I’ve been called a lot of stuff since joining jewball 7-8 years ago been associated with snack foods, Russian bad guys, donuts, castles, fatty and the list goes on. Now for some reason I’m getting called commish which just seems downright weird. We all know Jordan is the commissioner, Jordan is our leader of this wild and crazy group and there really can’t be another Jordan. No one can replace the devotion time and love that he’s put into us and we all know that is going to continue even from 6000 miles away. I wouldn’t even know where to begin if I tried to replicate or copy everything Jordan does and did. The only thing I can do is hope that the system he created, the jewball he created somehow runs itself with maybe just maybe the smallest nudge to keep it in the right direction.
Everytime we’ve embarked on something new we’ve added a new era to our history. I guess now  unofficially officially is the succession. It’s the time that we can take everything we’ve learned from J and with a little dedication and faith bring it into a continuously brighter future. It’s the era to show each other but most importantly ourselves that we can continue to get better and build upon everything that has come before us.
Week 1 is almost upon us, and we’ll deal with sign ups and a couple of new rookies after YT, but that means the time to devote ourselves back to this island that we’ve created is right here. You can taste it. Whether you played preseason or not when that sign up comes out don’t start questioning yourself or how much time or energy you have on Sunday mornings. Im not gonna pretend I know everyone’s situation but for yourself and for everyone else here Say in both to that sign up. Say in both to playing this season. Say in both to bowl games. And if you really really can’t find it in you then just say “in” to every thing else we do here because while football is the focus we have become so much more than just what happens on the field. It starts there but it certainly doesn’t end there. It is the time to say In. It’s the time to get and stay involved. Kol haschalos kashos – all beginnings are hard. It’s very true but if you think about it, the beginnings can sometimes be exciting and new and fun. Signing up for week 1 isn’t hard. It’s 65 degrees and sunny. Signing up for week 12 in December when it’s 18 degrees with a slight dusting on the ground is hard. So why do we say “all beginnings are hard”? It’s because of you start correctly, if you start with the right foot forward and the right attitude, if you start the right way, the actual hard part becomes easy. The hard part is just starting correctly. That’s it. No one can copy what we have so let’s not waste it. Let’s in both it.
I know for me personally if I’m at an event or a place where I don’t know many people but I see a jewballer it’s instant connection whether you’ve played with that jewballer or frankly even if you never met that guy, there’s a natural flow that just takes over. It cannot be explained it just happens. That’s what succession is, it’s a natural flow from the past to the future. It’s the ability to create a path that continues with no bumps or sharp turns iyh.
With only a few hours left till RH, let this be the year of health, wealth, pornosso, Mazel, brocho, for everyone and their families. Let this be the year that we continue to succeed in every facet of life that we can ask for. And most of all let this be the year that we continue to come together and grow not just as a group of football players but as a community, as friends. Kesivah vchasima Tovah boys! Week 1 is here. Let’s make it the best week 1 yet 

. Jewballforlife

I woke up today at 630am after a long loud night. The old city got shut down due to mass crowds for slichos. So much honking outside. My son got caught in a sea of people and couldn’t get back to school (allegedly). Not sure what he would have done if he didnt have a parents’ apartment. Maybe a wandering night, sneaking into a hotel room, or sleeping under a table in a hotel conference room (Ive done both). Bleary eyed, I checked my phone even though I told myself to wait until after davening…as seems proper….but I guess I have what to work on. Honestly, I have a wall up. I realize that. I look at the pics, see the names, the faces – and I know Im supposed to be there. My brain tells me I took those pics. Or Im in them. How could I not be? I wouldnt miss. But…..I didnt take the pics. I could scroll through a hundred times…I wont be in them. A piece of me is in them….but not the same. The reality is…..I was sleeping when all this happened. So the wall I put up is to prevent me from fully feeling the void. I watch….from a safe distance. I see the names on the rosters…..and it hurts. Thats kind of the main feeling. Less than I missed it and am missing it….but mainly that Im not going to be playing the game. Like I said in the Final Recap….J will be fine. Jordan is gonna suffer unless I take defensive measures. Went to the gym, walked to the shuk, met up with a friend, and now on bus to RBS.  Listened to Daxxy and Ernie while walking. Almost broke down hearing Ernie belt our Shuvi. Return to me, my Beloved. Come to me, Jerusalem. Felt like both my worlds were colliding. Reminded me that leaving the paradise of Jewball – a holy place we created –  required going to a paradise on earth – a holy place God created. Its the ultimate defensive mechanism. I can rationally convince myself that I am somewhere better.
As for the teams…..F…..F! JEWBALL! YOU MONSTER! Look what we have???!!! I have to watch the draft so I see how it went down. My hearts is with Blunts obviously. We have unfinished business. Love that we have Zinn and Dachs. Championship pedigree. But….yknow….every team looks great on paper. But…as we know….one team will surprisingly suck. And without me there….it finally cant be my team. 

. You all look beautiful. I go into Shabbat at peace. Jewball is flying on its own.