Do these blogs make me look fat?

Wow! For those who don't believe what the power of a picture can be, check out the before and after pictures taken a few months apart. (Obviously, I must like that tie a lot because it's featured in both shots.) According to the fitness director at the JCC who sponsored "The Biggest Loser" contest, I was in the lead as of yesterday afternoon. I knew I had lost nearly 18 pounds in the six weeks and one day I participated in the contest, but much more impressive than that was the total of 14.5 INCHES that I lost from shoulders, waist, legs, and arms. The point is that anyone can do this if only they put their minds to it. If I am announced as the winner, I will get ten additional sessions with my trainer, Ben Schoenfeld, who has been a major reason for my achieving the impressive results above. I'll let you know.

Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice spoke Tuesday at the American Jewish Committee's 102nd National Annual meeting. For those of you who missed it, the Secretary talked at length about the commitment of the Bush administration to the State of Israel. She proudly mentioned the historic connection between the U.S. and Israel and emphasized that only 11 minutes elapsed between the time of the announcement of the formation of the modern State of Israel by David Ben-Gurion and official U.S. recognition. Rice reiterated that the U.S. policy has and will continue to be to ensure the survival of the Jewish State by defending it whenever its security is threatened. She stressed the need to isolate Hamas and other terrorist interests in the Middle East who continue to work against the Road Map to peace there. The Secretary of State made it clear that the Bush administration will continue to bring Israelis and Palestinians to the peace table, despite the hard choices being faced by all. She took time to note the close friendship she and former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon shared and stated that his successor Ehud Olmert is as strong leader for his people. Rice's most pointed comments concerned Iran and its continuing to train and support Islamic extremists who are bent on the destruction of Israel. In a question and answer period that followed the talk, Rice was asked to comment on former President Jimmy Carter's recent meeting with Hamas. She took the opportunity to again state that Carter was advised not to meet with Hamas, because they would use that meeting to forward their agenda. She commented that she didn't see any point to meeting with people who are bent on the destruction of peace there.

Yom HaShoah commemorations began earlier today in Israel due to the advent of Shabbat on Friday. The local JCC has a program that will begin tonight just before sundown featuring survivors, their children and grandchildren. This holiday also known as Holocaust Memorial day remembers the victims of the violence and prejudice of the Holocaust and allows survivors to recall those family members they lost. Among the six million souls lost, over one million were innocent children slain during the time of the Nazi madness. In Israel a two-minute period of silence was observed and flags have been flying at half-staff all day. Next week the Israelis will commemorate Yom HaZikaron, Israel Memorial Day, and Yom HaAtzma'ut, Israel Independence Day, which kicks off the "Israel at 60" celebrations. President Bush and Secretary of State Rice are both expected to attend the festivities along with a host of other dignitaries and celebrities.