A Personal Post (On Retirement, Growing Older and Mortality), Part I

I retired effective 11/30/25.  But I had to keep the office through 12/31/25 in order to dispose of the furniture, file cabinets, electronics and accumulated stuff.  So, the planned full retirement date was 12/31/25.  Except, that pesky tree decided to crash into our house on 12/24/25.  Then we were in a hotel for five weeks.  We finally moved into a temporary rental on 1/28/26, and after a week of resting and getting organized, we are now finally retired.  Which got me to thinking about the subjects listed in the title of this post.  

I retired last year for two reasons.  My wife, who worked with me, wanted us to retire by age 75, which she is now, and I will be in several months.  The other reason is that my lifelong orthopedic problems got worse with age, and I found it increasingly difficult to keep up with the workload.  With regards to the topics in this post, I decided to talk to others who had retired, and were in their 70's.  I also emailed my Rabbi.  And I read some excerpts in the book "Rebbe," about Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, who was the last leader of the Chabad Lubavitch branch of Judaism (from 1951 until his death in 1994).  The book is by Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, and is filled with the wisdom of the Rebbe.  It is a worthwhile read by people of all religions.   

When you see Chabad Houses all over the country and even all over the world, that is substantially because of the efforts of the Rebbe.  But back to the topic.  When he turned 70, some people advised the Rebbe to slow down.  He was known to work, and consult with others seeking guidance, late into the night and into the next morning.  He replied that not only would he not retire, he would set himself a goal of opening 70 new Chabad Houses.  The Rebbe:  "I don't understand that word 'retirement.'  It's not in my vocabulary."  And:  "How can a person even think of retiring from life?"

One friend in his seventies has been retired for nine years, and described retirement as "one of the best periods of my life."  He is basically healthy, but a couple of years ago needed a heart surgery.  He has always been physically active.  In retirement, he increased his outdoor activities.  He also does more reading and more traveling.  He has renewed acquaintances with people he has known, via text and email.  He does not enjoy talking with others as much as some (I) do.  

I asked people if they had experienced a change in their spirituality.  And, if work had been their "mission" in life until retirement, if they had a new mission.  This individual advised he started Torah study classes.  When asked if he had a new mission, he replied:  "Become a better, wiser, more giving person.  Have deep, honest, loving, supportive relationships with my family and friends."  He relayed that, with retirement, he lost much of his sense of competitiveness, intensity and ambition.

Another friend is semi-retired.  He sees old age as a good time of life, except for the health issues.  With regards to having a mission, it is to spend more time in Israel.  Two of his kids live there.  And he simply has a better feeling being there, in the Holy Land.  He also said that he is "spiritually oriented," and is a "very strong believer."   

Another friend found that he enjoys walking and doing jigsaw puzzles.  He has lunch with friends, goes to concerts, watches TV (and likes to watch sports - which I happen to know).  He has his share of health problems, but basically feels good.  As for having a mission, he says he takes it one day at a time.  

Another friend, has not been that thrilled in retirement.  He did not describe having many hobbies.  But he does some work for the attorney who took over his practice.  And he is doing more reading.  He likes walking his dog (a big beautiful dog). and helps his kids by watching the grandkids.  Otherwise, he did not express having any other particular mission.   

I absolutely loved my Rabbi's idea of retirement:  "As long as we have life, we have a mission.  We never retire from our mission in this world."  If your mission was work, understandable for most of us, did anything replace that mission in retirement?  The Jewish people, of course, understand that G-d gave us a mission - to be a light unto the nations.  

(More on this topic, mortality and my take in Part II.)     

What's Wrong With Trump?

I see just how many people suffer from TDS - Trump Derangement Syndrome.  So, let's take a look at what's wrong with Trump.

He secured our border.  A border that Biden left wide open for anyone to cross.  That includes criminals, terrorists, drug traffickers, etc.  Now, the Senate Democrats are holding up funding for DHS and ICE because why?  They prefer that violent criminals be allowed to roam the streets of our country, rather than round them up and deport them?  Or, do they simply want as many as possible to stay and vote, on the assumption that they will vote Democratic?

