Is where I writing this post from. And that’s about all I’ve got for NaBloPoMo today.
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It is raining
In Southern California. Yay! The weather has generally been quite pleasant this fall and the rain is a fantastic thing because it will help saturate the ground in order to prevent any forest fires. Hopefully it won’t rain all weekend long (Los Angelinos aren’t so great with the rain and then they get in my way. Yes I am a Los Angelina, however I lived for so many years in other climates that when it comes to weather, I do not get phased).
Just so you are aware, though it is NaBloPoMo, I will not be posting on Shabbat. See you on Sunday. Shabbat Shalom!
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I am not a morning person
This morning I had a meeting at school at 7:30am. I did not get up at any earlier than usual. I did bathe (you’re welcome classmates). The challenge for me is not the waking up, it is the being around people and speaking in coherent sentences. Does anyone else have this challenge? Is it just me?
Fortunately, because I know how you worry, dear reader, my meeting took place at a coffee establishment so I was at least guaranteed my morning cup of joe.
Posted in bagels
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I heart public radio
When I lived in that country to the north one of the things that I missed most was National Public Radio. I did listen to CBC radio but honestly, it wasn’t the same. Now that I’m back in SoCal I am a loyal listener and subscriber to one of the two local NPR stations, KPCC. I find that listening to NPR teaches me something new every time. I learn about new happenings. I understand global issues better (the other day there was a great synopsis of the Greek debt crisis in more layman’s terms). I learn of new and upcoming music (have you heard the new Muppet album? It is phenomenal).
When MY DAD used to drive THE DIVA and I to school when he was in town during our high school days we weren’t terribly interested in talking. It was usually before 7am (high school started at 7:30). THE DIVA and I are not at our best in the morning. MY DAD always had NPR on in the car. When I started driving, I too listened to NPR. At my alma mater NPR was often on the radio.
I do love music. I listen to that, also. There’s something about listening to the radio when driving really keeps my brain working, piques my interest and I always learn something. Love you, NPR.
I’m participating in NaBloPoMo, are you?
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Welcome to NaBloPoMo!
I’ve made a spur of the moment decision to participate in NaBloPoMo, National Blog Posting Month and I will do my best to post something daily. It will probably be good for me because I have a tremendous amount of work to do and most of it is writing and even blogging is a good way to keep up my writing.
The nice thing is that there are prompts. Today’s is, “what are your favorite parts about writing?”
Today I will use the prompt.
Mostly, I like to write because it is an outlet. I get to be creative. I get to stand on a soapbox sometimes. As a rabbi (yes I still am one even though I get to go to school everyday), I find that this blog is a very important means of connecting with people. I still get comments from people from disparate places in my life which is phenomenal. I also find that I get to share a piece of myself that not everyone always gets to know.
Stay tuned, dear reader. Lots more posts coming your way.
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Happy birthday to the greatest dad I’ve ever had!
Today is the one and only birthday of MY DAD! Happy birthday! MY DAD is one great guy, as you probably already know. If you don’t know, you should just believe me because about this one, I am completely right.
As you can see from the amazing tea-pot that he made in his hand, that’s right MY DAD made that teapot, he is an amazing artist. He spends lots of time hanging out at The Northern Clay Center and even has had work on display there. He spends his days volunteering, trying to figure out which new car to buy, reading, seeing movies, and making a difference in the lives of a lot of people.
You may not have met him (yet) but I’m sure he would appreciate a birthday shout out in the comments section of this blog. If you want to know at least 29 other reasons he is amazing, you can read this post, too.
Happy birthday, Dad. I am sorry that I can’t be with you on your special day to give you hugs and kisses. THE DIVA and I are very lucky that you are ours and we can’t wait to see you soon.
I cried this morning
And it was for a happy reason. I knew that while I was asleep, safe in my bed, Gilad Shalit’s transfer from captivity to freedom (and that is a loaded image and I will get there) took place. I looked immediately to my twitter feed and saw that my own worst fear did not come true, thank God, Gilad is alive. I stared to cry tears of joy.
On Sunday, I taught about ushpizin, the tradition of welcoming biblical ancestors into the Sukakh, as we welcome others. I mentioned the emerging news about Gilad Shalit’s release and several parents had no idea what I was talking about. I know that I spend a lot of my time in a particular Jewish bubble, but I was in shock that these parents did not know what I was talking about.
Gilad’s release, I even speak about him as though I know him, is wrought with controversy. Gilad Shalit’s release was a part of a much larger prisoner exchange. I am not entirely aware of all of the details. I think that is telling. There are also a lot of ethical issues, of course, too. Jewish tradition is fairly clear, though. You can read more about this from people who know a lot more than I do. Here is what Rabbi David Ellenson, my teacher, has to say. Here is what Rabbi Avi Weiss wrote, as well. Here is what Donniel Hartman, who I studied with this summer, had to say.
Every time the prayer for healing was read at the congregation where I worked in Toronto, Gilad Shalit’s name was mentioned. Though Gilad’s name might come off the list and his picture might be removed from our Sukkot as one of the ushpizin guests and those who set a place at their Seder table at Passover for him will not have to do so anymore.
Gilad Shalit’s ordeal is not over, of course. We do not know what he had to go through during his five year and four month period of captivity. The physiological injuries will heal, though the psychological trauma will be lifelong. His own adjustment to life will be interesting to observe and people are talking about it,
ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם, מתיר אסורים – Praised are YOU, Ruler of the Universe who frees the captive.
Posted in holidays, Israel, Politics
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Gilad Shalit is freed!
It is not a dream or a fantasy. Gilad Shalit, the Israeli soldier captured by a terrorist organization on the border with Gaza has been released after 1.940 days he has returned to Israeli soil.
ברוך אתה יי אלהינו מלך העולם מתיר אסורים Praised are You, Creator of all as the captives are freed.
I have another post coming today, this time I mean it but I had to make sure that you saw the news.
Lady Gaga, Alan Cumming, and a rabbi walk into a bar…
It might sound like the beginning of a bad joke. Don’t worry, I’m not going to make it. Instead I’ll tell you what else these figures have in common.
The month of October has been deemed LGBT history month by the Equality Forum and today is Rabbi Denise L. Eger day! Yesterday was Alan Cumming and tomorrow is Lady Gaga. Clearly as the only clergy person in the 31-day list this is a major tribute to the work that Eger has done and continues to do every day in our nation, state, city, and as the rabbi of Congregation Kol Ami.
As you might know, the area of GLBT history has received a great deal of attention as states and cities are now requiring it as part of the curriculum. While I don’t always agree with making every month about something else, we’re also in the midst of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, if any of these types of activities raise awareness, we’re moving in the right direction.
Way to go Rabbi Eger! You make me, the Reform Movement and all of the Jewish people (whether or not they realize it) proud!
Do you have someone you might add to the list? What’s their story? Why might you add them?
Posted in clergy, Torah
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Happy New Year!
I have not been feeling the desire to blog so I haven’t been writing. I hope that you understand. I think it is important to blog only when I have something to say and all I really have to say today is, happy new year. May you have an easy fast. G’mar Chatimah Tovah. Keep checking in for updates. I promise they’re percolating.
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