesting we should bouth go to a 'Work Shop' which would help us with our issues...X"You take it Shira, you are the one, who believes in all "This New Age stuff!"X Al said... I had to use all my power, to convince him to do it with me! He reluctantly agreed... The two of us were lead to separate rooms, with different.    'Teachers' ,who were suppose to "Enlighten" us, then give us a test to make sure we can properly use      the steps we have just learned, during our morning and evening meditations at home... We were given a"Mantra"; Special Ward, to use during our Meditation and told 'Never to reveal this sacred ward, to anyone!' Not even to each other... Below are the experiences, which Al I were going through...

   I was sitting in a chair, with my eyes closed, repeating the "Mantra", which I selected      from several others and was instructed... I waa asked to keep my eyes closed and repeat        in my mind, the new Mantra I chose... As I was doing so; I suddenly felt some kind of  'Energy', pentering my head, through the 'Crown Chakra'... (The soft part in the baby's head) At one point I felt how this 'Energy', was "Turning around, faster and faster inside my head" until I began to feel very dizzy... It finally slowed down, settling behind my left eye (where the Migrans used to begin) and slowly disappeared... My Migraines never came back...

   On our way home, I shared with Al what I have just went through, expecting him to make joke             as he always did, in such situations... To my great surprise, he did not... After some hesitation, Al         told me (reluctantly) that he also went through a similar experience, during the meditation, though             "His energy", settled inside the gland in his neck, which used to swell, whenever he got sick..."It        would probably come back again!" My"Optimistic" husband said, with his typical doubting and       cynical ton of voic; then jumped in his seat, when I yelledat him: "Don't say it! Say Delete Delete!"           To my great surprise Al said it right away... I guess Al was shocked, when I screamed (which I        seldom do...) The two of us never experienced our pain again... A while ago, a friend who took               the same cource, told me how he learned in this cource, to create a parking space, when ever he      needed one, just by snaping his fingurs. Here are his wards...

  " Driving for a while, unable to find a parking space, he would snap his fingers and say: "Here comes my parking place!" And a space would materialize; no matter how crowded    the Lot  was... One day, after driving to my dentist office, frustrated, because I couldn't find     a place to park, I suddenly remembered  my friends wards and decided to try it... To my great astonishment';  it worked right away! My inner Critic, as well as my Cynic, were making fun of me For "believing in such nonsens"; but I ignored them...  Al was also laughing at my "Superstitious and crazy believes..."   Mounts later after driving around unable to find a parking space, l remembered to snap my fingers and a space materialized right away... My skeptic husband was making fun of me: "Come on Shira,you must know it is a coincident!" Eventually Al as well changed his mind... Whenever we were unable to find a parking space he would look at me and say:"O.K, do your trick already!" It it would always worked!  However, my super skeptical husband, kept on insisting, each time we found a space after snapping my fingers, that it was a coincidence... I didn't argue however, I was able to catch him several times, 'secretly snapping his fingers', when we were looking for parking space...

Oy vey!

Which way?!

  A short time after moving to California, Al became very friendly with Ann Mullins, an English woman my age,who worked in the same industry as his.... After introduced her to me, the three of us became close friends. One day I made plans to drive and visit Anni who lived in Venice Beach, quiet a long way from our home in Studio city...  I was never gifted with a great sense of direction (to put it mildly) and was unable to find Ann's place and became a bit confused, not knowing which exist, I shoul take... After a while, I began to feel very confused and a bit panicky, as I was unable to find the exit to get off... (It was before cell phones mind you...) suddenly I  remembered the "Fingers Snapping" trick!

  "If there is an angel for parking places," I told myself, "There must be a special one, who    is in charge of Transportation!"  I snapped my fingers and said out loud: "Please take me to Annie, Now!" I can't remember how it happened, but within less then ten minutes, I found myself in front of Annie's office door!!!

   My rational logical brain, would say that after visiting Annie's house, so many times, my subconscious mind, would know how to Navigate Automatically! However, this time, I was not driving to her house... The two of us planed to meet at her office, where I had never been to before... For a long time I was trying to find a rational explanation, to what "Rely Happened"...  After being unable to find  a space', I gave up...  It is said that California, has been known, for it's  'New Age Discoveries', well before this information was introduced in the East Coast... One of these "New discoveries" is Astrology, which is actually a very old concept, about the magnetic effect of the stars, moon and time of birth on the human personality, as well as on world's events!  I began attending several workshops, which dealt with Astrology...  At one point I 'Battle Shock', were born on the same month, sharing the same Sun Signs... I was stunned to learn about the 'Magnetic effect', our Heavenly Bodies (Stars Moon and Sun) are having on the human's personality traits, as well as the emotions and our physical behavior...  It seems, that this powerful Magnetic energy has been the major cause, for the Wars and Natural  Disaster; Floods, Tornadoes and Earthquakes...I was amazd to realize, that the two Temples in ancient Israel; were destroyed on the Same Day of the Jewish calendar! (Nine of the month of 'Av')!  The 'First  World War' began on July 28 1914 and the second; on September 1st 1939; two months later... (Just a coincident?)

Destruction of the First Temple.	Destruction of the Second Temple.	World War I	World War II

 

 With Love and Light,
Shira