The Brody Family!

Welcome to the Santa Barbara Brody Family Blogger.

More information posted at

Riva Babe Brody - http://www.rivabrody.blogspot.com/
Judah Mike Brody - http://www.judahbrody.blogspot.com/
Shira Ann Brody - http://www.shirabrody.blogspot.com/

The Santa Barbara Brody - www.brodyfamily.blogspot.com
The Wisconsin Brodys - www.wisconsinbrodys.blogspot.com/
The Chicago Brodys - www.brodyfamily.org

Artful City - www.artfulcity.com

Love

Jana, Eric Riva, Judah, Shira, and Star

The Brodyz - Dec 17, 2005

Riva 1st Grade Photo

Judah Class Photo - 3 years old

Thanksgiving Luncheon at the Temple

Rosh Hashana at the Beach

She's so cuuuuteee...

Riva said "I can't take my eyes off Shira because she is soooo cuuuuttte."

When Judah went to bed, he was happily singing "I'm going to bed. I'm going to sleep..." over and over again. The next morning, Riva said "I was listening to Judah in my bed and cried. He was so cute."

Vacation in Pasadena !

Goodbye Mr. Ball

I sat with my daughter watching the Cardinals winning 2-1 when Lance Berkman hit a 3 run homer in the 7th inning to put the Astros ahead. After turning off the tv and putting the kids to bed, I went back to watch the rest of the game very depressed to have already seen the Vikings football team AND the St Louis Cardinals baseball team going down the tube. And then what a game!!!! I saved the game on TIVO and the next morning, here's what happened....

"Hey Riva, last night the Cardinals went behind when that guy Berkman hit a 3 run homer. I didn't watch the rest of the game. Let's watch it now."

"Dad...if the Cardinals win, we go to the Toy store and get a toy and the bookstore and get a book and then have ice cream for dinner?"

"That right, but the Cardinals have to win the World Series, remember? And now the Astros are winning 3 games to 1 and winning the 4th game. If they win it's all over. Let's go see what happened."

We turned on the tv and the beginning of the 9th inning was starting. I pointed to the Astros reliever Brad Lidge and began announcing the game.

"That's Brad Lidge....he's the Al Hrabowsky of the Houston Astros. He came in and shut down the Cardinals the last 3 games. He got this super fast ball and wicked slider that the Cardinals can't hit. He now in the game to shut down the Cardinals. It doesn't look good. Here's the first batter John Rodriquez...."

"Dad, do the Cardinals have a Al Hrabowsky on their team?"

"Yes, his name is Jason Irsinghausen and if the Cardinals can't beat Lidge, then it's over. So here comes the pitch.....strike 1.....ball 1....strike 2....strike 3....oh no, one out two to go. The Cardinals need a miracle. Here comes Mabry.......and Lidge winds up and throws the ball....strike 1...."

The television showed the replay of Berkman's 3 run homer that put the Astros up by 2 and proclaim Berkman the Chevrolet player of the game.

"Riva....let me tell you something about this Berkman who is the player of the game. It's not over until the fat lady sings!"

"I don't understand - fat lady sings?"

"Yes, in the Opera, the show isn't finish until the fat lady in the end sings this loud song. The point here is you don't ever quit. You just keep going at it until it's over. And there's still 2 outs and the Cardinals ain't going to quit.....uh-oh strike 3 for Mabry. 2 outs and 1 to go. It doesn't look good. Now coming up is David Eckstein. I like this guy cause he's a scrappy player as the announcer said. He doesn't quit. He always tries to find a way to get on base.... And look there is Albert Pujols in the dugout. He's big like Casey. He's good. He's thinking if only we can get two runners on and bring ne up to bat and have a whack at that...strike 1.....strike 2....uh-oh only one strike away and it's over for the Cardinals."

Riva put her fingers in her ears and closed her eyes.

