Celebrating the innovators of transportation... Kitty Hawk and Virginia Beach

In our winter sojourn to the South, we decided to make Day 2 about the importance of transportation and the innovators who see the future.

We left Norfolk and drove about 80 minutes to Kitty Hawk, NC where the Wright Brothers changed the course of world history (no hyperbole) by inventing mechanized flight.  It was a cold, blustery day, not the best nearly for experiencing the outdoor component, but it was made up for by a great Visitors' Center and an equally exciting presentation by the Ranger there.

Not only was the lesson in physics and engineering informative, but the larger lesson...that failure can be a step on the road to success...was imparted (at least I hope it was).

It really is remarkable to think about the impact on diplomacy, immigration, trade, and, well, everything that the Wright Brothers have had.

And keeping with the theme of transportation, we stopped in Virginia Beach to visit Fun Tours, a bus travel company owned by a friend of ours, Felix Kushnir. Much like the Wright Brothers, Felix had a dream.  

He was a practicing corporate lawyer and decided that, well, that wasn't for him, so he took one of the more impressive mid-life career turns (pun semi-intended) that I have ever witnessed and traded that all in for a bus company.

Now, he's learning the ins and outs of that business and is committed to making it a success. I have no doubt that he will.

Of Maritime, Glass, and Art...A Great Visit to Norfolk

Our ultimate objective this winter break was Kitty Hawk, NC to see the location of the historic initial flight by the Wright Brothers.

En route, we spent a day in Norfolk, VA and we certainly made the most of it.

I had been to Norfolk once about 6 years ago, though I didn't have much of a chance to explore the city.  I have to say, it really is a pleasant town.

As you make your way around, you can't help but notice that the "Chrysler" name is attached to many of the city's philanthropic institutions, the most obvious being the art museum.

I was intrigued by this as I normally associate Chrysler with Detroit, but according to Wikipedia, the wife of the son of the original Chrysler hailed from Norfolk, so it all made sense.

We started off at the Glass Studio where we saw an hour long demonstration of what is admittedly a beautiful art that has an impressive amount of science contained within it. Our presenter, I thought, was excellent--informative and with a sense of humor.

Afterwards, we walked across the street to the actual museum itself. We were excited to see an exhibition celebrating 70 years of Smokey the Bear. The artist's various works (and the evolution of the tag line) were really interesting to watch and we learned that, in 1964, the US Postal Service assigned Smokey his own zip code. Today, you can tweet him...which I did.

The museum was also great for kids as they had a scavenger hunt, which enabled us to walk through most of the museum without the kids complaining...and instead were excited about doing it.

For our last stop, we visited the Nauticus museum which is adjacent to the retired battleship, USS Wisconsin.  It is packed with all kinds of information about why Norfolk is so important from a nautical perspective (it has the deepest water of any eastern US port) and historical (the US Navy's Atlantic Fleet is based here) and it was from here that Teddy Roosevelt launched the "Great White Fleet".

The museum was extremely kid-friendly and ours didn't really want to leave.  They enjoyed the exhibits and had a great time exploring the immense battleship. Even better, I think they walked away with a deep appreciation of what a battleship does (and what life on one might be like) as well as an understanding to some extent of the importance of ship transport.

Perhaps the most fun part of the day was how, prior to each stop, our kids would say "ugh, do we have to go there?" and then, during the visit, they would say "this place is great!"

I asked them afterwards..."so, how many times will we need to tell you that you are going to like a place and you will take our word for it and not complain before we go?"

Of course, I realize the answer...it's never going to happen.  ;-)

More evidence on the coming (and present) disruption of Higher Education

I have a thesis that the current college system is broken and will, soon, no longer be the source of credential that it once was.

The economics are broken in a big way. And, I'm not sure that (on the whole), the education delivered is preparing people for the workforce or citizenry.

Combine that with new models of education delivery (e.g. Khan Academy, MOOCs) and you have an industry that is ripe.

There is still value to the college experience...bringing people of diverse backgrounds together for intense co-existing experiences. However, in my view, there will be far better and more cost-effective ways of doing that.

I'm certainly not the only one who has recognized this. There are many working on this including University of the People.

Today, I just read about another one...heck, I might go do this at some point.

Newseum and the Freedoms We Cherish (or should)

When I was 14 years old, my dad took me on a 2 week trip to eastern Europe. Easily one of the most transformative experiences of my life for many reasons.

But one moment stands out in particular.

After having been in the Eastern bloc (Soviet Union, Poland, and East Germany), we arrived in West Berlin and went to the Checkpoint Charlie museum. From there, we could see the famous sign "you are now leaving the American Sector" and I remember thinking, for the first time, how lucky I was to have been born in a free society and be an American.

It's something that I never take for granted and it's one of the reasons why I have little patience for people who don't keep that perspective in mind when criticizing America vis a vis the rest of the world. Not saying everything is perfect, of course, but we have to keep the broader picture in mind.

All of this came rushing back today as I took Tikkanen to the Newseum. She had been there before but never had and I was just blown away by the quality and quantity of exhibits...the first of which is a section of the Berlin Wall, where I had the opportunity to frame for her why freedom is important and not to take it for granted.