He got the hostages home.  I'm not sure what the complaint about that would be, but I am sure some leftists must think that was terrible.  Because it showed support for our ally, Israel.  

With the aid of Israel, Trump took out Iran's nuclear program.  It was a bold move to be sure.  And Iran insists that they will continue to enrich uranium.  But how far back did the strike on their nuclear facilities set them?  Long enough, hopefully for the people to topple the tyrannical regime of the mullahs.  Trump has sent major military assets to the region.  He told the Iranian people that help was on the way.  Will he intervene?  

Iranian forces have killed tens of thousands of their own citizens; people on the streets seeking to gain freedom.  Where is the Hollywood crowd?  Where are the Leftists?  As we Jews like to say:  "No Jews, no news."  Unless Jews can be blamed the leftwing crowd is not interested.  Just like Nigeria, where radical Muslim groups have been slaughtering Nigerian Christians.  No Jews involved, so the Left does not care.  But Trump cared.  He ordered strikes on these Islamist terrorist groups.  And, make no mistake - Trump's attack on Iran demonstrated to our enemies that the US remains the supreme power in the world.

Trump has not only been bolstering our military.  Increased funding.  Created the Space Force.  Paid a "warrior dividend" to our troops.  He was able to get NATO to agree to have the member countries contribute 5% of their GDP (by 2035) to defense spending - an increase from the previous 2% requirement.  Because the threats to the West are real and growing.

Trump established the Abraham Accords.  Originally between Israel and the UAE and Bahrain.  Later Sudan and Morocco joined.  Now Kazakhstan has joined.  But I know why the Left does not approve.  Because it has nothing to do with the "Palestinians."  But Trump saw that the Palestinians refused peace time and again.  Therefore, why not bring peace to the wider Arab world, with Israel?  Why not, indeed.  It was brilliant.

A senior Hamas leader, Khaled Mashaal, just reiterated their refusal to comply with Trump's plan for Gaza.  They will not give up their weapons.  They will not agree to any foreign intervention.  This is the same playbook they have used for 100 years.  Their only goal is to destroy Israel and kill all the Jews.  Their last effort, on 10/7/23, ended up destroying much of Gaza.  But they still do not care.  Mashaal:  "As long as there is occupation, there is resistance."  But Israel left Gaza in 2005.  What he and Hamas mean by "occupation" is the land of Israel.  They refuse to accept Israel.  While other countries are flourishing with increased trade and other benefits from having relations with Israel, Hamas has zero interest in improving the lives of the people of Gaza.  It's just "kill the Jews."  No matter how many Gazans die in the process.  

Trump had various Latin American drug cartels designated as "foreign terrorist organizations."  This allows the government enhanced abilities (legal, financial, military) to counter these cartels.  He had Nicolas Maduro arrested.  Maduro had already been indicted in the US as a drug trafficker.  The capture and arrest of Maduro also demonstrated to the world that the US is back.  

So what is wrong with Trump?  In terms of policy, not much.  What he says is another matter.  I wish he had not said he wanted to make Canada our 51st state, which only served to insult our northern neighbors.  I wish he had not mentioned the possibility of taking Greenland by force.  But make no mistake - Trump understands the strategic importance of Greenland.  Not just for their rare earth minerals.  But for the sea lanes through which enemy ships and submarines might travel.  But Trump, don't threaten them.  Make a deal that leaves everyone satisfied, without having to take over the land.  

So what is wrong with Trump.  Not much, if he would keep his mouth shut at least half of the time.  Most of the time?  

And Elsewhere In The News (Some Quick Hits)

Nicolas Maduro.  He had already been indicted in the US in 2020 for drug trafficking, narco-terrorism, money laundering and corruption.  So Trump had US forces arrest him.  Good.  Both sides of the political spectrum here already agreed that he stole the last election in Venezuela.  

