Israel Focus with Rabbi Guide Mordechai Weiss on Today's JM in the AM

Well, uh, talk about special guests from Israel. And we've been inundated this week, thank God, with special guests from Israel. Our good friend, Rabbi Morai Weiss, who now enjoys the title as one of Israel's supreme tour guides, is visiting us from Israel, specifically from the city of Mitzpure, where he and I had the pleasure of dominating Marav together. I think it was Mutz Shabasmoid Pes if I'm not mistaken. Rabbi Morai Weiss is very familiar with Bergen County. You may recall that years ago he led the Kabad House in Tene, New Jersey. Today he has decided over the years and now today he finds himself in one of the most interesting and beautiful areas of the state of Israel. Rabbi Morai Weiss a pleasure to welcome you back to JM and the AM >> Booker. How are you? >> You missed your days in Tene. So, you know, I have to tell you, sitting here, I mean, I've been listening the last couple of days, I listen to you all the time, of course. >> Thank you. >> And uh >> you get us in midspay, huh? >> Well, you know, thanks to uh SNN and uh the app. >> Y >> um God, >> so it it seems to me I'm I'm I'm humbled being in your studio. >> Thank you, >> Rabbi Stav. Rab I mean, come on. I mean, >> you're in good company, huh? It seems that uh you have adopted this uh new policy that from after sukus until the beginning of December >> right >> you want to fill someone should be sitting in this seat who's ding vain tala >> this is your way >> that would be from Zion until December 4th right because I remind our audience that in Israel you're saying of Staint Talamat starting on the 7th of Marsheshvan we don't start till December What does one do personally? If you're diving for the um here, you'd have to save the same, right? If you're diving for the >> It depends. Really? Yes. >> There's a time where you're diving for the um here and you wouldn't save the same there. >> If you're coming from Israel, >> right, and you're diving for the here, >> right? You'd save the same braha. >> There there are differing opinions. Really? >> Yes, there are differing opinion. Why? You're surprised that there are differing opinions? >> Well, no, I'm not surprised differing opinions. >> Let's let's call the AI rabbi. But I thought I thought we pas in that way because I I've been told that that you save braha but then you save the sane talam andu like that's what a person does privately. You mean he you you you're yay. >> Correct. That just in case because you know someone who's been to Israel now they're back in in the diaspora. >> And and the way they just do is just avoid being called up to the uh >> well yeah that's you know my my what I was just discussing was if you're not called up to the if you're called up to the and you're repeating answer I'd have to assume that you'd save the same bro but like you said hey everything seems to be up for discussion when it comes to our tradition. I I I also hear a lot of discussion >> about this new mayor that you have in New York City. The fir Yeah. the first uh Muslim. >> Correct. >> They never talk about our Americanborn mayor in Mitso. >> I would think that that's much bigger. >> You mean my You mean my granddaughter's grandmother? >> That's who I mean. I would think that that would be >> Let's see if people can figure that out. My granddaughter's grandmother. That's hilarious. Um, how are they doing there to Pilot Chowskies? They're doing all right. I shouldn't worry about them. They're doing okay over there on the Jordanian border. >> You know, you talk about uh your year-end fundraiser, >> right? >> And uh you know, first of all, you should know that when I'm sitting at my uh desk, I'm one of your uh Alexa users. >> Oh, nice. >> And I was very happy learning the uh you know, >> the language. And and by the way, not only uh does it work when you spell out your name, N A C H U M, but you don't even have to say seagull. >> Wow. >> Yes, I've discovered that. >> Nah's enough. >> Nah is enough. >> Because there was official language that we came across. I don't remember how we were alerted to it that if you say the following to Alexa, you'll access us. You have to say the following. I forgot what it was. Right. Romy, do we have it? Can you send it over to me? The actual sentence? It's It's on It's on your app. You you uh You have it on your app. You have it publicized on your app. >> Well, where on the app would that be? What do you mean? >> Uh when you go onto your app. Yeah. >> So, it