Monday, March 25, 2024

THE WINDS OF MARCH

THE WINDS OF MARCH

 MARCH 25th, 2024

They come moving quickly and fiercely.

Blowing here and there. Above us, the birds and clouds

not sure where to turn. Surely Spring will come.

Once in a while the sun breaks through.

Allowing all, a moment of quiet reflection.


Stay safe. Wear your mask. Get vaccinated. AND VOTE!

Beverly.

Monday, March 11, 2024

SO BE IT! SIDNEY LEVY DIED 02/29/2024

Sidney Levy, who was the beloved husband of the late Sari Weinberg 
Levy,died. Both lived here at Revitz. They were memorialized with 
services. The Washington Post carried the famiy's extensive lineage.
The couple were devoted to their children, grandchildren, and great 
grandchilden.After grave site service of Sidney Levy, the 
family returned to Revitz House to accept the good wishes of the 
staff, residents, and management.


People were seated at round tables beside a large poster board, 
displaying photos of "Sid". It was clear, that he was having a good time. 
He seemed to be a participant in every event.  People were served 
rootbeer floats and cookies.  As we were eating, one of our 
administrator's invited anyone who might want to speak. The 
non-discrept room had been filled to capacity. Many people had 
something to say.  Each person spoke of "Sid's" kindness and how 
much he seemed to value life itself.


When I read more about "Sid" and the work he did as an engraver, 
I was reminded of small shops I would go to where ever I lived.
There wasalways a shop in which I would find one or two engravers 
that could help me. Usually, the shop was located in the back of 
another space.  Sometimes I could find an engraver in a store in a 
dusty, old nieghborhood or in a narrow isle in a mall.  


Since coming to Revitz to live, I learned about the generosity and
spirit of "Sid".  In 1970, Arnold Engravers was owned and operated
by the family of Arnold Preziotti.  In the 1970's, Preziotti was joined by
Sidney Levy.  Today the business is run by Arnold'son, Charles, who is
a master engraver, and Sidney's son Andy, who joined the business after
returning from Desert Shield, Desert Storm in the US Navy.


Today, the press release from Arnold Engravers tells me, "We pride
ourselves on our care, attention to detail, customer satisfaction, 
and having one of the fastest turnaround times in the industry." I 
believe the press releases from Andy, Charles, and the Washington 
post tell us a story of how good people can come together to plan
for the future.


Arnold Engravers is the leading source for awards, promotional 
items and engraving business in the Washington, D.C. metro area.

Be safe. Wear your masks. Get vaccinated. AND VOTE.

Beverly. 














Wednesday, January 24, 2024

MY FRIEND ZUSE, THREE YEARS OLD & SNOW.

 ZUSE LOOKED OUT HIS WINDOW.

IT WAS SNOWING! 

THE SIDEWALK WAS COVERED WITH SNOW.

SO,

ZUSE WANTED TO GO OUTSIDE.

HE PUT ON A WARM COAT,

AND A HAT AND BOOTS.

HE SAID, "I WILL TAKE A BROOM

AND A SHOVEL TO CLEAR THE SIDEWALK."

 IT CONTINUED TO SNOW. 

YET ZUSE STILL SHOVELED.

ONCE AGAIN, ZUSE SWEPT 

THE FRONT OF HIS HOUSE

 UNTIL IT WAS FREE OF SNOW.

THEN HE WENT INSIDE

TO GET A WARM DRINK.

SHOVELING SNOW WAS

VERY HARD WORK!


WEAR YOUR MASK. STAY SAFE. GET YOUR SHOTS... VOTE!

beverlyrehfeld1@gmail.com


Monday, January 1, 2024

NEW YEAR 2024

A GLANCE AT POLITICS:

Supreme court Justice Clarence Thomas, and his wife, Virginia Thomas, are marching forward with 112 ex-judicial clerks and corporate allies who share actions of justice and injustice. We read in our Sunday newspaper how this priviledged network fears President Biden's administrative impact on all people.

The polls demonstrate the effective efforts of the Biden administration to work with national, global, and ethical values. Citizens may display confusion, based on polls and self-interest.  There is anxiety right now about our future.  It has been suggested that wthe best way to deal with our anxiety is for each of us to be sure to vote.

Over the years, Justice Clarence Thomas has suppoorted his judicial decisions with his actions. His remarks show his opinions on religion, voting rights, and sexual orientation in politics. An instance where the importance of Justice Thomas' political views were demonstrated, by Mr. Eastman, a 1996 clerk. The conflicts came to the fore during "Stop The Steal" rally, on January 6th, 2021, which Mr. Eastman attended. He was a chief architect to create slates of fake electors.  

Virginia Thomas bemoaned the loss of the election, stating "let's pledge to not let politics divide THIS family.  " This was not the end of the discussion. The State Bar of California announced an ethics investigation of Mr. Eastman in march of 2022. Wendy Stonelong, a 1997 clerk, had written to the Thomas Network. "Dear clerk family, John Eastman is being put through a sham disbarment proceeding by the Bar of the State of California." She added a post script, warning the group not to leak the email used to encourage fellow clerks. "This family was created by Ginni and CT, and you are hurting them more than anyone if you assault each other."

