Esther's leaving for Israel

So I'm writing this jointly with Mordy tonight, as I prepare to leave for Israel.  Mordy will be posting his thoughts periodically here while I am away.  I'm sure his thoughts will be more theological than mine...but expect updates on his physical and mental state as well...

I'm going on a trip that is part of the Hartman Campus Fellowship, a new, prestigious fellowship for Hillel professionals.  This professional development opportunity was something I couldn't pass up.  I'll be traveling with 20 top-tier Hillel professionals from throughout the United States (and one from England) to Israel, studying for a week at the Hartman Institute, a premier center of Jewish learning in Israel.  While I don't have a "bucket list," if I did, studying at Hartman would be on it!

My mother is taking the boys for a few days and then Mordy's mother is coming to stay at the house, so the kids and Mordy will be fine while I'm away.

My brother (with his wife and 2 girls) and sister (with her husband and son) came to visit this weekend.  We enjoyed being together and they were happy to see Mordy.  It was their first time seeing him since the stroke.

Mordy has started writing again for the first time since the stroke. He has been working on a paper that he hopes to turn into a larger article. He's very happy that he's been able to start writing again.

I'll be back on July 9...until then, updates are from Mordy.