Bat Mitzvah?

We received an invitation to a Bat Mitzvah yesterday. A most happy occasion for sure.

The Bat Mitzvah "girl" is my age. 

Was it just fate that yesterday her husband called and asked if we'd like to go to dinner? After all, we hardly know them and going out socially last night was a first.

So I used the opportunity to ask what becoming a Bat Mitzvah entailed.  Did she know how to read Hebrew before signing up? (no) Did any of the class drop out? (no) How long is the class? (two years, two hours every Sunday)

I never had a Bat Mitzvah. My father had two reasons: 1. Only boys were allowed to read from the Torah on the Bema and 2. Hebrew school was an expensive proposition. Somehow he thought I would learn Hebrew by just hanging around him or by singing the Aleph-Bet song. Did I miss not going to Hebrew school? Absolutely not! Hahaha

Would I like to be a Bat Mitzvah at my age? I'm not sure. What I once would have said "absolutely not!" to, I am re-thinking. Apparently there are many of us women who skipped a Bat Mitzvah as youngsters. I know this because fourteen women from our Temple have studied for two years to become B'not Mitzvah in March.

My new friend told me the instructor (whom I've seen up on the Bema, filling in for our Spiritual Leader on Friday nights or reading from the Torah) is a kind and patient instructor. I think I will ask him tonight about his next class...

;-)

News Fast

I hear fasting has health benefits. It is rumored to clarify our minds and rid our bodies of harmful toxins.

I am seriously considering a News Fast, abstinence from CNN, Fox News and Twitter feeds. I'd sure like to clear my mind of some of the recent world events, TV reports and distressing news. I feel they are perhaps accumulating in my brain to a dangerous level of toxicity.

Two Israeli soldiers killed in action. Holocaust survivors telling their stories once again. Hostages executed and lives bartered. Yazidi begging Israel for help fighting ISIS in the name of their shared history of genocide and oppression (Where the hell is the USA leadership? Why aren't we the ones the Yazidi reach out to?)

The Daily Sun newspaper on my driveway every morning is not much of a problem. It touches on the biggest stories but chooses to focus mainly on the wonderful life we have here in The Villages. I certainly don't mind the movie and event listings, news about the hundreds of clubs and entertainment options, and of course, the comics and my horoscope.

I am going to try a News Fast for a few days...

;-)

Good Morning Monday

I woke up feeling good today. The scale reading, although not perfect, was acceptable or at least better than it has been lately. My "aches and pains" (as my Mother used to call them) have dissipated and I am ready to resume Low Impact Strength Training class today. I could see an interesting speaker tonight or do nothing at all if I choose. The weather, although crisper than I'd really like, is sunny and beautiful. Israel has busted an ISIS cell before they could behead anyone (they were practicing on animals). And I have a one day trip to South Florida planned for this week to pick up kishke, kreplach, corned beef, knishes (for friends), lox "wings" and herring. Can life get any better?

I truthfully never minded Mondays when I was working but I must say they are much better now.

;-)

Dining Room

Who needs a dining room these days? I've had my dining room table for thirty years and up to this year I could count the number of times we actually used it on one hand - a few Thanksgiving dinners and seders. Meals have been taken mainly at the kitchen table or counter or sitting on the sofa in front of the TV.

But all that changed when we moved to The Villages. First of all the dining room is better located so that one can eat on it and watch the TV in the living room. Second, we "entertain" now - poker games and upcoming Havurah meetings and card games with friends and neighbors. Although the table is too long for four person Maj Jong get-togethers, I anticipate pressing the chairs into service alongside the folding card table.

So I have invested in reupholstering the six chairs (the material was fine but the cushions were sagging a bit) and buying pads for the two table leaves (I never thought I'd ever use the leaves so I skipped buying pads for them when I ordered the table pads thirty years ago). When the new rug arrives my dining room will be ready.

I remember going to downtown Chicago to Marshall Field's to buy the set. I believe I saw an advertisement for it in the paper one Sunday. I loved the idea of buying classic furniture at Field's (where "rich people" shop!) and I wanted a set to replace the horrific "Spanish" style set I owned which was 1. cheap and 2. incredibly ugly. I guess I did OK because the set is still classic and I have yet to see one I like better.

Who needs a dining room? I guess I do...

;-)

Disappointment

The topic on my mind today is disappointment.  A strange roller coaster of emotion starting with hope and proceeding downhill.

