Why are we feeling Sad and Happy Thanksgiving!

I get many surveys to fill out being a Jewish educator.  I just filled out one from Tablet, an online magazine and the last question was a one word fill in the blank how do you feel.  I wrote in SAD.  Since October 7, our world has changed.  The destruction of that one day physically and spiritually to Am Yisrael, the Jewish people is incalculable.  We will be trying to put back the pieces of the destrution for at least the rest of my life.  The upsurge of antisemitism all over the world, especially in the US and on our college campuses is unbelievable and even sadder to witness.  I did this article for my synagogue, Makom.  If you need some books to read, movies to watch take a look.  Some of them are oldies but goodies and some of them are new.  

I continue to find joy in my family, my children, grandchildren and husband.  Thankful for my mom and my sister and her family for celebrating Thanksgiving with us.  The one holiday I don't work, well not at the synagogue.

Thanksgiving 2014

Bulletin Article December 2023

 In a world dominated by 24-hour news cycles and the constant flow of information on social media platforms, it's easy to become overwhelmed, especially about the war in Israel. When it comes to understanding a complex and nuanced country like Israel, relying solely on TV news or social media does not provide the depth and context needed. I encourage you to look at vetted sources, articles, books and even videos, for a more comprehensive and informed perspective on current events in Israel.

 

Reading allows for a more in-depth exploration of Israel's history, culture, and politics. It is not always easy to find well-researched materials, but it will allow for a more comprehensive picture of the country. Israel has a rich and complex history that cannot be fully captured in brief news segments. The sound bites we see on television do not give us the insight into the roots of the Israeli-Arab conflict.    

 

Reading also exposes individuals to a diverse range of perspectives and opinions. Unlike the often-polarized narratives presented in news broadcasts or on social media, books written by different authors provide a more balanced view, allowing readers to form their own informed opinions. TV news and social media are driven by the need for high ratings and engagement, as I mentioned, and this results in sensationalized reporting.

 

In a world where information is often reduced to soundbites and headlines, taking the time to read about Israel provides a valuable opportunity for a more nuanced and informed understanding. So, the next time you're tempted to rely solely on TV news or social media, consider picking up a book or find a well-researched article for a more comprehensive view on Israel.  Also, novels about Israel give you a more nuanced view as well and maybe easier to digest.  There are not books about this war but there are many books  and novels about Israel.

 

Don’t know of any books to read about Israel?  Here are just a few.  I have also added some movies as well. Check out our library for many of these books and more. 

 

Books

NON-FICTION



·   Soldier of Peace: The Life of Yitzhak Rabin by Dan Kurzman

·   Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor By Yossi Klein Halevi

·   Israel by Noa Tishby



·   The Lemon Tree: An Arab, a Jew, and the Heart of the Middle East by Sandy Tolan

•        Like Dreamers: The Story of the Israeli Paratroopers Who Reunited Jerusalem and                Divided a Nation: Yossi Klein Halevi

•        The Story of Israel: Sir Martin Gilbert

•        Israel, a History: Martin Gilbert

•        Letters to Auntie Fiori: The 5,000-Year History of the Jewish People and their Faith:                 Martin Gilbert

•        A History of Israel from the Rise of Zionism to Our Time: Howard M. Sachar.  

•        The People on the Street: A Writer's View of Israel by Linda Grant.  

•        One Palestine Complete: Tom Segev

 

NOVELS:


•      Exodus by Leon Uris

•      The Source by James Michener

•   The Family Orchard by Nomi Eve
•   Exodus by Leon Uris

•   Hope Valley by Ner-David, Haviva 
•   The Man Who Sold Air in the Holy Land by Omer Friedlander

•       The Yellow Wind by David Grossman

•        The Seven Good Years by Etgar Keret

•        Jerusalem by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre. 

