I am having a good chuckle thanks to some clever words courtesy of an article by Evan Derkacz on Alternet (link below):
"Still, despite the fact that no attempt was made to cover up this blatant violation [the NSA spy scandal] of the law, political will in the Republican-controlled House to bring impeachment was harder to find than a fact in the mouth of Scotty McClellan."
the i-word is coming, the i-word is coming...impeachment..phew, it may finally be on the way.
Also, I heard on the radio this morning that the Bush administration is trying to pass legislation to pull out the retirement benefits of anyone who leaks information to the public that works for the CIA...for example information about clandestine prisons abroad...cause those are soooooo ethically sound...shiza what animal did the American people elect...this admin is meshug.
http://www.alternet.org/story/35467/
Thursday, April 27, 2006
Oh Canada.
I am sitting in bed. It is almost 6 AM and I leave in a few minutes to take one of my girls to the airport in Raleigh. I can’t sleep – this is a rare occurrence. At least I have some company in my sleepless restless night. He is quite a hunk, really. He cuddled me all night long, he is super cute when he dreams and he gives me nothing but love. He is my dream guy. He likes long walks, doesn’t protest to my keeping a vegetarian home and greets me when I walk in the door. Ok, ok, ok he is a dog. I love him and his name is Shorty George. I am watching him for the night and it has been amazing to have a dog again, even if only for one night.
Pesach…
Over break I went up to Syracuse for a few nights for the seders. I had first seder at my shul. It was so disappointing…in most respects at least. I was happy to be with my parents and at the shul where I grew up but I found it so…boring and…..thoughtless. There was no learning…no debate…no discussion. It doesn’t help that the old reform hagadah is totally wack. But we kept jumping ahead and ahead and there was no explanation as to why. Well, it was pretty obvious why – Rabbi wanted to speed things up so people wouldn’t be there too late and start complaining. BUT I WANTED TO BE THERE LATE!! In past years I have been at my ex-boyfriends’s parents house and it was really my first taste of what it meant to have a seder. I grew up in a pretty non-observant home although my parents were and are very proud Jews. The seder represented one of the things about Reform Judaism that I have the most beef with – don’t just jump ahead messily and arbitrarily. I want to understand what I am doing, I want to labor through it. The seder aint supposed to be easy! We are supposed to learn, teach, ask, listen and eventually get a little tipsy, perhaps a little rowdy and hopefully real full. Ugh…it was a let down honestly. Although one neat thing did happen, a woman came up to me and told me that she remembered me. From what you ask? From when she taught me in pre-school.
The conversation –
Former teacher: Hi, I just wanted to come over and say hello. I remember you from tiny tots when you were about 3 years old. I am sure you don’t remember me from all those years ago but I have seen you around the shul over the years and I wanted to re-introduce myself. Congratulations on going to Israel…
Me: Hey! That is amazing…I can’t believe you remember me. Wow. I bet I was a real pain in the tuchus…I still am. I’m not surprised I was easy to remember…
Former Teacher: giggles a bit and smiles sheepishly
Hehe…
So second seder I went to a friend’s house whose mother I am also close with. It was interesting because the younger brother of my friend just graduated last year from the school where I teach and I got an interesting take on the place during the meal. It was a breath of fresh air from the night before. We talked, pondered, ate, sang, read, prayed until 1AM. I was exhausted at the end of it but it felt good. We used this funky hagadah – created by Mayan I think. It was a feminist hagadah and it provided lots of good springboards to discussion. It creates some customs that are very forced and feel odd to do…a Miriam’s cup? What? I don’t know…every time a male person or male-oriented custom occurs do we need to create a feminine counterpart – is that “different but equal”…I think I’m leaning towards no.
It was my first pesach away from my created family up in Ottawa so that was hard..but being with my own family and my friends was a big help. I also met my best friend’s boyfriend – I like him. Smart, cute, and so clearly mad about her… yay!
I drove up to Mo-town on Friday. I stopped through in Ottawa to see Michael and Diane. It was nice to see them, although sad a bit. They would have made kick-ass in-laws man…but that’s ok. I am really enjoying being free…and I am growing more fond every day of the idea that there are many men out there for me to meet…more on that below (she grins). They are kick-ass friends instead! I got to see some of Michael’s new art. It has a different feel altogether than the stuff he has done in the past. I love how much color there is. Also, there is more connecting all of the pieces together…it seems to tell more of a story…although I am not sure I know what it is…they are beautiful.
[a few hours later]
I am back from my brief excursion to the airport…a rainy but pleasant drive with one of my students. So, where was I. Oh yes…
So I drove to Montreal on Friday and immediately went out to eat with some friends at my favorite restaurant in Montreal – Chu Chai. It is an entirely vegetarian thai restaurant. My regular meal consists of the spicy coconut soup with fake chicken and the duck with soy sauce with spinach…and if I have room (which I didn’t after that glorious meal and so many glasses of wine I lost count…) I love their home made coconut ice cream…mmmm…I left totally stuffed and quite tipsy for our walk home. I have to say that from that point on I essentially didn’t stop partying…wow. I had more fun than I have had in…well…probably since I went to stay with a Bermudian friend on that beautiful island in the Atlantic last May. I am not really at liberty to describe the course of events but I will say that I came home more tired than I left. While the partying was fun the highlight was most definitely seeing two of my best friends (Sarah, you were sorely missed – I didn’t make it out to LA this year…I know…I suck!). I went to my favorite bar night in Montreal – Bar Fly bluegrass night. Cheap beer. Dingy dive of a bar. I love it. I was curious and a bit apprehensive about how I would feel when I drove away to come back down south. I wasn’t really surprised because I know I am more often than not resilient, but I was relieved at my reaction – which was a grin. I leave the city to my old love, my friends, and all those free-spirited stoners on the mountain at Tam tams every Sunday too while I’m at it.
Take care of her, everyone.
I have been kinda consumed of late by thoughts of my Judaism…where do I want to go…how do I want to live…I’ll leave with a paraphrasing of what my rabbi said at services on the first day of pesach.
‘this used to be one of the best attended services of the year outside of the high holidays. I am glad to see you all here…[he spoke for a few minutes and then concluded]…as I enter the last years of my rabbinate I find myself ruminating about the idea of choice that we Reform Jews hold so central to our belief and practice. I am not sure that we haven’t chosen too little.’
I was overwhelmed…with a sad joy. Somehow hearing those words from him released a pressure inside me. I cried quietly to myself. That sad joy is the same emotion I feel when I think about Jeremy.