"Whoa...open your eye Riva. Eckstein singles! He's on base. Now Jim Edmond comes to bat. And look ! Jimmy got that look on his face. That focused look - thinking I will get on base somehow so that Albert Pujols can come up and have a whack at bat. Here's the pitch. Ball 1....Ball 2...Ball3....Ball 4!!!!! Jimmy going to first!!!!"

"And look !!!! Mr. Pujols is coming to bat with runner on 1st and 2nd. Look how big he is. He's thinking I here now. My teammates have done their job and now I must take a whack at that... The manager is coming to the mound to talk to the pitcher. The players are getting together. They are telling him to relax. Just give him nothing but wicked sliders. Just put Mr. Pujols down so that we can go to the World Series. Mr Lidge winds up and throws the ball. A wicked slider....Strike 1"

Riva gets up and goes behind the couch. I tell her to come and sit on my lap and let's hang in there. Remember it isn't over til the fat lady sings.

"Here comes the pitch....BAM ! It's going, going, going and it's gone!!!!! Good Bye Mr. Ball ! Mr Pujols hits a 3 run homer. The Cardinals lead! The Cardinals win!!!!"

For a few minute, I was holding Riva and jumping up and down as she was clapping non stop with this big smile on her face. Finally we settle down and I told her this:

"Remember this dear. Never give up! Always give your best like the Cardinals did."

I don't think she'll ever forget that. I think we have another die hard Cardinals fan. Next I gotta work with Judah.

L Shana Tovah!

From Santa Barbara Newspress
http://news.newspress.com/topsports/100505hashanah.htm?now=81689&tref=1

Hundreds of people gathered Tuesday at Goleta Beach to participate in an ancient ritual that kicks off High Holy Days on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Members of UCSB Hillel, the Community Shul of Montecito and Congregation B'nai B'rith threw bread crumbs into the ocean, symbolizing the casting away of sin. The next 10 days, leading up to Yom Kippur on Oct. 13, are a time of deep reflection and atonement for Jews.

In the photo above, Jana Brody provides a helping hand for her son, 3-year-old Judah.

What's Rabbi Steve doing here?

We went to Judy Karin's house where all the Isla Vista Minyan had a get together honoring Rabbi Steve. Midway in the party, Judah was in the backyard talking to me and Jana and then look up at the window and sees Rabbi Steve. It was strange for him as he usually only sees him at the pre-school. the following conversation happened with Jana.

"Is that Rabbi Steve? "
"Yeah"
"How he get here?"
"He drove here."
"Oh... what color car does he drive?"
"I don't know."

We watched him go over to everybody saying "There's Rabbi Steve" Later on Jana spied him going up to Rabbi Steve asking him what color car he drives. Rabbi Steve said "Gold" to which he replied "Oh...ok"

At the end of the party after Aaron sang a solo and got up, Judah got on the chair and said my turn. The room was quiet for a few second and someone asked what are you going to sing? He said "I'm thinking..." I said "how about "Hot Potatoes"?" After a few more seconds of silence, he started singing "Yes, we all live in a yellow submarine..." and everyone in the room bursted out singing the song.

The Diskin's House

When we drove over the hill and saw the Diskin's house, I was thinking to myself "Holy s...." when Riva goes "Whoa!....make that double whoa....I mean triple whoa!" She was mesmerized and then as she got out of the car said Dad, "I mean a quintet whoa!"

In Beloved Memory of Yoni Gottesman

Dear Friends,

It is with great sadness and pain that I inform of the passing of Yoni Gottesman (Yonatan Avaraham Zev Meir ben Oded). May his memory be for a blessing.

The funeral will take place in Israel G-d willing. My sister, Nechama Dina, who was Yoni’s Counselor and is Daniela’s teacher, is in Israel right now. She will be at the funeral representing our family, and the greater S. Barbara Jewish community.

We had the Zechut (privilege) to know Yoni. Most recently Yoni was a camper in Camp Gan Israel. I would like to share with you a beautiful story of a precious Neshama (soul) – Yoni.