So, what is the problem? From a retreat held at the Greenbrier resort in West Virginia, to political candidates for office, the Thomas' have done everything to establish a network of like-minded Jurists. There was skepticism on welfare and social benefits and a pushback on gun regulation. The Republican party would probably draw on Thomas' clerk list. Thomas had clerks who worked as deputy white house counsels, to treasurers, and worked in the department of transportation. Each of these issues have an impact on citizens: finances, economic advancements, housing, education, and health and safety. Justice Thomas has a powerful network that contributes to the development and outcome of the Biden administration's campaign for state, federal, and local government through voting Rights.

 My co-writer, on this blog, is a young woman who's family immigrated from Nigeria. The family has welcomed the arrival of a new baby girl. The baby and the family enjoyed the holiday's together. My co-writer and I know what religious and economic oppurtunity mean. As writers, we are both aware of differences of our own opinios, and the impact of opposing views and the right to vote.




Stay safe. Wear your mask. AND VOTE.

Beverly

Tuesday, December 19, 2023

PANNENA SAVES THE DAY!

As I watch the days of December bow to the darkness of January,

I remember another parable.  My story begins in a small house in St. Louis, Missouri. 

In the living room a family gathered together. Each brought a candle to the small

mantel over a fireplace. There were two very excited children. It was Chanuka!


Pretty soon, their father and mother welcomed other people.  Some of the guests

brought candles.  Some brought holiday dishes.  All welcomed one another.

As the ten days began family and neighbors came to celebrate.

But there wasn't enough room and oil for everyone.  So

the father turned to everyone and began to tell the story of Pannena.


He said, Pannena was sent to fetch  more oil. Pannena left the celebration.  

Everyone waited for her to return. While Pannena was gone, the

father told everyone how brave Pannena was. They listened carefully. 

While Pannena was on her journey.  Her house became filled by even more

visitors who wanted to hear about Pannena's story.  They listened as more

family and friends brought their candelelabras and shared food, stories and gifts. 

When Pannena returned, there was enough room to display everyone's 

Chanukah candles and one special gift for Pannena.  

Pannena's journey to fetch oil was important. It is remembered

for its selfless journey that brought light to so many others.


Stay safe. Get vaccinated. Wear your Masks. And VOTE.

Beverly

Wednesday, December 6, 2023

THE SEASON FOR ALL

 There they sat. 

More than a dozen people.

Working with all kinds of Holiday trimming.

To make synthetic trees; White and Green.

Decorations began, as the trees were being assembled.

All the trimmers were residents of Revitz.

It was a small room filled with people of different religious faiths.


Some spoke of special Holiday celebrations.

Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza.

People wore hats, some wore yamakas, some wore aprons.

With intentions to enjoy the season and decorate their trees.

They sang, laughed, and spoke of past times.


Participants came to enjoy their friends and neighbors.

Some came to share their news of the world.

While others wanted an activity in which to participate.

But all were there for a specific reason.

To express their Holiday Spirit. 

Before the snow decides to come.


beverlyrehfeld1@gmail.com

Wear your mask. Get vaccinated. VOTE.

Thursday, November 23, 2023

Thanksgiving November 23rd, 2023

 As I sit here, a day before my Thanksgiving dinner, I am not with my family. My oldest son, Edward, is traveling to meet his brother in New York City. My youngest son Andrew will be celebrating Thanksgiving with his wife Miggie, Edward, and my grandchildren Hoben, and his fiance Corbyn, and Emma. Emma has just completed a Shiva service as a Chaplin. My brother and his wife will see their children and grandchildren that are coming from many different states. 

Next to me is a young woman typing this blogpost. Her ancestors hail from Nigeria. Three other helpers of mine come from Pakistan, Uganda, and the Phillipines. All of us will celebrate in some fashion the American Thanksgiving holiday. When I opened today's newspaper, the image on the front page horrified me. Before my eyes, laid eight premature babies. They were birthed at a hospital in Southern Gaza. They were there because we suddenly seem to have forgotten the duty of Pidyon shvuyim, the Jewish mandate to free those who are held captive unjustly. As written in the newspaper, and in the Talmud, " he who saves one life saves the world entirely." 

When antisemitism rears its ugly head, conspiracy theories encourage them, and we allow the spirit of darkness to block our light. American progress was never inevitable. Courage was greatly taken. No one has been more aware of this than most marginalized and vulnerable communities. 

The effects of this are significant. It may seem as though we have taken steps backwards.We seem to have drifted from our principles. We still strive to be a community. We thank each other for what we have given to each other. I am grateful, on this Thanksgiving Day, that the security and safety of my forebearers and friends are protected. May others around the world feel the same.


beverlyrehfeld1@gmail.com

Stay good. Get vaccinated.

Wear your masks. AND VOTE!