THE Josh Aronson

My body crashed. Last night I had coursework from 11 am until late. I was hunched over my computer and studying and didn't even had time to eat lunch. It showed, as I finished that coursework, I was zonked. I couldn"t see properly and I was just finished. In life we get to those points where we overworked and yes, it's ok to work hard, but to a point. That's why today, though I have another seven courseworks to complete, I sat back and relaxed. I let myself just get through life easier. Yes, I did have a driving lesson today, but afterwards I sat and just let the calmness flow through me. My driving lesson was cool as I told the teacher I'm studying with that I'm playing the McDonald's monopoly game and she agreed we could go through a drive-thru and got some lunch. Driving lesson through McDonald's trying to win a electric car, something seems right there. God Above give me please Bond Street, so I get the car, or better yet, give me Mayfair so I get t...

Some may have noticed that from Sunday till today, I didn't post my blog. The reason for that was Rosh Hashana, the Jewish new year. This month, the blog posting will be spasmodic, with Yom Kippur, the day of Atonrment and Succot, a holiday that during the cold weather, we move into huts to remind us of the 40 years traveling in the desert when the Israelites left Egypt. So many holidays brings much stress, as Thursday I ended my second year of college which brings with all the end-of-year coursework that needs to be done in order to pass the various courses. I've also come down with a small cold and along with the various activities I've been doing,  I do feel very overstressed - so much to do and so little time to do it! But I wanted to share with you a phenomanal way of thinking I heard about. I was sitting next to an academic, originally from Poland, now living in Scotland, and I asked him what he studies. He told me the philosophy of mathematics.  Stunned, I asked what...

For the last three nights, Esther and I have been babysitting for a family that the parents have gone away on a personal trip and only wanted the people who had to know, they were away. I had posted in my family group about my  log of tiredness, as I wrote in yesterday's blog, and when they asked why I was so tired and my siblings wanted to know who  etc , I of course I kept the confidentiality clause, which upset some of them deeply. Then this morning, I met my mother in law, who told me that one of my family members had messaged her saying that she had something for me and asking where I was. I got mad and put a strong voicemail on the group saying how wrong that is - to sneakily try and find out where I was through Esther's mother. But then that member of family spoke to me and said they really had something to give me, and hadn't been following the group. They had been out last night with that item and apparently tried to call me. When I didn't answer, they asked my...

I was supposed to have a driving lesson today but last night, I hardly slept. So I called my driving instructor and told her that I didn't want to endanger her or other drivers, so I would have to cancel. She understood, but canceling a lesson less then 48 hours before the lesson means that I am charged for it, but it's worth it not to endanger other people. I stayed home, closed my eyes and slept. I woke up at lunch time went to McDonalds for lunch. In the UK at the moment they have a monopoly game at McDonalds and you can win some cool prizes. I have collected several properties already and all I need is one more and I've won a major prize. I've only have had a few instant wins, which is surprising as in most of the youtube videos I've been watching, the youtubers have had more instant wins then properties so I guess I'm the exception. I did say to someone that if they do the McDonald monopoly in Israel, it will be an instant hit. Israelis love gambling and ea...

Today, I went to town to buy new shirts. With the High Holidays coming up, I needed some white shirts and with my finances so low I decided to go to the place where clothing is cheap: Primark! I entered the store on Market Street, smiled at the nod of the indoor cafe called 'The Central Perk', obviously in reference to the hit TV show, Friends, and entered the lift to go downstairs to the Men's section. I got to the formal shirts and saw that they were on sale at £6 each! What a thrill! I thought that according to Murphy's Law, they wouldn't have my size. I asked staff if they had but unfortunatly they didn't.  So I left and went to other stores only to see prices of £30 a shirt! Fun and games...  As I was anyway in town, I entered several stores and redeemed my birthday treats for free donuts and cookies. Such fun to get treats from stores just for being born! I noticed that in Subway, all I needed to do was show my phone screen to get a free biscuit and the o...

Like the rest of the world today, I watched the funeral of Queen Elizabeth the 2nd.  I watched the splendor of the ceromony as leaders, royalty and dignitaries filed into the chapel to pay their respect. I was proud that the order of service named Marie van der Zyl, the President of The Board of Jewish Deputies , and Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis led our representation together with President Isaac Hertzog and his wife Michal, who is such a regal statesman that Sky News cut from the broadcast to show him entering the chapel. As my friend, James Jeremy Marlow quoted,  "Absolutely historic. Planned right done to the very last detail. The coordination, the marching, the band, chimes from Big Ben and so much more! It is like something out of a blockbuster movie! ONLY this is real. Billions were watching some of the best TV pictures ever seen around the world. American networks and others would not be screening it live if it did not have the ratings. Britain is a country truly in mour...