One day after camp the counselors were having races. One of the counselors, Shmueli, was running so fast that he couldn’t stop himself in time and his hand rammed into the building. At the end of camp, probably three weeks after this incident, Yoni wanted to know how Shmueli’s hand was doing. Shmueli had no recollection of the incident. Yoni reminded Shmueli, and Shmueli reassured Yoni that he was fine. All of us standing there couldn’t believe the sensitivity of Yoni. That he remembered, cared and even asked. All this from a precious little four year old.

In the very short time that Yoni was here, he touched all those who came in contact with him. Yoni, we will miss you. You are in Heaven now, with Hashem, please ask Him to end this bitter exile and send us Moshiach. Yehay Zichro Baruch. May his memory be for a blessing.

I have attached in article about the Jewish way of grieving. May we only have good news to share between us from now on.

Please feel free to forward this email to others.

I love you Yoni.

Ella Loschak

Riva's 6th Birthday

Riva's friend Angela had a wise observation - "The more people you invite, the more presents you get."

Lylah, Sarina, and Riva

Rory Stillman's Bar Mitsvah

I got called up to lift the torah. As I got on stage, I did 3 push-ups so as to warm up before lifting the torah. As I got ready to lift up the torah, Uncle Norman came over and said "Let me help you" and leaned on the torah. I yelled at him to get outta here.



A few months later, Gene said to Rory that he must show respect in temple. Rory replied to him "You mean like doing push-ups like Cousin Eric?"

May G-d make you like Abraham Lincoln and Jacob

Every Friday night, I put my hands on Riva and Shira's head and recited the Jewish blessing

"May G-d make you like Sara, Rivkah, Rachael and Leah. May G-d bless and protect you"

Then I put my hands on Judah and say

"May G-d make you like Abraham, Issac, Jacob and Judah. May G-d bless and protect you"

When my Dad is here, he always says "No no...It's Ephraim and Mannaseh" to which I always reply "Ephraim and Mannaseh were Judah's nephews. I want Judah to be like Judah like his namesake!"

Last Friday, Papa, Bubbe, and Bree were here. After I did all the blessings, Judah said "My turn!!!" and he took open my prayer book, put one hand on my head, pause as he pretended to read from the book and then very slowly said

"May G-d make you like Abraham Lincoln and Jacob"

He went to Papa, Bubbe, Bree, and Jana and repeated the same thing.

3 Brodyz in a Tub

Brother and Sisterly Love

Why do you have a brown head?

We were at Westmont College in Montecito getting Cousin Rory to basketball camp. Judah and Riva were playing with a blind dog with several other kids. Judah said to a young African-American toddler "Why do you have a brown head?"

West Nile hits Santa Barbara!

Cousin Debbie is afraid!



Jana: My cousin Debbie saw the sign and wanted to turned back"

Riva Brody: Not Scared of Mosquitos

But Riva is not afraid!



Riva: "You put lotion on to make the itch go away."
Reporter: "Riva Brody may not have a PhD, but she knows about the mosquitos"
Riva: "When it's dark, the mosquitos come out."

Priority One

My friend Bryant released his Novel "Priority One"

You can buy it at http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=27354

I will be in the sequel, but he won't make me the bad guy. :-(



Deep within a canyon on the southern edge of the Sahara Desert, a shadowy group has gained control of enriched uranium. As a B-2 stealth bomber bears down on the area, a CIA agent and a USAID worker fight with each other as much as with the terrorists, trying to prevent nuclear weapons from falling into the wrong hands. Immersed in the Sahara’s exotic landscape and culture, the reader is introduced to local characters whose past interactions with foreigners have left them bitter and resentful. The exploitation of their homeland by colonialists leads two young men into local rebellion and eventually into a terrorist group that has frighteningly easy access to the ingredients of a nuclear weapon. Priority One is a thoughtful thriller, testing the proposition that a military response is the only effective deterrent to terrorism. The American characters bring different perspectives to one of the most difficult issues of our time, while the motives of a seductive Russian aid worker are shrouded in mystery. There are divergent points of view on America’s global responsibility in the post 9/11 world – just as there should be with such a complex subject – and no one is safe from doubt. The parallel plot lines converge in the exciting fast-paced final section of Priority One. But even as the characters move toward achieving the primary mission of destroying the uranium facility, they react unpredictably to the pressures of combat, and the door is left open for the next threat in the unpredictable world of the 21st century.

