NYC Places Everyone Should See and Yehuda Katz--Everlasting life and Kazakhstan synagogue fined after Chabad rabbis pose for a group photo and Can My Life Be Perfect Even Without a Child? By Chana Margulies and Top 10 Private Islands for Sale in Greece if you really have money
Yehuda Lave is an author, journalist, psychologist, rabbi, spiritual teacher, and coach, with degrees in business, psychology and Jewish Law. He works with people from all walks of life and helps them in their search for greater happiness, meaning, business advice on saving money, and spiritual engagement.
Can My Life Be Perfect Even Without a Child? By Chana Margulies
Three months ago, I was lying down when I got the call from my doctor. Every last piece of paperwork, injection, anesthesia, procedure, waiting-room marathon that I'd endured to get to this moment evaporated with four simple words: "Don't come in today."
My bag was packed. I had visualized this pregnancy, preparing my body for weeks. I had packed the bags of my life for one destination only: motherhood.
I sat up. Thank you, G‑d, for freeing me, I forced myself to say. I thought this was something I needed to do for You, G‑d. For years, I was convinced this was the mission that You gave me. Thank you for freeing me!
I danced around the room, jumping up and down on the bed with my hands stroking the ceiling. This bed ... If the procedure had happened today, I would have been on bedrest for days, weeks, months? My body, which felt so fragile moments ago, jumped down onto the hard wooden floors.
I was 18 when my oncologist looked at me and said that I would never carry my own pregnancy. The radiation to kill the cancer would destroy that opportunity. That is when the promise was born within me. I will prove him wrong. I will show him what G‑d can do.
Every one of the next five doctors who confirmed his prognosis only made this new fire burn stronger.
As soon as we married, I was determined to show everyone just what G‑d can do. What this body is capable of. Lying on the radiation table each day I would visualize walking into my doctor's office with my crew of children. I would prove him wrong.
Staring at the ceiling as the phone went dead, I realized I've been living in the shadow of that promise. It finally hit me: I care more about that promise than myself, or G‑d.
Who said this is what G‑d wants from me? To re-traumatize myself in the medical world? To hurt this body with procedures and injections?
This promise has become an idol in my holy temple, and G‑d kindly let it come crashing down. It shattered into a million pieces. My ego died that day. I felt broken for weeks.
Who am I without this desperate identity?
Who am I when not pathetically yearning for something that I don't have?
Who am I if I'm not feeling bad for myself, hating everyone for being so arrogantly blessed with what I should have?!
My ego had set up shop in my inner sanctuary and had been calling the shots for so long, it didn't appreciate the wake-up call.
Now broken and open, I began to ask: What do You, G‑d, actually want from me? When You put this soul into this body, in this exact generation, what was Your vision? G‑d help me live Your wildest dreams for me.
My eyes shut tightly on the couch as the pain of the disappointment filled my chest. G‑d, do you love me?
An image of a piece of chocolate melting in a metal pan flashed through my mind. I breathed a little deeper. Just as it is a simple law of nature that when heated chocolate melts, the most simple and abundant truth is that G‑d loves me. This entire world including a piece of chocolate melting on the stove is an expression of his love for me. My entire existence is G‑d writing me a love letter.
What do you think the entire cosmos and life I have given you is meant to show you? Yes, My dear child, I love you. I want you to feel the sunshine on your back as My love for you. To see ducklings hatching as My love for you. Your iPhone ringing with someone who loves you from across the globe as My love for you. This life is My expression of love for you. Please start enjoying it.
I have lived the identity of a warrior, a fighter, a champion of defiance against statistics and doctors. Now I needed to ask myself, who am I without that identity?
I realize that I don't know what it means to just feel good in my body. The Rebbe taught that one's personal galut ("exile") is living in stress, and geulah ("personal redemption") is living tranquility.
I know what fear and disappointment and anguish feel like; I have experienced the feeling of my twisting stomach. But what does living geulah feel like in my body?
I lay on the couch and feel the space around me. G‑d, You fill the world, You are filling this space. I felt held and protected. The couch was G‑d holding me through this material world.
Our forefather Abraham said, Kel Olam, "G‑d and world" in one breath. Not Kel HaOlam, "G‑d of the world;" rather, G‑d-world, meaning the world exists within G‑d. I felt like a baby in the womb. I let this love fill my head, chest, stomach and pinky toes, and wash away the pain that had ravaged it for weeks.
