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Post by peachymom1 on Mar 2, 2017 0:54:44 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
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!
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Post by peachymom1 on Mar 2, 2017 0:55:13 GMT -5
Good morning! Yesterday I was too distracted to welcome you to the new month – yes, it’s March already. My mom, one of my sisters, and my bff’s son all have birthdays this month, so bring on the cake!
Last week we talked a little about religious customs that others might find strange. I thought of this yesterday when I saw Christians who observed Ash Wednesday by getting marked with ashes on the forehead, usually in the shape of a cross. There’s a lady on my floor at work (in a different department, and I don’t know her well) surnamed Katz, and until last Ash Wednesday, I thought she was Jewish, since Katz is an abbreviation for Kohen Tzedek (“holy priest”). But nope, she’s from German stock, and her last name is a shortening of “Katze,” which simply means “cat.”
One thing many non-Jews have found strange about me about religion (among other things, LOL!) is that for as long as I can remember, I have always asked questions, and I still haven’t stopped. Some people think this means that I never find the answers, that I’m never satisfied with answers, or perhaps even that I’m too thick to grasp the answers. But I’m always thinking of new questions, or I’m coming from a different perspective than the last time I asked the question, or someone gave me an answer that requires some chewing on before I can take it further. When it comes to religion, I think it is downright arrogant for anyone to think they have the only truth. Why is it so important to some people to think they’ve got it right and everyone else is wrong? Do you think the increasing globalization of our world is leading to more understanding, more conflict, or is it staying about the same? Do you think religion is as important to people today as it has been in past generations? Or were past generations simply playing along in order not to get tortured or killed for being a heretic?
What do you think?
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lee058
This space for rent
Posts: 23,286 
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Post by lee058 on Mar 2, 2017 1:17:35 GMT -5
Hello and happy middle of the night to you, Peachy! It's just after 1AM here in VA, and I woke up needing some Tylenol and a snack. I had both, and now am spending a little time online until I go back to bed. Re your comments, I saw something in the news that may interest you. Apparently, some individuals put glitter in the ashes for Ash Wednesday to represent the inclusion of LGBT people. I think that is notable in the changes that have been taking place in modern-day religion.
As for asking questions about religion, I think it is our right and our responsibility to do so!!! Maybe Jews just like asking questions about things that are important to us? After all, we have to wrestle with our religion (I am using the word wrestle deliberately), so questions are the natural way to find things out!
You posed some interesting questions. I will be thinking about them today. Off the top of my head, I would say that religion/spirituality/interest in how the universe works is just as important as it ever was, only it is taking different forms than in the past. I am glad to be living in the USA where we can believe what we want and live as we choose, as well as being free to figure out important aspects of life on our own!
I'll write more later. Have a peaceful rest of the night, Lee
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Post by hollygail on Mar 2, 2017 1:23:07 GMT -5
First of all, I got home a little while ago (it's after 10pm Wednesday here), so please go to the Wednesday thread to read a comment or two I posted tonight plus the post I wrote before I left the house in the morning but apparently forgot to hit the "post quick reply" button...
Yes, Peachy, I've read several articles that agree that many mammograms have "false positives" and that most of the ones that don't initially say "negative" turn out to negative after all...
More in the morning. G'night, all.
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Post by peachymom1 on Mar 2, 2017 2:09:02 GMT -5
Holly, I just went back and read your posts. Thank you so much, you are such a sweetheart!
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Post by hollygail on Mar 2, 2017 9:09:33 GMT -5
Synagogues and churches have been noticing a decline in membership over the last decade or so, and the trend seems to be continuing. I have to conclude that younger adults don't find what they're looking for regarding spirituality in the already-established synagogues and churches, otherwise they'd be joining as did previous generations. Whether this means religion is less important to them is another question; it could very well be that they don't join because the established institutions just plain don't "speak their language." It's an issue synagogues and churches are finding they have to deal with and figure out... Here is San Diego, there's a new-ish group called J-Co (for "Co-operative") which seems to be growing. I personally don't fully trust one of the rabbis who started it (it's a Reform-trained husband and wife team: he's an ordained rabbi; she's ordained both cantor and rabbi), so I'm so very UNlikely to go check out what they offer and/or HOW they're reaching people... I heard about one shul in NYC that (at least some years ago) had people standing in the aisles at Shabbat morning services, so they too must be doing something "right," although I have no idea what. (Does anyone else know?)
More later. I must go shower, weigh myself, get dressed, eat something, and get to minyan...
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Post by savtele on Mar 2, 2017 10:30:27 GMT -5
Boker Tov All!
Frieda - I LOL'd at your thought of my job interview in the pool!
A little boy was walking with his dad. The boy asked "Dad, why is the sky blue?" Dad answers, "Gee, I don't really know that, son." They walk further, "Dad, how come birds can fly, & we can't?" "Son, I don't really understand flight - it has something to do with the wings." Later, "Dad, what happened to Rover when he died?" "Gee, son, I'm not really certain what happens after death." They walk on. Then, "Dad? - oh, never-mind." "Son, go ahead, ask questions. As a lot of questions. How else will you learn?!"
