How is it week after week you touch on exactly the things I am thinking about and feeling.
I had a rigorous Hebrew School program until I was 13. But at home we did holidays but no other observances.
When I married my husband and I joined a Reform Congregation. I eventually ended up as the Executive Director of a very large Reform Congregation before I retired.
My point is that even though we went to Reform synagogues, there were standards in place. Expectations of education and observance.
We moved to SoCal and I have been shocked by what I have found here and it has me considering finding a more traditional worship space.
Shabbat services are only Friday’s unless there is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. And everything is so performative! There is a special service every week. It feels like I am attending a show versus praying.
Plus a kind of everything goes attitude.
Hopefully after this current situation those rabbi’s and cantor’s rethink what being Jewish requires. It is not all fun and games.
As you say it is a deep rooted commitment to G_d. Not just eating bagels.
Thank you, Cindy - it's so good to hear from you. Have you read Sarah Hurwitz's book, Here All Along? She has a forthcoming book this fall called 'As a Jew' which touches a lot on what you write here about a shallow Judaism and what we can do to reclaim depth. Shabbat Shalom!
I listened to your Wondering Jew podcast about Aliya
The difference between all other persecutions in the last 2 millennia and this one , is the existence of the beautiful miraculous state of Israel .
I think it’s time to encourage as many Jews , especially younger ones, to make Aliya
We’ve seen this scenario before. It’s getting worse. Half the Congressional Dems voted to stop selling arms to Israel.Mamdani is looming. The tide has turned against us
Those who must stay can try to fight
But it seems clear that Hashem wants as many of His people as possible to me in Israel.
קול דודי דופק
It’s our responsibility to hear God knocking and to open the door wide
I don't know - I still think we need a strong Jewish diaspora. I think Israel is strengthened by Jews abroad who care for it and are connected with it.
Agreed that things look back but still a lot of room to fight back -
Thank you very much for a heartfelt and beautifully written description about how things are for us now in America. I knew we had experienced a golden age here. I never thought it would end. But, it did end on October 8th. It was shocking to me. It took a long time to deal with it. I have always loved America and the opportunities it provided for my family, through hard work to succeed. I taught US History, always presenting both sides when there were differences in outlooks. You gave me a new way to stay positive and to be realistic. Sending blessings to you.
Thank you Robbin. I did a conversation this week with Franklin Foer who wrote that seminal article on the golden age ending - I'll see if I can share the recording soon. Shabbat shalom!
Yasher koach! It's so interesting how your teaching about parashat Va'etchanan is so aligned with your comments during last evening's conversation in Aspen. Thank you and Shabbat shalom!
Hi Michal - nice to "meet" you here as well. I'm sorry we didn't;t have a chance to meet in person at the event ... next time! May you continue to share meaning and light with all of us!
How is it week after week you touch on exactly the things I am thinking about and feeling.
I had a rigorous Hebrew School program until I was 13. But at home we did holidays but no other observances.
When I married my husband and I joined a Reform Congregation. I eventually ended up as the Executive Director of a very large Reform Congregation before I retired.
My point is that even though we went to Reform synagogues, there were standards in place. Expectations of education and observance.
We moved to SoCal and I have been shocked by what I have found here and it has me considering finding a more traditional worship space.
Shabbat services are only Friday’s unless there is a Bar/Bat Mitzvah. And everything is so performative! There is a special service every week. It feels like I am attending a show versus praying.
Plus a kind of everything goes attitude.
Hopefully after this current situation those rabbi’s and cantor’s rethink what being Jewish requires. It is not all fun and games.
As you say it is a deep rooted commitment to G_d. Not just eating bagels.
Shabbat Shalom
Thank you, Cindy - it's so good to hear from you. Have you read Sarah Hurwitz's book, Here All Along? She has a forthcoming book this fall called 'As a Jew' which touches a lot on what you write here about a shallow Judaism and what we can do to reclaim depth. Shabbat Shalom!
Ordering right now. Still have time before Shabbat here in California.
Shabbat Shalom
Lovely painful essay
I listened to your Wondering Jew podcast about Aliya
The difference between all other persecutions in the last 2 millennia and this one , is the existence of the beautiful miraculous state of Israel .
I think it’s time to encourage as many Jews , especially younger ones, to make Aliya
We’ve seen this scenario before. It’s getting worse. Half the Congressional Dems voted to stop selling arms to Israel.Mamdani is looming. The tide has turned against us
Those who must stay can try to fight
But it seems clear that Hashem wants as many of His people as possible to me in Israel.
קול דודי דופק
It’s our responsibility to hear God knocking and to open the door wide
Shabbat Shalom
Shabbat Shalom, Disa!
I have been thinking about this so much..
I don't know - I still think we need a strong Jewish diaspora. I think Israel is strengthened by Jews abroad who care for it and are connected with it.
Agreed that things look back but still a lot of room to fight back -
Thank you very much for a heartfelt and beautifully written description about how things are for us now in America. I knew we had experienced a golden age here. I never thought it would end. But, it did end on October 8th. It was shocking to me. It took a long time to deal with it. I have always loved America and the opportunities it provided for my family, through hard work to succeed. I taught US History, always presenting both sides when there were differences in outlooks. You gave me a new way to stay positive and to be realistic. Sending blessings to you.
Thank you Robbin. I did a conversation this week with Franklin Foer who wrote that seminal article on the golden age ending - I'll see if I can share the recording soon. Shabbat shalom!
Hell no, we're not about to stop now. If we did, we wouldn't bej Jews. JEWs! Not Jewish. Enough already with the "-ish."
Mijal, thanks for another inspiring piece.
Thank you Bruce! Yes - we are 100%% Jews :)
What a great piece.
Thank you!
Yasher koach! It's so interesting how your teaching about parashat Va'etchanan is so aligned with your comments during last evening's conversation in Aspen. Thank you and Shabbat shalom!
Hi Bobby! nice to "meet" you here - yes, i wrote this as I was preparing for that conversation so it definately shaped my thinking :) Shabbat Shalom!
Hi Michal - nice to "meet" you here as well. I'm sorry we didn't;t have a chance to meet in person at the event ... next time! May you continue to share meaning and light with all of us!