238 more reasons for dancing on Tu B'Av

Yom revi'i, 15 Av 5769.

After so much sadness, yesterday was a great way to prepare for the special joy of Tu B'Av.

"There were no holidays so joyous for the Jewish People as the Fifteenth of Av (and Yom Kippur) for on those days, daughters of Yerushalayim would go out dressed in white clothing and dance in the vineyards located on the outskirts of the city."  [Mishna, Masechet Taanit 4:8]

Another planeload of olim landed at Home, courtesy of Nefesh B'Nefesh, El Al, and the Jewish Agency.  It included 55 young people whose first goal in life is to strengthen the IDF with their vigor and idealism.  One of these is a young man who decided to leave West Point to fight for his People in his Land.

Among the olim were the head of the largest greeting card company in America, the head of epidemiology at Johns Hopkins, and a musician who backed up the likes of Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, Miles Davis, Seals & Crofts, and the Doors.  We hope to be privileged to jam with him here in the yishuv, as rumor has it he has family here...

For folks back in the Old Country, Penina looks beautiful, the married Goetz daughter and baby look radiant.  Mrs. Colabella is of even greater regal bearing than in the past.  Israel will be richer and even holier, now that these precious Baltimore neshamot have arrived.

Welcome Home, dear family.  May we dance together through many joy-filled days in Yerushalayim ha'Bnuya!

To see great pictures of this event, check out Jacob Richman's always-amazing photos, as well as the extremely professional shots at the Nefesh B'Nefesh site.  Bring a box of tissues, if your heart swells with the thought of filling our holy Land with the Jewish people.