I admit, I wish I was there, alas, it was Shabbat and too far to walk...
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Monday, October 20, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
The SJCS Torah Celebration
At Talya's school, each year, the new students (in particular the kindergartners) are welcomed to the school and the commencement of their Jewish learning is celebrated. This event is adorable, the children sing and the kindergartners receive their Kippot and a mini Torah. Tonight we arrived at SJCS early enough to get front row seats - check out these two short video clips of the singing (sorry you have to turn your head for the second clip).
Sukkot continued...
With the threat of rain upon us, we didn't even hang our decorations and sure enough, the rains arrived so on Erev Sukkot, we ended up inside the house.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The Latest Stats
Ayelet is now 6 months, 3 1/2 Weeks.
She weighs in at 14 lbs, 12 oz (25th percentile).
Her height is 27 inches (75th percentile).
She sits up, babbles, loves to play, eats solids (including Cheerios), tries to feed herself (check out the photo), and she is happiest when she is with her sisters, mommy and daddy - just as it should be!
Monday, October 6, 2008
T'shuvah
Yom Kippur is upon us and frankly, I am NOT in the mood.
Usually, I take Yom Kippur very seriously. I take the time to prepare; I make t'shuva and repair relationships that I may have damaged in the last year. I especially spend time reflecting on my relationships with each of the kids and with Ron, I spend time thinking about the things that I will focus on changing and improving in the coming year. I physically prepare for my fast by planning appropriate pre-fast meals the week before and of course exercising, sweating out all the toxins. I prepare for the day in synagogue, reviewing the liturgy and the melodies, and reflecting on my relationship with G-d and with my community.
This year is different and I feel it with every part of my soul. Every time someone says (or writes) G'mar Hatimah Tovah (May you be sealed for a good year in the Book of Life.), I cringe and feel like I am living a lie. "I am not observing Yom Kippur this year," I want to shout, but instead I smile and reply "G'mar tov", any other response would be to difficult to explain.
I haven't made T'shuvah with any of the dear friends and family who I love so completely. I haven't reflected on what the next year will bring to me and my family, we are so blessed in so many ways right now. I haven't prepared even symbolically for the fast that I will not complete. I haven't yet decided whether or not I will spend the day in synagogue as I always have. It is less than 48 hours before Yom Kippur will be upon us and I am not ready.
If I accept that tenets of Yom Kippur, than I am accepting the fact that G-d will perhaps seal me and those that I love in the Book of Life. It also means that perhaps we will not be sealed in the Book of Life; perhaps our fate will be different.
For many years, I have volunteered on the Congregation Beth Shalom Mitzvah Corps. I have visited those who are sick; I have comforted those who have mourned the loss of loved ones. I have organized shiva minyanim and meal support. I have done all this without ever having been directly touched by any of it. I have always wondered, how can I be good at comforting others who are going through something that I have never actually felt. But suddenly it has hit me and for the first time I feel its pain. Sons or daughters can be killed in car accidents, miscarriages and still births can happen to those who want children more than anything, cancer can slowly suffocate a friend, his family and their community. This year I have felt communities collectively hold their breath, not knowing what the outcome will be, as though holding their breath can alter the course. If I believe in Yom Kippur's power, then I have to believe that there is a master plan for each of us for the coming year, this year, I can't take that step, I can't relinquish the control.
So for now, I will not take that step. I will continue to hold my breath and choke back my sobs. I will not fast and I will not make t'shuvah (I am sorry dear friends). Maybe I will go to synagogue for the day, maybe just for a while, maybe I will go for a walk. I will go so far as to be grateful for everything that I am so fortunate to be blessed with. I will take one day at a time.
Usually, I take Yom Kippur very seriously. I take the time to prepare; I make t'shuva and repair relationships that I may have damaged in the last year. I especially spend time reflecting on my relationships with each of the kids and with Ron, I spend time thinking about the things that I will focus on changing and improving in the coming year. I physically prepare for my fast by planning appropriate pre-fast meals the week before and of course exercising, sweating out all the toxins. I prepare for the day in synagogue, reviewing the liturgy and the melodies, and reflecting on my relationship with G-d and with my community.
This year is different and I feel it with every part of my soul. Every time someone says (or writes) G'mar Hatimah Tovah (May you be sealed for a good year in the Book of Life.), I cringe and feel like I am living a lie. "I am not observing Yom Kippur this year," I want to shout, but instead I smile and reply "G'mar tov", any other response would be to difficult to explain.
I haven't made T'shuvah with any of the dear friends and family who I love so completely. I haven't reflected on what the next year will bring to me and my family, we are so blessed in so many ways right now. I haven't prepared even symbolically for the fast that I will not complete. I haven't yet decided whether or not I will spend the day in synagogue as I always have. It is less than 48 hours before Yom Kippur will be upon us and I am not ready.
If I accept that tenets of Yom Kippur, than I am accepting the fact that G-d will perhaps seal me and those that I love in the Book of Life. It also means that perhaps we will not be sealed in the Book of Life; perhaps our fate will be different.
For many years, I have volunteered on the Congregation Beth Shalom Mitzvah Corps. I have visited those who are sick; I have comforted those who have mourned the loss of loved ones. I have organized shiva minyanim and meal support. I have done all this without ever having been directly touched by any of it. I have always wondered, how can I be good at comforting others who are going through something that I have never actually felt. But suddenly it has hit me and for the first time I feel its pain. Sons or daughters can be killed in car accidents, miscarriages and still births can happen to those who want children more than anything, cancer can slowly suffocate a friend, his family and their community. This year I have felt communities collectively hold their breath, not knowing what the outcome will be, as though holding their breath can alter the course. If I believe in Yom Kippur's power, then I have to believe that there is a master plan for each of us for the coming year, this year, I can't take that step, I can't relinquish the control.
So for now, I will not take that step. I will continue to hold my breath and choke back my sobs. I will not fast and I will not make t'shuvah (I am sorry dear friends). Maybe I will go to synagogue for the day, maybe just for a while, maybe I will go for a walk. I will go so far as to be grateful for everything that I am so fortunate to be blessed with. I will take one day at a time.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
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