Jewish musings, Wed., July 5

[gazelle18]

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:

Frieda

Holly

Lee

Louise

Lynne

Peachy

[gazelle18]

Hi everyone,
I hope you all had a good July 4.
One last thing on the subject of July 4:

Lately, I have been disheartened about the direction of our country. Our population is politically polarized, the Supreme Court seems to want to take us back decades, and a person under two indictments (including one for mishandling classified documents) is the leading candidate for the nomination of his party. It seems hard to find silver linings here.

So…. For today, here is the questions: What is a GOOD thing can you say about America?

I will say this : I have been in the drop dead gorgeous mountains of Montana for several weeks. I have in my life visited American seashores, and waterfalls , and many other majestic natural landmarks. “America the Beautiful” is vastly understated. We live in a spectacular country, from a physical standpoint.

Your comments?

[louise]

Just saying Hi. I am safe and in Istanbul. Hard as it is these days I believe our country will find its true self again. I am probably being naive but it is too disturbing to think otherwise. There is beauty in our ideals and I have to believe we will find ourselves again.

Have missed you.

[hollygail]

I agree about some of the natural landscape in the continental US. I've spent many a summer hiking in the Redwood Forest in northern California. When I lived in Tucson, I hiked in several mountain areas not only in Tucson itself but in other parts of Arizona. I lived within walking distance of Harvard Square for a few years in the 1970s and loved the shops that were there (never mind running into Milton Friedman wearing his famous [infamous?] kilt) and I was born and grew up in what to me at least at that time was the center of the world, New York City... People playing chess in Washington Square Park, walking around Greenwich Village as a young adolescent, going to incredible restaurants, taking piano lessons with a Maestro (toward the end, I was the only non-professional musician among his students)...

I too am concerned about current America and its divisiveness. My only hope is in the young people of today who will grow up and take over (Lord, may it be soon and in our time!).

[lee058]

Good morning everybody. Hope you are all well and SAFE!

Re today's topic: "With all her faults, I love her still." That's how I feel about the USA. Even with the profound negativity of some citizens, there are many, many people working actively to repair the damages they brought about and to prevent things from getting worse. I am proud to be a Democrat; I feel that there are plenty of people who are changing things for the better.

Also, I love this country's natural beauty. I was fortunate to see so many different places and meet so many amazing people over the years, especially when I travelled and worked my way around the country after college.

I think this nation's strength is in its people. I think most people are good, and honestly want to make others' lives better.

I watched "A Capitol Fourth" on TV last night, and was very moved at the sight of so many people celebrating our country's birthday.

It makes me smile to think about all this.

Have a peaceful day, Lee

[peachymom1]

The variety and diversity of people and everything the bring, from ideas to food!

I'm reading five aliyot this Shabbat, so I'm off to study. BBL!