Jewish Musings Sunday 11/13

[lee058]

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

[lee058]

Good morning everybody. Hope this isn't too late in the morning for any of you. I have been doing laundry and helping H with kitchen prep, also putting away a huge amount of groceries that H and DS went to Wegmans for. They bought the Thanksgiving turkey (fantastic sale) and some of the ingredients we will need for our annual feast, plus the usual items for the week. Today we're going to have chicken enchiladas and bean soup.

Which leads me towards today's topic. I know we'll be talking about this more next week, but I thought I would get us into thinking mode. To wit: Considering the political upheaval, what kinds of things are you feeling either worked up about or grateful for (or both at the same time)? For me, one thing I have been thinking about are the recent protests. I feel grateful that some people are willing to get out in the streets and show that they think Trump is terrible. At the same time, I resent the presence of those who are violent or who have their own agendas of thievery and chaos for its own sake. I don't want them making the peaceful protesters look bad. I am especially upset about the one person who got killed. On the other hand, I think that if Trump had lost the election, there would have been armed mobs out, and I am certain that there would have been a LOT more violence.

This last thought scares me. I don't want to see that kind of action in my country!!! I have read a lot about other countries' political upheavals, WW2, etc., and I don't want the USA to follow a dangerous path that could lead to horrible changes. As Jews, I think we need to be particularly mindful of the growth of anti-Jewish groups and the growing acceptability of violent speech and actions towards anyone who is "different."

At the same time, there is also growth of a sentiment of inclusiveness, of feeling that being an American means that EVERYONE deserves to be treated well and with respect, and of people thinking about how to bring about good changes. I am grateful for that and hope to do my part in helping these happen.

I've got to step away for a little while but will be back! If you want to start commenting, feel free. Have a peaceful morning, Lee

[hollygail]

Thank you, Lee. You're always so thoughtful. I so appreciate your clear thinking.

I have to leave shortly to teach the kids I taught Tuesday evening, when they were all becoming upset about the election returns, so I've planned a lesson to get them able to get through to their feelings (in case their Wednesday teachers didn't) before we get to our regular Hebrew school stuff... I have a safety pin ready for each of my students.

I'll be back this afternoon.

[lee058]

Back again. So what does it mean to be an American? I'd like to think that the feelings of equality and inclusiveness are what will bring us all together, and that Trump's brand of hate and fear will go away. But I don't know what is going to happen over the next four years (God forbid, eight!!!). My mom, who as you know, just turned 96, is determined to live to the next election in 2020 when she will be 100 in order to vote for a Democrat for president. I think she is wonderful!

I also think that to survive Trump's term and that of the Republican Congress possibly taking away our hard-earned rights, we will have to be determined and we will have to make our voices heard. The definition of courage is to feel the fear but do the right thing anyway. We will have to be brave.

There are a lot of things we are capable of doing. One is not giving up hope. Another is talking with people of varying political views, especially countering remarks that endanger what we hold valuable.

Life is good. Trump's win is only a temporary setback. Life goes on, and the universe tends towards good (at least I think so).

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

[peachymom1]

Good morning everyone!

It actually did not occur to me that if Hillary had won, there would be even worse protests. I do feel proud of those who are demonstrating now, but I'm appalled at some of the bad things too.

What I'm especially worked up about is that the electoral college did exactly the opposite of what it was intended for, which was to protect the general public from choosing the wrong person.

I'm having a hard time finding hope. The Talmud says we don't rely on a miracle (Pesachim 64b), but we sure could use one now.

[peachymom1]

Lee, I just saw your second post. Thank you so much for those words. They give me heart. I know I can't give up!

[happysavta]

Hillary's words: "Last night I congratulated Donald Trump and offered to work with him on behalf of our country. I hope that he will be a successful president for all Americans. This is not the outcome we wanted or we worked so hard for, and I’m sorry we did not win this election for the values we share and the vision we hold for our country. But I still believe in America, and I always will. And if you do, then we must accept this result and then look to the future. Donald Trump is going to be our president. We owe him an open mind and the chance to lead. Our constitutional democracy enshrines the peaceful transfer of power. We don’t just respect that. We cherish it. It also enshrines the rule of law; the principle we are all equal in rights and dignity; freedom of worship and expression. We respect and cherish these values, too, and we must defend them."

Hillary Clinton spoke these words to her supporters in her concession speech. In light of her words, I don't see any legitimization for protests. Barak Obama was also demonized by those who didn't vote for him and he proved them wrong.

If Trump acts like an Emperor, he can be impeached. If he pushes the U.S. into a bad place economically or internationally, he will lose public opinion. If he tries to rule the Republican Party by bullying instead of persuasion, he will lose the leadership of the Republican Party. If he pushes through legislation that is unpopular, he will lose the Republican majority in the Congress (as Obama did) in the next Congressional election. And if he conducts himself in an unpresidential manner at home or abroad, he will be out in 4 years.

There are many checks and balances in our system of government. They all work better than violence in the streets.

I don't like him either, but this wasn't merely a popularity contest. I do like many, though not all, of the planks of the Republican party. We've had Republican Presidents before (including Abraham Lincoln) and we're still a democracy with a Constitution and a Bill of Rights. So, gals, set aside the disturbing fearful thoughts and just resolve to stay involved and aware and active. You all have a phone and the phone numbers of your congressional representatives and the White House. Let them hear from you as things unfold.

I have myself, in the past, with a group of cancer research advocates, visited Washington, DC and Sacramento, CA to talk to legislators and their staff about the funding issues that concerned us. I myself have met with legislators in their San Diego offices. I have responded to calls from organizations to write or phone our legislators on an issue.

These protests in the street just continue the polarization of our society and aren't constructive in working on the issues themselves.