actually says if you want to listen to us on Alexa. >> Oh, maybe on one of the banners it does. Right. On one of the banners it does. Very good. >> Right. So, I need that. I need that text now because you've just gotten me onto this topic. Right. More Weiss is here. You're the guy to ask. >> Okay. you're the guy or the guide to ask. We are so concerned about tourism levels to Israel because as you could attest to so many facets of industry in Israel depend on tourism, right? Yours certainly, but there are others as well, right? Restaurants and tourist attractions, museums, etc., hotels, of course. So we have been um we have been uh working on the assumption that over the last couple of years tourism is weighed down. Then someone said to me that this suit the one that just passed far exceeded the prior one and I thought that was a very good sign. Do you agree or not? >> Um well >> was it much busier now than a year ago? >> Right. But again, you're comparing it to last year when the war >> No, I get it. But I'm saying November, right? We're in November. Is it better than last year's November? >> Yes, it is. Okay. >> There is an improvement. >> I mean, we're we're definitely not back to the way things were. >> And I don't have to tell you, you know, airfare, >> correct, >> have not >> it's prohibitive. >> And hotel costs um >> not easy. >> Not easy. But nonetheless, thank God Yantiff had a large, you know, influx of tourists. >> That's correct. >> And I'm hoping that November, December, look, >> yeshiva weekend, >> correct? You're coming up to Thanksgiving weekend. There going to be a lot of people hopefully looking. >> You know how many people are coming to this? >> Correct. That's Shabas. Are you there? Are you in Israel? I'm with you. >> This Shabbat, you're in New Jersey. >> I'm in New Jersey. >> Okay. Next Shabbat. >> No, I'm here till just before Kaneka. >> Oh, wow. >> Yeah. >> So, you're spending Thanksgiving here? >> I know. It's been such a long time. >> You're a real American. >> So, you're not even going to be able to tell us about whether Thanksgiving weekend had a major rush or not unless your colleagues tell you, >> right? >> But what about, you know, the end of December, end of January, as you said. Are you getting already a feeling that things are going to get better? >> Yes. Yes. uh you know in the in the tour guide business for example >> um the sign of a successful tour guide is how many jobs do you turn down >> right >> and uh there has been an increase in the amount of jobs that >> oh good >> you have to turn away >> and you pass them on to your colleagues >> correct >> yeah it's one nice fraternity isn't it >> it is yeah >> um you know during co also when there was a lack of tourism so uh I decided to uh go for a a real estate license. >> Nice. >> So, if you're interested, I have a couple of homes listed in Mitzb Rico. You know, you come look at them next time you're there. >> Those homes 10 years ago would have been what, 50 grand, and now they're half a million. >> I don't want to tell you. >> Is it more than half a million? It >> Yes. >> Dollars. >> Yes. I don't want to tell you. >> What about that new place up the road? Isn't there a place up the road where they're trying to build some new community? Or am I wrong? >> Right. So, uh you're talking about mitzvah, >> right? >> Uh where it's already finished and you know all uh >> much less expensive than or not? >> No, no, >> no, >> no, no. >> A new place. >> But um >> that has no people yet. >> But but now they're building an area. It's called the banana, the banana, >> because it's shape. Exactly. Um, and uh, that's something that your granddaughter's grandmother has uh, >> she helped implement, >> has been working very tirelessly. >> So, could she get me a good deal? >> Um, you can ask, >> does she have protectia? >> It's all about protect. >> Who's that guy that I met on Pesak? Who's that guy the big builder there? >> Oh, uh, right. >> He's a great guy. >> You know how we met? >> No. I go after Shakar's uh Shabasoid morning. We went to the very early minion. I think they started Sher Shirum at 6. Does that make sense? 