•        A Tale of Love and Darkness by Amos Oz

•        To the end of the Land by David Grossman

•        Waking Lions by Ayalet Gundar Goshen

•        Second Person Singular by Sayad Kashua

 

Young Adult Novels

 •        A bottle in the Gaza Sea by Valérie Zenatti, 

•        All the rivers by Dorit Rabinyan

•        Next Year in Israel by Sarah Bridgeton

Movies:

·   Exodus with Paul Newman

·   Golda with Helen Mirren

·   Oslo, 2021

·   Maktub, from 2017 dark humor

Vacation, Value and Visualization: Cartagena, Columbia December 2017

I was very lucky to vacation with my extended family in Cartagena, Colombia during part of the cold snap happening in Chicago. It was a wonderful 8 days of warm weather, family bonding and an opportunity to unplug, (OK not TOTALLY unplug but for the most part unplug). It is so important to spend time together as a family and just hang out. Our family realizes how fortunate we are to have this opportunity to take advantage of the time to have conversations.  

Why Cartagena?  No, it is not dangerous, (anymore) and no there were no drugs present at anytime.  We did take advantage of happy hour on the beach a few times and one or two times by the pool.   We picked Cartagena because it was warm, NOT too far away and an old city for us to explore.  

The city of Cartagena, known in the colonial era as Cartagena de Indias is a major port founded in 1533, located on the northern coast of Colombia in the Caribbean Coast Regio.  The people are very friendly and we had 2 guides to take us on walking tours both of whom were very knowledgeable about the city and history.  I always compare everything to an Israel trip and just like in Israel Guides in Columbia are licensed and very knowledgeable.   We enjoyed learning about the walled city in Cartagena (my family members were nonplussed when I announced that they could celebrate Purim for 2 days in the old city because of the wall) and seeing the The Palace of Inquisition which is was finished around 1770, and currently serves as a museum showcasing historical artifacts from the Inquisition was very interesting. It does mention Jews who of course were notoriously tortured in Spain but during these times and anywhere the Spaniards were in control. They also persecuted the indigenous population and anyone who was not a practicing Catholic. 

We also had 4 days at a resort on an island which was a 2 hour boat ride from the mainland.  It was lovely to relax, swim, snorkel, scuba dive by the sea.  Coming home to about a 100 degree change in the thermometer was not an easy transition.  I am thankful for time with my immediate family and my extended family. We were blessed to go away with 3 generations and not just come back in one piece but also having had fun just hanging out.  You don't have to go to Columbia to have fun with your family but I highly recommend that you put aside intentional time with your family; in the end it will be a value which I KNOW you can visualize!

#BlogExodus Day 7 Bless

Still doing #blogExodus and today as you can see we have BLESS.  My family is the first thing which comes to my mind when I think of bless. This Pesach my kids will all be together for both Seders.  I am very excited.

I told Arthur we have one rule, if the 5 of us are not in the same place we must keep our cell phones on.  I guess we will be able to turn off our phones for the first time since last summer.  Can't wait to set the Seder table, make charoset and  have Seder together.  This is bless, blessing and to be blessed.

Nathan and Shula's Wedding Sept 2013

#BlogExodus Day 2: Tell (me about being a part of a family)

OSRUI Segel, Faculty before the Shave

Blogging today will be easy in that I have much to tell about last night's event of 36 Rabbi's (there were actually over 50) Shaving for the Brave a St. Baldrick's event.  I came to support the whole community of Rabbi's about to shave their heads and in some cases their faces all in the name of raising funds for pediatric cancer research.  All in all by the end of the evening we had raised over half a million dollars and it is still not too late to donate.

We began the evening with t'filot to frame the task that was in front of us.  After a moving t'filah with over 500 Rabbi's in attendance, some with their families. They covered the stage in plastic; 8 barbers standing behind 8 chairs and the first group, including Rabbi Phyllis and Michael Sommer began to have their hair shaved off.

During the shaving which began late in the evening and lasted for over  2 hours was sometimes hard to watch, I know some of the participants were nervous and I think for a woman to shave her hair is such a brave thing to do.  For the men although they look very different  in a few weeks they will begin to look normal.  For the woman this process will take so much longer.

Some of the Women who shaved for the brave.  

I am so proud of being part of something bigger.   I met Phyllis at OSRUI when we were both on Faculty.  Being part of the OSRUI family is also being part of something bigger.  I have known Phyllis since she came to Chicago and have shared ups and downs with her and her whole family.  I know that I will be here and the OSRUI family will be there, the Rabbinic family, Am Shalom and too many more families to name.  It's good to be part of family.

Rabbis Michael and Phyllis Sommer