Jewish Musings, Wednesday, July 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:
Frieda
Holly
Lee
Louise
Lynne
Peachy

[louise]

Hopefully my post will be more accessible today! I’m still on my trip but on another facet of it – compassion. I knew the trip would be strenuous and did go into a sort of training period in the months leading up to it – my mantra was “Lighter, stronger”. I got back into my strength training and bult up my steps. Still, I was maxxed out at the end of every day. This is in its own way a good thing but sometimes it was very stressful. So many rocky roads, hills, and, my nemesis, steps ( as in stairs). What I found was that my group supported me (and my roommate, also an alter cocker). Sometimes I would look up and see all the stair cases and just sigh – many times there were no railings either. The group waited for me/us and often literally held out helping hands to guide me up or across. Our tour guide kept a running joke going that she had received a special request from the IDF about their interest in me. Walking back from the Wall one night one of the guys kept a hand firmly on my back which felt reassuring and also helped propel me along. At the Dead Sea the way down the beach was rocky and a little steep. I fell behind. The rabbi came back for me and held my hand all the way to the water. And in the water – I freaked out. You may know that you can actually sit in that water because of all of the salt – you become uber buoyant. I got to floating position and then panicked because I could not bring my feet down to get up. Seeing my panic a stranger help pushed my feet down. Of course I tried again and my friends helped me get upright again. I decided I had enough and started to make my way back up the beach. They noticed I had gone off alone and decided someone should go after me. Again my rabbi walked hand in hand with me until we got back to the top. At no point did I ever get a feeling of resentment for having to wait for me or help me. I felt they just cared. I also felt they wanted me as a part of the group and I received thanks numerous times for organizing the trip.

At one point we were going through a very narrow tunnel (a water duct actually). I was in the unlikely position of leading. I turned into the walkway first with my roommate because they others were busy taking pictures and I thought it would be good to have a head start. The narrow walkway (picture the aisle on an airplane) sometimes was a little creepy. I knew my group was alone in the duct so I started to sing (Ozi ve-zimrat yah) – they all know my voice and I heard the song get taken up behind me. It was lovely. I had to stop singing when I got out of the tunnel but I heard the singing continue until everyone was out. It was a lovely moment and made me feel like maybe sometimes my presence made things harder but I also brought some good stuff with me.

I could go on – like how they all supported me when my suitcase did not reach Tel Aviv from Eilat, etc. but I think I have made the point. So it’s about camaraderie, the inherent good will in my group, and being able to accept that people were there for me. I think that was sometimes the hardest, the fighting the feeling that I was holding people up. Maybe part of it is not only in their attitudes, but in mine. I’m sure you have all either needed or offered help in various such situations. Sometimes perhaps with a better heart than others. I’ve been thinking about what makes ti difference – you could just be helpful or sometimes you could be resentful of the imposition. Glad to her your experiences.

[hollygail]

I just saw the Tuesday thread and responded. Will wait for Louise to post today's topic...

[Edited to add the following]
I was obviously writing when Louise was posting!

Today's description is at least as interesting as yesterday's. I too have found that "community" is everything. In that I attend services and teach and tutor for various congregations around San Diego, I can count numerous communities of which I am a part. I'm well-liked in all of them, and each one of them has people I really like too. I find this to be another reason a minyan, a "quorum" of at least ten, is required for several Jewish things to happen. YAY, us!

[gazelle18]

Quick response…. We have company with us. Louise, I loved hearing about the bullet factory and also about your compassionate group. Will try to get back later

[peachymom1]

It's wonderful how everyone helped you. That's really what community is about, what family is about.

[brgmsn]

Being away as we are now, I am finding when I reach out, people reach back. We've met the nicest folks around here. Strangers (although one guy's cousin graduated HS with me!) but it's what I find to be true--when you reach out and are kind, people are kind back. And Louise, you are VERY kind and considerate and thoughtful, so no surprise people treat you the same way.

[lee058]

Am writing this on Thursday. louise, great post!!

See you on today's thread later.

Lee