I'm going to be a...

In the car, Riva said I'm going to be a fashion designer, an artist, and a veternarian. I'm going to be very busy. My husband will have to stay home and take care of the kids."

Riva's last days of Kindergarden

Check out photos of Riva's last days of Kindergarden
including her Kindergarden's diploma

Grandma Riva and her girl Ginger

Shira says Hello!

Star and Shira

Austin and Judah!

Ice Cream Boy!

Judah and Shira

Shabbot!

Judah poops in the toliet!

Smiling Shira

My cousin Bree!

The Santa Barbara Brodyz on Mother's day

Granpa Arnold's crazy family

Riva reading the newspaper for Shira

Crying during Little House on the Prarie

Goodnight Gorilla!

Riva draws a Mermaid at I Don Mari Festival

The Naked Piano Player

Riva on Mother's Day!

Judah checking out Baby Shira!

Riva and Ting's Piano Lessons

Arthur Ashe said...

From what we get, we can make a living; what we give, however, makes a life.

Our Rastafarian Cousin Rory

Bed Time Story

Hanging the Metzuzah with Dad for Shira

The Thompsons and the Brodyz minus Dad

Judah can be the tester!

After school today, I had Riva and Judah help me put together the baby rocking chair. After it was all assembled, Riva lit up a smile and said "Judah can be the tester!" We motioned Judah to sit in the chair and he sat in the chair with a puzzled look wondering why he was in the chair and what it was supposed to be like.

Riva then said "My turn!" and proceeded to sit in the chair. She slumped back in a relaxed pose and get a sigh. Then she said "Wait, then the shaker on". Then she slumped back in the chair and sighed again thinking this is what the chair is all about.

3 boys

My friend Jody and her new boyfriend Mike

Succos 2004

Jana and Riva made out cutout of people for the succos. Each cutout had 4
people symbolizing each family member of havruah. On the cutout, she
pasted magazine cutouts that represents each individual. For example, she
cut out "I love you" signs from the magazine to represent me and some music
notes and a guitar to represent Adam Diskins who plays the guitar. At the
end, she show me a cutout for the Ehrnstein family and I bawled out
laughing so hard seeing a hairy furry beast cutout for Scott. I said to
her that you and I think alike these days when it comes to being funny. I
love her and her quirky sense of humor.

The Unicorn Song (Last September)

Riva, Judah and I were watching the Gaia Sign and Sing video. In the the
middle, Gaia announced that they were going to sing and sign "The Unicorn
Song". Riva sitting on the small couch with Judah immediately turn her
head and starred at me eye wide and not yet smiling thinking to herself
"Whoooaaaa DAD, it's the Unicorn song".

I was cracking up instead me waiting for her to say something before I finally blurted it out for her "Whooaaaa Riva, it's the Unicorn Song".

Here's another Unicorn Song link (not the same as the Gaia song we watched):

My son, the Bowling Ball (last October)

We went to kid services on Friday night at Bnai Birth. About 15 kidergarden kids from Sunday school class are bunched together on the podium with the Rabbi and Cantor. Next thing I know is Judah takes a beeline right to center where all the kids are standing. Boom, boom ,boom - the kids topple over like bowling pins. I go and retrieve my son, AKA "The Bowling Ball", on top of 4-5 kids.

Noah Ark Shabbot at Temple ( Last October)

Riva is dress as a unicorn, Jana as a monkey, Judah as a giraffee, and Dad wore his Elmo shirt on Noah's ark shabbot at the temple. Jana keeps saying "Pop" because there are a few chocolate lollipops behind the locked glass plate at the temple gift shop. When I explained to him that it's locked and needed key, he asked for my car keys and spend 1 hour trying to open the lock case with my car key despite my telling him that it's the wrong keys.

