Robert and Karen, as I have recently opened a new business I see no hope I can make a trip to California in June, as much as I would like to do so. I assume non-Jewish types are welcome. Hopefully I'd be able to understand the lecture. With notes I could always do research afterwards :). Thank you both for sharing your pain and your love for Ariel. It is truly amazing the way you open up to us. Ariel is becoming so real to me. (can you explain the ZT'L you use sometimes?)

I'm in, friend. Wild horses, scavengers, and whatever else couldn't keep me away.

It's tempting to describe the upcoming Lecture, as you've just presented it, with idiotic hyperbole as "incredible". Yet nourished by your blog with knowledge of how you and Karen and Ariel ZT'L keep bringing yourselves into the present, and the future, you make the prospect of this Lecture quite credible, quite tangible.

Looking forward to greeting other fine Seraphic readers in person. And to hearing the steadfast words by which Mrs. Friedman will embrace Ariel's spirit.

Re. the Seraphic Students:

Will there be a quiz afterwards, to show how well we listened to Rachel Friedman?

Modern-day technology allows for teleconferencing -- any of that a possibility for us long-distance students?

I have a feeling, Robert, that there will indeed be more than just one Seraphic Secret table...you might just have to rent a larger venue for the lecture...G-d willing.

Suziannr:

First of all, best of luck with your new business. We know how challenging and stressfull this can be. Keep us up to date, okay?

And of course those who are not Jewish are invited to the lecture. Seraphic Friends come in all faiths and sizes.

Jeremiah:

Look at you, using Ariel and ZT'L together. How lovely. We look forward meeting you face to face and providing nourishment for your spirit and body.

"Memo to Randi: No need to bring babke or coffee. Consider this your day off."

Oh Robert, how you tempt me!

To all of Seraphic U: I had the good fortune to attend this event last year. And let me tell you, this reform Jewish girl did everything wrong.
Firstly, I wore pants. Secondly, I shook Robert's hand. Thirdly, I sat in the men's section of the shul. Can you say OY?

And he is still inviting me back this year.(AND giving me the day off from baking babke and delivering coffee).

This was an inspiring, educational, moving day, with a wonderful lecture, and might I add, yummy food.
The day touched my heart and soul.

Pearl can attest to all of this as well, though she and I never met that day (and still haven't).

How generous of you and Karen to invite all of your readers.

Robert, I regret that I won't be able to attend this year - it sounds fantastic.

The part in your post about Ariel possibly having been one of the hidden 36 sent shivers up my spine. My first reaction was, "Of course, that makes perfect sense." The mystery of it all.

Pearl:

Relax, no test afterwards, this is a no-stress environment. However, over yummy food, we do discuss Torah, Talmud, the latest in movies/novels/poetry/and of course, our favorite: Low Intensity Conflict.

To teleconferencing, also a big, no. We have learned to cut down on media so that our program runs smoothly and on time. Mrs. Friedman's lecture will be taped and said tape will be made available to our foreign exchange students.

Randi:

I can see it now. You'll arrive in shul dressed for modesty, nice long skirt, arms and shoulders covered. You won't shake any man's hand. You'll sit in the women's section, all demure and hands foldeed in your lap. When people ask you questions you'll answer with: "Baruch HaShem..." and "Chas V'Shalom..." You'll even start saying to your mother: "So, nu..."

Everything will appear just right except for--

--except for that weird lump in the hollow of your spine.

"What's that, Randi?"
"Oh, my .45 Springfield Automatic. I thought we'd go shooting after the lecture."

Tamara:

We will miss you. And you hit it just right when you say: "The mystery of it all."

My wife and I will be honored to attend. We would also be very enthusiastic about any outing in which firearms are discharged, whether on the day of the brunch or not.

Two things:

1) I will do whatever I can to be there in June. (It would be nice if I HAD to be in LA because I was working on a TV show or movie. Are you listening Hollywood?)

2) Sorry to be shallow, but if said Dr. "J" is a bachelor I have a feeling he's about to become deluged with emails and letters from eligible maidels. He sounds like such a mensch!

