Jewish Musings Sunday January 28

[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 (hopefully)?
Holly
Lee
Louise
Lynne
Peachy


And for those of you who stop by to read this thread without posting — you are welcome to, but you are also welcome to chime in. Don’t be shy!

[louise]

Saturday was Holocaust Remembrance Day – I won’t dwell here but felt I should mention it in these fraught times.
Quoting my rabbi “Jewish communities around the world this week read the Song of the Sea, sung by Moses, Miriam, and the people of Israel after they were finally free to live a life free from the violent oppression to which they had been subjected for hundreds of years.

“This song inspires us to pray and work today towards so many kinds of freedom -- and especially the circumstances by which the millions of innocent people living in and near Eretz Yisrael, Israelis and Palestinians, can live at peace and in dignity and freedom and without fear of attack. Sadly that seems like such a distant dream, and if this ICJ ruling emboldens Hamas as I fear it will, today’s ruling may actually push this dream further away. I am consoled only by the fact that Jews are not unfamiliar with dreams that take a long time to come to fruition. Od lo avdah tikvateinu -- our hope is not yet lost.“

Which makes a perfect segue to a Tu beshevat (which took place a couple of days ago) story from the Talmud:
One day, he [Honi] was walking along the road when he saw a certain man planting a carob tree. Ḥoni said to him: This tree, after how many years will it bear fruit? The man said to him: It will not produce fruit until seventy years have passed. Ḥoni said to him: Is it obvious to you that you will live seventy years, that you expect to benefit from this tree? He said to him: That man himself found a world full of carob trees. Just as my ancestors planted for me, I too am planting for my descendants.

Please comment on the fear, the hope, or whtever speaks to you.

[lee058]

Good morning everybody. Hope you are all well and SAFE! Please pray for Israel.

Re today's topic: I am grateful to live in the USA, which has been a refuge for my family.

As for the story about the carob trees, I love that story. My way of "planting for my descendants" has been to talk with people (especially DS) about Judaism. Just this morning, he was singing a song he made up about being proud to be Jewish. It made me feel so good.

Have a peaceful day, Lee

[gazelle18]

I also love this story. My father was adamant that his children understand/incorprate/ live Jewish values and traditions. His insistence was transmitted to both me and my brother (the rabbi). DH came from a family which was Jewish, but very untraditional and very assimilationist. I insisted, when we were married, that we actively practice our Judaism. When our first child was ready to go to sleep away camp, and DH suggested the highbrow sports (non-Jewish ) camp he’d gone to as a privileged child, I put my foot down. Our kids went to the Jewish summer camp associated with the Reform movement, and DH quickly agreed that this was a great decision.

It is my fervent hope that my grandchildren, all of whom are Jewish (but of course young) , will remain so, and will instill the same love of Judaism in their kids.

[hollygail]

I find it a stretch from Honi's pessimism-turned-on-its-head story to my current feelings about the future. Yes, I hope and I pray for peace, but the immediate situation through to the end of 2024 makes me way beyond nervous. I've always felt safe as an American; however, if the former resident of the White House retakes that position, I absolutely have no idea what the hell I'm gonna do. I can't remain in the US, but Israel (as of today, anyway) doesn't seem like a possibility either.

Sorry to be such a downer but it's truly how I'm feeling right now.

[peachymom1]

Good morning everyone! I understand Holly's fear. DH and I have to keep reminding ourselves that most of what's scaring us is out of our hands. We can give only small amounts to help Israel. We can vote. We can pray. And we can keep checking in with each other about our feelings. That's about all.

DH came to shul with me yesterday, and we were given an aliyah, yay! I was reading two consecutive aliyot, and it was great to have DH up there with me (we were called up for the blessings before my first reading). We had two guest speakers yesterday from Beit Halochem, which is an Israeli organization that helps IDF veterans. I had not heard of Beit Halochem, so this was interesting. And my Torah readings went well, no mistakes. I love hearing the Song of the Sea -- our beloved ritual director chanted it yesterday, and lots of us chanted parts of it right along with him, which he loved.

I'm having lunch today with an old friend from high school - she and DH went to grammar school together, so she's the one person we know who has known DH longer than I have. This friend and I have stayed in touch over the years, though we don't see each other very often. Her mother is in her 90s and needs constant care; my friend moved in with her to help, and I'm sure she's overloaded and could use a break. I was afraid she would cancel or reschedule me, but nope, she confirmed that she'll meet me at noon.

[peachymom1]

Are we having our Zoom? I thought it was at 10:30 a.m. Pacific today.