Rabbi Eleanor Steinman

One of the many parts of being a rabbi that I love is that no two days are alike. Take yesterday, for example. I knew the elementary school basketball team had a 3:30 game scheduled and thought it would be nice to cheer them on (and stand outside and get out of my office). I made my way over the parking lot where basketball is played as the students were warming up for the game. Fast forward about ten minutes and it turns out the other team was not going to show. A forfeit. Go BHDS Bears!

It was somehow quickly determined that myself, the BHDS principal, a parent and the coach would join in since the referee was there and we would divide the adults and students and have a pickup game. While I was ill prepared, note the footwear in the photo above, it was so much fun. I got to spend time with the BHDS students, see how they used some of the important character traits we emphasize as a school, and I got to play basketball. We played two 20-minute halves and a good time was had by everyone!

(And there are now a pair of socks and sneakers in the trunk of my car for future basketball playing ’emergencies’).

There are a lot of serious news stories that beg for comment. This blog post will not do that. Instead…

I’m left-handed. While I do many things as a lefty such as write; eat, throw, kick, peel vegetables, use a knife or scissors, there are lots of things I do right-handed (no I don’t know why). For example; swing a baseball bat, swing a golf club, and play the guitar (I’m no Paul McCartney).

For Chanukah I received a Fitbit. So far, I’ve found it a useful tool to increase my own awareness of how I sleep (I can be restless) and how much I move (not enough. I’d love a treadmill desk. Donations gratefully accepted). While some of the exercise I do at the gym (bike and my preferred elliptical) do not get “counted” because my arms don’t swing, I like that I can manually add my workout routine to the Fitbit app.

Yesterday I had a good, though rushed gym workout. I added my minutes into the Fitbit app during breakfast and went about my day. When I got home after Religious School I checked the app. I doubled my activity time after the gym! While I did get to walk around quite a bit yesterday visiting classes I remained perplexed.

“How did this happen,” I thought.

And then I relaxed it. I led T’filah and played the guitar, strumming away on my non-dominant, Fitbit wearing right arm. Activity minutes found!

So if you need more activity minutes in your busy day, my recommendation is to hit the gym OR play the guitar wearing your Fitbit.

Dear MOM,

Tonight on the Jewish calendar marks 4 years since you died. It is hard to believe, four years. There are so many things to say and so many things I wish we could talk about, but those remain between you and me and not this blog.

It seems appropriate that the 5th of Kislev (your yartzeit) is also Thanksgiving. You loved this holiday. The huge meal, the lavish entertaining, the family and friends gathered together around the dinner table. Yeah presence is still missed at those gatherings and always will be.

I love you, Mom. I always will. I raised a glass of your favorite to you.

Live from “Aloha Beach Resort” land,
ES

Today marks Yom HaZikaron, the day of remembrance for fallen soldiers and victims of terror.

This tribute seems most appropriate today.

This year we remember:
23,169 fallen soldiers and
2,495 victims of terror.
57 more since last Memorial Day.

“A State is not handed to a people on a silver platter.”
Chaim Weizmann, first president of Israel

The Silver Platter
Nathan Altermam

The Earth grows still.
The lurid sky slowly pales
Over smoking borders.
Heartsick, but still living, a people stand by
To greet the uniqueness
of the miracle.

Readied, they wait beneath the moon,
Wrapped in awesome joy, before the light.
– Then, soon,
A girl and boy step forward,
And slowly walk before the waiting nation;

In work garb and heavy-shod
They climb
In stillness.
Wearing yet the dress of battle, the grime
Of aching day and fire-filled night

Unwashed, weary unto death, not knowing rest,
But wearing youth like dewdrops in their hair.
– Silently the two approach
And stand.
Are they of the quick or of the dead?

Through wondering tears, the people stare.
“Who are you, the silent two?”
And they reply: “We are the silver platter
Upon which the Jewish State was served to you.”

And speaking, fall in shadow at the nation’s feet.
Let the rest in Israel’s chronicles be told.