Author: Melissa

April 26, 2018   11 Iyar, 5778

TONIGHT IS TWENTY-SEVEN DAYS, WHICH IS THREE WEEKS AND SIX DAYS, OF THE OMER

Being Jewish means that I am obligated to help repair the world by doing what I can. It means that I must speak up when I see people being mistreated. It means passing this on to my children.

Kimberly Marcus

April 25, 2018   10 Iyar, 5778

TONIGHT IS TWENTY-SIX DAYS, WHICH IS THREE WEEKS AND FIVE DAYS, OF THE OMER

Being Jewish means following irresistible traditions that I cannot always explain.

Anonymous

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April 24, 2018   9 Iyar, 5778

TONIGHT IS TWENTY-FIVE DAYS, WHICH IS THREE WEEKS AND FOUR DAYS, OF THE OMER

I was born Jewish, my parents Orthodox. On most Jewish holidays, I was not allowed to go to school. This made things difficult, and I often resented my parent’s strict rules. To be Jewish is to be different, and if you don’t think you’re different, others will think you are!

After learning about other faiths, I concluded that my Judaism allowed for questioning and change; it allowed direct interaction without an intermediary. I could question, accept, reject and even deny without fear. The sins of other religions were not my sins, a freedom which has allowed Jews to persist in spite of the many attempts to destroy us.

There is comfort when Jews feel responsible for each other. We suffer when our fellow humans suffer, and we work at creating a better world.

Maybe part of being and feeling Jewish is knowing we’re a minority. Most Jews like to pursue knowledge. Meeting challenges becomes part of our being. We’ve hoped and prayed that our successes may change how we are perceived.  It hasn’t always worked, but we do continue to strive and survive.

Miriam

April 23, 2018   8 Iyar, 5778

TONIGHT IS TWENTY-FOUR DAYS, WHICH IS THREE WEEKS AND THREE DAYS, OF THE OMER

Being Jewish is more than “just my religion,” it’s who I am. Being Jewish is embedded within me and while it had been suppressed at some point, it has burst out. I am proud to be Jewish, to transmit my love and passion for Judaism to my students, and to have dedicated my life to it. Without Judaism, and without a lifetime at Temple Beth Abraham, I wouldn’t be who I am today: a proud Jewish woman!!!

Stessa Peers

April 22, 2018   7 Iyar, 5778

TONIGHT IS TWENTY-THREE DAYS, WHICH IS THREE WEEKS AND TWO DAYS, OF THE OMER

Studying and learning the rich history and traditions of Judaism – and applying the moral values and relevant practices into my modern-day life.

Irene M.

April 20, 2018   5 Iyar, 5778

TONIGHT IS TWENTY-ONE DAYS, WHICH IS THREE WEEKS, OF THE OMER

What does being Jewish mean to me? Particularly in times of great despair when no easy answers to life’s inevitable challenges were to be found…my connection as a Jew to all who came before me helped me find a footing. “Chazak, chazak v’nitchazeik. Be strong, be strong and let us strengthen one another.” Down through the ages these are the words spoken after reading from the Torah.

I grew up in a home where being a Jew was valued; a very great gift.

Learning to read Yiddish while in elementary school and taking Hebrew as a three year regents course at Christopher Columbus High School were not the rule in Jewish Pelham Parkway when I was a youngster.

What was missing?

As a parent—one who wanted to impart not only the universal ethical values common to secular Jews—I came to Temple Beth Abraham to begin to learn from the Tanach, with the hope of giving to my children this gift: the very foundation for a worthwhile life filled with meaning.

Saara Gallin

April 21, 2018    6 Iyar, 5778

TONIGHT IS TWENTY-TWO DAYS, WHICH IS THREE WEEKS AND ONE DAY, OF THE OMER

*We are posting this response today, so you do not have to use your computer/phone on Shabbat.

Several years ago my elderly Mother was having a discussion with someone who professed to being a “Born Again Christian.”  My Mother replied to a comment made by this person and this person then answered Mom by saying, “You are so Jewish”.  My Mother replied, “Thank you so much”.  Of course, the “Born Again” person had not meant it as a compliment.
As Mom believed, I also say, “Thank You God for making me a Jew.”

Ruda

April 19, 2018   4 Iyar, 5778

TONIGHT IS TWENTY DAYS, WHICH IS TWO WEEKS AND SIX DAYS, OF THE OMER

“Community” is the first word that comes to my mind when asked “What does it mean to be Jewish?”

I love being Jewish. It means that I am never alone because I belong to a global community of people that will always welcome each other. I always feel comfortable and accepted among my Temple congregants at TBA.

I trust being Jewish. It is filled with traditions and rituals that I can depend on, but have the freedom to participate to whatever extent meets my spiritual needs. I enjoy passing on traditions and adding new ones with my own family in hopes they will be carried on for many generations.

I am proud to be Jewish. Being Jewish is a journey filled with challenges to try to live a righteous life and to make the world a better place. Being Jewish makes me mindful about my life and makes me a better person. Being Jewish fills my being and my spirit with joy and allows me to be at peace with myself and the world around me.

Mary Edleson

April 18, 2018   3 Iyar, 5778

TONIGHT IS NINETEEN DAYS, WHICH IS TWO WEEKS AND FIVE DAYS, OF THE OMER

Being Jewish means we are part of a rich, colorful and proud ancestry steeped in history & tradition. It means that we also have a responsibility to pass along those meaningful traditions to future generations. That sentiment is especially relevant during this Passover holiday .

Steve & Geri Borkan

April 17, 2018   2 Iyar, 5778

TONIGHT IS EIGHTEEN DAYS, WHICH IS TWO WEEKS AND FOUR DAYS, OF THE OMER

After leaving home in the Bronx to go to college, and then on to the military and workplaces in primarily non-Jewish environments, my Judaism was my anchor in sometimes stormy seas to remind me of who I was, and when in turmoil or doubt to guide me through some difficult times throughout my life.

Bernie Tolpin

April 16, 2018  1 Iyar, 5778

TONIGHT IS SEVENTEEN DAYS, WHICH IS TWO WEEKS AND THREE DAYS, OF THE OMER

Being Jewish means so many things to me that is impossible to capture it in 150 words or less so I am going to focus on one thing it means to me, COMMUNITY. Being a Jewish woman brings me the comfort of belonging to a community that has traditions and beliefs that have guided me and my community for thousands of years. For example, when I light Shabbat candles on Friday night, I treasure being part of a community of people that connects me to generations of women in my family going back hundreds of years. I also love that it connects me to a community of Jews around the world who are also observing Shabbat. Another example of how I feel part of a community is that following the commandment of “welcoming the stranger” and working with God to create a more just, caring and compassionate world helps me join in and create communities wherever I am. Whether I am visiting a new synagogue or Jewish organization and feel the warm welcome and embrace of other Jews or joining in or with Jewish groups who are fighting for Social Justice I instantly feel part of a community. Being Jewish means I can always find community, a home, here in New York, across the country, the world and of course in Israel.

Olga