A couple of years ago at a book signing for Sarah Tuttle Singer’s book, I met an American girl called Tova. She told me she does shuk (market) tours.  We got to talking and in the end I added her on Facebook. Over the years I have followed her progress, her marriage to Bezalel Heller, the birth of her children and more. Last week, I saw she was en-route to London so I asked her if she was also coming to Manchester, which she was! I took the opportunity and offered to show her around my town. On Friday, I picked her up with her husband, two of her kids and her sister-in-law and showed them around the Jewish neighborhood of Manchester, a place brimming with inclusion and also Zionism. A place where Jews from all sectors live in peace with amazing NGO's in the community helping the vulnerable and more. I love the neighbourhood I grew up, the community is so welcoming and so open to everyone. The kosher shops may be few, but they serve everyone with a smile and good spirits. You ...

Sorry about todays blog , I've been busy. I"ll try make it up next week . Follow my socials https://linktr.ee/josharonson

Today, I was watching the Israeli Election Commitee, as groups come in to register parties. An interesting process where people come in and tell a committee why their party is running. It's fascinating to watch as people from different sectors of society came in to talk about their party and its values.  In today's session 18 parties registered: parties such as 'Nativ', a party of people of disabilities; 'Yisrael Chofsheet', a party of different activists trying to change how Israel is run; the Bible Party, made up of Jews and Christians together; the Pirate Party, who believe the internet should run democracy; 'Lev Yehudi', a guy who's running on the platform that Israelis, in his eyes, is not being good-hearted and funding genocide and not looking for Raoul Wallenberg;  another party who's head is in jail for creating 'Telegrass', a telegram group for dealing drugs; 'Kama', who are the polygamous wives of a cult leader called Am...

Today started with a driving lesson. Throughout the lesson, my teacher kept on pointing out aspects in driving that I was not focused on. She was right, due to the hard and hectic week I'm having, I haven't been focusing on the important things. Yesterday, I was talking to an executive of the Jewish Agency who said, "You know Josh, I was talking to your editor, Golan Bar Yosef, in Basel at th 125 years to Herzl celebration and I told him that you have changed the coverage of Diaspora for better. Talking about my editor, I'm very lucky that Golan is my editor especially the way he acknowledges and supports me and praises me about my work. Talking of my work, I work for Ma'ariv, one of the best newspapers in Israel. Talking about Israel, it is a country that fills you with pride for its activities and the way it helps people. Talking about people, reminds me of my beautiful wife, Esther, who encourages me in all I do. Two years ago, I proposed to Esther who said yes...

Today has not been one of those good days. It started off in the morning when I got out of bed, got dressed and left to the post office to pick up a parcel that they had tried to deliver on Saturday when I was out. I planned to walk to the post office, but as I walked out, I felt a pain in my leg, so decided to get the bus. As I got to the bus stop, a bus was just driving away. I waited but the next bus never turned up. I finally got to post office and was met with a sign: Open 8am -10am. Seriously!? What a joke! Why open for two hours and out of the usual business times? Got the bus back and stopped at the shops to buy stuff and brought a scratch-off lotto card and walked home. I scratched the card and was pleased to discover that I had won £4.  Then I received a phone call that shattered me: The man who held me at the beginning of my life, at my circimcision, Moshe Shorrick had passed away. Moshe was someone special. He cared deeply for everyone but he had a special affection f...

All my life I remembered the admiration we had for Queen Elizabeth II. In our synagogues every week, we made a blessing to the Queen and the royal family. I remember as a small child that the Queen came to Manchester to open the Jewish Museum and thousands of the community, including us, stood outside to see her, and when she appeared my father, who was a rabbi in the community, stood and and made a blessing over her. It was exciting. For me, personally, the Queen showed her greatness. As a small child I came to a family event in London, as a family of 14 people we could not stay in the same place and so we split into two. However, before we arrived, I sent a letter to the Queen in which I wrote that it was difficult for me to split up and that I knew there were many empty rooms in the palace and enquired whether it was possible to stay there. The Queen answered me personally and said that she was sorry that she would not be in the palace so it would be closed but maybe on another o...