My last night in Montreal I went out with Yaheli to a bar on Prince Arthur. I met a beautiful man. He was Jewish. He was passionate. He loved hip hop. He was intelligent. I liked him. He wanted to see me again. I gave him my email and said to give me a shout when he is in Jerusalem. Told him I was leaving…
Pesach…
Over break I went up to Syracuse for a few nights for the seders. I had first seder at my shul. It was so disappointing…in most respects at least. I was happy to be with my parents and at the shul where I grew up but I found it so…boring and…..thoughtless. There was no learning…no debate…no discussion. It doesn’t help that the old reform hagadah is totally wack. But we kept jumping ahead and ahead and there was no explanation as to why. Well, it was pretty obvious why – Rabbi wanted to speed things up so people wouldn’t be there too late and start complaining. BUT I WANTED TO BE THERE LATE!! In past years I have been at my ex-boyfriends’s parents house and it was really my first taste of what it meant to have a seder. I grew up in a pretty non-observant home although my parents were and are very proud Jews. The seder represented one of the things about Reform Judaism that I have the most beef with – don’t just jump ahead messily and arbitrarily. I want to understand what I am doing, I want to labor through it. The seder aint supposed to be easy! We are supposed to learn, teach, ask, listen and eventually get a little tipsy, perhaps a little rowdy and hopefully real full. Ugh…it was a let down honestly. Although one neat thing did happen, a woman came up to me and told me that she remembered me. From what you ask? From when she taught me in pre-school.
The conversation –
Former teacher: Hi, I just wanted to come over and say hello. I remember you from tiny tots when you were about 3 years old. I am sure you don’t remember me from all those years ago but I have seen you around the shul over the years and I wanted to re-introduce myself. Congratulations on going to Israel…
Me: Hey! That is amazing…I can’t believe you remember me. Wow. I bet I was a real pain in the tuchus…I still am. I’m not surprised I was easy to remember…
Former Teacher: giggles a bit and smiles sheepishly
Hehe…
So second seder I went to a friend’s house whose mother I am also close with. It was interesting because the younger brother of my friend just graduated last year from the school where I teach and I got an interesting take on the place during the meal. It was a breath of fresh air from the night before. We talked, pondered, ate, sang, read, prayed until 1AM. I was exhausted at the end of it but it felt good. We used this funky hagadah – created by Mayan I think. It was a feminist hagadah and it provided lots of good springboards to discussion. It creates some customs that are very forced and feel odd to do…a Miriam’s cup? What? I don’t know…every time a male person or male-oriented custom occurs do we need to create a feminine counterpart – is that “different but equal”…I think I’m leaning towards no.
It was my first pesach away from my created family up in Ottawa so that was hard..but being with my own family and my friends was a big help. I also met my best friend’s boyfriend – I like him. Smart, cute, and so clearly mad about her… yay!
I drove up to Mo-town on Friday. I stopped through in Ottawa to see Michael and Diane. It was nice to see them, although sad a bit. They would have made kick-ass in-laws man…but that’s ok. I am really enjoying being free…and I am growing more fond every day of the idea that there are many men out there for me to meet…more on that below (she grins). They are kick-ass friends instead! I got to see some of Michael’s new art. It has a different feel altogether than the stuff he has done in the past. I love how much color there is. Also, there is more connecting all of the pieces together…it seems to tell more of a story…although I am not sure I know what it is…they are beautiful.
[a few hours later]
I am back from my brief excursion to the airport…a rainy but pleasant drive with one of my students. So, where was I. Oh yes…
So I drove to Montreal on Friday and immediately went out to eat with some friends at my favorite restaurant in Montreal – Chu Chai. It is an entirely vegetarian thai restaurant. My regular meal consists of the spicy coconut soup with fake chicken and the duck with soy sauce with spinach…and if I have room (which I didn’t after that glorious meal and so many glasses of wine I lost count…) I love their home made coconut ice cream…mmmm…I left totally stuffed and quite tipsy for our walk home. I have to say that from that point on I essentially didn’t stop partying…wow. I had more fun than I have had in…well…probably since I went to stay with a Bermudian friend on that beautiful island in the Atlantic last May. I am not really at liberty to describe the course of events but I will say that I came home more tired than I left. While the partying was fun the highlight was most definitely seeing two of my best friends (Sarah, you were sorely missed – I didn’t make it out to LA this year…I know…I suck!). I went to my favorite bar night in Montreal – Bar Fly bluegrass night. Cheap beer. Dingy dive of a bar. I love it. I was curious and a bit apprehensive about how I would feel when I drove away to come back down south. I wasn’t really surprised because I know I am more often than not resilient, but I was relieved at my reaction – which was a grin. I leave the city to my old love, my friends, and all those free-spirited stoners on the mountain at Tam tams every Sunday too while I’m at it.
Take care of her, everyone.
I have been kinda consumed of late by thoughts of my Judaism…where do I want to go…how do I want to live…I’ll leave with a paraphrasing of what my rabbi said at services on the first day of pesach.
‘this used to be one of the best attended services of the year outside of the high holidays. I am glad to see you all here…[he spoke for a few minutes and then concluded]…as I enter the last years of my rabbinate I find myself ruminating about the idea of choice that we Reform Jews hold so central to our belief and practice. I am not sure that we haven’t chosen too little.’
I was overwhelmed…with a sad joy. Somehow hearing those words from him released a pressure inside me. I cried quietly to myself. That sad joy is the same emotion I feel when I think about Jeremy.
My last night in Montreal I went out with Yaheli to a bar on Prince Arthur. I met a beautiful man. He was Jewish. He was passionate. He loved hip hop. He was intelligent. I liked him. He wanted to see me again. I gave him my email and said to give me a shout when he is in Jerusalem. Told him I was leaving…
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Life inside the green fence.