Ask questions, ask a lot of questions. The answers ALWAYS lead to more questions! A 5 y o may hear an answer and say, OK. A 15 y o will say "no way!" A 25 y o, "yes, but," and here I am, at 68, wondering why the Reformation happened in Europe when & how it did, Why in 1492, the Jews were expelled from Spain & how in the world the Inquisition managed to continue in some form or other until well into the 20th century! Every answer leads to another question - we Jews have a long-held tradition of this!
IMO, organized religions, historically, served a community with entertainment, artistic outlets, scholastic opportunities, business contacts, and spiritual guidance. Most of those needs have now been met by civic & philanthropic outlets - leaving only "spiritual guidance" for the synagogue, mosque or church to fill.
To my way of thinking, increased globalization "should" make us more tolerant - we have the opportunity to see 1st-hand, how much we have in common. Of the 3 major world-religions (all monotheist), all believe in "other spirits" - angels, demons, ghosts - that animate places and things - making inroads into non-monotheist beliefs. We all have more that binds us together than separates us, as we hurtle through space on this little blue ball.
I'm resting today - yesterday was busy at the mall. Need some more coffee, then I'll be heading to the gym for a while.
Have a good day, ladies!
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Post by gazelle18 on Mar 2, 2017 10:55:24 GMT -5
Sadly, for many Jews these days, there is no "need" to join a synagogue until you have a special issue. Your kids need to go to religious school, or you're getting married, or someone died, or something bad has happened to you and you want spiritual guidance. For those who are observant on a daily or at least a weekly basis, it's a different story. I believe the religion would be strengthened if more Jews belonged to a Shul. But the trend going the other way will be hard to change. (And of course, for Christian churches, the situation is probably worse.)
Peachy, I will be waiting to hear what happens at the radiologist's , and also how you are doing now that "cake-gate" is two days old.
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Post by happysavta on Mar 2, 2017 13:28:08 GMT -5
Lynne, I have restarted my weight loss journey and I just wanted to tell you that your suggestion about a mug of hot chocolate drink in the late evening is helping me a lot. A thank you and Namaste to you!
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Post by happysavta on Mar 2, 2017 13:54:33 GMT -5
Yes, Jews are encouraged to debate, analyze and defend your interpretation/understanding of scripture. That starts in cheder and goes up to seminary and continues into Daf Yomi. Our rabbis are considered teachers and not infallible, so there's plenty of room to question. Looking at other religions, not all of them encourage questioning matters of faith. Some religions do not tolerate questioning matters of faith.
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Post by louise on Mar 2, 2017 15:32:43 GMT -5
We had internet problems at the office yesterday and I never caught up with my day. I'm so sorry to have missed yesterday, Peachy- you went through so much. We all know you to be a very caring and competent person - I hope the explanations went/are going smoothly. The responses (from the bosses) got out of hand just as surely as the party may have. Whatever - I agree that for many people it might just be a matter of cake or not. Personally I don't think big excuses are in order - change in plans,sorry.... Most important though I am sorry about how tormented you felt by it. I hope you have come to terms with it and the ramifications. You are too good to have all that weighing down on you - and then the call back on the mammogram - as others have said, that has happened to me as well. It turned out both times not to be anything but no matter what, I'm a firm believer that there's plenty of time to worry when and if the time comes so no point in worrying now (I know - easier said than done).
I have a project I need to work through at work.bbl
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Post by peachymom1 on Mar 2, 2017 23:26:40 GMT -5
Thank you, Louise, those are nice words. And Lynne, I laughed out loud at "cake-gate!" Good one!
So I went back to radiology today, and they took five more images of my right breast. There is definitely something there; I could see it myself on the monitor. But that doesn't mean it's anything bad. We'll have to wait for the results. It's small and round-ish, less than 1/4" in diameter, and it could just be a cyst. The squashing was much harder than a regular mammogram, though, and I was sore for most of the day. I'm having a glass of wine now, and that helps. :+) The ultrasound was pretty routine, no problem, so we'll wait to hear about that as well.
As for cake-gate, I do feel better about it, especially in light of a more serious issue. I'm going to get my boss a card this weekend, and I thought about some small gift for her as well. She's been studying Spanish for a while, and I've been enjoying her progress very much. My degree is in Spanish, and I'm known as the Grammar Queen around the office anyway, so it's been a lot of fun answering her questions, helping her with her grammar and vocabulary, and sharing funny stories with her about the gaffes I and other students made in Spanish. DB is a major reader, so I thought I'd get her a book in Spanish, but I decided on a children's story, so it wouldn't be too hard for her. I chose "Charlotte's Web" in Spanish, and I bought myself a copy too. It's a wonderful translation of a wonderful story that I loved as a child, and I think she will appreciate reading it in Spanish.
I feel better in general, because I've done what I can about the physical issue and managed to decide on something meaningful for DB. So I'm going to relax this evening, even though I should be doing the laundry, and just rock in my chair and drink my wine.
Thank you, all of you, for your support. It is really wonderful to know you.
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