Tomorrow is Shabbat and not only do I have to schlep (yep) all of my worldly belongings and my cat across the Bay, I have to do it in a UHaul, without a navigator. Let's pray I don't go off the bridge or hit any small children or anything. Seriously. Oh, no - now I'm worried about it. Okay, I'm over it.
On a positive note, plenty of wonderful friends are also giving up their Shabbat to help me. I'll have to make it worth their while with Dream Fluff donuts (OMG) and champagne and grapefruit juice*. Breakfast of champions?
Now that I'll be in San Francisco, I'll have a whole new world of Jewish events and places to explore. It's exciting! If anyone has suggestions, please give a shout over email or in the comments.
*I thought this drink was called a bellini, but apparently that's champagne and peach puree. According to Yahoo!, champagne and grapefruit juice in combination is called a Moon Walk. I don't believe it.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Friday, January 21, 2011
A wonderful Tu B'Shevat seder
Last night, Moriah and I attended the aforementioned Tu B'Shevat seder, organized by Jewish Voice for Peace and, in particular, their Young Jewish Proud group. It was a completely, completely amazing event. I encourage absolutely everyone to visit the YJP website, and take a look in particular at the Young Jewish Declaration and the video of young Jewish protesters disrupting a speech by Netanyahu at the Jewish Federation General Assembly in November 2010. It's so profound and so inspiring to know that there are Jews out there - in particular, young Jews - who are challenging the paradox of Jewish notions of peace and justice and tikkun olam* generally, and the treatment of Palestinians by the Israeli government.
More about the seder. Tu B'Shevat is the "birthday of trees," kind of a Jewish Arbor Day. The focus last night was on the Jewish National Fund (JNF), "established in accordance with the 1922 League of Nations Mandate for Palestine that included the establishment and recognition of a 'Jewish agency' comprised of representatives of world Jewry to assist in the 'establishment of the Jewish National Home. . . in Palestine.'" The JNF has served as a mechanism by which the Israeli government could "sell absentee lands. . . 'left behind' by former Arab owners." The JNF has thrived in large part thanks to money collected from Jews around the world, especially on Tu B'Shevat. They planted European pine trees that, though not well suited for the soil, prevented Palestinian planting (in part because the acidic soil resulting from dropped pine needles made other agriculture very difficult) and ensured land reserves for new and expanding settlements.
As a group at the seder, we discussed some of the sad, unjust implications of Tu B'Shevat historically and how we can instead celebrate the holiday to speak up about the importance of land and agriculture for ALL people. I can't overstate how moved I was to have this conversation, bridging in so many ways the spiritual connection I feel to Judaism and the concerns and anxiety I have about Israel. It may seem naive, but I had no idea that there were enough Jews with a similar internal conflict to fill a whole room for a seder. Clearly, I need to spend more time with this community.
I may have more to say about the seder and these ideas generally as I continue to reflect, but for now I think it's best to close this post with the same sentiment that closed last night's event.
All land is holy. All people are chosen.
*The responsibility of Jews to actively contribute to repairing our world
More about the seder. Tu B'Shevat is the "birthday of trees," kind of a Jewish Arbor Day. The focus last night was on the Jewish National Fund (JNF), "established in accordance with the 1922 League of Nations Mandate for Palestine that included the establishment and recognition of a 'Jewish agency' comprised of representatives of world Jewry to assist in the 'establishment of the Jewish National Home. . . in Palestine.'" The JNF has served as a mechanism by which the Israeli government could "sell absentee lands. . . 'left behind' by former Arab owners." The JNF has thrived in large part thanks to money collected from Jews around the world, especially on Tu B'Shevat. They planted European pine trees that, though not well suited for the soil, prevented Palestinian planting (in part because the acidic soil resulting from dropped pine needles made other agriculture very difficult) and ensured land reserves for new and expanding settlements.
As a group at the seder, we discussed some of the sad, unjust implications of Tu B'Shevat historically and how we can instead celebrate the holiday to speak up about the importance of land and agriculture for ALL people. I can't overstate how moved I was to have this conversation, bridging in so many ways the spiritual connection I feel to Judaism and the concerns and anxiety I have about Israel. It may seem naive, but I had no idea that there were enough Jews with a similar internal conflict to fill a whole room for a seder. Clearly, I need to spend more time with this community.
I may have more to say about the seder and these ideas generally as I continue to reflect, but for now I think it's best to close this post with the same sentiment that closed last night's event.
All land is holy. All people are chosen.
*The responsibility of Jews to actively contribute to repairing our world
Monday, January 17, 2011
Israel: Putting the "(ish)" in my Jew(ish) life
Without a Jewish boyfriend or a plan to convert to Judaism any time soon, my engagement with the Jewish community feels like it lacks a certain validity. Moriah and I RSVPed for a Tu B'Shevat seder on Thursday organized by Young Jewish Proud, a "grassroots peace group dedicated to reaching a just peace between Israelis and Palestinians based on the principles of equality and international human rights law." And, at the end of the RSVP form, there was a box to check to self-identify as young, Jewish and proud. Am I young? Yes. Am I proud? That, too. But am I JEWISH? Well, no.
I'm really excited about the seder because it seems that YJP is tackling the most challenging issue I confront when considering aligning myself with the American Jewish community. (Israel, of course.) And I think that spending more time with Jews who share my questions about Israel and its treatment of Palestinians will contribute greatly to my enthusiasm for Judaism as a whole and my vision for my role within the religion. It's been easy so far to bond with Jewish friends and loved ones at Passover or at services or during Torah study, but I'm always aware of Israel as the white elephant in the room. I'm really looking forward to hashing this out in ongoing dialogue in a safe space.
I also finally committed to an actual book, without pictures (GASP!) about Israel. At my friend Muni's suggestion, I've picked up Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid by Jimmy Carter. A book review will of course be forthcoming. And a review of Thursday's seder, too.
I'm really excited about the seder because it seems that YJP is tackling the most challenging issue I confront when considering aligning myself with the American Jewish community. (Israel, of course.) And I think that spending more time with Jews who share my questions about Israel and its treatment of Palestinians will contribute greatly to my enthusiasm for Judaism as a whole and my vision for my role within the religion. It's been easy so far to bond with Jewish friends and loved ones at Passover or at services or during Torah study, but I'm always aware of Israel as the white elephant in the room. I'm really looking forward to hashing this out in ongoing dialogue in a safe space.
I also finally committed to an actual book, without pictures (GASP!) about Israel. At my friend Muni's suggestion, I've picked up Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid by Jimmy Carter. A book review will of course be forthcoming. And a review of Thursday's seder, too.
Thursday, January 6, 2011
It could be worse. . .
. . . I could be begging for a get. That would really put a damper on my new year. Also, Aharon Friedman sounds like a real jackass.
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