The six floor are full of history and I found myself thinking "how the heck will I ever teach my kids even a portion of what's in here?" (and there was plenty I didn't know, of course.)

We sat for a long time in the 9/11 retrospective area, which has the antenna from the top of the WTC and I got chills, as I do often when I think of that day (as do many of us) and being in NYC.

We talked about the Scopes Monkey Trial, the Civil Rights Movement, Tiannamen Square, and much more.

The museum is really well done. Very interactive, digital/social savvy and has a ton of great kids activities.

Definitely not my last visit.

But, a museum that allows me to instill a trans-generational value...that's worth the price of admission (which wasn't cheap ;-)

40 Acts of Kindness...an Inspirational Story

A few weeks ago, I shared that the kids and I were embarking on a "40 for 40" campaign in honor of the NFO's upcoming birthday.

40 acts of kindness..by each of us.

The four of us have been tracking dilligently and, at times, asking the NFO for approval of whether our act did indeed count towards the goal.

I am proud to say that both Tikkanen and Jokinen have reached the milestone. With 2 days left, I have 5 to go...and Nadia, well..she made a strong effort.

But more impressive than all of that was the inspiring effort put forth by "Aunt" Helene Reisler who, like many others, said she would celebrate the "40 for 40" effort and make her own list.

And she did!

Herewith...her list of accomplishments. Kudos!!

Hi Jeremy and Team,

    It is an honor, blessing, and joy for me to share with all of you my list of the following  40 F0R 40 ACTS OF KINDNESS TOWARDS OTHERS that I did, in honor of Tamar's 40th birthday:

1. Monday, Sept. 29th- made and delivered a dinner meal to Dina's and Eitan's home in honor  of their new baby.

2. Wednesday, Oct. 1st- I helped Sarah Shapiro out and took her daughter, Ella, home from the bus stop because her son, Charlie, was sick.

3.Oct. 8th- I made and delivered a meal to Melissa & Josh Stein's home in honor of their new baby.

4.Oct. 10th- At Ohr Kodesh I stopped  to be kind and listen to a woman, who was coming out of services, and  briefly shared her feelings of sadness with me.

5.Oct. 10th- I was helpful to a young mother by watching and holding and comforting & soothing her 2 year old daughter, who was tired and upset, while the mother put her other kids in the car to go home from Ohr Kodesh Synagogue.

6.Oct. 27th- I took a 102 year old woman, who cannot drive, home from Rabbi Herzfeld's Parsha  class for women.

7. Oct. 27th-   I made and delivered a dinner meal to Tammy and Josh Levine's home in honor of their new baby.

8. Oct.26th- I played the piano for Cantor Hinda Labovitz's cantorial installation ceremony at Ohr Kodesh.

9. Made and delivered a meal for a neighbor who had knee surgery.

10. Nov. 14th- 15th weekend-Helped out with birthday celebrations for my daughters, Emily-36th, and Julie-40th. A joy and blessing.

11. I had first extra rehearsal with Cantor Hinda Labovitz.

12. I had 2nd extra rehearsal with Cantor Hinda Labovitz

13. I had 3rd extra rehearsal with Cantor Hinda Labovitz

14. I had 4th extra rehearsal with Cantor Hinda Labovitz

15. I had 5th extra rehearsal with Cantor Hinda Labovitz

16. I am  volunteering to be music director and accompanist for JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT play at JPDS on Sunday, December 14th, 2014.

#17- 28- I played piano for 12  rehearsals for JOSEPH at JPDS show.

29. I volunteered and did  the music for JFGH  High Holiday party at Ohev Shalom in Seot. 2014.

30. Drum rehearsal for Joseph at JPDS with drummer extraordinaire,Rachel Milner Gillers.

31. Going to shabbat services and being with my grandchildren, also a blessing and Mitzvah and joy.

32.Doing the Walk For Life on 11/9/14, and extra joy of seeing Calanit there as well and giving her a hug.

33. Volunteering and doing music at Ohev Shalom JFGH Thanksgiving Holiday Party in Nov. 2014.

34.Making and delivering a meal for Siona and her husband in honor of their new baby.

35. Volunteered  and helping out with music & dancing at OHEV SHALOM THANKSGIVING DAY FEAST on Thanksgiving day afternoon.

36. Taking my grandkids Ice Skating and having a wonderful time watching them enjoy ice skating.

37. Made a second meal for my neighbor who had knee surgery.

   38. One on one music help session with a cast member from Joseph at JPDS.

   39. Helped out a lady in exercise class by getting her a towel and mat to use.

   40. Volunteering and doing music and dance for JFGH Chanukah party, 12/16/14.

I believe that I was being kind to myself and I derived much much joy and blessing by doing the above 40 acts of kindness towards others, and towards myself as well, in honor of the 40th birthday of dear Tamar, who I love very much and who is a blessing & joy in my life.

Once again thank you for giving me the blessing and joy of being included in this very appropriate Campaign for Kindness in celebration of Tamar, as I think Tamar is a living blessing.

Please let me know if there is anything else that I can do to be a part of this wonderful and appropriate celebration for Tamar in honor of her 40th birthday.

Much love and blessings to all of you, Helene/Aunt Helene :_)