6 or 6:30. >> It makes sense. >> So after uh Kaduca, we go to wash the hands of the Coanim. >> Okay. So some smart alaki guy turns out to be Velvville says to me um it says to me in Hebrew like something like you know what are your credentials that you you know that you could stand here washing the hands of the coin. So I said to him seal scan Loen you know my name is Seal. So he goes oh my gosh you're not Seal. He he grew up with all my cousins in Caraba. He knew everybody. So it was really cool that you know like in an instant we we had so many people in common that he invited me to Kdish afterwards etc. Then I find out that he's like the big builder in the area. >> Right. And and you know he's a descendant of the Schla Kodesh as well, >> right? He had told me that. Right. >> And his wife is the daughter of the the former uh chief rabbi of the Kotel, the >> the former Ruvget. >> Ruvget Gett. He's married. His wife. He >> his wife is RVett's daughter. >> Yes. >> Wow. >> I now I need another visit to Mitzpe. Now I got to go through all this with him. Yeah. And he he won't mind uh going through. >> No, he wouldn't mind at all. Who was I with? I think I was with Gavid. It was very funny. We tried to leave the sh right after diving and all of a sudden you had that kiddish room in the back. All of a sudden I se you have we couldn't leave. We have to go sit down on Shabaso. JM with Harry Morai Weiss. um how do people reach you if they get to Israel in December, January or any time of year and they want you specifically to tour uh to tour with them around the state of Israel. So um to contact me directly very easy you know rabbi guide rabbigmail.com >> um or um over the last two years also because of the situation in Israel I've become a lot more connected to yeshiv >> oh wow >> in uh in so you can contact me through the yeshiva shaveron.org or >> Wow. They'll be packed this Shabas. No. >> Yes, they are definitely uh packed. Um they're doing amazing things. You know that they just took over a building in the Kazba, >> right? Correct. >> Bet Valero and uh they're doing a major uh renovation project. >> That's part of the yeshiva. >> I didn't realize that. >> And they're going to be using it as a dorm. It's the first time in almost a hundred years. Uh listen, I know that you have a personal history connection through your father with Kvron. It's almost a hundred years that Jews are going to be living in that part of in the Kazba area. >> My father My father was in yeshiva in 96 years ago as a 12year-old. 96 years ago. Um and I'll tell you another thing, by the way. You you've been to the Cosba a million times, right? I mean, you're a tour guide after all. Could you imagine living in a dorm in that area? Have you >> today? >> Today you talk about good geography. >> Well, you you know that in order to get back and forth from the dorm, you have to have an an escort >> to go to the yeshiva. >> To go to yeshiva, >> right? Well, that makes sense. >> You have to you have to. Yes, you have to. >> That it's a couple of blocks. No, >> no, it's right across the street. It's not even a couple of blocks. It's right across the street. But yes, >> even there. >> Yeah, even there. >> I thought it was further down toward the Marra. You're saying it's literally across from where the yeshiva's I guess the yeshiva is further down than I think. Right. >> Literally across. >> Right. >> It's um you know the the home was owned by a Sphartic family, the Valero family. Yako Valero Valero. Uh these were amazing people who came in the 19th century. Um they opened up the first private bank in Palestine. Um they bought p Mach Yehuda, you know that was called that was the Valero market once upon a time. >> Wow. >> In fact today if you walk across the street >> from the market across Jaffa there's a square there. It's called Valero Square and they have a really really nice presentation of the Valero family. >> Hold on one second. I know the shaw with the sun dial on it. So to the left >> to the left of that shaw. >> Yeah. >> Near the Who's buried back there? Which Reba was buried back there because they couldn't uh >> Isn't there somewhere right there? There. Am I wrong? >> You might be right, but I'm not. >> So you're saying it's right to the left of this sh >> I'm telling you it's right you you you cross the street from the open market across Jaffa Road. There's a nice new square. They they have that interesting kind of lighting that they put in over there and they have a nice presentation on the Valeros. So the Valeros also bought properties in Kron. >> Wow. >> And uh in 1929 unfortunately uh after the massacre uh they lost control of it and now the government has finally uh given permission for the yeshiva to use this building. >> Do they know how expensive housing is around Mahak Yehuda? Now I wonder >> what would they say if they saw the Sat building? What would they