Tokyo

After over 2 years of living in Okinawa, I never stepped out of the airport in Tokyo. I do not want to leave Okinawa and regret never visiting places  that are right at my doorstep. 

On the bullet train!

At Shabuya Crossing Motzei Shabbat (Shabuya Tov!)

I found the chair and lamp that I really want.

And found a little piece of Richmond ... (original home of Krispy Kreme Doughnuts)

And a little bit of New Orleans ... in Tokyo

It's like the Tardis! (Thanks Krajacichs)

 Sensoji Temple

The path to the Thunder Gate

Thunder Gate!

Sky Tree and Asahi Beer building

Sky Tree

That's just awesome. (The guy closest to us is a mannequin. And the driver was laughing while I took this picture.)

Top of the Sky Tree

Looking down

Auto Expo - fuzzy car ??

My size car

A beautiful fountain in the mall. The time is told on the ceiling.

.. We found an Israeli cafe He let us put our names on the wall Yep - Yonina, Alex, Bianka and Cole were here !!

New Year's Eve

What did I do for New Year's?

I hosted a basketball game.

Why, do you ask? Because there is more to New Year's Eve than getting drunker than a skunk. And I wanted to start my year off with some fun PT with my Marines.

But first, I got some Marines to help me mow the lawn around the outdoor court that had not been mowed since 1946.

Got Recovery to help with the grill

Played some ball

 Got some cool shirts made up

Grilled some meat - Thank you Navy Federal!!!

Even SgtMaj Taylor came out 

And had our own DJ

Just by playing ball, we decreased the number of potential A.R.I.s on base.

Murasaki Mura Village = Colonial Williamsburg

There used to be a television show that filmed in Okinawa and built an entire village set. The show ended and the village is still there. It is like Colonial Williamsburg.   They had a lantern festival and of course, we went the one night it rained. 

Besides, what else to Jews do on Christmas Eve when there is no Chinese food to be eaten?

Some cool Shisas

 Surfer dude shisa

 Yep, we fed goats. 

Bananas

Kaycee holding a tiger butterfly

Cole petting one of the horses in the stable.

Nigiri (sushi) Lantern!

Shisa lantern!

Emperor lantern

You guessed it - lanterns to light our path home.

Futenma Shrine and Cave

I live near the Futenma Shrine. It has a cave that was deemed sacred and at New Year's, the shrine is crowded. Yoni Bock and I went a few days prior.

I believe it is important that I can find beauty in other religions and cultures and not be fearful or defensive, simply appreciative. 

I do not want to be like Jacob, waking up and saying that God was with me but I did not know it. My soul was moved on my visit to the Shrine and the sense of holiness in the cave. 

Nakagushku-Jo Castle

On Okinawa, I appreciate being able to explore castle ruins from hundreds of years ago. Thanks to Yoni Bock, we went to Nakagushku-Jo Castle. From the parapets, you can see both the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

 It reminds of Masada, but with more greenery and less of a hike to get to the top.

We must have gone on an off day, because there was almost no-one around. It was so peaceful. 

They meant to say "Let's be careful about habus (Habu snakes). 

This area was labeled "Sacred Prayer Space".

This is the way Yoni chose to pray.

Moments of Overwhelming Joy

This past Shabbat, I had two moments that made my heart sing with joy.

As we were standing up for the last stanza of Lecha Dodi (we greet the sabbath bride by opening the back door to the sanctuary), Myles (a child in the community) ran to open the Ark doors, not the back door to the prayer space. His choice, even by accident sent the message that is where we should greet Shabbat, the place that holds the words where we are commanded to keep Shabbat ... I was taken aback.

The second moment was when Myles opened the Ark for Aleynu and Leah (a 3 year old) immediately went to take one of the paper Torahs out. No hesitation. No looking at her Mama to make sure it was okay. Savannah, Myles' younger sister (almost 2) also wanted one and started to cry until Myles took another paper Torah out of the ark and handed it to her. 

The look on her face read, "This is Mine!" I hope she fights for the Torah as strongly as she did at that moment.

Leah, simply stood there, holding the Torah like you would a baby. She was gentle, protective. May she always view the words of the Torah as needing to be protected and loved.

Myles, after looking at me for confirmation, took another paper Torah out of the Ark so he could hold God's Words close as well. May he always know who is safe to turn to, when he is in doubt.

I teared up and felt such joy that these children have such a love for Torah and Judaism and such affection and more to the point, such familiarity that they would reach into the Ark and take what is rightfully theirs. 

I could not be more proud. 

COMRELs

What happens when you have a big project and need lots of people to pitch in?

Make it a COMREL (community relations event), offer LOAs (letters of appreciation) and give them tools. Or use their own. 

And the chapel grounds are starting to look amazing !!!!