Hello everyone! So, I decided that it is about time that I tell you a bit about my life here at work, home, the insane asylum! I have been working at a Jewish boarding school in Greensboro, NC. Now, you may ask - what the hell is she talking about?? Jews in the south??? A Jewish boarding school in the south?? That's right folks, I moved below the Mason-Dixon line in August for a fellowship here:
http://www.americanhebrewacademy.com/index_flash.asp
I work as a house parent and I also have had several teaching roles in the Jewish Studies department. In the evenings I am on most nights in the house - study time, check in, lights out, talking with my girls making sure they are doing well, see where their days took them, room inspections, the list goes on. I co-taught Synagogue Skills, I observe in Bible 11, and I have a mentorship with guided teaching that I have done in Bible 10. I have worked very closely with three teachers in all. I live with the freshman girls - with three seniors thrown into the mix. It has been so much fun and so rewarding to spend the year with them. I spend my days teaching and also taking a Hebrew class (Israel, don't worry, I'll be there soon!). In the afternoons and the evenings I have yoga, I watch the student union, I get work done and I hang around with the kids. I have had some unsuccessful attempts to bring things to the school - I wanted to get the wet darkroom set up, but because I came in in August it wasn't possible to alter the budget that much. I planted the seeds and had some understanding ears to fall on, and I think it will get done in the next few years. On the plus side, I learned a lot about darkroom equipment if I ever want to try the same thing somewhere else. I also wanted to create a shabbat worhsip alternative involving yoga and meditation, and here I was much more successful. I decided to call it "nefesh b'tnu'ah" - a soul in motion. I incporporated Jewish text, meditative practices, breath work (not exactly pranayama, but more stretches to facilitate deep breathing), and hatha yoga. I had a lot of positive feedback from staff and the students. I also had some pretty offensive comments from some staff that really doesn't jive with a pluralistic environment, but that was minimal and the small stuff should just roll off your shoulder right??:) Well, i was very proud of that development and I hope to have at least one more session (I run it on Shabbas) this year. The last thing I think I'll tell ya'll about is my work with the Green Team. This year we have done a lot of work trying to green up the campus and also done sort of "nature appreciation" hikes on shabbas. The main reason i mention that part of my work is that I am probably most fond of this group of students. They are still so sure of their ability to impact the world, they are aware of their ecological footprint and they are a lot of fun to boot! I'm fond. Being around all these teenagers has been an interesting experience: all the drama they create, their innocence and yet strong desire to loose that innocence, their extremely evident desire to find adults they respect and look up to, their first loves, their broken hearts, their college searches...Not a day passes that they don't challenge me. And man do they bring me copious amounts of joy and laughter. Josh, one of the sophmores yesterday had me rolling describing t-shirts he found online that he told me he really wanted to buy me just so i would have to wear them around campus. You see, he is a pround conservative and me, well, I am a proud liberal (love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal - thanks Phil Ochs...). He said the one he liked best was an elephant kicking a donkey's (whatever that democratic party symbol is:) ass...they relish in being lovingly abusive. Maybe that is one of the things I love so much about this place, and maybe one of the things I sometimes hate the most as well - we are a mini family - the fights, the tensions, the tears, the lies, the honesty, the favors, the care, the devotion...
last night my day ended with two of our girls coming into the house to show us a ballroom dance they had learned from a book they inherited from the Dubins...I even get entertainment here! rock on...
I have to admit that it has been an extremely chill year. The work has been challenging and I have learned a lot, and there have been some trying moments with my students. It has been so low stress, though. It was a wonderful transition out of school and also an incredibly safe and supportive environment in my rough few months back in the fall when I split with that Canadian boy I was so fond of for all those years:) But I have gained so much from my students, my co-workers, this school. I am excited to get outa here because I am sick of the politics for now - while I have been isolated from them because of the temporary nature of my employment, I have had some serious ethical issues with the school - although I wouldn't have traded this year for the world.
In other news, I booked a ticket to come home for Mommies day in May and also to be with Weeza at her graduation. I am excited to see the culmination of all her hard work (for all of you who don't know she is a brilliant industrial designer!) - I hope she knows how much she inspires me. So, I'll be in Cuse on May 13th for two days or so. Yay home:). Be well everyone, wherever you find yourself on this lovely day...
http://www.americanhebrewacademy.com/index_flash.asp
I work as a house parent and I also have had several teaching roles in the Jewish Studies department. In the evenings I am on most nights in the house - study time, check in, lights out, talking with my girls making sure they are doing well, see where their days took them, room inspections, the list goes on. I co-taught Synagogue Skills, I observe in Bible 11, and I have a mentorship with guided teaching that I have done in Bible 10. I have worked very closely with three teachers in all. I live with the freshman girls - with three seniors thrown into the mix. It has been so much fun and so rewarding to spend the year with them. I spend my days teaching and also taking a Hebrew class (Israel, don't worry, I'll be there soon!). In the afternoons and the evenings I have yoga, I watch the student union, I get work done and I hang around with the kids. I have had some unsuccessful attempts to bring things to the school - I wanted to get the wet darkroom set up, but because I came in in August it wasn't possible to alter the budget that much. I planted the seeds and had some understanding ears to fall on, and I think it will get done in the next few years. On the plus side, I learned a lot about darkroom equipment if I ever want to try the same thing somewhere else. I also wanted to create a shabbat worhsip alternative involving yoga and meditation, and here I was much more successful. I decided to call it "nefesh b'tnu'ah" - a soul in motion. I incporporated Jewish text, meditative practices, breath work (not exactly pranayama, but more stretches to facilitate deep breathing), and hatha yoga. I had a lot of positive feedback from staff and the students. I also had some pretty offensive comments from some staff that really doesn't jive with a pluralistic environment, but that was minimal and the small stuff should just roll off your shoulder right??:) Well, i was very proud of that development and I hope to have at least one more session (I run it on Shabbas) this year. The last thing I think I'll tell ya'll about is my work with the Green Team. This year we have done a lot of work trying to green up the campus and also done sort of "nature appreciation" hikes on shabbas. The main reason i mention that part of my work is that I am probably most fond of this group of students. They are still so sure of their ability to impact the world, they are aware of their ecological footprint and they are a lot of fun to boot! I'm fond. Being around all these teenagers has been an interesting experience: all the drama they create, their innocence and yet strong desire to loose that innocence, their extremely evident desire to find adults they respect and look up to, their first loves, their broken hearts, their college searches...Not a day passes that they don't challenge me. And man do they bring me copious amounts of joy and laughter. Josh, one of the sophmores yesterday had me rolling describing t-shirts he found online that he told me he really wanted to buy me just so i would have to wear them around campus. You see, he is a pround conservative and me, well, I am a proud liberal (love me, love me, love me, I'm a liberal - thanks Phil Ochs...). He said the one he liked best was an elephant kicking a donkey's (whatever that democratic party symbol is:) ass...they relish in being lovingly abusive. Maybe that is one of the things I love so much about this place, and maybe one of the things I sometimes hate the most as well - we are a mini family - the fights, the tensions, the tears, the lies, the honesty, the favors, the care, the devotion...
last night my day ended with two of our girls coming into the house to show us a ballroom dance they had learned from a book they inherited from the Dubins...I even get entertainment here! rock on...
I have to admit that it has been an extremely chill year. The work has been challenging and I have learned a lot, and there have been some trying moments with my students. It has been so low stress, though. It was a wonderful transition out of school and also an incredibly safe and supportive environment in my rough few months back in the fall when I split with that Canadian boy I was so fond of for all those years:) But I have gained so much from my students, my co-workers, this school. I am excited to get outa here because I am sick of the politics for now - while I have been isolated from them because of the temporary nature of my employment, I have had some serious ethical issues with the school - although I wouldn't have traded this year for the world.