I'm disappointed in The World for not condemning anti-Semitism more strongly. I'm definitely disappointed in President Obama for all his administration's slights and insults to Israel and the latest one, violating the agreement not to arm Palestinians  and allowing armed Palestinians to guard the American Consulate in east Jerusalem. I'm disappointed that a group trip to Israel in the spring has been cancelled due to lack of interest. I'm disappointed in myself for letting friendships slip away and for not losing those (luckily few) stubborn pounds.

Most of all, I am worried that hubby will be disappointed tonight if he is not elected to the Board of our Temple. There are six candidates and three slots to fill and I know one person is a shoo-in. He says he won't care but I suspect that is not true. If he loses I will remind him that he has a book that will be published soon by a scholarly press and that there is always next year.

Over the years, of course, I've had my fair share of disappointments and the Good News is that they affect me less and less. Perhaps I have come to realize they are temporary set-backs and just part of the business of living Life.

;-)

Desperation

After years of getting great haircuts my luck has finally run out and I am stuck here with a horrible cut. Instead of soft tendrils wisping over my ears there are uneven blunt cuts of hair blocking off half of each ear. My bangs are too short and slant unevenly across my forehead. Even Herculean efforts with the flat iron and gobs of mousse can't force this mess into any semblance of style. Horrible hair days await me for the next several weeks.

So I have been dreaming about good hair. Hair that comes ready made in a glorious full style with gentle highlights streaming through it and a fun, tousled (young) look. In other words, a wig.

After spending time on The Wig Company and Paula Young websites I picked my fantasy hairstyle. It's called the Kylie and even the Chocolate Cherry color is appealing (but mostly to my sweet tooth). Am I desperate enough to order it? Or can I make it through the next few weeks until I can travel to my old hairdresser's new salon 10 miles away (which I had decided was too far away) and beg her to fix me? 

I think I can make do with my own now cruddy looking mop, lots and lots of "product" and maybe a baseball cap...

;-)

Life and Maj Jong

Life is like playing Maj Jong.

You are randomly handed a set of tiles when you start. They are usually so different and confusing you can't see a pattern or what you can do with them.

You try to discard the ones you don't think will work for you and hope you pick up better ones. Sometimes you are sorry about one or two discards but you keep going. 

Eventually a pattern emerges.

 
Then you try to find a goal pattern that you think you can achieve with the tiles you have. There are many choices for a goal; the trick is picking the right one for you. Sometimes there are two or even three choices but you see what you are able to pick up along the way and eventually your goal becomes clear.

Your goal can be easier or harder to achieve and your reward points reflect this.

Sometimes it's necessary to switch your goal halfway through the game. This is very tough.

Sometimes you jump on an opportunity even though you are not sure you are making the right choice. Then you must commit to that course of action.

Sometimes you must conceal your goal and obtain all your necessary tiles alone, without help. This is very hard to do.

I try to play Maj Jong at least once a week. It's fun and frustrating at times, just like Life.  But as I've gone through Life I've seen my "hand" come together pretty nicely.

Maj Jong!

;-) 

Je Suis Juif

Last night's commentary on the week's Parsha was brilliantly delivered by fellow havurah member Marlene and accompanied by fellow havurah member Michele playing the haunting theme from Exodus on the piano.  It was the start of the Book of Exodus and the retelling of the tale of Moses and our liberation from slavery in Egypt. I found it incredibly moving, even though I am, of course, well versed in the story.

A brief mention was made at the recitation of the names for yartzeit of the victims of the Paris terrorist attacks. Not enough honor was paid to their memory in my opinion...

So with Exodus on my mind and the music playing in my head and thoughts of my murdered landsmen in my heart, I contemplated the modern day exodus of French Jews making aliyah to Israel, over 7,000 in the past year, a number that is sure to increase. Would I be as brave as they are to leave their homes, jobs, friends, businesses and language for an unknown future?

I think the answer would be yes. Living in fear because I am a Jew would be an unacceptable option. Un-lived but still vivid memories of the Holocaust would haunt my dreams. At least in Israel I know an entire army will fight to protect me.

Je suis Juif (I am a Jew).

