I’ve got a lot of things I’ve been meaning to post about recent adventures, but since I only have a few minutes right now, I thought I would post a small SuperBowl tribute to my maternal grandfather, whom I always affectionately called my Pepa.

I could write a long post about sports games from a religious Jewish perspective, but that’s not my goal for the moment. You see, something incredible just happened: The Giants won the SuperBowl!! From the other side of the world, I watched the game with my parents, who put their TV on video chat.  I felt like I was in the room with them and all their friends who have been coming over for SuperBowl parties every year for as long as I can remember.  For me, it’s less about the game and more about the memories and the closeness we experienced as a family (and friends!) when we cheered for our teams, passed around the chips, and celebrated with ice cream cake after the game.

But this year it was especially special. Not only did I join in a SuperBowl party with my family from the opposite side of the world, but the Giants won!!!!!!! The Giants were my Pepa’s favorite team.  He is smiling down from Heaven now and enjoying watching his team celebrate.  I felt like both Pepa and I were back in the United States in my parents’ living room as we watched the game together.

This is something we can learn about our relationship with Judaism, also.  If we make positive associations with the activities associated with our Judaism, we will make any effort necessary to return to it, even if we have to reach out across the entire world to do so.

Thanks for all your lessons and all your love… I miss you, Pepa! And GO GIANTS!!!