Jewish Musings, Sunday Feb. 12

[louise]

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

And for those of you that stop by to read this thread without posting — you are welcome to do that but you are also welcome to chime in!

[louise]

As I may have mentioned my synagogue has started using the new conservative siddur, Siddur Lev Shalem, over the past year. One of the things I enjoy so much about it is the many additional/alternative readings in the margins. Each Shabbat just before we take out the torah we always used to read the same prayer together in English – it was a lovely prayer but our new siddur offers a selection of Personal Prayers Before the Ark and my rabbi encourages us to each select one that appeals to us that day. I thought for a change of pace we could look at one of those each day this week.

A Prayer for Goodness
Compassionate creator, teach me to appreciate the love of my family and friends. May I not be the source of pain or contention, jealousy or needless competitiveness, but may I learn to listen to the heartfelt stirrings of all whom I know and love – and may I help fulfill their needs. Grant health of body and spirit to all. May your Torah fashion me into an instrument of Your will and Your peace. Amen.

Some days this may speak to me – maybe sometimes it sounds sappy. I like that it doesn’t ask for love, but for appreciation of the love you already have. I like the thought of our prayer and study fashioning us into an instrument of God’s will. It’s what we bring to it and also what we take from it.

[peachymom1]

I think this is a wonderful prayer. Sometimes I get envious of others for their family relationships, then I remember my own blessings and get my perspective back. I like the simplicity of this prayer, and I like the idea of being an instrument of peace.

[peachymom1]

Today in shul, it was our beloved ritual director (who taught the adult bnei mitzvah class when I joined it 30+ years ago) who chanted the Song of the Sea. I've heard it done many more times by women, but this was a special treat. He truly brought honor to the community. I felt privileged to be there.

[hollygail]

The Conservative shul I daven at weekday mornings is considering going to the new siddur. At present, there are five for people to look at. I haven't looked at it yet, but I really do appreciate the machzor, so am looking forward to perusing the siddur too. I was drawn to the selection you quoted, Louise. Thank you for sharing it.

For Shabbat Beshallach, I always go to the Renewal chavurah in San Diego (there's also one in the northern part of the county). The same woman chants the Song of the Sea in a very, very lovely melody (not the standard or traditional melody for Song of the Sea, which itself is different from "regular" Torah trop). As always, she did a fabulous job. Everything at this chavurah is lay led, and while my personal practice includes more Hebrew than they do, I always enjoy the feeling there. Today was no exception.

I fell asleep watching a TV show a little while ago and woke up at 10:00, so am keeping this brief. I'll be back tomorrow (on Sunday; it's about 10:15 Saturday night here).

[louise]

About the siddur, for whatever it's worth - my rabbi had asked me if I would like to submit a comment to the RA (Rabbinical Assembly who produced the book). I didn't know that it had been selected to appear in the RA newsletter. A week ago one of the retired rabbis in my mother's shul came in with a page from the newsletter that had my quote - they recognized my name. She was very proud. I said:

It’s like this – the liturgy is basically the same every week, but I’m not. What I love about Siddur Lev Shalem is that it meets me where I am.

[louise]

Anyone have a book to recommend? Lee told me about the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes books and I read them all (maybe 15?)! Thinking maybe Small Great Things (Jodi Picoult). Anybody read any Nicholas Sparks? Too sappy? Considering Two by Two or See Me. I'm about to start Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson - have read many of her books and am a fan.

[lee058]

Good morning everybody. Hope you are all well. My shoulder still hurts but I am taking Tylenol, and tomorrow I will get it evaluated at the physical therapy place. Today I have already had breakfast, talked with my mom on the phone, peeled a lot of garlic, and started the first load of laundry. I am going to be very careful to not strain my shoulder any more!

I don't have anything in particular to say about today's topic, but I will read whatever everyone else has to say. BTW, I found out last night that the family of my neighbor who died recently is having a memorial service in two weeks. I don't feel comfortable about going to a Methodist church, but I feel like I ought to go and say something pleasant to the family members. Any thoughts? Thanks.

Re books: I love the Mary Russell/Sherlock Holmes books, Louise. They are so well-written and interesting. I'm glad you like them too. If you ever read science fiction/fantasy, I recommend the Darkover series by Marion Zimmer Bradley and others who continued the series after MZB's death. There are at least 25 books, including anthologies, and I have read all of them except the most recent (which is sitting on my table waiting for me).

I'll be back later. Have a peaceful day, Lee

[happysavta]

Yesterday, we took the 4 y/o DG to gymnastics class in a serious gymnastics school. They had some amazing equipment there; they put the kids in some sort of a harness and they were swinging like little bungee cords. Then the 9 y/o went to tennis class. Her dad's family are all tennis players and her 15 y/o cousin is in competitive tennis.

The other grandmother and grandfather are here in town because the grandmother is doing second-opinion doctor's consults and medical tests, so I drive them around sometimes and we all go to meals together. The grandmother wanted to take the girls clothes shopping, so off we went to the Children's Gap. DGD age 9 got her first pair of jeans which looked great on her and little 4 y/o picked out 2 dresses that had tulle skirts, excellent for twirling.

It appears that girls are hitting puberty earlier than ever these days. Some of the 9 y/o's girlfriends are beginning to develop, especially the ones that are overweight. They got bras, so she wanted a bra too. Her mother bought her those flat, soft-cotton, pull over your head little girl's bras and is reading a book together with her about puberty and the body changes that are to come. DGD asked me if I thought she needed a bra (she doesn't and she knows she doesn't). I told her a funny story about how the first time I wore a bra (at age 12), it had hooks in the back. My mother had to helpnme get into it in the morning before school. Of course I was not used to it and quite uncomfortable in it. The first thing I wanted to do when I got home from school was to take the darn thing off, it chaffed my shoulders and the band underneath dug into my chest all day. But I couldn't manage to get myself out of it no matter how I fiddled with the hooks. And there was no other exit without cutting it apart with a scissor; I couldn't pull it over my head or wiggle it down to my toes. I had to wait hours stuck in the damn bra until my mother came home and got me out of it. Oh, was I relieved! No wonder the women of my generation were the ones who burned their bras in protest!

[savtele]

Hello ladies! John just took off to Urgent Care - his L kneecap is doing odd things - and now his L leg is a bit swollen, below the knee. I don't want to frighten him - could be thrombophlebitis, or might be just something torqued from his kneecap slipping..... He doesn't want me to come with him. We'll see how this day goes!

I'll keep you posted!

[lee058]

Hi again everyone. It was a busy and productive day today; I got a lot done and enjoyed myself too, while being careful about my shoulder. I hope all of you had good days too!

Have a peaceful night, Lee