Muslim terrorist.  This terrorist was just sentenced to life in prison for plotting to hijack a US plane and fly it into the 55 story Bank of America tower in Atlanta.  This terrorist was part of al-Shabaab, a terrorist group affiliated with al Qaeda.  Thank you to the FBI.

California.  According to the NY Post, California's non-partisan auditor said there were eight state agencies at "high risk" for "waste, fraud, abuse or mismanagement."  These agencies also failed to take "adequate corrective actions," per the auditor.  Yay, California.  Newsom for president!

Nigeria.  Nobody in the Western world and the Western media seems to care very much about the slaughter of Christians by Islamic terrorists in Nigeria.  Nobody except Donald Trump.  Trump ordered what the AP described as a "powerful and deadly" strike against the terrorists.  IS in Nigeria is thought to be part of the terrorist group Boko Haram.  Our Secretary of Defense thanked the Nigerian government for their support and cooperation.  Although, shouldn't they be thanking us?

The Heritage Foundation.  The conservative think tank is continuing their downhill slide, as the leaders of three of their departments bolted.  They went over to former VP Mike Pence's Advancing American Freedom Foundation.  The Heritage Foundation has been losing people and support ever since the president of Heritage refused to condemn Tucker Carlson for hosting a Holocaust denier and a Jew hater.  Said Pence:  "They (the ones who left Heritage) see us as being a consistent, reliable home for Reagan conservatism."  Personally, I always liked Pence.  

VP JD Vance.  "Let me be clear.  Anyone who attacks my wife (Usha Vance), whether their name is Jen Psaki or Nick Fuentes, can eat shit."  Good for you, Mr. VP.  Good for you.  But then I'm confused.  Why did you make an excuse for Tucker Carlson in his feud with Ben Shapiro?  Vance, at the Turning Point USA Conference:  "President Trump did not build the greatest coalition in politics by running his supporters through endless, self-defeating purity tests."  So, if Carlson hosts Nick Fuentes (he did), and doesn't challenge Fuentes' antisemitism, that's because we don't want to put him through a purity test.  But if Fuentes condemns your wife for her ethnic background, now we can run the purity test?

C'mon Mr. VP - be consistent.  Condemn Fuentes for his attacks on Jews, and Carlson for hosting him, just like you condemn Fuentes when the attack is on your wife's ethnic background.    

This Is Who The People Of New York City Elected As Their Mayor - The Real Zohran Mamdani

Mamdani was sworn in as Mayor at midnight on January 1, 2026.  He proudly admits to being a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.  Please.  He is a communist.  From a wealthy family.  So he will never lack for anything.  Why do I say he is a communist?  This is from his inaugural address:  "We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism."  "Rugged individualism" is attributed to President Herbert Hoover, calling to mind the pioneering spirit of America, and American self-reliance.

The concept of "collectivism" is about as anti-American an idea as one can imagine.  In a collective, the interests of the group are thought to be more important than the interests of the individual.  In America, everything is centered around the individual.  We speak of individual rights and liberties.  This does not mean that we do not help each other in America.  Americans are a very giving and generous people.  But each individual has the choice as to how their spend their money.  And what to do with their time. 

 
What did rugged individualism do for this country?  Everything.  Such individuals built American industries.  They explored the West.  And went into space.  What did the "warmth" of the collective get the world?  The deaths of tens of millions of people in communist China and communist Russia and Nazi Germany.  Because the individual had no value greater than the state.  The state was everything.  But our system of capitalism has not only created more wealth for more people than any other system; and not only lifted more people out of poverty; but by its very nature gives us our freedoms - not the least of which is economic freedom.

So, the largest city in the country elected a communist as Mayor.  What else can we say about Mamdani?  I think we can add he is a Jew-hating antisemite.  What was his focus on his first day in office?  Israel and the Jews.  What was that all about?  He previously had accused Israel of genocide (a lie), while refusing to condemn the actual genocidal intent of the phrase "globalize the intifada."  He previously said that if Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu entered New York City, he would have the NYPD arrest him.  Never mind the interference with US foreign policy, which even the Mayor of NYC has no say over.  