I want to learn what it means to feel good in my body. To be OK with being OK. To make G‑d the one I worship through my body, my mini-holy temple.
What do you mean, her eyes screamed? How are you OK with your miserable existence? Her brown eyes asked.
I didn't have an answer, but I understood her question.
For so long, I've fought reality and begged G‑d for a baby. I went into a realm of medical hell to bring down the blessings. I'd done everything physically possible to bring down that blessing and G‑d said, no.
And now, I must begin my healing journey. Healing from worshipping a promise that hurt me. Healing from this belief that I must be miserable. That it is a sin to be OK; that it is holy to be stressed out.
It's work to feel G‑d in my body. It's work to focus on living in an inner world of menucha, tranquility, but it feels like holy work.
My focus now is feeling G‑d in my inner sanctuary, letting Him in. Slowly making more space, as I let go of my ego's 10-year plan and open myself up to G‑d flowing through me in this perfect moment.
Raised on an organic farm in Canada, Chana now lives in the mystical city of Tzfat with her husband Ariel
Kazakhstan synagogue fined after Chabad rabbis pose for group photo
Chabad rabbis took their first group photo since the pandemic — and were fined by Kazakhstan for not distancing.
For Chabad-Lubavitch, major events aren't over until they take a group photograph.
The tradition, covering the international hasidic movement, creates much more than a souvenir. It has also generated a visual record of Chabad's growth from a small group in the 18th century in what was then the Russian empire to a global movement with branches today in dozens of countries.
Last month in Kazakhstan, the photo opportunity yielded something else: a fine for violating rules against large gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
More than 200 Chabad rabbis had convened in Almaty, the largest city in the Central Asian republic.
Their picture taken outside the Rixos Hotel caught the attention of local authorities grappling with a worsening pandemic in a country where only about a quarter of the population is vaccinated. They issued a fine of about $200 to the Central Synagogue of Almaty for violating social distancing measures, the Kazinform news agency reported Monday.
Elchanan Cohen, the chief rabbi of the Almaty region, did not immediately reply to a request for comment by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency about the fine.
The gathering was significant for several reasons.
It marked the first official large-scale group photo for Chabad since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic early last year. It also was the 77th anniversary of the death in Almaty of Rabbi Levi Yitzchak Schneerson, the father of the movement's last spiritual leader, Menachem Mendel Schneerson, and the first gathering since the Kazakh government added the gravesite of the elder Schneerson to its list of national heritage sites last year.
And the event brought together two rabbis who reportedly have an uneasy relationship: Berel Lazar, Chabad's chief of operations throughout much of the former Soviet Union, and Yeshaya Cohen, the chief rabbi of Kazakhstan.
Local philanthropists in Kazakhstan have enabled Cohen to operate relatively independently from Lazar, who is based in Moscow but has a hand in Chabad's work throughout the region. This dynamic has led to tension, according to multiple reports, and the fact that both men posed together added to the significance of the photo that signaled a return to normalcy, Zvika Klein, a journalist for Makor Rishon who specializes in Jewish world news, wrote on Twitter.
With 200 men on hand, the gathering was a far cry from previous reunions. More than 6,000 rabbis posed at the 2019 annual International Conference of Chabad-Lubavitch Emissaries — the last such event to date. (Last year's conference was virtual and gave rise to a days-long online celebration.)
The record attendance in 2019 required Chabad photographer Mendel Grossbaum, who has perfected his group photo techniques over the years, to switch to an ultra-wide angle fisheye lens: The normal one could no longer capture everyone in front of Chabad headquarters in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn.
Yehuda Katz Everylasting LIfe
Top 10 Private Islands for Sale in Greece if you really have money
Aerial view of Spalathronisi. Credit: Private Islands INC
There are perhaps dozens of private islands for sale in Greece. To own a private island is a dream of countless people around the world, but it can come true only for the lucky millionaires.
Millions visit the Greek islands every year, soaking in the hot sun and swimming in the clear blue waters, wishing their holidays will never end.
But imagine having all that for an unlimited amount of time, any time you want, any season, and for any reason.
There is a total of roughly 6,000 islands and islets in Greece, but only 227 of them are inhabited.
Since the economic crisis hit Greece really hard in 2010, several of the uninhabited islets in the Aegean and the Ionian Sea that are state property are put on the market.