[happysavta]

Great question, Lee. What does it mean to be an American?

It means being safe (the soldiers and police are there to help and protect me, not to keep me locked in a camp.)
It means having equal protection under the law, not having anti-Jewish laws that forced my mother to leave high school.
It means being able to choose where I want to live (not being forced into a ghetto), having an education, being free to pursue a career that wasn't my family's.
It means being able to give my opinion without being afraid of arrest like my parents were afraid under Stalin.

Being an American means that one of the families on my cul-de-sac is African American, one is Chinese, one is Muslim, one is Catholic, one is Interfaith, one is a lesbian couple, and so forth.

Being an American means I choose my leaders and I do their job evaluations. I hire them, I can fire them.

[louise]

As I mentioned we had a special service on Wednesday night so people could voice to some of their feelings about the election result. My rabbi also opened the space for us after Kiddush to share views. Me so far - still in a very emotional stage. Incredulity. This evening I'm singing with our choir at an inter-faith peace event at an Islamic Center. Incredibly this event has been on the calendar for a long time but it couldn't be better tie. I'm so busy this weekend I was not planning to go, but have changed my mind given what has happened (and how precarious so many lives have become or may become).

I'm cleaning up a storm - so much paper went out, clothing too. And have a good grip on my Thanksgiving baking - just one more round to go and then the mashed cauliflower. For the rest of the week will continue focusing on getting my apartment in order and getting more food into the fridge so there's "stuff" in there for her (yeah, I get to eat it too!).

My mother always comes with 2 suitcase. I have encouraged her to try and get this down to one and to remember we can buy things here (e.g. she buys pistachio nuts and chocolates to bring to my brother - could get there here). Another is she brings tons and tons of panty shields. I'm going to buy what she needs today so she won't be filling up a suitcase with that! I have already borrowed a walker for her. Moving right along...

[savtele]

Boker Tov All! The world moves on, and we must move with it.....

In Portland, OR, the peaceful protests were highjacked by an anarchist group - and everything went downhill from there. A newsman trying to report was shot with rubber bullets in back, arm & leg by police. There is a certain "mob mentality" that takes over. The Mayor called for the peaceful demonstrators to stay home, so the anarchists would be easier to ferret out - no such luck. Ok already! We're Americans, protesting is what we DO!

One thing I am suggesting to people: Have your Senators' and Representatives' phone #s & e-mails handy! They will no doubt need to hear from us many, many times over the next 4 years! & in 2 years, we'll have more politicians to vote for. Nothing is static, nothing is "settled forever!"

I think (hope) that much of the ugly rhetoric right now is from euphoria/bitterness over what is seen as the imposed PC of the past. I choose to believe that most Americans - of any party - are not racist/homophobic xenophobes. I'm hoping I am right!

Meanwhile, all I can do is start here, where I am. Stand with/work for the marginalized. Stand up to racism, homophobia, xenophobia. Standing is all I am required to do at this time!

I'm listening to old Leonard Cohen music - and I should probably stop. It's beautiful, it's soulfull - and it is making me cry!

Have a good day ladies!

[peachymom1]

Thank you so much, all of you. I feel so grateful to you for helping me get grounded and centered. I feel better. Believe it or not, I don't have any other words right now. Thank you!

[happysavta]

Update on my adventures in Houston: Saturday, I went with DD and the two girls to a live performance of "Disney on Ice". The featured stories were Snow White, Cinderella and Rapunzel. In Rapunzel, the skaters were also aerialists and they did some things I've never seen skaters do before. They hung onto what looked like long curtains and flew through the air and did aerial stunts. Wow!

In the evening, I watched the Wizard of Oz with my granddaughters (9 and 4) and we sang along to the songs. With their little high-pitched voices, you would swear they were part of the Lullaby League or the Lollipop Guild. The 4 year old cuddled (shnuggled) on my lap the whole time.

The older one, gave me a Blue Ribbon Testimonial at the dinner table: "Savta makes the best hamburgers in the world!"
And my DD gave me an enthusiastic "Yes, PLEASE!" to my offer to make her some matza ball soup.


Today, we went to an indoor bounce house place for a birthday party where the girls had a blast. My DD and DSiL's friends are very nice, very smart people. The question I heard most often was, "So how did you explain the election of Donald Trump to your kids?"

[happysavta]

I was hoping more of you would comment on what it means to be an American. Maybe because I am a naturalized citizen or because persecution happened to my immediate family, I am so acutely aware of what a great country this is. It truly is unique and Israel is a close second to the U.S. in terms of diversity of population, entrepreneurial spirit, democratic principles, world influence through science and technology advances, agricultural ingenuity, and military ingenuity.

Of course, I am worried that this flawed narcissist will so misuse the power of the office that he will cause repercussions in the economy, in foreign affairs, in the environment. I believe the economy can right itself (see 2008-2009). I believe foreign affairs has its cycle of ups and downs and we have learned some hard lessons in the past 15 years about the limitations of boots on the ground and nation building aspirations.

My chief worry is the environment. Damage to the environment, at least until we have new technology, is not repairable. We cannot withdraw from the Paris Climate Control Agreement. That's where I'm going to start speaking up to my elected representatives.

[lee058]

Back again after a busy day. Thank you everybody for sharing your thoughts and feelings!

Have a peaceful night and I'll see you tomorrow, Lee

[peachymom1]

To me, being an American means freedom. Freedom to make something of myself, to insist on the rights granted by the Constitution and subsequent Amendments and laws, to not allow oppression of anyone. I have to think about this some more; I haven't given it that much thought since arguing about it in government class in high school. But it certainly is a worthy subject to consider, and I'm going to do that.