On Mamdani's first day in office he reversed outgoing Mayor Adam's order that prevented city agencies from supporting the BDS movement against Israel.  BDS - Boycott, Divest and Sanction.  Mamdani gave the heads of city departments the permission to treat Israel like an enemy of the United States.  Did he encourage BDS movements against the Russians for their brutal war against Ukraine?  How about China?  Or Nigeria, where the radical Islamists have been slaughtering Christians?  And only after being criticized for remaining silent about the mullahs in Iran killing their own people, did Mamdani finally speak out.

Here is something that Mamdani thought was important.  He removed the extra security that had been provided to synagogues throughout the city.  Demonstrating his supposed fairness, he also removed the extra protection from churches and mosques.  Please.  Where are the threats being made?  Against Jews and synagogues.  And why wouldn't he remove protection from Jewish houses of worship?  If he won't condemn the phrase "globalize the intifada," that tells me he is fine with the killing of Jews.  So why would he want to protect Jews in NYC?  

What else did Mamdani immediately do?  He reversed a city order defining "antisemitism" used by the IHRA (International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance), and accepted by the EU and 35 states and our federal government.  Some of the examples given in the IHRA definition include denying that the Holocaust occurred, and essentially claiming that Israel exists as a colonial, racist state.  

I don't give a damn that some self-hating Jews work in the Mamdani Administration.  I don't give a damn that Jewish actor Mandy Patinkin entertained at Mamdani's inauguration.  Were these people swayed by Mamdani's fake smile?  Did they support him because he hates Trump?  None of that can justify the way those Jews shamed themselves and turned against their own people, who have been suffering greatly since October 7, 2023.  Shame on them is the nicest thing I can say.  And shame on the people of NYC for electing a radical Islamist/communist as their Mayor.              

Minneapolis - My Take

(Note.  Yes, it's been a month since I last posted.  But life happens, such as a very large tree crashing through your house in the morning of Christmas Eve.  And then living in a hotel ever since.  So perhaps some of these stories are dated, given that we operate within a 24 hour news cycle.  I do hope that I add some information.  Then, of course, there's my take.)

On January 7, 2026, with ICE officers out in force in Minneapolis, Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by an ICE officer.  Good had parked her car sideways across a street, intentionally blocking traffic.  There are various camera angles of the incident, with some audio.  Good could be heard saying:  "That's fine dude.  I'm not mad at you."  Good's wife said:  "You want to come at us?  You want to come at us?  I say go and get yourself some lunch, big boy."  

An officer tells her to get out of the car.  She doesn't.  Rather, she turns the steering wheel and starts to drive away.  The officer says she hit him with her car.  The last video I saw, sent by a friend, seems to support the officer.  Someone can be heard yelling "woah!, woah!"  There are gun shots.  Eventually, Good's wife can be heard screaming "I killed her."  

My take.  Let's back up.  People (probably mostly leftists, and probably many paid protesters) were protesting the presence of ICE officers in Minneapolis.  I would ask them if they also protested the 10 million people that Biden allowed to enter the country illegally.  Did they protest Biden ceding the sovereignty of the United States of America?  Because Trump would not have needed to send ICE out across the country if Biden had enforced the immigration laws.  I would also ask these protesters why they don't want criminals here illegally (murderers, rapists, gun and human traffickers) to be deported.  Why do they want them here?

Clearly, I grew up in a different era.  An era when we were taught to respect law enforcement officers.  Taunting the police was out of the question.  As was assaulting police.  I saw the protesters throwing snowballs at the officers.  I saw them disobeying the police, and engaging in physical altercations with them.  I don't understand any of it.

I am not sure how many laws Good violated.  Blocking traffic.  Disobeying a police order.  Evading the police, and in the process possibly hitting an officer with her car.  To be clear, most of that does not warrant the use of lethal force by the police.  But if the officer had a reasonable belief that the person was trying to cause serious bodily injury or death, then it's my understanding that lethal force may be used.  My judgment?  I'd like to see the full investigation report.  Calling the officer a murderer immediately after the fact was so wrong.  But perhaps these are the same people who celebrated/justified the murder of Charlie Kirk.

The Mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, made one wrong comment after the next.  "They (ICE) are not here to cause safety in this city."  "They are already trying to spin this as an action of self-defense.  Having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly that is bullshit."  And this:  "To ICE, get the fuck out of Minneapolis.  We do not want you here."  Great job, Mr. Mayor - if you're trying to stir up violent protests.  I guess he did not think that political leaders should be voices of reason.  (And no, it is no excuse to say that Trump is not a voice of reason, so why should the Mayor be.  Trump is not always a voice of reason.  I've said that previously.  But if you justify Frey's remarks, then you've just justified all of Trump's remarks.)

And I agree that the Administration could have been more circumspect in defending the officer.  Probably better to say "we believe he acted in self-defense, but there will be a complete and thorough investigation."  While I have read that ICE officers do not have the authority to arrest American citizens, that on its face sounds preposterous.  At the very least it would seem to be obstruction of justice, for which the offender could be taken into custody.  Even if then turned over to the local police.  Although obstruction is likely a federal offense as well.  

Frey:  "We all know the agenda of this Trump Administration is to create chaos."  Assuming for the sake of this argument that Frey is correct, just what does he think he is doing with his crude language?  Is it chaos to remove from the streets of his city illegal aliens who have already been convicted of murder, sexual assault, drug trafficking or domestic violence?  Those are the people he wants to protect from Trump?  

I'm with the New York Post on this:  "The left bears full blame for this bloodshed."  There has been nonstop criticism of ICE, even after all the assaults, and the shooting at an ICE facility in Dallas (which resulted in the killing of 2 illegal immigrants).  The left has even posted the home addresses of ICE officers.  To what end?  Isn't the job dangerous enough.  But the left wants to eliminate ICE and defund the police.  Let the criminals run wild?  Until someone in their own family is raped or murdered.  One Democrat official after the next has been egging on the protesters.

The Post:  "He (Mayor Frey) and Walz (the Governor of Minnesota) need to start calming the waters, lest more bloodshed flow...If the civilians had just left the law enforcers alone, Renee Nicole Good would still be alive."  Instead, this 37 year old woman, and mother of 3 children, is dead.  It's tragic.  And I agree with Governor Walz on one thing:  her death was "preventable" and "unnecessary."  He just puts the blame in the wrong place.        

Year End Reflections, Part VIII (IT'S TOO DAMN MUCH!)

You're damn right I'm angry.  I want every decent person to be angry.  What's the difference between these two shooters in Australia killing Jews at a Hanukkah celebration vs Hamas shooting Jews at an outdoor concert in Israel on October 7 vs the Nazis in Germany lining up Jewish people and shooting them dead?  There is no difference.  They all decided that shooting, murdering, human beings was acceptable - as long as they happen to be Jewish.  

Think it can't happen here?  Not in the USA?  Well then wake up!  On 10/27/18, at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, 11 people were murdered, and others were injured.  On 4/27/19, at the Chabad synagogue in Poway, California, one person was killed and others were injured.  How about the 5/21/25 murder of two young Jewish employees of the Israeli embassy, in Washington, D.C.  Or the 6/1/25 firebombing of a peaceful demonstration in Boulder, Colorado, for the Israeli hostages being held by Hamas. 

Let's not forget the 4/13/25 targeting of a sitting Jewish Governor, Josh Shapiro, of Pennsylvania, whose home was firebombed.  Need more recent attacks?  On 12/17/25 (aka yesterday), a Jewish man was stabbed in the chest in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn.  Crown Heights is also the location of the worldwide headquarters of Chabad.  

Also recently, a Jewish woman dining at a restaurant in the West Village in Manhattan was screamed at by an antisemitic Jew-hater with this:  you "ugly fucking Zionist."  And:  "we will rid this country of fucking you."  (Might have been "fucking Jews.")  Another couple of angry hate-filled guys yelled at some young Jews on the subway:  "Fuck the Jews."  One of these evil bastards grabbed one of the Jewish guys by the throat and said "I'll kill you."  