Dr. Bean:

Look forward to seeing you and Mrs. Bean. Discharge of firearms will have to wait for another day. But that day will come sooner than later.

Jake:

Hang in there, Hollywood will come calling. It takes time. Meanwhile, brace yourself, Dr. J is single. Tell me, does the fetching Mrs. Jake have a sister?

Not a single sister, no. I sense the end of whatever peace the good doctor was enjoying until now. It's a good thing you didn't ID him fully... But. They. Will. Find. Him.

Jake:

We can only hope for he is a good man and wishes to find his Bashert, his Intended.

This lecture sounds fabulous -- both the topic and the chance to meet all of you. And most importantly, as a tribute to Ariel.

I am so disappointed that it falls when my favorite aunt will be visiting from NY and my cousin from Seattle.

Please post next year's dates as soon as you know them. I will try to plan my summer to be there.

Me and the Missus will be making every effort to attend. I just received word from Amazon that my copy of The Hebrew Kid was shipped and on its way. Looking forward to reading it!

Stacey:

As soon as we know next year's date we'll let you know. Have a great time with your Aunt and your cousin.

Wanderer:

Hope to see you and the Missus at the lecture. Let me know how you feel about the book. Especially all the gunfights.

We were at #1, if you'll recall. (R' Orlofsky had me laughing so hard I was in tears.) Gd willing, we'd like to visit again. I'll be more careful to keep my foot out of my mouth this time. The key is to not open it in the first place.

:-|

A beautiful note, Robert. It gave me shivers also. Wish I could attend, but it's a long hop from NYC, especially on the weekend before Pesach.

And yet, and yet, Ariel insisted on living his life as prescribed by the Torah and the Mesorah--without one complaint, without conceding any of the holy parts because the whole was so damaged. Ariel ignored the broken parts.

This part sounds like he was practicing tikkun olam. Raising the sparks. Spirit and will over matter.

Yay, Drisha! They are 10 blocks from my apartment; I take short classes there all the time.

I'm really tempted to come. I haven't been in LA for years and I have a lot of mileage points.

EV:

We recall you were at #1, and hope you can make it to this one.

Alcibiades:

Yes, I believe Ariel was practicing Tikkun Olan.

Yehudit:

Drisha is wonderful isn't it? Let us know if you'll be coming so we can help in any way we can. It goes without saying that we'd love to meet you face to face.

Well, I won't be able to make this, but if you put a recording of the lecture on the internet, I shall certainly listen to it.

Funnily enough, I was given the nickname "Dr J" around the office in one of my previous jobs. It didn't come with me to my present job, unfortunately, but I did like the nickname.

The wife and I are planning to attend provided that
a.) we can get a babysitter and
b.) Kid #3 hasn't been birthed yet (it would be a little early but you never know)

Alcibiades: if June 11 is the weekend before Pesach, I'm doing all my cleaning waaaaaay too early.

Michael:

We'll miss you. And do our best to post the lecture.

Ralphie:

We sincerely hope you can make it.

B'sha'ah Tova.

Ralphie,

How about I come and babysit the kiddies, and you go to the lecture and take notes for me?

By the way, how much does a babysitter get in L.A.--where I live the kids get about $7-$9/hour. Remember, I'm no kid...!

We have a strict policy of paying no more than $5/hour. But if you're gonna come all the way out here, you might as well attend the lecture in person...

Mrs. R. is sure she'll look like a whale at that point. If you see her, please assure her that she's no bigger than maybe a dolphin.

ralphie,

Yeah, I realized right after I posted that I had glossed over the date of the note and thus misread it. Quite a bit more time than I had thought originally.

Happy and kosher holiday to everyone.

My husband Gil and I are planning on attending and looking forward to it (but leaving our own little Ariel at home). See you then!

Best,
Nedra

Nedra:

Thanks so much for letting us know and of course for making the effort. Karen and I are deeply touched. We look forward to meeting you face to face. Have a lovely and meaningful Shabbos.