Lindsey Cardinale got voted off....

Riva cried like a whale. She said "I have nobody to vote for. I don't like the other girls." After Jana read to her in bed, she came to me on the computer and asked me why people didn't vote for Lindsey. I told her that many people did vote for her, but only one person can be the American Idol. I also told her it's like the Care Bears - you can only vote for one of them and that doesn't mean the other Care Bears lost. They are all winners. She said why can't they all be American idols? I also explained that if you enter the contest and give it your best, you are a winner.

We posted Lindsey and Constantine's picture on her blogger at www.rivabrody.blogspot.com.

After some more talks, she gave a hug and kiss and went to bed more peace at herself.

The Hockey Player by Riva

There was once a hockey player who was a boy and there was a soccer player who was a girl. The gril was 15 and the boy was 7. The girl liked soccer and the boy liked soccer. But he played hockey. The gril allwise the boy allwise lost.

By Riva

Mom, Dad, you're like Simon and Paula

Jana and I were having a debating discussion. Riva came over to Jana and whisper you and Dad are like Simon and Paula (from American Idol)

Checker Pices by Riva

Once upon a time there was checker pices and a chess set. They decided to change places - half chess half checker. They loved it. But when people played with it they didn't know if they were playing chess or checkers.

by: Riva

Wisconsin Brodyz

I say NO!

We were watching American Idol. Riva was lying on the blanket watching tv and after listening and approving a contestant's performance said "I say yes!"

Judah was intensely focused on eating his cookie at the dinner table. He looked up and yelled "I say NO!"

Collecting marbles...

Riva has a spreadsheet to keep track of her wants. Whenever she does a chore, she gets a marble. A marble is 25 cents. Here's what Riva put in her spreadsheet after I help her fill out #1-3.

Riva's Want List

# Item #of marbles needed

1. Unicorn 64
2.Care Bears 40
3. My Little Pony Sticker 12
4.My Little Ponys
5.Candy 25
6.Ice Cream 12
7.bouncing ball 1
8.Love 0

American Idol - Season 4

The kids love American Idol! We were all sitting down watching the beginning of season 4 of American Idol. Midway, one of the contestant was singing badly and Riva yelled "No!" and then Simon, Randy, and Paula said "No!"
During one part of the show, we were all laughing and Judah was laughing along with us....

The End of Popeye

Jana, Riva, and I went down to the Jules Stein Eye Center in UCLA. He had tsoesis, an undeveloped muscle in his eyelid that cause his eyelid to droop hence the nicknames - popeye, sleepy, droopy.....



The surgery went well. Don't be scared of the picture above - it was taken 1-2 hours after surgery. In a few hours Judah was back to normal. He looked more alert and awake then ever. Thank G-d and thank Dr. Silverberg who helped us and Dr. Goldberg who performed the surgery and all the medical staff and workers at the Stein Eye Center.

Judah after eye surgery

Judah before eye surgery

20 questions....

On the way to the eye doctor, Riva and I played 20 questions...

"Dad, let's play 20 questions."
"Ok," I said pausing a bit and then continuing, "I got the answer, go ahead...." "No Wait Dad...I'm going to go first."
"Ok. Um...Is it a person..."
"Wait Dad....I haven't thought of the answer yet...."
Jana is snickering as I looked over to her rolling my eyeballs up.
"Ok Dad, I got it. Go ahead"
"Is it a person?"
"Yes"
"Is it alive?"
"Yes"
"Is it family?"
"No"
"Do I know this person?"
"No"
"Does this person live in California"
"No"
"Hmmm....does this person live on earth"
"No" I looked over at Jana who is snickering again.....
"Umm...so this is a person and is alive, but doesn't live on earth....So is this person on television?"
"Yes"
Jana asked Riva how is this person alive.
"This person is alive on television" Riva responded.
"Here we go again....I hate playing this game" I muttered to Jana....

A boy and his dog