In other news, I booked a ticket to come home for Mommies day in May and also to be with Weeza at her graduation. I am excited to see the culmination of all her hard work (for all of you who don't know she is a brilliant industrial designer!) - I hope she knows how much she inspires me. So, I'll be in Cuse on May 13th for two days or so. Yay home:). Be well everyone, wherever you find yourself on this lovely day...
Monday, April 24, 2006
for your pleasure - a little eye candy perhaps??
flowers from a delicious meal with friends up in mo-town. it was so good to see them all. i came back more tired than i left - my ealiest night was 2:30...i won't mention my latest:) I really needed that week of craziness. as I told you, Yael sheli, I feel closest to those of you out there where both sides of my life can coexist - the bad girl and the good girl - my ying and my yang. i will really miss that city...
here are photos of a bag I knit for a special someone's birthday. I am proud of it - I think it came out very nicely and the color is really special. The flower was a fun addition to the pattern. One of these days I will start knitting sans-pattern. that will be the same day I cook comfortably sans-recipe :^P
here are photos of a bag I knit for a special someone's birthday. I am proud of it - I think it came out very nicely and the color is really special. The flower was a fun addition to the pattern. One of these days I will start knitting sans-pattern. that will be the same day I cook comfortably sans-recipe :^P
Sunday, April 23, 2006
a few words before i wander into my bed...
I know that I need to give yall an update on my seders and my trip to montreal, that beautiful and wonderous city up North. In the mean time here are some words of people far wiser and much more hip than myself which represent where my thoughts have been of late. Much love, and congrats Jessica on your engagement - I can't express how much joy it brings me to know that you will be spending your lives together. The way you love eachother is honorable and, well, a breath of fresh air. I wish you so much happiness...and some cute babies that I can knit for:) good night, laila tov.
Isaiah 58
True Fasting
1 "Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 'Why have we fasted,' they say,
'and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?'
"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
13 "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD's holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."
The mouth of the LORD has spoken.
looking for the holes
i am looking for the holes
the holes in your jeans
because i want to know
are they worn out in the seat
or are they worn out in the knees
there are so many ways to wear
what we have before it's gone
to make use of what is there
i don't wear anything i can't
wipe my hands on
do your politics fit
between the headlines
are they written in newsprint
are they distant
mine are crossing an empty parking lot
they are a woman walking home
at night, alone
they are six strings that sing
and wood that hums against my hip bone
we can't afford to do anyone harm
because we owe them our lives
each breath is recycled
from someone else's lungs
our enemies are the very air in disguise
you can talk a great philosophy
but if you can't be kind
to people every day
then it doesn't mean that much to me
it's the little things you do
it's the little things you say
it's the love that you give along the way
when we patch things up
they say a job well done
but when we ask the question why
where did the rips come from
they say we are subversive
and extreme of course
we are just trying to track a problem
to it's source
we are looking for the holes
because we know we can't sit back
and let people come to harm
we owe them our lives
each breath is recycled
from someone else's lungs
our enemies are the very air
our enemies are the air
© 1991 ani difranco
Isaiah 58
True Fasting
1 "Shout it aloud, do not hold back.
Raise your voice like a trumpet.
Declare to my people their rebellion
and to the house of Jacob their sins.
2 For day after day they seek me out;
they seem eager to know my ways,
as if they were a nation that does what is right
and has not forsaken the commands of its God.
They ask me for just decisions
and seem eager for God to come near them.
3 'Why have we fasted,' they say,
'and you have not seen it?
Why have we humbled ourselves,
and you have not noticed?'
"Yet on the day of your fasting, you do as you please
and exploit all your workers.
4 Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
and expect your voice to be heard on high.
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
only a day for a man to humble himself?
Is it only for bowing one's head like a reed
and for lying on sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
a day acceptable to the LORD ?
6 "Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry
and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe him,
and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
8 Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness [a] will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
9 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.
"If you do away with the yoke of oppression,
with the pointing finger and malicious talk,
10 and if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry
and satisfy the needs of the oppressed,
then your light will rise in the darkness,
and your night will become like the noonday.
11 The LORD will guide you always;
he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land
and will strengthen your frame.
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
12 Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins
and will raise up the age-old foundations;
you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls,
Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.
13 "If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath
and from doing as you please on my holy day,
if you call the Sabbath a delight
and the LORD's holy day honorable,
and if you honor it by not going your own way
and not doing as you please or speaking idle words,
14 then you will find your joy in the LORD,
and I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land
and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob."
The mouth of the LORD has spoken.
looking for the holes
i am looking for the holes
the holes in your jeans
because i want to know
are they worn out in the seat
or are they worn out in the knees
there are so many ways to wear
what we have before it's gone
to make use of what is there
i don't wear anything i can't
wipe my hands on
do your politics fit
between the headlines
are they written in newsprint
are they distant
mine are crossing an empty parking lot
they are a woman walking home
at night, alone
they are six strings that sing
and wood that hums against my hip bone
we can't afford to do anyone harm
because we owe them our lives
each breath is recycled
from someone else's lungs
our enemies are the very air in disguise
you can talk a great philosophy
but if you can't be kind
to people every day
then it doesn't mean that much to me
it's the little things you do
it's the little things you say
it's the love that you give along the way
when we patch things up
they say a job well done
but when we ask the question why
where did the rips come from
they say we are subversive
and extreme of course
we are just trying to track a problem
to it's source
we are looking for the holes
because we know we can't sit back
and let people come to harm
we owe them our lives
each breath is recycled
from someone else's lungs
our enemies are the very air
our enemies are the air
© 1991 ani difranco
Friday, April 14, 2006
good to be home.
So, let me first tell you about that experience a few nights ago at my friends' house:
I needed to go to their house to help them out a bit in the craze of pesach preparations. I enjoyed doing this, really, for one because I was helping out a friend and also because I am not doing my own hunt for chametz this year (more on this hopefully in the next post cause I don't want to overload you:). I went over to these sweet people's house and ended up doing lots of odds and ends type jobs - laundry sorting, folding, putting away dishes, etc. As we were working one of my friends was discussing why she had chosen certain dishes, the process of setting up her home and things of the like. I suddenly got a wave of sadness. I remember that process - three times in fact - a new apartment each year. I remember the painting (I always made him do the ceilings and I did the trim:). I remember where things were in the apartments. Creating home. I loved living with him - even when he infuriated me and I infuriated him. Home is what we create, family is what we build for ourselves out of the wonderful people we meet along the way, right moomoo? Lots of good times, lots more yet to have - many more homes yet to build.