say? >> Oh my gosh. So, you know, I guess there's two ways of looking at it. Uh, it's like >> they'd be happy, frankly. >> Right. >> Jewish history took a very positive turn. At least they would look at it very positive with the Jewish presence both in Makhuda and now in the holy city of Kevron. Does does the activity this Shabas because it's Oh, you're that's funny. By the way, you're you're dancing in two worlds. >> Cuz it's the kinis. Are you going? >> No, I'm not going to be at the kinnis. folks when the Schlim from around the Kabad world around the world who are affiliated with Kabad all come to Brooklyn this Shabas >> the security oh my gosh >> meaning in Brooklyn >> wow that's that's happening this Shabas and then the security invon that's right >> because they don't want to avert disasters there too with tens of thousands of people coming to this Shabas >> and and by the way you had mentioned a few times about the yard site of your father-in-law today. >> So today, >> oh today's the day, right? >> Today is the Reb Rashab's birthday. It's the fifth. He is the man. >> That's right. He bought B Romano, >> right? >> That was the first Yeshiva init. >> Right. >> And now it's >> right. Um and the Schneerson family had a connection to right. the Manuka Rahul who was the granddaughter of the first labava. Right. She's buried there. She lived there some 40 years. >> Unbelievable. >> That's the name of my youngest. >> Yeah. She's in uh Sher Lumi this year. >> Where? >> In Malim. >> Wow. >> Working in a school there. >> That's a great neighborhood. >> Look how that's grown over the years. >> And it's going to grow even more now because the government, you know, gave the approval for the development of E1. So we're talking about thousands of >> So that's between Maladim and your town, right? Am I wrong? Right or wrong? >> Is what >> is that between Amaladim and Mitzme or not? The new development you're describing. >> It's right across the street from Maladim. >> Ah, >> it's right. >> So it's not further down the road. It's across, right? >> It's across. >> Have you been to that new mall near Maladim? >> The D city. >> D City. >> It's unfortunately has gone through a couple of phases of change. >> Really? >> Yeah. Actually, they're opening up their a water park now. And by change, you mean commercialization or you mean or you mean clientele? >> It's it's it Listen, everybody got hit. You know, you're talking about the war, co you know, uh >> bad time to open a mall. >> Yeah. >> So, but what's there now? Is it active? >> So, it's active, but not like it not like it was. Yeah. But, uh you know, says they're opening up a water park there now. >> Interesting idea. >> What what it actually has become is a a big uh venue for huge weddings. I heard that that it's a wedding hall. Yeah. >> Oh my gosh. Like 5,000 people. >> Didn't they make a kidic wedding there? I think there was a big wedding. >> Yeah. The be the biala. >> Was it Beyond? >> Yeah. >> Biala or beyond? One of them. >> Oh, maybe it was. >> It was one of them. >> Beyond had a lot of money. >> On the top level, if you want, they have a little bowling alley there and you play some pool. >> Right. And it's a real bowling alley, right? >> It's >> It's not a real bowling alley. >> Yeah. It's a It's a real Israeli bowling. By by the way, if if you're in Israel, you got to pronounce it correctly. Bowing. >> Bowing. >> Rabbi Morai Weiss is with us. Rabbi Guide. Uh, so does this Shabas help tourism or not? Like like because of Kaiser, but people come in or they're just literally coming in for Shabas and leaving >> mostly coming. It's like going to so it's not a big boon in tourism. >> Right. >> Right. Unless you have families that are staying for the entire week. >> Yeah. >> Then you might get uh but that's rare. >> Right. And also it's it's not really a family event. uh individuals that so you have you have this traffic going both ways because you have all the Israeli labavlim >> going to America >> right except in the past at least I don't know about this week Danny Cohen >> he stays right >> yeah I think and it's tough right it's a real nion for him >> you know my question was I should have asked him is Rascin coming from Jamaica I wonder if he's coming in with all the recovery that's going on there. >> Maybe he's the guest speaker. >> Could be. But I wonder about that. In general, uh, when there have been challenging times in specific cities for Kabad Schlim, I wonder if they tend to come or if they tend to just concentrate