So, the Raanans are on their way back to New Jersey. It has been a truly wonderful shabbat and one we will never forget. We are all so glad that we braved the mammoth journey.



Our hosts for the duration of our stay were just wonderful. I don't think I have ever been made so welcome by total strangers before. We took over their whole basement for 3 days and they were incredibly nice + accomodating.



On Friday night, we ate dinner together with Natan + Orit's close family and friends. There were lots of great divrei Torah, speeches + singing, and of course good food! It was so special to be surrounded by family and we just lapped up the general atmosphere of mutual repect + much love! The kids had a wonderful time with their newly discovered second cousins - Yoav and Yishai seem to have come from the same mould...



Yuval's reading in shul on shabbat morning was really beautiful. He was such a pro- so cool, calm + collected it was amazing. After shul, we enjoyed some more quality time with the family, with a lovely group chverutta prepared by Dod Naftali and then lunch, with more speeches and Divrei Torah. Yuval is a true mensch with such great respect + love for his sabas + savtas, and all his family.

The final round of celebrations was on motzei shabbat when family + friends got together at a local restaurant for a Melave Malka. The highlight of the evening was Yuval's performance - not only did he give a totally flawless + composed speech in perfect English but he played the saxaphone so beautifully he blew his audience away.



The Kandlers of Toronto will finally be returning back to Israel this summer after 8 years of slichut. We are so excited to be returning to Israel ourselves next year and joining in many more wonderful Kandler get togethers.

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