Between G-BO, NC and upstate NY I saw:
two confederate flags
too many churches
5 Quebec license plates
5 states
and I heard one absolutely bizarre add on the radio which went something like this:
"Hello, I am a pastor from the church of (something or other which I didn't catch) and I have a message for you today which I hope will get ya'll to come and visit us here in __________, NC (which I also don't remember at the moment). Last week a man who worked at a mattress factory lost his finger in one of the machines. He was traumatized and could no longer work due to his injury. He filed a claim with his insurance to get compensation. However, the insurance company sent out a field agent to ensure that the man had not simply been negligent. The agent tried the machine and to his dismay he also lost one of his fingers. Now, folks, if God listens to the prayers of people who do such ridiculous things, He certainly listens to your prayers."
That was it - that was the whole add - I was pretty blown away first of all at a church advertising on the radio. But the add was also just so odd....what kind of message is that...anyway, I'll leave it at that.
I arrived home 11 hours later just about - many good tunes and miles after I started - and I found a quirky, so my parents, item in our front yard. Apparently our mailbox was knocked over by the city snow plow this winter and my dad took one of my stilts that I used as a child to rig it up. It looks home made (not hand-made, Nancy my dear). I will include a picture in my next post. When I asked my father why he had used the stilt, this was his answer:
"well, at 30 below I thought it would do the job."
"but why the stilt?"
"well, what you have there is an example of what old farts do when they get to be old farts. When we need to fix something we find something from our basements and fix it."
He left it at that. So my dad, so cute. Really, I think it is modern art.
Also in my next post I will tell you about my seders and pesach experiences so far. I head to my old home tomorrow, with a stop in O-town to visit some old friends. I hope you all had meaningful seders and will have a restful and joyous shabbas; for my Catholic peeps, Easter is just around the corner and i hope you too find meaning in this special time of year (in addition to painted eggs, marshmallow bunnies and other elements of commercialism of course...oy....)
laila...
I needed to go to their house to help them out a bit in the craze of pesach preparations. I enjoyed doing this, really, for one because I was helping out a friend and also because I am not doing my own hunt for chametz this year (more on this hopefully in the next post cause I don't want to overload you:). I went over to these sweet people's house and ended up doing lots of odds and ends type jobs - laundry sorting, folding, putting away dishes, etc. As we were working one of my friends was discussing why she had chosen certain dishes, the process of setting up her home and things of the like. I suddenly got a wave of sadness. I remember that process - three times in fact - a new apartment each year. I remember the painting (I always made him do the ceilings and I did the trim:). I remember where things were in the apartments. Creating home. I loved living with him - even when he infuriated me and I infuriated him. Home is what we create, family is what we build for ourselves out of the wonderful people we meet along the way, right moomoo? Lots of good times, lots more yet to have - many more homes yet to build.
Between G-BO, NC and upstate NY I saw:
two confederate flags
too many churches
5 Quebec license plates
5 states
and I heard one absolutely bizarre add on the radio which went something like this:
"Hello, I am a pastor from the church of (something or other which I didn't catch) and I have a message for you today which I hope will get ya'll to come and visit us here in __________, NC (which I also don't remember at the moment). Last week a man who worked at a mattress factory lost his finger in one of the machines. He was traumatized and could no longer work due to his injury. He filed a claim with his insurance to get compensation. However, the insurance company sent out a field agent to ensure that the man had not simply been negligent. The agent tried the machine and to his dismay he also lost one of his fingers. Now, folks, if God listens to the prayers of people who do such ridiculous things, He certainly listens to your prayers."
That was it - that was the whole add - I was pretty blown away first of all at a church advertising on the radio. But the add was also just so odd....what kind of message is that...anyway, I'll leave it at that.
I arrived home 11 hours later just about - many good tunes and miles after I started - and I found a quirky, so my parents, item in our front yard. Apparently our mailbox was knocked over by the city snow plow this winter and my dad took one of my stilts that I used as a child to rig it up. It looks home made (not hand-made, Nancy my dear). I will include a picture in my next post. When I asked my father why he had used the stilt, this was his answer:
"well, at 30 below I thought it would do the job."
"but why the stilt?"
"well, what you have there is an example of what old farts do when they get to be old farts. When we need to fix something we find something from our basements and fix it."
He left it at that. So my dad, so cute. Really, I think it is modern art.
Also in my next post I will tell you about my seders and pesach experiences so far. I head to my old home tomorrow, with a stop in O-town to visit some old friends. I hope you all had meaningful seders and will have a restful and joyous shabbas; for my Catholic peeps, Easter is just around the corner and i hope you too find meaning in this special time of year (in addition to painted eggs, marshmallow bunnies and other elements of commercialism of course...oy....)
laila...
Monday, April 10, 2006
Vaca
Well, folks, it has been a long time since I have been home. I drive home to Syracuse tomorrow to see my wonderful moomoo and pops. I can't wait! I know we will be driving each other bonkers within a few days, but I would rather be bonkers with them then sane with anyone else! I will be in town until Friday all my cuseniks. I have to get to sleep now for that 11 hour drive up north. It is a beautiful drive though - I will be heading right up through the mountains. The weather looks to be clear and my large stash of music is all ready. Onward!
In other news, check out the new edition on knitty.com my fellow knit-addicts. I have been checking daily and the spring issue is finally out! I particularly like this pattern:
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATTpedicuresocks.html
It would solve my problem of wanting bare-to-the-world feet for at least a few more weeks out of the year! I may have to size down the pattern a bit though - I do have some pretty small feet. But, hey, they match the rest of me right;)
I had an interesting experience that I will have to tell y'all about in my next post. It has to do with pesach, chametz and a former life...tonight brought some interesting thoughts into my tired mind. It is time for vacation!
Sweetest of dreams...
In other news, check out the new edition on knitty.com my fellow knit-addicts. I have been checking daily and the spring issue is finally out! I particularly like this pattern:
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEspring06/PATTpedicuresocks.html
It would solve my problem of wanting bare-to-the-world feet for at least a few more weeks out of the year! I may have to size down the pattern a bit though - I do have some pretty small feet. But, hey, they match the rest of me right;)
I had an interesting experience that I will have to tell y'all about in my next post. It has to do with pesach, chametz and a former life...tonight brought some interesting thoughts into my tired mind. It is time for vacation!
Sweetest of dreams...
Sunday, April 09, 2006
Enough is enough.