on what's going on in their own. >> They tend to come and it's actually, you know, getting back to, you know, your year-end fundraiser. I mean, the amount of organizations I wonder if you even keep track of how many >> We really should, shouldn't we? >> Yes, you really should. >> Yes, I agree. >> But just by donating to you, I mean you to >> foundation is supporting a lot of >> you are supporting all of them. >> Yeah, we try to convince people of that. Maybe I should bring you on closer to the end of the year. >> I'm convinced. >> You are convinced. >> I am convinced. Well, Bar Hashem, we try our best and one of the things we've done over the years, as you know, is in in the context of today's conversation is try to bridge the gap between the diaspora Jews and the holy city of Kron and um also to appreciate what different segments of our community do around the world, especially Kabad obviously because they're everywhere uh and they have such a profound impact on so many people, >> you know, you you spoke yesterday with uh Rabbi Stav and at the very end of your interview, you were talking about >> he was talking about, you know, what can be learned >> right >> from, you know, what we went through in October 7th and he spoke about the importance of unity >> and it's something that of course uh you've spoken about and uh >> we try to promote >> and um and it's it's it's it's amazing um that expression of unity that we all felt immediately after October 7th and now of course you know as time goes on >> human nature >> prevails human nature uh but it's something unique about your show I believe is you you're that uh seed that continues that feeling of unity I mean look a half hour ago you had the Torah here you know yesterday you had uh So are >> so are here you know today you have a kabad guy um you know shaveron um your what you what you do in a sense of you know bridging of course between Israel and the Jews here in Aritz um and the way you do it and bringing such a diverse I mean you've got Mutle here and you know it's it's it's really an amazing thing what you're accomplishing. I appreciate that. By mut by the way, he means by Kenowelski whose dinner I hope was a great success this past Sunday. By the way, you have to tell her by Cohen and Shaveron. I don't know if he remembers, I hosted the uh the during COVID shave live stream. He remembers. >> Does he remember that night? That was one of the all the live streams I did during CO and there are many of them. That one was so inspirational. I don't know if you remember, but there was a family that had suffered an American family had suffered a I don't want to say tragedy cuz thank god he ended up being okay, but one of their children was actually hit by gunfire in Kron if you remember the whole episode and they were part of the show is one of the most meaningful and incredible encounters I've ever had on the air. >> I um I brought with me >> Yeah. >> I was just in a few days ago. So I brought from the yeshiva a tahill for you. >> Wow. >> I know you don't have enough of them. to my dear friend, the Jewish voice of reason. Come home soon. Um, it's got a nice little engraving of some something that some people might forget sometimes when you think of it's where David began his uh his reign uh until >> God knows how much of that tom was written in. That's right. Or at least inspired by it. on on behalf of >> Yeshiva, >> please uh use it in good health. >> Tadai, greatly appreciate that. Boy, oh boy. Rabbi Weiss doing what I always try to do, connecting people to the Holy Land here on this Tuesday morning broadcast at JB in the air. Amazing. Last time I was here, you actually you gave me a gift uh the coffee cup. >> Yeah, the mug. >> And I use it every day. Do you? >> I sure do. >> It made it back to Israel. Yes. In one piece. Do we have any gifts or Oh, do you have my book or not? >> I I got it. Uri gave it to me. Rabbi Pow. >> Yeah, of course. >> Rabbi Pachowski, what are you doing? Your your family member needs to sell books. You're giving them out in I mean in Mitz. Anyway, I'm glad you saw it and I'm glad that I I'm glad he felt it was worthy to pass on to somebody else >> cuz he he reviewed the book. He's a stickler for these things, you know. >> Absolutely. >> So, barem. Anyway, um, always wonderful to see you and I hope to see you again in the Holy Land. Thank you for that very precious gift from And you and I will both be thinking of, you know, when Friday night >> and I bet you that you and I will both be