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Post by peachymom1 on Dec 9, 2016 0:07:16 GMT -5
What’s on your mind – how to make kugel? This week’s Torah reading? Life goals? Prayer? We are all engaged in weight loss/weight maintenance journeys and we are all Jewish or at least interested in Judaism. We like to eat, we like to discuss. It is our goal here to provide each other support on our journeys, to share experiences, to call on our rich cultural heritage and texts, and to help each other grow spiritually.
Some of us take weekly turns starting the thread:
Angelika
Holly
Lee
Louise
Lynne
Peachy
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Post by peachymom1 on Dec 9, 2016 0:08:07 GMT -5
Good morning! Yesterday we talked about what it means to be religious. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in a religious community? It could be Jewish or otherwise; think the Amish folks in the movie “Witness” or the frum community of “A Stranger Among Us” or even the convent nuns in “Sister Act.” How do you think it would feel to immerse yourself in such an identity? Does it hold any interest or fascination for you, or does the idea leave a bad taste in your mouth?
What about going in the opposite direction? What if you lived in a culture that was completely non-religious? Does that sound refreshing to you or boring? What if you visited either a religious community or a non-religious one just as an observer, rather than a participant? Do you think it would make any difference? Use your imagination and tell me how you think you would feel or behave or react to such environments. Feel free to change your gender, if you think you would have a different experience or insight.
Shabbat shalom!
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Post by hollygail on Dec 9, 2016 0:42:43 GMT -5
I did live in a culture that was totally non-religious in my 20s. I was very comfortable there. I was Jewish, just not religiously Jewish (ditto for my then DH who became the father of my only child, and I the mother of his only child). I wouldn't want to live in one now. But I don't think I'd like to live in a completely religious community now either... Even if the level of "frum-ness" wasn't high, I can't imagine living in such a community. For one thing, where would the diversity come from?
It's bedtime here in San Diego. I'll BBL after morning minyan some time...
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Post by louise on Dec 9, 2016 0:54:26 GMT -5
Over the years I have been attending a yoga retreat in the Berkshires. When I first started going it was an ashram. The place was filled with "residents" who were all disciples of the guru. Some years ago the guru was ousted (apparently had given some women a shortcut to enlightenment). The residents were badly shaken and, feeling betrayed, left in droves. The place had to learn to hire staff for all of the many things the residents did to give service. I say all this because my experiences there when it was an ashram were far more profound. The place was permeated with spirituality and purpose. It's still good and I still go; I have stopped comparing what it was and what it is now and take advantage of what they currently offer. Back then though the residents, when they led programs, were embodying the teaching. They were also models for us. For satsang (chanting session) they came dressed in white, they got up when the spirit moved them and danced; their spirit infused the room and we learned from their example. Similarly the day always ended with "arti" a Hindu ceremony of light. They still do this but many of the guests don't really know what's going on. You can feel the difference in the room.
On the other hand when I go to my family for Thanksgiving I am the only kosher person and my brother and SIL, while technically Jewish, do not follow any of the customs. Much as I enjoy going and seeing everyone, spiritually I have more in common with people who have my level of observance but are of a different religion. |
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Post by savtele on Dec 9, 2016 10:16:24 GMT -5
Boker Tov All! Holly, I just read your response from yesterday - I am sorry if I hit nerve for you. I have NEVER thought of you as anything but kind, and I appreciate your knowledge & input more than you can possibly know!
I think to a certain degree, there could be a comfort in having "what G-d requires of you" defined to the hour of the day, or the type of fasteners on my clothes! Actually, one of my favorite PBS shows is "Call the Midwife" - I love the juxtaposition of the nurse-midwives to the nuns! In the last season finale, Sister Evangelina had just died, & the nuns would not allow flowers on her casket (vow of poverty) - but her worn-out black shoes that had walked the streets making house calls were placed there instead (I'm tearing up even as I type this!)
When we lived in large cities, there was something very natural in having large synagogues, cathedrals, mosques all in close proximity. Part of the culture - seeing brides get out of limousines to go to their weddings, or mourners lining the steps as a casket comes out for the long ride to the cemetery. Part of the landscape, and part of the diversity of the particular city. Now we live out in the country - and there are large and small country churches of every stripe on every corner. In the middle of nowhere, one suddenly comes upon a little white building with a steeple and a small parking lot - Canby Lutheran or Smyrna Assembly of God. Liberal (a small town) Evangelical apparently found a paint sale - they painted their church "John Deer" yellow with green trim. (I don't know - they might all be OR Ducks fans!) At noon on Sunday, they all let out at the same time & there is an immediate traffic jam through the town!
Everything is pretty much set for mom's party this weekend. And I was right - very few of the little old ladies call to RSVP (one would think they, of all people.... - there I go, being judgmental!) I'm sure they all "meant to call!" Mom went from "I don't want any kind of party" to calling me every day with another idea or 2, LOL. Yesterday I had to tell her that "everything is set & ready now!" (Ok, the pink balloons on the door of the hall - I'm sure we can arrange that!)
Our much-anticipated "weather alert" fizzled, as much anticipated ones often do! We had some snow, we had a little ice, then the temps went up to 35 & stayed there, everything melted, the kids were all disappointed, because the schools had all closed in anticipation (who DOES that!?) & sledding in the rain is no fun.
I'm heading to the pool for a nice workout. 1st one more cup of coffee
Shabbat Shalom!
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Post by peachymom1 on Dec 9, 2016 11:00:12 GMT -5
These are very interesting comments. The feeling of community makes such a difference, it seems to me, regardless of the level of observance or flavor of religion.
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Post by happysavta on Dec 9, 2016 12:06:03 GMT -5
The kibbutz we lived on in Israel, right on the border with Gaza, was a non-religious kibbutz. They celebrated all the Jewish holidays in a secular manner, creating new forms of the holidays and feasts. There were no rabbis, no prayer books, no formal worship of any god, no kashrut, none of the trappings of what I was familiar with, coming from a conservative background in the U.S. But it worked. Matter of fact, it was very freeing not to have all those rules. I think that once I experienced Humanist Judaism on the kibbutz, I found my comfort zone.
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Post by happysavta on Dec 9, 2016 12:16:42 GMT -5
My DDiL's father is a Catholic priest who lives in Pennsylvania in a monastery which is housed on a Catholic University campus. Every time I see him, which is 2-3 times a year when he's in town, he urges me to come visit the monastery and the campus. I just can't picture myself there.
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Post by louise on Dec 9, 2016 15:09:34 GMT -5
I got through PT and evaluation this morning but she hurt me - I hope it won't always be like that. I have a stack of exercises to do at home each day. Secretly I believe I hurt myself crocheting, unlikely as that may sound.
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