Now the islet is owned by another tycoon, Russian Dmitry Rybolovlev who is geared to turn it into an ultra-luxury resort for the ultra-rich.
Others would prefer to buy an island and make it their private resort, or sanctuary, and enjoy it only with their family and friends.
The majority of private islands for sale in Greece are uninhabited, and those are classified as either "with restrictions" or "without restrictions."
The private islands with restrictions fall under special legislation or agreements. In order to build on these islands you would need a special permit from the Greek State.
The private islands for sale without restrictions are much more buyer-friendly. You can indeed build on these islands under existing Greek building laws.
There are several real estate agencies offering private Greek islands for sale. Usually, the asking price is not revealed.
Ten private island for sale in the Greek sea
Trinity island. Credit: Vladi Private Islands
Trinity Island
Trinity island is a true gem, both for its natural beauty, its prime location and its vivid, historical past.
Located close to Athens, the little islet has hosted many important figures in the past, such as Winston Churchill and the Beatles.
Trinity used to belong to the former Keeper of the Royal Privy Purse of the three Kings of Greece since 1958.
It is ideally located in the southern gulf of Evia and can be reached easily within 1.5 hours from Athens by car and in just 10 minutes from Athens by helicopter. Yet, it offers total privacy.
Trinity island is green, with an abundance of ornamental and crop vegetation, including olive trees, pistachio trees, pine and cypress forests and a variety of fruit trees.
Nissos Sofia. Credit: Private Islands INC
Nissos Sofia
A jewel in the Ionian Sea, Nissos Sofia (Sofia island in Greek) is a beautiful 43.5 acre undeveloped private island in Greece within the popular Echinades Island Group.
The island offers great privacy and tranquility as it enjoys being within a RAMSAR designated National Park.
Nissos Sofia has a long stretch of shoreline, and shares the characteristics of Ionian islands such as lush vegetation and crystal clear waters.
Ready for development, there is already an application submitted for permission to pertinent authorities to build six homes with 80 sqm each and is pending approval.
Patroklos island. Credit: Private Islands INC
Patroklos
The Isle of Patroklos is in Lavreotiki, relatively close to Athens as it belongs to the Attica Region. It is across Sounio Cape where the emblematic Temple of Poseidon stands.
The 643-acre islet has been coveted by investors for years. It has over 5,000 olive trees as well as pine trees and a number of dense bushy areas.
A family living on the island raises goats while there are about 275 acres of cultivable land on the northern part of the islet.
Spalathronisi. Credit: Private Islands INC
Spalathronisi
A real bargain listed at a little over $11 million, Spalathronisi is a 26.4-acre islet located in the Halkidiki region of northern Greece.
It is off the southwestern coast of the middle peninsula known as Sithonia and boasts some of the cleanest beaches in the world.
At the same time, green forests slope over the beaches, making Spalathronisi a real hidden paradise.
Stroggilo. Credit: Vladi Private Islands
Stroggilo
Stroggilo means round in Greek and it is a perfect way to name this island in the North Dodecanese, close to Lipsi and popular Patmos.
Marathi island, located just 50 meters away from Stroggilo, is well-known for its sheltered anchorage, sandy beach and clear waters.
The 800m x 470m island boasts three great beaches, it is uninhabited and has great potential to become your private sanctuary. For a mere $ 2.5 million.
Vouvalos islet. Credit: Private Islands INC
Vouvalos
A rocky island set in the Amvrakikos Gulf in the northern part of Greece, Vouvalos (Buffalo in Greek) is a 31.63-acre verdant island graced with beautiful beaches.
The island includes several natural harbors, as well as a picturesque lagoon in its center.
Due to its unusual shape, Vouvalos provides several natural harbors. Dolphins often play in the clear waters around the isle that boasts beautiful sandy beaches.
The beautiful islet of Agios Athanasios lies in the Gulf of Corinth, 2.5 km (1.5 miles) from the city of Itea and a short distance from Delphi in Central Greece.
The vegetation on this small, private island of 10,811 sqm has pine and olive trees and there is a small sandy beach along the northwestern coast.
The waters are crystal clear and you can admire the sea life at the bottom. The surroundings are beautiful and serene.
This unique place offer all the peace and quiet one expects to find on a private island in Greece with the added bonus that one can build a comfortable residence.