Havurah

Tonight will be special (lacking a better word), of that I am sure.  We have been invited to participate in the very first meeting of a Havurah, a word and an idea I had never heard of a year ago. It's "official" meaning is: "A chavurah or havurah (חבורה Hebrew: "fellowship") is a small group of like-minded Jews who assemble for the purposes of facilitating Shabbat and holiday prayer services, sharing communal experiences such as lifecycle events, or Jewish learning."  There is even a website for these groups, a whole "Institute"!  Who knew?

I am thinking our little group of ten couples, specially selected by a terrific lady (she would definitely be voted "most popular" if we were all in high school) will be most interested in cementing friendships and shmoozing than in any of the more lofty pursuits mentioned in articles I've read, like pursuing tikkun olam (social justice). I am, of course, hoping for lively dialog on current topics and world events. Every one of the couples is fun and interesting and friendly. I'm thrilled to be included on the invitation list! 

Her Excel spreadsheet of the invitees was headed by this happy banner:

Extraordinaire! That's the word!

;-)

Me and My Calvin

Fun news this morning as I oogled this picture of Justin Bieber, the new face and body of Calvin Klein undies. Shades of Marky Mark who is now 43, the father of four, a respected actor and goes by Mark Wahlberg (just saw him in "The Gambler")! The two of them, I'm sure, have made a big impact to Calvin Klein's bottom line (pun intended).

My Skirt

I too own a Calvin! I found it for $1.50 on the Ross clearance rack. It was originally a swimsuit cover-up and consisted of two long pieces of material sewn together at the sides for only a few inches. Sensing the possibilities, I sewed the sides together (leaving a slit for walking) and now have a fabulous maxi skirt that I wear for fun occasions like the Sisterhood luncheon last Monday. Since Calvin is Jewish I'm sure he would not mind.

If Marky can transform himself from eye candy to seriously responsible dude, I guess my cover-up-to-maxi-skirt magic was no big deal, even if I did have to sew it by hand (no machine). 

;-) 

Dade's Battlefield Part Deux

Last year I yearned to attend the re-enactment of the 1835 massacre of Dade's Army by the Seminoles. It was not to be due to hubby's bout with Prednisone but this year we finally made it. The sun shone brightly, the weather was perfect, and for a few brief moments I was sent back in time to witness the start of the Second Seminole War and glimpse a bit of how life looked and sounded almost two hundred years ago.

Being on the side of the under-dog is a bit of a Jewish trait and I must have inherited it because I could not help but empathize with the Seminoles, even as the last Army man fell. Told to leave their ancestral homes in beautiful Florida, the place where they learned to live with nature and respect the beauty of the "Breath-Maker" for exile on the dusty plains of Oklahoma and a reservation, what choice did they have but to defend themselves and their homeland?  With Israel on my mind so much lately, I could not help but see similarities.

Last night I pondered why it is that Jews overwhelmingly vote for and fund Democrats even when administrations seem to slight Israel, ignore BDS and UN censures, and even withhold arms shipments in a time of war. I got my answer in this article from The Jewish Daily Forum. Well said! There are too many good and true quotes for me to pick out just one or two.

I don't think it was too much of a stretch to relate the eventual almost-destruction of the Seminoles (not withstanding their victory in December 1835) to the persecution and near-annihilation of Jews in the 20th century. Yet both peoples survived and even the Seminoles now thrive in their native Florida.

And so do I...

;-)

2015 Musings

The start of the new year is always a time for reflection and contemplation for me. I am usually a bit melancholy at the end of the so-called "hap-hap-happiest time of the year" and prone to a vague feeling of bummed-out no matter how many parties I've attended or how many presents I've received. Is it like that for everyone or just me? 

The start of the year brings the bills from the previous month of gluttonous over-indulgence along with (in our case) the January bills for life insurance, Temple dues, and the fourth estimated income tax payment (less now that I've retired). Bummer. Also the scale registers the price I've paid for the consumption of a few too many cookies and festive meals. 

My cure for this funky state of affairs is, of course, Gratitude. I'm glad for the people who thought enough to gift me with even those things I can't say I care for (what were they thinking??) and the people who dropped off "Merry Christmas" cards in our mailbox (and especially the ones who made the effort to find a "Peace" card and wrote Happy Chanukah on it). I'm especially glad for the neighbors who invited us to their homes for Christmas Eve dinner and I'm grateful for the folks who made the effort to call us and invite us to eat out or play cards.

Hello 2015! I won't insult you with resolutions I'm very likely to break before February. I'm glad you are here and that we are here to welcome you. 

;-)