Ok. I want to remain calm, composed and polite, but it is hard. I love my job. Really I do. I am so happy that I came down south to work for the year. I just feel frustrated with the way things are handled at work. (As I told a new found friend on a street corner in Jerusalem not two weeks ago, there are some times when I should just bite by cheek and shut up, but I simply can't do it tonight. I don't have the strength.)
I received a letter the other day. It was essentially racist propaganda explaining why Palestinians have no right to (any) land. I was driving when I was opening my mail (well, i was at a red light) when I got blinded by this blatant and offensive piece of trash. AHHHHHH! The guy behind me honked because I zoned out I was in such shock. Let me give you some excerpts:
"As a strictly legal matter, the Jews didn't take Palestine from the Arabs; they took it from the British, who exercised sovereign authority in Palestine under a League of Nations mandate for thirty years prior to Israel's independence in 1948. And the British don't want it back."
It then runs through, in a page, the history of who controlled the land in question. It concludes:
"Palestine was administered by the British under the Palestine Mandate, the ultimate purpose of which according to the Balfour Declaration, was the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine."
I'm sorry, but: false.
And, my personal favorite, "The Arab claim to sovereign rights west of the Jordan is only humored today because of a fatal combination of the world need for Arab oil, leftist Political Correctness that has cast the Israelis as "oppressors", and of course, good old Jew-hatred."
So, everyone, when I mentioned before that I live in the luney-bin, I wasn't kidding. Only, some of the craziness I love and some of it I just can't stand. The person who gave me that article is most commonly described with the following words: Republican, rich, and Zionist. Maybe I don't agree or follow his/her thinking because I lack two of those descriptors. I just don't know.
Several things have happened over the last few weeks that have, well, been pretty soul-crushing. I learned about a complete abuse of a friend's rights by the Israeli security forces (why oh why can't Israel just FINALLY draft a bill of rights!?!) I don't feel I can say what has been happening here, but much of it is unsettling to me and I have seriously thought over the last week that I need to withdraw from the program I am planning to attend because I just can't work for another Jewish institution. But...
Things are never quite as they seem...each day for me here is a succession of events one after the other from two very different categories. While the first, which I described above, is sad and upsetting, the second is more uplifting than any other work I have done. Let me give you some examples to illuminate those shades of grey I dwell in...
On Thursday I went to our last home track meet of the year. I have been announcing...I don't know why anyone would put me on a mic...but it happens a lot for some reason..."Up now we have our second heat of the women's 200 meter dash, third call for men and women's 4x2 relay. Down on the in-field please, yes that means you, why thank you..." During one of the heats for the men's 200 dash one of the freshmen was almost to the finish line when he was passed by an opponent in the next lane. I saw that split second decision when he decided he was going to rank - he wasn't going to give up. He stood taller, his eyebrows drew in and he bent forward at the last moment and took 3rd place instead of falling below ranking. He even did a little dance at the end. It was only a small triumph, I suppose, but to him it was a very big deal. For me too. It is a blessing to be there with and for the students as these events happen. It has really been keeping me going lately as I struggle with staying positive in an environment that can at times be oppressingly negative to work in.
And tonight was the production of our school musical. We put on "The Apple Tree". I was a stage manager with two of the students. It was fun. The kids rocked it. The feeling was much in the same realm as the track meet moment. I ran around in all black - fixing ripped costumes as they ran towards the stage, almost getting crushed by gigantic props, striking...everything was so rewarding. To be a part of it with them - to watch them succeed and have fun doing it was inspiring. It is times like these that I remember why I am here - and I realize how unimportant the other stuff is...most of it anyway.
this is holy work, in the end, it really is. I love my girls...I will miss them. One of them had a birthday today. we had cake. whenever we eat baked goods they check to make sure i didnt bake them...it is kinda sad really...i am known as the bad baker in these here parts:) I accept the label gracefully.
Only two more days till break. Montreal, don't worry, I am coming - I'll be there Friday to live it up once again. Barfly bluegrass night, tam tams, chu chai, nasal quebeqer accents, great live music, old memories, good friends, the botanical gardens, good shopping (ris drools at the thought of the aldo outlet on mt. royal...yes, mom, i have a shoe fetish), the list goes on...good times behind and better ones yet to be had.
Sorry for the long post. I had to vent - about both the good and the bad. I like this blog thing...it is nice to get the emails from so many of you saying that you are enjoying the posts. Much love. 2:30 now and I have a morning rehearsal with the Sinai Mountain Ramblers - the first time I am performing a Yiddish song. I am a little nervous. I'll let yall know how it goes.
laila laila.
Countdown to Israel: less than three months.
I received a letter the other day. It was essentially racist propaganda explaining why Palestinians have no right to (any) land. I was driving when I was opening my mail (well, i was at a red light) when I got blinded by this blatant and offensive piece of trash. AHHHHHH! The guy behind me honked because I zoned out I was in such shock. Let me give you some excerpts:
"As a strictly legal matter, the Jews didn't take Palestine from the Arabs; they took it from the British, who exercised sovereign authority in Palestine under a League of Nations mandate for thirty years prior to Israel's independence in 1948. And the British don't want it back."
It then runs through, in a page, the history of who controlled the land in question. It concludes:
"Palestine was administered by the British under the Palestine Mandate, the ultimate purpose of which according to the Balfour Declaration, was the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine."
I'm sorry, but: false.
And, my personal favorite, "The Arab claim to sovereign rights west of the Jordan is only humored today because of a fatal combination of the world need for Arab oil, leftist Political Correctness that has cast the Israelis as "oppressors", and of course, good old Jew-hatred."
So, everyone, when I mentioned before that I live in the luney-bin, I wasn't kidding. Only, some of the craziness I love and some of it I just can't stand. The person who gave me that article is most commonly described with the following words: Republican, rich, and Zionist. Maybe I don't agree or follow his/her thinking because I lack two of those descriptors. I just don't know.
Several things have happened over the last few weeks that have, well, been pretty soul-crushing. I learned about a complete abuse of a friend's rights by the Israeli security forces (why oh why can't Israel just FINALLY draft a bill of rights!?!) I don't feel I can say what has been happening here, but much of it is unsettling to me and I have seriously thought over the last week that I need to withdraw from the program I am planning to attend because I just can't work for another Jewish institution. But...
Things are never quite as they seem...each day for me here is a succession of events one after the other from two very different categories. While the first, which I described above, is sad and upsetting, the second is more uplifting than any other work I have done. Let me give you some examples to illuminate those shades of grey I dwell in...
