1.And The Award Goes To

As I make my way to Israel today, this final 2025 bulletin will not have a "2025 The Year That Was" section. Instead I will share the not so surprising news that "Tucker Carlson named 'Antisemite of the Year' as 2024 winner Candace Owens ramps up anti-Jewish rhetoric". In a very crowded field, his win is by a couple of touchdowns as per the above JTA piece. I plan to celebrate my birthday in Tel Aviv next week and write the first bulletin of 2026 from there. Don't be surprised if a new category is found for the person who put more Jews (and Israelis) at risk since Israel's birth. Perhaps it will be a straight forward Traitor of the Year award.

With a new year ahead, one of my main goals while in Israel is to check on how your generosity makes the world a better place. I will be visiting communities in Israel where our dollars are at work and also look for new areas where we might want to lend our support. Happy New Year and stay tuned!

2.Skyline Pigeon

Let's be honest, I headlined this item about Frank Gehry as I did so that I would be able to connect one of Elton's masterpieces to Gehry's work. Both are skyline masters.

"Frank Gehry, Architect Who Changed Skylines, Dies at 96"

Jewish Journal and from the BBC, "Frank Gehry's Most Iconic Works - in Pictures". Enjoy Elton at his Best here.

3.A River of Jokes

Not long after the Beatles were on the Ed Sullivan Show (and yes, I am showing restraint not linking to I Saw Her Standing There) he had Joan Rivers on. Her first job in showbiz was as a writer on the show, and when Ed announced she'd be a guest (possibly because they were booking singer Johnny Rivers) they had to have her on the next week. With an announcement already out there, she was also able to negotiate star money.

Introduced by Ed as "very funny girl you will all love" she never looked back.

Here's a Moment Magazine piece about the unstoppable Rivers' filing cabinet.

"What I Found in Joan Rivers' Filing Cabinet Full of Jokes" in Moment Magazine

4.Add To The List

It is believed that Tehran (the city) is nothing like it used to be. Thanks in part to the Israeli Air Force and the U.S. Armed Forces, that skyline (and threat level) has vastly changed. That said, if season 3 is anything like 1 and 2, I will be watching every episode. In fact, if it is already available in Israel (I will check) I might get an early start next week in some of the jet lag nights ahead.

"Tehran Season 3 Is Coming to Apple TV+ in 2026"

5.New Year, Not So New Tradition

This is a new one for me and one I am thinking of trying. Join me? "Originating in Spain, the tradition of eating grapes at the stroke of midnight is believed to welcome good fortune and prosperity in the new year. It’s known as 'Las doce uvas de la suerte,' or 'The twelve grapes of luck,' and each of the 12 grapes represents a month of the new year.

"The custom began back in the late 1800s but was popularized in the early 1900s when farmers in the Alicante area produced an overabundant harvest and needed a way to increase grape sales. As the sweet tradition goes, you’re supposed to eat the grapes one at a time at each chime of the clock. If you can finish all 12 grapes within the minute, you’ll see luck, success, and positive energy in the new year."

Below is inspiration on how to consume your grapes as well as some good food to accompany the cocktail.