thinking of this 100%. >> That is what we'll be thinking about it. Do you ever get an opportunity to really spend some time at the yeshiva? >> Absolutely. I'm there on a regular basis and it's uh you know uh this week of course uh today uh everybody in Israel is focusing on Hadar Golden >> funeral. Yeah. And uh it was actually one of our alumni who had gone running into the tunnel when he was first kidnapped. And when the army investigators asked him, "How did you where did that come from that you took off your gear, jumped into the into this blackness, not knowing?" And he said, "I got it from you." >> Wow. All right. you you know for somebody who came in pitching for me Rabbi you're doing a good job pitching for >> they're amazing >> they really are amazing people people if you want to meet Jewish heroes >> it's over it's over half of the Jewish population of today is the yeshiva >> unbelievable >> 450 students >> what >> 450 students >> living there >> and then and then they also have Yes. And then they also have the postarmmy program which is uh is actually run under the oposes of shave today but in one of your favorite places be >> unbelievable. Unbelievable. So they're affiliated. >> Yes. >> Unbelievable. Who's rasha there now? Do you know? >> Rabbiro. >> He's there in oh in noatrog. >> That's right. >> Do you know who's in bet? >> I forget his name. >> I don't remember. Wow. Uh, Rabbi Weiss has been uh quite a visit. Anybody who wants to heed Rabbi Weiss's advice, by the way, I'm going to take advantage of his kind words. Go to the top of.com and support our efforts. As he pointed out, there's a lot of positive things to be recognized about this radio show on a daily basis. And we are all very proud of that. When you want to um tour Israel, get in touch with Rabbi Guide. What's the easiest way? [email protected] or shave heavron hr o n.org. >> Nice. Um I'll think of you during the starting >> and I'll uh >> you'll reciprocate. >> Absolutely. >> Hey, by the way. >> Yeah. >> While you were sitting in here. >> Yeah. >> You know, we had snow flurries here in Tene. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> This morning. >> Reason enough to move to Israel. There's no snow in Mitsbayo, is there? >> No, there isn't. But we can see it in the mountains in the distance, which is where it belongs in the distance. >> You probably can't see the White Cat Mountains, right? >> We can. But you know, you have to remember I'm a Miami Beach boy. I was born in Miami Beach. So, uh, you know, snow's a big deal for me. >> You're related to the Weisses in California or not. >> Which Weisses? >> The legendary um the legendary Mashkus uh Rabbi Weiss. He was >> from the hotels. The Yeah, that's my father. >> What? Not Hawaii 1996. >> That's my father Allah. Did we know this? >> I don't know. >> So I knew your father. >> Yeah. Okay. >> He was with us till when? >> Uh 10 years ago. >> Always in LA. >> Always in Yeah. Well, he was spent but yeah, basically LA. He spent some time in Postville, Iowa, but uh >> So you went from LA to Miami? >> I I was I was already married. I was living in New York and he went to Miami. >> No, I was born in Miami. >> Oh. And then he went to LA. >> And then he went to LA. And you know, by the way, he was the assistant rabbi of Beth Israel congregation under Rabbi Barl Wine. >> This is amaz This is a whole new conversation here. Your father was an amazingly pleasant man. >> Barashem, >> I had a blast with him those couple of years we were together for Pesak. >> Yeah. So, >> and he took Kashas very seriously. >> I know. >> Wow. >> I know. It's uh it's something that I've mentioned to you in the past about uh how blessed we were to have fathers like we had. >> 100%. Yeah. Knowing me, we probably discussed this before and I just forgot about it. >> No, >> that's very possible. Anyway, there you go. I'm glad I asked if you were related to the West Coast Wices. You had a relative who won the lottery, right? >> That's right. She lives in Baltimore. >> Yeah. >> Oh, it was a woman. I thought it was a male cousin. >> No, >> it was a woman m a female cousin. >> It was a couple. It was a husband and wife. Kai Mesta. >> Cousin or not? >> It's my sister. >> Sister. >> My sister. >> Your sister won the California lottery. >> Yeah. 5 million. >> Wow. And now they're in Baltimore. >> Yeah. For years. >> How do I remember that story, boy? >> Anyway, there you go. Thank you, Rabbi Weiss. >> Thank you, Nah. >> Rabbi Guidegmail.com. More coming up. It's JM in the AM.