On Thursday I went to our last home track meet of the year. I have been announcing...I don't know why anyone would put me on a mic...but it happens a lot for some reason..."Up now we have our second heat of the women's 200 meter dash, third call for men and women's 4x2 relay. Down on the in-field please, yes that means you, why thank you..." During one of the heats for the men's 200 dash one of the freshmen was almost to the finish line when he was passed by an opponent in the next lane. I saw that split second decision when he decided he was going to rank - he wasn't going to give up. He stood taller, his eyebrows drew in and he bent forward at the last moment and took 3rd place instead of falling below ranking. He even did a little dance at the end. It was only a small triumph, I suppose, but to him it was a very big deal. For me too. It is a blessing to be there with and for the students as these events happen. It has really been keeping me going lately as I struggle with staying positive in an environment that can at times be oppressingly negative to work in.
And tonight was the production of our school musical. We put on "The Apple Tree". I was a stage manager with two of the students. It was fun. The kids rocked it. The feeling was much in the same realm as the track meet moment. I ran around in all black - fixing ripped costumes as they ran towards the stage, almost getting crushed by gigantic props, striking...everything was so rewarding. To be a part of it with them - to watch them succeed and have fun doing it was inspiring. It is times like these that I remember why I am here - and I realize how unimportant the other stuff is...most of it anyway.
this is holy work, in the end, it really is. I love my girls...I will miss them. One of them had a birthday today. we had cake. whenever we eat baked goods they check to make sure i didnt bake them...it is kinda sad really...i am known as the bad baker in these here parts:) I accept the label gracefully.
Only two more days till break. Montreal, don't worry, I am coming - I'll be there Friday to live it up once again. Barfly bluegrass night, tam tams, chu chai, nasal quebeqer accents, great live music, old memories, good friends, the botanical gardens, good shopping (ris drools at the thought of the aldo outlet on mt. royal...yes, mom, i have a shoe fetish), the list goes on...good times behind and better ones yet to be had.
Sorry for the long post. I had to vent - about both the good and the bad. I like this blog thing...it is nice to get the emails from so many of you saying that you are enjoying the posts. Much love. 2:30 now and I have a morning rehearsal with the Sinai Mountain Ramblers - the first time I am performing a Yiddish song. I am a little nervous. I'll let yall know how it goes.
laila laila.
Countdown to Israel: less than three months.
Thursday, April 06, 2006
I am a Refoconstructidox Jew.
Good morning everyone! Here is a question posed to a Rabbi through an email dialogue hosted by the Reform movement. I don't know how I feel about the answer - why do we have to insult Orthodoxy, traditional ways of living Jewishly, in order to position ourselves...wait a minute...I said ourselves....wait, am I a Reform Jew or aren't I....ugh....
Do you see a difference between being religious and being observant? Is one concept more central to the Reform movement than the other?
One may be both religious and observant and I have no problem with that. However, in the earliest days of Reform’s development was the recognition that many Jews were very observant but who did not live ethically, who did not demonstrate sensitivity for those in need, who refused to make changes in their observances even when extreme hardships were acknowledged, even when new insights demonstrated why changes should be made, for concepts in the siddur no longer in consonance with contemporary thinking about the nature of existence such as the resurrection of the body. I believe that Reform has a special responsibility to notice the distinction between customs as decorative and customs are substantive. I favor the former and not the latter. When Orthodox and Conservative Jews comment about how we Reformers are returning to tradition, I understand what they mean but I am not complemented. When I see Reform Jews wrapped in a talit engaged in a lively prayer service, I am not threatened. When others suggest that this is what I need to do, I ask: “Why?” Understanding or at least the endeavor to understand is an important quality of being a Reform Jew. I acknowledge that there are times when I may have to live with ambiguity but I should use caution in those circumstances.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
The eternal kiss.
Sometimes I can't believe I live in a gated community - so against my principals. But hey, I needed a job last March so I took it. This may be a long post, so bear with me folks...
I think I will start with last January, to catch y'all up.
I went to NYC for my rabbinical school interview. I think I am of reasonable sanity (or insanity), however, I don't think I did so well on the psych eval...I'll tell you why. You see, I am a generally upbeat lady. Smile, sing, smile, sing...that is my general modus operandi. I think the shrink thought I was covering something up because I told him I was just freakin lucky in my life. I had a boyfriend whom I felt totally in love with, friends and family so supportive they take my breath away most days, and I have been pretty successful and content in all my ventures. He didn't like this much. He wanted passion, deceit, betrayal - and he was determined to find it. He kept attempting to ask probing questions about my family life -
"Are you angry at your parents - they controlled your life!?!?"
"My mother would laugh at you outright if you said that to her..."
"What?"
"I am, how can I put this nicely, self-directed?? I call the shots...it is actually a family joke...you see I have this hat from when I was a child that says 'I'm the..."
He wanted nothing to hear of my story as I understood it. And then came the ink blots. Mind you, despite my father being a counselor, I have never had a day in therapy so I didn't go in thinking the exam would go thusly...I was slightly put off by this point...
So, he shows me some ink blots. I learned afterwards that you are supposed to see the image as a whole and describe what you see...I didn't do that. You also aren't supposed to see anything that has to do with the reproductive system...I didn't do that either. I swear, when something looks like a uterus and ovaries it just does (by the way, side note, I found a knitting pattern to make a uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries and I am very excited to get a chance to knit one and give it to some unsuspecting woman as a joke at her birthday party...watch out ladies!). So anyway, I saw what I saw and I told him...in the end it was not the best of experiences and I am not sure if it hurt my admissions decision but I don't think it helped. Two days later I had an interview and I knew that it hadn't gone well as soon as I left the room. You can tell when those types of situations click, when they go well, and when they don't. I knew as I left the building that Friday morning that things hadn't gone so well. At the time I would have described the situation as "they didn't see me" but I would use very different words today. I went to Grand Central to catch my train out to
Now, in retrospect, the most important events of those few days in NYC were the night before my interview at HUC and the night after - not the interview itself.
The night before I went out to eat with my brother and his girlfriend. This hasn't happened much in my life...in fact if that asshole shrink wanted to unearth some juicy emotions he should have asked about Paul. I want my brother to be a part of my life. He is slowly becoming that more and more, and it brings me much contentment in knowing that we are becoming closer. So, the night before we went out to dinner in downtown
"Well, I can honestly say that this was my best night ever with my brother. That means infinitely more to me than what 10 complete strangers say about my ability or inability to do something...no matter what the result of tomorrow is, I won't forget how meaningful tonight was. But I probably will forget the names, faces and questions of all of the people interviewing me. This was more important in my life."