So, yes, this is all part of what "globalize the intifada" looks like.  But Zohran Mamdani, the Mayor-elect of New York City, the largest and most important city in the country, cannot bring himself to condemn a phrase (globalize the intifada) which means kill Jews wherever you find them.  

We have already seen the Islamization of much of Western Europe.  Now we are seeing it in America.  It is time, no - way past time, for everyone to speak out against these radical Islamists.  Everyone means everyone - Democrats, Republicans, Christians, Jews, and Muslims who also detest these murderers.  Otherwise, we won't have a country left.  Because the Leftists, and an increasing number of Democrats, support these terrorists.  

As the spokesperson for the Australia-Israel Jewish Affairs Council said:  "It started with hate speech."  Hate speech may be protected by the First Amendment, but that does not mean it should not be condemned.  And those who either use such language or host those who do - should all be condemned.  When something is tolerated, you will get more of it.  And eventually those words turn into violence, as we have seen time and again.     

  

Year End Reflections, Part VII (Is It Enough Yet?)

On Sunday at 3am I woke up, needing to use the bathroom.  I took my phone with me.  Partly to play this word game my younger daughter got me hooked on, and partly to check my news feed - a habit I've had since October 7, 2023.  As is happening all too frequently nowadays, I saw there was another terrorist attack on the Jewish people.  A father and son duo decided it would be a good idea to kill as many Jews as possible on Bondi Beach, just outside Sydney in Australia.  Jews who were celebrating the first night of the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah. 

It's a small world for Jews.  My Rabbi's wife is from Sydney, and still has family there.  In checking in with the Rabbi that morning, he let me know that his wife's Aunt and Uncle were at the beach celebrating Hanukkah, but were able to hide behind a van in order to protect themselves from the shooters.  As the day progressed, I read that 15 people were murdered and another 40 were injured.  

Many of us have seen the video of the hero of the day, Ahmed al Ahmed, who snuck up on one of the shooters from behind and was able to disarm him from the rifle he was using.  Mr. Ahmed was not armed himself.  But he knew right from wrong, and was determined to do the right thing.  I wish him a speedy and complete recovery.  A Jewish billionaire, Bill Ackman, wanted to help Mr. Ahmed, and quickly donated $100,000 to a GoFundMe account.  For which he was instantly criticized with comments such as:  "That's pocket change for him.  Should have been much more."  And maybe he will donate more.  Maybe his donation will move others to donate.  But some people will never be satisfied. 

The victims of this terrorist attack ranged in age from 10 to 87.  The victims included a Holocaust survivor and one of the Chabad Rabbis.  One thousand people were said to have attended what should have been a joyous celebration of Hanukkah.  

Writing an Op-Ed in the New York Post, Miranda Devine observed:  "In the two years since the Hamas attack on Israel, synagogues in Sydney have been firebombed, Kosher restaurants vandalized, cars outside Jewish homes torched, and rancid antisemitic graffiti has become ubiquitous along the Bondi promenade:  'Kill Jews' is the mantra.  Every weekend for at least two years downtown Sydney is shut down by Palestinian protests."  At one of these protests, maybe more, was "the Sydney Mayor, the former state Premier, labor members of Parliament and assorted local celebrities."  The labor party is like the Democrat Party here.  And celebrities, I guess, are the same everywhere - mostly leftists.

Let's not forget that the Australian Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, joined other foolish Western leaders in giving recognition to a non-existent Palestinian state at the UNGA in September.  In 2024, the Australian Foreign Minister made his way to Gaza, but couldn't manage to make his way to Israel to see what happened there on October 7.  

A spokesperson for the Australia-Israel Jewish Affairs Council said it best.  After explaining that they warned the government that something like this was going to happen, here is what that spokesperson said:  "It started with hate speech.  Then graffiti.  Then public demonstrations.  Then firebombing synagogues, preschools, people's homes, people's cars.  And now murder."  

This is yet another example of what "globalize the intifada" looks like.