The extra bonus is that Agios Athanasios has a full and unrestricted freehold title, as well as all necessary supporting documents from various public authorities.
Kato Antikeri
Kato Antikeri is located in the Cyclades near Amorgos. At 272 acres, it is a perfect size for either a private residence or larger development.
Unlike its neighboring rocky islands, Kato Antikeri's terrain is flat, which makes it well-suited for major construction projects.
The particular private island in Greece already has two harbors, electricity and telephone lines, two houses and a small church.
Tragonisi. Credit: Private Islands INC
Tragonisi
Tragonisi literally means the island of male goats. It is in the Saronikos Gulf and belongs to Peloponnese.
The 90-acre islet has bright blue seas and a long shore while it is only 45 minutes away from the Greek capital.
Just a 15 minute trip by sea one can find the charming harbor village of Korfos, a quaint place with white shops and traditional tavernas.
This little islet can become a lovely sanctuary and a unique personal hideaway.
Makri. Credit: Private Islands INC
Makri
Makri is one private island in the center of the Ionian Sea. It is one of the southern Echinades, called the Ouniades or Oxeiae, in the Ionian Islands group.
Located on the southeast side of the Gulf of Makri, in 1920 the British had described it as having the finest natural harbor in Asia Minor and noted its beautiful forests.
Today, Makri is a private island in Greece with a total surface of 993,900 sqm and an amazing seashore, whose perimeter has been measured at 7,280 m.
Makri has been granted special planning/building regulations. Under full development, it can be home to a luxury hotel and luxurious private villas.
The Bronx Zoo of the Wildlife Conservation Society is the premier place to study and appreciate the world's many creatures. Photo Credit: Julienne Schaer
By Albert Yu
Here's one New Yorker's ideal itinerary in New York City—and it could be yours too.
Out-of-towners often seek quintessential NYC landmarks during their first visit to the City. These are the places I take friends and family when they visit, including architectural gems, parks and interactive exhibits. —Albert Yu
The Bronx Zoo 2300 Southern Blvd. Bronx, NY 10460
The Bronx Zoo of the Wildlife Conservation Society is the premier place to study and appreciate the world's many creatures. Home to more than 6,000 animals, the zoo spans 265 acres that re-create the diverse natural habitats of its numerous residents. Open year-round, it's a great experience in any season. During the winter, be sure to stop by Tiger Mountain or Himalayan Highlands to see big cats enjoying the chilly outdoors—then head to World of Reptiles or JungleWorld for a warm-up with tropical wildlife. (Some exhibits and attractions are seasonal. Go to BronxZoo.com to plan your visit in advance.)
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Fifth Ave. at 82nd St. New York, NY 10028
Located on the border of Central Park on Museum Mile, the Metropolitan Museum is one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the world. Photo Credit: Tagger Yancey IV
Located on the border of Central Park on Museum Mile, the Metropolitan Museum is one of the largest and most comprehensive art museums in the world. With over two million works of art spanning 5,000 years, the Met presents the best of human creativity from around the globe. From the splendors of ancient Egypt, to the spectacular New American Wing, to the Met's beloved Impressionist paintings, a world of great art awaits you at NYC's most-visited attraction. The collection and exhibitions are free with Museum admission. Plus, enjoy dining, the Audio Guide, and shopping at the Met Store.
9/11 Memorial & Museum World Trade Center (museum: 180 Greenwich St.) Manhattan, NY 10007
The National September 11th Memorial and Museum remembers and honors those killed in the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001 and 2/26/1993, those who risked their lives to save others, and all who demonstrated extraordinary compassion in the aftermath through commemoration, exhibitions and educational programs. Photo Credit: Shanell Bryan
The National September 11th Memorial and Museum remembers and honors those killed in the terrorist attacks of 9/11/2001 and 2/26/1993, those who risked their lives to save others, and all who demonstrated extraordinary compassion in the aftermath through commemoration, exhibitions and educational programs. The memorial consists of two reflecting pools set in the footprints of the Twin Towers, with names of the victims inscribed in bronze around the pools.
The museum serves as the principal institution concerned with exploring the implications of the events of 9/11, documenting their impact and exploring 9/11's continuing significance.