I bombed. I went to
It was dark out already as my train pulled into the station. My sister, brother-in -law and niece were waiting below in the car. I had used all my strength not to cry until this point, but when I got in Mishi's car, and I saw my niece, I couldn't hold it in anymore. It had been such an emotional day. Brana noticed that I was crying, and this is what she did:
"Doda, can I give you something?"
"Of course Brana-bear"
"Give me your hand," Brana giggled and smiled her big delicious smile (the one where her nose wrinkles up!). She opened up my hand with her little paws (she was only 4 at the time). She gripped half of my fingers in one hand and the other half in the other hand and pulled them waaaay open, creating a landing pad for something, although I wasn't sure what. She bent down in her car seat and kissed my hand. A big kiss, she lingered and made sure it sunk in. Then she looks up at me and pulls my face to hers.
"Doda, that will always be there - that's the way kisses work! You can never take it off!!!! It will be with you wherever you go"
That's the thing with kids - they are honest, completely honest, and don't really know how to fake things yet. When they love you it is genuine, pure.
I cried, full out. Not because I was remorseful about the way the last few days had gone, but because like so many other times in my life I felt blessed by the people who love me. I honestly don't know what I did to get so lucky. I love you chicken little, I hope you read this someday.
I didn't get in. I am happy for that now. More than I can say. I'll explain more later about why.. For now I am living inside the green fence of the
Blessings to you all.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
I heart butterflies.
I will try to catch yall up to date with my whereabouts. I went to NYC in February to visit with my brother. It was absolutely wonderful. The whole weekend was mine. I saw my friends, spent time with my brother. I treasure the time I get with him (which I hope he knows...). I went to museums each day - I hit up the American Folk Art museum which I have to say is one of my favorites I've ever been to (it was my first time...) - second only to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. I went out, had drinks with old friends and just had a generally grand old time. To the left is a pic i really love - compliments of Rachel - taken at the Museum of Natural History at their Butterfly exhibit. The best time to go is about 5pm because they bring in a mesh bag with all that days hatchlings and you get to help release them. They feel really neat walking all over you and their colors are breathtaking.
And on an entirely different note -
What have I gotten myself into for the next three years of my life...what do you think of this my Israeli friends out there...
Israelis...
Sing and clap when the plane lands safely home.
Call everyone "my brother."
Talk to passing cars with closed windows.
Crack sunflower seeds at soccer games.
Love crowds.
Sell scalp-massage machines in American malls.
Come into your store while talking on a cellphone and tell you [the owner] that they'll be right with you.
Joke with everyone.
Arrive at any place in the world and transform it into an Israeli scene.
Lack tact.
Don't care what anyone thinks.
Scratch their [privates] in front of everyone.
Ask you how much money you make after knowing you for five minutes.
Talk about the army like it was the best time of their lives.
Tell racist jokes, but get angry about anti-Semitism.
Offer a stranger a bite of their food instead of answering the question, "Is it tasty?"
They are just funny.
Try to talk English.
Drink chocolate milk from plastic bags.
Are not ashamed of anything.
Hate everything here while in Israel; when abroad boast that everything in Israel is the best.
Ask strangers to watch their kids for a second.
Get married in an un-tucked short-sleeved shirt with no jacket.
Clean the floor with water and squeegees.
Don't know how to line up.
Put hot sauce on everything.
Have a celebration without alcohol.
Smoke inside the mini-market.
Israelis are the ones who will push you down to get on the bus, but they are also the ones to help you up first.
Introducing...me...
"Ms. G Joins the Church of Scientology" By a student at the American Heb. Academy
Ms. G, one of the A.H.A. fellows, has left her position early at the academy to join the Church of Scientology. "A lot of really cool famous people are scientologists now and I want to be cool too, so I figured if I became one everyone will like me." Ms. G said when asked about her abrupt change. "I just didn't feel right being at A.H.A. anymore. I felt like I was being persecuted for my beliefs. I'm a scientologist now, and the community at A.H.A. wasn't willing to accept that." Next year Ms. G will go on a national tour, guitar in hand, speaking at college campuses to educate the public about Scientology. "I hope for this to be a truly enlightening experience" explains Ms. G. "After all, what makes more sense than paying for answers when they are oh so very hard to come by?" In all reality, the loss of Ms. G was only to be expected as the fellow position is a position which can hardly be referred to as perennial yet loosing one of our own to another religion is at the very least a disheartening notion.
The passage above was written in the school's April Fool's edition of the school paper. I work here at the American Heb. Academy - and I am finally doing what I vowed I would do back on a beach in Bermuda last May - yes it took me a while, my deepest apologies. I included that article because it gives you just a taste of the lunacy I live with every day:) I love my job, I love my students. This year has been one of big changes and lots of good times. For the first time in many years I am both single and have no desire to be a rabbi. Both would have been unimaginable to me a year ago. But here I am. And, as Jeremy taught me, I shouldn't regret a moment of it - and I don't. I am leaving for Israel in only a few short months. So please keep reading as I finish up my time in North Carolina and I pack up for Israel. I will try to write daily or at least weekly but I am sure it will ebb and flow. Three years. Jerusalem. F--- am I excited.
Ms. G, one of the A.H.A. fellows, has left her position early at the academy to join the Church of Scientology. "A lot of really cool famous people are scientologists now and I want to be cool too, so I figured if I became one everyone will like me." Ms. G said when asked about her abrupt change. "I just didn't feel right being at A.H.A. anymore. I felt like I was being persecuted for my beliefs. I'm a scientologist now, and the community at A.H.A. wasn't willing to accept that." Next year Ms. G will go on a national tour, guitar in hand, speaking at college campuses to educate the public about Scientology. "I hope for this to be a truly enlightening experience" explains Ms. G. "After all, what makes more sense than paying for answers when they are oh so very hard to come by?" In all reality, the loss of Ms. G was only to be expected as the fellow position is a position which can hardly be referred to as perennial yet loosing one of our own to another religion is at the very least a disheartening notion.
The passage above was written in the school's April Fool's edition of the school paper. I work here at the American Heb. Academy - and I am finally doing what I vowed I would do back on a beach in Bermuda last May - yes it took me a while, my deepest apologies. I included that article because it gives you just a taste of the lunacy I live with every day:) I love my job, I love my students. This year has been one of big changes and lots of good times. For the first time in many years I am both single and have no desire to be a rabbi. Both would have been unimaginable to me a year ago. But here I am. And, as Jeremy taught me, I shouldn't regret a moment of it - and I don't. I am leaving for Israel in only a few short months. So please keep reading as I finish up my time in North Carolina and I pack up for Israel. I will try to write daily or at least weekly but I am sure it will ebb and flow. Three years. Jerusalem. F--- am I excited.
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