As many of you know, this past week, including Shabbat, I had the privilege of representing our community in Israel to officiate at a simcha and a bar mitzvah. It was my great honor to offer special prayers and blessings for the health and well- being for all during my stay, and to bring regards and to show support from the community in Naples, especially at this time.
This trip to Israel came at a very special time in my life. Although Israel is never far from my mind and heart, it has been many years since I last visited and in that time I feel I have become so much more responsible for the love and blessings of so many - my marriage to my dear wife Ettie Zaklos, our four children, and becoming part of the ever-growing extended Chabad of Naples family. Just being there was such an inspiring and uplifting experience.
Add to that, the special energy from the honor of witnessing the transition of a boy to manhood by officiating at his bar mitzvah at the Western Wall, and you will understand there is no stronger connection to our history and our faith than this. 
I am very proud of Jake who read from the Torah so beautifully with such confidence and melody, making it even more special to walk with him and hold the Torah at the Kotel and sing Siman Tov.
I can't think of a more inspiring way of welcoming a young man into the ranks of Jewish adulthood than by celebrating it at the Kotel.
Mazel Tov to the Masters family not only on this joyous occasion, but also for having the foresight to provide this unique, unforgettable experience for their son Jake and for allowing me to share it with them. The Kotel represents our heart and soul and what a joy for me, to be included in this special Bar Mitzvah. Thank you for extending to me the great privilege of being a part of this incredible and unforgettable Simcha.
Then I took the time to go to the Holocaust Museum, Yad Vashem, honoring the memory of the holy souls of 6 million who lost their lives for no reason other than the fact they were Jews. By the time I came to the end of the museum, I literally was in tears, where there are shelves of just memories of the names of the people. It was a moment where I was thinking to myself of how we need not only to commemorate and remember but also to do something to honor those lives. I felt coming here as a rabbi and welcoming a new member to our nation was one way of honoring them. And then as you walk out of the museum you see the city and how prosperous it is how: Am yisroel chai-- the nation of Israel with its unbreakable spirit lives! If you didn't realize it before, you now understand the breadth and depth of our amazing history - - the incredible faith and ideals and values. It's the story of the Jewish people, that unbreakable spirit.
We just welcomed Rena Finder, a survivor of Schindler's List to our community, and it just seemed to me to be an ideal moment to come here, renew the ties, and show support from our Naples community.
Israel is a land full of inspiring and emotional moments.
Before Shabbat on Friday, I had the opportunity to go to the market place, the shuk, Mahane Yehuda in Jerusalem. Four hours before Shabbat and the place was so packed I had to bump my way through the little food stands and shops, filled with precious Jews from many countries buying staples for Shabbbat. While the loud speakers and shoppers sang 'Shalom Aleichem' there was such a good feeling to see everyone ready to welcome the Sabbath with such energy and devotion. I am committed to bringing my children to see and share this experience so that the Jewish spirit will be imbued in their hearts forever.
Friday night I wished to daven by the Kotel, joining thousands walking there and back together. I met a dear colleague who invited me to share some words and thoughts with the Chayalim, dear soldiers. So I spent part of Shabbat afternoon with the precious soldiers who protect our Holy Land in an amazing way. 
Some of them are as young as 18 - some older. I wanted to thank them and offer inspiration.
Some of them are as young as 18 - some older. I wanted to thank them and offer inspiration.Overall, the emotion one experiences in Israel is in part from so much young energy. As we walked in the Old City we passed a few bar mitzvahs, there was a welcoming of the Torah celebration, and there were people from all walks of life converging, I could not resist playing tourist and adding this fellow and his pet camel to my collection of memories. 
This is where it all began and today there are still such blessings and energy. Feeling so safe and protected I prayed for our community.
Back in Naples I am filled with gratitude and wonder, and a deep desire to return with a special Naples community trip so that all of us will have an opportunity to share this together. Meanwhile, let's continue to demonstrate our love, devotion, and commitment to Israel and its people.