Tag: #learning
learning
Every1Counts: Day 46
May 15, 2018 1 Sivan, 5778
TONIGHT IS FORTY-SIX DAYS, WHICH IS SIX WEEKS AND FOUR DAYS, OF THE OMER
Since 2012 we here at TBA have turned the Omer period between Passover and Shavuot into an amazing program called Every1Counts (E1C). This year, we shared the voices of our congregation and enhanced our community by listening to each other. We received 45 submissions to the question, “What does being Jewish mean to you?” For these last four evenings of the Omer, we will count by “listening” to some famous voices describe what being Jewish means to them.
“The pursuit of knowledge for its own sake, an almost fanatical love of justice, and the desire for personal independence—these are the features of the Jewish tradition which make me thank my stars that I belong to it.”
Albert Einstein
(Einstein, Albert. The World as I See It: BN Publishing, 2007. Digital, p. 89.)
Every1Counts: Day 45
May 14, 2018 29 Iyar, 5778
TONIGHT IS FORTY-FIVE DAYS, WHICH IS SIX WEEKS AND THREE DAYS, OF THE OMER
What being Jewish means to me are the stories in the Torah, and the lessons we learn from them. It is the holidays we spend with family and the traditions we hand down generation to generation. It is the respect and responsibility for each other and ourselves that our parents and grandparents taught us. It’s about knowing when you’re all together that you will spend the first 15 minutes talking about the route you took to get there and the last 45 minutes just saying goodbye.
I like that being Jewish is about following ideas and values—not following one person. I like that Judaism encourages questions and dialogue, not blind faith.
Being Jewish is being constantly evolving but rooted deeply in the past.
Melissa Baer
Every1Counts: Day 44
May 13, 2018 28 Iyar, 5778
TONIGHT IS FORTY-FOUR DAYS, WHICH IS SIX WEEKS AND TWO DAYS, OF THE OMER
Being Jewish to me means helping my own children and my students find their personal joy and connection to our rich and vibrant tradition. To see and feel its wisdom and beauty and to celebrate it and to grow from it as a citizen of the world.
Rabbi Allison
Every1Counts: Day 39
May 8, 2018 23 Iyar, 5778
TONIGHT IS THIRTY-NINE DAYS, WHICH IS FIVE WEEKS AND FOUR DAYS, OF THE OMER
What being Jewish means to me is telling the story of my family’s plight during the Holocaust. To help educate future generations and keep their memories alive.
M. Gyory
Every1Counts: Day 38
May 7, 2018 22 Iyar, 5778
TONIGHT IS THIRTY-EIGHT DAYS, WHICH IS FIVE WEEKS AND THREE DAYS, OF THE OMER
To me, being Jewish means I have the privilege of being part of a nation that has survived countless trials and enormous changes in the world around us for over 5000 years. Through all of that time we continued without losing our unifying identity as the Jewish people, Am Yisrael. Right now I’m spending an amazing semester in Israel, connecting with my Judaism and learning so much in the process. The many young Jews on this program with me are the future of reformed Judaism, and it’s amazing to see how passionate we all are. I think it’s fair to say that, speaking for all of us, we are honored to be able to continue as Jews and perpetuate an unbroken chain that tells the incredible story of our people.
Arielle Kolodzinski
Every1Counts: Day 37
May 6, 2018 21 Iyar, 5778
TONIGHT IS THIRTY-SEVEN DAYS, WHICH IS FIVE WEEKS AND TWO DAYS, OF THE OMER
What Does Being Jewish Mean to Me?
It means being constantly challenged
To live a life that honors the memories of my father and my mother
To be sensitive and respond to the needs of others
To make learning a lifelong pursuit
To be a vital member of my family and my temple community
Anonymous
Every1Counts: Days 35 and 36 (a double portion because it will soon be Shabbat)
May 4, 2018 19 Iyar, 5778
TONIGHT IS THIRTY-FIVE DAYS, WHICH IS FIVE WEEKS, OF THE OMER
For me, being Jewish means a living, breathing connection to a peoplehood that spans time and place. I find these connections in my family, my spiritual practice, my learning, the people I meet and know, and the creation of my art. All of these threads infuse who I am and the home I have tried to create for my children so that they will have this same connection no matter where they go or eventually put down roots. I feel a sense of both responsibility and fulfillment, of intense pride at being an active part of our collective memory, history and culture.
Alix
MAY 5, 2018 20 Iyar, 5778
TONIGHT IS THIRTY-SIX DAYS, WHICH IS FIVE 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.
Judaism is all about community for me. Being Jewish means that I am part of a large community of people who have shared understandings and beliefs. The community of people who came before us passed down the knowledge and traditions of Judaism. There is a community of people with shared history and traditions, who you meet everywhere you go. The synagogue community is there for prayer, for support, for celebration, and for friendship. Within the synagogue community are a community of friends and my chavurah family. No matter where I go, I’m connected to the Jewish people around me…because we are all part of the Jewish community
Jen G.
Every1Counts: Day 30
April 29, 2018 14 Iyar, 5778
TONIGHT IS THIRTY DAYS, WHICH IS FOUR WEEKS AND TWO DAYS, OF THE OMER
Joining TBA is just the beginning. TBA is one of the blessings of my adult life.
Women’s Circle, a new venture was just starting and it was a wonderful way to meet so many members. Everyone participated and you were also invited to share ideas and lead the group discussion, (and I did).
[When I was] two years in, [I joined]…the Adult B’nai Mitzvah class. This introduced more intense study of the HolyDays, prayers/prayer book. Becoming an adult Bat Mitzvah was a long time wish and now [it was] a reality. It was an honor to chant Torah and to make new friends. Another great gift was Rabbi Teluskin’s “Guide to Everyday Jewish Living.” An easy read full of Jewish Thoughts and life’s guidelines. I recommend this book often.
Counting the Omer allows us to concentrate on how to live/appreciate our best life, plus Tikkun Olam. Being Jewish and part of the TBA family enhances relationships, worship and prayer, learning, sharing, and it is a wonderful, warm Community. Led by learned, warm clergy, weekly Shabbat services are a joy! AND these are some of my blessings.
Ina BH
Every1Counts: Day 23
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.
Every1Counts: Days 21 and 22 (a double portion because it will soon be Shabbat)
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.
