Riva Sang National Anthem today

Dearest Riva;

Today was one of the best days ever. As I watched you sing in front of the whole school, I was marveling and thanking God for everything that I have.

Now you know I'm Deaf and I can't tell if your signing rocks or is horrible. And I know you felt that you didn't do a good job. But folks came to me and said you did good. I asked them to be honest and they said they were.

Maybe you botched a line or two, I don't know. I feared that some kids may laugh or others may be jealous and tease you and make you feel bad. But it was wonderful seeing all your friends come up and say how great you were.

We all have two choices in life. One is not to take action and live in fear. If you don't step up in life and give into your fears, you'll find out fear breeds more fears. That why I always tell you to look at the dime and see the face of Franklin Roosevelt who calmed America down by telling them 'We have nothing to fear but fear itself'

The second choice is to step up, take action, and give it your all. Just as fear breeds fear, action and confidence breeds more action and confidence. I've told you how Robert Goulet in one of the biggest boxing fight on National TV started signing 'Oh say can you see....' and completely forgot the words and started humming. He handled it with class telling folks how embarrassed he was and apologize and said he will get it right next time. Then next time came, he gave one of the best performance ever. As I always say, if you don't succeed, try, try and try again.

Never ever say "I suck!' or 'I was great!' Never take the jeering and walk away with your tail between your legs or the cheering and let your head get so swollen that you won't be able to get out of the door. Always say 'I gave it my best' and thank God for everything.

I love you very much.

Love,
Dad

Riva - Spring Softball 2010

Letter to Niece about Avi Schaefer

Dear Bree;

Last Thursday, the world mourn the lost of Avi Schaefer at age 21. After high school, Avi and his brother Yoav went to Israel and join the Israeli Defense Force for 3 years. When he came back, he attended Brown University in Rhode Island and a few months later, he was killed by a drunk driver.

I had the great pleasure of knowing Avi and his twin brother Yoav as well as his mother and father and his two other brothers, all who live in Santa Barbara. Whenever I saw Avi (and everyone in his family), they would always smile and give a warm embrace and we would talk about everything. A few months ago, I told Avi that I hope my kids grow up like him, living their lives with a sense of divine purpose.

In the last few days, over 3000 people join the Facebook group - RIP Avi Schaefer and shared many stories, photo, etc. Many more attended his funeral in LA, Brown University and Jerusalem. I always sense a purpose-driven man and a warm soul in him but had no idea of what he has done in his short time here and how many friends he had made. He and his friends wrote the following articles and blog entry that I hope you take the time to read:

1. An amazing letter to the Brown University titled "Common Ground - To those interested in creating peace in the Middle East."
2. A wonderful "College Essay" he wrote about his hope and dreams
3. Blogger entry by Josh Weinstein - http://houmousfool.blogspot.com/
4. Lauren Peikoff's Blog remembering Avi - http://laurenpeikoff.wordpress.com/2010/02/14/remembering-avi/
5. Avi's last blog entry - "Party for Haiti' - http://brownrisd.hillel.org/home/studentlife/Avispage.aspx

You will find many other wonderful stories on Facebook group - RIP Avi Schaefer

I know that Aunt Jana and I often talked to you about going to the free Birthright program and how you expressed how scared you are that you didn't know anybody or that it was dangerous in Israel. We have constantly tried to explain that it is not so and that there are many other people who don't know anybody but come away meeting many new friends that they never could imagine. But if you read all these Facebook postings, you find that many of them like Avi and Yoav have made many lifelong friends and found a connection to their people, dreams, and mission in life.

Life and time is precious. Please make the most of it. Go to Israel. Find and learn your Jewish heritage and your purpose in life. Help bring about peace on this earth. I care more about you than you ever know.

Love,

Uncle Eric