December 17 – 20, 2025

Ready for the Chabad of East Lakeview Chanukah Menorah parade.

Wednesday, December 17th, 2025:

Tova had a tonsillectomy today. Boruch Hashem, it went well. Danny drove us to the  Fort Lauderdale Airport for our 2:40 flight to Chicago. Boruch Hashem, it was an empty flight, only 30 percent full and we had a row of seats to ourselves. I was excited to travel back to Chicago. I needed  to refresh myself. Shalom picked us up from the airport and drove us to Rivkie and Mordy’s house. We played and danced with our grandchildren and watched the Hanukkah menorah lighting. I had dinner there, which was schnitzel and white rice. Outstanding. 

 Thursday December 18th, 2025

 I woke up at 5:30 AM to listen to Ben Sugarman’s Daf Yomi shiur.   I have not been learning Daf Yomi for over 3 months, and hearing him again was great.

I davened at Chabad of East Lakeview. The weather was in the 40s and the snow had melted. I ate lunch at Eli’s office with Shalom.

 I received a phone call from Rabbi Kotlarski and he told me to speak to Peggy. One of the members of the Shul is struggling and needs assistance. Peggy acted as a go between and I sent $1,000. I am trying to help that person secure a job.

David called me to inform me that his brother’s rent increased by $200, and he currently has no money to pay it.  He sold me some artwork for $100.

 Thank God that He has given me the ability and the financial resources to help others. I also received a text from Momi of Tel Aviv Pizza, now known as Slices, that I owe over $3,500 for my tab at the pizza store. By the time I went into Slices to pay, the bill was $4,038.92.  He said that there were a lot of Mishulakhan in town. I do this for my mother and father; my father was a Holocaust survivor, and food was very important to him.

My father wrote in his will that money should be donated to food kitchens with the following statement attached to the donation.

“This is a donation from the late Mr. Israel J. Morgenstern, who was continuously hungry since September 1, 1939, when Hitler and his German army with his German Luftwaffe (air power) attacked Poland, until May 7, 1945, when he was liberated from Dachau Concentration Camp by the American Army”.

 I have to get back to writing my Sefer.

 Friday December 19th, 2025

 It’s now Friday morning at 4:30 AM as I’m writing this. I just spoke to Serka Fisher in Ramat Gan in Israel. I haven’t spoken to her in years and it was enjoyable catching up. 

Shoshana called me while I was at Shul at 7:20 AM.  She said that they really miss us and need us.  

We bought a condo in Florida, and I paid $50,000 over market.  I am disheartened by this and live in a mild depression when I am in the condo.  However, Hashem had me purchase the condo. I must accept it and be grateful that I am in Florida for the sake of my children.

I had a dentist visit at 11:00 AM.  Really good visit.  

Went to my grandson’s 7th birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese.   

At our Friday night Shabbos meal we had Sholem, Tzvi, and Hudi.  I davened at Bais Ment.

Saturday December 20, 2025

Got up at 4:30 AM to learn Chumash.  I had some Cholent and chicken.  I finished the Parsha.  

At 8:40 AM I left my house to walk six miles to Chabad of East Lakeview.  It takes two hours.  During davening we had to evacuate the building due to an intruder.  It appears that the intruder left through a back door, allowing us to continue the services.  Kiddus was sponsored by Shayna in honor of her husband’s birthday.

The Leonard Kranzler Memorial Shiur took place at 2:00 PM, following Mincha.  Attendees included Paul, Tamar, Tamar’s daughter Leora, Ray, Marcel, Matt, and his girlfriend Gabriella. I gave the Shiur on the Sassoon family from Bombay and England, focusing specifically on  Flora Sassoon. Matt spoke on the Sedra and I added my Torah from last week.

Left at 3:45 to walk back home. I always walk with Paul and Tamar.  Her daughter, who was with us, offered to drive me home after Shabbos. I was grateful for the offer because I feared my back pain would make it difficult to get home.  I had considered asking them for a ride, but I felt uncomfortable doing so.  I went to their house and Kent, Tamar’s husband, drove me home.

 I went to the Chabad of East Lakeview for the Hanukkah menorah parade, which started at 7:15 and drove through Lakeview. The parade began at 7:15 PM and traveled through Lakeview.  I went to support Rabbi Kotlarsky. It is always nice to be part of the menorah parade.

At 9:00 PM, I went with Serka and Sholem to the Genner Chanukah party.  I enjoyed the delicious eggplant and breaded fried cauliflower.  Delicious.  I actually won the “guess the number of beans in the bottle” contest by correctly guessing 625 beans and earned me $300.

Sunday December 21, 2022

Davened Schachris at Sidney’s Bais Ment minyan.  At 11:00 AM I attended Barry Ray’s funeral.  He was a good guy.  Although he had major back issues, he got sick about a month ago, ended up with sepsis, and died.  

We had our family Chanukah party at my house.  It was fun, and the food was great.    Itamer won the “Right Left Center” game.