On Tuesday, I celebrated my birthday. There a very few kosher places in Manchester to eat, but one of them is my favourate, Celia's Kitchen. The place has a homey feeling and creates an atmosphere of service like no other. Due to my university class, we only entered at 8 pm and were promptly shown to a table. I sat down, perused the menu and ordered our starters and drinks. As we waited, the owner, Mark Clyne, came over to say hello. Mark is known for often going over to customers to say hi and to welcome them. Knowing it was my birthday, he wished me a nice happy birthday and told me to call him if I needed anything. Our starters arrived. My wife had avocodo salad which was avocado and other vegs in a fried lettuce leaf, while I had chicken soup which comes with matzah balls and noodles. I was disapointed as they used to serve a massive matza ball, the size of a tennis ball, but Mark told me that in summer time, they don't serve it as it is too heavy. Our mains then arrived. E...

I apologise for the short blog , I had a lot to do today following my Birthday , I had several successful meetings today via phone , I also had errands with my wife , after that I returned home was planning on writing something up and lay on my bed to relax while writing but fell asleep and woke up too late . I'm now going to relax because if I fell asleep during the day it means I’m run down and sometimes its best to relax and not be all work work work . Always look after yourself before work commitments . I’m going to eat and drink something , lie down watch videos and relax . See you tomorrow for a bigger blog hopefully Follow my socials https://linktr.ee/josharonson

Today is my birthday, 36 years ago in Sunderland I was born.  Not many people know that I'm not a true Mancunian, I'm actually a ‘mackem’ born in Sunderland and only at the age of four did I move to Manchester. But Manchester is always my home, I never knew Sunderland and don't even think I’ve even been back to the town since we moved from there. This year is the first time I celebrate my birthday as a married man and it started with the gift of a big birthday balloon from my wife. Tonight we are going out to a restaurant for dinner. My Grandmother from Holland used to phone me up every year and wish me happy birthday. It’s always a stark reminder that she's not around anymore, when I don’t get ca call from her, but the countless messages on all my social media networks really make my day. There are also a few treats I can redeem on this day on some of my apps, such as free donuts and coffee. Currently, I am in university class on Zoom, trying not to fall asleep! Today,...

A few weeks ago I got a phone call from a friend, “Josh, you understand flights and airlines, I want to go to Uman for Rosh Hashanah. I was told that I can fly via Moldova.” I told him it was dangerous and it’s a war zone but he insisted, so I booked a flight for him to Moldova and a friend of his booked a shuttle for him from Moldova to Ukraine. At 4 am last night, my phone rings: “Josh, can you google the shuttle’s phone number? It left without me.” At what point do people think that it is ok to ring someone up at that time of night?  In terms of thinking or not thinking about other people, this morning I reported on a story which actually made me cry when I received it. An 8-year-old girl is in hospital with a brain tumor and was upset she was going to miss her Aunt’s wedding. An organization called ‘Rachshei Lev’ jumped in to assist and the made it possible for the Bride and Groom to pop in to the hospital on their wedding day to surprise the niece. This was phenomenally though...

I was talking to one of my mates at my regular pre-match meet-up and He asked me, "Why don't you write about this pub?" and I thought you know why not! Every match day, I have kind of a ritual, I get the tram from my flat to Old Trafford, go to Cafe Nero for a coffee, then walk a short walk to the Trafford Bar. I have a loyalty card at the Trafford which gives me free entry + cheaper beer for all the games. This cost me 16 pounds for the card, but considering it's usually one pound for entry and I get to cut the queues as well, it's well worth it. The Trafford is usually full of fans singing United songs. I know the regulars and they know me, so it"s fun to stand there with all of them and to sing our souls out with hundreds of fans singing our love for our club. An hour pre-match, we look at the lineups for the game on our phones and half an hour pre-match, en masse, we go to the stadium through security and to our seats. Depending on the score, sometimes a...

My feed is full of back-to-school photos of my multiple contacts who are finally getting the break they have been praying for as their precious young ones go back to school. Some of my friends’ kids (in the religious school system) have actually been back in school for a week already, as they start on the first day of the Hebrew month of Elul. I used to start in Elul as well and it always disappointed me. Why? Because throughout the school year, the teachers would celebrate my classmates’ birthdays (on their Hebrew birthdates), but as my Hebrew birthdate was always the first day back at school, my birthday was never celebrated with the class! My school years was very mixed. I was severely bullied and ostracised at school. I dreaded going to school nearly every day, knowing I’d probably be teased or hit by other students and the teachers would always ignore it. But on the other hand, I loved learning. I was a bookworm and school was a fountain of knowledge, information and learning. Rec...