Pete Jenks, Car-me-jen Surfshop,
Ucluelet, British Columbia
Dear Surfing Rabbi
I saw Bill Hamilton at Bowls and he send regards! His son, Laird, is an
unreal big-wave rider!!
Aloha, Ben, Kauai
ed: Ben, howsit, bra! Well, I certainly want to sen a warm Aloha to Bill and Son! Bill shaped a semi-gun for me (one of his first!) in Winter of '70 while we were both living at the "Pipeline House", in exchange for some "light" babysitting duties watching out for his son, Laird! As you can see, I was a pretty good babysitter...!
Dear Rabbi Shifren:
Just wanted to thank you again for your e-mail prose...Always look forward to receiving your messages. I'm in my early forties with the zest for surfing of a teenager- tow kids, ten year security-building career...all the usual American trappings. Great to drift away in the middle of a working day on the images and messages you send...keep it up!! Look forward to meeting you one day if you ever hold an event on the Central Coast of Calif...Best regards,
Greg Boegeman, Half Moon Bay
ed: 'fraid not, Greg...I never go North of Rincon!!
Dear Surfing Rabbi:
Your weekly greetings (Farbringens) are wonderful! Thanks for doing it. BTW, I am a landlocked Arizona Episcopalian...
Martha Retallick, Tucson
Why are you sending me this Haredi missionary material!? To seduce poor
innocent Jews to become blind followers of Schneerson, Schach, and the other Ultra-Orthodox ayatollahs who are merre parasites on the body politic of the Jewish people??! Please go crawl back into your dark little shtibel and stop annoying people withthis proselytizing stuff!......
Name withheld
ed: As a former fitness instructor in the military and international surfer of over more than 30 years experience, my main interest is to increase the awareness level of the population regarding the beauty of the ocean as well as the importance of staying in shape. Many of our subscribers and fans include non-Jewish surfers as well. If as a result of the "Surf and Soul" experience, people are aroused to explore their individual paths of spirituality, leading them to a closer relationship with their Creator through their love and appreciation of the ocean and its waves, then this is, of course, a positive develpment. Finaly, I'd like to share something with you: One of the main reasons I love to surf is because in the "ocean" of life, we're all equal and totally connected with the most awesome force on the planet. No matter who we are, we're surfers. I am proud to be part of a sport that provides absolute "equal opportunity" for those who are brave enough and dedicated to riding those waves of energy sent to us as a gift from the Master of the Universe.
Hi Rabbi Shifren:
As a BT that was involved in the "punk" scene, I wanted to say "yasher
koach" on your "Surf and Soul" web site. Man, I can relate! Although I hung with more skaters than surfers due to the fact that I lived in the Midwest, your article about the "punks" being the ones who umped in the Red Sea even before Moshe Rabbeinu, was fabulous. Keep up the great work!.....Thanks,
Leah-Golda Fisher, Skokie, Illinois
HEY, ALL YOU "SOUL SURFERS OUT THERE! Please write or e-mail us your
letters! We're always stoked to hear from you!!