Macy's Herald Square 151 W. 34th St. Manhattan, NY 10001
Located on bustling 34th Street, the world's largest department store can seem like a universe all its own. Photo Credit: Laura Miller
Located on bustling 34th Street, the world's largest department store can seem like a universe all its own. With over a million square feet of space for merchandise, the ten floors offer practically everything you could want—cosmetics and fragrance, handbags, ties, shoes, and much more—attracting thousands of tourists and locals who pass through its revolving doors daily. Macy's recent renovation has added new offerings including Stella 34, a full-service trattoria, and luxury shops from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Burberry, and Longchamps. Stop by the full-service visitors center located on the 34th Street mezzanine.
Empire State Building Observatory 20 W. 34th St. Manhattan, NY 10118
Soaring 1,454 feet above Manhattan, the Empire State Building is one of the world's most famous skyscrapers. Open daily from 8 am to 2 am, the 86th and 102nd-floor observatories offer two of the highest vantage points in the City. Explore the newly-designed entrance featuring a two-story architectural model of the building, images of past celebrity visitors and a red carpet for VIP guests. Immerse yourself in the new interactive museum on your way to the top, and don't forget to snap a photo with King Kong.
The Met Cloisters 99 Margaret Corbin Dr. in Fort Tryon Park Manhattan, NY 10040
Discover the wonders of medieval Europe through the art, architecture, and gardens found at The Met Cloisters. Enjoy unparalleled views of the Hudson River, stroll through enchanting gardens, and see masterpieces of medieval sculpture, stained glass, tapestries, and more. The Met presents over 5,000 years of art from every corner of the world for everyone to experience and enjoy. Beside The Met Cloisters, the Museum lives in two other iconic sites in New York City—The Met Fifth Avenue and The Met Breuer.
Bryant Park Sixth Ave. btw. 40th–42nd Sts. Manhattan, NY 10018
Bryant Park is an urban oasis in the heart of Manhattan that features landscaping, monuments, Le Carousel, concerts, and free summer outdoor movie nights. The rink is the centerpiece of Bryant Park's winter season, which also includes the annual Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. The rink offers free admission for ice skating, high-quality rental skates, ice shows, special events, and other activities daily from late October to early March. Whether you're looking to skate before work or through the lunch hour, with friends or with a date, or go for a spin under the stars, Winter Village at Bryant Park is the perfect destination. Note that the rink may be closed for special events.
Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration Ellis Island, New York Harbor Manhattan, NY 10004
The Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration is the country's the official museum chronicling all eras of American immigration. The Peopling of America Center bookends the Ellis Island years with post-Ellis exhibitions portraying journeys from 1954 up to today, and pre-Ellis galleries that highlight the earliest arrivals to this nation.
Luna Park at Coney Island 1000 Surf Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11224
No visit to New York City would be complete without a visit to the City's most famous beach, boardwalk, and rides. The boardwalk's premier attraction, Luna Park, features 28 rides, 13 carnival-style games, and an arcade for kids and adults, including thrill rides that will challenge even the most hardcore roller coaster fans. And, of course, no visit to Coney Island is complete without a ride on the grandfather of the American roller coaster—the legendary Cyclone Roller Coaster. Luna Park also offers eight food options, including a brand-new bar and grill.
Bike Rent NYC – Central Park Concession Central Park at Columbus Circle Manhattan, NY 10019
Visit famous Central Park landmarks and attractions on a Central Park guided bike tour, or explore on your own with an individual bike rental. Bike Rent NYC offers top-quality Trek comfort hybrid bikes, children's bikes, road bikes, and tandem bikes. All bicycle rentals come with a free helmet, bike lock, and NYC bike map. Child seats and trailers are available. Recumbent and elliptical bikes are also available. They have three locations within Central Park: two locations at Columbus Circle (W. 60th St. & Central Park West; W. 59th St. & Central Park Drive), and a third location at Grand Army Plaza (Fifth Ave. & 58th St.). Official bike rental provider for Central Park.
Museum of Ice Cream 558 Broadway Manhattan, NY 10012
In both their family-friendly daytime experience and the nighttime experience (16+ recommended), your imagination will run free at the Museum of Ice Cream New York, a realm where anything is possible. From unicorns, to cookie carousels, to swimming in a pool filled with rainbow sprinkles, you can expect to be inspired to play, imagine and connect with those around you. Join the rotating experiences, explore the whimsical shop, and get a taste of the cafe.
